#[ touch grass. talk to a cashier. and /actually/ communicate. ] | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

c4pricornc4ts · 4 years ago

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The Minors Lunch Club (MLC for short.)

This is a Valentines day one-shot for intruxx <3

Characters: Tommy, Ranboo, Sam, Tubbo

Catagory: Fluff

Words:2.1k

For a MCYT writing challenge, join the writer’s block discord here!

----------------------------------------------- It’s a very on-brand thing for Tommy to do- leave getting his friend a gift the day before Valentine’s day. He kept putting it off because he wasn’t sure what to get Ranboo. He has hybrid friends, but Tubbo was easy. He and Sam had taken a break from the hotel to make the boy a small bee necklace that he knew he’d love.

Endermen were a whole new category. What did enderman hybrids even like? He hadn’t talked to Ranboo much unlike Tubbo. So he was really at a loss for ideas. Are there items that are offensive to give an enderman? He hopes Sam will know. Otherwise, he’s going to have to ask Tubbo and he really doesn’t want to get laughed at.

Sam doesn’t laugh, even if Tommy knew the question was ridiculous. He wasn’t used to that.

“What do endermen like?” He’s gathering more wood for the hotel, Sam somewhere behind him.

“What are you setting up some kind of… enderman trap?”

He throws his axe down, splitting another log. Trying to keep his focus on his work, embarrassed to admit the truth to Sam.

“No- I don’t know what to get Ranboo for tomorrow. And I don’t think he’d appreciate me trapping his cousins.”

“Yeah you’re right, don’t tell him about Philza’s hardcore world then.” Tommy hears Sam shudder, his tail making a slight sound as it puffs out.

“Didn’t plan on it Big S.” Tommy laughs and cuts through another trunk.

“Just get him something he likes, we hybrids aren’t that different you know.”

“That’s the problem! I don’t know what he likes. We barely talk, but Tubbo went and invited the guy to our lunch and now I need to find him something.” He tosses the logs into their wheelbarrow and pushes it towards Sam’s pile to collect his as well.

“Okay then, get him a grass block or something. Better yet, let him pick. Y’know?”

“Your ideas are shit, Sam.” He hopes Sam can somehow hear a “thank you” in that insult. Because Tommy just got the best idea ever. “I’ll drop all this off, then I’m off to build something else. I’ll see you tonight yeah?”

“See you then, good luck with Ranboo. The only way you could mess this up is by giving him water so just- don’t do that.” The creeper hybrid goes back to the rest of the trees as Tommy pulls out his silk touch shovel and gets to work collecting grass blocks and a few other blocks just in case Ranboo likes variety.

He tucks his new blocks away into his inventory and goes towards the main path of the SMP.

With how far everything has gone, can he even call this the main path anymore?

He goes into the abandoned Walmart that Tommy for the life of him can’t remember who built it and starts arranging the mostly grass blocks into different piles and sections. Adding a small pile of sand and some smooth stone he mined with a silk touch pick for a little variety. He can’t have a store that only sold one thing, it was bad for the economy. He reasons.

Once he was finished he went to Sam’s house to find something to make for dinner. He and the creeper hybrid had a deal, he does dinners and Sam lets him stay in the spare room while the hotel is being built. Though he knows Sam doesn’t actually care if he does it, he just wants Tommy to feel like he’s earning his stay.

He appreciates it. He’ll never say it out loud but he appreciates all the little things Sam does for him. Maybe he’ll try being nicer to the man tomorrow.

Probably not.

He tears into his baked potato after wrapping Sam’s in some tin foil before running up the stairs to his room. Tomorrow he would drag a hopefully excited Ranboo to an abandoned Walmart and make the best second impression ever.

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Once he’s dressed and double-checks he has Tubbo’s gift in his inventory he pulls out his communicator to message Ranboo. Leaning against the front door.

You whisper to Ranboo: Hey, meet me outside Sam’s house, I want to show you something. :)

Ranboo whispers to you: Alright, I’ll be there by the time you read this message.

Tommy reads the message again, trying to understand what it meant when he hears a small vwhoop and jumps a bit when he looks up to see a slightly disoriented 6’6” enderman hybrid standing on his front porch surrounded by purple particles.

“I hate teleporting. But Philza says I need to do it more so here I am.”

Tommy regains his composure as Ranboo straightens out his suit that Tommy can only assume got ruffled in the process.

