#but then they just show you that the web is even bigger than you thought

[sentient-forest]

Trying to fall asleep after listening to malevolent part 39

[mochinomnoms]

My thoughts, warning for NSFW if you’re in public and some poly octotrio goodness—

When not deep fried, octopus seems so squishy and gooey. The tentacles have to be ticklish, like touching the bottom of your feet.

Squirmy, squirmy Azul.

What I mean to say, is because Azul likes you so much, lightly grasping at one of his tentacles has him flushing and twitching in your grasp. He tried to hide it in public, hoping no one notices his beet red face. He’s burying his neck into your shoulder, half-heartedly whining about his “reputation”. Give his tentacle a squeeze and your octopus will disappear under the ocean, a drawn out moan washed out by the water.

Depending on their mood, the eels may help Azul out. That means targeting you in your weak spots, till your flustered twitches make you let go of Azul. Not that you mind.

A lot of the times, they won’t help Azul. They’ll hoist the shy Octomer out of the water, cooing at his warbled and moany state.

Push too far and Azul will use his tentacles against you, coiling around you and pulling you in so he can have his way with you.

— anon who wants to inject your writing into their veins

(gonna call you veins anon, and ty bb I'm glad to provide your regular dosage)

Azul is so so soooo shy in his merform. Azul does actually enjoy PDA, he loves showing you off and subtly bragging that he was one of the partners you chose. But getting to that point takes a hot moment, not even considering his rapid personality change in his merform. He's still trying to convince himself that you love and care for him no matter his form, but old habits die very hard. So it's up to you to press the sweetest, most tooth-rotting kisses to him and his 8 limbs.

It doesn't help that his tentacles are very sensitive to any simulation, so much information is gained from just his suckers alone! Azul is soooo whining about his “reputation” as he turned a deeper shade of purple at your antics. If you happen to grab at the most sensitive arm and focus on the spade-shaped tip, he'll be a cute moaning mess as he tries to sink further into the water. The twins are no help to at all either, which comes as no surprise. They're curling their tails around his arms, webbed hands caressing Azul's skin, and claws ghosting around his hips. Jade's cooing sweet, teasing words into his ears, encouraging Azul to be louder, to praise you for your good work. Floyd's busying himself with sucking hickies into his neck, giggling at Azul's high-pitched moans. If anyone were to pass by the hidden grotto the four of you took refuge in, they'd hear the cutest whimpers and gasps alongside haughty murmurs and giggles.

He does eventually strike back, his arms are made entirely made of muscle, and he is a couple feet bigger than the eels and quite a few feet bigger than you. Azul's got a tight grip around your waist after you took his spade-tip into your mouth and sucked. Now he's taken to using his tentacles to my you moan and cry out, nudging the twins to “help” him out. After all, he has venom in his bite, so he can't truly mark you up on his own. Come on now, Jade, Floyd? You left him with such a pretty flush and marks, do the same for our darling human~

[cringe-but-proud]

JESUS!!!! Y'all ask, I deliver I guess 😟

Rainy walks Home

Hobie brown x reader! Read part 1 here!

Warnings: Mild swearing, mentions of a breakup, reader gets robbed at gunpoint 💀

A/n: PART THREE HAS BEEN MADE. Didn't anticipate you guys wanting this so bad lol. But, I'm not complaining. Requests are open!

In hindsight, agreeing to close up alone was probably a bad idea.

You locked the doors to the Domino's that you worked at behind you, pulling at the door handle to make sure it was shut tight. Suddenly, literally out of nowhere, it began raining.

You sighed, cursing under your breath as you pulled your hood over your head.

It had been a little over 3 weeks since your ex broke up with you and things were going... Fine. You weren't super torn up over the breakup, but you definitely weren't happy either.

The rain began to pour down, only getting worse with every step that you took. Normally, you wouldn't take shortcuts. There wasn't really a reason to since the walk from work to your apartment wasn't that long. But, today was an acception. It was dark, and cold, and pouring down rain.

So, you turned down an alleyway.

You walked through the narrow space, listening to the sound of your sneakers as they hit the wet pavement. But, something made you stop.

You strained your ears listening for something. You didn't quite know what.

Nothing.

You continued walking, only taking a few steps before stopping again.

You heard it this time.

Someone else's footsteps.

You turned around to face whoever was behind you, but before you could fully face them, you were grabbed.

Instinctively, you screamed and began to thrash around in the person's grasp, but they were bigger than you.

"Empty your pockets." The deep voice of a man said into your ear. You tried kicking at the man and he didn't even react. "EMPTY YOUR FUCKING POCKETS." He screamed. You reached into your pockets and threw your belongings on to the ground. Your keys and your earbuds.

The man briefly looked at the items before throwing you to the ground. Before you could even think to get up and run, he was holding a gun, pouting it at you.

You screamed and shrunk into yourself, holding your hands over your face.

"Give me your bag."

You didn't need to be told twice. You were shrugging away your bag, ready to hand over whatever this dude asked for when you heard a sort of "thwip!" sound.

You lifted your head and all you saw was a flash of red and blue full force swinging into the man who was robbing you.

You watched in awe as THE actual fucking Spiderman beat down the man who'd tried to rob you. In a manner of seconds, Spiderman had knocked the man out and tied him up in webs.

You were in shock and couldn't do anything but stare with your jaw agape. Spiderman turned to you and crouched down to your level.

"Y'alright, mate?" He asked.

You blinked. "Fucking no!"

"Yeah, fair enough." He shrugged. "Let's get you up then." He held his hand out to you and, after a short pause, you took it. He pulled you up from the ground with what seemed to be zero effort and dusted off your shoulders.

"Cops will probably show up to take care of this one sooner or later." He crossed his arms and inspected you for a moment.

You became aware of the fact that you hadn't thanked him yet. "Thank you." You said, finally calmed down from the whole ordeal.

"Nah, don't mention it." He brushed you off. "Just doing what's right."

You silently picked your things up from the ground, trying to ignore the thief that was knocked out a few feet away from you.

"Want me to walk you home?" He asked.

You paused, letting his words sink in for a moment. Spiderman was offering to walk you home.

...

Why?

"You probably have better things to do." You said, shaking your head.

"Not really. People are less likely to go around committing crime when it's pouring down rain." He shrugged his shoulders. "Besides, I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't put the offer out there."

You thought over it for a moment. You would undoubtedly feel safer if Spiderman was walking you home.

"Okay." You agreed.

You were walking down the streets with Spiderman. You were with Spiderman. Walking to your apartment. Cool. Yup. This was fine. Totally normal situation.

"Sucks that this all happened in the rain, huh?"

You broke out of your own thoughts and managed a chuckle. "Yeah, I guess."

"I would offer you an umbrella, but," He motioned down to himself. "Spiderman doesn't carry around umbrellas."

"It's okay." You went quiet again, getting lost in your thoughts. He seemed to notice the trance-like state you were in and tilted his head.

"What's on your mind?" He asked.

You took a moment before answering. For some reason, you sort of wanted to be honest with him, really tell him what was on your mind. Maybe because you knew you'd probably never talk to him again; and you knew Spiderman wasn't gonna go swinging around, telling everyone your business. So, you spoke.

"I got broken up with a couple weeks ago."

"You're still hung up about it?!" He asked. The way he said it was strange. It was like he was expecting you to be over your break up, despite the fact that the two of you had never spoken before, so he shouldn't have any reason to expect better from you.

"I mean, I'm sort of over it. But..." You sighed. "When it first happened I was upset, obviously. He broke up with me over text while I was at work and I went on break to cry in the parking lot." He nodded along. "And then this... Guy showed up." This was the main thing that had been on your mind. "And I didn't know him, but he like... Comforted me. Just sort of made me feel better about the whole thing. He was super cool, and genuine, and like, really hot; and I regret not asking for his number or anything."

There it was. You had just spilled your guts to fucking Spiderman. God, you needed to go back to therapy.

You waited for him to say something in reply, and for a moment he was silent.

"Well, uh..." He trailed off. Oh god, you'd overstepped. He probably thinks you're weird. "That's what you were thinking about?" He asked.

"Yeah. It's weird, I know."

"Nah, nah. I'm sure he's been thinking about you too."

"Definitely not." You chuckled.

"You never know." He said. "You seem cool, so..."

You stopped walking, finally arriving to your apartment building. You decided to be a little more weird by asking for advice.

"So, what should I do? Like, should I look for him somewhere? Should I just move on like a normal person?"

He paused. "When's your next shift?" He asked.

"Wednesday." You answered.

"I'd say just... Go into work. Y'know, like any other day. He might show up."

You chuckled. "That's wishful thinking."

"Not from me, it's not. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Cause I've got Spidey senses." He said. The eyes on his mask narrowed and you could tell that underneath, he was smiling.

You shook your head, smiling as well. "Guess it'd be dumb to not take Spiderman's advice."

"Exactly. So, you'll do what I said?"

"Yeah." You shrugged. "I guess I will."

"Great." He began to walk backwards away from you, not yet breaking eye contact. "I'll see you around, yeah?"

You furrowed your brows in slight confusion. "I mean, probably not."

"Y'never know." Webs shot out from his wrist and he swung away without another word.

You walked into your apartment building, and somehow you were glad you'd taken that shortcut.

[bailey-dreamfoot]

‼️‼️THE GRAMPA SQUAD COMIC IS DONE‼️‼️

Ok so, wee explanation + headcannons under the cut.

Ok so assuming you've stuck around for my insane ramblings, heres the gist:

This comic is very much inspired by Factual Fantasy's Comics about Marsh, Natquick, and Calico Jack. And while my personal head cannon does share in the idea of the group working together- I thought it would be hilariously fun to include Inkling, and tbh it focuses more on him than the others anyway.

In the show, inkling doesn't really get out much. There are really only a few episodes where he has a significant role, and even less when he actually participates in missions outside of *insert knowledgeable insight*.

I believe this is for 2 reasons:

He just prefers the comfortable vibe of his library. The book-worm role fits his personality well - enjoying studying or cataloging species alongside Shellington - and he likes spending time with the Vegimals.

His Mobility issues. While he can very easily traverse the watery environments in the base show- in a&b, he doesn't really show much interest in exploring the land until he's told an old friend was the one in need of help. He has the ability, its just difficult- and he knows his limitations.

Inkling has his hover chair, that allows him to move around the octopod relatively easily. However - in the Min episode - they make it a point that he cant take it with him on land, or use it over rough terrain.

My version of Inkling uses an actual wheelchair, so I thought it'd be a neat idea that after that adventure- he'd want to try joining missions more often. And to deal with said mobility issues and limitations- say they got specialized tires for his wheelchair- so he could go join up on land missions more often.

After going on a few more missions with the other Octonauts, he hears about Octoagents Calico Jack, and Professor Natquick joining up with Ranger Marsh to help out in the Everglades- you best bet he jumped at the opportunity to tag along. Think of all the species he could ad to his personal catalogue. They might even discover a few new ones! Leaving the Octopod for so long after being basically the one constant to the place was a bit scary sure - and the other Octonauts were certainly emotional ab him leaving (especially Barnacles) - but maybe a change of scenery would do him good.

Sooo He does that! Professor Inkling meets up with the others on a dock near Marsh's Ranger station and get to work! One of the coolest things they did was collecting egg samples and catching an adult specimen of a newly discovered trapdoor spider! the Pine Rockland Trapdoor. Marsh Has a nursery where he cares for tons of snakes, lizards, insects and birds to make sure they have the best chance for survival. Thats where these eggs are going- to hatch in safety and then be released back into the ecosystem. On top of that, they take samples of the adults venom for study, and inkling is sure to make a detailed report of the arachnid in his many journals brought along with him!

As you may expect, Kwazzi takes after his grandad in his fear of spiders. Jack has seen worse, but It doesnt make it any easier to be close to them. Natquick on the other hand- In all his time in the arctic hes never seen anything as freaky as a spider bigger than a quarter.

Aaand that's it! I'm hoping to do some more comics with the lads in the future, although probably not as detailed as this one. It took more than 2 weeks- please.

Also, I find it kinda goofy that the panels get more detailed as you go along. Thats what happens when the first and last panel were made almost a month apart from each other. 💚

Also also- yes I did do actual research for the animals in the last comic. It was going to be a funnel web spider they're researching, but then I looked it up and found out Funnelwebs don't live in the Everglades. :']

[inbarfink]

I’ve heard some DHMIS fans say the TV Show/Season 2 feels more optimistic and hopeful than the Web Show/Season 1. Like that the trio is more independent and offers a bit more resistance against the teachers. So it makes them more hopeful they can break out/fight against this Horrible Situation.

And I mean, I do see where this interpretation is coming from. The three do have a lot more agency in the TV Show, a lot more control over the narrative. While in the Webshow they spend nearly the whole duration episode just sort of going along and following a Teacher’s lead. Plus they are a lot more likely to talk back to a teacher - 

Try and go against the teacher - 

Just annoy the shit out of a Teacher - 

AND THEY’RE EVEN CAPABLE OF CAUSING THE DEATH OF A TEACHER!

Plus, the Teachers themselves are often less explicitly sinister and/or antagonistic. Especially when you consider reappearances of Web-Show Teachers consistently show them as being on more amicable terms with the trio. Like Tony mostly just chilling there - 

And Colin being extremely friendly with them.

And like, yeah, all of these things are true. But still, for me, the helplessness and hopelessness of the trio situation is a lot more palatable on the TV Show. Their whole situation feels a lot more dire. 

Cause the thing is, yes, the teachers are less obviously sinister and the characters talk back to them more in the TV Episodes - but they are also more likely to totally buy into their bullshit and vehemently agree with them and even argue about it with the others. (See: Red Guy in "Jobs" and "Family", Yellow Guy and Duck in "Transport)

It’s especially notable when you compare Red Guy’s behavior between the two versions of DHMIS. Since in the Web Show he was the first one to ‘break away’ from their world (or at least try). While in the web-continuity, he was pretty consistently disinterested in the Teacher’s lessons - generally only reacting to express his annoyance or befuddlement at them - 

The TV Show puts a lot more emphasis on his personal foibles, and how despite his detached and apathetic attitude - he is just as likely to fall into the bullshit of some ‘Teachers’ in the right situation. 

And while the TV Show also emphasizes Duck’s ability to Defy the Narrative - it also emphasizes how much this independence is based less on his intelligence -

And more on his ego. 

I want to be in a family, I want to be the dad!

So with every character’s ‘resistance’ to the Teacher really depending on their personal behavior and flaws, we don’t really get moments like that thing in ‘Time’ where they all together started questioning Tony’s lesson.

And that’s also a thing that is less prevalent about the TV Continuity in general, the trio are less in harmony with each other. Obviously, it is a requirement of the format. The show has more emphasis on the puppets’ personalities and therefore gives more focus to their interpersonal conflicts. While in the Webshow they were seen more-or-less as a single Unit, with each their own personal quirks, but generally being Together and having pretty much the same goals - in the TV Show they are a lot more separate and distinctive. But that can also mean they can turn on each other and hurt each other. 

The fact they have more Agency in the story also means they can cause damage and hurt like the Teachers can.

With the bigger focus on character comes a much bigger focus on the long-term effects of their ‘Format’ over their lives and thoughts. They don’t just sort-of ‘go along’ with whatever bizarre object has bursted into their house, but they have actually internalized the core concept behind all of those lessons, they internalized all sorts of ideas of how they’re supposed to act and what they’re supposed to do and what they are capable of doing. And they will reinforce it amongst themselves, no Teacher needed.

We don't have the Transport Man, it's just us three! We can't just... do stuff, just us three, can we?

While the last episode of the Web Show has both surviving members of the trio apart and separated, they've both come to the conclusion that their life is Wrong from their own perspective.

(And Duck figured it out just before he died)

The TV Show’s final episode shows how the Trio themselves (and especially Red and Duck’s sense of superiority over Yellow) is much more effective at keeping them in line then just a Teacher. The Insurance Safe was easily discouraged by Yellow’s intelligence and knowledge, but Red’s unease and Duck’s hostility is what actually made him feel bad.

And before Yellow Guy, Red Guy was the one trying to get them all free the episode before that - the Teacher was pretty helpless to stop them - but his friends were the ones constantly urging him to go back home. 

And at the end of episode 6, they all doom each other, and themselves.

And while the ending to the Web Show is ambiguous, and can be read in a very negative light, there is at least some element of change and disruption in it. Red at least tried to pull the plug. And even if it is all doomed to repeat again and again, some things, no matter how small, have been shifted. 

The TV Show’s ending is a lot more direct, but also a lot more directly hopeless. Yellow Guy’s attempt to break free has failed. There has been no real change or shift, or disruption - the house is back to normal, this loop has probably happened thousands of times before. They are just as trapped as they were before, and they are all willfully oblivious to it.

One interpretation for the ending of the Web Series is that it demonstrates how the trauma of the ‘Lessons’ will remain with the characters forever, or that the indoctrination they suffered still lingers or that they might be doomed to repeat these patterns in themselves or with others. If this is true, then the TV Show’s greater focus on character really helps to demonstrate how this trauma and indoctrination affects them. Even if they were to break out of it, they will bring something of it with themselves wherever they go, they might even drag each other straight back into it - because it’s all they know.

The show also puts a much bigger emphasis on this fact, that this strange situation they are trapped in is all that they know. Just watching the Webshow on its own, you can’t really tell how long this has been going on - it could just be one very weird day. And you could kinda separate the Trio’s lives and the teachers intruding on them. Before the TV Show, it was easy to imagine a version of their lives where they are not constantly hounded by Singing Living Objects, and that it wasn't that different and it wasn't that long ago. Like, it wasn’t a surefire thing or the authorial intent - but it was at least a valid interpretation of the text. 

The TV Show makes it clear that yes, the house and their entire living situation is part of that terrible surreal experience. It’s not just about their occasional edutainment misadventures, it is really everything about their world that is wrong and confining and nightmarish. Their rooms and their own house, and the world outside their window is all part of this Actual Nightmare. And it really is all they know. As far as they can tell, their life has always been defined by being trapped inside a nonsense house and being hounded by living objects. I mean, in retrospect that was probably also true for the Web Show but, again, the TV Show is a lot more explicit about that. 

And the ‘outside’/‘real’ world is… okay, we have no way to be sure whatever either the Red Guy World seen in the end of “Health” and the beginning of “Dreams'', or the Junkyard seen in “Transport” is actually real or just like, another layer of illusions but still… The ‘world outside’ seen on the web show looks drab and soul-crushingly boring but it’s still fairly livable. If the only real problem is that it’s dull and too grown-up, then it’s easy to assume that if Red Guy could save Yellow Guy and Duck and get them out - then it wouldn’t be that bad. They could give color to that gray world themselves. 

