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#Gotta slide those thoughts into the sink heh
lethargicsunlight · 3 years
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'Demon' Chapter 3 : For The Mission Bakugou x Fem!Reader (book 1)
Hello~
First of all, Thank you for reading!
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You can also read this chapter and the previous ones here on my AO3.
Or, you can find the previous chapter here.
I will come up with a better linking system soon, but I gotta get back to work real quick :(
WARNINGS: Injury, bodily fluids, angst, SFW
Please enjoy!
👹🖤⛓🔪💣
You knew running was a losing game, as speedy as you could be. He was saving his energy by using his mutation quirk for movement.
You pull loose a throwing knife from the holster on your side, keeping the blade bared outward to defend yourself as you take in your blurring surroundings. You make a turn, decidedly veering away from the direction of the bar you'd just left; the last thing you needed was for your pursuer to call in reinforcements that could teleport.
Despite sliding through sharp turns, you couldn't manage to get far enough ahead to fake him out. With the tough exoskeleton they possessed, he was easily driving his extra limbs into the walls and using them as leverage to fling himself forward--closing in on you much faster than you wanted.
"What is it little Demon?" He screeches, mandibles scratching and gnawing together as his mouth stretches open. "I thought you would be a much more riveting opponent than this!"
...Sometimes, you gotta give them what they want.
Mid-run, you locate a window going into an abandoned office building. Throwing your knife, it punctures the glass and leaves hair-line fractures across the surface--you can see the reflection of Sting's eyes within the shards as you thrust your weight into the opening.
In a circular motion, you manage to unsheathe one of the longer blades at your back and parry  his limbs in the air before you're tumbling over the broken glass. It hurts, but you don't allow yourself to slow down. You roll back up, unsheathing the second blade with your free-hand as you crouch, ready to strike.
Now you at least had one advantage over him. More cover.
"Heh," he seems to hesitate, finally setting his body back upon solid ground as he evaluates you. His gaze is filled with confidence after watching you run away from him. Like prey.  In his pause, you have a few seconds to analyze his structure. The exoskeleton would to be too hard to cut, so your focus had to be the areas you could see flesh exposed. You were aware the legs could retreat into his back, which guaranteed a lack of access there. All you could see was his face and his hands--though peaking out from beneath a tucked scarf, was the smooth skin of a throat.
You had made an oath long ago that you would never kill again. But in defense of your mission... you could manage an exception. It would all be over soon anyway.
Instead of coming at you straight on, he throws another knife at you to get everything back into motion. It has you leaping backwards unto a filing cabinet--and he's charging at you finally with the ferocity of essentially four swords. Due to his extra limbs' reach, you realize you won't get a hit on him this way.
It becomes a tangle of blades as you parry and block and twist around his advances, kicking up papers and folders to distract him as you move up and down over obstacles. The venom in your arm begins to dance through your veins, tingling beneath the skin--you are running out of time.
You can see his face twist into a smile; he's sure he's going to win.
Good.
As he makes the mistake you were waiting for, drawing one of his limbs back for a final attack; his mouth is open to announce his triumph. As the air begins to leave his lungs and form syllables in his mouth, time slows down for you. Your blade held up to parry drops from your hand, sending his stinger forward to scrap across your shoulder; close but not too close to your neck. You grab the knife on his belt that you had been eyeing since his first advance in the alleyway, and slice through the joint.
It brings him to a halt, howling as he moves backwards. Green ichor sprays across your face and drips from his new amputation, his other three limbs curling around his body while his hands grope his shoulders.
You pocket his knife and retrieve your blade from the floor.
"Noo! Nonono..!" He's wailing--it sounds grief-stricken now. While there were questionable 'doctors' among villain society; no one has the ability to bring back a limb. Especially one like that. You had mired him, for the rest of his life.
You prepare for a death blow--but the flash of skin beneath the fabric of his shirt causes your hesitation.
You don't have to kill him. It's relief that floods through your tense and calculating mind; briefly before being replaced with pain. As you had expected, a minute in and his neurotoxic venom has seeped into the muscles of your arm. It feels like a chemical burn--acid turning flesh to sizzling nothing. The arm goes limp, but you force your grip on the blade--you had to appear stable.
"I'm going--I'm going to kill you!" He screeches, and there's a squeal behind it like the voice of the insect part of him was a separate entity.
"...You can't kill me." You say slowly, approaching with your good arm raised. You swallow, then let your voice drop an octave as fear seeps into his eyes. There's a button you managed to press a moment ago, that makes the eyes glow from your mask. A cerulean color--a color that was a remnant of your past. "I'm not human."
From the look on his face--he believes you. Your charade is working. You grit your teeth, forcing your shaking and screaming arm to lift and move to the back of your head. It's a movement that suggests you'll remove your mask.
"N-No, no!" He shifts back again, and unaware of his surroundings he trips and lands among the broken glass. His remaining extra limbs curl in close to his face, leaving his abdomen bare. "You're lying! You can't steal people's souls, you're just--you're like us!"
"Then why are you hiding your face?"
"Wh--" With the distraction of speech, he doesn't block when you throw the hidden blade from your hood down into his abdomen. It's a solemn thwack, and then the harsher crack of his skull when you flip the blade in your good hand and swing it between his stinging limbs to ram into his bare temple.
He's out. He's internally bleeding, and he'll never be the same... but he'll live. Maybe when he wakes, he'll have a different outlook on life. Or, most likely, he'll want to hunt you down.
You suppose that should scare you. But given the note you had received from the hero agency you worked with, your time was going to end anyway. He wouldn't have a chance.
"Hrk--" You crumple to the ground, clutching the arm that felt like it should be bare bone rather than flesh. It's like the nerves are exposed; the grip from your clothed hand sending shockwaves down your spine.
You couldn't help but brood--seeing as how moving was so difficult--at how opposite this situation had been compared to what it seemed.
While you had delivered a blow based on skill--you won the fight by lying. Like an illusion, you'd expertly hidden behind the smoke and mirrors to make him believe you were bigger than you actually were. Like you had won easily, rather than by the skin of your teeth.
You wheeze, tears pricking at your eyes while you force yourself to rise. You needed to get back to base. Especially before he did, and preferably before anyone decides to investigate the noises of your chase earlier.
You stumble out of the building through the window you had broken, and slowly creep through the alleys of Yokohama once again.
---
Every television in the base was alight with the bright colors of the Sports Festival.
You were pretty sure that H.H. kept cameras within those screens, ever watching the faces of his lackeys and agents--judging their actions and expressions. Another advantage to always wearing a mask.
You stood, back pressed to a wall in the shadow of a corner as you side-eye the screen. Watching the students filter out unto the field causes a bitter-sweet fluttering in your stomach.
You remembered the first time you had watched the event. You were much younger, sitting with your knees pressing into the floor and palms crushing a few stray sheets of paper. Really, you had never been all that interested in television, mostly because the other kids at the foster-care center were rambunctious when they sat in front of it.
But this time, the only two souls whose eyes were glued to the flat surface were yours and your new foster brother's, who had been the one to convince you to watch it in the first place.
"You gotta watch it--I'm gunna be on it one day!" He says, arm extending to offer his hand. You stare at it, bug-eyed.
"Oh," you meagerly utter, taking his hand and letting him lead you. He laughs and pulls you along until your both sitting in the living-room floor.
"Don't worry," he leans in towards you, "I'll keep the volume low. Trust me though, kay? You gotta watch it, it's really fun!"
You don't believe him, but before long you're both cheering with the crowd and talking avidly about your favorite contestants. He--
You draw yourself out of the memory as large letters appear in your peripheral. The first game had been announced. A race.
There was a sinking feeling in your chest to know that he should have been there amongst them, maybe a year ago. There wasn't a doubt in your mind that he would have won. Maybe even every challenge.
Even at that young of an age, he had always been so full of righteous fire.
He could have been a hero of heroes...
If not for you.
----
You catch pieces of the Sports festival as you move through the base in search of an old 'escape plan' map. Head Honcho had certainly made modifications since the water-treatment plant had been adopted as his new lair, but you could draw them out if only you had a layout of the place.
Chemical spills did happen, so you could only hope that the escape plans had been forgotten when everything was moving in. In a storage closet somewhere, on the door of an outlet box, above the water control panel--somewhere.
Moving through an old lounge, large screens portrayed the ongoing of the race that had long-since started above the heads of a few agents. They were newer, but they noticed you when you walked in.
The looks in the eyes of those whose faces were exposed was that of mixed admiration and loathing. But, fortunately for you--Head Honcho had made it very clear that you were to be left alone. Treated as exalted, as though separate from everyone else on a holy level. Not that they worshipped you--but that he wanted you to be considered the entity you played as. A demon.
The rumor was as much to his advantage as it was yours.
Their eyes follow you in the dark as you move around them, but something suddenly has their eyes whipping back to the screen as the closer viewers make noises of surprise. You decide to look too, selfishly; and you're rewarded with something familiar.
A freckled green-haired boy. He's flying through the air after a massive explosion, rivaling the two that had been effortlessly charging towards the finish from the beginning. The three of them are suddenly close together, faces etched in the effort to win--and you find yourself openly admiring them.
Beneath your mask, you're smiling. Your heart is pounding and you want to cheer like old times, throwing popcorn in the air and rejoicing--no matter who won. You could practically feel your foster brother's spirit next to you, tugging on your heart. You should be there, enjoying this. You hear him say.
Your breath catches in your throat as there's another explosion--Midoriya had managed to throw the bit of metal he'd carried with him all this way and use another surge of momentum to carry him forward. Everything stills as you wait, holding that breath until finally--finally--it is him that enters the arena in first place.
Adrenaline explodes and rockets around your ribs and your heart--but you're still. You mouth the word 'yes', but didn't dare utter a syllable. Controlling yourself, you make for the exit of the room, intent now more than ever to carry out your mission. To help ensure the safety of those three boys that fought so hard to be recognized as heroes.
For those three boys that reminded you so much of him.
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radbeetle · 4 years
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|Call to Arms|
wow these screenshots are so old. do you know why i’ve been sitting on them for so long? because i wanted to finish the writing about this mission before I posted them
AND I DID. Check it out on AO3 or under the readmore.
“These robots were assaulted by institute synths.”
Katherine scrunched up her face and shielded her eyes as she looked up at Danse , who insisted on keeping his headlamp on.
“Um, sorry, I - I gotta ask… what are… synths?” and what’s the institute, for that matter, she thought to herself, but one question at a time.
“Technological abominations created by the institute, and let loose to run rampant throughout the commonwealth.” Danse’s voice was heavy with disgust, even through the buzzy modulation of his power armor.
“Danse. That’s… I get that you don’t like them, but what are they?” Katherine pleaded. “Just… in simple terms? Please?”
He scoffed. “I would have thought you familiar with them. Most in the Commonwealth seem to be.”
Katherine deflated, shoulders sinking. “Well… just… I’m out of the loop. Let’s leave it at that.”
The blank stare of the T-60’s helmet concealed Danse’s puzzlement. Regardless, he provided explanation. “Robots, built in the shape of man. A mannequin brought to life by machinery. They’re a mockery of humankind at best, and a blight upon this world at worst.”
Katherine bit her tongue, and suppressed her curiosity. As much as she wanted to know more, it was obvious Danse was biased. “I guess things have come a long way from the Mr. Handy, huh.” There was still a little bit of awe in her voice - she very much wanted to see these synths. Truly humanoid robots had always been a lofty goal of the industry… she had heard of RobCo’s Assaultrons, but they were still miles away.
Danse scoffed. “Unfortunately. Keep your eyes open as we move deeper into the facility. It’s highly likely that the Institute’s forces still have a presence here.” The paladin was already moving on, and Katherine was quick to follow.
“Mmm-hmm.” She wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Part of her was brimming with curiosity about these synths… and part of her knew that if they could take down those protectrons, they could take down her.
“This place has really been trashed, huh? What do you think it was like back in the day?”
“Filled with men making poor decisions, I’m certain.”
Katherine pressed her lips. So much for small talk. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the hallways opened up into another room. Two dust coated windows framed a sliding door, which Danse was quick to investigate.
“This is the way forwards, but it seems to be locked tight. There’s no apparent way to open it from here.”
Katherine straightened up, and holstered her 10mm. “Oh, if there’s no visible controls on the door, they’re likely wired into a local terminal. It’s technically required for them have a way to bypass the lock through the hardware, in case of emergency, but they never make it easy. Security stuff. Uh…” she trailed off for a moment, glancing around the room. There were a few desks still standing on the opposite wall, terminals still intact. “Um, give me a moment.” She kicked a toppled chair away from the desk, and bent over the keyboard. “Mmm, this one’s still logged in. I guess there’s not really time to properly disconnect from your workstation when they’re bombing the city.” she muttered as she scrolled through the inbox.
“Any luck over there?” Danse inquired.
“I’ve got access to the internal mail system, uh, lots of reminders about security protocols and - ah-heh. Automated password change reminder. Looks like it’s for the lab access?” Katherine had a gnawing feeling in her gut that she was over-explaining things. Surely the paladin didn’t care about the specifics.
“That’s where we’re headed.”
“Great, yeah, uh.” She scanned the room again and scampered to the other still functional terminal. “Let’s hope…” she trailed off.
Danse took a few steps away from the laboratory door, turning to watch Katherine with mild curiosity, hidden behind the power armor helmet. She seemed quite at home amongst the terminals and technology. An unusual trait, compared to most of the wastelanders he met. Though he was initially skeptical of her claim to being a Vault Dweller - the Brotherhood had no record of a Vault 111, after all - he wondered if perhaps there was some truth to her statement.
“Hey!” Kate’s head popped up over the top of the terminal. “Got it.”
“Excellent. Let’s not waste any more time. If you could open the door?”
“Oh! Yeah, yeah.” A swift keystroke and the door opened with the whnk-hsss of pneumatics.
Paladin Danse formed around, set once again to lead the way onward, through the facility - but the incandescent blue laser bolt that buzzed his power armor brought those plans to a standstill.
“Hostile detected.” The matter-of-fact statement and computerized voice carried no overt aggression, a sharp contrast to the flurry of laser fire passing through the now opened doorway.
“Synths! Take cover!”
Katherine didn’t need to be told - she dove for cover behind a fallen file cabinet the instant she caught sight of the laser’s flash. Her grip tightened around her pistol as she heard Danse shout - a cautious glimpse revealed that the synths - that’s what he said they were? - were prioritizing the Paladin as a target, paying no attention to her. She wasn’t sure if they had even noticed her.
A dozen thoughts all raced through her head, tangling together as she stared at the machines. Mannequins was the comparison Danse had drawn. He wasn’t too far off. They were battered, damaged, rubber skin torn to reveal steel skeletons and plastic components. Only a moment had passed before one of them turned its gaze to Kate. The faint yellow glow of its eyes and the exposed grimace of its metal skull was an eerie sight - and one that quickly exploded in a shower of sparks and shrapnel.
Danse had taken it out with a single headshot.
The moment was enough to jolt her back into action, and she followed up by returning fire. Her 10mm pistol wasn’t nearly as effective as the AER-9 laser rifle Danse carried, but it did the job.
“Hmph. Sent them to the scrap heap.” He noted the laser weaponry carried by the synths, and had a realization. He glanced at the pistol carried by his current associate, and offered her the backup laser rifle he had brought. “Take this. I’m certain there’ll be more of them, and they’ll be carrying microfusion cells. Energy will be more effective than a weapon of a ballistic nature.” The Paladin tossed the rifle towards Katherine, who caught it with a startled yelp. She turned the weapon over in her hands. She had a passing familiarity with the AER-9 - though she had never personally handled one, she understood the basic mechanisms, and microfusion cells were something she was well acquainted with.
She fastened her 10mm pistol to her belt and kept the laser in hand. Danse had already stepped over the smoldering wrecks of the synths, but her curiosity was too strong. She stopped in the middle of the room, and crouched down over one of the robots.
They had been shooting at me only minutes ago, she thought, and there was still part of her that was worried they might spring back to life. Yet despite that lurking fear, she had to get a closer look.
The situation struck her as a little morbid, perhaps. Moreso than examining a broken-down Mr. Handy, at least.
It was the faces, she thought. The eyes.
The Institute. That’s where Danse said they had come from. Katherine had seen how the world was torn apart, still ruined from the bombs dropped so long ago. But it seemed that somewhere out there, something had not just survived, but thrived. Moved on past the limits of the world she knew, developed things that General Atomics could only have dreamed of.
A weight settled somewhere deep in her chest as she turned one over. An aching sort of sadness.
She didn’t have a chance to process those feelings, to figure out the why behind them.
“What are you doing? Hurry up. We can’t waste any more time.” Danse snapped, irritated by what he saw as Kate’s dawdling.
“Oh.” Katherine’s response was quiet. She got to her feet, gaze lingering on the remains of the synths, before turning away to follow Danse once again, through the ruins of ArcJet.
Katherine was worn down by the repeated encounters with the institute synths - after the first firefight she stuck closer than ever to the paladin - and stayed behind him, too. The power armor could take a laser much better than she could.
She was sure Danse was scowling at her cowardice, under his helmet.
“This way leads to the engine core. We’ll have to pass through here to reach the location where they’ve likely stored the transmitter.”
Danse looked back to find Kate dragging her fingers through the dust on a long abandoned desk, staring at a box of long faded files and folders.
“Everything here stopped so suddenly… how many people do you think made it out?”
He hesitated. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“When… the bombs dropped.” Katherine clarified, her voice tinged with sadness.
Danse cocked his head. “I couldn’t tell you, and I doubt anyone in the commonwealth has that information, given how many years have passed since those events.” He scoffed. “Regardless, I would suggest against concerning yourself with the people of the past. Their actions brought the war upon themselves.”
Her only response to Danse’s declaration was to go very quiet.
The elevator ride that took them to the engine core was awkward; Katherine pressed herself into the back corner of the car and wondered how much a suit of T-60 power armor weighed. Every time the elevator creaked, or groaned, she flinched. The thought that it had gone two centuries without maintenance scared her.
Kate’s knuckles went white as she clutched the pitted railing, just leaning barely enough over to stare down to the depths of the room. Her eyes followed the length of the rocket booster back up, and turned to look back at Danse, whose attention was drawn upwards, assessing the staircase - and the massive gap where it had broken away over the past two centuries.
It wasn’t filling Katherine with confidence, that was for sure.
It was only a short few flights to the floor of the test chamber, thankfully. The ash crunched under Katherine’s feet, and she walked a line around the edge of the room, idly looking over the footprints she left.
Danse placed an armored hand on the cowl of the engine, which had laid dormant for over two centuries. He wondered briefly if the brotherhood would have a use for it.
Maybe if it were smaller. As it stood, there was no way to transport the thing.
“See if you can find a way to turn the power back on. Perhaps redirect it from other parts of the facility.”
“Yeah - yeah sure.” There were only two ways out of the room, aside from the stairs. An elevator, unpowered and unusable, and a set of heavy steel double doors, halfway open and leading to what looked like a maintenance hall, judging by the wires and pipes running along the concrete. Seemed promising - or so she hoped.
There was a… she supposed it was some sort of control room, judging by all the consoles and buttons present, but she didn’t pay much attention to it - another doorway at the rear of the room exposed a fusion generator, and that was much more promising when it came to potential power systems.
