#pike and thunderstorm darkness

[finrinrinfin]

klance sticky note doodles I do when I’m procrastinating at my desk. I’m fond of the zelda/link AU, I think they’re cute

[badsongpetey]

Coran forbid them from going on a side quest to see which of them could kill more ogres.

[0xy--m0r0n]

who knew a barbiarian could clean up so well?

[whataperfectwasteoftime]

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - A Songfic

Pairing: None 

Rating: General, although my blog is, as always, 18+ only 

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: angst, breakups, mentions of Teresa x Patrick Jane

Summary: I am a visitor here. I am not permanent. 

A/N: @whatsnewalycat said that The District Sleeps Alone Tonight by the Postal Service was a Marcus Pike song and then I listened to it during a thunderstorm and imagined a whole scene based on it. I’m not sure whether or not to call this a songfic, but there are several direct quotations from the lyrics and the “plot” of this follows the song pretty closely.  For best results, listen to this song while you read. The lyrics are posted at the end of the fic <3

Masterlist

A lone figure cuts through the wet fog, his collar turned up and shoulders hunched forward in a futile attempt to ward off the elements. The faded leather jacket may have been sufficient enough for even the coldest winter days in Austin, but against the drizzle and wind in this new climate, it only succeeds at keeping him dry. Mostly. The notion that he may not be as well-prepared as he had originally thought himself to be grates on him, shame niggling at the back of his spine at the realization that he doesn’t even know where to go to purchase a winter coat.

A gust of wind sends thousands of miniscule, stinging droplets of water into his face, making him grimace, and Marcus wonders to himself how it could possibly still be raining with temperatures so close to freezing.

It seems as though he’s stopped at every street crossing, because of course he is, and he squints against the endless line of headlights and brake lights extending in either direction, blurring and distorting in the soggy weather, as he waits for the traffic lights to turn.

It gets dark so early here.

His phone buzzes against fingers shoved in his pockets, and he fishes it out to read the text message that flashes on the screen.

Sorry, I think you might still have my spare key? If so can you mail it back? Thx.

The cavity of his chest feels empty and raw as his vision seems to darken around the words, twisting and warping them much like the rain and the headlights. Marcus pockets the phone again without responding and stares blankly at the ground. He thinks about the endless, pitch-black tunnels stretching out in every direction beneath him, wondering how many feet of asphalt and concrete there are between the bottoms of his feet and the top of the cavernous expanse of the DC underground. He imagines the sidewalk crumbling, sending him down into the unknown depths.

In reality, he takes the escalator across the street.

The station is buzzing with life–as it always seems to be, no matter the hour–and Marcus watches vibrant humanity swirl around him. Two teenagers sharing the same pair of headphones. A tired-looking mother with two young children. A woman in a business suit, eyes glued to her phone. A disheveled old man, smelling of booze, that everyone subconsciously steps around without even a look in his direction. 

Marcus fishes in his pocket for his metro card, his fingers bumping against the badge he had immediately unclipped from his lapel upon leaving work–the one that spells out a single word with big block letters, just another indignity upon all of the other indignities he’s suffered this week.

When he had asked why his regular badge–the one he’s clipped on his lapel every morning for over a decade–wasn’t sufficient, the bored door attendant tried to explain about building access being tied to his network credentials, which were tied to something called “Active Directory,” and it couldn’t be done right now because they were experiencing downtime after a backup server failed, and Marcus didn’t really understand what any of this meant or why this hadn’t all been set up beforehand, but there was hardly a point in trying to get answers to his questions because none of it would speed up the activation of his new credentials, nor the delivery of his new laptop, which wasn’t arriving until Monday.

None of this was done with malicious intent, of course; nor is he the only new employee affected, going by the line of badged Agents standing in line every morning this week to get the day’s temporary access, but Marcus still feels like a marked man. Separate. Apart. Singled-out. 

I am a visitor here. I am not permanent. 

It only compounds upon that same feeling inside of him: that feeling that he’s on some sort of strange vacation, and that soon he’ll be able to return home. Home. To his little duplex in Austin, where he shared one wall with Mrs. Ruth Galloway, the eighty-five year-old widow he had a cup of tea with every Sunday at two pm. To the city he knows, the field office where he’d spent most of his career, with familiar rooms and familiar faces… where she walks through the familiar halls. With him. 