“You know, that whole teleporting thing would’ve been useful back when we were fighting for L’manberg.” Referring to L’manberg so lightly with anyone else would be impossible, but Ranboo’s absence from those days made it easier to joke about with. “What were you doing before you came here anyway?”

“I don’t remember.” Ranboo looks away, Tommy silently berates himself for asking. He really didn’t want Ranboo to hate him.

“That’s okay tall man! You’re here now and I’m stupid for asking.” He starts walking towards the Walmart hoping Ranboo would just follow.

He does. “You’re not stupid, most people would remember. I just have beef with memories y’know?”

“Beef with memories…? You’re gonna have to tell me about whatever that means later. But for now I gotta show you your gift.”

“My gift?”

Tommy stops and turns to him. “Your valentine’s day gift! I thought you knew, why else would you just teleport to me no questions asked?”

“I must’ve-”

“Forgotten. Right. It’s no big deal, but what I’m about to show you inside of this broken down Walmart is.” He takes Ranboo to the entrance which is just the 2x2 opening not surrounded by broken glass. “Welcome to the enderman store! I made it myself because I am just so cool.”

Ranboo immediately ducks under the doorway and starts moving the blocks around. “You aren’t very cool but this makes you at least 20% cooler.”

“Does that mean you like it?” Tommy asks as he goes to stand behind the makeshift counter.

“Of course I do! It’s like- like a block playground.” Ranboo teleports around the store and Tommy looks down because the sight of him appearing and disappearing was making his head hurt.

“You pick one yet?” He plants his elbow on the counter and tries to give his friend a good impression of an underpaid cashier.

“Pick one for what?”

“As your gift.” He says it like it was the most obvious thing in the world but with the way Ranboo stands confused he supposes it wasn’t. “I mean, the whole store is your gift actually. But you gotta like, pick your favorite block or something.”

“That’s kinda stupid.”

“Whatever, at least I’m not 6’6”, now pick your favorite grass block so we can go to Tubbo’s and show him how cool I am.”

“Okay, I like…” He carefully considers the dirt for what? Tommy doesn’t know. Maybe endermen have a block grading system.

He finally picks one of the many grass blocks in the corner and places it in front of Tommy.

Tommy uses his communicator as a scanner and pretends to ring up the block. Ranboo just seems even more confused.

“What? This is a store roleplay. I’m just keeping things realistic.” He pushes the grass block back to Ranboo who takes it and immediately holds it out in front of him. “The cost is teleporting Tommy to Tubbos because he’s lazy and doesn’t want to walk.”

The taller laughs and Tommy climbs over the counter and clings to Ranboo’s arm bracing for the sudden movement. He closes his eyes and stumbles forward a bit when the hybrid brings them to Tubbo’s in under a second.

He lets go of Ranboo once he’s sure he won’t trip and goes up to Tubbo’s door, instead of knocking he just let’s himself in. Rather he announces he’s here by shouting, “Big T! We’re here for lunch and I brought a very tall man with me. I think his name is Rainbow, not sure though.”

“Tommy it’s-” Ranboo is interrupted by Tubbo appearing from the kitchen, the fur coat he is usually buried in abandoned for a cheesy heart covered apron.

“Ranboo! Tommy!” He runs up to them both with excitement, but he quickly tilts his head at the grass block Ranboo had brought in that was no doubt ruining his floor. Tubbo runs back into the kitchen and orders the boys to, “Stay there!” and when he returns he is carrying a planter pot with a little note attached that says, “To: Ranboo, From: Me :)”

“This is perfect, you can fill my gift with… wait did Tommy really give you fuckin dirt?”

“No! I gave him a whole store of dirt you dickhead!”

“I liked it.” Ranboo adds, trying to help Tommy’s case.

“See Tubbo? He loves my gift, you are just a hater.”

“Whatever.” Tubbo rolls his eyes and turns around, leading the other two into his kitchen.

They take a seat and Tubbo places a basket of bread in the middle of the small wooden table. Tommy runs his hands under it to where he can feel the carvings of his and Tubbo’s name. They had built the table together, hell they had built most of the furniture in this house together.

Tubbo sits down next to Ranboo and places a jar of honey, no doubt from his own bees on the table.

“You know we should invite Purpled next time, then we can call it the MLC.”

“Call it the what?”

“Y’know the minor lunch club! All the teenagers in one place, hopefully shit-talking the adults.”

“Tubbo can you-” Ranboo is interrupted by Tubbo, who was focused on what Tommy just said.

“We are not naming anything ‘Lunch Club’ ever, pick another name.”

“What? Why not?” He whined.