Not just one fusion generator, but two - and a terminal at the back of the room. She nudged the chair away from the desk, wheels leaving a trail in the dust. As she settled in, Kate’s fingers ran across the terminal keys. There was no elaborate security down here in the depths. It didn’t surprise her. But it did make her current task easier - and she was glad. She tapped her way through various options, scanning every choice and setting .
Ah. There we go. Auxiliary power. A few confirmations and…
She could hear the power systems coming to life in the walls around her, the faint buzz of electricity through wires, and the hum of mechanical systems powering up. That should have done it, if everything was still connected.
The fusion generators she had passed has turned quiet, and her gaze lingered on the fusion core left inside. Well… if that was no longer connected, no longer needed.
Push, turn, and a click as it disconnected, slipped into her pocket on the way out.
It was the sound of gunfire that made Katherine snap to attention once again. Or, more accurately, laser fire. Flashes of blue and red through the reinforced glass window of the control room.
The paladin’s shouts confirmed her assumption.
“Synths!”
She froze up, eyes darting across the room, tracking the barrage of blue bolts in front of her.
It felt like hours before Danse called out again, directed at her. “Do something, Vance! Don’t just - urgh - stand there!”
It was enough to jolt her into action.
She slammed her open palm down on the big red button on the console in front of her.
The sounds of laser fire weren’t enough to obscure the pre-recorded countdown that initiated.
“Command accepted. Test fire commencing in five… four…”
Katherine’s heart was doing backflips in her chest. “Test fi- oh god oh no job on that’s not -” She pounded on the window. “Danse!”
“Three… two…”
Danse didn’t have time to muster a response, under the onslaught of synths.“
"One. Engine firing.”
The roar of the engine was deafening, and Katherine’s immediate reaction was to cover her ears. The sound was matched in intensity by the engine’s output - even here behind the safety of the blast shield, she still felt the wave of heat.
Danse dropped to one knee, arm raised to shield his face. The steel of his power armor picked up a faint red glow around the edges under the engine’s flames.
The synths weren’t nearly as durable. Any of them immediately under the test engine were swiftly reduced to ash, and those with a little more distance crumpled to the floor within moments.
“Test firing completed with an efficiency rating of ninety-six point seven percent.”
Katherine was already at the blast doors by the time they swung open. Her footsteps crackled in the ash as she ran to Danse.
He hadn’t moved since going down, and that made her fearful.
But as she approached, he groaned, reaching for the laser rifle he had dropped.
“Danse? Oh my god I’m - shit, shit I’m sorry I didn’t know - I didn’t think - *are you okay?!” She was on the verge of panic.
“I’m fine.” Danse grunted, getting to his feet with a little more effort than usual.“Thanks to my power armor. Without it I would have fared no better than those damn synths.”
Katherine reached a hand out, a gesture of support, but as she placed it on his arm…
“Ouch!” She yelped, flinching backwards. The metal still held quite a bit of heat. She shook her hand - that was gonna leave a mark.
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Maybe it wasn’t the wisest decision, but the results are acceptable enough.” The paladin gestured toward the elevator, where the call buttons were now lit up. “I strongly suggest we keep moving on. I don’t know how many more synths are in this building, or if they’re on their way to us again, and I’d rather not stand around to learn the answer.”
Perhaps it was more of a command than a suggestion, as he didn’t wait for a reply before heading towards the elevator.
“Um…” Kate hurried after him, still worried, though now for a different reason. “How much does that power armor weigh…? Is that going to be within the weight limit? I don’t - that elevator is two hundred years old and I know it hasn’t had regular maintenance, what if it -”
Danse turned around to look at Katherine. Even with his helmet obscuring his expression, she could sense his disapproval.
“Sorry.” She offered lamely, before going quiet and squeezing into the elevator car beside him.
It was a tight fit.
“All the information I’ve gathered indicates that the deep range transmitter is most likely stored in this control room,” Danse explained, “and there’s almost no evidence of scavenger activity in these parts of the facility.”
“What about the synths?”
“They arrived not long before we did, from the looks of things. If the deep range transmitter isn’t in the control room, one of the synths may have taken it. If that’s the case, we should hope they haven’t yet left the facility - if they’re still here, recovering the transmitter will be a simple task.”
“… more gunfights?”
“Very likely.”
Katherine clutched her laser rifle just a little tighter as they made their way towards the control room.
She was very conscious of her choice to keep behind Danse. The power armor protected him - and anyone behind him.
The tinny statement of “Hostile detected.” was the first sign of synths ahead, followed by the pchew of laser fire overhead.
“Contact!” Danse was the superior marksman between them and was quick to take out a trio of synths. They crumpled to the ground in rapid succession, and the third found its plastic skin burnt to ash as it fell.
Katherine was quick to offer fire against the last two synths as Danse reloaded - though none of her shots missed, she was far less accurate. It took more than twice as many shots for her to take them down.
“Well done.”
“Oh - um. Thank- thank you.” She never was great at handling praise, and was quick to scamper off in search of the transmitter, investigating the destroyed synths while Danse searched the room.
A few recovered microfusion cells found their way into her pockets, before a larger item caught her eye. She nudged the synth aside with her boot, uncovering… well, she wasn’t certain it was the deep range transmitter but it did have the look of a very complicated and very expensive piece of technology.
Katherine made her way back to Danse with the device slung under her arm. “Hey - I found this and um. Is this what you’re after?”
“That would be it, yes. Excellent! And it doesn’t appear to have sustained any damage.”
“Yeah, that’s good news.”
“There should be a way to exit the facility from here, so there won’t be any need to backtrack. Follow me.”
Danse wasn’t one to loiter - Katherine found it hard to keep up with him.
“… oh, another elevator.”
The service elevator led to an exit behind the ArcJet building, up a hill, sheltered inside a concrete structure. The commonwealth was quiet - there were no signs of any synths lingering outside. They were both equally relieved by this.
Danse took a few steps past the aged, rusting fence, and turned back to face Katherine. With his rifle holstered he reached up to remove his helmet, tucking it under one arm as he spoke. “well, I’m certain that could have gone smoother, but mission accomplished.”
Kate winced. She really had no frame of reference here. “I’m - I’m sorry. I didn’t…” She trailed off, deflating.
“While the operation was flawed, your contributions were still invaluable. Without your assistance I would certainly have been overwhelmed on multiple occasions. I’m not certain I could have retrieved the transmitter on my own.”
“Oh…!” There was surprise in Kate’s exclamation. She shuffled her feet a bit, awkward. “I’m… glad to hear that. I think.”
The paladin continued onward. “With that said, I believe we have two important matters to discuss. First and foremost is the deep range transmitter. If you’ll hand it to me, I’d like to compensate you for your assistance during this operation.”
“Yeah, yeah okay, here, this is, um. This is yours.” Kate offered Danse the device, which was swiftly packed away and secured.
He unholstered the rifle at his side, presenting it to Katherine. “Here. You clearly have an aptitude with technology - and with energy weapons. I think you’ll benefit from this; It’s my own personal modification to the standard issue AER9 laser rifle.”
“…really? Don’t you need this?” Katherine gingerly accepted the weapon, scanning it. She could see evidence of tinkering - and, of course, the brotherhood’s symbol stencilled along the barrel. She ran a thumb across the paint.
“It’s not the only weapon at my disposal. Besides, I believe in paying my debts.”
“Well then… thank you.”
“You’re welcome, civilian. Now, onto the second matter.”
Kate bit her tongue, unsure of what to expect.
“I wanted to make you a proposal. We had a lot thrown at us back there, and for the most part, you handled yourself exceptionally.”
She found herself wanting to disagree, but said nothing.
“Our op could have ended in disaster, but your determination kept that from happening. I believe that with a bit of training, you could be a valuable asset to the Brotherhood.”
“Erm.” Was she being recruited? She would have flunked out of the pre-war military almost instantly.
“The way I see it, you’ve got a choice. You could spend the rest of your life wandering the commonwealth, scrounging for supplies and trading your skills for a meager reward. Or, you could join the Brotherhood of Steel and make your mark on the world.” Danse shifted his weight, grip tightening on the helmet he still held.
“So, what do you say?”
Kate bit her lip. “The Brotherhood of Steel, huh? You guys are… aren’t you military?”
“Essentially, yes.”
Her hesitation was obvious. “Is this something I can think about? I don’t think I know enough here to, uh. to make a decision so quickly.”
“Of course. It’s a big decision. The offer still stands, and when you’ve made up your mind, you know where to find me.” Danse took a moment to put his helmet on once again, and his voice crackled out from within. “With all that said, I need to return to the police station. The deep range transmitter ought to be installed sooner, rather than later, so we can get in contact with the rest of the Brotherhood. Thank you again for your assistance, Vance. I wish you the best.”
Katherine found herself staring after Danse as he turned and left, heavy footsteps echoing off the hills around them. She shook her head as if to clear it. This whole thing had taken her off track, and she sighed. She had always been praised for her willingness to help, but so often that kept her away from her own tasks.
She certainly wasn’t going to make it to Diamond City today, she realized - the sky was still light, but she knew that wasn’t going to last much longer.
There weren’t enough hours in the day. That had been true two hundred years ago, and it was still true now.
She wasn’t looking forward to setting up camp for the night.
64 notes · View notes
parsnipit · 3 years
Text
title: hide and seek (part ii)
summary: 
After his time in the multiverse, Ford has become a veritable prodigy when it comes to hiding from the big scary things that want to kill him. Now that Bill’s gone, there aren’t very many of those things left to hide from—but old habits die hard, and Ford finds himself struggling to adapt to this strange new world after leaving Gravity Falls. Fortunately, he has Stan to help (and Stan has always been very good at finding him, no matter where he hides).
ao3
warnings: references to ptsd + flashbacks + memory issues, self-loathing, anxiety
a/n: thank u guys so much for the awesome feedback on part i!!!! you’re all so lovely aaaaa (yes i did see ur tags and yes i do love u all).
part i | next
---
The second time Ford vanishes into thin air, Stan panics a little less. He knows Ford is probably just holing up somewhere, laying low while he sorts his own head out. But the silence around him is oppressive, still, and anxious thoughts are quick to intrude on him: What if he left you? What if you just imagined him? What if you never got him back from the portal and this is all some silly dream?
“Sixer?” he calls, peering around their bedroom. No one responds. He takes a deep breath. “Right, okay. Hide and seek it is.”
It’s early morning, still, which means Ford must have woken up from a nightmare some time ago. He probably won’t have gone far—leaving the cabin would mean walking across the dark, open deck, and he doubts Ford would have wanted that. In all likelihood, he’s nearby, and Stan knows just the place he’s going to look first.
“Morning, Sixer,” he calls to their quiet little cabin as he leaves the bedroom, stretching leisurely. He glances up at the ceiling as he enters the kitchenette; the panels around their new attic look undisturbed, but that doesn’t mean Ford isn’t squirreled up behind them. Still, he decides not to poke his head in quite yet—the longer he gives Ford to adjust to his presence, the better. After all, he doesn’t particularly want to get body-slammed into the deck again.
(That, and he doesn’t want Ford to feel smothered. Stan has a bad habit of doing that, see—of making people feel smothered. He doesn’t dare risk it again. Not with Ford.)
Humming under his breath, Stan begins to prepare breakfast. It’s been months since they were last in port, and their supplies have thinned out. They’ll need to set a course for land, soon, unless they want to survive off of Ford’s nasty nutritional pills. Today, however, breakfast consists of actual food—fried herring, sliced apples, and toast smeared with peanut butter and Ford’s favorite blackberry jam. Stan makes (perhaps a little idealistically) two plates, setting both down on the table in the hopes that the smell of fresh food will draw his brother out of hiding.
Unfortunately, it does not.
Sighing, Stan finishes off his own breakfast and slides his plate into the sink with a clatter. He supposes he shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up. Ford’s never been a particularly food-motivated individual—oh, unless—!
Stan leans up and rummages through the cabinets, pulling out a bag of jellybeans and rattling them. “Fooord! You want some jellybeans? They’re all yours if you just come out, come out, wherever you are!”
Jeez. He feels like he’s calling a cat to dinner or something. Ford must be equally unimpressed by the notion, because he stays very decidedly hidden—but hell, it was worth a shot. Stan shakes a few jellybeans onto Ford’s plate, anyway. The guy’s gonna need a pick-me-up after this, ‘cause wherever he is, he’s gotta be stressed all to hell. Stan wishes, however hopelessly, that Ford could just come to him instead of hiding. He knows why his brother can’t, though, and he tries his best not to let it weigh on him. Ford can’t trust people, not completely, not ever, no matter how many times they prove themselves to him (and, he’s assured Stan more than once, Stan has done more than enough to earn any rational person’s trust). 
That’s the thing about paranoia, though, huh? It’s not always rational.
So yeah, Stan gets it. Ford’s been stabbed in the back one too many times, and there’s damage in him that nobody’s ever gonna be able to undo—not even his own twin. It’s not Stan’s fault. It’s not. (Okay, so it is, maybe a little bit, even though Ford would bend over backwards to convince him otherwise. But who broke his project and his dreams the first time, huh? Who shoved him through a portal and into another dimension? Who refused to hold his hand for the stupid zodiac?)
Point being, Stan doesn’t wanna make him uncomfortable by entering whatever safe space he’s got set up for himself. He just—he just really wants to know where he is, and that he’s safe and not in the middle of an awful flashback or something. If he could just see him, just for a second, that would be enough. He’d scoot right off after that and leave Ford to it. Stan manages to leave his own anxiety alone long enough to shower and dress for the day, but after that, he’s done waiting. He needs to know where his brother is before this creeping fear in his chest froths into a panic.
“Alright, buddy, comin’ up,” Stan says, balancing on one of their chairs and reaching up to pry the metal panel of their attic off. Ford had rigged it to stay in place with magnets, so getting his fingers hooked under the damn thing is a hassle and a half. Once he manages it, though, it pops off easily enough, and he lets it drop to the floor with a ringing clang! The space above the ceiling is dark and musty and—
And crammed full of specimens, with neither hide nor hair of Ford in sight.
“Oh, come on,” Stan hisses, jumping down from his chair. His anxiety spikes, and he takes a few focused breaths to settle it. Ford’s still here. He is, and he promised not to hide anywhere Stan couldn’t find him. Stan just has to—he just has to stay calm. Where would he hide if he were petrified and paranoid, and also a huge nerd?
This time, the search doesn’t take nearly as long. Hiding is meant to make Ford feel safe—that means he’s going to be somewhere small and quiet and dark. There are quite a few places like that on the Stan o’ War, but Stan’s still convinced Ford wouldn’t have left the cabin. That narrows things down quite a bit. He returns to their bedroom, drops to his knees, peers under the bunks, and—
“Hey, buddy,” he breathes, relief washing over him. “Found ya.”
Ford watches him warily, the light glinting off of his glasses. He’s crammed himself beneath Stan’s bunk, pressing his back to the wall and huddling beneath his heavy coat. He looks unharmed, although he’s as tense as Stan’s ever seen him. The sight makes his chest ache; he wishes there was something more he could do to soothe Ford’s obvious distress, but this is a part of his brother he doesn’t know and doesn’t understand—not yet. 
For a minute, he’s torn. He wants to stay here—wants to soothe his brother’s fretting with dumb jokes and old stories—but he also knows Ford might not want that. Space might be the best thing for him, and Stan’s presence might be causing him nothing but anxiety. He wishes they’d talked about this more before, but Ford hadn’t wanted to. It was embarrassing, he’d said, and anyway he’d been hungry so could they please just stop talking and make dinner already? He’d also claimed that it probably wouldn’t happen like that again, as long as Stan wasn’t screaming or bleeding or otherwise freaking Ford right the fuck out, and so Stan shouldn’t have to worry about it.
Ha. Ha ha ha. 
So here they are again, weeks later, and here Stan is again, adrift and confused. Ford was right about one thing, at least—this isn’t like that. This Ford isn’t distraught and panicking. He’s just quiet and nervous and overwhelmed. Thing is, Stan doesn’t care if Ford’s panicking or nervous or anything in between. He wants to be there for his brother no matter what. But, heh, there he goes again: clingy, smothering, overbearing. 
“Okay,” Stan murmurs, and then he blows out a breath and straightens back up. “You settle down there, Six. I’ll leave you to it. Take as much time as you need—breakfast'll be in the fridge when you’re ready for it.”
As soon as Stan takes a step towards the door, though, a hand lashes out and snatches his ankle. He nearly jumps out of his own skin, biting back a swear. Moses, that’s like something straight out of a horror movie. If that ever happens in the middle of the night, he’s gonna have a heart attack—right after he shrieks and stomps his brother into the ground, probably. 
“What?” Stan asks, turning back towards the bed. Ford releases him, and his hand disappears without a word. Stan balances awkwardly on one leg, lifting a foot so he can rub his ankle with his dirty pink slipper. “You need somethin’ under there?”
Ford makes the world’s strangest noise—a soft, clicking warble that is arguably adorable but also Definitely Not Human. Unfortunately, Stan still doesn’t speak Definitely Not Human (maybe he should ask Ford for a lesson or two) and he has literally no idea what his brother is trying to convey. He crouches again, peeking under the bed and arching an eyebrow. Ford studies the floorboards like they’ve suddenly become the most interesting thing on the boat.
“I’m not bringin’ you breakfast, if that’s what you want,” Stan says, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Ain’t your maid. I’m just gonna be out in the cabin, okay? Come find me if you need me.”
But again, as soon as he turns to go, he’s got six chilly fingers wrapped around his ankle. He groans and slumps down to sit next to the bed, leaning back against it. Ford chirps. Ford fucking chirps at him, and he has the nerve to sound pleased when he does. Stan shakes his head, a wry smile tugging at his mouth. Whatever he brought through that portal wasn’t all human—but he can’t say he minds it too awful much.
“So, uh—I guess I’ll stay,” he says. Ford does not indicate whether this is the correct decision or not. Stan chews his bottom lip. “If you want me gone, just say.”
The space underneath the bed remains silent.
“Okay. Cool.” Stan feels shittily good about the whole arrangement. He shouldn’t feel happy, not when Ford is like this, not when Ford is scared, but—god, it’s nice to be needed (to be wanted) by somebody who hasn’t ever needed him before. Still, he hopes his being here is actually doing some good. If nothing else, maybe he can distract his brother from whatever thoughts are plaguing him. “How’d you get down here so quietly?” he muses aloud. “I must be gettin’ senile to sleep through somebody climbin’ under my bed in the middle of the night. You know that’s kinda creepy, right?”
Ford, predictably, doesn’t respond.
“Although,” Stan says, snorting, “it would definitely be creepier if I saw you crawl out of the ceiling when I went to make breakfast.”
God, his brother is so weird. Stan loves the shit out of him.
“You ever, uh—” Stan chuckles. “You ever seen that horror movie? The Exorcist? ‘s got this girl who, like, crabwalks down the stairs. It’s the creepiest thing. Wendy talked me into letting the kids watch it one night, and you can imagine how they handled that. Freaked me out, and I’m a grown-ass man.”
Ford shuffles under the bed, and Stan dares to think that he edges closer.