Marcus swallows thickly, shoving the painful lump down into his stomach. 

No, he can’t go home.

The spacious condo certainly doesn’t feel like home when he opens the door to find the large living room dark and cold and foreboding, although that’s probably mostly his fault–the walls are still lined with moving boxes, most of them still half-full with his belongings, messy and unkempt after rummaging through them to find the essentials and leaving the rest.

When he had toured the building, two weeks before the move, the large residence felt full of dreams, of possibilities, rather than empty and sterile. Marcus remembers going from room to room, his head filled with images of an idealistic future: a king-sized bed, his and hers towels in the pristine bathroom, a bookshelf large enough to fit all of their books in the first spare room, and, in the second spare room… a crib. 

Now, they’re just two empty rooms. 

The fridge is empty too, Marcus suddenly remembers, having not had a chance to find a grocery store yet. He’s been living out of takeaway containers, not even bothering to open the box of dishes and silverware. He takes out two styrofoam boxes–one half-filled with leftover Pad Thai, the other with chicken Tikka Masala, and dumps them side-by-side into the same container with a half-grimace.

Beats going back out into the weather.

There are two beers left in a six-pack bought three days ago, so he opens one and takes a long sip while the microwave heats his food. He thumbs through the mail he left on the kitchen counter absentmindedly, finding mostly junk advertisements and coupons, but a takeout menu for a Sushi restaurant catches his eye. As he sets it on top of several other menus he’d accumulated over the last couple of days, the microwave beeps, alerting him to the fact that his dinner is ready. 

Marcus sits at the kitchen table and flicks on the TV in the living room, setting the channel to some random rerun of a syndicated sitcom that he doesn’t recognize, mostly for background noise. He pulls a somewhat-soggy copy of the Washington Post he snagged from the breakroom from his messenger bag and flips through the pages without really reading any of the headlines until he finds the crossword. He halfheartedly fills out the clues as he eats, the canned laugh track from the show filtering in and out of his awareness. The clue ‘strips in geography class (6 letters)’ finally causes him to rub at his temples, setting down the pen as he rises to his feet to toss the empty container and bottle in the trash. 

The other beer is popped open, and Marcus settles down on the couch, flipping through channels. He pauses briefly on a black and white film–Roman Holiday, he recognizes after a minute or two of watching–but when Ann and Joe kiss on the riverbank, he quickly switches to a basketball game instead. Keeping the volume low, he lets his mind wander as he blankly watches the teams run back and forth on the court, not all that interested in the score. 

He needs to buy food. He needs to find somewhere he can get a winter coat. He needs to find a post office, he suddenly remembers, thinking of the text message from earlier. He checks the time–late, probably too late. Wait, no–it’s two hours earlier in Austin. Two beers is hardly enough to even feel the alcohol, but apparently it’s enough to dull his sense of judgment, because he finds himself pulling out his phone. The call goes straight to voicemail, and he tries not to think about the possibility that she’s screening her calls because of him.

“Hi, uh… Hi. I’m sure you’re busy, but I got your message earlier about the key, and… I think I do have one, yeah, but I’m not sure… where, exactly. I’m still in the process of unpacking, got a couple more boxes to go through,” Marcus says, looking at the large pile of boxes in front of him and knowing he’s got many more throughout the house. “I’ll make it a priority to find it and send it off this weekend.

“It’s really nice here,” he continues, seemingly not able to stop the flow of words once they’ve started. “There’s a Thai place down the street that you’d like, but the spring rolls are so-so. Not like that one place we found in Ridgetop, remember that one?” Marcus chuckles softly to himself, hardly recognizing the sound of his own laughter, and it sends a pang down into his chest. “I–” he stutters, blinking rapidly. “I know things weren’t perfect between us. The–the timing wasn’t right, and there were a lot of… of uh, obstacles in our way, but I’ve been doing–” he huffs humorlessly, “–a lot of thinking over the past couple of days, and I think I understand now. I saw a life that I wanted, and… I pushed for it. I pushed too hard, without–without thinking about how you felt about it, about whether you were ready, whether you even wanted a life with me. You were… you were trying to tell me, that whole time… and I didn’t listen. But I… I think I finally see it–why I was the one worth leaving. It was never going to be me, it couldn’t have been. I ignored all the signs that I was pushing too hard, not listening, pressuring you…” He takes a shaky breath, and lets it out slowly. “I’m sorry. You were right to leave. I–I wish you the best, Teresa.”