Meanwhile… The glimpses of the ‘Real World’ in ‘Transport’ just looked like a junkyard. But considering how the puppets were wandering from daytime to nighttime without finding any way out or any other signs of life, and considering Duck’s Visual Inventory included stuff like “one skull” and “one bag of meat” - I think this is less of an ordinary junkyard and more of a post apocalyptic wasteland.

So, even if the trio could ever break free of their surreal felt world - it’s unclear whether or not they could survive outside of it. Even if their world is a nightmare, that might be better than waking up. 

And while the teachers are nicer, or at least less actively malevolent, their presence and influence is constantly felt. Like, even when there isn’t a Lesson ‘actively’ going on - there’s often some googly-eyed motherfucker just… watching them.

Yeah, maybe the fact Tony doesn’t do anything but tell the Time Child they’re absent shows that he’s a nicer guy in this continuity. But… even if the teachers are generally kinder, they’re still prone to overriding their ‘Students’ wills and opinions, often disrespectful and/or manipulative, and generally care more about being smarter than their students than actually being right. Even Electracey, probably the most straight-up benevolent and competent teacher we’ve ever seen on the show - 

Seems to have issues understanding the mortality of organic beings.

So there’s still a lot to be weary of the fact these guys are constantly watching our main characters. Even if they’re not quite as sinister as they were before. Besides, even if the Teachers were just the nicest folks ever - it is still rather sad and concerning that the Trio are constantly watched like that in general. Like, they basically have no privacy. Even disregarding Lesley and maybe even us the audience. Someone is always watching.

And they can’t do anything about it.

And the thing that I’m thinking about most… it’s something specifically with Colin the Computer. Like, it seems like he’s the most unambiguous and straightforward example of how much nicer Teachers are on the TV Show. Compared to the data-harvesting control freak he was on the Webshow, he has become such a sweetie! So polite and complimentary and friendly to the trio! But the thing is… it’s very easy to be nice and sweet to people who are already doing what you want.

In the Webshow, the trio were at least somewhat in conflict with Colin because they wanted different things. The trio were having a quiet board game night at home and maybe wanted to learn about the World, and Colin was determined to pull them into his computer world. As Red Guy pointed out, they already had a computer. So they didn’t really need him or his ‘lesson’ about computers. They were totally independent of him. It was easy to see Colin’s pushy and over-controlling tendencies in that situation. 

But that sort of conflict is simply not present in the TV version of Colin. It’s hard to tell if TV!Colin would have acted better if the trio were not as interested in using him because he is simply never put in that situation. That’s the part that always sticks to me; unlike in the Webshow - Colin is the only computer they have. He is actually their only connection to the digital world, the internet. They can’t wait to use him because he only comes around once a year. He joins in on the trio’s insults towards Warren because they would all just like to go back to focusing on Colin. 

The things that do maybe make Colin come across as genuinely kinder on the TV Show are the facts he offers to help with Yellow Guy’s situation (and doesn’t interrupt or distract them after the solution extends beyond looking it up on Colin) and gives them that ‘Glass Spherical Computer’ In the end - ensuring that they won’t be that dependent on him after all. I mean, I think you can argue about whether the ‘replacement’ computer being made of very fragile glass is such an unlucky coincidence or not… but even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he legit wanted to make them less dependent on him…

The fact that was the situation in the first place, that they could only go online one day in a year, and had to be constantly monitored by Some Guy (who was also acting as their computer)- no matter how well-intentioned he is - is still deeply fucked up!

I think that at the end of the day, me and the folks who see TVDHMIS in a more optimistic light aren’t really in disagreement. At least not about the actual contents of the web and TV shows. It’s more that we have different priorities about what’s the most disturbing elements of the trio’s Actual Nightmare. Because yes, it is true they are put in the care of less Actively Malevolent Teachers this time around. And it is true they are less actively suffering, and they have a bit more agency now.

But for me, the bigger emphasis on the constant surveillance they live under, the focus on how much this situation affects their lives and relationships and psyche, and the trio’s tendency to hurt each other and doom themselves - makes the world of the show feel more hopeless and bleak to me.

[luimagines]

He Tries to Impress You Part 2

Masterlist

Part 1

Part two will include Hyrule, Sky and Time.

Content under the cut!

Hyrule

“Soooo....” You poked his shoulder with an innocent look to you face. “Mr. Legend says that you can do magic.”

Hyrule flushes slightly. “I swear he makes it to be cooler than it really is. It’s just something I’ve always been able to do. The other guys can all harness magic in one way or another. I don’t know what the big deal is.”

You grin wider. “You say that, and I get that’s where you’re coming from, but you’re the only one that doesn’t need something to do it.”

“Something?” Hyrule raises an eyebrow, amused. “What’s a something?”

You huff jokingly. “You know! A something! An item! A tool, a weapons a weird pine cone looking thing or something shiny! But you don’t need that stuff... Right?”

Hyrule can feel a little bit of pride in the way you’re getting excited over this. He’ll never understand why the group seems to place importance on this skill of his but he supposed his Hyrule is wrapped as it is. There’s a lot he doesn’t understand and he doubts he ever will.

“Right.” He agree, smiling brightly. He can almost see stars in your eyes by how excited you get at the concept.

“Show me?” You wiggle in place. “Please?”

Hyrule snorts. “It’s not that impressive unless it’s on a grand scale. But that’s reserved for battle.”

He snaps, getting bits of electricity to web between his fingers. It’s a small party trick that he likes to show new people before he shows off something much larger and grand. He remembers that moment with the Captain before they both took down a swarm of remaining monsters together.

You gasp excitedly, grabbing his hand without notice. “No way! How did you do that!?”

Hyrule pauses, his brain screeches to a halt. Your hands are very soft from what he can feel on his fingertips. He knew that he was sweet on you but he can feel his heart get caught in his throat at they you seem to stare at him wonder.

“Do it again!”

Hyrule does it again without thinking, completely entranced by your expressions. If you would smile like that at him every time, you could tell him to jump and he’d ask how high.

He was worse off than he thought.

He clears his throat again and moves so he can hold your hands instead. It catches your attention enough where you stop looking solely on where the magic came from but onto his face at last. Hyrule smiles, trying to fight his blush at how well this was going for him. “I swear I can do other things.”

You get more excited. “Like what?”

Hyrule thinks for a moment. A lot of the spells he knows are offensive instead of defensive and will hurt you if he tries them. There’s his Life spell but he doesn’t really have any injuries and it’s just the two of you right now. He hums and tilts his head this way and that.

He smirks.

He pulls away from you slightly and chants the familiar words. His vision shifts and he shrinks.

He can hear you scream in delight and clap. When he opens his eyes again, you’re much bigger than he is and look positively enamored by this very small concept. 

“Hello!” He calls out. But he knows you won’t understand him. No one ever has. “You’re very pretty.”

“Oh...you’re so cute. I think I love you.” You coo at him, catching yourself a moment to late. “Oh-! Um! I mean-”

Hyrule can only laugh. “It’s ok. I think I love you too.”

But you won’t know that part.

Sky

Sky tried to stay on his feet as monster were coming in the left and from the right. There was very little that the Master Sword couldn’t take down.

Sky smiles fondly at the memory. Fi would have loved each and everyone of the boys in the group. He’s sure of it. Which is why it hurts when some of the talk of their distain for the blade or perhaps- it was merely a bad time of their life like the Rancher mentioned.

Even so, none of them had the connect he did to holy blade. Sky isn’t entirely sure what to think about that.

He cuts down the bokoblins from an area he’s already forgotten. He knew it was mentioned but who knows at this point if they’re not going to have monsters coming in from the in between time periods and be a mix of either.

Sky takes a breath and readies a spin attack.

He sees you in his peripheral and there’s more monsters coming up on the far end of the field.

Sky frowns, not wanting to see you get overwhelmed by the threats. He raises his sword skyward- lighting collects by the blade in a move that he’s all terra familiar with.

He strikes down and sends the beam your way.

It misses you by a hair- taking out the monster you were fighting in the process and scaring away the monsters that were already aproaching.

You stand there, slack jawed and slowly turn your head to look at Sky.

He pauses. Should he... have not done that? Did you not know that was an option? It’s not something he likes to do all the time. It always managed to make his arm feel weird and the lighting scars from Demise left an ugly scar.

Sky waves.

You wave back robotically before you turn your head again to see the carnage left over. You give Sky a thumbs up.

A laugh barks out of the young hero before he can stop it and he jogs to where you stand frozen on the battle field. “Enjoy the show?”

You shut your jaw with a small click and point to the sword in his hand. “...Could that thing always do that?”

Sky looks down to where he holds the blade. “To my knowledge, yes. I‘ve always been able to do that move with the Fi.”

“Fi?” You ask.

Oops. Sky bite in the inside of his cheek. He didn’t mean to let that slip. That was on accident.

You don’t seem to take notice of it. Before Sky can blurt out one of his most trusted companions on his journey of herodom, you point at the next group of monsters that approach. “How long can you do that for?”

Sky shrugs. “A few more times before my scars act up.”

Your mouth opens but you shut it again. “Ok- nevermind. Don’t do that.”

Sky smirks and does it to next group

You yelp, now actually seeing it in action and jump behind him, keeping your hands on his shoulders. “Warning!”

He snorts, putting his free hand on yours. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“...Yeah...” You say breathlessly. “No kidding... No wonder all you guys talk about it....Can it do anything else?”

“Of course.” Sky acts offended on behalf on the blade. He lets the moment take a breath before he smirks and bumps his elbow with yours, hoping to earn cool points. “Do you want to see?”

“Yes!”

Time

Time had realized very quickly that he had a slight problem.

He wanted your attention on him and only him. Time never considered himself a jealous man nor would have thought that would have feelings of insecurity this late into his life- and yet here we are.

Time watches you interact with the boys with a small smile on his face. At least he can see that you enjoy their company and they make you happy with their youthful antics. It’s something he knows can’t fully keep up with even if he tried.

But- that doesn’t change the fact that you hardly give him the attention he desires. Something ought to change that.

Time also never considered himself a show off- something that the boys occasionally tried to get him to indulge him. However, he’s never felt a need to do so. Admittedly, even now he’s still not sure if those are the means to get your to notice him. It would seem ingenuine to his person.

Until it begins to rain cats and dogs at least.

The storm is unprecedented and causes the dirt underneath their feet to be unsteady and slippery. Many of them try to run only to land on their butts or faces.

His armor would be his downfall in moments like this. If there would be any lightning his very life could be at stake. But then he sees you helping Hyrule get back to his feet, ushering Legend under the cover of the jacket you’ve lent.

Lightning strikes in the distance. He needs to get everyone under cover and get out of his armor. 

“There’s a cave this way!” Wild calls out, holding his hand over his eyes to keep the water out in vain. 

Twilight is quick to follow suit, picking up Wind and Four and holding either one in each arm. Time follows them as quickly as the terrain would allow him to go. The cave is colder and stone from the entrance to the pitch black back- but it’s dry.

Time sheds the metal from his body as fast as he can. As the others file in, Time finds himself doing a mental head count. Wild, Twilight, Four and Wind entered before him. Hyrule and Legend follow soon after, both covered in mud and sopping wet but unharmed as well.

More lighting strike and for some odd reason, Time feels compelled to head back out there- sans his armor.

Warrior and Sky head in last- the scarf and sailcloth held them both back from entering with the others. 

Time undo's the last of the claps and looks around once more. The clouds have it difficult to see out into the open despite it being only three in the afternoon.

Sky coughs and begins to rid himself of his layers like everyone else. “We’re missing one...”

Time runs back out.

Frantically, he begins calling out your name, just barely being able to hear himself over the thunder. Lightning strikes closer- hitting one of the trees and exploding it on contact. The pieces rain in a fiery array of painful reds and blacks.

You scream.

Time turns on his heel to head toward the sound.

When he gets to you- he sees that you’re trapped between one of the larger pieces of the tree- flame holding on strong despite the torrential rain- and another tree you seemed to have attempted to take shelter under once you were separated.

Time doesn’t hesitate to rush forward and grab the flaming piece of wood, hauling it away from you. “Come on. I’m getting you out of here. You’re going to be ok.”

You nod numbly, taking his hand. Effortlessly, he hauls you up into his arms and takes off the way he came. Lightning continues to strike around you and tree continue to be caught on fire and explode but Time makes it back to the cave without a hitch- even if he feels marginally winded. And he’s definitely going to feel his back and hands tomorrow- but for now, everyone is safe.

“Old Man your hands!” Legend cries out in horror.

It’s only after he’s set you down at you notice them as well and gasp.

“Believe it or not, I barely feel it.” Time responds, going so far as to wipe them on his pants.

“Don’t! Don’t do that!” Wild flinches.

You stare at him in shock and awe. “You saved me.”

He reaches out and pats your head, trailing his hand down the side of your head with more tender than he realizes. “Of course. Didn’t think twice.”

You gulp and take his hands, avoiding eye contact. “Come on. This will hurt later. We have to take care of it.”

Worth it. Time sighs and lets you pull him along. At least you’re safe.

Part 3

[itsyagurlchip]

٠ ˚ ※ ๋࣭  ᯓ⚝ ⋆ .˚✰Down in N'awleans ٠ ˚ ※ ๋࣭  ᯓ⚝ ⋆ .˚✰

✰⋆⁺warnings: alastor(!) ace alastor and reader(!) cussing(!) its hell man idk what to tell u(!) very cultural (!) reader has a strong accent(!) reader is more modern than alastor(!) black reader NOT CAJUN SHE IS NEW ORLEANIAN (!) mentions of gore and blood(!) fem reader(!) angst(!) grieving (!) fluff(!) comfort(!)

✰⋆⁺Im so sad that the only new orleans part of alastor we got to see was a few of his music preferences, and the overused dish jambalaya (as good as it is, its referenced too much when mentioning Louisiana and i sorta hate it-) soooo, as an artist i took matters into my own hands 😈 btw, this is long, so enjoy a piece of my culture!!!

fun fact: did you know that Louisiana has about 400 festivals and events annually? (my favs are strawberry fest, mardi gras, and crawfish fest) btw if anyone is struggling to read it: mardi gras is pronounced madi-grahs. (like ice spice grah 🤪🤪/jj)

✰⋆⁺ Oh what a joy!! Your love Alastor is in hell with you!!! After a whopping 58 years after Alastor's death at 33, with you dying barely at 88 before your birthday, you've finally have found your soulmate!! You're a bit different though, you have a stronger accent, and your tone is..."slangy". Times have changed, but has your love? Of course it does! Alastor couldn't love you more, lovers being apart for too long is straining to one's mental afterall.

"His sister's black, but she is sho'nuff pretty. Her skirt is short, but Lord her legs are sturdy. To walk to school, she's got to get up early. Her clothes are old, but never are they dirty. Living just enough, just enough for the city." You sang, walking along the streets of hell. That song by Stevie Wonder had always brought you comfort...

It gives you a sense of memory, deja vu if you will. Not that you could remember. But you being a young black girl, in the struggles of 1916 brings a comfort to your heart.

...

You closed all eight of your eyes, your afro bouncing as you walked. Walking walking walking. Your dark dress would lift up slightly from the ground, wisping away curiously.

It was pitch black, like your gloves that ran from the tips of your fingers, to the upper part of your arm. If you squint, one could see hints of clear web being shown by light.

People would question why you still wore black even years after your husband's death. Now in hell, you had black skin, and spider appendages on your stomach and hips. How ironic.

You still never answered the question.

Alastor had died at the young age of 33, leaving a 30 year old widow to mourn his passing. That man chiseled his way into your heart and croaked years later. All you could do to keep your emotions in check, was continue your dear husbands work.

The radio station he worked at had begged you to host his morning shows. The town was distraught of his absence. And there's a depression? People were sad, now even more broke, and at the hands of phoney mayors and presidents.

Alastor left a big hole in the role he had as the "Darling of New Orleans". And so did the Bayou Butcher...

What else could you do? Each life you blew off was in honor of your amazing husband. Soon radio was bigger than ever! You'd broadcast the annual 8 killings of casualty due to the new 'Wynoriffic Widow.' This had led on for about 20 years before old age came into play.

You killed 162 people in the name of your love. Never caught, yet never forgotten. You became a big shot, killer and announcer.

While you never had the intrusive thought to do so, you finally understood why Alastor felt a rush of righteousness when he came home after his activities with Mimzy.

Damn Mimzy, the hooch she is. (💀💀)

Let's be honest, the name "Widow" hit too close to home due to recent events, but thats why you only killed eight people per year! And to make things even better, you set 8 things that would happen. 8 games. 8 lines all connecting into a web. And to make things worse for the police, your extermination cravings were sporadic, and not so scheduled.

But it all played out the same.

Something subtle. like a box of rotting spiders at the victim's doorstep.

Next would be a missing, or perhaps "disappearing" passport and driver's license...if they could even afford one.

Now there would be 3 warning letters, the classic "i know what you did". Simple as that.

The second one would be more detailed. Writings of the person's actions would be made for a week before the last and final warning was made.

"Im coming" you wrote in squirrel blood, giggling everytime the person panicked, not knowing it was you all along.

Then nothing....for 2 weeks or so. To lower suspicion per say.

Then its the time to strike. Waiting until exactly midnight to knock out and drag your victim to the very same swamps your beloved died in. You'd take the damned soul, and torture them for as long as you pleased. No matter how many screams, how much blood, their life was in your hands and yours only.

Finally, you'd pray. Pray that this offering of love would suffice for being ripped apart for so long. and as for cleaning up your mess, you'd thank the gators and the wolves for "aiding" with your hobby.

But you began getting old, despite exercising regularly and eating the things your body needed. You couldn't go out and fufill your duties. The one thing that made you happy, second to Alastor. And soon enough you died, welcoming your new fate.

The only thing you questioned was your young appearance. You died of old age, so you didn't understand why you looked like you were 30 again.

You hummed, mimicking a trumpet as you continued your short strides. And here you are now! On the way to reunite with your love once more... it's been far too long.

Welp, it won't be long before you see your life again (despite being dead). Adjusting the big puffs and coils on your head, as well as smoothing down your dress, you knocked onto the hotel door.

Your smile was so big! (You cheeks were starting to hurt from subconsciously doing so much, trying to keep memory of something you once lost).