“They refused to sleep alone that night. Made me set up a whole pillow fort in the living room for ‘em, and wouldn’t let me turn off the lights, either. Damn rascals.” He smiles, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Heh. But I guess that’s what I get for not checkin’ the movie rating before turning it on. Hey, would you wanna watch a scary movie tonight? It’s almost Halloween, and we’ve got the laptop set up, and—y’know, might be fun. I can make popcorn. We’ve got a few cups of kernels left.”
In reply, Ford wiggles out from underneath the bed and sits up. He looks cautiously at Stan, then around the room—only once he’s assured himself that they’re safe does he lean back against the bed. Stan doesn’t miss the way Ford keeps side-eyeing him as he continues to speak. If his brother needs to watch him like a hawk to feel safe, then damn, Stan’s not gonna complain. He’s not the one with a weird thing about people looking at him. 
“Buuut we’re definitely gonna need to head back towards land soon,” Stan admits, “before we run out of popcorn, and, y’know, food in general. Hey, but if worst comes to worst, we can always live off of your pills and your nine thousand jelly beans, right?” He shakes his head, amused. “You got some kinda sweet tooth, Six.”
For several minutes, Stan talks, and Ford watches and waits and listens. Then, gradually, Ford inches closer and leans against him—this, at least, is familiar. Relieved, Stan reaches up to ruffle his brother’s hair, and Ford sighs contentedly and nuzzles into the touch. Aggressive, pfft. As if. Ford’s a big sweetheart like this; he isn’t even making any smartass comments! Honestly, Stan could get used to his brother bein’ this way, but…
But nah. Maybe not. He’d miss Ford’s wit and confidence far, far too much. 
(And as nice as it is to be needed? Well, it’s a million times nicer to see Ford happy.)
Still, this quiet uncertainty is a part of his brother, too, and Stan cares for it as much as he does any other part of Ford. Really, if this is what Ford needs to feel safe, Stan’s all for it. It’s better than some other habits Ford has picked up.
“Feelin’ better, bud?” Stan asks as Ford’s head comes to rest on his shoulder. Ford yawns at him. “Yeah, I bet you’re tired after hidin’ out all night. What do you say you eat some breakfast and then go back to sleep?”
Stan pushes himself up, despite Ford’s whine of complaint, and offers his brother a hand. Ford studies it for a moment, and then, after a quick glance around the room, takes it and hauls himself off of the ground. He prowls in front of Stan, his steps light and quick, but he hesitates at the door. 
“It’s okay,” Stan says gently. “There’s nothin’ out there. It’s safe, if you wanna go eat.”
Ford doesn’t move. He shifts his weight uncertainly from foot to foot, then jams his hands into the pockets of his jacket and heads back to the bed. He sits down next to it, pulls his knees to his chest, and frowns. He looks expectantly at the floor beside him, then back at Stan. 
“Me first, then,” Stan decides, and he reaches for the doorknob. A low, sharp growl brings him to a standstill, and when he looks over his shoulder, Ford is watching him with narrowed eyes. His growl cuts off with a sharp huff when Stan glances at him, and he looks so damn petulant that Stan almost wants to laugh. “Don’t you growl at me, you big grouch. I’m just goin’ outside.”
Ford does not seem particularly pleased with this statement. He sighs like Stan’s the one being obstinate, then crosses the room, grabs Stan’s sleeve, and tugs. Stan tugs the other direction. 
“Listen, I love you, but I’m not gonna stay cooped up in here for hours,” Stan says. They don’t even have a TV in the bedroom, for Pete’s sake. “You don’t need to, either. The ship’s safe, I promise. Let me show you.”
Instead, Ford bares his teeth, growls a wordless demand, and pulls hard enough to send Stan stumbling back a few steps. He doesn’t let Stan catch his balance, either; he sets his jaw in determination and drags him away from the door with an alarming amount of strength. Stan doesn’t like manhandling, but maybe he could tolerate it, this bein’ Ford and all—it’s the idea behind the thing that really sets him bristling. He can’t let Ford make a habit of pushing him around whenever he’s like this, or he’ll lose whatever tentative control of the situation he has. He’s sure, given the choice, that Ford would hide the both of them away for hours—and Stan just can’t handle that. 
Besides, the paranoid guy in the midst of an animalistic regression? Yeah, he doesn’t get to be in charge.
“Ford!” Stan’s voice comes out sharper than he meant it to, but it does the trick—Ford freezes, his eyes widening. Seizing on his distraction, Stan yanks his arm away and glares. “Enough. I said I’m not staying here.”
Maybe it would be easier if he did. Maybe it would be better to let Ford trust the world in his own time. It would certainly be less of a fight—and if Ford wants to stay in here all morning, fine, but Stan won’t. He’ll stay nearby, if that’s what Ford needs, just not with that door closed. Enclosed rooms remind him too much of sleazy hotels, of jail cells and car trunks and underground labs.
But Ford has always been stubborn, hasn’t he? He narrows his eyes again, placing himself sulkily between Stan and the door. 
Stan groans and drags his hands down his face, but he knows what he has to do. Drastic times call for drastic measures, and he's not above playing dirty. “Okay,” he says. “Fine. We’ll do it the hard way.”
Before Ford can react, Stan strides forward and wraps him up in a bear hug. He squeezes hard enough to make Ford wheeze, growling playfully and lifting him a couple of inches off of the floor. Ford reacts exactly the way Stan had hoped he would: he makes a breathless, contented sound, drops his chin onto Stan’s shoulder, and slumps bonelessly into the hold. A smile flickers across Stan’s face—deep pressure stim wins again!
“If anything tried to hurt you,” Stan mutters, setting Ford back down but keeping a tight hold, “I’d kill ‘em, and you know it. You’ve got nothin’ to be afraid of with me here. You can stay in here if it makes you feel safer, but I’m gonna go out into the cabin, and nothing is gonna hurt me. We’re safe here. I made sure of it.”
Ford presses his face to Stan’s neck, his glasses jabbing Stan’s jaw. He whines pitifully, and damn if that isn’t more effective than any of his growling. Stan could probably be convinced to stay if Ford made too many sad noises. What can he say? He’s a sucker, and he can’t stand seeing his brother miserable.
“Hey, that’s enough,” Stan scolds gently, cupping the back of Ford’s head and ruffling his hair. “Don’t be scared. I’ll stay where you can see me.”
Stan leans back, trying to extract himself from his brother’s grip with extremely limited success. Ford whines again, more insistently, and clings like a goddamned starfish. 
“You’re gonna have to let go if you don’t wanna come with me,” Stan warns, stepping towards the door. Ford steps with him. Huh. This...might work. “C’mon, Six. Last chance. Take it or leave it.”
Ford grumbles wordlessly and doesn’t move.
“Alright, then.” This time, when Stan reaches for the doorknob, Ford doesn’t make a peep. He manages to drag them both out of the bedroom, his brother hangin’ on him like the world’s stubbornest limpet. “See? Nothing out here.”
That gets Ford’s attention. He snaps his head around, eyeing the kitchenette mistrustfully. He releases Stan and takes to circling the cabin, his shoulders hunched and his head low. Stan lets him—best he checks things out for himself. Maybe then he can calm down, eat something, and get the hell back to sleep. While Ford explores, Stan pours himself a mug of apple cider. He heats it in the microwave, then inhales its sharp cinnamon fragrance and sighs in bliss.
A few seconds after that, Ford comes to stand expectantly in front of him. 
“What?” he asks, peering through the steam that wafts over his mug. “You want some?”
He pours Ford a mug, which is dutifully ignored. Ford spares it a passing glance when Stan sets it on the table, but doesn’t move to take it. Instead, he shifts his weight awkwardly on his feet. 
“Your breakfast is over there,” Stan says, pointing. Ford blinks at him. “Buddy, I have no idea what you want.”
Ford crosses his arms tightly across his chest, clearing his throat. He opens his mouth, then closes it, then opens it again. Finally, he shuffles forward and presses himself to Stan’s chest, his eyes skittering to the side. Stan doesn’t even think about protesting. He sets his apple cider aside and bundles Ford into his arms again, hugging him tight. Ford melts against him, sighing, and after a minute, the weirdest thing happens.
You know that thing Stan said? About the whole weirdest noise ever? Yeah, so update: his brother is now making the weirdest noise ever. The other one—the strange, clickity-clackity warble—has been knocked down a peg. This sound starts in the pit of Ford’s chest and rumbles up through his throat and jaw. It sounds like somebody digging through gravel, or like the world’s tiniest engine sputtering to life, or like—like a cat purring, if the cat was two hundred pounds and also maybe an alien. 
“Oh my god,” Stan whispers. “Ford.”
Ford swallows the sound, and when Stan glances down at him, he looks abashed. His shoulders hunch a little closer to his ears, and his fingers fiddle anxiously with the buttons on his jacket.
“No, hey, hey, it’s fine, it’s just—” Stan laughs, cupping a hand behind Ford’s head and knocking their foreheads together. Ford’s eyes finally meet his, searching. “You sound like a cat. A really big cat.”
Ford squeezes his eyes shut and makes a tiny, rumbling echo of that purr again. He tucks his head beneath Stan’s chin, and Stan swallows thickly. Ford closed his eyes. Ford curled up against him. Ford came to him, even though he’s half out of his mind with nerves and half-remembered instincts. Ford trusts him like this. It’s—
It’s terrifying, holy shit.
But Stan will hold on as long as he needs to. He’ll hold on until Ford gets his feet back on Earth and remembers that the shadows aren’t always out to get him. He’ll hold on until Ford can stand in the open without shaking. He’ll hold on until Ford doesn’t need to hide in his arms anymore. Soon, his brother will stand up straight again. He’ll look at the world and all its dark, savage dangers, and he’ll laugh. He’ll find joy in the unknown as he runs after it, his hands full of pens and papers and a weird weapon or two. He’ll come back to himself, back to proud and inquisitive and ambitious.
But until then? 
Until then, Stan’s as good a hiding place as any.
29 notes · View notes
cyn-00 · 4 years
Text
Moreid one shot, 14 - "this thing"
Season 2, episode 12 "Profiler, profiled" (the one where Carl Buford is arrested for murdering one of the kids from the Youth Center of Chicago South Side, so the whole story about him being a pedophile rapist - and Derek being one of his victims as a kid - comes up. I wanna point out that originally I think only Gideon and Hotch discover Derek's direct involvement in this, but for the sake of this fic we'll pretend Reid does, too)
@tastefulancientwhispers asked me to tag her if I ever wrote a fic based on this scene :) so here I am. I shamelessly abused of italics in this one, heh
Also, I have a long-ish DISCLAIMER to make, that applies to all my works and not only this one. I think it's important to address that in this fic I won't mention the topic illustrated in the episode: this work mostly revolves around the famous line "Derek talks about you", said by Derek's sister to Spencer. My purpose was to write a "light" awkward/fluffy fic - almost love confession if you will - avoiding to focus on Derek's history of abuse. I think that's too delicate and serious of a topic for me to try and describe it merely through Derek's words/thoughts; especially considering that I should "filter" this narrative to fit my actual, sole scope of rendering Morgan + Reid's relationship. I actually HAVE focused more overtly on the Buford arc before, in my One shot 8, referencing a much late episode, but I hope I managed to dissuade anyone who read it from thinking that my intent was to romanticize the sexual abuse Derek suffered. Even though I admittedly enjoy reading fics based on the abused/care-taker trope, I still think it's risky to treat such topics if the writer's purpose isn't to convey some sort of "moral". Which is exactly why I'm always reluctant to treat directly and in depth Morgan's trauma as well as Reid's drug addiction: I haven't experienced either of these things, hence I don't think I'd be able to illustrate them properly and without triggering anyone who might be sensitive to said topics. Thank you if you dedicated your time to reading this intro, I hope the message is clear and of easy understanding :) <3
Read it on AO3
-------------
"Derek talks about you."
Reid couldn't stop replaying that phrase in his head, in an endless loop.
In the exact moment Sarah had said that, his immediate reaction had been to smile - like a total idiot, by the way - but now that everything was over and Spencer had the time to think about it, he couldn't help but wonder what she meant.
"Talk" how? "Talk" doesn't mean anything. It just means SAYING things, PRONOUNCING words. Did he say good stuff? Or did he make fun of him? Why did she feel the need to let him know that Morgan "talked" about him? He must've talked about Emily too, sometimes, but Sarah didn't say "Derek talks about both of you ".
He hadn't had the time to deepen the topic because as soon as he replied - "he does??" : again, a complete moron - Emily interrupted them to, righteously, get back to the actual subject: Carl Buford.
The second Reid remembered about it, all those dumb questions wandering in his head vanished. Poof. How could he keep obsessing about that stupid phrase while Morgan was going through what he was going through? Derek had trusted him enough to tell only him, besides Hotch and Gideon, and what was Spencer doing? Thinking about "Derek talks about you". He probably had MENTIONED him, or said, like: "oh you know there's this kid in my unit, socially awkward, total nerd, only thing he does is read like 20 books a da-"
-
"Reid?"
Emily's voice came loud like a train crushing into his ear drums. Spencer winced in his swivel chair.
"Mh?" he mumbled, looking up at her.
"...are you gonna go home or you're planning to keep working?" she asked him, jokingly.
"Yeah, no, I- I mean, yes I'm going home, no I have no intention to keep working, trust me..." he replied distractedly, checking his watch. It was 9:30 pm: not even that late...so why was she asking? Spencer had the sudden impression that she wanted something, and THAT was just a lame excuse to start a conversation.
"I was just double checking an e-mail I had to send." he continued, noticing that she wasn't even wearing her coat, neither had her bag in hand. She could've studied the scene better.
"Oh- yeah...your computer is off but, whatevs" she shrugged, pointing at the black desktop. He could've studied his scene better, too.
He looked at where she was pointing for a second, then stood up and grabbed his satchel.
"I know I was uhm...just, thinking about a thing " he said, understanding why literally everybody labeled him as a bad liar. Still, he didn't wanna spit it all out.
"A thing ?" she echoed him, raising her brows.
"Yes, a-" Reid interrupted himself before he had even decided how to phrase the thing to keep it vague enough. He saw Morgan get out of Hotch's office and heading quickly toward the sliding doors of the bullpen, with his head down.
"...a thing. Gotta go, see you tomorrow!" he said in a rush, quickly walking in Derek's direction without making it too obvious that he was basically running toward him.
-
"Spencer! Wait- wait a second." she said grabbing his arm from behind, after he'd only got 15 ft far.
He turned around, frowning.
"I, uhm, I don't think he's in the mood to...talk ? right now..." Emily said softly, with an awkward smile on her face.
"You know?" she added, tilting her head, hoping that she wouldn't have to explain further.
Spencer gulped, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. She was right, and if only she'd known the whole story, she would've been even righter. If there's even such a thing as being more right than...right.
"Yes, I- I know, but I wasn't planning on talking about... about that, I just have to ask him this... thing." he replied slightly embarrassed, looking down at the floor.
"Is the 'thing' you wanna ask him the same 'thing' you were thinking about earlier?"
"...yes" he answered almost murmuring, like it was some kind of secret - which is what it was still supposed to be, to her: a secret. Because, in the end, he hadn't even TOLD her, so how did she KNOW? How did she do that? Emily always did that. Fuck.
"And is this 'thing' what I think it is?" she pried, lowering her voice to the same volume of Spencer's.
"I...I don't know?" he replied, only not to give her the satisfaction of receiving the millionth "yes". But the answer was: yes.
"Then go, ask him the 'thing'. " Emily concluded, nodding her chin in the elevator's direction.
Spencer leveled his eyes with hers, gladly noticing a reassuring look of complicity appear on her face.
He nodded, smiling at her in a silly way before turning around.
-
Spencer quickly headed toward the elevator, hoping Derek hadn't got too far in the meantime - or, even worse: had already started his car.
He saw the elevator doors closing.
"Wait! Hold it!" he shouted, speaking to whoever was inside it.
He ran, jumping in between the doors.
Morgan was inside. Of course. What the hell was he still doing there? Did...did he wait for him? No, that was impossible and way too optimistic. He'd probably bumped into Penelope, who had kept him talking in the hallway for an amount of time nearing a decade.
They stared at each other for a solid 20 seconds, gaping, while the doors closed behind Spencer's back, leaving them alone - luckily.
Spencer figured the unsteadiness of his breathing wasn't due to the "run" anymore. He gave up on trying to slow it down, and decided he was going to speak up first, since Derek still looked frozen like an ice cube. Maybe he was annoyed by Spencer's presence, and he just wanted to avoid starting a conversation to make the interaction as quick as possible and finally go hom-
-
"R- Reid" Derek's thorough and slightly hoarse voice broke the silence.
"I was kinda looking for you, earlier. Gave up at a certain point." he added, smiling a bit. He looked... embarrassed? Was that even possible? For Derek Morgan to be embarrassed?
Spencer swallowed nervously, flattered. "Me too, actually."
Derek opened his mouth like he wanted to say something first, before the other could continue. But he got interrupted by the doors opening up again behind Spencer.
He pointed at the empty lobby with his finger, seeing that Reid hadn't even noticed they'd arrived at ground floor already.
Spencer turned around. They got out and he stopped 3 ft from the elevator, standing still, fiddling nervously with his hands. Was Derek expecting him to follow him or something? Were they gonna talk the next day? Or was he supposed to drop the topic forever because time was up?
Derek, who had got ahead in the meantime, turned around.
"You comin?" he asked, non-chalantly.
"Uhm, yeah- where?" Spencer replied, finally taking jogging steps forward to reach him, feeling like the marble floor was starting to sink under the soles of his Converses from standing there for so long.
"I'll give you a ride home. I don't know how you take the subway every fucking day." Derek replied, snorting.
Spencer smiled back, shyly.
"...thanks" he mumbled, looking down at his feet while walking outside with him, their arms only a couple of inches from touching.
-
They stayed silent until they arrived to the car. When they did, Derek stopped before either of them could get in.
"Listen, uh, I- I hope you're not gonna ask me stuff about... about Buford because honestly I can't take anymore pity-faces. Especially yours." he said in a deep tone.
"Nonono, no, absolutely not- I mean, if you ever wanna talk about it I'm here but I'm not- I don't wanna pressure you or anything." Spencer answered defensively, feeling his heartbeat racing. He wondered what he meant by "especially yours". Was his pity-face more annoying than the others'? Apparently, saying indecipherable phrases that made Reid go paranoid was a Morgans' family thing.
He saw Morgan nodding uncomfortably. Reid gazed silently at him for a bit, taking a careful look of him as a whole. He didn't look good- well, what the hell, of course he looked good, but he didn't look ok. He seemed exhausted and quite anxious - understandably. Nobody had ever seen him like that, and honestly it freaked Spencer out a little. The first thing that popped into his mind, was that such behavior was partially his fault; hence, he spoke up, trying to put a halt to it.
"You know what, I'm- it's late, actually, and you look like you need to stay alone for a while so, I'm just gonna take the subway it's no big dea-"
"No, kid, can you just- can you just stay ? Please..." Derek interrupted him, grabbing his thin wrist before he could get any further.