*

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

The Postal Service

Smeared black ink

Your palms are sweaty

And I'm barely listening

To last demands

I'm staring at the asphalt wondering

What's buried underneath

I'll wear my badge

A vinyl sticker with big block letters

Adhering to my chest

That tells your new friends

I am a visitor here, I am not permanent

And the only thing

Keeping me dry is

You seem so out of context

In this gaudy apartment complex

(Where I am) A stranger with your door key

Explaining that I'm just visiting

(Where I am) And I am finally seeing

Why I was the one worth leaving

Why I was the one worth leaving

D.C. sleeps alone tonight

You seem so out of context

In this gaudy apartment complex

(Where I am) A stranger with your door key

Explaining that I'm just visiting

(Where I am) And I am finally seeing

Why I was the one worth leaving

Why I was the one worth leaving

The district sleeps alone tonight

After the bars turn out their lights

(Where I am) And send the autos swerving

Into the loneliest evening

(Where I am) And I am finally seeing

Why I was the one worth leaving

Why I was the one worth leaving

Why I was the one worth leaving

Why I was the one worth leaving

[myfriendofmiseryyy]

Pedro pascal character’s comforting you through a storm ⛈️

It’s storming right now and my autistic Ass needs some comfort.

Frankie morales 🚁🐟

Frankie is admittedly a little scared himself,the thunder booms remind him of the war and being in South America and he hates it. But as soon as he sees you panicking all of his thoughts are pushed back and his attention is fully on you,holding you close,telling you it’s going to be ok,putting on your favourite tv show/movie for distraction. He also realises this is a BIG sensory no no for you and makes sure whether you want to cuddle or for him just to be next to you. He will put on the “cozy lights” and get your favourite comfort food if you feel like eating.

Basically this man will give you the world if you’d let him,during a storm is no exception.

Joel miller 🧟‍♂️🪓

You didn’t think that Joel cold hearted miller cared about you until one faithful night when you were both making camp,it was dark outside and a sudden flash of lightning made you jump out of your skin. “You ok there sweetheart?” Joel kinda jokes but also is genuinely concerned about your safety,when you jump again at the sound of thunder Joel sits down beside you and let’s you cuddle into him,”it’s ok sugar,only a bit of thunder”he says quietly. I’ll make sure there is no clickers,I’ve checked the permitter 5 times already but after the worst of this is over I’ll check again” you and Joel make light conversation about your childhoods (both growing up in Texas) until the storm clears and you fall asleep,he didn’t sleep that night,to afraid of 2 things,A,what lurks in the woods and B,his feelings for you.

Javier pena 👮‍♀️🚬

Javi is honestly confused why you are scared of the thunderstorm but he is understanding,”want to take your mind of it mi amor” he whispers,Javi only knows one distraction and that is sex. So he makes love to you till sunrise. He would be more vocal than usual,whispering praises and how much you mean to him in your ear. This is very unusual of Javi but you’re into it…maybe it should storm more often.

Marcus soft boi pike 🩷🫶🏻

Ultimate boyfriend/husband alert!! He will tell you in advance that the storm is coming and prepares a night in with all the best movies and comfort food and cuddles (or just cuddles if you prefer) he will hold you close every time a thunder boom scares you and stroke your hair gently to comfort you,he will whisper how proud he is of you and how brave you are being. He will bring your favourite candles out and light them (even if there is still power) and lets you snuggle into his chest until you fall into a deep sleep,when you wake up the next morning you find Marcus had carried you to bed and he is spooning you with his body wrapped around you,you feel so safe and secure. He is your home,you don’t ever feel scared with Marcus,you know that he is going to be there for you every step of the way. He constantly reminds you how much he loves and cares about you,and how he would do anything for you. You turn around to admire the sleeping beauty that is your husband,mouth slightly open,hair draped over his eyebrows,yeah you could live like this for the rest of your life.

Jack (whiskey) Daniels 🤠

Surprisingly very soft,you two are on a undercover mission when a storm rolls in, jack automatically notices you are anxious about this. “You ok sugar?” I fucking hate storms” you say with embarrassment on your face “no embarrassment in that sugar,everyone has their fears,I’m not to fond of them myself I must admit,come here and give old jack a cuddle” he says softly,you and jack snuggle underneath a blanket until the storm passes,you never knew that jack “ladies man” daniels could be this soft…you wish you saw this side of him more often.