Ranboo reaches over the table to grab the honey, knocking over the vase of flowers in the middle of the table. Tubbo pauses, he’s stood up, preparing to lean over and hit Tommy.

“Tubbo I’m so sorry I’ll-I’ll clean it up.” Ranboo starts to go grab a towel when Tubbo tackles him and pretends to be mad. Tommy just sighs at the scene and goes to actually grab a towel before the water could ruin the table.

“It’s valentine’s day and you’re fighting.”

“It’s play fighting, it's a hybrid thing you wouldn’t get it.”

Tubbo knew what he was doing, get Tommy mad so he’ll come over there and join them too.

It works, Tubbo giggling as Tommy pushes him off Ranboo and shakes him gently.

Tubbo headbutts him gently, careful not to actually hurt him. (It had happened once, Philza was not happy.)

Tommy wraps his arms around the deer and refuses to stop hugging him, Ranboo takes the opportunity to get up and actually wipe down the table before going back to where Tommy was sitting against the door laughing holding a faux annoyed Tubbo.

“Let me go Tommyyyy.” Tubbo whines, it’s muffled by the blond’s shirt.

“No, you were mean to me and now I’m sad.”

Ranboo sits down next to them and whispers “Clingyinnit.” causing Tubbo to laugh and Tommy to let him go opting to go mess with the enderman instead.

“I am not clingy!”

“He says, as he clings to Ranboo. His newest victim.”

They finally get up, dusting themselves off, and go to exchange the rest of their gifts. Tubbo giving Tommy earrings with two purple disks on them. Tommy hands him the bee necklace and then Ranboo gives both of them a pig spawner.

They go out and help Sam with the hotel for the rest of the day and when it’s dark outside they say their goodbyes and promise to come back tomorrow to see Tubbo’s new ‘project’ which the two no doubt means more nukes.

It’s almost midnight by the time Tommy works up the courage to give Sam his gift. Walking up to his bedroom door and knocking gently. Fiddling with the letter he had made. He had no reason to be nervous, it was just a card to thank Sam for everything. He owed the man so much more.

He had avoided giving Sam the card all day, but there was no turning back now. He supposes he could just run back to his room, pretend to be asleep when Sam goes to ask if he knocked.

“Tommy?” Sam opens the door, yawning. Tommy had clearly woken him up.

He shoves the card towards the creeper hybrid and looks away as he reads it.

Tommy can tell when he’s done because Sam murmurs an “Oh, Tommy…” before going to hug the blond. Who happily accepts it.

“Your gift idea wasn’t shit, he loved it actually.”

“I know, I never have bad ideas.” Tommy can imagine the grin on Sam’s face as he says that and it’s enough to make him laugh softly. For the first time in a long time, Tommy finally takes a deep breath. Holding onto Sam a little tighter than maybe he should. Tommy’s tired of letting go.

Neither of them ever want to let go.

#fanfic #minecraft fanfiction #tubbo #tommy and tubbo #tommyinnit #ranboo #awesamdude #c4pricornc4ts

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rainbowwhimsyart · 6 years ago

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Faedom Week Day One : Alternate Universe

Okay, here it is. A modern au (well, the rough outline for one anyway, lol. Didn't get a chance to write it out fully, but here's a general summary.)

This is for the 2019 Faedom challenge week, which is all about creating fanworks for @not-poignant 's Faetales verse.

Okay, so imagine that modern AU Augus owns a cafe. They make vegan fusion dishes. It's called Balance. Eran is the head chef, specializes in cooking directly over live flame and charcoal in an open - air cooking pit outside. The fact that they even were able to get the licenses for that kind of set up is suspicious. Other business owners in the area joke that Augus must have used some kind of mind- control powers to have gotten that zoning pushed through.

Mosk is homeless and squatting in the area. He meets Mikkel, who is doing homeless outreach for the local community mental health. Mikkel can get him a job, and a bed at one of the local shelters. Mosk doesn't want to stay at the shelter, he's got a system. Gym membership, laundromats for washing clothes, and if he does some sex work, it's nobody's business but his.

Mikkel reminds him that winter will be here soon, and if he works a steady job and saves enough, Mikkel says he can get him actual housing. Mikkel knows some people who are looking for a full time barrista/cashier. Best part? Mosk will eat for free while he's on shift.