You looked around yourself as you waited. There was a golden fountain of a majestic dragon creature, with building itself huge yet comfortable. Despite the lights in the front being a bit bright, this place pleased something in your mind.

The door opened for you to see...a short blond man?

"Hello? Is this the Hazbin Hotel?"You asked, restraining and chaining the accent you had, not wanting to be perceived as "ghetto" for the first time.

"Why yes~ Welcome my dear, and what brings you to this place?" The half-pint of a man reached for your arm, kissing it three times before hooking your arm. Your face involuntarily scrunched a bit before coming back to that neutral smile you has once before.

"I would like to see the hotel manager. Alastor, correct?" You asked as the man who tried to pull you forward, even though his head barely surpassed your chest. And surprisingly, for his height i mean, he pulled you along easily.

The lobby was a plethora of shades in red accented with bits of gold, black, and white.

"ugh His office is near the top of the hotel or something Can't miss it. The place sorta looks like a swamp."

"Of course" you mumbled. Thinking about the greenery and fireflies Alastor would take you to see.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothin'!" You smiled, already make your way to the prolonged destination.

Thank god there was an elevator, or you would've screamed. If this place was lavish and beautifully decorated, yet no easy place of transportation for inclusivity, or simply to better convenience of the people living here...

Thought pisses you off.

Hearing the elevator dig, you adjusted yourself again before walking out and looking towards the hallways. Ah, you could see what he meant. While every other door looked like a basic hotel door, the one at the end of the hallway was covered in green glowing floorboards.

It made you tear up, knowing he still had some kind of connection to his home. The fireflies danced around the entrance, enticing you to walk quicker in those heels of yours.

Reaching the door made your body paralyze and vision blur for a second or two. You took a deep breath, and knocked 2 times with a pause, knocking 3 times slower.

It was something you and Alastor did to ensure that the police wasn't at the door, back when you weren't interested in killing.

You hear shuffling, then came a fall and a thump. You hear a woman exclaim in worry. With rushed footsteps came an open door, revealing the one you lost so long ago.

He looked much different, much more red ('to hide the blood' you giggled to yourself'). His skin was more gray than that toned brown, you look up to his head to see...

'is this mf wearing a bob?'

"Alastor! Are you alright?" A doll-like woman came out, in a red suit but the brightest aura.

"Love...?" He ignored her, his knees trembling slightly with his eyes watering.

Next thing you knew you were tackled to the wall, embraced with such longing, infatuation, and a whole new level of care.

"Hello sweetheart..." You combed through his hair, brushing over some antlers, making Alastor shiver in your hold. You smiled, embracing him back with a somber sigh.

"Soooo- The Dappa Demon gotta milf for his troubles?" A white and fluffy man in pink stroller over.

"Um Angel- I dont think now's the time for that-" The Doll woman tried.

"And who is you?" You asked, genuinely curious. Alastor was still hugging you, silent, which is disturbing for a man with a voice like his.

"Da name's Angel Dust sweetpie!" He smirked, looking you up and down. "Why you cuddlin' up to Raspberry Daddy(™) like that?"

"Well, Angel, this raspberry daddy is my husband!" You explained, watching the lanky spider (which you now noticed looked like a spider), blanch before guffawing.

The woman, who you keep on forgetting about, gasped with, which you really hoped wasn't, all of her chest and possibly lungs.

"ALASTOR HAS A WIFE!!! WOW! ITS SUPER NICE TO MEET YOU!!!" She bounced up and down, her blond hair flew up along with it. Speaking of, the short man has blond hair too... welp, aint non of yo business so- "MY NAME IS CHARLIE!! THIS IS THE HAZBIN HOTEL!! AND- AND-"

"Charlie, suga mallow, pause pause! Its nice to meet you too baby!!" You started, "Can we just talk about this, as well as the hotel, in a better setting?- I think doeball needs a moment"

You looked down at Alastor, seeing his ears pinned downwards as well as feeling a small damp puddle on your shoulder.

"Oh! um- okay!! That's completely fine!! Yea! Go do your husband, and uh, wife things!!" Charlie said, pushing you towards Alastor's office once more, prompting you to hold your husband bridal style. You would hate for him to have fallen.

"So we aren't gonna talk about how Alastor isn't an edgy inhuman prince of darkness, gifted to the immunity of normal mortal affection?" Angel asked, still in shock.

The door promptly shut. You looked around his office, which was more of a radio station with shelves and a desk. Everything was in tones of brown, red, and burgundy.

The only thing that set it apart was the glowing green floor, with pale green tree moss around the corners. You smiled as a group of fireflies flew past you two.

You walk towards the chair, sitting down with Alastor's body in your lap, head in your shoulders, like long ago.

You move your hands to his ear, running your fingers through his fur, as well as using your bottom row of arms to turn on the radio, sitting so silently on the desk.

Luckily, for the both of you, calming slow jazz was playing.

"You ready to talk now?" You whispered quietly. His ear twitched before he sat up.

"Yes dear..." He said, his voice barely carrying through the air.

"Well... I wanna start with- where'd you go-?...that night i mean."

The room went silent. You continued to rub his back, feeling his boney spine despite the layers of clothing he dubbed.

Soon words flowed out of him. Like a radio host.

The story he told was one of improv, one he hadn't expected to share for a long time. About his killings, the dogs, his last sight. How his last wish was to kiss you one the lips once more.

And once he finished you told yours.

How much grief you were in. The sudden bloodlust you took after you figured everything out. The way you played with the town's mind. How every body you took was in sacrifice for him. The hope that your love would one day be connected once more, never severed again by dimensions.

The night was filled with silent sobs of two deceased lovers.

In the brief morning, you two caught up with each other. Alastor still liked a lot of the same things he did in the past, but you have changed a lot.

You have an accent. Sometimes you'll replace the word 'are' with 'is' and other times you say 'ain't', or nickname drop people. And when you get angry the accent gets even stronger, humoring him to your irritated dismay.

You can cook now! Before Alastor died, he would cook for the both of you. You managed to burn an expensive pan he got from his mother, he never let you lay a hand on the stove ever again.

You also were more...modern. Luckily not to the point where you were addicted, but it still pissed off Alastor that you had some form of flat screen. You listened to rap occasionally, as well as musicals.

But yet, he couldn't judge you for these new qualities you have. You still have that lovey fro, your beautiful and plump lips, and the way your eyes flow across the room almost brings his rotting heart back to life.

Right now in the kitchen, you two were making beignets in coconut oil. As you rolled the dough out, Alastor questioned your uniqueness of cooking.

"Darling, must you stuff the pastries with dark chocolate? Wouldn't the powdered sugar be enough?"

"Don't worry Baby! m'Made these several times!" You replied. You grabbed the strainer, tossing the raw dough into the hot oil.

"And why coconut oil specifically?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. You rolled your eyes with a loving smile.

"Cuz! It makes it taste better! Not sure how to 'xplain it, but it just does." You flipped the beignets, ensuring they were golden brown before placing them on the brown paper.

"If you say so, my Dear."

You began to hum softly, to a jazz song you heard on the streets, swaying slowly as you worked. Your husband then held you from behind, swinging with you.

His head was buried in you neck, ears flicking with each tickle of your hair. His arms came underneath yours, holding and pressing your hips.

Plating the food, you set it down in favor of dancing with your love. Dancing to the silent song of adoration, fondness, and care.

Behind the kitchen door, which was slightly propped open, you could hear the excited ramblings of the hotel's owner, making Alastor groan quietly.

"WOW!! They're so cute!!! Omg, they are so sweet together!! EEEEK!!" Charlie exclaimed, struggling to keep her voice down. this made you chuckle sweetly, making the woman utter an apology before leaving.

This is all that you wished for. Your husband, loving and dancing with your soul again. Even if it took a couple of bluenoses to accept it. (cough cough Angel and Husk)

All you could think about were those bands, the trumpets, the parades, Alastor, the food and feel of your homeplace. All of it brang you back, and now you have even more to appreciate.

Dreams do come true, down in N'awleans. Even if it takes years to achieve it.

btw i gave her lore

thx to @sharkdukes on Ao3, i now headcannon that you can offer a soul to a demon, which is what reader was unknowingly doing. Which is half of the reason why Alastor is so powerful at the start in hell-

heavily inspired by @drowninnoodles 's Sugar and Sinnamon on ao3.

as well as @pheavampire for this hilarious art

(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و tags: @kittykittyanon @radicallxser @oleander-nin @towomatos @thealphagirl @ziipzeepzop-eez @spongejuice @amorisbackandbetterthanever @cyb3r-st4r if you would like to be added, check my blog. if you would like to be added, check my blog. SEE? I SAID IT TWICE!!

as for the playlist, if you couldn't read bc of the font, its titled: Wynorrifcly Widowing. (ik i didn't spell it right stfu) Please lemme know if there are any places where i forgot to finish thoughts.

©KAL pls don't steal, repost, trace, or whatever an art theif does. you can inspire yourself! just tag me to let me know<3

[tparker48]

(Got a lengthy one for ya. This one took a lot longer than expected, but wanted to make it extra special for you all. I hope you all enjoy ^w^)

It's been almost a year since James was freed from the bonds of graduating from his community college. After walking upon the stage with his diploma in hand, he thought that would be the end of his educating adventures. But he couldn't be more wrong, finding himself sidelined by his dream job due to lack of experience. A college degree in arts was one thing he had under his belt, and to get more he needed funds to keep him afloat for the upcoming year in the fall. He scoured the web for scholarships, eyeballing the postal pillars for opportunities to award money. But everywhere he turned there was none in sight, stress beginning to boil within himself. That until he took to his phone.

He scrolled to the top of the screen, pausing when he looked at the title. 'The Big Game' it said, printed in bold red letters. "Come one, come all to the greatest game show of your life.." He read its description. "Participate in our games and win the grand prize!"

A grand prize? This may be the chance he was looking for. If he won those games, he'd be set for the rest of the rest of the fall, maybe even the school year. He scrolled down the screen to the images, a prompt showing itself above. Those who dared to receive riches were offered the chance to choose their side. Become a Giant, and get paid by the forefront of participation, or be a tiny, who's task will be more challenging but will bring higher reward.

He pondered at the thought. Being giant showed promise, being bigger than the competition, they'd be mere stepping stones for his victory to a better education. He hovered over the giant Icon, his finger itching to take his ticket to fortune. But he paused when he looked at the Micro icon, a thought lingering in his mind. Was taking the route the best idea? It would be easier, but he couldn't help but think it'd be pitty change compared to them. He wasn't going to settle for less. No, he was going to go all the way.

He pressed at the Micro Icon, a loading sign encircling around it. A bright flash came from his phone, a small window opening with a prompt. "Thank you for participating. Please follow these coordinates."

His Gps turned on, an address typing in the screen as the location marked zoomed to the corner of the map. The structure looked familiar to him, but couldn't tell how exactly. but if that was his destination, he best get cracking at it. He wasn't gonna be a winner just standing here, he had a competition to get to.

He followed the coordinates to an alleyway downtown, following the sewer lines to the end of the street where cars waited at the stoplight. The night was still young, the moon casting its glow upon the black streets as he opened into a clearing. He eased his way to the end of the block, his gps pointing to the right as he turned the corner.

A university rested ahead, pearly gates surrounding its perimeter as they stretched to the far street. He gazed upon a symbol castingover the gateway, A Sabertooth lunging in place. That symbol, he remembered seeing that all too well. He looked to a football field behind trees in the distance, a mathematics wing hiding behind a restaurant building. It was all the confirmation he needed, before he knew where he was. His old university, in the flesh.

His phone pinged, a text message appearing ahead. "Move forward." It simply said, his gps updating as an arrow hovered above.

He followed the arrow to the science wing, turning to the dormitories resting along the side. All those memories, he recalled them as if it were yesterday. The booming music upstairs, the chatting with his roommates moving through the halls, and the obnoxious laughter of his bully, Rich. He shuttered at all the wedgies he endured, let alone his meatheaded antiques. But that was a year ago, if at all, he'd be off making a living as a dumpster diver. Heh, even a burger maker.

He traversed toward the gym, the arrow transforming as a circle resided in the middle. He looked through the clear glass to the lighting around the lobby, not a person in sight as the lights cast to the far hallway. "Where is everyone? This better not be a wild goose chase." He tapped at his phone.

A bright flash erupted from the ceiling, blinding him as others showered into the mix. A silhouette soon formed, a woman dressed in black as she held a pamphlet in hand. "Greeting participant, we have been expecting you."

"I can see that.." He shielded his eyes. "Am I the only one who's here"

"There are more inside, they are gathered in the lockers. Come," she stepped to the side. "We must not delay, the games begin momentarily."

He wiped the tears leaking from his eyes, following her through the entrance. They moved deeper into the gym, moving through the stretching hallway to paneled doors. He peeked through the windows to dark rooms staring back, but the woman tapped at his shoulder, holding one of the doors. "This way.." She said. James followed her as they entered the lockers, chattering slowly resonating. They came into a larger space, players nearly piling over each other for the chance to let their shoulders breathe.

"Geez, it's like a chicken farm in here, there’s so many of them."

"Yes, many from across the city have heard word of the Giant and tiny competition." She slapped a sticky note upon his chest, its force nearly knocking him over. "Your nametag, you'll find it easier to find your group."

"A little warning next time, why don't ya?" He rubbed at his chest, moving further into the crowd. the participants filled the room like a giant pond, many of varying in size as he maneuvered over them. He ushered behind the broad shoulder of one participant, moving the head of the another's to a seat along the wall, grabbing one of the pamphlets resting on a table. He's been in this gym far too many times than he could count, the gym had limits to how many people they had at a time. This crowd far exceeded that, how do they even think they're going to participate when they're all butting heads.

"Move it..out of my way!" A deeper voice pierced the rowdy crowd, heads tumbling further in the distance. Grunts ensued beyond the participants in front of him, players tumbling sideways like trees being cut down. A hand split between two ahead of him, forced from their feet to the others resting upon the floor before a mass stepped out from the toppled players. "Ah that's much better, all these wimps were starting to make me cramped."

James knew that raspy voice from anywhere, gazing upon the nametag, that jiggled along his pectorals. It was there he read it, the cursed name of the bully that brought nothing but chaos, Rich.

"What's a guy gotta do to get a soda around here.." He scratched at his neck, looking to the crowd swimming past his lower torso. He eyed a bottle hanging from one of the participants' backpack, yanking it from they're chain and between his fingers. "Ah, that's the stuff."

"Hey! That's my drink, you bastard!" they shouted, raising their arms to retrieve their beverage, but were held back by a hand. They fanned at the air as he popped the metal lid with a squeeze, sending the fluid into mouth like a waterfall. He took it all in one gulp, belching before tossing the husk of the bottle toward them.

"Ugh, sugar free. Give me a break." He scoffed at the bland taste. He looked up and toward the bleachers off to the wall, he and James locking eyes before he held his pamphlet over his face. A crooked smile ran on his face, stepping toward him. "Is that who I think it is?"

The player behind him blocked his path. "Hold it! You can't just drink my drink and-"

He shoved a meaty palm into his face, thrusting him to the crowd. "Cram it, guppy, I'm busy." He marched over to the bleachers, his smile growing wider as his shadow toppled the bleachers. "Is that termite I’m gawking at?" He said in a playful tone.

God not now. He raised his pamphlet higher, hoping for it to shield him from his senseless antiques. The crowd sitting next to him scooted away, fingers snatching the paper away to Rich's grinning face. "Ah..Rich."

"Ahah! I thought that was you! I know that scrawny body from anywhere!"

"Likewise..” he got to his feet. “If you don't mind, I was just getting ready-" a palm crashed at his shoulder, thrusting him back to the bleachers.

"Aww don't be off in such a hurry, this a reunion of my favorite cushion afterall. Still keeping those lungs strong? I've been aching to let loose a bomb i got cooking up." He reached a finger for him, but he dodged as they collided against the glass window.

He slip between his thighs, stumbling to the space behind him. "Hell no! I'm not enduring any of your gassing."

"Don't be like that, I promise I-"

"Participants please stand in your designated lanes. We shall begin the process for your roles in the events." a voice came on the intercom.

"Thank god." He sighed. "Unfortunately, Rich, we won't be seeing each other, good luck finding a partner." He stormed off, the brutes banters falling on deaf ears as he vanished into the crowd.

He flocked to the participants towards the two slanters, one going through the left as the others went toward the right. He spotted those to the left of him had the same marking name tag, huddling into the line as he followed them through a slim corridor. The marble floor turned to plastic, shades blocking the window. The gym was known to have a lot of corridors, but never one like this, he thought. He eyed the other contenders, each of them chatting amongst themselves along the lime.

"Wonder what kind of partner I'll get, I bet it'll be someone quick for the event." One said.

"What good is quick when you have class. Brains is where it's at." One tapped at their forehead.

"You're kidding, what good is thinking if you don't have the speed to perform."

"The same way your mouth does at a blubbering speed."

James eyed the two as they bickered further up the line, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. They're talking nonsense when it comes to which is better, but there was one thing that did get his head spinning, who to partner with. He never thought a competition of being on top would come with baggage. If he was going to succeed, he had to receive one like-minded as him. If not more coordinated.

They entered into an open area, the group spreading out to tiled lines. He floated around the player's to a checkered tally mark, looking around for anything going on. Was this where the games were going to be? It's too crowded to do any activities. A speaker screeched through the room, a female voice presenting themselves.

"All players, please hold still while the process is proceeding."

Odd, they hardly started with the events yet, he thought to himself. Maybe they were playing, Simon says. Yeah..yeah that has to be it. Keep to the tiled lines and he’d be good for the next round.

A static hum pierced the room, the ceiling shifting as rods lowered toward them. A spark ran through the tiled floor, his feet locking in place. "This is one weird game of Simon says!" He struggled to free himself.

"What the hell is this?!" A shout came from a player, Jmaes looking towards the front row. They bucked at their legs, his socks dragging to their ankles, but still remained stuck.. The knob above illuminated an orange glow, a bolt striking them as they vanished into a pile of clothes..

James' eyes widened, the other players sharing the same gaze. "What the hell?"

A barrage of bolts erupted from the ceiling, clothes flying in waves as player's vanished from sight. He looked to the players tugging at their shoes, himself doing the same as the bolts grew closer. Scowls and yells filled his ears, orange flashes drawing closer with each blink he'd take. He looked to the ceiling, the knob above glowing brighter before a bright flash engulfed him. Electricity erupted through his body, his limbs shriveling as if gravity itself was squeezing upon him.