Javi g 🧸🩷

This man will be just as scared as you,he is the human equivalent of a golden retriever. And will cuddle into you for both of your comfort, A la mierda esta tormenta, me alegro de tenerte aquí hermosa. You chuckle softly,he always uses his native tongue when he is pissed off with something “I agree darling but it will be over soon,let’s watch a movie.” Javi is your home,your comfort and you love everything about him,and he loves everything about you,he tells you constantly,when ever he can,especially after sex. The man is a god at aftercare,you watch the movie and fall asleep in his arms. You couldn’t think of a better life.

[autisticlancemcclain]

fic rec friday 29

welcome to the twenty-ninth fic rec friday! where, on friday, i rec five of my favourite fics.  

1. don’t know what i did to earn a love like this (but baby i must be doin’ something right) by littleghost

“I went to the desert to listen to country music.” It falls out of him, and he keeps going, voice hushed like there’s more than just him and Lance in this room. “It always reminded me of you and I would go stare at the stars, think of you, and listen to country.”

i know littleghost has been inactive in the voltron fandom since literally 2017 but i am so obsessed with their fic. im not huge on high school aus usually but this fic in particular had so many of my favourite niche headcanons that ive read this fic like twelve times. yall know how i feel about quiet devotion and its everywhere in this fic.

2. every day i wonder by kirargent

Lance has a stuffed-full backpack, a beanie pulled down over the tips of his ears, a blanket draped around his neck like a thick scarf, and his cell phone pressed to one ear. He looks like an idiot, and he’s being entirely too loud for a good cryptid hunt.

this shit made me fucking LAUGH. keith is such an ornery bitch i literally love him so much. this fic bodies the ‘fuck am i in love with HIM?? why??? why am i so HAPPY ABOUT IT???’ so well i love it

3. mortal bodies, timeless souls by @littendeservesbetter

“Wait!” Coran lets out a triumphant noise. “I got it! If my calculations stand corrected, then our visitors will be people we actually know! Keith, Lance, you two will be meeting your alternate selves today!”

Coran says it like the idea is so mundane that it takes Keith a while to process. The moment he does, however, he feels his heart drop to his stomach.

“We’re going to what?!” Lance yelps, effectively voicing out Keith’s thoughts.

Or, the castle's teludav malfunctions, alternate realities are mixed, and Keith finds out that he and Lance are a lot more... close in other realities.

they are fucking in love in every single reality in every single universe always and endlessly. they are Soulmates. i know its cheesy but im obsessed with them literally. also extra incentive this fic has pike/thunderstorm darkness

4. here comes the violence by stardon 

“Fancy seeing you here, Whiskers.”

Keith feels his tail wag in annoyance, which is almost as horrifying as his current situation. “No. Absolutely fucking not.” He looks at his bare wrist, pretending he has a watch. “How about we postpone this? My calendar says I’m free from the seventh of never through to the fifteenth of ain’t-gonna-happen, how does that work for you guys?”

Pidge looks up, quirking a brow. “Lance has an amazing influence on your humour, you know that?”

In which sometimes Keith is a bit Galra, sometimes not.

this fic is excellent because their both so obviously in love and down bad for each other but theyre both also stupid. borderline already dating but also not and driving each other insane is peak peak trope

5. Beast of Burden by melancholymango [EXPLICIT]

“Keith, no, we can’t go again.” Lance pleads fall on deaf ears. Keith is honed in on him now like predator to prey. He’s fighting a losing battle and they both know it. He sees it in the way Keith is raking his eyes over him, sizing him up. “We’ll be so late getting to the bar.”“Just one more.” Keith insists, herding Lance toward the counter with a stubbornness that is innately wolf. Lance pouts, but he doesn't have anywhere else to go but backward.“That’s what you said last time! And the time before that!”--The week leading up to a supermoon, as told by the world's best werewolf boyfriend, Lance McClain. The good, the bad, and the horny.

this is just monsterfucking but its also like soft in there. but mostly its monsterfucking

that’s it for today!! i’ll see y’all back next friday for the next fic rec post!!!    