Mosk reluctantly agrees. Meets at Balance, Mikkel introduces him to Augus, the owner. Augus talks to him for 5 minutes and is like, yeah fine. He can work for a trial period, we'll see how it goes. $15 an hour plus tips during the trial period, with a raise of he gets hired permanently, which is wildly generous for a barista. Mosk just stares at Augus, wondering if he's going to be expected to blow him for the job.

It turns out that Augus doesn't spend a ton of time on site, he spends most of his time cultivating and caring for the gardens and grounds of the historical manor his husband inherited, that they now rent out for events.

Augus introduces him to Julvia, the manager of the cafe, and then leaves. She shows him how the shop runs, starts training him a little bit, and has him jump on register then and there. Mosk is surprised that they already trust him with the money. But she does, and even stranger, she is kind to him. She doesn't seem to care that he's awkward and abrupt with the customers. Doesn't seem to care that his clothes are worn and a little tattered, that his sneakers have holes in them.

She tells him that Mosk will meet Eran, the head chef, soon. He's on vacation visiting his family, but he should be back in a week or so.

In the meantime, an easygoing and extroverted man named Ash is covering for Eran. Apparently he steps in sometimes to help with large catering orders, and covers for Eran sometimes. At the end of shift, Ash brings up an opportunity for Mosk to make some extra money on the side. Mosk immediately assumes that he means sex, and since Ash isn't unattractive at all and doesn't seem inclined to damage him, Mosk decides that he could use the extra money, and goes for it. It's a painfully awkward moment.

Ash clarifies that there are frequently events that Balance caters at the manor, and they always need servers. If he's interested, he should ask Julvia to put him in touch with Ash, who is apparently August's brother and the hospitality manager of the Manor.

Mosk is mortified but Ash handles it pretty gracefully and even winks at Mosk before he leaves.

Mosk settles in, and is cautiously hopeful that he might be able to get his own place, to grow a new life there. He's saving his money, keeps it on him at all times, changes out small bills for larger bills and keeps them tucked in his shoes.

Eran comes back and Mosk finally gets to meet him. Of course he's gorgeous. Of course he's a little bit of a hipster and his ass looks amazing in those jeans, the jerk. Of course he wears eyeliner (though Mosk thinks, resentfully, that his eyes do look beautiful to a nearly otherworldly degree when smudged with black and gold) .

Even worse, Eran is constantly condescending to him. I mean, isn't it obvious that's what he's doing whenever he is so persistently kind to Mosk? Why else would he be so nice? I mean, the nerve, always trying to feed him and asking him how his day is going and flirting with him. It has to be some kind of joke.

Mosk is flustered and, remembering his awkward encounter with Ash (and assuming Ash passed the story along), is caustic and rude back. Eran's food is 'hippy new age bullshit', Mosk obviously hates it (even though he eats every bite), and Eran can fuck off with trying to feed him that 'rich-bitch burnt grass garbage'.

Eran just laughs it off and keeps making him new dishes, until he finds a few that Mosk 'Doesn't hate, I guess'. It must be a coincidence when those dishes become regular offerings on the menu, allowing Mosk to eat them daily when he's at work.

One day, walking back to where he is squatting, Mosk is jumped and beaten up really badly. They rob him, beat him, and even take his shoes, which means his money is gone. He is found and taken to the hospital, and when they need to contact someone, Mosk gives them Mikkel's number. Mosk's leg has been broken, and several of his fingers.

Unbeknownst to Mosk, Mikkel can't come get him, he's out of town. He calls Augus, who is in the middle of an event at the manor. Ash is there too, and he can't leave either, so he sends Eran.

Eran goes to pick up Mosk at the hospital, Mosk argues. The hospital won't release him without a ride. Mosk finally agrees just so he can get out of there. The hospital gives him crutches which he can't fully use because of his fingers.

Eran takes him to go get his prescriptions filled, and then asks him where to drop him off. Mosk tries to get him to let him out several blocks away, but Eran insists that Mosk let him help him inside. Mosk gets angry and finally agrees, directs Eran to building he's squatting at.

Eran is horrified at the conditions Mosk has been living in, tells him that he's not staying there. Mosk is too tired to argue. They grab Mosk's backpack and Eran takes him back to his house.

Mosk doesn't want to stay there, only agrees to stay until he's well enough to leave on his own. Eran doesn't agree but doesn't disagree (plans on convincing Mosk to stay).

Eran puts Mosk up in his guest room. Mosk is terrified that he's going to lose his job. Admits that he's lost his entire savings when he got jumped. Eran assures him that he'll still have a job.