Spencer's heart warmed up. He eyed down at Derek's grip, unprepared to how even such a faint touch was sending goosebumps all over his arm. Much to his relief, not one but two layers of clothing - shirt AND jacket - hid that reaction from the other man's sight.
"Alright." Reid nodded after a bit, not because he was undecided, but because he was trying to get a hold of said goosebumps. He raised his gaze again to smile idiotically at him.
Derek grinned back apologetically, before ultimately making his way around the car to get in the driver's seat.
-
"So, I heard that you and Prentiss were the ones who had to go talk to my family, am I right?" he asked, with a tone and a way of phrasing the question that was nothing short of a desperate attempt to make it sound low-key and casual. Especially since he chose to say it while opening the car door. Like it didn't matter that much, or at least not enough to say it once he'd be sitting down comfortably. Unfortunately for him, Spencer picked up on all of that.
"Yeah!" Spencer answered, a little too enthusiastically for one who was trying with all his strength not to give the impression that he wanted to talk exactly about that, that he basically read his mind. Unfortunately for him, Derek picked up on those kind of things too - after all, they were paid to do it. To understand behavior. At times they forgot how much more difficult that made their mutual interactions, as well as more authentic.
Derek smiled to himself a little bit and started the car.
"So, how were they?" he asked teasingly, knowing that even if Spencer thought they were the worst people in the world, he would've never told him so. His heart was too pure.
"They're really nice. And they care a lot about you. You're lucky like that..." Spencer replied lowering his voice, revealing a slightly melancholic inflection.
Derek catched a glimpse of him while driving. He knew he wasn't referring to his mom, but to his dad. And he knew there was a big difference between how he lost his own dad and how Spencer lost his: Derek's father died. Spencer's father purposely left him: grabbed his shit, got on his feet, walked away from his wife and son. How a father could do that, was something that Derek would never understand.
"The cake was good, wasn't it?" he asked after a few seconds of heavy silence, trying to lift up the mood.
Spencer finally shifted his eyes to look at him. "Yeah, definitely" he answered, and Derek's mission could be considered accomplished, as a sweet smile appeared on his colleague's face; sweeter than that cake they were talking about - yes, Morgan thought about such comparison. He could've compared it with another million sweet things: caramel like his eyes; honey like his hair under the sunlight; strawberry like the color of his lips... Oh. Dammit.
"I wanna ask you a thing, though..." the sweet voice of the man object of his current fantasies gently snapped Derek out of his thoughts.
"What's that?" Derek asked, hiding the fact that he was shitting his pants wondering what Spencer's question could possibly be.
Spencer nervously played with the buckle of his leather bag, resting on his lap.
"Your sisters, both of them they- they immediately recognized me." he stayed vague. " "Doctor Reid" " he added making the 'quote' gesture with his fingers, smiling self-complacently.
"Well, yeah, we've been working together for...2 years or something, right?" Derek kept the dumb-play going, as if he hadn't basically been keeping count since.
"...2 years and 18 days to be precise...but anyway," Spencer paused to clear his voice. "Sarah, she specifically said that...uhm...that you talk about me. She- she said: 'Derek talks about you'."
Morgan abruptly hit the brakes of his car to stop at a red light that he noticed at the last second, distracted by what Reid had just said, making him wince.
"Wow. Well- fuck, my sisters really don't how to shut their mouths, do they?" he said, laughing a bit nervously.
"Well they- they didn't say anything- I mean, they just said that you "talk" about me but I'm guessing you talk about all of us, of cours-"
"No, Spencer. She meant a specific thing." Morgan interrupted him softly, parking his car. Yes: they'd already arrived at Reid's place.
After a long silence, during which Reid's face remained stuck in a confused scowl, Morgan turned off the car. He sighed, before turning slightly to his right to stare into Reid's hazelnut-hued eyes. Talking to him while driving was easier, because he couldn't look at that face of his. But now that he could, it got x10 times more difficult.
"She didn't say it to Emily, or both. She said it to you. Am I right?" Morgan was shamelessly giving up, gradually crumbling under the look the other was giving him.
Spencer nodded.
"...did you wonder why ?" he didn't wanna say it. God, he DID NOT wanna say it.
"Yes, I- I did, but honestly the only good answer I could come up with was that Emily hasn't been in the unit as long as I have so...I don't know, we still don't know her that well...?" Spencer replied, stuttering.
"That, too." Derek paused. He was thinking about a proper way to say it without freaking Spencer out. He didn't wanna say "it's because I like you", since he wasn't sure he did. Well, of course he LIKED him, but he still hadn't quite figured out if he liked him in that way.
Plus, he'd obviously noticed that Spencer, too, felt something...different. He was sure neither of them had a clue of what to do with it; on the other hand, he was also sure he had to give him a hint, one way or another. To make sure Reid understood that he wasn't imagining it, that there was something different. Even though that "something" didn't have a name yet. Maybe it would, some day.
After thinking for a long time, during which Spencer respectfully stayed silent, the "right" words found their way into Derek's mind, brooming away the dust that had been weighing down on his courage to say them all along.
"A'ight. 3 or 4 months ago I spent a weekend with my family. I don't know if you remember that I didn't come to get drinks with you guys cause I had to leave early in the morning." he started. Spencer nodded - of course he remembered. Dumb question.
"Ok so, one day I was... talking about you with them at dinner, I'm not sure what I was saying, honestly...but after a while Desirée said a thing that made me think." Derek paused, leaning closer to Spencer to make sure he listened carefully.
"She said, quote unquote: 'you know how you always say that Reid gets excited when he rambles about statistics? Well, that's kinda what you do when you talk about him...It's like, he's YOUR statistics'."
Spencer kept looking quietly into Derek's black eyes, without blinking once.
"She... s- she said that?" he then asked, just to be, you know, sure that he wasn't dreaming.
"Mhmh." Derek nodded shortly. "I remember it like it was yesterday. Guess some of that memory of yours must have rubbed off on me, huh?" he grinned brightly.
The burning shade of red staining Spencer's cheeks didn't but spread further, even if he had to bite back a: "that's not possible, Morgan; it doesn't work like that."
Derek continued. "When she said it, at first I thought she was fucking around, but then it's like...it opened my eyes. I- I don't know. I guess I don't even notice when I do it." he shook his head and stared blankly at an undefined spot outside, as if trying to clear his thoughts.
"...just like when we have to stop you from throwing up random statistics that literally nobody asked for." Morgan concluded cocking his head, with a playful and affectionate smile.
Reid giggled, now feeling his whole face on fire and his heart hammering into his ears. He was speechless. For once.
Derek gently placed his warm hand on the back of Spencer's neck, while the other man kept looking down at his bag, biting his bottom lip so hard he thought it could bleed.
"Do you talk about me to your mom?" Derek asked after a while, almost whispering. He kept his eyes glued on Spencer, even though he had clearly no intention of looking back at him any time soon. He wanted to catch every inch of his facial reaction.
"Should I be prepared for her telling me 'Spencer talks about you' if I ever meet her?" he kept the volume of his voice low, starting to stroke Spencer's neck with his thumb and smiling when he saw faint shivers appear on his skin.
"...m- maybe" Spencer answered, not wanting to reveal that literally 70% of the things he told his mom involved him, of which 40% were specifically about him.
Spencer managed to find a crumb of courage to shift his look and finally return Derek's gaze. But as soon as his so-fucking-handsome face reached his sight, along with that way his pupils were staring into him - a way he couldn't quite decipher but didn't mind, after all - he had to jerk his eyes away immediately, or else his heart would've burst out of his ribcage.
Hence, he decided to quickly and distractedly check his watch.
"I- I should probably go now..." he said. He didn't say it because he wanted to - oh, he SO didn't want to go - he just, had to. He didn't wanna ruin things. He wanted to keep that moment fixated into his memory just like it was, hoping many others like that one would come in the future.
"Yeah, you should..." Derek said, shifting farther from him in his seat and taking his hand off of Spencer's soft neck. It was so hard, to stop touching him, it seemed like when you try to split apart two magnets too strongly attracted to one another.
-
Spencer got out of the car, closing the door behind his back. He turned around and bent to look at Derek from outside.
"Wait!" he squealed, tapping his knuckles against the glass.
Derek, who had already started the car, pulled down the window to hear him better, looking at him confused. "Forgot something?"
"No! No, well- yes. I wanted to ask you one more thing." he paused, scrunching his nose. "What did you mean when you said that- that you can't take especially my pity-face?"
Derek bit his bottom lip. "Nothing too hard to understand." he said, with an enigmatic tone. Now, Spencer was the one looking confused.
"It's just way more painful to handle. Cause it's a much prettier face than the others'."
Spencer looked down, chuckling and nodding like he meant to say: 'oh, yeah, that. Of course.'
"See ya tomorrow, Pretty Boy." Derek said in the end, winking and rolling the window back up to finally leave.
-
Spencer was left there, standing and freezing cold, not knowing what to do with himself.
His phone buzzed into the pocket of his pants, giving him something else to concentrate on, something that wasn't that face, or that voice, or that smile, or that hand on his neck...something that wasn't related to Derek Morgan.
It was a text. From... Emily:
"So how'd the 'thing' go?" Duh. Of course it had to be the umpteenth thing related to Derek Morgan.
He smiled at the screen of his phone. Once again: like a complete idiot.
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is0gild · 4 years
Text
Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 9
Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC
Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.
Word Count: 6,398
FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER
Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!
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“What’s with the sour face? I know your idea of fun on a Friday night is locking yourself up alone in your room all by yourself, but come on! Going out with a few peeps for a night on the town ain’t gonna kill ya!”
I heaved out a sigh as Anna turned us into the same parking lot we’d just seen Xion’s car go into. “It’s not that, I just… I thought it was only going to be the two of us tonight. We haven’t seen each other since… well, you know… and so much has happened and I just wanted a nice evening, just you and me, talking and catching up.”
“And we can still do that,” she nodded, pressing a couple buttons on her dashboard. As the convertible’s top started to rise and all the windows slid back up, she parked in an open spot right beside Xion’s little blue Prius and powered down the engine. “But now we get to party at the same time! Besides, this way I can meet all of your new friends too!”
Snatching my Ice Palace cap off my head and tossing it into the back seat, I gave a tiny huff. “These people aren’t my friends.”
A couple of loud thuds against the left side of the car made us both jump in our seats before glancing to the source. Roxas and Xion had smooshed their noses up against the door windows, mouths wide open, lips suctioned against the glass and cheeks puffing in and out as they made funny faces at us. Anna snorted then burst out laughing, asking me, “Do they know that?”
“I wasn’t talking about those two. Lea and them are my friends. Well…” I snagged a pale tendril of my hair to twist around my finger as I worried my bottom lip between my teeth. “...sort of…it’s all still very new...” Then I shook my head and tightened my ponytail. “In any case, I meant everyone else that’s going to be at this thing. They’re not my friends because I don’t know any of them.”
“So this is how you get to know them,” she grinned, nudging her shoulder into mine. “Come on, sis, this’ll be fun! I promise!”
“Don’t go making promises you can’t keep,” I grumbled.
Just then, we watched Lea go sliding across the hood of Anna’s Porsche in one smooth motion, bringing him to my side so he could open the car door for me. He bent into a half-bow, sweeping one arm out with a smile, “M’lady.”
Anna giggled. “Ooooo, such a gentleman! I don’t believe I’ve gotten your name yet.”
“Lea,” he leaned into the car, stretching across me to shake hands with her. Once again, I caught the faint whiff of cinnamon and had to resist the urge to squirm at his closeness. He smirked at her and winked, “Also answer to Mr Hottie-With-A-Body.”
...so he had heard that.
Great.
Just dandy.
My kingdom for a rock to crawl under right now.
“And you would be the sister, I take it?”
She grinned, “Anna. I’m thinking I like you already, Mr Hottie-W-”
I discreetly pinched her arm, shutting her up.
He didn’t seem to notice as he looked past her to where the other two were still making like a pair of pufferfish against the glass. “And those gremlins out there are Xion and Roxas. They’re harmless, just don’t ever feed ‘em after midnight. Hey!” he raised his voice so they could hear him. “Knock it off already, twerps!” They both pulled away, Xion hiding a snigger behind one hand while Roxas razzed his tongue. Shaking his head, the smile returned as Lea at last backed out of the car to straighten up again, “Well then, shall we?”
To my credit, I only hesitated for a second before exiting the vehicle, tugging at the hem of my skirt slightly as I stepped out onto the asphalt. Ugh, I hadn’t even had a chance to change out of my work clothes before getting sucked into all of this, so I didn’t even have the small consolation of being dressed comfortably. My eyes followed Xion and Roxas as they ran ahead to 7th Heaven, or so the gigantic, yellow neon sign hanging above the door proclaimed.  It was a rustic, wooden building with a small set of stairs leading up to the wraparound patio. There was a warm glow coming through the fogged windows and muffled music could be heard from within.
Anna pushed a button on her key fob and the Porsche beeped as all its doors locked. Then she latched onto my arm, practically skipping as we made our way to the entrance. Lea dashed out in front, taking the steps two at a time and holding the door open for us. As we climbed up onto the deck as well, I could now hear the murmur of voices and laughter coming from inside as well. I gulped, my stomach sinking.
If it weren’t for Anna clinging to me like a two ton anchor, I’d probably have made a break for the hills by now.
And she knew that, which was exactly why she was doing it.
Traitor.
And so it was that I, with little choice or say in the matter, was dragged by my sister into the dreaded bowels of El Diablo.
...I’m not sure what I’d expected to hear upon descending into the terrifying Underworld, but it certainly hadn’t been the perky pop beat of Barbie Girl.
A strange, but oddly fitting soundtrack for eternal damnation.
The music was coming from a small stage all the way in the back of the place where some young woman was badly singing karaoke under spotlights. Between us and her was a massive, dimly lit room packed with tables and people cheering her on as they drank their presumably alcoholic beverages. Off to one side was a long bar, crowded with customers and tended by a brunette who, ahem… could only be described as the very epitome of the term ‘one busty babe.’ The wall opposite the bar was lit up with flashing lights from a row of retro pinball and arcade machines.
“We usually stake out one of the back corners for ourselves and spread out from there,” I barely heard Lea say over all the noise. I glanced back at him to see him squinting as his eyes scanned the darkness before his face brightened and he pointed off to our right. “Over there! Follow me.”
Anna gave my arm a reassuring squeeze and I replied with a thin, shaky smile.
There were just... so… many… people.
We navigated through the throng behind Lea, his blazing hair like a guiding light in the shadows, showing us the way. With every step we took, the knots in my gut pulled tighter and my knees grew numb.  This was it. It was time…
...to mingle.
(Shudder.)
The three of us came to a stop at a large table. Half the people seated were all still in their work duds too, making me feel a little better about my attire, but not by much. Everyone looked up to warmly greet Lea before all eyes turned to me and I resisted the urge to shrink behind Anna. “Hey guys!” Lea shouted over the roar of the pub. “This is Elsa and her sister, Anna! El here is the newest scoop slinger at Ice Palace, so you’ve probably already seen her around.”
“So you’re the fresh meat,” one woman smirked at me. I recognized her from the greek food place that was Ice Palace’s neighbor. “Pleasure. Name’s Megara. My friends call me Meg.”
“Tiana,” the girl sitting next to her in a cute green dress smiled.
“She’s a server at that lil Cajun grill also in the food court,” Lea supplied before cocking his head at her. “Boyfriend couldn’t make it tonight?”
She immediately frowned and averted her gaze. Meg gently pat her on the back, shooting him a tiny scowl, “Smooth move, ya knucklehead. They broke up.”
“Oops,” he chuckled awkwardly. “Hey, don’t sweat it, Tiana. You know what they say - gotta kiss a few frogs and whatnot.” Crickets from the table. “Heh, get it? Cuz you work at… aw, too soon?” He cleared his throat, “Oookay, moving on! Next, I’m sure you’ve seen these three over at Lucky Cat.” He waved a hand towards a familiar blue-haired chick, her stocky coworker with slicked back, chocolate locks, and what I was guessing was Roxas’s doppelganger, not Roxas himself. Lea pointed to each in turn, “Aqua, Terra, and Ventus.”
“You’re the place with the super sweet tabby I got to cuddle earlier!” Anna said excitedly.
Aqua laughed, “That’s Chirithy, Ven’s pet. He likes to bring him into work sometimes. The cat’s so well behaved, management doesn’t mind.”
Ventus scratched the back of his head with a lopsided grin. “Yeah, I’m lucky. He’s sorta become the unofficial mascot of our café.”
“Then Grumpy-Pants over here is Squall and-”
“That’s Leon,” a guy with a scar slashed across the bridge of his nose corrected with a growl into his beer.
“Riiiiiight, forgot you were rebranding,” Lea snerked. “He works over at Buster’s Swords, the replica weapon shop in the mall. And last but most certainly not least, this little one here is Naminé,” he indicated a petite blonde sitting between Ven and Leon, who gave a shy wave. “When she’s on the clock, you can find Nams at The Crayon Box for all your art supply needs.”
“Lovely to meet you both,” she nodded at us. “We’re currently rooting on our friend Ariel,” she pointed to the stage. It was only now upon second glance that I recognized the girl up there currently murdering Barbie Girl as the redhead from the fish store. 
Lea winced as a particularly bad note was hit before he snorted. “Girl’s usually got a voice that’d put mythical sirens to shame, but she’s just getting over a cold. Couldn’t talk for three days. Now that she’s started getting it back, there’s no keeping her away from the mic. RIP eardrums.” Then he clapped his hands together once, “Alrighty, on to Table Numeros Dos!”
...numeros dos?
As in more than one? As in this wasn’t it? As in more people?
If I survived this night, it’d be a miracle.
At least the first table hadn’t been too bad. Everyone else had done all the talking, which was a-okay by me.
...unless… crud, did they think I was boring now? Or worse, that I was sticking my nose up at them? Well I wasn’t! Trust me, there was absolutely zero nose sticking up going on here! My nose was down! Way, way, way down! So far down, it was past the secret civilization of mole people and halfway to China by now!
Dammit, only five minutes in and pretty sure I was already screwing everything up. And I hadn’t even done anything yet!
Lea shifted a couple steps over to an adjacent booth against the wall and Anna followed, tugging me into a stumble after her. Grabbing the attention of this new group, he announced, “Yo, everyone! I’d like ya to meet-”
“Elsa?”
I locked eyes with a golden gaze I knew all too well at this point and blinked. “Rayne?”
She scrambled out of the booth to hurl herself at me and I staggered to stay upright under the sheer might of her hug. Then I heard her gasp, “Anna too?! Get in here, girl!” I grunted as Anna dogpiled into the embrace. “Haven’t seen you since you were an ankle biter at summer camp! What are you doing here?! In fact, what are you both doing here?”
“What are we doing here?” I repeated incredulously as we all pulled apart, my eyes flicking down to her belly then back up. “What are you doing here? Did you forget you’re, uh… drinking for two now?”
A squeal from Anna, “Oh my gawd, Ray-Ray, your friggin’ preggers?! Congratulations! Who’s the lucky stud who knocked dat fine ass of yours up?”
My sister, ladies and gentleman. Ever the classiest of dames.