[rejected3]

Thunderpike dood ;3

[anothertina]

Klance AU month 

Day 18: Thunderpike 

Pike is on the run but that doesn’t mean he can’t try to steal the heart of a stranger on his journey

[fiveminuterice]

cant believe im drawing klance in 2021

[b40v]

(don’t repost) pink bites

[gesu-art-blog]

⚡🍂

[allexche]

I needed to get distracted from all the current pieces bc I stopped noticing the mistakes on them. And then thunderpike on a mission appeared 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m a weak woman

[badsongpetey]

Now I've made 2 cards! Poor Pike NEEDED a glow up y'all, I will not be drawing him in the clown outfit they gave him. Pike would be a sexy badass. He is also 100% part orange cat. Biggest thanks to @caeseria-k for the idea for the goldwork embroidery on the vest, and @liluger4e for more character and fashion advice! btw, Pike would have impeccable fashion sense even if he has to steal it. tbh I love the idea that Pike has stolen his entire outfit.

[0xy--m0r0n]

more thunderpike. because they deserve it. they deserve everything.

except pike's ears. they suck.

[demon-sushi]

Modifier

@monthlyklance‘s Klance Trope Month day 25 Fluff

        Pike’s ear twitches when he hears something rustling in the bushes not far from him. He looks towards the sound, eyes narrowing as he slips behind a tree to stay out of sight. A strange figure stomps out of the brush and swats the branches out of his face. Pike pulls himself up into the tree, resting on the lower branches as he observes the man. Dusky purple skin, leather armor, a few battle scars and tattoos, he’s certainly not from around here.

        Nearly reminds him of a certain Drow Prince he’d had a few run-ins with. But something about this stranger makes him think twice. So yeah, against his better sense of judgment, he finds himself following the stranger. He hops from tree to tree, landing silently and thanking each branch that supports his weight. 

        It’s good until the man hits the local town and Pike clicks his tongue softly. If he wants to continue following the guy, he’s going to have to do it on foot. He hops out of the trees with a small flip and tails him at a distance. He isn’t even sure why he’s so focused on this guy either. 

        The guy in question pauses a few times to look around, clearly looking for something in particular. Pike figures this is the best time to get himself closer. So he slides over to him, leaning up to whisper into his ear.

 “Whatcha looking for buddy?” He then has to duck and back out of the way as the stranger moves for his sword on his hip. “Woah, easy there tiger!” Pike holds his hands up.

 “Who are you?” 

 “I feel you don’t get to make demands like that.” Pike shrugs. The stranger growls causing his eyes to roll. But he moves his hand from off of his weapon as he looks him over.

 “Do you know of Yuso Manor?”

 “I do!” Pike smiles brightly.

 “Where do I find it?”

 “...Wait, don’t tell me. You’re here for the Teyghun thing aren’t you?” 

 “...Am I supposed to answer that?” The stranger raises a brow. “You just said not to tell you.”

 “It’s an expression. God, what rock did you crawl out from?” Pike asks.

 “I didn’t.”

 “So literal.”

 “Does it matter if I’m here because of the Teyghun?”

 “Nah, but you’re like the fifteenth person I’ve seen who is all about it.” Pike sighs, crossing his arms. 

 “Doesn’t surprise me.” 

 “I don’t get what the big deal is.”

 “Prize money mostly. But also a giant dragon egg.”

 “Eh, you’ve seen one egg you’ve seen -- wait, prize money? There’s prize money at this thing?” He hadn’t been interested because the whole event sounded exactly like a snipe hunt and there’s simply no payoff for it. But if prize money is involved he supposes he might as well toss his own hat in the ring.

 “See, I heard about it and went ‘no le busques tres pies al gato’ y’know?” He steps over to the stranger, his shoulder brushing along him. “But prize money changes everything.”

 “Does it?” The stranger tenses as Pike circles him, shoulder against his body and tail wrapping along his leg. When he stops in front of the stranger again, his tail slides along the guy’s waist. Oh. He feels a concealed dagger at the small of the stranger’s back underneath his waist cape.

 “Oh definitely. You don’t know where you’re going and I know this place and the forest like the back of my hand so you need me. However, it is a messy, bloody, thing and you,” He walks his fingers up the stranger’s bare chest. “You seem like the fighting type. So I need you.”

 “Are you suggesting a partnership?” 

 “Ooo you do have a few brain cells left.” Pike chuckles, his tail returning behind him. 

 “What do you get out of it?”