Augus and Ash come by the next day, and promise that he's not going to lose his job. In fact, in the meantime, Augus has a bunch of electronic files and paperwork that need to be organized, and Mosk can do that remotely and be relatively stationary, yes? He says that, factoring in the tips Mosk would have been making, that would have been roughly $20 an hour, so that's what Augus will pay him. Mosk is stunned. Augus leaves him a potted plant. Ash leaves him his old Nintendo DS.

Cue 'and they were roommates!' / sick fic bits, with Mosk being the WORST patient ever. Of course, Eran and Mosk start slowly bonding despite Mosk's resistance. Eran gets a little black cat, says it's for him but really it's for Mosk. Mosk pretends to hate it but secretly (and then not so secretly) loves it more than anything. Mosk names him Raven, and Eran jokes that Mosk treats him like a little prince. They start calling him The Raven Prince. Eran gets strangely jealous that Mosk loves on the cat so much, wishes that Mosk would pet HIM like that.

When Mosk starts getting a little more mobile, he starts cleaning the apartment, doing Eran's laundry, making his bed in the morning, etc. Eran tries to tell him that he doesn't have to do that, but Mosk seems ready to bolt otherwise, so Eran just starts praising him for it instead. Eran notices how much Mosk loves the plant that Augus brought him, starts bringing him home little succulents and plants. Mosk is flustered but accepts the plants, claiming that 'he'll take care of them for Eran'. Mosk asks Eran to teach him how to cook. Eran does. It's super cute.

Eventually, Mosk goes back to working at the cafe, and starts talking about moving out. Eran tells him that "The Raven Prince would be so sad if you left, he would be heartbroken." (Suuuure, Eran. TRP would be the one who is heartbroken. Suure.)

Mosk decides to stay a little longer, because who would do Eran's laundry for him if he wasn't there? Who would make sure that Eran's bed was perfectly made? Eran surely wouldn't do it for himself, considering the state of his apartment before Mosk came. Mosk is obviously doing him a favor by staying.

One day at work, one of his old clients shows up and gives him a hard time, tells Mosk he's going to show up at closing and fuck him in the alleyway out back. Mosk walks out without telling anyone, just straight up leaves without telling anyone. It is not great at the cafe, and Augus ends up having to come in and run the cash register. He is NOT happy. He asks Eran what happened, Eran has no idea.

Mosk doesn't come home that night, and Eran goes looking for him. Finds him back outside of where he was squatting before, but now that building has been knocked down and construction has started on new overpriced condos (Built by Davix and Olphix Associates, who seem to be buying up A LOT of property in the area. But that's neither here nor there). Mosk is pretty dissociated, but when Eran shows up, he's snaps back enough to be crushingly embarrasses and ashamed at what happened, and defensively lashes out at Eran, like is genuinely mean,and says some truly horrible things to Eran. Eran ends up leaving. Mosk doesn't come back to work. Doesn't go back to Eran's house. Just disappears. Eran lies to himself and says it's fine. It's not fine.

One day the next week, Mikkel comes in and asks where Mosk is. Eran tells him his version of the events as he knows them (which may be just a tad bit colored by his own hurt feelings). Mikkel demands to see the footage (of course there are security cameras. Augus's husband INSISTED on it. ) of what happened before Mosk left. He calls them all idiots for not checking it sooner.

Now they have to find Mosk, but he's not at any of his old haunts. Eventually Mikkel tracks him down to a very shady pay-by-the-week motel. He's almost out of his savings. He's been planning on going back to sex work. Mikkel tells him he could do that, or he could have his old job back. They watched the footage. They know he was threatened.

Mosk is humiliated, because now everyone knows about his history. Eventually Mikkel talks him into going back to the cafe. Mosk ignores Eran to the best of his ability. Eran is apologetic and tries to convince Mosk to 'come home'. He refuses.

Eventually Eran gets him to at least come over and visit with TRP. He cooks Mosk his favorite meal. He kisses Mosk for the first time. Mosk is the physical embodiment of Gay Panic, but he doesn't run. Eran has FEELINGS.

They start dating, though Mosk refuses to call Eran his boyfriend. Eran keeps trying to convince him to move back in, but Mosk refuses. Eran is worried about Mosk's independence, about his lack of protection, but he has to let Mosk do what he's going to do.

When Eran's family has a disaster (plane crash in Alaska, multiple family members killed), Mosk steps in and comes to take care of him. Eran is in a deep depression, is grieving. Mosk is strangely good at holding space for Eran. Eran begs him to stay. Mosk agrees, but won't share a room with Eran.