The room, the very players around him expanded with the ceiling, clumps of his own tank top toppling over him as he struggled to get free. "What the hell is going on?!” he struggled from the net of his own clothes, floundering in efforts to escape from beneath.

Yells continued from behind him, growing more faint as the flashing bolts above drowned them out. As if on cue, the last bolt struck the back of the room, an eerie quietness filling the air. James managed to find an opening in the fabric shoving it away to gaze at the hills of clothes resting around him, the knobs still simmering as smoke flowed over them..

"What the..why's the room so big?" He asked, looking at the clumps of clothes around him. Movement stirred from the pile before him, grunts and moans resonating.

Players rose from their clothes like zombies coming back to life, their body not even the size of a tac compared to their full size. Commotion stirred around them, wondering what had happened, and why it happened. But they fell short, when an alarm rung from the end of the room, a metal door opening.

"Process complete, please proceed to the other room." The announcer spoke, players still confused as they looked amongst each other. With little choice, they moved through the door to the dark hallway, James included as they moved to another room.

There was another line next to them, the other players who traversed through the other door. Their forms were like titans compared to them, casting shadows over their smaller counterparts. Chatting ensued amongst the groups, but were interrupted when staff moved to the two doors off to the wall.

"You will be assigned based on two capsules, you will be assigned based on the syllables you chose for your name." One of them said.

The floors glew as it flashed toward the doors, the staff escorting the lines inside as they capsules took them individually through the walls. Their partners were chosen by their syllables, he ran through his mind. Easy enough, he just had to pick one. When his turn arrived, the capsule opened before him as a screen lit up along the side. He sat down as the capsule closed, gears turning around him as he looked towards the screen.

Two syllables popped up before him. 'RK' rested along the left side of the screen, flashy with a gold lighting. "That better not be who I think it is.." He groaned, tapping the screen for more info. Not a profile picture to be found, only a description of their hobbies. Football? Wrestling? Definitely sounds like Rich to him. That meathead always did like sports that dominated others. He wasn't going to make that mistake.

He moved over to the syllables on the other side, 'SC'. This one was competitive, does whatever it takes to win. He could use that to his advantage. Having a mind like that would give him just the boost he needs to get that prize. Without haste, he clicked at the syllables, the capsule moving as he rocked in place. After moments of shifting, it opened to two rooms resting along the walls. A staff member waiting for them.

"Welcome contender, your assigned partner will be arriving momentarily." They said.

They haven't came yet?, must've taken longer to choose than he did.

He walked over to one of the benches along the door, waiting with the staff as they watched the door. Moments later, two panels arrived from the walls, the smaller capsule opening first as a tiny stepped out. They shared greetings with one another, before waiting at their assigned doors. The second capsule opened, a slender giant walking out as he made his way to the staff.

"Is this the rooms?" He asked, the staff nodding in confirmation.

This must be his partner. Average build, tall, he fits the description perfectly. "Hello there!” he approached the giant,extending a hand toward him. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you!”

The giant looked below, smiling as he bent a knee. “Hello there, little guy, it's a pleasure to meet you too.” He extended a finger, James shaking it by the finger nail. I take it you’re part in these rooms too?”

“Definitely! And it’s even better now that you're here.”I’m James, and I tell you and I are going to be great partners.” "James huh? I can tell you got some motivation in you." he said. "But I don't think we're partners in these games."

"You're not? But your syllables are 'SC' right?"

He tapped at his nametag, tilting it from his sticker. RC was under the name. "No, I’m Ryan Corcher. RC for short."

His heart sunk into his stomach, knocking into the chair. "No way..If your syllables are that, then that means…"

Another capsule came from the wall, bangs lingering inside as the hinges creaked to support its weight. It hissed open, a meaty foot stepping from the steam before the rest came out. It was Rich, his body glistening as if it was bathed in oil. "Finally out of this stupid thing."

“Ah, you must be Skull Crusher.” the staff member said.

“Might as well be after sitting in your soup can," he replied. “Damn thing’s worse than the lobby.”

James widened his eyes at the sight of his bully "Rich?"

"Hmm?..Well, if it isn't Termite." He stomped over. "This is certainly a surprise."

"Now that the contenders are here, you are free to explore your assigned rooms." The staff said, the doors opening behind them. Bowing, they took their leave to doors beside the walls.

James tugged their cloak. "Switch me! I refuse to be paired with the likes of him!"

"There will be no switches, once partners are selected, they will continue to be. All who do not have a partner, will be eliminated." They yanked their cloak from his grasp, disappearing behind the door.

"But..but.." The ground shook beneath him, toes peering into his peripheral. He turned around the brute’s beaming face, hands wiggling from his waist as he plucked him into the air.

“So you’re my partner? Hah, this must be my lucky day.”

“No!..I didn’t mean.. I-”

"Guess you're seeing me again after all, Termite. In fact, you're going to be a lot of me from now on." He shoved the door open, taking the two of them inside. His hand swung through the air, thrashing James like a ragdoll as he made his way to a bed resting against the wall. "Nice digs, could do without all the flowers though." he stepped along the side of the bed, noticing a smaller one next to the wall. “Oh, and it comes with a bed for little squirts.” He loomed closer to it, flattening the mattress underfoot. ”You won’t be needing that. You’re going to be sleeping with me.”

He tossed James to the pillow, his legs stumbling against its soft form before he tumbled to the rest of the bed. "Easy will ya, I'm not exactly.." The space grew dark as the giant's backside hurtled toward him, jumping to the foot of the bed as he bounced onto one of his thighs. "Squishy.."

Rich chuckled as he got himself comfortable, peeling the flattened mattress off his foot. "Okay Termite, here's how things are going to go. Rule number one, what I say goes, no exceptions. Two, your space is my space. Follow those, and I'll make sure you at least keep a pint of your share. Got it?

And here it goes, taking over the place like he always does. He wanted to high tail and just forget about the prize, but then he'd be back to square one. There's no telling wherelese he could go for the money, let alone a stable income. He had to sit this through, at least until the games were done.

The brute’s sausage fingers snapped together. "Oi! You listenin'!"

He took a breath, standing atop of his thick thigh. "Yes, I heard you."

"Good, now that that's out of the way" he rocked his thigh, sending James between his legs. He scooped his scrotum in one hand, lifting them to the air as the moist bag of skin dropped to the bed. Any inches further and it would've flattened. "Being cooped up in that capsule made me all itchy. Make yourself useful and give my balls a good scratch."

"Oh for the love of-" a palm reached behind him, scooping him into the bulk of the brutes testicles. Its skin was as worse than it looked, slime secreting into his as if the very skin itself was melting. He shuddered at the moist sensation, flailing against Rich's grasp.

"No point in being shy, termite, take in all of it."

"Alright alright!" He pushed himself off, sticky strands of the substance peeling from him. He looked to the greasy genitals that flexed in front of him, holding his breath as he massaged over the clammed skin. He winced as his palm glided over its surface, like watered down dough as it secreted more sweat into his palms.

His moans reverberated through his body, his legs spreading wider as his cock drooled over James. "Yeah that's it, both hands now. I don't want no slack."

"Ugh, why does it have to feel so soggy.."

"Hah, if you think that's soggy just what til I blow my-"

"Not the information I want to hear!"

It had only been a night since he stayed with Rich, and it was already proving to be a living nightmare. The amount of sweat the man brewed and phenomenal, no amount of soap he applied would wash away the ever lingering stench soaking his hands. Throughout, Rich’s demands grew worse. Teeth cleaning, foot massages, It was maddening. It was only when midnight arrived that the brute grew drowsy, James slipping away to the outskirts of the kitchen. The pantry worked for a few hours, but was ineffective when it came to the brute's hungering stomach. his heart nearly skipped a beat as gorilla arms raided the cans stacked inside, almost taking him with it if not for the safety provided by the staff.

He thought he’d have time to make an escape to the other side of the room, but barely hit the carpet of the living room before he was wrapped by a fist, his world blinded by frowsty flesh as the world went dark. The rest of the night was a blur, by the time he knew it was morning, the bells of the speaker ringing through the room..

"Mmm..wha?" He groggily rubbed at his eyes, a stinging sensation lingering in them. He reached off to the side for a blanket, his palm meeting warm damp skin as he yanked it back. He squinted an eye to scan his environment, a valley of flesh spreading to a dimmed lighting above. And behind him, puckered flesh as it winked in place. "Ah…right."

The bell grew louder, its blares now riveling a tornado siren. He stumbled along the flesh bed, struggling to flip himself to crawl himself out. "Of all the places to put me, it just had to be here." He pressed his foot into a meat pocket, its flesh plonking as he kicked against it, snores echoing through the chamber. "Hey! Wake up!"

"Mmm.." A groan replied, the muscle around squeezing into him. His face reached his knees, his back aching as he shoved the tender muscle away. Spreading a gap for himself, bubbling lingered beneath him, the star of muscle quivering in place.

a smaug of gas heated his body, pressurized air dragging him forward before it bursted into the opening of the flesh. "Ah gross!" He cursed, squirming from the fowl smell. Another blast erupted, the walls squeezing him to his belly. He crawled against the damp flesh, climbing to the dimming lighting as he fanned at the bushes of hair shielding it. Gas hissed from below, the hairs absorbing its heat as his nostrils flared..

He punched a patch of the bushed hairs, sticking his head out from as he gasped at the open air. The ceiling welcomed his sight, the hills of hairy muscle climbing to the horizon of Rich’s back.. He scoffed at the sight, the bastard’s still sleeping, typical. He wrestled the strands of hair wrapping his neck, shaking himself around. "Hey! Wake up already! Hello?"

The snores became disgruntled, the mass of flesh moving in a wave. "Wha?..Who turned on the alarm?" Rich rubbed the slobber from his lips, the massive backside tilting to the bed sheets.

"No no, wait don't-!" it crashed on top of him, wedging him back between into the mounds embrace.

"Morning already? I thought the events weren't til later." He questioned, bubbling lingering in his stomach. "Nah, all this gas is getting me irritated. Where the hell did I place that termite?" He squeezed in on himself, the sheets beneath him warming as carbon met his nose. Wiggling soon caught him attention, resonating within his crack before it climbed to his balls. A small lump appeared between his testicles, Jame's small head popping out from beneath its weight. "Oh heh, Right, that's where I put you."

"Would it kill you to lay off the fibers?"

"Fibers is what separates the alphas from the betas." He lowered a hand to one of the orbs, squishing James between them. "You know, you don't look so bad from up here. Like a third testicle."

The bell rung from the speaker, a microphone blaring through it. "Attention contenders, we will begin our games shortly. Our first game will be a foot race. Please head to your doors, your equipment shall be awaiting for you.

"Equipment huh? This should be good." He got from the bed, walking through the living space toward the door.

"Hey-grh! I'm not looking to be tenderized here."

"Quit, your complainin', I’m barely squishing you!" He opened the door to a box sitting along the front, bringing it inside.

James wheezed as the giant stood in place, wiggling between the furry taint as he tumbled to the floor behind him. "Finally.."

"Wonder what's in it." He shook the box, a light shuffle answering inside. Opening the box, he became puzzled. A single string would reside inside, tape resting along with it. "What is this art and crafts? This barely counts as equipment."

"Leave it to you to judge things by their size."

"What you say?" He growled.

The speaker rung once more. "By now you've seen what's inside the box. For today’s challenge, you are tasked with racing with your little partners. You are free to place th wherever, once ready, report to the track."

"A foot race? with a piece of string? What idiot would decide to go along with.." Giggling lingered from above, Rick plucking the string from the box. "Rich?"

"Anywhere we want huh? Oh that's an opportunity I just can't pass up."

"Rich? Don't even think about it."

"You heard the announcer, we gotta get you ready." He ringed the string between his fingers, straightening its thread. "Come here."

"Wait a sec! Can't we talk about-ah! Hey!.Grh!..easy!"

-

Along the outskirts of the campus, participants waited for the staff to prepare the event for the day. talking amongst themselves, cheering came from the bleachers behind them, Rich marching toward the crowd. "Alright! Let's get this win streak on the road!"

He approached the crowd, marching his way toward the of the line. Swinging between his legs, his balls tossed around, crashing into his thighs with each stride he'd take. And tied to them, would be James, his feet bound to the bulky sack as his hands wrapped around the head of the cock. "This is so embarrassing.."

"Hey, you should be thankful for getting the honor of being this close to me." Rich fondled at the string. "Most wimps would drool at being a cock ornament for yours truly.

James groaned at the response, swaying from one thigh to the other as Rich looked to the groups around him. As he looked at the surrounding competition, James looked to to tines secured to their bodies. He spotted a few wrapped the giant’s arm, wrapped around their necks like a bracelet. He was somewhat jealous of their position, He’d take being a necklace than being strapped to the source of Rich's jewels.

A whistle blew from one of the staff members. Meanwhile, others herded the other players and gathered them to the starting line.. "Welcome contestants to the foot race. You will be tasked to finish one lap around the track. Those who cross the finish line will move onto the next rounds." The announcer said. " However, if you lose your partner along the way, you will be eliminated, and sent home."

The crowd looked amongst each, chatting as some tugged at the restraints of their tiny partners. James looked to Rich, who eyed the other contestants. He could almost sense the fire burning inside from his wide stare, his smile growing wider by the second. No doubt fantasizing how he can decimate his competitors. At the most, at least he had the muscle to carry the two of them. And the sooner he could get away from his cock the better.

The contenders aligned at the starting line, readying themselves for the race ahead. He watched as the thighs bulged up, Rich's toes pressing into the rubbery track.

"Remember, our goal is to reach that finish line with both of us intact." He spoke to Rich.

"Yeah yeah, Termite I got it. This competition is as good as mine."

"Ours."

"That's what I said."

James rolled his eyes, looking to the corner of the track as a staff member held up a white flag. They raised it to the air, the other giant's responding as most took a track star's stance. Whipping the flag, the players were off.

Richrushed with a burst of strength, knocking into the shoulders of other players as he advanced through the crowd. Gravity yanked against the restraints, forcing James to cling against the clammy as the sack thrashed around. It was like riding an aggressive bull, sending the world into a blender as the ground and sky tossed around. The crowd turned around the end of the track, Rich turning with them as they ran to the opposite side.

Tinies tumbled from the side of giant's next to him, rolling like tumbleweeds to the back of the crowd as their partners slowed down. He looked to the cock above, a greasy substance drenching his back. Sweat secreted from Rich’s skin, eroding the thin fabric holding James up. "Rich, you might want to slow down, the string’s starting to slip!"

"Slow down?! Fat chance, this competition is all mine." He increased his speed, bulldozing his way through two racers in front of him. They grinded shoulders, the tinies secured to the arms smothered by their biceps.

"Get your own lane!" The racer to the left of him yelled, shoving into Rich's body.

"Nah, I like this one better." Rich replied.

James couldn't see their faces from the cockhead cushioning his head, their rocks thrashing more aggressive than the very thighs grinding together. The sweat at his back grew thicker, the tangy taste of salt meeting his lips. his left arm came undone, his feet shaken off from his balls as they swayed. With another thrash, he was dropped from the cock, clinging to the string tied to the head of the cock as he flew behind the brute like a flag carried by a plane.

"Rich! A little hand here!" He shouted, twirling in the wind.

He and the other player continued to bicker, palms clutching at the other in efforts to gain the advantage. Rich managed to land a palm to the racer's face, clipping the string of his partner's restraints. "Looks like you got important things to worry about." He shoved his arm away, the tiny smothered between them cast to the wind.

The racer stopped in a panic, bumping into the racers behind. "You bastard!"

"Sucker!" He responded, trucking through the rest of the crowd. He came neck and neck with the one next to him, crossing the finish as he pranced around the props. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about baby!"

His cock flung forward, James yelping as he splatted against his pecs. "Are you out of your mind?! I could've fell!"

"Oh yeah, forgot you were down there."

"What part of intact did not understand?"

"Oh don't get pissy, you're still tied to me aren't you?"

The speaker rung, the announcer speaking through it. "Congratulations to the winners of the event, those that managed to cross the line, shall move to the next rounds."

James sighed in relief. Thank goodness, he still had a shot in all of this.

"This concludes the first event, please return to your cabins and await for the next rounds." The crowd dispersed into their own separate pathways, taking to the doors entering the east wing of campus. Rich followed them back to his cabin, other players scolding the two of them as he paraded his victory. "That's right, wimps. Hang those tears high and dry."

"Speaking of hang, would you mind putting me down?" James interrupted, clinging to the chest hairs. "Oh..I feel like I'm gonna hurl."

"Ugh, well don't do it on me." He flicked James from his chest, watching the tiny fly through the air before he swung between his legs. "Ah, that's better."

"This is completely worse!"

"More complaining, why don't you swing for a while. Catch some air" he snorted.

The aftermath of the first game dragged on for the two of them, Rich returning to the cabin. A prize waited for them along the table, a dish of ice cream with sweets toppled along the frosted dessert. It was a token for their efforts, but to Rich, it was just his light snack. James watched as he wolfed down the ice cream in the blink of an eye, only receiving tiny droplets of the vanilla that managed to evade his lips. Its sugar dosing over his taste buds was enough to satisfy him, anything to get the sour taste of sweat from his mouth. But it proved short lived, when Rich demanded his tribute from his partner.

The following was more active compared to the first event, the staff ushering the members around the campus like a herd of sheep for the public to catch a glimpse of their wondrous contenders.Throughout most of the week, the staff had them do Q&As with fans, but the games soon commenced once more, as they were gathered a spot on campus.

Find the flag, was Thursday's game. The giants had to stash a tiny flag in a spot where their opponents couldn't find them. The tinies of the group, himself included, were tasked with finding the flag somewhere along the other giant’s body. It was a simpler task than what they prescribed, most of the giants hid them in common spots behind their ear or in their hair. At least that’s what it was for the giant he was assigned to search. He felt sorry for the ones paired with Rich, each of them searching from toe to ear lobe for the flags. But they weren’t finding those, less they want a wrestling match with his asshole. He could still feel the slime on the corners of his fingered, he prayed no one would have to endure that kind of stress. By the time the game was up, 40 contestants were left after the game, he and Rich included as they returned back to the cabin.