 “Negotiations are never done on an empty stomach.” He pushes himself away from him. “And especially not when I don’t know an associate’s name.”

 “...Thunder. You can call me Thunder.”

 “Thunder, not bad. I’m Pike.” He bows with a flourish of his hands. 

 “Like the weapon?”

 “Very much so.” He chuckles. “Now let’s get something to eat Thunder.”

.::.

        Pike stays close to Thunder as they walk through the town after a quick bite to eat. It’s the first time in a while he feels like he doesn’t have to sneak through the city. Perhaps it’s because Thunder is a literal brick wall and intimidation rolls off him when anyone stares too long.

 “Yuso Manor is not far from here,” Pike informs his partner happily. 

 “People are staring at me.” Thunder comments.

 “You are kinda purply,” Pike waves his hand to gesture to him. 

 “And you have a tail.” He points to it. Pike draws it in closer to himself.

 “...Your brain cells took a break huh?” 

 “What?”

 “People have seen me around here millions of times.” He faces his partner as he walks backward. “You are a stranger and you kinda look like that dickwad prince.”

 “...Drow? Six-something with really long white hair?”

 “That’s the one.” Pike clicks his tongue.

 “We’re unrelated. I mean, we’re both Drow but I’m only half.” He shrugs.

 “And the other half?”

 “I don’t know.” 

 “Ah, I’m a moggie too.” Pike chuckles. 

 “A mog--?”

 “We’re here!” Pike turns around and gestures to the manor. “Let’s get ourselves signed up for it and find lodging for the night?”

 “Right.”

        Finding the event coordinator is easy enough and they have to list their full names on the sign-up sheet. He writes a simple Pike (no family name) for his name and passes the sheet to his partner. He writes for a bit before handing it back.

 “Wait, hold on,” Pike looks at the name under his. “‘Thunderstorm Darkness’ is your full name?” He looks over at Thunder.

 “I don’t want to talk about it.”

 “Do you have a sister?”

 “A sister?”

 “Named Ebony Dark’ness.”

 “Fuck you.”

 .::.

        They find that all the nearest lodging to the manor are fully booked. Not a single spare room to be found. At least not until they finally find one inn but it’s a bit more complicated.

 “We only have one room, you would have to share it. Otherwise there are the hay bales outside with the horses, and it’s expected to rain tonight.” The innkeeper tells them as she looks over her book. Pike turns to Thunder and back to the innkeeper.

 “Could we have a moment?” He asks. She nods and smiles. He grabs Thunder by the arm and walks them a short distance away from her. 

 “I’m not sleeping outside during a rainstorm.” He tells his partner.

 “Then we share a room. It’s no big deal.” Thunder shrugs.

 “You realize that means probably sharing a bed, right?”

 “And? You’re small.” 

 “Oh trust me, I’m not.” He chuckles.

 “...You’re physically smaller than I am.” Thunder stares at him, confused. Pike shakes his head and pats his bare chest before walking back to the innkeeper.

 “Keep telling yourself that.” He calls over his shoulder and then books them the last room available. 

        They’re shown to their suite and Pike is quick to pull his boots off so he can hop onto the bed. He’s fully aware of Thunder watching him as he kicks the blankets and pillows around until it’s a nice little pile that he curls up on. 

 “Yes?” He looks over at him.

 “Do you always do that?” Thunder asks him as he pulls his boots off too. 

 “Do what?” Pike stretches himself out. 

 “Make a mess of the bed.” He unclips his heavier pieces of armor and sets them aside. 

 “It’s a nest, Stormy.”

 “Storm-- Okay, no. Do not call me that.”

 “Boring.” Pike rolls onto his stomach, his tail twitching lazily. Thunder sighs and sits at the edge of the bed. He sits up, arms wrapping around Thunder’s shoulders and pressing himself against his back.

 “Now what are you doing?”

 “Holding you.” Pike hums.

 “Why?”

 “It’s easier to sleep when you have someone holding you.” 

 “Is it? On what grounds?”

 “My experiences.” Pike chuckles into his ear. “Come on, bet you’ve never been in a nest like this before.” He tugs at his shoulders and Thunder complies. He lays down in the simple nest he’d made and he’s quick to curl up with him. 