Eran slowly comes out of the deepest part of his depression, and he and Mosk grow even closer. Mosk gets another raise at the cafe. Eran goes back to work.

Cue some major drama with Davix & Olphix Associates trying to buy up Balance. It looks like all of their jobs are in jeopardy due to some kind of legal loophole. It looks like Balance may have to close its doors forever.

But wait! Mosk remembers some important piece of paperwork that he filed for Augus, and it's the critical piece of information that saves the day! Davix and Olphix give up (for now), and their jobs are safe. Eran tells Mosk that he loves him. Mosk…doesn't run away. Eran thinks that is enough.

Time skip, several months in the future. It's Christmas time, and today, the cafe is closed to customers, because Augus and Gwyn are throwing the staff a holiday party.

They have karaoke. Everyone gets tipsy, including Mosk. Mosk gets up on the karaoke machine, sings a love song to Eran (in a surprisingly sweet tenor). Tells Eran that he loves him. Eran is like, ohhh bby are you SURE you wanted to do this in front of all of our coworkers? And Mosk is like, you're an idiot, who do you think organized this party? And then…

MOSK PROPOSES TO ERAN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.

ERAN OF COURSE SAYS YES.

Epilogue: Eran is hovering around the food tent at the manor. There's an event that's going on, and he wants to make sure everything is running smoothly. Ash tells him that it is, and promises that he won't miss the ceremony.

Augus comes and grabs Eran and tells him to leave the food staff alone, that he's not allowed anywhere near the food tent again for the rest of the night. It's Eran's wedding, after all. He shouldn't be be working. Eran agrees.

Augus is tipsy, regales him with the story of his and Gwyn's wedding. Gives him slightly - drunken, very TMI advice for his honeymoon. Eran just nods and manages to keep a straight face.

Eran gets ready to walk down the aisle, which is filled with his friends and what's left of his family. He sees his husband to be, and thinks about the life they will build together, about all they've overcome.

Eran and Mosk read their vows. Augus is crying. Gwyn is holding his hand.

They say 'I do' and kiss. And step into their brand new future. Together.

#Faedom Week #Day one: Alternate universe #Faetales #mosk manytrees #eran iliakambar

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lemonietrinket · 6 years ago

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Always Find Me, Yeah? ||| Stray Kids, Soft Apocalypse AU ||| Chapter One

Summary: The anniversary of The Change, a surge in natural disasters caused by climate change that knocked the modern world back into the dark ages, is nearing. After losing contact with the rest of the group who remained stranded on the mainland, Chan and Felix are offered an opportunity to get them back. Now, they’ve just got to find them.

Genres: Dystopia/Utopia, Adventure, slight Angst (moreso at the beginning)

Warnings: It is an apocalypse scenario, things might be a little bleak for some?

Word Count: 2.1K

Other Chapters: Chapter One Chapter Two

AN: This is not only my first fanfic on Tumblr, but also my first fanfic in years, so I may be a lil’ rusty. My apologies if it’s trash. It’s also a multiparter, so oops. Thanks for reading!

The day the world ended turned out to be September 10th; a Tuesday, despite everyone’s expectations. Thursday had always been a popular contender, the 14th for having the audacity to include the number four, and November simply for being the ‘Thursday of months’.

Needless to say, on Wednesday the 4th, there were very few celebrations being prepared for the following week. This wasn’t particularly unexpected, life in the remnants of Australia hadn’t exactly been the most enticing. There hadn’t been any new arrivals since The Change, and the weather was positively overwhelming. The first summer in the new world had been unbearable, with the electricity shut down, there was no air conditioning, no lights, no frozen food. Even if people had wanted to celebrate, there was little to make of a barbeque - though the old supermarkets no doubt would have still had confetti, as who in the aftermath of an apocalypse would want confetti?

Except someone did want confetti, and that someone was Felix. Because Felix was never one to look on the dark side of things, and he wanted to have a small celebration. Why? Chan wasn’t sure, but by the natural order of things, he found himself standing in front of the local corner store. He shrugged the door open, praising that in its past life it wasn’t automatic, and steeled himself for the heaving thick air that followed entering the shop.