Rayne turned, yanking her husband out of the booth and onto his feet beside her. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she smiled smugly. “This is Riku. Riku, meet Anna, Elsa’s little sister. And don’t worry,” she turned her attention back to me, rolling her eyes, “all my drinks are virgin.”
“Though Ray is what you might call an empathic drunk,” Riku snerked, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
I quirked an eyebrow, “A what?”
“The more people get liquored up around me, the drunker I get without sipping a single drop. It’s an odd phenomenon, I don’t do it on purpose, but not complaining either. All the perks of intoxication, none of the hangover!” Then she furrowed her brow at me, “But no, seriously, what are you doing here? This ain’t exactly your scene.”
“I kinda kidnapped her,” Anna hummed out a tiny, evil laugh. “She’s my hostage tonight. She’s gonna have fun whether she likes it or not!”
I was firmly in the “or not” camp.
Rayne grinned at her, folding her arms together, “Then that brings us back around to what you’re doing here… where did you even come from?”
As the two of them began to catch up while Riku listened in, Lea snagged my elbow, pulling me over closer to the booth once more. 
Oh. Right. Socializing. I’d almost forgotten.
Ahhh forgetting. T’was a better, simpler, blessed time. Now, as I was presented with another small horde of new faces, I felt my heart rate spike and my chest tighten as the butterflies battled for dominance in my stomach again.
So be it. Once more into the breach! Come on, Elsa, you can do this!
“Now then, before I was so rudely interrupted-”
“Shove it, Red!” my roommate snapped.
“Screw off, Raindrop!” He stuck his tongue out at her, then sniggered to me, “Remember, verbal abuse says you care! Anyway, I’m sure you’re already very familiar with this mall rat we all know and love, given he’s almost a big an ice cream junkie as I am.” Sora beamed up at me from his seat. “But have you met this half-pint’s amazing, intelligent, beautiful and might I add way out of his league girlfriend, Kairi?”
He was gesturing to a pretty redhead dolled up in pink who smirked around the straw in her drink as she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Sora beside her. “Any comment to that?”
He shrugged, leaning back as he laced his fingers behind his head and his already impossibly huge smile somehow managed to get even wider. “Can’t argue facts!”
“She, like her boy here, is also a local mall rat, but we take pity on these poor schmucks who have nothing else in their pathetic, empty lives and let them hang out with us cool kids whenever we all get together like this,” Lea teased.
“Hey now, ex-mall rat!” she harrumphed before proudly puffing up her chest. “You’re looking at Mickey’s newest hire as of today!”
Lea arched an eyebrow, “No shit, really? Congratz, princess! Welcome to the crush of the daily grind. It sucks! Enjoy!”
Kairi snorted. “Please, it won’t be all that terrible. I’m gonna work a counter in the jewelry department. I can already tell my favorite part’s gonna be helping customers with the charm bracelets. Look!” she jangled the band she was wearing around her wrist before lifting up one of the little trinkets dangling from it. “This one looks like a thalassa shell star from my home, Destiny Islands!” Then she narrowed her eyes at Sora, one corner of her lips quirking up. “Now if only this lazy bum would get a job too, we’d be set!”
“Gimme a break, Kairi, I’m working on it!” Sora half whined, half laughed.
“Uh oh, do I smell trouble in paradise? We’ll leave the two lovebirds to it then,” Lea then turned my attention to a slender chick with short black hair sitting next to Kairi, who waggled her fingers at me with a crooked grin. “This is Yuffie! She works with Squ- ‘scuse me, Leon over at Buster’s Swords.” He lowered his voice to a whisper behind his hand, “She likes to steal the merch for her own personal amusement.”
She scoffed, “You shut your whore mouth, I don’t steal! I just… borrow for quality testing! I’m doing a community service here, really!”
He shook his head, “Uh huh, sure, whatever you say. So what’s on the menu for today?”
Couldn’t tell from where exactly, but she suddenly pulled out a pair of ninja stars as her lips curved wickedly. “Shurikens!”
“Nope!” Leon pressed one hand to the edge of his table, leaning his chair back onto its hind legs so he could stretch an arm across the booth and snatch the weapons from her grasp.
“Hey!” she lunged after them but only ended up faceplanting into her own table. “Give those back, jerkface!” He ignored her, just taking another swig from the bottle in front of him. “Wow, rude much?!”
This place was an absolute madhouse.
 “Oof, that’s rough! Better luck next time,” Lea consoled her before pointing to the next person wedged into the booth, a girl with a blue bow tying back her brown hair. “And here we have Belle! Total bookworm, so no surprise her nine-to-five’s at Enchanted Castle Books.” She didn’t acknowledge us, just stared dreamily off into space while absently stirring the liquid in her glass with a straw. Lea sighed, “Yeah, she’s a real head-up-in-the-clouds sort.”
“I got this,” Yuffie chimed in before using a hand to shade her gaze as she raised her voice, “Hey, is that Gaston I see?”
Belle snapped out of it, eyes round in horror as she gasped, “Where?!” before ducking down to use the table for cover.
As Yuffie cracked up, Kairi swatted her in the shoulder, “Mean!”
“Gaston’s the local musclebound, meathead neanderthal who’s set his sights on Belle as his next conquest,” Lea explained.
“Don’t worry, sweetie,” Yuffie’s eyes gleamed as she produced a third metal star. “I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
“For the love of- another one?!” In a quick blur of movement, Leon had once again confiscated her toy, much to her dismay.
“Finally,” Lea jumped in once again, clapping his hand down on the shoulder of a carrot-top sitting on the end with giant purple headphones covering his ears, “this regular chatterbox is Neku, who gets his paycheck from Towa Records, the lil music store around the corner from the food court.”
Yuffie huffed, “I dunno why Orangeylocks even bothers to show up to these things since,” she leaned across the table to lift up one of his hulking muffs and yell into his ear, “he never bothers to take the stupid ‘phones off!”
He slapped her hand away with a glare and said nothing, simply crossed his arms and slouched further down into his seat.
Still I hadn’t said a word to anyone besides Rayne. Partly because all the anxiety was squeezing my throat shut - trust me, the terror was real. But even if I had been brave enough to actually make small talk with this pack of total strangers, it was impossible to get a word in edgewise. It was all just happening so fast. But hey, maybe I could get away with the whole not talking thing. This Neku guy seemed to be and he was getting along just fine. Maybe the secret was in the headphones.
Note to self: look into the possibility of purchasing ear buds with first paycheck in the hopes of avoiding human interaction at all costs.
“Okay, almost done, just one more table to go,” Lea chirped.
Hearing that was both a relief and a minor heart attack all rolled together. The good news: one more table, woo! The bad news: one more table, ugh!
As Lea led the way once more, I snagged Anna by the elbow. It was her fault I was in this mess, so there was no way I was letting her abandon me. She was my security blanket, dammit! She managed to get out a hasty “we’ll talk more in a minute” to Rayne before staggering along behind me. We were brought to the neighboring booth which took up a corner so it was slightly bigger. Thankfully, that didn’t equal a larger group seated here. Even better, I already knew two of the faces.
“Rox! Xion!” Lea grinned down at them. “So this is where you guys got to. Was beginning to think I might have to send out search parties. I-”
“Kristoff,” the name escaped my lips before I’d even realized it as I locked eyes with my coworker.
Make that three faces I recognized.
His eyelids drooped before he looked away with a harrumph, taking a deep drag from his mug.
Well fudge. Guess he was still mad about the phone.
This night just kept getting better and better!
“Brr, did it just get a few degrees colder in here? Ah well, forget it, just leave Lord Sourpuss here to his brooding,” Lea snerked with a roll of his eyes. “For the rest at the table who haven’t already had the pleasure, this is Elsa, the Ice Palace newbie, and her sister Anna who tagged along for funsies.” 
He tossed a hand towards a guy with amber eyes, messy raven hair, and was the poster boy for goth fashion. “That ray of sunshine over there is Vanitas - living, breathing proof that all our moms were always right: your face really can get stuck like that. Wow, misery really does love company, huh? Just look at those identical scowls.” Both Vanitas and Kristoff looked highly unamused with Lea. He responded with a smirk, leaning down to bring his face closer to Vanitas, “What’s with the pout, widdle man? Did one of the other kids steal your binky?”
“Bite me, jackass,” he deadpanned.
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Lea waggled his eyebrows as he straightened back up. “Anyhoo, as you might’ve already guessed by just taking one look at the edgelord, Vaniboy here works at Halloween Town.”
“Halloween Town?” Anna echoed, tapping a thoughtful finger to her lips. “Isn’t that the line of shops that are kinda like Hot To-”
“Say that knock-off, poser, wannabe of a store’s name and die,” Vanitas sneered.
Lea said, “Don’t mind him, he’s just cranky cuz he missed out on afternoon naptime.” Vanitas flipped him the bird, which went totally ignored as Lea shifted his gaze to the other side of the table. “Woah, talk about a mismatched set. What are you two doing hanging out with Mr Negativity here?”
He was now addressing a sweet-faced brunette with bright green eyes and the boy beside her with sandy blonde spiked hair, a skull and crossbones printed on his shirt. The girl chuckled, “Oh come on, Van’s not that bad.”
“Yeah, once you get past his personality,” the guy sniggered. Vanitas just looked away with a soft tch.
“Meet Olette and Hayner. They- wait...” Lea glanced around the table a second time with a frown, “There’s usually one more of you. Where’s Pence?”
“Couldn’t make it,” Olette sighed, plopping her chin in her palm. “Had to finish his programming project for his Computer Sciences course. Said he’ll be at it all weekend.”
“Bummer,” Lea shrugged. “In any case, these two plus their missing amigo wait tables at Le Grand Bistrot, this hoity-toity restaurant on the opposite end of the mall from the rest of us. Though didn’t you guys get shut down recently for a rodent infestation?”
Hayner banged a fist against the table, “Ugh, will people stop talking about that already? We didn’t get shut down, it was one rat and it was just that klutzy garbage boy’s pet, got it?!”
A snort from Roxas. “Sounds fake, but okay.”
“Can it, pizza boy!” Hayner shot back.
“Touchy, touchy,” Lea tsked before his eyes made one more sweep of the surrounding tables. “Anyway, looks like that’s everyone! How ‘bout it? Got it all memorized? If not, don’t sweat it, it was a lot. And even more might show up later, who knows, these things are always sort of a random grab bag but that’s half the fun! In any case, feel free to take a seat.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, “I’m gonna go order a drink from the bar. Did either of you want me to grab you anything while I’m over there?”
“Is this a menu?” Anna picked up the glossy, colorful sheet of plastic from the table, looking over the list printed on it with a low hum. “I think a basket of the Cactuar Fries would be good for starters. As for drink, hm… Ooo, the Golden Chocobo sounds amazing! What about you?” she tilted it to give me a better look.
I shook my head, “Just water for me, thanks.”
Her tongue blew a raspberry, eyes returning to the menu. “That’s no fun. Lessee here… aha!” She smiled up at Lea, “She’ll have a Shiva, heavy on the rum.”
“I will most certainly not have a-”
“Got it!” Lea darted off across the room, cupping a hand to his mouth and calling out, “Oh, Tifa!”
Anna then proceeded to flump down into the booth next to Kristoff, giggling as she peeked up at him. “Hi! You’re cute!”
He blinked at her, all traces of the previous doom-and-gloom wiped clean off his face as it reddened slightly. “Uh…?”
She wiggled in closer to him, which seemed to fluster him more as he scrabbled over into Vanitas, who elbowed him back hard for making him almost spill his drink. Oblivious to the domino effect she’d created, Anna whipped her head back around to me and patted a hand on the space she’d freed up at the edge of the booth. “Whatcha waiting for, Sis? Sit!”
I stared blankly at her. She beamed back at me. I glanced over to everyone else. Everyone else watched me expectantly. I then flicked my gaze down to the open seat. It just lay there, being a cushion.
...psssst, dummy. Her telling you to sit? Was your cue to actually sit!
Still my feet didn’t budge an inch. Instead I looked over my shoulder back towards the door leading outside. So close, yet so far.
Clearing my throat, I took a small step backwards and held up a hand, “A-actually, you know what? I think I, uh... left something... back in the car! Yeah, that’s it! So I’ll just, er… I’ll go get-”
“I said sit!” Anna grabbed my wrist and jerked me down onto the plush bench beside her.
Well then. I guess I was sitting.
I suddenly felt a light brush of something against the back of my head and I twitched away, looking behind me. Rayne was leaning over the divider between our two booths, hands outstretched, apparently with the intention of petting both Anna and me.  “Pretty,” she cooed in delight. “Pretty, pretty hair. So soft!”
From somewhere beyond the separator, I heard Riku mutter, “It’s starts.” His voice was muffled. I suspected due to facepalm. Taking a small bundle of my hair and tucking it between her palm and two little fingers, Rayne then set the other three fingers and hand to work unraveling one of Anna’s pigtail braids.
Anna didn’t seem to mind, instead just turning her gaze to the rest of our booth and flashing a smile big enough to rival one of Sora’s. “It’s so great to meet everyone! This is super exciting! Isn’t is just so exciting?” she asked me. I opened my mouth, but Anna was already gushing once more, “And oh my gawd, so, so, so, sooooo much fun! I’m already having a blast! Are you having a blast?” Again, this question was aimed at me. Again, I didn’t even get so much as a peep out. “Aaaah, lookit her, she’s having a friggin’ blast! This is awesome! So how long have you guys all been getting together like this? Who started it? Was it just a small group at first? Were you guys always friends even before these Friday nights began? Do you ever change it up, get food and drinks somewhere else? Or is it always the 7th Heaven? Why is it called the 7th Heaven anyway? What’s the story there? What’s the food like? No, what are the drinks like? Did I pick good ones? I hope I picked good ones! And I just love that they have karaoke here! Anyone else going to be singing later? Ooo, here’s an idea! We could all go up and sing one together!”
Typhoon Anna had struck again, leaving round eyes and silence in her wake.
I was guessing most everyone else at the table hadn’t even caught half of that, the torrent of words had been coming out in such a rush.
The hush over the table stretched until Vanitas at last broke it with a flat, “Yeah, no, I’m out. I’ve had about all the pep I can stand from that pack of idiots,” he flicked a wrist towards the half the table taken up by Xion, Olette, Roxas and Hayner, “without having to deal with… this,” he cringed, gesturing to Anna. Then he downed the rest of his beverage. “Later, losers.” And with that, he vaulted himself over the table, shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket and slinked off.
“So…” Anna dragged out the syllable, “...he’s pleasant!”
Certainly one word for it.
“Vani bail early?” Lea rejoined us. “No shocker there, he usually does. He's always been more of a lone wolf. Make room, Fun-size!” he looked down at where Xion was seated at the opposite end of the booth from us. She scooched to clear a spot for him and he plopped on down, setting a full, opened bottle on the table in front of him bearing a red label that boasted the title Ifrit Amber Ale. “Ladies, your drinks n’ fries are gonna need another minute. Someone’ll be by to drop them off when they’re ready.”
A small smile braved my lips, “Thanks, how much do we owe you?”
Or rather, how much did Anna owe him? Since A, she was the one that’d ordered it all and B, I’d yet to earn a single cent to my name.
Soon though. Payday was coming.
He batted a hand, “Don’t worry about it, my treat. And, uh,” he snerked, “you might want to keep a closer eye on what Raindrop's up to over there.”
I blinked. I had been feeling a faint tingle in my scalp as Rayne had continued to play beauty salon back there this whole time, but I’d just been ignoring it. Now both Anna and I turned to discover she’d weaved locks of our hair together into one thick, auburn-and-platinum braid.  “I made a pretty!” Rayne giggled, punctuated by a hiccup.
Biting back a grin, Xion called, “Hey Riku! Control your woman!”
A hand shot up and grabbed Rayne by the scruff of the shirt. With a squeak, she disappeared behind the booth separator.
“So,” Olette shook her head, one corner of her lips tugging up, “how are you liking it over at Ice Palace?”
...shoot, she was talking to me, wasn’t she?
I was so not prepared for this.
Glancing up from where my fingers had already begun disentangling the braid Anna and I shared joint custody off, I pursed my lips to one side. “Hmm, well… it’s pretty good actually. This is my first job ever, so I was a bit anxious.” Understatement of the millenia. “But it’s been going well. And I like the people I work with and get along with them and uh…” I eyed Kristoff out of my peripheral, who still seemed rather dazed by Anna and the apparent lack of the phrase ‘personal boundaries’ in her vocabulary, “...and they like me and are very kind and welcoming and… certainly not mad or anything at me for, oh I don’t know, hypothetically lobbing and busting their phones, like I would ever do something so silly as that, why would I even mention such a thing, that’s so random,” the jumble of words finished in a weak chuckle.
It was beginning to become clear to me that the tendency to babble might run in my family.
Only mine was of the nervous variety, whereas I don’t think Anna had a nervous bone in her body.
At last sensing my gaze on him, Kristoff shook himself out of his stupor and looked back at me. Then he frowned, narrowed his eyes and stared down at the table, nursing his drink once more.
“Oh yeah,” Xion snorted, “I can definitely feel the love simply overflowing from that side of the table.”
“Sounds like a sweet gig,” Hayner chimed back into the conversation with a smirk as he crossed his arms. “But then, anything’s gotta be better than working at some lame dump of a pizza place.”
“Ouch, shots fired.” Lea cocked an eyebrow, “What’s with the drive-by, my dude?”
Roxas snickered, “Ignore him. He’s still just sore about the whole rat thing.”
“There wasn’t a rat thing! I told you already, it was just some dumb pet so it doesnt count!”
“Sure,” Roxas sighed, “Just keep telling yourself that, man.”
“That’s it!” Hayner snarled, slamming both hands down on the table as he rocketed up to his feet. “It’s time we settle this like men!”
Olette groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Tell me you did not really just say that, you total caveman.”
Hayner stabbed a finger towards Roxas and growled, “You.” Then jerked a thumb into his chest, “Me.” He pointed at one of the arcade machines, “Struggle 9000. Loser buys rounds for the table for the next five Fridays.”
“Come on, you two,” Olette interjected, “is this really-”
Lea clamped a hand over her mouth, one index finger held up to his lips, “Shush, I want free booze.”
“You’re on!” Roxas shot back, eyes flashing. Then the both of them were ducking down and crawling under the table to exit the booth before dashing over to where the video games awaited them, elbowing each other the whole way.
“Wanna go root the boys on?” Olette asked Xion.
“Pfft, root nothing. I’m taking on winner and curb stomping his ass. Play my cards right and I’ll have them both buying our drinks for weeks to come.”
As Lea slid out of the booth so the two of them could get up and leave, Olette laughed, “Oh, I bet Hayner would be simply thrilled by that prospect.”
“Please, you think that bonehead’s gonna come out the champ?” Xion scoffed as they walked off. “Rox has got him beat, no contest.”
“Wanna bet?”
That was the last thing I heard from Olette before a happy shriek barely an inch to my left drowned out anything else that might have been said.
Gee thanks, Anna. Really, who needs hearing in both ears anyway?
Our order had arrived, which apparently was what had gotten her so excited. A heaping bowl of shoestring fries now steamed in front of us, covered and smothered in some chunky green sauce. Anna’s drink started out orange at the bottom and faded into a yellow at the frothy top where in the absence of one of the standard teeny decorative umbrellas, it was instead garnished with a fluffy, yellow feather. My drink was a chilly, neon blue color and served in a tall, skinny glass with wafting mist and a frosted rim.