Battleship. He winced at the very thought of it as he saw through the campus's swimming pool. Giants were assigned inflatable tubes, tasked with knocking tinies off of their floaties. It was a shark’s game, that much he could tell. Rich was over the moon for it, bulldozing the sides of his own float as the contestants were tossed or flipped over. The brute nearly took him with it if he stayed near the edge. By that time it ended, 20 were left in the pool, soggy and tired as they floated to the stairs. But not Rich, he barely had his fill during the match, and wanted some quality time with his partner. The little guy would never look at cannon balls the same after dodging his attempts to land on him.

The remaining rounds of that week were trivial, guessing games to say the least aside from your basic jeopardy. It was a strong suit that Jqameses held so highly, his education in the arts of science were mere cake walks compared to his fellow contestants. At least to those except Rich. He got an earful of his protests in him taking up the spotlight. Leave it to him to heckle over using your brain rather than muscle.

Before the two of them knew it, the final week was upon them, four contestants including themselves were left to participate. It's been hours since they played the last games, let alone announced anything. What were they planning?

A loud scoff pierced the air, Rich slouching over the couch. "All this sitting around is so lame. Come on, I want to smash some heads!"

"They said to be patient, Rich. They're probably preparing."

"Preparing my boredom more like it. Those pinheads are lucky they weren't stomped on like those losers in the rounds." He tossed his weight along the sides of the arm, his feet lifting off the edge to the counters. "Speaking of, rubs. Now!"

He rolled his eyes at the demand, stumbling toward the massive stompers. He rubbed his hands into the center, its meaty flesh squishing beneath his palms. They flexed eagerly, their weight almost spilling on top of him. "Ooo, that's better. All this running around has got me beat. The big prize better be worth it."

That makes two of us, James thought silently. He continued to massage against the tender feet, adjusting to its weight as he shoved them back to the air. But he stopped when a knock came from the door, drawing their attention.

"Huh, who's that?" Rich moved to his feet off the edge, sweeping James along with it as he stamped him into a foggy footprint on the tiled floor. He answered the door to one of the staff members waiting for them. "About time, I was about to trash this place. What's the next round, wrestling? Tackling?" He rubbed his hands together.

"Not yet, preparations are currently underway. But I bring news of your current arrangement."

"Oh really?" James said from the floor, cracking his back. "And what might that be?"

They pulled a document from their cloak. "For the final game, you two shall face off for the prize. Only one of you can succeed."

There was a moment of silence, James and Rich looking at each other. Not a moment later, a smile creeped along Rich's mouth, cackling out loud at the news. "Wait! Wait!..you want me..t..to compete with him? Like this? Ahah! What is he going to wrestle my pinky or something."

"The details will be discussed when the time comes. For now, you have been assigned for a separate room while we prepare." They ushered a hand toward the hallway.

He snickered before marching behind him. "And here I thought this day couldn't get any better. So long, termite, I enjoyed the pampering while it lasted." he and the staff member vanished into the hallway, leaving James alone at the front door of his room.

He was on his own, just as he was before he joined the event. his heart raced at the thought of it all, facing off Rich in this small form? it was suicide. How do they expect him to even pull it off? He fanned at the air, his body heat rising by the second. he had to head outside, he couldn't think straight in the conditions he was currently in. He ran to the outside crosswalk, Rich's words ringing through his mind. He gasped in the cool air, hyperventilating at the very thought of what It would mean if he'd lost, what it'd mean for his future.

He followed along the crosswalk to a bench resting beneath a tree, sitting on a used cup resting at its leg. He stared at the moon in the night sky, hoping its beauty would wisp him away from this unfortunate predicament. "What am I gonna do now?" he muttered into the air.

"Hey there." a louder voice came from the side, it was Ryan, a water bottle in hand as he sipped at its straw. "What are you doing out here so late?"

He wiped the sweat from his brow, turning to the buildings behind him. "Oh uh..nothing. Just needed some fresh air."

He nodded softly, lowering the straw from his mouth. "I see, so you're in the slumps too."

"Is it that easy to tell?"

"I know that phrase anywhere, it's one I often find using myself." he moved toward the bench. "Mind if I join you?"

he paused at the thought, looking to the cement before looking to the sky. With a light sigh, he nodded softly, Ryan sitting along the bench as the two of them stared into the sky. Silence lingered between the two of them, the giant’s gaze shifting from the sky to the little guy.

"So what's on your mind."

"It's..a long story."

"I'm all ears, we've got plenty of time before we go anywhere. Most of my time is usually with my..: he paused for a moment, tapping at his shoulder. "Partner."

"So you're separated from your partner too. I'm in the same boat." James rolled onto the cup. "MIne left me the second they announced it." he looked to the sky, letting out a deep sigh. "How am I gonna get through the final challenge when I'm barely bigger than his toe? I might as well forget about the funds for my degree."

"Don’t say that" a palm brushed against the side of the cup. "You may not have the muscle compared to giants, But you don't seem to see how strong you are.

He wiggled a finger for James to hop on. Puzzled, he obliged as he moved to the middle of his palm, watching it hover him toward the smooth chest, walking along the crosswalk back to the dorms. "I am?"

Ryan simply smiled. "I think so, just look around you. you managed to get this far without the use of muscle. your wits, your determination, I saw it all when it came to the last few rounds. "

James looked to his palms, reminiscing on the games he participated in. Rich's brute force filled most of his thoughts, but the more he listened to Ryan, he highlighted the moments he shined best. Trivia, find the flag, it was all on him to pull it through. "Yeah but..what if this next round I fail? what will happen then?"

"I don't know, we'll just have to see." he arrived at his dorm room, lowering James to the opposite door. "Afterall, if we're both gonna have a shot at getting into careers, we might as well endure to the end right?" he held a fist to the air, lowering it in front of James.

he was looking for a higher education too, he thought to himself. He looked to his palm, balling his fist as he tapped it against his. "Right."

Ryan nodded, getting back to his feet before he moved to his door. "Good. then whatever lies ahead, just know we'll give it our all." he pumped his arm, heading into his room as the door shut.

James returned to his room, his mind still processing the conversation. Ryan was right, he managed to get this far because of his endurance to persevere. Being Rich's plaything blinded him of that realization. He let him walk all over him in the past, but no more. He was going to win this thing, or go down swinging.

It took hours before the finals were prepared, lights shining from the gym as staff members worked along the pillars. After a night's work, they were finally ready as they fetched the final contenders. James followed the members to the entrance of the stadium, crowds of people lined up for their tickets, cameras flashing from photographers as he moved inside. It reminded him of their old basketball games. The booming music from the speakers, the heckles from people in the background, it was refreshing to the least.

He made his way backstage, peeking from the curtains to the wave of people in the stands.. "There's so many here? "How many people were watching us?"

"Don't be so surprised, these mooks eat up these things for breakfast." the tiny next to him said. "they can watch for all I care, it'll make it all the sweeter when I win the prize."

"I wouldn't get too confident, pal. it's all about endurance."

"Whatever, I’ll dish out whatever those chumps throw out. I didn't come this far just to go home with nothing."

Chattering came from one of the staff member’s earpiece, music beginning to play as they ushered James and the other tiny toward the curtain.. "We've got a special show for you all tonight!” the announcer said. ‘You’ve seen the many hardships of our valiant contenders. Each have given it their all this past week, but now, only four remain. Are you ready to see who shall come out on top?!" Roars came from the crowd, sending a force toward the announcer. “That’s what I like to hear! Then without a further ado, let’s give it for our contenders!”

the curtains drawed, James and the other tiny following the red strip that connected to a boxed dome in the center of the stadium. From the other side, another set of curtains drawed, Ryan walking through them as he waved to the crowd. And the other, Rich, roaring to the surrounding as he basked in their cheers. The way they eat up his praises, it was beyond excruciating with how much they fed his ego. But he wasn't going to let him bask in it for long.They made their way into the ring, the two of them coming to their feet.

"Well well, surprised you haven't chickened out yet.” Rich said. “ I bet those little legs of yours are just shaking to run away."

"Oh they're shaking alright, shaking to leave you in the dust."

"Oh ho, you got some balls thinking you can play with the big boys."

the announcer road toward them, a pamphlet in hand. "Save the banter for the crowd gentlemen, the games are about to start!" he took a lap around the stadium, gathering cheers from the surrounding crowd. making his way to the other side, he rode onto a stage set near the exit doors. "Hold onto your butts folks, we’re venturing into treacherous waters. For our final game, it will be..truth or dare!"

Truth or dare? how is that a competition? the stage dimmed around the four of them, a panel opening from the top of the dome. it's colorful flashes illuminated the area like a disco ball, symbols dancing along its squares as it lowered half way.

"We got a special one for you ,contenders, our fans love watching you face off in the games, that they've come up with a few games of their own." the panels of the box lowered to the four of them, a pocket of letters handed down to them. James looked inside his own, tossing the papers flipping through the paper.. He recognized a few of the writings from his old classmates, this could give him something to use, but most of them were based on truths rather than dares. giggling came from Rich, his face digging into his bag like a kid with a sack of candy.

"What's got you all giddy?" James asked him.

"Oh you'll see."

the announcer took to the console, the light dimming as the spotlight danced around them. "let's kick things off, you are to eliminate the other players. they either have to give up, or not meet the requirements of the chosen tasks. With this, we shall receive a selection from.." the spotlight slowed down landing one of the giant’s. "Ryan!"

He nodded as he dug into his box, pulling a slip from inside. "Okay then. I have a truth for you all. 'Have you ever said something nice without hesitation?"

"Yes"

"Definitely yes."

Rich rolled his eyes at the thought. "Oh please, of course I did."

The lighting turned red, a tally marking on the scoreboard beneath Rich's name. "Ooo, sorry Rich, but it seems that was false." the announcer said.

"What? you're kidding me!"

Not surprised at the slightest, James thought to himself, he wouldn't know a kind word if it bit him in the ass. The lighting swirled once more, flashing overhead. it slowed down its speed, hovering over Rich. He grinned from ear to ear, marching toward his box. He plucked one into his palm, his gaze never leaving James.

"I've got just the dare you, termite. I recognize this handwriting from the boys. I dare you, to be a fart tester!"

damn it, not that one, he and his goons were relentless in the after meals back in the day. He barely had time to before he snapped a fingers, a staff member pushing a tray of balloons into the arena. He looked to Ryan who winced at the sight of them, before moving toward the table.

"A peculiar choice folks. What will the contender do with this, ‘termite’?"

"I’m glad you ask." he grabbed James from the floor, plucking a balloon in the other as he took to one of the chairs.

He wrestled between the meaty fingers, rolled into a ball before he was jammed through the rubbery opening. Rich guided the struggling tiny down the balloon’s neck, watching bounce as he flailed against the rubber walls. He presented his struggles to the crowd, before lowering it beneath him. "I owe my boys a thank you, all that cheese last night was just about to make its exit."

He pulled open his crack, jamming the rubbery end inside as the ring clamped upon it. The crowd grew silent as microphone hovered against his abdomen, bubbles filling the void as his stomach jiggled. the hole busted open, the balloon swelling as they eyed the dark spot beyond its red walls. The camera panned to shadow's dancing along the surfacing, a silhouette of James banging against the wall..

"Ah! it's egregious!" He yelled, coughing on its sulfuric scent.

"Don't let that nose burn out just yet. Dessert was about to say hello." the speaker shook as his stomach roared, widening his stance before pitching at the stem. Its exit sent droplets along the corners of the balloon, its form shaking as the inside became visible. It reverberated through the speakers as the crowd themselves winced at the sound, Ryan included as he looked away. The balloon expanded to its max, exploding as James catapulted to the other side of the dome. Rich arched proudly, tossing the torn balloon to the side. "tsk, can't even handle my own farts. might as well give up while you can."

James pawed at the floor, stumbling onto his knees before standing back up. "I'm not..giving up that easily Rich!" The chime rung through the arena, the tally mark updating as a point aligned beneath his name.

Rich balled his fist. "You're gonna wish you did."

The two were called back to the center of the ring, the light spinning around for the next contenders. This cycle went of for hours, each of them upping the stakes the longer it drawed on. James was managing by a few points, Rich closing behind him as the rounds went on. His arsenal were riddles with dares, all pointed toward him specifically before targeting the others. He looked to the clock as it ticked over the basketball hoop. 20 minutes, 20 minutes to get one of us to cave. It was a number’s game from here on out, he just needed to endure long enough to have the lead. A few minutes passed as another tally mark was added to the board, a shout coming from the other tiny..

"Nah! I can't take anymore of this crap!" The tiny said. "The hell are these fans even sending me? Secret hobbies? Dating life? This isn't a sim!"

"You are to use the fans' truth or dares, nothing more." the announcer said.

"To hell with that, these choices are almost worse than there's"

James placed a hand along his shoulder. “We’re all trying our best with the options we have, but we-” a hand swatted his away, the tiny facing toward him.

“Don’t try and be buddy buddy, you’re already up in the talley. If all else, I should try eliminating you!”

The light flashed as the tallies were updated, skipping over the tiny before landing on the other players circled. This time, it landed on Rich, who grinned at the opportunity. "God I hate it when shrimps bark up the wrong tree. But I’ll be damned if I let a punk like you rob me of the chance to crush him." He plucked a note from his box. “I’m taking a chapter out of the book boys, I’m taking this lint ball to the trenches.."

The trenches?! He won't survive a minute! He wanted to jump in to derail the brute’s path, but he brushed against his heel as he marched toward the tiny, Plucked from the ground, and toward his chest. “No Rich, not that!”

He only smiled. “Oh yes, that.”

He raised his arm as steam escaped from beneath, the bushes of hair ripe with sweat as they glistened like wet grass. With an assured wink, he jammed the tiny inside, slammed his arm back down with a messy squelch. The very sound made James shutter, a sense of remorse drawing for the tiny trapped inside those musky meats Rich called arms.

He grinded his shoulder against his side, muffled yells escaping from beneath as his arm squished on top of him. It was like he was being chewed upon, sweat oozing from the loose gaps like drool as it feasted upon its play. The bell soon rung for the timer, Rich giving the one last clench to feel the struggles before flexing his arm.

The tiny was spat to the floor, green fluid coating them as they gagged at the scent. "Please, you don't know the first thing of worse." Rich stood over them, watching as the little guy stumbled to his feet.

"I'm done." the tiny said. "This game is too crazy for me. You can keep the money, I'm out of here!" he flicked the sweat from their body, taking from the dome. The crowd booed, throwing cups at their small form as they climbed the ramp to the entrance.

"Folks, folks, there's no need to be in outrage, " the announcer rode around the stadium. "We still got plenty of action with three of our contenders. Let's turn those boos into cheers, and let's get on with the show!"

James watched as the tiny disappeared behind the curtain, before salty droplets trickled over him. “One nuisance down, and one more to go.”

The stage lights dimmed down, the lights flickering before to it's next chooser. it paused as it light shined upon the ring, casting its glow upon Ryan. James watched as he took a soft breath, taking to his box. Thanks to Rich's dare, he was at equal points to him. What was he going to choose to topple that brute's? He took his hand out from the box, turning toward Rich.

"I have a dare for you, Rich" he said.

"Oh, and just what might that be?"

"you're so keen on being top dog, let's see how you feel about being the underdog for once. I dare you to follow Jame's command."

James blinked at the thought, looking at Ryan in confusion. He shared a wink towards the little, before looking to Rich who's face twisted in place.

“You’ve gotta be shittin’ me, listen to the beckon call of a termite.”

He clenched his fist. “Not termite! My name is james! And you will follow my command, or say goodbye to your ‘prize’.”

He was caught aback, his fist raising to smash the little guy for his insolence. But he looked to the scoreboard, shaking his fist to his side before taking a knee. "You've got some nerve putting me in this situation."

James rubbed his hands together at the giant's submission. "I beg to differ, I think it's time for a get back for the little guy you forced to quit. Rich, I want you to jam your fingers into your ass."

the giant scoffed at the command, but obliged as he pulled the meaty cheeks apart. "Is that it? I've fingered my own hole before, termite."

"I wasn't finished. you are to shove your finger in your ass, and shove it up your nose."

his eyes widened before squinting. "Oh you've got some-"

"ah-ah, my command."

Rich growled at the response, a fire of rage lighting through his eyes. He removed his fingers from his cheeks, and brought them to his nose. to see his face scrunch at his own scent was a sight to behold, and it only grew better. He shoved his fingers into both nostrils, scoffing at the deed.

"good boy." James mocked the display. "Now give those a little twist."

he grunted in protest, but did as he said. His face scrunched, twisted his fingers deeper into his nostrils. Laughter from the crowd, watching as his legs quaked in place, his body swaying from side to side. interesting, it was like he was sniffing an ether rag, guess he wasn't as used to sniffing his own stink as he thought. The giant became drunk upon his smell, stumbling around the ring in a daze. James crossed his arms as Rich leaned on his back leg, tapping at the foot in the air as he crashed to the ground.

"Aww, I didn't say lie down, not a very good boy after all." he looked at the score as two points added to his name, a minute left along the clock.

"that was an interesting choice, way to handle it" Ryan lowered a fist to James.

He smiled as he tapped his own fist against his. "Wasn't expecting for him to fall over at the smell of himself, but I suppose that's a bonus. and we're tied too, if we play our cards right we can-"

chuckling came from the toppled brute. "So that's how it is, huh? You two are working together." he got up from the ground, his nostrils still flared from his backside. "That's just peachy, then I got just the dare for you Ryan.." the light shined upon him as he made his way toward his box, jamming his fist inside as the machine's arm jolted down. He took out a note, green stains marking it. "I dare you to join me in a good old fashion foot play, against James.”

the round began, the machine moving from between them to the air. James was taken aback by the response, he and Ryan sharing glances at the thought. The floor shook upon Rich's approach, two pairs of feet coming to either side of him.

"Don’t get cold feet now, teddy bear, aren't you going to team up with me in a stompfest?" he smirked toward him.. Ryan's gaze shifted from him to James, before laying his gaze to the floor. He took a step back, the light flashing red as his points depleted and were added to Rich's name. "hah, I knew it! you'd be way too soft to pummel such a defenseless tiny. unfortunately I don't share that sentiment."

his foot peeled from the floor, its skin glistening with sweat and grime as it hovered over James. he shared a glance towards the little guy, bloodlust filling his eyes before the foot came down. James turned the opposite direction, but he didn't get far before he was stamped into the ground. Rich lifted his foot to his heel, the camera panning to his stuck predicament against the pallet of his foot."Still think I'm a good boy now, Termite?"

He groaned as he peeled his face from the skin. "Among..other things."

"Still huh? then how's we go for a little walkie."