He winced at the aridity and subconsciously swatted at the dust, not that it made much of a difference. No one had been in here for months, it had remained unlocked yet untouched - at first glance, that is. Something had clearly been wandering around because there were crumbs all over the linoleum in one corner of the room. He expected it to be warmer, a welcome respite from the slight chill outside, but under the sound of his breathing, he could hear the hush of the wind whistling through some gaps in the window panes and quickly connected the dots. He didn’t remember when silence became the norm, it had been a gradual transition, as even when the power grid went out, the cars still grumbled along the streets - in fact, more people went outside, as there wasn’t much to do indoors, so the chattering late at night had become more of an ear-sore. Now, even the sudden sounds of manual generators kicking into gear made the adrenaline lurch.

He stepped past the till, grinning in its direction with eyes downturned, as if a cashier was waiting there. Some habits take longer to die, after all. He turned to the five rows of shelving, all of which practically empty. The frozen food had obviously been the first to go, no one wanted it going to waste, though a part of him still found it strange seeing the empty white boxes with ice long melted. It didn’t take long for the only slightly more robust meals to go after. Cans of food next, though some people had the stashing-idea from the start - he remembered his dad muttering to himself that almost all of them had been taken by the time he’d gotten to the grocery store. To no surprise, all the chocolates were missing, but there were still a couple of packets of sweets hanging on the plasticine racks. He didn’t know what made him pick one up. In all honesty, they would likely have still been in date, but that didn’t make them worth eating, and he inevitably cringed when he felt that they were hard and had melded to the plastic wrapping

Eventually, he came across the little cards aisle, still full of Happy Birthdays and Get Well Soons, all a year too late. Next to them, he was certain, would be the small boxes of gimmicky decorations, but the shelving was empty there too. No confetti. He exhaled, scratching the back of his neck, as he slowly sauntered back towards the entrance. “Who even buys confetti these days?”

Swinging out of the store, Chan was smacked with a gust of brisk wind. He grimaced, pressing himself further into his hoodie. To make matters worse, a tiny spatter of rain landed on his shoulder, ushering him to hurry and walk up the empty street. Despite the clouds congregating above his head, it was still surprisingly bright for the evening, and his only worry was that Felix would be able to string up the rugged sheet of tarpaulin this time around, before the ground became too sodden to sit on.

Adjusting his rucksack straps, he avoided a pothole as he crossed the road. He couldn’t bring himself not to check both ways before setting foot on the tarmac, even if he would be able to hear an engine from a mile away. Soon enough though, the pavement began to become less speckled and more coated with dark grey as the shower picked up slightly, and he readjusted his cap as he broke into a jog down the street.

It wasn’t far, but the journey was long enough for his hoodie to become cold to the touch. Dragging the bar across the gate causing a horrific screech to emanate probably halfway across the neighbourhood, he entered the park, brushing his rucksack against the leaves of the nearest bush. After closing the gate once again with a clang, he abandoned the path to weave between the trees, listening to the sound of the rain soften as it found its home amongst the grass.

Soon, he spotted the dash of red that marked his destination. It appeared the tarp had been fixed before the rain had properly begun, as Felix was sat cross-legged rather than crouched.

He called out when he drew nearer, “Hey! I’m back!”

Felix already saw him coming, flashing a dazzling smile as he sought refuge under the blustering red cover. “Chan! I did it this time, do you see? All by myself.”

“Yeah, and not bad,” he nodded, taking off his backpack as soon as he reached the floor, “I brought snacks.”

Felix continued, “I put it up as soon as I saw it started raining, so the ground isn’t soaked this time either- oh my gosh, thank you!” He immediately took the small container of rice, whilst Chan rummaged for spoons.

“Remember that’s for both of us!”

“Don’t worry, I couldn’t eat it all anyways.”

Chan shot him an exaggerated look of disbelief. “Admit that that’s a lie and you can have the spoon.”

“Fine!” Felix playfully rolled his eyes, giggling as he attempted to get into the box. The lid seemed fastened to the plastic, and it took a minute for the two of them to yank it open. Eventually, they were able to take a spoonful of the plain white rice.

“Who closed that in the first place?” Felix asked incredulously.

“I did.”

“Strong leader!” the younger exclaimed, but his enthusiasm faltered when he saw Chan’s expression dip.

The two ate in silence, watching the sky slowly darken further, grey twisting upon the freshly green crests of the treetops. It looked like it was going to be a longer downpour, one that would likely last all night. They used to be more frequent, in the early days after The Change, but luckily they’d tapered in regularity and severity, but that didn’t mean they were incapable of causing issues.

Felix wondered if the community garden would be ok. It was where not only his family but many others nearby got their food supply, and though it was run by the elderly members of the community hall who were easily the best people for the job, that didn’t mean they could fix everything. Especially with little equipment - the area was far from being an agricultural powerhouse before times changed, that was for sure, and despite best attempts, little had changed now.