“Bottoms up!” Anna singsonged, clinking her beverage to mine before chugging down half of it in one go. I pulled a face at her, scrunching my nose with a grimace. She puffed out a content sigh as she put the glass back down at the table. “Ah, that’s good!” Then her eyes darted between me and my drink a couple times. “Well? What are you waiting for? Get your drink on, gurl!”
“No thanks,” I nudged the Shiva away with a fingertip. “Someone has to drive us home, so I guess that someone’s going to be me.”
“Pssh, details,” she waved a dismissive hand while she tested out one of the fries. Eyes lighting up, she shoveled a couple more in her mouth before pushing my drink back towards me. “C’mon, one sip won’t kill ya! Besides, you’re hurting Lea’s feelings over there, he spent his hard earned munny on it just for you!”
“Nah, it’s cool,” he shrugged and grinned. “You do you, El!”
“Dude, work with me here! You’re supposed to back me up on this, I-” Anna cut herself off in a gasp. Seemed there had been a lull in the karaoke, so someone had kicked on the big vintage jukebox off to one side, which was now pumping regular tunes out of the overhead speakers. “I love this song!” Her hand clamped down around Kristoff’s wrist, “Dance with me!”
“Wha-?!”
I was all but shoved out of the booth as Anna bolted off, dragging a wide eyed and stumbling Kristoff behind her. I watched her go, shaking my head with a tired smile. Anna would never change. But then, who’d want her to? She was kind of perfect the way she was, chaotic energy and all. Sighing, I took a seat again and looked up.
That’s when I froze.
Because that’s when it hit me.
Somehow, my booth had gone from being packed to being empty. Well, almost…
There was still me.
And there was still a certain redhead.
And to be fair, my plan had been to spend the evening with a redhead. Just said redhead was supposed to have been petite, female, and my sister. The redhead before me now? Checked off none of those boxes.
So instead of the night of sisterly bonding like I’d been looking forward to, I’d somehow wound up in a bar. 
At a table. 
With Lea. 
By ourselves. 
Just the two of us.
Alone...
Help! SOS! Frantic smoke signals! I was not mentally or emotionally equipped to deal with this situation!
Commence cardiac arrest in three… two… 
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Author’s note: Hi, yes, welcome to Cameo Palooza, where we got references coming out the wazoo! This chapter and events in next chapter were originally all supposed to be one chapter, but the references just kept going and going… I honestly didn’t expect them to go on for as long as they did, but here we are xD Not gonna lie, I took an odd amount of pleasure in giving Lea and Elsa drinks to match to their respective elements/summons. Also lil fun fact: There are real alcoholic beverages out there called the Shiva and the Golden Chocobo, just google it if you’re curious and I think the recipes should pop up like the did for me! Also, there are in fact green Cactuar Fries out there in the real live world too - I’ve seen foodies post pictures!
Next chapter… how will Elsa deal with this latest challenge in human interaction she’s come face to face with? Will this be one step closer to strengthening the bond of her new friendship with Lea? Or will it all end in utter catastrophe thanks to her awkward penguin ways? Will we ever find out the secret of the Cactuar Fries’ green ooze? Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to any new followers out there (howdy! :D) and to those of you who’ve liked and reblogged previous chapters, seeing that always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!
FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER
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honeysweetpsii-blog · 5 years
Text
[LOG] A Father Son Chat
Mituna | Deuce
ft. @gotahatfullofbomb
Mituna
>> Mituna takes a deep breath while waiting for his dad. Knowing the meeting was about to end he stops tidying up and rubs his eyes, the use of his psiioniics making them itch. He spins around in his wheelchair and opens the door to peak out, nervous. The conversation he planned to have was a heavy to light, always end with the nicest thing, right? >> With a anxious churr he wheels back into his room and starts biting the knuckle of his pointer finger while he waited for his father. Wouldn't be too much longer now. >> He pushes up his glasses and rubs at his face again, he had much more confidence with this earlier.
Deuce
Deuce was already tired with all this drama and honestly was hoping for some more , but he couldn't just go sleep all day again, at least not when it comes to his kids so he drags himself to Mituna's room to have yet another talk. >knock on the door. "tuna? can i come in ?"
Mituna
Mituna looks up at the door and doesn't answer for a little bit before he goes up to the door and opens it, smiling slightly. "Yeah, come on in." He pushes the wheelchair back, getting out of Deuce's way. "You can sit on my bed, if you want I mean.. heh. Get all comfy after that meeting and what ever happened yesterday." Get your maximum comfort on. He slides a pillow off of the bed for himself. This is a feelings jam.
Deuce
Oh bless this lovely child because he doesn't want anything other right now than to  jump on the bed and be a potato . "Thank you" So he does exactly that hmm comfy comfy good choice of fluffy pillows my son. "Hmmm i like this talk already , more talks should involve pillows like this"
Mituna
Mituna laughs and nods, "Hell yeah, nothing is better than pillows and chatting. Like a teen sleepover, who's the girl you like dude?" He sighs and watches CD snuggle in and get all comfortable. "There's multiple subjects I'd like to uh, cover before reaching the bomb part. If that's alright?"
Deuce
"OH BOY!" He acts surprised and start playing with his hair . "I think Boxcars is the coolest guy at school i want to ask him out to prom". He laughs and rolls in bed to a chinhands position to look at Mituna. "DID YOU SAY BOMB? you got my undivided attention boy, SPEAK"
Mituna
He snickers and grins, okay this is going way better than expected. Lets do this. "Well to start, I wanted to talk to you about Sollux's migraine. I let him sleep in here last night but he collapsed out side my room from the pain. I fell before that though, I think I was trying to get up and go to his room because I thought he was drunk but I guess it was the pain instead?" Mituna leans back in the wheelchair and hugs the pillow to his chest. "I thought it was cause his psiioniics but he isn't going overboard with them so.. I don't know if he is stressing about something but I can't figure it out."
Deuce
Oh no back to worrying again?. The bombs got him excited for a nice talk but looks like it's just kill your dad of worry week. "It was that bad? why didn't you call me Tuna?..." he sinks into the pillow "  I guess i will have to talk to him later hu?..."
Mituna
He swears it's gonna end good. Heavy things first because suspense. "I don't know, didn't think to? I was worried and my brain can't function that much shit at one time. I looked after him all night, he slept well. Said he was proud of me, kinda cried about that. I would of called you and the hospital if it got to bad for me to handle.... Yeah I think you should. I don't know if he genuinely doesn't know why he has this migraine or if he's keeping it from me."
Deuce
"Let's hope it's nothing bad" sigh "Thank you for taking care of him, i'm also proud of you. He used to be the one taking care of you when you got episodes and now tables have turned"
Mituna
"You're gonna make me cry again, I'm just trying to look out for peeps. Bee a good bee for once." He nods and rubs at the side of his neck, "So.. last thing to ask about before the bomb part of this conversation." He shoves his face into the pillow and sighs. "What is that Psiioniic dude like, I know he's my brother or something like that but I don't remember him. I think I seen him when I was a kid? But I don't know him. I think I made him upset last night because he wanted to come into my room last night as well but that made me uneasy and I said no in a really vague and probably rude way but.. I don't.. Mm." Heavy bee frowns. "Can you fill me in on what he's like so I can talk to him easier?"
Deuce
CD pulls the pillows under his chin and thinks for a moment. "He is your ancestor...i guess you could call him father instead of brother? it's...weird i mean i adopted him as my son long time ago when i found him. Though instead on the street the fucker landed on my armory on the desert and almost blow up everything with his psiionics" He laughs "He pulled a brave move of escaping a battleship he was being held in as a slave but had to fall face first on the ground...as always. It's ok if you don't remember him much, you were too small anyway, but he helped me out with you and your bother." He taps his chin while thinking. "What he is like?....he is very funny, very cheerful most of the time you know , memes and all that. He cares a lot for the people he love, a really good man."
Mituna
"Hm.. Definitely got the wrong impression of him then with that fight thing I heard about. I was nervous he was gonna start something, make Sollux mad, I mean... Gamzee is Sol's matesprite after all, so what I heard from Sol wasn't really good. I'm glad I got two sides before my mind decided to be judgey. I'll have to talk with him about things, get to know him again. I'm glad he helped you with us but.. You will always be my dad Deuce. Not him, not anyone else. You and Sol are the ones that were there for me through everything. Especially you when Sol left so.. You are my family, I love you dad." Mituna smiles wide and leans forward to pap his dad's shoulder.
Deuce
He appreciates the dad part a lot. Above all that has happened he started thinking what if the kids now decide they rather call him dad?... It lifts a bit of weight off his shoulders. “What happened yesterday was...dumb. Psii was way out of line. Hopefully after the talk we had today it won’t happen again. At least not the way it went down yesterday...Just please don’t judge his entire persona based on one stupid decision he made, he is better than this”
Mituna
"I won't, I won't. I know I can do dumb shit too, that's why I wanted to ask you about him. I mean, who better to ask than you." He leans forward and whispers, "I could ask him about himself but we bee's are full of crisis so I didn't want to spark nothing bad in his head." With a snicker Mituna leans back and hugs his pillow tight again. "Honestly this is passing faster and better than I thought it would. Are you sure you are ready for the bomb part?"
Deuce
"Mituna Captor being careful? more likely than you think!. I can't believe you are being the responsible one around this days" he jokes and hugs his pillow excited to the mention of bombs again. "YEAH i'm always ready like a damn bomb scout"
Mituna
Mituna grins wide, scoots forward and grasps his dads hands. After a long pause he laughs, ears flicking. "I've thought about this for a while, and super thought about it after those anons called Psii my dad." Another pause, "I'd like for you to officially adopt me, name change and all. I want to legally bee your son, beecause I am." He rubs at his eyes an laughs again. "You are the one who raised me, you're the only one that will ever bee my father."
Deuce
"Oh tuna don't make a grown ass man cry like this" he says as he start to tear up "We can make all the paperwork tomorrow!". He rubs his eyes and get off bed to hug his bee son. "I'm so happy!"
Mituna
Mituna hugs Deuce tightly, burying his face in his dad's shoulder. "I'm so happy too Dad. I can't wait to get started an shit. I love you, Dad. I love you so much." He hugs him tighter, not wanting to let go at all.
Deuce
"I love you too my little bee." very happy dersite noises "I can't wait either , we gotta go early tomorrow so try to not sleep too late tonight ok?"
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tyranttortoise · 6 years
Text
Happy Birthday, Whisper!
Heeeeeyyy, today is @with-a-whisper‘s birthday, and I love her. <3   So enjoy a quick drabble.  Most of it’s under a cut.  I know mobile’s kinda been wonky with those lately.
Swapfell Papyrus / Reader ( SFW )
"hey darlin'.  what'll it be tonight?  another rum and coke, hold the rum?"
You can't help but grin as you slide onto the bar seat of you new favorite restaurant and prop your arms on the bar.  You had stumbled across this place by accident one day, when you were lost on the monster side of the city and ducked inside to both get your bearings and satisfy your growling stomach.  
You never expected it to be run entirely by skeleton monsters.
It had been an interesting evening, with enough excitement to bring you back on a weekly basis.  Of course, besides the entertainment that came from their strong personalities both clashing yet somehow seamlessly working together, one skeleton in particular had caught your eye.
Rus.
"Not tonight," you smugly claim and pull out your ID between two fingers.  Leaning over the bar in excitement, you inform him, "It's my birthday."
He plucks the ID from your fingers and studies it for a moment -- giving you a chance to study him.  He wore a crisp, black dress shirt and slacks, though the top button of his shirt has been left undone and his sleeves are rolled to expose his forearms..  Both his suspenders and his loose tie are a dark orange, the same color as the bright embers glowing within his eyesockets.  
His eyes flick up from your ID just in time to catch you staring, and his lazy smirk quirks up.  "finally old enough by human standards to see my magic at work.  congrats on another year of livin'."  He hand the plastic card back to you, and you quirk a brow.  That's a strange way to put it.
"Is that the monster way of saying happy birthday?"
"it is where i'm from," he replies simply, already in the process of gathering supplies behind the bar.  "ok, i'm gonna go easy on ya the first drink, see what you like."
"I can handle whatever you can dish out," you reply in challenge, which causes him to chuckle.
"sure, but it's no fun if you're sloppy drunk off the first one."
You watch him mix the drink, his fingers deftly moving.  He's wearing fingerless gloves, but from what you've been able to tell, the palms have a special grip to them to give him better grip on the glasses.  It allowed him to do his tricks with ease; he tosses a bottle behind his back with one hand, and then catches it with the other, all without ever taking his eyes off the task at hand.  
"Show-off," you mutter fondly, and he winks.
"whatever gets me tips."
On more than one occasion, you've come in to find money stuffed into the waistband of his pants or down the collar of his shirt.  You didn't realize so many people would be attracted to a skeleton monster, but he draws quite the crowd -- especially on ladies' night.  
As he directs that killer, carefree grin your way, slides the glass toward you, and leans in close over the bar, you realize that you're lopped right in there with them with wanting to jump his literal bones.  A warm flush creeps to your cheeks before you've even had a single sip.  
"it's a magic mojito."
"What's in it?" you question, picking up the glass and giving it a quick sniff.  It's minty in a subtle kind of way. Upon closer inspection, you also realize that the drink is faintly glowing; at first, you had thought it was just a trick of the low lighting at the bar.
"rum, syrup, mint, lime, and sea tea.  give it a sip."
Sea tea?  You've never heard of it, so maybe that explains the glow.  Holding his gaze, you lift the glass and take a long sip.  You can't taste the alcohol, but if you had to describe the drink, it would be cool and refreshing.  
"It's not what I expected," you admit as you lower the glass.  "But it's tasty."
"not much alcohol in that one, but don't worry, we're just gettin' started."  He smirks, turning to grab another bottle and then reach beneath the bar for more supplies.  You sip on your drink, enjoying the taste.
He mixes two liquids together, pours them into another canister, and then tosses it into the air.  It doesn't fall, instead levitating with a soft blue glow around it, turning end-over-end while he waves his finger in a lazy circle.  Your eyes light up at the display; you've seen him use magic plenty since you've started coming here and watching him work, but it never ceases to impress you.  
With a cocky smirk, he snaps his fingers and the shaker cracks open over the glass.  The concoction inside is a swirl of blue and green.  "murky waters," he clarifies as he pushes the drink in front of you.  As an afterthought, he garnishes it with a little umbrella that doesn't quite go with the glass but makes you laugh.  
You've finished your mojito, so you exchange your empty glass for the new one. "Yeah, because drinking murky water is really appealing," you quip before you take a sip. Something pops into your mouth from the drink and your eyes widen in surprise.  Your teeth sink into it, and you realize that it seems to be a blueberry with quite the strong taste.
"you never know what's lurkin' in murky waters," Rus comments with an amused chuckle, watching your expression carefully.  "in this case, it was a vodka-infused blueberry.  that one's got echoflower wine and crabapple beer, mixed with sours."
You could definitely taste the alcohol in this one.  Well, you did tell him to bring it on and step up his game.  "Now you're just trying to get me drunk," you teasingly accuse, while he just grins and shrugs a shoulder.
"just doin' my job, darlin'."
"How long have you been bartending?" you ask, while you sip this drink at a slower pace than the mojito.  You hadn't eaten much today, so your head is already starting to feel pleasantly buzzed.  
"not long.  jus' since m'lord wanted to open this place up."  You quirk a brow at the term m'lord.  You've met the owner of the establishment; he's a short skeleton with a loud mouth and an eye for perfectionism.  
"A relative, right?" you ask for clarification.  From what the friendliest of the waiters, Papyrus, told you, their skeleton crew consisted entirely of family.
"my bro, yeah," Rus nods.  
"And you hadn't bartended before that?"  You're surprised; he's a natural.
"nope.  completely self-taught.  guess it helps that i used to spend a lot of time at a bar.  heh, only then i was watchin' a spider monster sling drinks.  talk about a sleight of hand--she had six."
You'd like to see that, as much as the idea of a giant spider monster kinda-sorta creeps you out.  "Do they still bartend?"
"nah, not here.  they're a baker, i think.  it's not far from here actually, so if you ever see muffet's bakery, head inside.  though... maybe don't mention the bartending thing."  Before you can press him as to why you shouldn't, he leans in on the bar again, and you find yourself leaning forward.  Your second drink is half-gone, and you're feeling pretty damn good right about now.  Why, you're not even embarrassed to be looking him directly in the eyes.  His smirk widens, and your gaze drops to the eye-catching gold fang.  Somehow, that glimmer of gold just makes him seem more appealing.
"I like your gold tooth," you blurt suddenly, catching him by surprise.
Woah, are you drunk?  You're grinning like you're well on your way.  You face feels hot, but you're not completely mortified.
Rus nudges your glass closer to your hand.  "i'll make you all the cocktails ya want if you keep the flattery comin'.  but i'm about to go on a smoke break before m'lord does his rounds.  wanna come?"
One-on-one time with him without a bar between the two of you?  He doesn't have to ask you twice.  Nodding, you knock back the last of your drink and step off the barstool.  The world lurches slightly, and your face tingles a little; alcohol always seems to catch up with people when they first stand up, you've heard.  Rus gestures for you to follow him through the back, which leads through the kitchen, where an chef in a blue uniform is excitedly making entrees.  Another skeleton, about the same build as Rus but clad in an orange chef's jacket.  They both seem surprised to see you walking through with Rus--especially since you've snagged the crook of his elbow in your hand as he guides you through.
"RUS!  YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BRING CUSTOMERS THROUGH HERE!" the one in blue admonishes, though there's no real scold to his tone.  
"sorry, it's a birthday tour.  i've been mixin' birthday drinks, so i'm gonna take a smoke break real quick.  didn't want my little human to get lonely."  
The chef gasps.  "IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY?!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUMAN!  WELL, SINCE IT'S A SPECIAL DAY, I CAN MAKE AN EXCEPTION!!"  
"Thanks!" you call back with a wave; Rus hasn't stopped moving through, so by the time you turn back around, he's guiding you out the back door and into the alley between buildings.  The air is chilly, so you find yourself pressing against his side for warmth.  Thankfully, he doesn't move away.  Instead, he just guides you to the wall and leans against it, fishing a cigarette and lighter from his pockets.
"I think you're the one that wanted the company," you tease, curling your fingers into the fabric of his shirt to warm them.
He lights the tip of his cigarette and it burns a dim purple.  It must be magic, you realize; you've never seen any other cigarette like it.  "caught me.  i gotta admit, it's been nice havin' you come around so much.  gives me somethin' to look forward to."  
He's got a lop-sided smirk with smoke curling between his fangs that makes your heart race.  You're not sure if he's just teasing you or not, but you take it as encouragement to rest your cheek on his shoulder while you watch the cigarette burn between his sharp teeth.  It doesn't smell like normal smoke, either; it has an undercurrent of spice, which is pleasant in the crisp air.
"Do you smoke a lot?" you wonder aloud.