He placed his foot back on the ground, adding a little twist before he marched around the dome. stomp after stomp, he left footprints along the floor, Jame's muffled grunts lingering beneath every step. The crowd watched silently as he raised his arms toward them, the camera's lowering to catch a glimpse at the display. But the frames couldn’t pick up the slightest hint of his presence, tucked beneath the toes before they were covered by the floor. After moments of walking, Rich moved back to the chair where the balloons still rested, relaxing upon it as if he were at home.

he tilted his foot sideways to get a glimpse of James, smirking as he leaned on a knee. "How about now?" he wiggled his toes.

"y..ye.."

"Oh come on, you were so talkative a few minutes ago," he clasped his feet together, rolling him around like jam between his toes. "Come on, show the crowd just how much of a 'good boy' I really am." he listened to his feet rubbing together, focusing on the soft whimpers vibrating between them. After a moments of rubbing, he relented as James tumbled to the space between them, dropping to his knees. "Well?" he learned in closer.

James couldn't muster the words, choking upon them in efforts to balance himself, his head spun as the very crowd became blurred. Taking a step forward, he fell to the ground, the bell ringing around the dome. He looked to the scoreboard, the zeros replacing the time.”No, it can’t..end like this.”

Toes stepped into his vision, a heavy chuckle ringing in his mind. “Aww, and you were so strong. I guess once a loser, always a loser.”

The crowd cheered as the game came to its conclusion, the announcer cheering them on as they circled around the room. “What a game ay folks?! Our valiant contenders gave their all to the bitter end. But now, only one remains. And now, it is time to announce the grand prize!” flashing lights came from the stage set, a panel opening from the floor as a metal box stood from it. “Come on down, champion of the game show!”

“It feels so good to be a winner.” He stepped over James, dandriff flaking upon him as he left the dome. James turned weakly as Rich climbed to the stage, crawling along the floor to follow behind.

A palm reached for him, picking him up from the floor and close to their chest. He looked up to see Ryan’s, concern and anger lingering on his face. “You did your best.” he said.

“Yeag, but enough.” James said, wincing at the thought. “ I guess we both aren’t getting that achievement.”

Music played from the speakers, the lights dimming to the stage as Rich approached the box. His grin grew wider the closer he got toward it, his fingers wiggling with anticipation as he grabbed the box. He pulled the lid apart, a golden glow shining from within. “Oh it’s glorious, it’s phenomenal! It’s..It’s!..” the light dimmed down, the inside of the box coming to view. The camera panned upon it, two slips of paper resting inside. “Paper?!”

James and Ryan stared at each other, before looking back to the screen. All this time, all this work, was for two slips of paper? Were they checks? A money orders?

“Not just any slips," the announcer assured. “These slips are endorsements for your efforts. They’re honorary scholarship tags for-”

“What kind of bull crap is that?! These things aren’t worth to get me a good blowjob! Where’s the mula! The cash!” he started to puff, looking at the box holding the said prize. His muscles tightened before he shoved it to the ground. “Can’t believe I wasted my time with this stupid thing! I'm going somewhere that has real cash.” he stormed off the stage toward the exit, the crowd booing at him from the stands. “Oh boo yourselves!”

“What just happened?” James asked.

“I have no idea.” Ryan said.

The announcer approached the fallen box, wiping his forehead with a tissue. “Well folks, that was an interesting turn.” they laughed, their palms still shaking. “But since first place didn’t accept the award, then it goes to second place. Give it up for…James!” the lights flashed upon the two of them, the two still confused about the whole debacle.

“Well, it looks like you won after all, little bud.”Ryan said, carrying him to the stage. He got to the steps, placing him upon the top. “I uh..I should probably get out of here.”

He made his way off the steps, but James clinged to his finger. “Where do you think you're going?”

“I.. well I-”

“I couldn’t have gotten this far without your encouragement. And I owe ya i bunch for that get back during the game. Come on, let’s get this prize together. winner”

Ryan paused for a moment, smiling as he walked along the steps. He guided the two of them upon the stage, the crowd cheering them as they approached the announcer.

“Let’s give it up for our winners!” the announcer said, holding the slips in hand as cameras flashed from the stands.

That following Monday, The event of the game had ceased as everyone returned back to their normal lives. It was good to finally have his size back again, being ground to earth was starting to get tedious in the long run. But he couldn't help but think of the merits that came along with it. He managed to scavenge enough money for an orientation at a university, to think they'd be a fan of the event, thank goodness he added that into his profile. He heard Ryan found a spot for himself somewhere up south, an academy where he could train for being on night patrol. He’ll have to give him a call to see how things are going sometime. With Rich, well, he wasn't so keen on getting biffed on the grand prize, but he's still prospering at his own job, or at least so he’s been barking about on social media . Nonetheless, the journey he went through was a rocky one, but in the end, it was surely worth it.

[xaeyrnofnbe]

been thinking reaaally hard about the tritons on mana. i’m making things up as i go but damnit this is fun (yes they’re naked. i didn’t want to bother covering them up with clothes. and i wanted to show off the markings n stuff. but realistically they would wear clothes.)

BASICALLY the idea i have is that a very long time ago tritons were split up into three main groups, the ones who live in the shallows, the ones who live in the open ocean, and the ones that live in the deepest depths available. (details, of which there are many, under the cut. oh and additional versions of the drawing) (do take a look if you can, i wrote a lot)

the shallows variant, living near islands in shallow kelp forests and in coral reefs (sometimes even inland lakes and rivers), were the smallest. a bit shorter than the average human, in fact. they came in bright green-blue colors with a vibrant and diverse array of brightly colored fins, webbing, and gills. they were also the most humanoid.

those in the open ocean lived just about wherever as long as it wasn’t too deep or too near the oversea, and were bigger than humans. averaging well over ten feet in height, and nearly double that if you include the tail. they came in darker blues accented with green, often mirroring the deep blues of their environment. they are most defined, however, by their slightly uncanny features. they lean a bit more towards fishiness than their little cousins.

and in the deepest, furthest reaches of the ocean, where hardly any sunlight reaches at all, are the biggest, and least humanoid breed of triton. they’ve gone by many names, colossals, poseidons, leviathan tritons, you get the idea. coming in dull blues and purples, but with dazzling displays in the form of bioluminescent markings, along with coral-like horns or antlers growing from their heads, suggesting draconic influence in centuries past. they are enormous, so big in fact, that because i’m not great at eyeballing measurements i’m leaving it up to the concept art i’ve done to show off just how big they are. once upon a time, they lived among the leviathans, oceanic gods of their time, truly colossal in nature. but they were just as advanced and intelligent as their relatives. they were also the earliest tritons, from which the rest are descended.

now, the leviathan tritons are gone. whether something killed them or if they simply vanished, it’s impossible to know for certain. but the two surviving variants put aside their differences and became one, and now modern tritons sit comfortably between the appearances of both their ancestors. and as for what remains of the leviathan variant? well, it’s less obvious, but some bloodlines of modern tritons still carry those magnificent flashing spots and stripes, and on occasion, an infant is born with budding, brightly colored horns that grow with them as they develop and age.

these horns are generally thought of as a sign of powerful magic, or of godly influence. it can skip generations, but is passed down nonetheless.

here are the unshaded version, and the sketch, of the drawing seen above (oh and. i completely forgot to give the Big Tritons hair. as an excuse let’s say this is a bald one, but they’d normally also have hair.)

[survivalist-anon]

Log 4: They're everywhere

The day has been good so far since Jeff had left. I've been caught up on paperwork, organizing the archives and I've helped make some of the wildlife's lunches for the evening. It finally feels like a normal day.

"Daaaaaaaaamn, check it out! That's the fifth one this month.", Ronnie (one of our surveillance experts and wildlife photographers) was checking last night footage.

"You dumbass, that's the same one from last Thursday.", Jonas was watching with him.

"No he ain't, This guys definitely new, see he's got a huge fuzzy pelt on him. The other two have little pelts ", he pointed at the screen.

I come out of the filing room, curious as to what they were talking about. "ugh, what's going on? Anything interesting in the cameras?". I was hoping they were talking about bears or something.

"Hey Lorey, come and see!", he motions for me to come closer to the computer.

As I walk to the computer, watching the footage intently. Ronnie skips a few minutes in as the usual creatures that pop up are obviously of no surprise to us. Than, something in the foreground appears. Three armored individuals. I couldn't believe it.

"you mean to tell me they're in the reserve too? Just walking around?", I rewind the image to get a better look. They're covered in random little charms and ends. The leader had a strange, more anthropomorphic helmet, the other two had similar shaped helmet with markings on them. It was like they're on a hike, walking around.

"Holy sheeze, is THAT what you saw?", Jonas asked nudging my shoulder.

Ronnie turns to Jona and I, "oh it's not just them, check this guy out. Caught him several weeks ago.". Ronnie than shows footage another one, this one had brought with him what looked like to be roadkill, and started chowing down on the carcass, it aesthetically closer to that big black and gold one...but it looked more monstrous, with bigger horns, and messed looking legs. This one was horrific to look at.

Jonas's usual silly antics stopped right there and then when she started to realize the encounter could have gone a lot worse. "Ugh...did...it look like that?", asking in a more candid tone.

"Yeah.... almost.", what shocked me to see was that it was now completely possible to encounter these....Marines...."...do you guys know of these folks?", I had Ronnie the business card Benedict handed to me.

With a squint and an unsurprised sigh, he puts a guard down and continues going through the footage from last night. "Oh yeah I know them, they're just a bunch of Bigfoot enthusiasts that got bored and decided to go for much more bigger fish. Only I heard from my cousin in Chicago that these guys are crazy dangerous. Some of them got claws, got like super strength and shit. Check it out.", he took out his phone to show us socal media footage of a red colored marine, again spikes all over and an even worse attitude.

The footage shows a bunch of teenagers following it through an alleyway, probably to find out where it's going. The marine turned around and charged at one of the teens. The phone dropped and all there was left was the sound of screaming and blood spattering. Kid didn't even scream more than 3 seconds before it got obliterated.

Ronnie then puts the phone away, "the dark web is having a field day. Turns out people get PAID to video tape the dangerous ones. It's like a snuff film or something."

I was mortified, these monsters can't be real....can they? I remember the footage of the three feral looking ones. "Ronnie, are their any examples of...I don't know....not homicidal ones? ".

He thought for a little and then remembered another viral video, "Oh! This one from Philadelphia, he's like a superhero or something. They call him "Big Blue". Check it out.", taking his phone out again, he shows a 60 second click of a robbery in progress, as the culprits bust out and get into the get away truck, some tall blue armored one comes charging in, lifting 3 ton truck! I can see that the robers where shooting him in the face but nothing looked like it wasn't doing anything. As the police come in, do their part, the click cuts to a reporter interviewing the marine.

"Big Blue! You've once again saved the city and stopped a robbery! Witnesses saw that you've shot several times in the face no less, are you ok sir? *Shoves his microphone up the the marine's mouth", the blue marine looked at the reporter and the camera, he seemed rather shy about answering. He than answered the reporter in a very strange form of Latin, it almost sounds like butchered Italian. He than nodded his head, pat the reporter's head and stormed off.

"....Ok, wise words that will forever remain a mystery! I'm Harold Storm! And you're watching Channel 5 Action News!". The video ends.

"That is so cool! Why do we have the crazy ones though?", Jonas rewinded the video again to see Big Blue again.

"that's because we live in Oregon, the crazies come here because the feds here don't really care actually.", I sit down on the chair next to Ronnie, and take notes on the differences between the two types of Marines on the wildlife footage. I honestly couldn't believe that there was such a distinct difference between them. "I think we better contact the annoying Bigfoot people. They probably have more information on these guys than we do, but we have the equipment to check them.".

Ronnie shoots me a look, "are you saying that we should dedicate a little bit of our time to hunting down these big metal dudes?".

I shoot back a grin, "no, I say we study them. We know nothing about them, there seems to be a clear distinction between the good ones and the bad ones and I think we need to pull our sources. These aren't some invasive species or some weird cryptid that only appears once in a blue moon l, only to be found out it was a hoax. It seems these guys are very real and so is the risks of encountering the wrong one.". I rewind back to the footage of the three fur cladded ones. Something about them emanated some interesting thoughts on me, in considering all that has been happening to me as of late, could one of them have been the proverbial knight in shining armor? I'm starting to get curious.

After a few hours, the rest of us clock out from the center and leave the night shift to their evil biddings so to speak. As with every Friday night, the reserve always goes to a local bar down in downtown. It wasn't the fanciest place but it was the only place with the best booze and was the only place that made cocktails.

"so, you know the guy who gave you that card? I mean the town is pretty small so it ain't going to be that hard to find him.", Jonas asked with zeal.

"oh trust me, you can definitely tell who it is.", I push open the door to the bar, ready for a relatively nice night of drinking.

As me in the afternoon staff walk in, the first thing we notice is all the angry stares that the men are giving at one small group and the corner of the bar.... At least I would consider them small if it wasn't for their size. But there they were, the group of four, extremely well built men. Not too dissimilar to the guy I saw back at the hardware store.

All of them seem to just minding their business, again not acknowledging a single soul in the bar. However another thing I noticed was the amount of women swooned at the sight of them. However, wasn't able to smell that strong hormonal odor anymore, probably because the place is well ventilated enough for that.

I look to my left and I see Jonas with her mouth agape, absolutely stunned at seeing the guys. I look to my right and I see Clara and Shelly (our receptionist and hotline receiver, in case of any wild animal attacks) absolutely drooling over them.

As for me, the smell may have not been as pungent as it was at the hardware store, but it definitely was in the air. "Guys, ugh, we need to find a table soon... preferably as far away from those guys".

Ronnie looked at the men, than looked at me, "why are they dangerous?", than he started to notice the rest of the girls in the group.

Jonas was practically in lala-land, "Oh maaaan, those are some fiiiiiine looking guys.".

"ooooh, y'all's right! I think I'm love.", Clara declared.

"Oh no none yah don't, I'ma bag me a man!", Shelly may have not been the youngest of us, but she's been after a husband for 20 years now, and she isn't giving up. She struts confidently to the table.

As for the four sitting in the corner booth, they begin to notice Shelly heading their direction. One of them noticeably smelling his clothes, the look of mortified realization hits him like a ton of bricks. I could see that he was whispering something to one of them group members and he too starts to realize the same thing.

"Howdy boys, have you guys fallen from heaven because I see four of the Lord's loveliest of angels.", Shelly may not have been lucky, but in the past she has been successful at getting a man's attention.

All four of them were stunned, yet not surprised, they weren't prepared for something like this to happen.

"ugh ... pardon me and my brother miss, but may we assist you in anything?", one with a yellow cap with a unrecognizable construction logo speaks first.

Shelly boldly skoots in to sit with one of them. "Oh you can assist with anything.", she begins to caress the man's impossibly huge bicep.

Meanwhile the man just looked down at her with curious confusion. Something about his interaction felt you're really disconnected. It was two people interacting, it was a person and an animal interacting.

"Shelly you absolute legend!", Jonas egging her on.

"Ooh get'em Shelly!", Clara wasn't helping either.

"More like an absolute mad lass, I've never seen her act this bold before.", I was more concerned if she was going to hurt herself. These guys were all big enough to domestically abuse animals bigger than elephants let alone gently shove a woman away.

"Uhm, Shelly! I'm so sorry about my friend here, we had a few drinks before coming here and she's not taking to tequila shots very well. Shelly say sorry and goodbye to very nice man.", as soon as I finished that thought, the smell came back. Now with four times the strength. Everything was fading, I had no control of what I was doing. I began to practically crawl on the table...all I could see was a pink haze.

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

"Brothers, I am afraid our night has ended. We need to take these women to the local hospital.", one with a mustache and a gnarled scar across his forehead had signaled to the other three to mobilize.

As fasting as efficiently one can see, all four prepared to leave. Picking Shelly and Lorence up, paying the tab with a small pouch.

The bar tender motioned for the busboy to quickly get the pouch before any of the patrons see it.

"Hey wait! Where are you guys taking them?", Jonas tried following the four strangers, hardly believing how big they were.

"Please do not worry, we are taking your friends to the hospital, where they will be taken care.", the mustached man turns around assuring Jonas, and inevitably trying to avoid unsolicited kisses from Lorence.

"Ah wait?! Nah ugh, we're coming with you.", Clara followed them to their vehicle, which in this case an industrial transport truck. "Oh dang ya know what I ain't disappearing into the night like those girls from Forensic Files. She than decided to go back into the bar.

Ronnie ran after them as fast they could but they already started their truck. Taking Lorey and Shelly with them.

"FUCK! Get back here!", he takes his phone out to call the police, but just as he was about press the call button. The sound of howling wolves echoed endlessly throughout the night sky. "...what the hell....", he glaces to where the howls sounded the loudest. The noise of braking branches and wrestling bushes was an unmistakable sign that something big was chasing the truck.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the truck, the driver, an imperial fist named Moors, comfortably drives to town to drop both women off at the hospital.

"How are they?", he shouted from the driver seat in high gothic

One of the men is managing Lorey relatively well, just tightly restraining her in his arms. "This one is doing fine! Practically sleeping, Cahrilo how is yours?"

Cahrilo, the youngest by a hundred years and a neophyte in comparison to his veteran brothers, is having a bit more trouble handling the 40 year old retired police officer gone receptionist. "She's strong for her age!", he tries not to hurt her while getting a better hold of her. She showers him in kisses. "Can someone help?"

The other two, Bilhard and Urtus, were sitting in their chairs watching Cahrilo struggle, laughing hard.

Urtus wiped a tear from his eye from laughing so hard, "It seems we have learned our lesson, we must tell the apothecary to make a stronger suppressor. These mortal women are ravenous!"

Just as the trio were laughing, loud banging could be heard from the walls of the transport truck.

The laughter stops, Bilhard stands up to check the outer side cameras of the truck. "What in the name of the throne?". He sees an unidentified marine clinging on to the side of the truck, ripping the haul. As Bilhard was witnessing this from the camera, Urtus and Cahrilo were seeing it as it was happening in front of them.

Bilhard faintly growled in frustration, now was not the right time for a fight. "By throne what's going on?!", suddenly the truck was hit again, this time from the left by something trying to push truck off the road.

As the passengers were trying to keep their footing, the mystery marine had successfully tore through the side.

Revealing to be a Space Wolf, with a more animalistic helmet. He growled furiously at the Imperial Fists.

"By Dorn!? Why are you attacking us Space Wolf?! Have you been touched by chaos?", as Bilhard was shouting at the transgression, Urtus may have realized what they had done.