        Their legs tangle and Pike finds himself pressing his face into Thunder’s chest to purr and rumble, even finding himself nuzzling the bare skin. Thunder’s arm drapes around his waist and Pike shivers as his hand runs along his lower back. He nuzzles Thunder’s neck and can’t help but nip his jaw as well. Poor guy is just going to smell like him now.

        However, Thunder moves his hand lower and Pike all but jumps when the guy grabs his ass. He pushes the guy back and looks up at him.

 “What are you doing?” God he can feel his hair and tail floof up.

 “I -- Do you not want -- Shit, I’m sorry.” Thunder pulls away from him. “I thought, you know, you wanted to. But that’s not an excuse.”

 “Okay, firstly, I don’t sleep with a stranger unless we’re parting ways like an hour after we're done.”

 “Fair enough.”

 “Secondly, I’m not sure where the miscommunication happened.”

 “Well, just now you were really close, bit me.”

 “It’s more of a grooming thing than anything really,” Pike admits, his floof finally calming down.

 “It is?”

 “Sorta? It’s part grooming, part making you smell like me. Don’t worry about it though, it’ll fade in like twelve hours or so.” He shrugs. Keith awkwardly chews on his nails as he thinks this over. 

 “I’m sorry though, I should’ve checked in with you first.” 

 “Yeah, but I forgive you. Sadly it happens.”

 “...What do we do now?”

 “Well, I just want cuddles. Grooming is a part of it.”

 “Okay.” 

 “Think of it as a bonding experience if it helps?” Pike offers. Thunder’s eyes go wide. Apparently, this was the right thing to say.

 “How do I cuddle?”

 “Have you never cuddled someone before?” Pike asks.

 “...My mom.”

 “Okay that’s goo--”

 “--When I was like five.”

 “...Never again?”

 “No.”

 “Yeah, okay, that’s depressing. Come here.” Pike opens his arms. Thunder hesitantly scoots closer again and Pike holds him. 

        He runs his hands along Thunder’s sides and through his hair. He tosses a few twigs he’s found to the ground while the chats idly with his partner. Things like where he came from, where he was going, his family, his goals. Thunder scratches behind his ears and he purrs. His hands gently trace his arms and sides while he asks his own questions. Where was Pike from, what was he going to be doing after the event, if he had plans for the morning.

        He lets Pike nip along his shoulder and nuzzles into him again, covering Thunder in his own scent. He can feel himself start to get tired and he looks up at Thunder. 

{}{}{}

 “What does this have to do with our quest?” Pidge groans. “They’ve had twenty turns already!”

 “I just need to know if my nine hit or not.” Hunk then squints at his die. “I think it’s nine.”

 “Oh hush, you’re just jealous because I’m finally getting good screen time.” Lance crosses his arms. 

 “I don’t want to watch you seduce Keith.” Pidge hisses.

 “I’m not seducing him!” Lance turns red.

 “I’m seducing him.” Keith corrects.

 “Trust me, I’m aware.” Pidge groans.

 “Coran is this a nine or not?” Hunk points to his die.

 “Oh, that’s a five,” Coran tells him. 

 “That totally misses, doesn't it?”

 “Yes.”

 “Damn.” Hunk whispers.

 “Can you please at least get these two idiots to where we are? I don’t want to die because they wanted to get their dicks wet.”

 “You’d all have me with you if you didn’t sacrifice me,” Shiro calls from a different table as he looks over his new build for a character. Lance rolls his eyes and looks over at Keith who is thinking his next move over.

 “Well, I think it’s cute,” Allura says.

 “See, she gets it.” Lance points out.

 “How is it important?” Pidge looks over at him.

 “We have to build a connection, have a bond.”

 “Well, Keith your roll. If you don’t seduce Pike then we go back to Hunk and Pidge.” Coran offers. Pidge groans and throws their hands up.

 “Alright.” Keith nods.

 “It’s not gonna happen.” Lance crosses his arms and smirks. Keith rolls the die in his hand, then lets it roll off his fingers onto the table. 

 “Oh!” Allura smiles brightly.

 “What?” Lance and Keith both look at her.

 “Natural twenty.” She smiles and looks at Coran. He nods as his mustache twitches, thinking this over.

 “Ugh!” Pidge covers their face. 

 “So. What exactly do you do Thunder?” Coran asks.

 “Well…”

[molleyc]

Let’s explore some dungeons with our favourite Monsters & Mana duo!

Thunderstorm Darkness & Pike out for a quest