Papyrus glances over at you, the cigarette dangling from his teeth.  He shrugs, though his expression morphs into a sharp-toothed smirk.  "nah, that's you.  smokin' hot."
You watch as smoke curls from between his teeth as he speaks, coming out in little tiny wisps.  The designs it creates are mesmerizing.
"Yeah, right," you snort, though that flush is back to your cheeks.  "What kind of cigarette is that?"  
"it's not like the human ones up here.  it's infused with magic," he explains. "it's not harmful like the human kind... though it's not like those hurt me, either.  i don't exactly have lungs. doesn't mean you don't take my breath away, though."  He tosses in a casual wink that has you blushing even harder and trying to bury your face in his shoulder.  He only chuckles.
"...I'd like to try it."
His eyesockets widen at your announcement, and he cranes his head to get a better look at your face. "didn't take you for a smoker."
"I'm not, but... you said it's not harmful like a human cigarette, right?  So what does it do?"
"hmm... it's just infused with magic," he claims, his index and third fingers coming up to cradle the cigarette between his teeth.  He inhales deeply, then exhales a purple cloud through his fangs.  "i dunno what kind of effect it'd have on a human.  it's mostly just energy to monsters, but this kind is a calming energy."    
"Well?  Can I try it?" you repeat your request, undaunted, and unwind one of your hands from his arm to hold it out to him.  He seems to mull it over for a moment, before he smirks and takes you hand in his, lacing your fingers together.  
"ok. but let's make it interesting... and remember to try not to swallow the smoke."  
You quirk an eyebrow as he takes in a deep inhale, then pulls the cigarette away from his teeth.  He bends down, and his hand moves from yours to cup your cheek and draw your face to his.  You can feel your heart hammering in your chest as your lips touch his teeth-- and he coaxes them apart with his fangs.  
The world spins in a way that has nothing to do with the alcohol.
You feel him blow the smoke directly into your mouth, and you have to remind yourself not to inhale too deeply and swallow.  Instead, you hold the smoke in--which tastes strangely sweet and a little tangy, your gaze half-lidded.  
"now blow it out."
You comply, slowly forcing out a breath and watching purple smoke curl around Papyrus's features.  He smirks, still so close that you can feel the heat of his breath fanning against your face.  "well?"
You pause to assess yourself.  "I don't feel any different, but it tasted nice."
"might be the alcohol." H e shrugs a shoulder, nonplussed.  "wanna see if i taste any better?"
"Wha--"  You barely have time to process the question before he drops the cigarette and grinds it out beneath his shoe, and then moves to slide one hand into your hair and the other around your waist, pulling your body against his.  His teeth press back to your lips, which you instantly part in a surprised gasp, letting his tongue invade.  The coalesced magic that comprises it tastes like sweet, smoky barbeque sauce, and it tingles against your tongue.
Your hands come up to steady yourself, gripping onto his tie.  You've been longing for a chance to kiss him for over a month now -- but even with all the teasing and flirting that's gone on between the two of you, you never realized you'd be making out with the charismatic bartender in the back alley.
You're just drunk enough that you don't care; you're going to take advantage of the situation.  So, you kiss him back with abandon, tangling tongues and pressing your body flat against his.  You even stand on your tip-toes in an effort to get a better angle on the kiss.  
Just as you've moved, pushing him so his back hits the wall behind you in a surprisingly daring maneuver (sober you is either going to be proud of that or mortified), you hear someone clear their throat from the back door.
You jump away, guilty, but Rus's arms don't move.  He tilts his head while you hide your face in his chest.  
"could you maybe not take advantage of people in dark alleys, rus?” a low voice drawls, and you peek to spot the orange-clad chef standing there with a sucker stem bobbing between his teeth.  From his smirk, he seems more amused by the situation than scolding.  
“where’s the fun in that, stretch?”
“i hear you, but blue said to bring the human inside.  he’s got a surprise cooked up.”
Your mortification began to drain at the mention of a surprise.  You pull back, and attempt to straighten Rus’s tie to no avail.  Oh well.  He looks sexier that way.
“thanks darlin’.”  
Shit, you said that out loud.  You’ll never apologize for speaking the truth, so you just grin while he ushers you back into the door Stretch is holding open.  The other skeleton’s eyelights flick over you, and you feel like you’re being Judged, but Birthday You doesn’t give a fuck.
Inside, the blue-clad chef, turns to you with a broad grin.  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUMAN!!”  There’s cake and puppydough ice cream on the counter.  The delirious grin that’s been on your face since Rus kissed you widens to the point that your cheeks hurt, and you thank the friendly skeleton and take a bite.  Rus grabs another spoon and helps himself, too.
He elbows you to get your attention, and when you glance up, he’s leaned over, ice cream smeared across his fangs.
“want some, darlin’?”
You elbow him lightly in the ribs and keep eating, while Blueberry exchanges a confused look with Stretch and Rus gives you a shit-eating grin.
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prismatic-aconite · 5 years
Text
Pizza And a Movie 
Kicking the door open is Lupita, who is covered in goopy bits that suggest she'd been crawling about in a dumpster. Because of course she has been.  She stops just inside the door to scrape her feet on the door mat; oddly, hasn't been wearing her boots lately. But at least she wipes her feet before walking into the house, and  then the kitchen broadcasting Big Dick Attitude (as it were) and all kinds of confidence. She bellows, "Aeeeethra, I'm hooo-oooome! Where's my pizzas yo?"
Aethra siiiighs. "I was waiting to order them til I knew what you wanted... But I can guess. 'Meat meat and more meat' right? Also. You smell. You should go change clothes and wash up. Not... Like specific a bath just wipe the grime off and make yourself smell less." She's making that faaaace. The 'I am concerned for you' face.
Lupita rolls her eyes. "It's always bath bath bath." She says, shaking her head, before she nods. "All the meats ever. And like maybe one or two 'everything'." She says, pausing to stop in front of the fridge. She pulls it open, pulls out a two-liter of faygo, pops it open and just stands there chugging it. Seriously, like, until it's gone all in one go. She pauses, thumps her chest with a fist, and then lets out a belch.  Then she sets the bottle on the counter, and looks at herself, shrugging. "I guess I'll go change." She turns to head for her room, "Back in a sec, sis," She purrls, as she walks off, scratching at her horns.
"It's either bath or no cuddles cus you smell, yes!" Ae calls after her, and sighs. She busies herself with ordering the pizzas that Lu wants. And a couple with anchovies for herself. If Lu wanted to swipe some fish pizza she'd let that sooner than have her eat all the hakarl.
Well okay it takes roughly 20 minutes, but Lupita does soon walk out, in a pair of boxers probably stolen from Corbin, a baggy t-shirt, and trying to shake water from her hair with her hands, a slight swagger to her steps.  Either way, she wanders into the kitchen looking for Aethra, pausing to lean against the counter, and pick at some grapes left in a bowl.  "Aeeeeee, I need cuddles now pleeeease," she whines after a moment.
Ae blinks when Lu comes out shaking her hair out, and smiles. "Wow I'm impressed. Did you finally conquer your fear of water?" She asks, and steps over to wrap the wet Lu up in a hug. "I was actually gonna tell you about a cool setup I've been working on for one of the guest baths. If you wanna go see it. I got the bath area to make a shower that behaves like rain. And the stall itself isn't really closed in either and there's a bench. So you can stretch out and it's like washing in the rain. Of course there's a spray hose too for rinsing off the soap if you need... But I think you might like it better than sitting in water?"
Lupita perks, and grins. "Aw yiss that sounds lots better. And I did but only because you asked and I really really need the cuddles man." She leans into the hugging and lets out a sigh, contented and stuff, from the contact. She scratches again at her horns though. "Man, ever since the sopor fix my horn it's been itchy all the fuckin' time yo," she says, grumbling a little. "You think its just co's of the new keritan or something?" She asks, looking slightly aside to Ae.
"Probably. Want me to take a look at it anyhow?" Ae asks. "I mean. I just want you healthy and smelling nice when you cuddle me. I tried bath bombs and those don't seem to work, so I figure, just need a better way to get you clean that doesn't involve dunking in the stuff you're scared of. ...Hopefully this'll be a good option all around." She just... holds Lu a while. "You wanna go cuddle pile on the couch?"
"Yeah, can you look at it? And a cuddlepile on the couch would be totes awesome yo. And when the pizza gets here like we can still cuddle and eat, right? C'os like dude I just really up and need all the attentions ever yo." She says. But. She doesn't let go to move to the couch. Nope. Just clings.  She also purrs slightly. "And water isn't too bad if I just. Close my eyes, hold my breath, and just get it over with as soon as popcicle. but I think a rain shower is a great idea yo. Especially if I can just all up and sprawl n' shit."
"Yeah. There's sprawly room. I basically made the entire floor of that room a drain and waterproofed everything. Took a while but I think it'll be good. I'm thinking of installing some grow lights in the ceiling bulbs and getting some wall climbing plants maybe." She grins suddenly and scoops Lu up, to carry her to the couch.
"Ah geeeze do you gotta do that yo you're like a fuckin' giant man. Ain'ts my fault I'm all up and short." Lupita whines, but she mostly goes saggylimp when scooped, and then leans her head in and snuffles at Ae's shoulders. Sniffsniff. "Man you smell good. You been all up and working in the sewing room with the clean cloths ain't you."
Ae chuckles and nods. She soon settles Lu on the couch in the blankets and hmms. "I do because you are fun to scoop and cuddle. ...Is it just the one spot on your horn that's been itching or anywhere else? Lemme get a good look." She settles down on the side for optimal good viewing.
Lupita wruus softly. "Yeah, just the one horn," she says, scratching again idley before canting her head to let Aethra get a good look; the whole horn from a third up is shiny, new, unscarred and untanted;  just simply regrown. Smooth keritin, candy corn colors not yet tempered by sunlight or roughhousing just yet. "Shoulder was itchy for a couple of days, too, but, not anymore." She shrugs. Then grins. "Still say you shoulda seen the other guy. Best damn fight ever yo."
"Hm. Just looks regrown and pretty to me. Should be fine. Horns regrow if you treat em right and don't fuss with too much." She just wraps Lu up in her arms and kisses her hair. "Heh. Maybe youre due a pupation toooo. Who knows you might end up my siiiize," she teases.
Another happy noise, and Lupita can't help herself. She wriggles around so she can kiss Ae on the cheek and forehead and nose with a squinty eyed sort of grin on her features that's only made goofier by her oversized fangs. Then she siighs and just sinks in against Ae. "Pfft. I don't think imma pupate. I'm already too soon after my first molt man." Sure it's been several sweeps. She doesn't count good, though. She pauses though and looks up, suddenly staring intently. That's about when the doorbell is used. "Hey, hey someone's at the door, yo." She says, loudly.
"Been a couple sweeps dude. Yours wasn't all that long after mine. And I didnt grow much then." But then the doorbell interrupts. "Ohhh that's probably the pizza. Lemme get that." She hops up out of the blanket pile and beelines for the door, pays the man, takes the giiiant pile of pizzas, and walks it back to the couch pile. "Do me a favor Lu, and set up a couple of the tv trays? We can watch a movie while we nom."
"Okay but. There was someone at the door." Lupita repeats, as she attempts to look around toward the door again where the pizza guy was, doing this as she blindly grabs the TV trays to set up in front of the couch, and somehow winding her way back to the front door to peer out every window to the side of it that she can she can before bringing the trays to their spots and setting them up. She stands there then, shifting from foot to foot, staring at the door. "... I should go make sure he's not still there." She says, before she slinks back and peers out the door again. "Nope he's gone. Good."
"Look at you being a good home protector. Yeah usually they have bunches more people wanting pizza so they gotta leave real fast. Like the mailman." Ae sets her couple of pizzas, one with anchovies, and one with all veggies and mushrooms. "I got one for Corbin too. You wanna bring it to him? ...Without eating it all?" She grins and holds up an pizza... Stuffed crust loaded Philly with white sauce.
Lupita smirks, and says, "Are you trying to get rid of me or something?" Teasingly, as she picks up the pizza and considers, sniffing at it. "Maybe after I've had one or two of mine," She says, in thought, "Don't want to be tempted to eat his, and I'm /starving/," She says, as she pauses, considers, then moves over to turn the oven on low heat, and slides open the bottom compartment, slipping the Pizza into it. "I read that these drawers down here are meant for like, keeping things warm without cooking them directly, so like, earlier today I cleaned it out n' stuff to put things in." She says, proudly.
"Nah. Just wanted to do a nice thing for him. All good. I'd rather you stay and cuddle a while. Especially since I got you the giant pile of pizzas to watch movies.  ...Also that's really good thinking. ...You ever wanna learn some cool kitchen stuff I can teach you things. I got a dehydrater to make our own jerky. Youre welcome to use it on things you hunt if you don't drag bloody carcasses across my house. Tarps if needed and clean up after yourself."
"... But dragging bloody things around is half the fun!" Lupita playfully whines, before grabbing another 2-liter out of the fridge and walking back over to the couch, bouncing herself onto it with a grin as she pulls open the pizza box, grabs two slices, and turns them topping to topping to make a 'pizza sandwich', as she leans back and waits for Aethra. "You got any ideas for a good movie then? C'os like, I'm up for almost anythin' that ain't like, The Little Mermaid. I mean shit. I heard that guy with the hard to say italian name made an X-Rated version of that, maybe that wouldn't be too bad? But if I have to listen to 'Under Da Sea' one more time.."
"I was thinking that one with the witches and thr candle? The blond reminds me of you a little. At least the 'amok amok amok' part." Ae picks a piece of her pizza out of the box, but then takes a piece of anchovy off and dangles it in the air. "Wanna try a better smelly fish?"
A snort, and then a snicker. "Well she's got good taste, doesn't she? I mean, children are more tender and juicy, by theory, because they haven't had no chance to get all up and muscley." She perks though. And sits up straighter and nodnodnods, watching the dangled anchovy, stuffing her 'Za sandwich into her face all at once, chewing hastily, and then gulping it down, before opens her mouth to the offered fish. "It smells terrible, I love it!" She gasps eagerly.
Ae giggles and drops the fish into Lu's mouth, and then slides a piece of the pizza over into Lu's pizza box. "Figured you'd say that. They're fatty and salty and good." Ae nods and hmmms. "It's true. It's why lamb and veal and all are so popular. Not tough yet." She shrugs and gets up to set up the movie. Once it's started though she settles.back down and leans on Lu. "Everything's okay with you lately, right? Anything you need to talk out?"
Lupita chomps, fangs clicking as she does so, and then closes her eyes, moving the anchovy about in her mouth a bit as she chews, somewhat like savoring a candy you've just tried for the first time. She gulps down then, and snatches up the piece of pizza, and works on scarfing it. She looks up, mouth full, when Ae asks about being okay, and nods. Swallows. She is a messy eater, and it's likely Ae has given up on this by now, AB certainly gave up long ago. She wipes her mouth on the back of her arm. "Nothing really bad. Just, horny itchey, and being hungry like fuckin' hell, yo. Oh, but, I've also been getting a lot more exercise, been chasing the rabbits out your garden all week. Fun as shit to chase a rabbit man." She grins.
"...Horny itchey? I mean. Phrasing but maybe you can ask Corbin to help with that," Ae teases, and plays with Lu's hair idly. "I do see you running around a lot more. ...If you run around in the sprinkler please put on some swim clothes, or stick with the fenced in part of the back yard? Nudity is still... touchy with the neighbors. And no you can't just go bite em or mess up their lawn if they say anything. I don't mind so much but... you know?" Ae sighs. She haaaated dealing with society nonsense. But that was the problem with living in a city.
"Uuugh, wet clothes suck though!" Lupita says with a siiigh as she drapes herself overdramatically over Ae's lap while her hair is played with. She snorts, and shoves the remains of the Anchovy piece into her mouth, chewing, before she gulps. "And I don't mean like thaaaat although I guess I could see if it helps me get some of this energy out. Dunno, I just really like running all over the place." She grins.  Shrugs. Then grabs another pice of meat  pizza and begins to lazily drape it into her mouth like it was grapes, while watching the movie. She snorts. "Not enough wolves man." She teases, but sniggers, especially at the 'Yabbos' scene.
"We can watch one with wolves after. Ever see Balto?" Ae asks, and hmms. "I mean it might. This time of year is good for that. Lotta folks all... energetic or getting lazy in prep for sleepy winter season. Really depends." Ae streeeetches and wraps her arms around Lu and hmms. "Wet clothes suck but a swimsuit is made to be wet. You just peel out of it when you get back to your room and roll into a blanket Lu-rito, and be warm."
"Ehhh maybe I guess. Stupid neighbors and their whole hangups about bodies. It's like they don't come into the world naked as a blue singign flap-beast, and don't realize clothes ain't gonna go witchoo when you die." She shakes her head. And then gnaws off more pizza, before slurping at her fingers. Mmmgrease. She looks up at Ae and grins again. "Aww, can't we watch like, uh.. The human version of Troll Jack Nicholson's Packbeast? Or like... Oo, that really old one about the Packbeast in London. It's October for glubsakes, and humans do all their Dim Season stuff now."
"The Packbeast in London one is okay I guess. I mean. If you want." Ae shrugs and sit back, pulling the blankets around her. "Personally I just have a hard time staying warm this time of year and wanna stay in and make lots of food and drink hot tea and sleep."
"Dim season," Lupita agrees, before she  hms. "I dunno. I'm not that cold this time. I think I've acclimated or whatever the fuck the word is, you know?" She grins. "I just been running hot lately is all. Almost like a Mud- .. Er, brownblood." She says, chuckling a little. She pauses, grabs another slixe of pizza, and stuffs it all into her mouth. Chews thoughtfully, swallows. "Could also be the fact I usually run around with a pile of pelts on, and spend a lot of time sunning myself out there." She shrugs. And hms. "Hey, you know, I had a thought. Doesn't G have that like, Rainbow Drinker friend? Do you think she'd want any pelts or things to sun on that soak in the heat as well?"
"You know I have no idea? I'll ask her. She might. Heck G might like some. He likes fluffy things and all. I'll ask. Especially since they're all stuff you hunted up and cleaned yourself, so, that's good." Ae frowns softly and looks ceilingward. "Sounds unusual in general though Lu. Would you mind if we got you an appointment with a mediculler, just to make sure you're okay? I promise I'll sit with you for it and make sure everything is all right?"
"Ehhh, okay I suppose. A mediculler would be fine." Shrug. Lupita hmms! And nods. "I wouldn't mind hunting down some stuff for G. I like seeing him happy c'os it makes you happy. Plus when he's happy it's good, right?" She grins. "Pack solidarity!" She says happily, as she grabs another slice of pizza, pauses, sits up, and again pizza sandwiches. She begins to wolf down the slices, licking at her fingers again. "Mmmf. They need to add more meats to the meat lovers. There could be like chicken, and duck, and goat, and rabbit, and goose, and squirrel- Oo, squirrel, yessssss. Hey if I catch some squirrels can you fry them up?" she grins eagerly, looking at Aethra. "And like I could give the cat the tails to play with n' shit."