"WHICH ONE IS IT!?", he shouted to the wolf.

The space wolf was staring at him the hardest. Now he's gotten his answer. "savage..." Urtus leaves the dazed Lorey in a seat next to him, "..if you harm this mortal, our agreement is void!"., his other brother, stunned at what he had just done.

The wolf picks her up gently in his arms, content with her safety. Lorey, still dazed is now currently becoming more delirious, as the pleasant aphrodisiac effects of the hormones have now become akin to breathing in toxic inhalants. He leaves a threatening glance at Urtus, now having having earned his ire. He leaves through the hole he had entered, and runs with the rest of his pack into the night.

Bilhard turns to Urtus, "YOU FOOL! THAT SPACE WOLF COULD HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED BY CHAOS AND YOU JUST LET HIM TAKE A HUMAN GIRL?!"

Urtus was calm, but he should have known something like this would happen. "Brother, he may have had eyes on the girl before we even perceived her existence, we were the ones that have cross a rather difficult line. You know how territorial another Astartes can be of their chosen mate. You of all people should know better.", Urtus sat back down.

Bilhard, tired from what can be perceived as a failed mission. Walks up to the driver. "To the hospital. Now.", goes back to sit back down.

Moors had been keeping an eye on the road, but a ear to the back. "You boys know this is going to have to be reporting to the chaplain right?"

The three of them had a collective groan.

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

Meanwhile, the late night had gone from loud, undefined chatter and drumming of metal to soft croaking of tree frogs, the crunching of leaves under heavy foot prints and the quite whispers of unrecognizable voices. Lorey had now time to take in fresh air for the past hour, but something in her had taken much of her strength as if she had drunk heavily. She looks up at whom every was holding her, but her heavy eyelids could only preview the dark sky, the bright crescent moon, and a dark shape gently cradling her. Everything from that point on, had went dark. Diving into a deep sleep.

End of log 4

@kit-williams

[lostonehero]

In which I write a time travel foc where the Web the Beholder and the Lonely fight over Martin becoming their perfect Avatar because again he deserves all the power

Maybe lonelyeyes parents maybe

Martin gasps as he sits up. His hands were red painted by the blood of the man he loved. His legs were not crushed by the fallen ceiling. He was small. Well, he thinks he is small he can't recall the last time a blanket pooled around him like this nor the childish bedroom he was in. Did it work? Did they save the world? Where's Jon?

Martin pulled himself out of the hollow comfort of his bed and realized yes, he was quite small, and the small calander on his bedside full of cute spiders... wait, spiders? He didn't have a calander like that, but the date was more than enough to convince him that he was five. He slowly opened his door to the scent of breakfast and a familiar voice.

"Martin? You shouldn't be up this early." It was his mother and by her tone and the man who came into view she was happy if only because his father hasn't left yet.

Martin didn't exactly know what to say or do, but he climbed on a chair and tried to put on a smile.

That lasted about three minutes when a fog seemed to appear in his home. The webs seem to be built out of nothing trying to fight the fog. The shreiks from his mother about spiders and his fathers huff about the humidity in the house made him know for a fact he wasn't imagining it.

Martin really didn't want to be here, nor did he want to think he was the only one flung back here. He sighs and sneaks out through the chaos to his room.

......

The park was nice, and it wasn't as if he didn't want to be outside enjoying the not apcoloypse, but he wanted to find Jon and he couldn't exactly do that because he's five. Jon was two years older than him, and if he tried and Jon didn't come back, it probably would end poorly.

Martin sneezes the familiar mist of the Lonely tickled his nose and he tried to rub the feeling away he was too annoyed to really care that he was being followed by them also the Web but he liked spiders so he was fine with that, well as long as Annabelle Cane didn't show up. He stopped his thoughts as he saw a work boot worn from use attached to a man who stood in front of him.

"Hello, little child." That voice he knew too happy for what he represents. It was Peter Lucas didn't look much different than when he last saw him.

Martin raised his brow and stared up from his spot in the grass he sat in his coloring book forgotten as he started to scowl. Obviously, he didn't come back. Which may be fortunate for him, but he really just didn't want to bother with him. "I can scream and alert the entire place if you even try."

Peter blinked, surprised shock on his features. "I... uh, what?" The damn cheery tone was still there now laced with confusion.

Martin looked over to the sound of footsteps, and shoes too expensive to be in the grass were on his other side. He groaned. "Seriously." He huffs, looking over to Elias.

"Peter, what brings you here?" Elias asked, annoyed, was etched on his features since he didn't expect to see him here.

"Elias." Peter rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "I'm busy here."

"A public park seems quite out of style for you." Elias has an amused look on his face as Peter shifted uncomfortably.

"So you two are currently divorced then." Martin huffs and stands up. "Well, have your spat somewhere else. I'm in no mood for this."

"Divorced? Child, we aren't.. we..." Elias stops himself stepping back as a woman with cobwebs in her hair approaches, holding a dark skined child with green eyes.

She drops the child down next to the red-headed child. He was older and bigger than the small boy. "Jonah.... Peter." Her voice soft and a smile hung loosely on her lips.

"Martin!?" The dark skin boy gasps.

"Jon!" Martin pulled the bigger boy into a hug.

Elias huffs. "Why are you here?"

"Why indeed?" The woman chuckles.

Peter looked like he wanted to vanish, but he could feel his patron holding strong. The desire to get the boy to protect them was overwhelming, and he may have felt something new odd like it was tugging him to Elias. He assumed Elias felt it as well by the quicker brow as he stared at him and his eyes glowed.

Elias sighs. "I am merely here looking for someone."

Jon crossed his arms and tried to look angry, but he only pouted. He knew exactly what the Beholder told him and how he wasn't free and, well, now a stronger avatar than Elias if that was possible, but he also knew they wanted Martin to keep safe to keep them partnered to stop the mistakes of the apocalypse, and as a apology gift to Jon himself. He, however, had no clue why Peter or Annabelle were there. Elias was predictable at least following the Eye to its desires. "Martin, let's go."

Martin stops and stares at Jon. "We're children. Where do you expect us to go?"

Jon faltered. "I uh right we are aren't we."

"Still the eye?" Martin hums as he watches his partner nod. "So know why they are here?"

"I know why Elias is here." Jon pauses and shakes his head, rubbing his temples.

"Right." Martin rocks on his heels. "Can I meet your grandma?"

"Oh uh sure she's on the bench over there." Jon points, and Martin follows, leaving the three adults to talk.

Peter notices first as he tries to leave the conversation. Too many people and his patron were tugging at him more than normal, and it wasn't as if he was hungry. The kid was gone, well, both kids were gone. He could see them walk off hand in hand to an older woman on a bench. He knew his patron wanted the child to mold them to become an avatar. He didn't know why, nor did he want to ask, but it was quieter over there, and he couldn't handle this argument any longer.

"Peter." Elias crossed his arms.

Peter hated that expensive suit on him. He could rip it off take what he wanted, and Elias knew that, and he probably wanted him to. "The kids are gone."

Elias blinks and swallows. "I right you are."

The woman frowns. "I'll be back."

Peter swallows. "Wait.... ok, just wait." The two look at him. "It's not just mine, is it? That kid you want him to?"

Elias's eyes widen, realizing what Peter was getting at. "The one kid... Martin Blackwood, your... The Lonely wants him?"

"Our mother has her desires as well." The woman quirks her brow. "I was not informed that this would be a competition. I seem to be disadvantaged as it seems to be two against us."

Peter shrugs looking at Elias.

"The other boy...... Jonathan Sims, he's already the Eyes." Elias frowns. "That doesn't explain, Martin."

Peter begins to walk off and eventually vanishes from sight.

Elias frowns. "Peter, wait, we can discuss this." He knew that meant nothing. Peter was in the lonely and he couldn't see him there. He was frustrated and confused he needed to figure this out. Those kids weren't kids he knew that much, but he didn't know what they were except for... Jon he was an avatar of the eye, but he was so young, and he didn't understand that.

The woman just walked off, knowing she was defeated for the moment.

......

Something shifted, and Elias knew it immediately as if the eye was sastified. No, that wasn't the right term for that he felt.

".... a bet." Elias shuts his mouth as fast as he could, his teeth clicked together.

"Not quite." Peter appeared from the mist. "More a friendly visit than asking to wager."

"... Peter, I wasn't referring to us." Elias leaned back in his chair. "The Eye seems to have taken a wager. I've never been able to truly interact with my patron before it seems almost as if.." He stops himself and rubs his temples. "Not important, I suppose. Why are you here?"

Peter hums leans over Elias's desk close to the other man's face. "It seems my patron wants me to stay more often than be on my ship. Some something kids and so forth. Perhaps it has to our patrons taking a page from us."

Elias rolled his eyes. "Not from us, from something they won't let me see."

"Spoilsport, is the bed still on the table all knowing?" Peter grinned at the slight nod. "I'll try not to bring the mist around."

Elias sighs. Sure, he wasn't exactly against Peter staying with him they've done that plenty of times. Even through two different bodies of his. He supposed he did miss having Peter close, but that was just old emotions talking. He also did not want to give Martin the sastifation of that divorced comment. Maybe he'll allow himself a weakness for Peter. He shudders as he feels praise in his entire being. His patron liked that? He needed a drink.

.....

"I like spiders." Martin holds the small common house spider in his hand, cradling it as gentle as he could with his small hands.

"I do not." Jon rolled his eyes. "But I tolerate them for you."

Martin frowns, letting the small creature down. "I think they want me to pick."

"What?" Jon looks at Martin in surprise.

"I mean, why else would the three of them surround me? It seems the fears remember their fuck up, and it wants me to join one of them." Martin shrugs. "Honestly, I don't know what to pick when it comes to it. I like being normal, but I know that won't last long. I might have to do something rash if I'm stuck reliving my childhood again."

Jon never pried into Martin's childhood, nor did he press when he flinched away from the subject. He never even asked why he hated oolong tea. "Is... I... uh."

"She never hurt me physically, I don't think. I got bigger than her fast, so I don't think she thought it wise to do so. It was verbal abuse the resentment of having ne while my father abandoned us. I did my best to care for her even when she did get sick. A lot of good that did me in the end. I would rather not go through that again." Martin sighs, brushing his red hair out of his face.

"I uh I didn't know." Jon frowns. "What else could you do?"

"Don't know if you haven't noticed we are children and don't exactly have that freedom being adults bring." Martin crossed his arms. "And just because you're two years older than me means nothing in this context."

Jon chuckles softly. "Kiddnapping?"

"You're terrible." Martin smirks long used to his partner's humor.

Jon pauses as his eyes glow. "I believe Peter Lucas is pulling strings with the wealth he has for you."

Martin groans. "Still probably better than the alternative. Wait wait Jon is he with Elias?" His tone wasn't laced with fear or even wariness it was amusement.

"I uh I don't know?" Jon huffs, and his nose bleeds. "Can't say... they don't want me to know."

Martin pulls out a napkin he shoved in his pocket when Jon's grandmother got them ice cream. "Here, and uh, sorry. I just wanted to know if they're still in their divorced era."

Jon laughs and wipes the blood from his nose. "Divorce era? Martin, they can't get married yet."

"Ok, fine, breakup era." Martin grins as Jon laughs harder.

......

The next time Jon sees someone of familairty, it isn't Martin to his annoyance. It's Elias in that perfect too expensive suit and that smirk he always seemed to wear. It didn't feel right to call him Jonah unless he was truly upset with him. Currently, he knew he was just annoyed.

"Jonathan, come here." Jon's grandmother motions for him to come closer. "Why didn't you tell me you've been offered a scholarship?"

Jon scowls the best he could, but again, it comes out as a pout on his lips. "I didn't think I won it." A lie, but he honestly wanted to see what Elias was planning.

"Of course you won it." Elias smiles and holds his hand out. "Oh, I was just discussing with your lovely grandmother what it entailed. You'll be going to a private school all expensive paid, and I'm sure you'll make lots of friends."

Jon bit back a groan. He learned a few things from Elias in this moment. One, the man has little to no experience with actual children. Two, just because he couldn't sweet talk anyone doesn't mean his grandmother is swayed. Three, Elias was a idiot and did not realize how bad he was in primary school. He hums. "It sounds fun."

Jon's grandmother pauses and nods. "I do have stipulations. However, I'm sure we can work something out."

Elias smiles and follows the old women inside to the table, and as much as Jon would like to watch Elias squirm under the gaze of his grandmother. He didn't want to bother he already knew he was going, and he should pack.

.....

Gertrude wasn't exactly happy, nor did she expect to see the scene when she checked into work with Gerald behind him. The young teen barely escaped his mother and clung to her like a lost puppy. She did make a promise, and she is all for keeping them. "Elias children here, really?" Her tone dry and void of real emotion except annoyance.

The dark skinned boy with the impossibly green eyes stared at both of them. He had a frown on his lips but quickly returned to his book in his hands, choosing not to intervene even if he wanted to help save Gerry.

Gertrude knew that book was too advanced for a child his age, but she said nothing but stared at Elias with her arms crossed.

"Oh Gertrude, this is Jonathan, but he perfers Jon. Poor thing doesn't have parents, so I took it upon myself to take him in." Elias smiles that golden tongue working overtime.

Gerry caught the child rolling his eyes, but he chose not to say anything.

"Oh, out of the kindness of your heart?" Gertrude shook her head and marched toward startling Gerry, who quickly followed her deeper into the archives.

"Elias, it's not 200 years ago that not exactly how that stuff works anymore." Peter appears holding a sleeping Martin in his arms. "I mean, at least you didn't say you picked him up at an orphanage."

Jon snickers softly.

Elias rolls his eyes. "I told you to bring the boy to my house."

"And I told you we shouldn't separate the kids." Peter huffs. "This isn't our wager."

Elias stiffened and narrowed his eyes. "Just keep them out of my office." He turns and starts to head to his office before stopping. "Peter, why don't you get the kids proper clothes and food whatever kids these days like."

"Kids these days?" Peter swallowed a laugh. "We're you ever a child Jonah?" He smirks as Jon covers his mouth, hiding a giggle.

Martin stirs slightly but isn't fully awake.

"I don't find amusement in that comment. I was a child once, and I don't like like one like you, Peter." Elias scowls, turning back to face him.

"Oh, how scary." Peter rolls his eyes. "Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I'm an idiot. The world has changed." Something shifted, and he finally let his feeling spill from his lips something that someone like him could ever tell another. "Our patrons they've changed, we both know it, and so does everyone else. Don't you want to know why? Have your plans even changed? Does the..."

Martin opens his eyes with a huff annoyed his nap has been disturbed. "Because they learned." His lips curled to a frown, and a frustration can be seen in his features.

"They what?" Elias raised his brow, stepping closer.

Martin huffs and curls into Peter, hiding his small body in the lesser of evil men.

Jon frowns. "You heard him." He sighs. He should rip the bandage off. "We came from 2019 or 2020, and we weren't children. Your little apocalypse, Elias, didn't exactly bring about good things for the patrons their resources after their purge they realized were limited and finite. You can stop death, but eventually, people will just stop being scared. The end didn't enjoy it either they didn't want an end to everything besides the namesake. The web helped us their was a crack in the universe in hill top road. Turns out that crack was a way back to the past, and we fused to our younger self, so did the patrons. It's not exactly pleasant to have the emotional control and energy of a child again."

Elias stares at Jon in shock.

Peter's eyes widened, and he unconsciously held Martin closer in his arms. "I fucking told you."

Elias swallows and crosses his arms. He can feel the Beholder testing him on his next moves. "Bring the children to my house, Peter, and if you must order a take away."

Peter sighs he knew this was Elias's, well Jonah's way of conceding he was wrong and that he needed to think. "Alright, come along, little Jon. I think we have to get you both new clothes and actual food."

Jon nods and walks up to Peter, holding onto his side. "Don't drop him."

"I'm not allowed to." Peter hums.

This sastified Jon more then he realized.

......

Peter regretted his choice in the mall immediately. To crowded and too many people. There are too many emotions and too much fear to feed on. He felt sluggish, and the weight of Martin in his arms seemed to focus him enough that the bags in his arms didn't slip.

Jon looked up at Peter. "I think this is enough for now. I would like to head to that house, Elias mentioned."

Peter nods, and the mist surrounds them, and they appear in an ornate home. He drops the bags and hefts Martin to his shoulder. "I'm.... I'm going to lie down." It seems like he has forgotten he is carrying the boy, and Martin does nothing to alert him comfy in the embrace.

Jon opens his mouth just to shut it, seeing Martin fully relax. He was tired too, but the couch looked nice, and well, he had a feeling Martin missed being held, and as an adult, he knew not many could hold a man over 6ft. He moved to the couch, picking up a plush cow Martin picked out and promptly fell asleep.

......

Martin woke up to a wet feeling, not exactly an embarrassing feeling because he saw the fog as he opened his eyes. Peter was out cold next to him, holding him like a stuffed animal. Maybe he didn't hate the man he was obvious to what Elias was truly planning, and Jon did kill him. He didn't forgive the man, nor did he want to become an avatar of the Lonely, but maybe he could pretend, he never did have a father figure he could recall and honestly Peter is much better then Elias.

A lone spider landed in Martin's gaze.

"I haven't decided." His voice is small and quiet as to not wake the man next to him. "Just because you guys learned and are willing to learn more about humanity as a whole rather than fear doesn't mean I have to choose now. Besides, I have time, also tell the Beholder the answer is a firm no. They have Jon, and I would rather not be all-knowing." Martin shifts and struggles out of Peter's grasp. Finally, he escapes without waking the man. "I should add if any of the other patrons get involved, we should be informed."

The spider quietly seems to nod and vanish in the fog.

......

Jon peers over his book, spotting Martin, who promptly climbs on the couch next to him. "How was your nap?"

Martin shrugs. "I feel like a wind-up toy, and I know it's because we're kids, but like I miss being able to stay awake the entire day. I also miss tea and the ability to get food for myself." His stomach rumbles at the comment. "And don't you say anything. I know you're full from the fall alone, Peter collapsed from how full he got, and he barely even spoke a word to anyone."

"I wasn't going to say anything of that nature...." Jon puts his book down and looks at Martin. He was adorable, pouting his red hair bounced with slight curls. "We could perhaps see what Elias considers food."

Martin groans. "Fuck he probably just has tinned tuna and crackers."

"Maybe he has sugar if we're lucky." Jon snickers, jumping off the couch, letting Martin follow.

"I don't know. He seems pretty basic. Sugar might be too spicy for him." Martin giggles as Jan starts to laugh.