It didn’t take long for them to finish the rice. Chan nudged the container towards Felix as he stuffed his spoon back in his bag.

“Chan, there’s still some left.”

“You have it, don’t worry.”

Felix lowered his gaze towards the final scraps, scooping them up guiltily. He wished he could force Chan to have the final pieces, but he already knew he’d lose that battle if he tried. “Thank you,” he said, picking up the lid and his spoon and handing them back.

“I’m sorry that it wasn’t a lot,” he clipped the lid in place, storing it and the spoon back in his rucksack, “and that it was plain.”

“No, thank you! It was really nice!” Felix insisted, but seeing that it did little to brighten his face, he changed the subject. “Did you get the confetti?”

Chan shook his head. “No, they didn’t have any.”

“They didn’t have any confetti?” Felix echoed, rising into laughter. “Who’s been buying the confetti?!”

“I don’t know, that’s what I thought.” He smiled, though he didn’t look up from staring at the grass.

“Looks to me, Chan, that we have a confetti-thief in the wilds of the Outback!” he dramatically suggested.

Chan didn’t play along, however. “Why did you want confetti anyway?” he enquired, looking up at last.

“Oh, yeah, it’s actually super cool!” Suddenly, Felix shifted from sitting to kneeling, meanwhile a big smile crept onto his cheeks. “And it is going to make you so happy! While I was at the community garden, I overheard Julie and Pete getting really hyped about something so I went over and-”

“Wait, who’s… you talk to Peter Richards?” Chan interrupted, frowning.

“Well, not on the regular, no, but I figured if those two were getting along all of a sudden, then there must be something big going on. “Anyways, I went over and asked them, and they squished my cheeks again - which is really annoying by the way, I don’t even know them - but they said that there was a government patrol coming here, to take some people to a plane, which will take them to the mainland to look for family and friends and loved ones that they’ve lost contact with!”

“And you believe Julie and Peter because…?” Chan asked, a slight smile of bemusement playing on his features.

“I know, I know! I didn’t believe it then either Chan, but then Lynette - you know, the really nice lady who grows succulents - she came over and confirmed it! She heard the report on her windup radio!” Then, it was as if Felix burst. “Chan! Chan, this might be our chance to find the others!”

The rain began to hammer against the tarp, and the wind had changed angle so that it forced some of the icy droplets to intrude beneath the cover. Felix winced, shuffling further beneath the scarlet cover, but Chan remained frozen, silent. He reached out. “Chan… we could find Changbinnie and Woojin-hyung and, and all of the others again! Surely even if it turns out to not be true… it’s worth a try? Right?”

Chan swallowed thickly, his eyes drawing to the ground where the rain was beginning to speckle. Old guilt had risen up in his throat again, shaky and sickening like bile. He knew his words would falter if he tried to speak. Instead, he breathed into the wind, opening his body into the onslaught of cold.

“I mean, we don’t have to,” Felix shrunk back, hands mushing together awkwardly, “I just don’t think I could go alone, and, well, I already told my mum that I’m going but, it…”

Chan sighed. If he could find them, then everything would be restored. He could apologise properly, for everything he did, for his bad decisions, and could bring them back to his home where they would be safe. But if it turned out to be a hoax, he would waste his hours torturing himself by staying near the roads and taking the long route home just so he could catch the first glimpse of a military vehicle that would never come. Or if they did arrive, but they didn’t let them go because they weren’t looking for family, even though his groupmates were family to him, he would spend another week shut inside again. Or they got beyond that but something went wrong and they got trapped on the mainland forever and they never found them because they were no longer there… Or worse, if something had happened to them… he wouldn’t know what he’d do then. But, could he live with himself if the opportunity arose, where everything then went to plan, and all seven of them came home - but he didn’t go?

Chan cleared his throat, throwing his head over his shoulder. “When will the patrol get here and where will they be?”

Felix went from kicked puppy to beaming sun in a matter of seconds. “Oh. Oh! Um… I don’t know but I’ll ask tomorrow!”

“Thanks, mate,” he grinned, scooting backwards into the cover and out of the downpour. “We’ll go find the others.”

“Yes,” Felix nodded, his serious tone still edged with glee, “we’ll bring everyone home, don’t worry.”

#stray kids #chan #felix #oc #multiple parts #fanfiction #soft apocalypse #long reads #stray kids fluff #stray kids angst #stray kids fanfiction #possible x oc in future #dystopia

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