"I could make you a mixed meat stew if you wanted all those in it. But you'd have to catch most of those yourself cus not a lot of places sell em. ...And yes if you catch enough squirrels I will... Prooobably roast or stew em for you rather than fry. At least bake." Ae chuckles and leans into Lu and nuzzles against her neck. "You are warm. It's both nice and a little concerning. You're positively near midblood temp. ...You sure you're feeling okay?"
"Other than being hungry as fuck, I'm generally good." Lu grins, and wraps an arm about Ae as she leans in, turning to nuzzle, and then kiss at her fishster's forehead lightly. "I'm feeling like a million boonies! I feel like I could run laps around the house for hours and not get tired. But I'm also feelin' like I could eat a few more pizzas, watch another movie or two with you, and then just sleep with you till moonrise while the world outside goes to fuck." She smirks, and then hms. "But you're right, I probably should go take Corbin his pizza soon, huh.."
"I mean if you wanna. I am all up for sleepy cuddles. But if you got that much energy to get out I'm sure he won't mind getting pounced." Ae chuckles and nuzzles against Lu's neck. "But if you wanna curl up with me and sleep too, I'm good for that. Think I'm gonna put most of my pizza in the fridge."
"I'll try and leave it for you." Lupita says, before peering. She's finished the first pizza. She shrugs, exchanges the box for the next one, and grabs two more pieces. As she works on them like a sandwich she adds,mouth slightly full, "I like cuddlin' with you an' bein' all asleep and stuff, Ae. But I know you an' G are a lot more cuddly an' I don't wanna get in the way of that. Besides. I get this weird feelin' like he probably gonna need hugs n' shit from you." She shrugs, thoughtful. Then closes up the pizza box, and works on finishing her pizza sandwich at hand: "How about I go take Corbin his pizza, and then like, go out for a while, an' get some shit done, and then I'll join you in bed when I'm done?"
"Sounds like a plan to me. If I'm already paased out feel free to hop in anyhow, or curl up on the pile or whatever if you wanna. Cus I still wanna cuddle if you got the time and inclination." Ae stretches idly and hmms. "Probably nap here a while. I'm just getting that food nap feeling."
"Weirdo." Lupita teases, then leans in to kiss Ae on the forehead again. She mmms, and streeetches big and stuff, then licks the grease from her hands, and stands. She hms! Pauses, holds up a hand gesture of 'just a sec' and dashes off. She comes back from her room carrying a sheepskin blanket, which she then throws over Aethra carefully, as if tucking her in. "Better?" She asks, smiling, "Keep you warm while you nap n' stuff." She smiles, and crouches on the ground a little, to be at petting height.
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[12/4/2016 10:35:35 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "What?!" Snowe replied, a little offended by the thought, eyes still covered. "I don't want to kiss a fish! I'd much rather kiss you instead!" [12/4/2016 10:37:34 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio swallowed. "...You already looked at me, didn't you?" He pressed his back against the counter and begin to slowly slide towards the corner of the room. [12/4/2016 10:39:36 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe wasn't sure how to respond to that. If he said yes, he could blame it on the love potion. If he said no, then...but he wasn't even sure if Erio felt that way!
Snowe, instead of responding with a yes or no, shrieked. [12/4/2016 10:43:05 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio winced. "If it bothers you that much I could just... go stay with Soria for a few weeks." He looked to the side. He shouldn't be surprised it bothers Snowe that much. He already knew Snowe didn't feel that way about him. "Sorry." He said in a small voice. [12/4/2016 10:45:51 PM | Edited 10:46:02 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe stopped shrieking out of confusion and just removed his hands. "Aaaa." He continued lowly, before taking the largest breath. "No." [12/4/2016 10:47:50 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "No?" Erio repeats warily as he edges across the wall, slowly but steadily nearing the room's exit. [12/4/2016 10:49:51 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Um." Snowe felt a knot in his stomach. "I, uh, the answer to your question if I looked at you or not. It's no, I have not looked at you yet." [12/4/2016 10:53:55 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio froze. "Oh." He was silent for a few moments. "Uh..." He swallowed deeply. "I- I guess I'd rather kiss you too, than, a dead fish." God, that was the most he's ever stuttered in his entire life. This can't be happening. [12/4/2016 10:58:32 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "...Thanks." Snowe said, wondering if he should take that as a compliment or not. "Can you uh...hand me my lemonade?"
Snowe held his hand in front of him, reaching around. "...Would you, um, rather, um. ...kiss an alive fish than me?"
Oh god. Why was he still talking? [12/4/2016 11:03:01 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "Um. No." Erio nervously pushed off from the wall and walked back over to the russian roulette of pink jars. "To the... fish question, not the lemonade one. I can... probably... figure out which one of these is lemonade..." He scanned the jars, unsure which was Snowe's drink. He eventually decided to just pick up the one closest to the refrigerator and handed it to him. [12/4/2016 11:05:25 PM | Edited 11:08:40 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "What about a whale?" He asked as he then took a sip of his drink. "That is definitely not lemonade...how long until this wears off now that you have succesfully given me another jar?" he asked again. "I want to keep my eyes shut out of fear of what the other effects of the love potion are. What if we accidentally made a murder potion instead? Oh God. Now it's a double murder potion." [12/4/2016 11:11:58 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "I'd rather kiss you than kiss a whale." Erio stated.
But then Erio can't help it, he bursts out laughing at the words 'murder potion'. He leaned against the counter as he wheezed. "I- I don't, hehe, think-- pffft, 'murder potions'... are... haha... a thing." He continued to giggle. "Double murder potion!" He hiccupped and let himself sink to the floor as he laughed. [12/4/2016 11:15:41 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe was scared. He never heard Erio laugh that hard ever. Had he ever even laughed before?
Snowe couldn't help but join in at how hard the demon was laughing. "Y-you've never laughed this hard before. Pff." He used the counter next to him as leverage as he struggled to keep in his loudest laughs. "Oh my God. Wh-what if they--ahaha-what if they really do exist! Stop laughing!" He demanded as he himself continued. [12/4/2016 11:17:51 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "I think everything we knew about Xiri was wrong." He giggled, "He must just have a murder potion addiction. We, heh, should stage an intervention." Erio continued to giggle softly, his head leaning forward and brushing against Snowe's legs. [12/4/2016 11:20:44 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "It-it's not funny!" He said, snorting afterwards before giggling. Something brushed up against his leg and he wondered if perhaps a cat wandered in and he opened his eyes, looking down to check only to see a..giggling Erio.
His laughing continued, however. "I guess I gotta murder you," he snorted again. "now..hahaha." [12/4/2016 11:24:34 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio raised his fists above his head. "Nooooo, don't murder me!" He giggled for a few more seconds before abruptly stopping as he realized, "You looked." [12/4/2016 11:25:33 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "I looked," Snowe said bluntly. [12/4/2016 11:28:52 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "So... Do you feel like murdering me?" Erio asked slowly, trying to retain the humorous feeling. [12/4/2016 11:30:16 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Quite, uh, the opposite, actually," Snowe said, face heating up again, unsure if he was flirting or not. [12/4/2016 11:31:21 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "You can't impregnate me." Erio said bluntly. [12/4/2016 11:34:12 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "No! That's not--." Snowe tensed his fingers, almost frustrated. Well, now was a good as time as any. Without any further hesitation, he put his hands on Erip's face and put his lips to his. [12/4/2016 11:41:30 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio quickly backed away, banging his head on the counter. "Ow-! Damn murder potion." Erio rubbed the back of his head.
Fuck, he didn't want it to come to this. He wanted to kiss Snowe. He really, really wanted to kiss Snowe. But he can't. Not while he's under a love potion.
He turned his head away from Snowe. "I should go to Soria's." He mumbled. [12/5/2016 8:48:10 AM | Edited 8:48:53 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "S-sorry! Oh God. This was a mistake. I'm..." Snowe covered his eyes again. "I'm going to lay down."
That was the worst idea he ever had. He couldn't have gotten water instead? He cursed himself in his head as he went to find the couch. [12/5/2016 9:08:08 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio watched Snowe retreat and guilt churned in his stomach. Snowe was lucid enough to feel bad and apologize. He shouldn't have to. This is all his fault. He never should have messed with love potions.
He got up and eyed the remaining drinks with a frown. He really has no idea which one is lemonade. With a shake of his head he went under the counter to grab an empty jar, and filled it up with water.
He headed out and approached the couch, holding the glass of water out to Snowe. "I brought you some water. Since you're thirsty and I can't figure out which one is the lemonade." He mumbled, avoiding looking at Snowe. [12/5/2016 9:31:32 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe sat on the couch, clutching a pillow in case he decided he needed to shriek again, but took the glass of water from Erio, not looking in his general direction.
"Th-thank you," he replied before taking a sip of the glass.
How would he make light of the situation? There was very little after that. It was a bad idea to make that and have that color lemonade in the fridge at the same time.
"...Maybe next time we should make, a, uh, something that is not the color as Astra's lemonade." [12/5/2016 9:36:35 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "Or, next time you could just drink water." Erio walked across the room and sat in a cushioned chair. "But don't worry. At the very least I'm not going to ever make a love potion again." He kicked his shoes off so he could pull his legs up and rest his chin on his knees. [12/5/2016 9:38:10 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "I considered it," Snowe said, chuckling. He looked at his reflection in the water. "...Sorry." [12/5/2016 9:40:08 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio sighed. "It's fine. I'm not mad at you, you don't have to apologize." [12/5/2016 9:46:58 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe hid his face in the pillow, and only hoped it muffled his words. "I did like you before the potion. Augh." And then he yelled into it. [12/5/2016 9:49:05 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio lifted his head. "Do you... want more water?" He didn't think screaming was a side-effect of the potion. Maybe he messed up somewhere? ...Well, he's not going to experiment any further. [12/5/2016 9:51:31 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Yes, please," Snowe said, holding the now empty glass to him, his face still in the pillow. [12/5/2016 9:53:22 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio got up and took the glass from Snowe. "Don't hurt your vocal cords." He said before leaving the room. [12/5/2016 9:59:19 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Is it possible to dispose of them somehow?" Snowe asked as he looked at the picture of flower on the wall. "I don't think they'd be happy if they found out one of those is just lemonade..." [12/5/2016 10:00:46 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio returned and handed Snowe back his jar, now filled with water. "I was just going to pour them out back." [12/5/2016 10:02:52 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Wouldn't that make them explode?" Snowe took the glass. Now that he though about it why didn't he just grab a cup from the cabinet? [12/5/2016 10:05:33 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "Why would it?" Erio sat back down. "Do you think the love potions are going to be angry if they aren't used?" He couldn't help but smile at how ridiculous that sounded. [12/5/2016 10:09:43 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "As long as they don't explode..." Snowe mumbled, drinking his water. "...Want to test it out?" [12/5/2016 10:12:13 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "Throwing the potions out? Or drinking the remaining two?" Erio asked. [12/5/2016 10:16:17 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Why would we drink the remaining ones?!" Snowe asked. "There's plenty of water. Maybe if we gave them to fish....what do you think would happen?" [12/5/2016 10:17:22 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio shook his head. "I run an alchemy shop, not a fishery. I'm not interested in breeding fish." [12/5/2016 10:18:36 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Do you drink every potion you don't want to sell?" [12/5/2016 10:19:49 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "How else will I build up a resistance to poison if I don't drink poison regularly?" Erio shrugged. [12/5/2016 10:23:25 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe wondered what would have happenned if it was a poison he accidentally drank instead of the love potion, but he really did not want to drink another love potion.
"Only if you drink both of them. I'll hide if you want." [12/5/2016 10:34:21 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio blinked and then shrugged. If Snowe was more comfortable with him drinking them than risking another explosion, he'll drink them. It will make them even then after all. "Who will I end up looking at if you hide? Astra? No thanks." That would be an even worse whirlwind of disaster.
Erio stood up and stretched. "You can hide if you want, though. It's not like I'm going to stop you." He got up and headed back to the backroom where they had left the potions. He eyed the three remaining jars nervously before swallowing and picking up a jar in each hand and quickly drowning the contents. If he didn't think, he wouldn't have time to realize what a terrible plan he just agreed to.
Both drinks had the same taste. He guessed right. He set the jars back down on the counter and took a step backwards. The entire world tilted with that step and he almost fell over. But that didn't make any sense. Snowe was fine, so then why...
Oh, no. That's right. Snowe has a high tolerance for alcohol, whilst Erio... He shuddered and placed a hand over his mouth as a hiccup escaped it. Erio's the type to feel the effects after the first sip. It's why Hiante never takes him drinking.
He rocked back and forth on his legs, watching the entire room around him spin. Damn that aquavit. This was a mistake. [12/5/2016 10:50:09 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe finished his jar of water. Perhaps he could hide, or just sit there, hoping maybe Erio would return the kiss, even if he was under the effect of a potion. Well, it was better than nothing?  He went to set the now empty jar down in the sink so he could wash it but then saw Erio stumble around.
"Are you okay?" Snowe aked as he watched him, seeing the empty jars on the counter before thinking of the only possible solution. He slowly neared him. "D-do you need someone to help you to the room?" [12/5/2016 10:56:14 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "I..." Erio looked up at Snowe. "I'd love to go to your room." He wobbled forward and dropped his head against Snowe's shoulder. A hiccup of a giggle escaped him, and then he laughed even more at the sound. [12/5/2016 11:05:09 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe resisted the urge to scream. Did he really have that low of a tolerance for alcohol? And love potions no less! What did he think was going to happen?
He wrapped his arms around Erio's torso and began to drag him across the kitchen and to the stairs. He really needed to sleep this off. [12/5/2016 11:14:17 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio tilted his head to he could see Snowe's face. "Hey. Hey, Shnowe. Guessh what I'm wearing." He said with a lazy grin, leaning heavily against Snowe. [12/5/2016 11:16:18 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Clothes," Snowe said, trying to not look at him. He was so glad Astra and Hiante weren't there. "Nice clothes."
It was a pain to get him up the stairs. Erio made little attempt to actually try to walk himself. [12/5/2016 11:18:05 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "Wrong!" Erio laughed. and leaned up to kiss Snowe's cheek. "Look at me. C'mon, loooook." He whined, nuzzling into the other boy. [12/5/2016 11:22:36 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe took in a sharp breath when Erio kissed his cheek.  
"You're wearing a lot of daggers! Probably!" He stated as they reached the top of the stairs. Erio was flirting with him and while he didn't actually mind it, he didn't know how to respond to him. His face was red hot, he as sure, but any place but where people could arrive at any moment.
Any place but there. [12/5/2016 11:26:50 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio pouted and pushed back from Snowe, stumbling backwards into the wall. "That'sh not it!" He crossed his arms as he slowly slid down the wall until he was sitting on the ground, glaring up at Snowe. "I shaiiiid look at meeee!" He whined loudly. [12/5/2016 11:34:34 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Slurring. He was really drunk or just had that low of tolerance to alcohol. He secretly wished the cat was there to help him. Why did they give him to Xiri again?
Still, Snowe resisted looking directly at him and instead went to the window, looking for Astra and Hiante but neither of them were in sight. Running a hand through his hair, sighing, he finally looked at Erio. 12/5/2016 11:36:26 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio perked up once he noticed Snowe was looking at him and leaned forward, pointing at his face with a big grin. "What'm I wearing?" He repeated. [12/5/2016 11:48:32 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: Just let it take you, Snowe, just do it. He thought to himself. But he still resisted, even though he neared Erio.
"Not lipstick I hope." [12/5/2016 11:49:58 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio frowned for a moment wiped at his lips, checking to make sure he was not in fact wearing lipstick. He grinned again after he was sure he wasn't. "Nope! I'm just wearing the smile your presence gave to me." [12/5/2016 11:57:57 AM] Appel.nasa.gov: "Ah...you, uh, you make me smile too," Snowe said, looking away out of embarassment. "L-let's get you to bed!"
He grabbed Erio by the arm. [12/5/2016 11:59:15 AM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: The grin remained on Erio's face as he stood back up and leaned into Snowe once more. "'kay." [12/5/2016 12:02:02 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: He was so close he wanted to kiss him, fairly sure it was more the love potion than his actual feelings. Yeah, that had to be it. He did not push him away, however, and pulled him to the room. [12/5/2016 12:04:56 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio pressed another kiss to Snowe's cheek and said in a sing-song voice, "Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you~" [12/5/2016 12:11:24 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: "How would you know if I taste sweet?" Snowe let out, just letting it consume him. [12/5/2016 12:16:32 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio wrapped his arms around Snowe's waist. "I could never forget what your lips tasted like." He stared at aforementioned lips through half-lidded blue eyes I guess because violets are apparently fucking blue. [12/5/2016 12:31:26 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe returned the gesture and wrapped his arms around Erio. "How would you know that? You'd have to remind me." [12/5/2016 12:35:21 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio's smile fell and he looked away. "You really don't remember..." He mumbled.
He shut his eyes and shook his head, then dropped his head down on Snowe's shoulder again. "You really don't remember?" He repeated, this time as a question. [12/5/2016 12:55:25 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: "You came into my room after Soan got you drunk and kissed me." Erio admitted. "If you hadn't done that, I... I might not of..." Erio started to shake. Why was he telling all of this to Snowe? The only reason Snowe was humoring him at all was because of the potion. And yet, even though he knows that, he can't bring himself to pull away from Snowe like he should. [12/5/2016 1:08:35 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe's eyes widened. So that's what happened. He'd been curious but now he kind of felt.
Weird.
"Well, um," he began. "Maybe this time I won't forget?" He suggested. [12/5/2016 1:11:51 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio closed his eyes and forced himself to let go of Snowe. "No," He started, "But you'll regret it once the potion wears off." [12/5/2016 1:22:37 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe removed his hands from Erio. He may have been right. Maybe it really was all the love potion. "I'm going to go get some water, then, to make the effect go away faster."
Yeah, that sounded ideal, before they did something they might regret. [12/5/2016 1:28:34 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio nodded but didn't otherwise answer Snowe. Instead, he walked over to his bed and flopped down face-first. Maybe he can sleep for the next century like his mother did. [12/5/2016 1:40:34 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe sighed and went down the stairs, grabbing his cup from the sink and filling it with water before gulping it down.
Augh. Damn the love potion. Maybe he feelings would have been true if it was a poison. 'Erio! Save me! I love you and I don't want to die!'
He got another glass as he thought about the other things that could have happened instead of that. [12/5/2016 1:45:32 PM] Kamon, the reactive friendly toolkit ????)??: Erio wrapped himself up in his bed covers until the only part of him sticking out was a tuft of hair. Dumbass, dumbass, dumbass. What kind of idiot purposefully drinks two entire love potions? The worst part is he doesn't feel any differently than before, he just has next to no inhibitions about acting on those feelings.
If the love potion had amplified his feelings, maybe he would be doing a better job at restraining himself. As it is, he wanted to stand up and march right on downstairs and-- He suddenly understood why Snowe had been screaming so much earlier. [12/5/2016 1:51:54 PM] Appel.nasa.gov: Snowe kept his eyes on what he was sure was his glass of lemonade. it was empty, now, of course, now that Erio drank all of the jars there, but he felt that maybe now he could enjoy some lemonade.
He poured himself a glass in the one that was previously used for his water and took a large gulp, enjoying the taste of it.
"We're back!" Astra announced as the door opened. "..Is that alcohol i smell?"
"No," Snowe replied.
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