"He probably doesn't even know what proper food tastes like." Jon smiles.

"To be fair, I have caught Jonah eating plain bread as a treat." Peter appears behind the two startling Martin, and Jon doesn't seem bothered.

Martin huffs. "As funny as that is, don't sneak up on me!"

Peter yawns. "It tends to be my nature." He looks to be in more casual clothes and wearing eye covered socks Elias gave him as a joke. "I'll make you both something."

"That depends. Can you actually cook?" Martin crossed his arms with a pout staring up at the man.

Jon joined in his gaze.

Peter shrugs. "I use seasonings."

Martin shrugs. "Good enough."

"Also, Elias is banned from the kitchen." Peter hums. "Well, as long as I am here, he is."

......

In the kitchen, Martin watched Peter work around the kitchen. He was still the same rough looking man he met as an adult. He was probably lying about how old he was. He knew becoming an avatar meant the patron would hold onto you as long as they could, but he knew Peter was younger by Jonah by a wide margin. However, it doesn't seem to change Peter. He still looks like a rough man in his 30s, and the white hair from the lonely didn't help him look younger, and his cheery voice did not match the scarred weather face from years on the sea. His beard was shorter than he could recall, but that didn't really matter.

Peter paused, letting the meat sizzle on the stove. "So what are you two planning?"

Jon shrugs. "The end of the world won't happen." He frowns. "I haven't actually thought of that."

Martin hums. "Short term, or long term. In the long term, I'm marrying Jon. In the short term, I uh try to figure out how to be a kid again."

"That is a good, long-term goal." Jon hums.

Peter plates both of the kids' food and sits in front of them. "I don't envy your position, nor do I totally understand what you two have done to the fears. However, I know I'll be sticking around. My patron has made their wishes clearly known, and it gives me an excuse to ignore my own family even more."

Martin raised his brow to the food. It smelled good but looked like a mess. He cautiously takes a bite, and his eyes light up. "I suppose I can't get a cup of tea with this."

"At your age? No, I can, however, make some hot chocolate." Oeter turns back and fills the kettle with water and places it on the stove.

"I must admit you do know how to cook." Jon sighs.

Peter chuckles. "You learn a lot on the sea and different parts of the world."

"Apperently." Jon huffed.

.......

Elias stepped into a quiet home, which wasn't abnormal per se. Even if Peter was here, he didn't make much noise unless they were together, but now there were kids here. Well, not kids, but adults trapped as kids, so he expected more noise. The graceful Beholder has blocked his view of the two kids, and he always had a hard time seeing Peter due to the Lonely, so he really had no idea what they truly were up to. So when he made his way into his perfect home, he expected a mess at least, but nothing seemed out of place.

Peter looked up from the couch. "Elias." He was flipping through a book Elias knew was about the sea. To the left, Jon was reading War and Peace, and to the right, Martin was curled up next to Peter with a book of poetry. "You look surprised."

"I simply expected a mess." Elias responds dryly and clicks his tongue. He noticed Jon have a smirk he knew exactly what their patron had been telling him. "Did you at least get them clothes, feed them?"

Peter rolls his eyes. "Yes, I fed the kids, and I got them new clothes. Next time, you take them to the bloody mall. Unlike you I have experience with children." He didn't elaborate why or how. It seemed to be something that Elias didn't even realize.

"Aren't you adults? What's with the toy?" Elias had that obnoxious smirk on his lips.

Jon glared the best her could at the man.

Martin huffs putting his book down. "Unlike you who seems to thrive off of stale crackers and loneliness more than Peter, we actually care about comfort."

Peter bites back a snickers at Elias's offered expression.

Jon giggles.

Elias sighs and pinches his brow. "Just get food tomorrow and make sure they are clean."

"They aren't pets." Peter blinks, realizing something. "You really have no experience with children, do you?"

"I have no use for experience with children Peter." Elias rolls his eyes.

"Let me enlighten you, Mr. Know-it-all. Martin and Jon are too small to clean themselves no matter how adult their minds are. They have the emotional and mental capacity of children, which means shorter attention spans, excess energy, and the need for naps along with the fact using any of our patrons power is even more of a strain on their tiny bodies. Even though Martin hasn't picked it, he will have to, and again, they are physically children they could just as easily kill themselves by accident."

Jon scowls but sighs with a nod. "I could clean myself up mostly on my own, but Martin is smaller than I am, so he would need help. Peter isn't exactly wrong about our physical and emotional limits either."

"I mean, I was 6 when my father left, so I ended up having to care for myself. I mean, I'm not 6 yet, but I'm close enough, so I already know what to do." Martin hums.

"Didn't your mother care for you?" Elias stares blankly at Martin.

"Nope, I was her caretaker for as long as I can recall." Martin blinks and is confused when Peter sits him in his lap. "I mean, it's not a big deal. Really, I only regret dropping out of school to care for her."

Jon curses under his breath. "Martin, are you ok?"

"What? Of course I am. I've got you, and we aren't dead, and we don't have to worry about the end of the world." Martin makes an odd noise of confusion when Peter wraps his arms around him.

"Alright, it's still early enough. Let's get some food for breakfast." Peter vanishes in fog holding Martin.

Jon looks at Elias with a raised brow. "I... hmm.... Isn't Peter part of the Lonely?"

"He is." Elias furrows his brows. "I've never seen him act like that. Although I only know his past before the full becoming of an avatar, then it's out of my reach."

Jon frowns. "I see."

The silence seems to stretch until Elias leaves to his bedroom, and Jon heads to his room.

......

"Why are we here?" Martin blinks in the florescent lights of the supermarket.

"You need something for yourself." Peter hums.

"I don't." Martin sits in the shopping cart watching the items pass him by.

Peter frowns. "How long have you've been on your own?"

"Isn't that what you want?" Martin looks up at the man with a bored expression.

"You're a child Martin, no matter how old mentally you are. How long have you been alone?" Peter had a look Martin couldn't describe in his eyes.

"I'm not alone anymore." Martin shrugs. He has never really seen the problem with it he had a shit life growing up, and he got over it, realized the abuse, and moved on. He never understood why Jon always made it a big thing. Now Peter was making a thing of it, and he didn't really want to stick to the subject.

"That's not the point." Peter sighs. "How about I tell you something Elias doesn't know, and in return, you pick out food you want."

Martin raised his brow. "I'll accept that."

"You know of my family." Peter pauses as Martin nods. "I had siblings none of them were really built for what mother planned for us. I ended up like this a favorite of our patron, but I wasn't always alone on my boat. I never had a wife, but I had a child, not mine, just a little stole away on my boat. I was barely 20. It does seem so distant now looking back. Well, my patron didn't like that small girl.... I've forgotten her name only lasted a few years before they were taken. The thing about being lonely isn't just being alone it's also having things you loved ripped away, leaving you isolated and even more so lashing out in anger refusing to even attempt another step out of line. Didn't stop me for long, probably how I stumbled upon Jonah. I knew my family was a big benefactor to the institute, but I never knew why until him." He sighs. "That's a lot of nonsense in there, but you get the point."

Martin looks away. He knew Peter was awful at explaining himself or anything that related to him. He also knew Peter was lying about the only one kid. He didn't really understand what Peter was trying to tell him, but he'll humor the man and nod. "I want... I want chocolate."

Peter hums and nods. "Ok, a chocolate." He knows that isn't something personal or significant, but it was a start. He can see himself in Martin, but he wouldn't say that out loud.

Martin frowns at the look Peter held. Maybe he could ask for something else, but he can only recall his mom looking at him with disgust, "You're too old for that." "I didn't raise you to be a retard burn that thing." "Be a man you disgrace" "Speak damnit you failure." "I didnt ask for a broken son." He shut his eyes and felt a tear slip. The wave of emotions finally crashed into him, and he started to cry, getting overwhelmed.

Peter dropped the bar of chocolate he picked out out of shock. Did he say something? Did he make a face? He rushed to the side and took Martin out of the cart. "Are you ok?"

Martin only cries harder, clinging to Peter like he was his lifeline.

There were eyes on them, and Peter hated the eyes. He vanished in a fog, quickly traversing the Lonely to a quiet park. Was the offer too much? Did his story make him cry?

Martin hiccups and clung to the man, burying his face into Peter's shoulders, overwhelmed and over stimulated.

After what feels like hours, the cries are quiet whimpers. Peter takes a breath and doesn't force Martin off of him. "Did I do something?"

Martin, unable to talk, shakes his head the best he can in his position. He takes a breath.

"Can you talk?" Peter pauses, feeling the boy shake his head. "Ok, that's fine. We don't have to talk."

The quiet looms over them as the sun dips below the horizon. A large plush crochet spider seems to appear next to them it was gray with black eyes.

Peter narrows his eyes at the toy disgusted that the Web was interfering. However, Martin also saw the plush and grabbed it and held it close to his small frame. "You want that?" He can feel the boy stiffen and shake lightly in his arms. "If you wanted a soft toy, we could have picked up one earlier. You did insist Jon got that cow." He felt Martin shift, and those blue eyes stared at him with an infinite amount of sadness in them. "I'm not telling you you can't have it, but it is from the Web.... however, I think I can let that slide since you seemed charmed."

Martin swallows he mouths a thank you, unable to make the sounds.

"Do you want to head back to get cleaned up?" Peter internally cringes at the sense of confusion at a choice the boy seemed to hold.

Martin holds up the spider in his hands as an answer.

"Yes, I already said that will come with you." Peter sighs. "Alright, you need to get cleaned up and head to bed."

Martin relaxed and clung to Peter as they went back to that house.

.......

Elias crossed his arms, staring at Peter. "I may not be well informed when it comes to children, but you shouldn't be bringing a five year old home after midnight."

Peter blinks. "I didn't realize it was that late." He adjusts Martin in his arms

Elias sighs. "Just take the boy to bed he can get cleaned in the morning."

Martin was awake, glaring at Elias and shaking his head.

Peter shrugs. "Bath first, and then I'll join you in bed, Elias."

Elias relents shoulders sagging. "Fine. Use our room's bath. There's a seat in a tub so he can sit comfortably. I assume you got him proper sleeping clothes."

"Yes, the boy got pajamas." Peter rolls his eyes and heads to their room. Elias follows behind him until they end up in the bathroom tub full of warm soapy water and a half asleep Martin in said tub.

"I may have underestimated how small the child is." Elias stares at Martin, who wasn't big enough for the seat in the bath, and Peter only filled the tub a quarter of the amount.

Peter hums. "So, Mr. Know-it-all has a blind spot, and that's kids."

"Shut up, Peter." Elias is kneeled next to the other man helping with keeping Martin upright since he looks ready to pass out. His sleeves rolled up incredibly high.

"Thanks for the help." Peter sighs. "He tired himself out."

"I wouldn't have to if you brought him home at a reasonable hour." Elias says with no real bite. "What did happen?"

"I don't actually know. Lad just broke down. The Web offered him a plush spider, and it seemed to calm him enough to stop crying."

Elias scowls at the memtion of the Web, but that crochet thing didn't even seem dangerous, and he could even use his powers to describe it as nothing more than string balled together. "Why didn't he grab one when you were out earlier?" He pauses seeing his partner shrug. "I see. Well, then I have my own research to do in the meantime."

Peter nods along. "He seems too skinny for a boy his age, doesn't he?"

Martin looks away, unable to force any noise out of his mouth as a protest to being looked at like this.

Elias studies Martin like he was under a microscope and pauses seemingly listening to something. "A child his age shouldn't be skinny he should still have a roundish body with hints of baby fat. Signs of neglect of a child are low body weight, emotional outbursts, and small stature." He blinks and takes a breath. "Don't."

"I'm not going to say anything." Peter didn't even crack a smile. "I don't wish to scrutinize him anymore." He pushes Elias away and pulls Martin out of the bath and in a warm green towel. "I'll put him to bed."

"I'll bring that.... spider to his room." Elias gets up, leaving the room holding that toy in his hands.

Martin sways on his feet from exhaustion, letting Peter dress him like a doll. He didn't make a sound as he was carried to a large bedroom and tucked into bed, and he definitely didn't see Elias tuck that spider under his arm as he drifted off.

......

(Nonverbal)

Jon blinks, looking around. His voice is quiet, and he pulls himself from his bed. "What?" He's used to random facts and looking at things he wants, and maybe smiting others, but not his Patron talking to him. He didn't think it was possible for them to have thoughts like humans. Maybe they did something more when they stopped the apocalypse. He would have to put a pin in that as he pulled his door open and made his way to the room next to his.

(Nonverbal)

Jon paused as he stared into the cracked open door to Martin's room. "What are you talking about?" He was quiet as he pulled the door open wider to spot Martin with a plush spider in his lap, obviously handmade since robots can't crochet. He was curled in a corner and pulled his blankets around him.

(Nonverbal)

Jon gave a frustrated sigh. "What are you trying to say?"

Martin looks up from his makeshift nest and has a look of fear in his eyes. He opens his mouth as if he is trying to speak, but nothing comes out but a breath.

(NONVERBAL)

Jon covered his ears, knowing the voice was in his head, so it was useless instinct. "I get it!" He shouts back and steps back as Martin shrinks away from him. "N-no, not you... I uh... Martin, can you speak?"

Martin shook his head and clutched the spider close to him. His eyes seemed to plead that he didn't want Jon to be mad at him.

Jon blinks, that was new he never thought Martin could ever do something like this... coming to think about it, he knows barely anything about his partner's past or his mental and physical health. Martin probably knew more about him than he did about him. "I didn't mean to yell." He slowly approaches as Martin trained his gaze on him. "Turns out the Eye can talk now."

Martin tilts his head.

(No more)

Jon stops and stays in place a few feet away from Martin. Ok, he was getting the hang of this. "I uh wow, this is weird." He made a split decision and sat down across from Martin. "I uh didn't know this could happen. I made a promise that I wouldn't look into your past or mind, and I will keep that. So this is new territory, and I don't know how to help."

Martin blinks clearly confused, and he places the spider down in his lap. He then looked frustrated and opened his mouth again, but no sound escaped.

(Scared)

"No." Jon stops, and a red blush creeps around his neck. "N-no Martin isn't scared he's just he's, uh..." He huffs. "This would be so much easier if you didn't give one word answers. You cryptic bastard."

Martin smiles and shakes in a silent laugh.

(Closer)

Jon takes that as an ok to slide himself closer to Martin, and Martin pulls him the rest of the way. "I uh ok. This is ok?"

Martin nods and holds Jon's hand.

(Jonah)

Jon pulls Martin close as Elias rushed in. Both kids stare at the man with wide eyes. He was in a tank top and boxers. His hair was a mess, and by the sound of heavy footsteps behind him, Peter was following. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a breath. "Jonathan, I expect you not to screech in my head at seven in the morning."

Martin shakes again in a silent laugh, noticing he trail of red marks all over Elias.

(Not proper for children)

Elias's eyes widen as he stares at Jon.

"I didn't say anything." Jon's voice was quiet but held a smirk to it.

Elias covers his face. He couldn't yell at his patron. Hell, he had no idea they could even talk besides dropping facts and sights in his head.

Peter finally came into the doorframe, confused as Elias was covering his face, and the red that tipped his ears was a dead giveaway that he was embarrassed. He could count on one hand how many times he has caught the other man in his multiple bodies embarrassed. "Elias, the children are fine. Why did you shove me out of bed and run off?"

"The Beholder speaks." Jon smirks. "The Beholder speaks, and they can't speak to one at a time."

Peter pauses, scratching his chin through his beard. "Oh, that's hilarious."

Elias huffs and turns to walk back to his room.

Jon chuckles softly.

Peter looks back to the two children. "Well, I'm up, and I'm not going back there while he's like this. How about some breakfast?"

Matin nods and gets up, holding his spider with one hand and Jon's hand in the other.

Jon follows behind. "Shouldn't you get dressed?"

"I have an apron." Peter hums in response. His soft, cheery voice did not match the man it belonged to in the slightest. Even as a man born into extreme wealth, his body was littered in scars, probably from his ship. He was chiseled like a god and had more body hair than either man realized.

Martin is more surprised he doesn't have a tattoo of an anchor but one of a lighthouse.

"I don't think that's sanitary." Jon makes a face.

"You'll be fine." Peter hums, grabbing an apron that says women fear me fish want me. "Besides, what do you want?"

Jon hums. "I want something sweet."

Martin shrugs.

"Ok, pancakes then." Peter hums and gets to work. He makes quick work of the batter and hums a sad melody or a sea shanty, Jon knew, but Martin didn't care to ask.

"You're of the Lonely." Jon states as a fact staring up at the larger man.

"I am, but you have questions." Peter hums. "Let's see how much more polite you are compared to Jonah."

Jon nods at the go-ahead. "Do you have to be alone?"

Peter chuckles. "I've never liked crowded spaces. It's not a requirement. You can be lonely and be in a group. Isolation isn't just physical. Unless you're my mother, and she'll have her own opinions as truth. I prefer to be alone, not just because I'm an avatar, but because it's easier to feed myself without overeating. That doesn't make much sense." He sighs. "Unlike your patron, the Beholder, I don't actively have to feast on someone's fear or statement or information. We're more like the Web than what Elias likes to claim. Crowds and cities like this breed a specific kind of isolation fear that well, it's a bit too filling in a sense, and it's constant and never goes away. On the sea I can pick and choose what I will have, I guess."

Jon didn't expect the answer. He hums. "But why the sea you can get the same thing from hiking or caving."

"Don't like the buried kid." Peter narrows his gaze before smiling again. "I like boats and I like the sea so that's why."

"Yes, yes, you're a sailor at heart." Elias interrupts. "I will be off to my archives don't burn the house down."

"I don't like fire." Peter raised his brow.

"I was not talking to you." Elias sighs. "Just keep them entertained, and you can tell me about your newest trip on the Tundra." Elias knew the man liked to talk about things he liked and sadly himself was not part of that.

Peter's grey washed-out eyes seemed to shine. "I'll hold you to that, Jonah."

Elias sighs and turns his attention back to the two kids. "And Peter, take them out today. We need food, and they need things to keep them entertained. I will not have them run around the archives unchecked."

Jon frowns. "I want to head to the archives."

"Whatever message you would like to send can be done at a later date nobody is in dire danger." Elias sighs.

(Wrong)

Jon locked eyes with Elias.

Elias sighs. "Get changed out of your pajamas, and you'll be away from Martin. I will not bring both of you."

Martin pauses and seems to realize something, and he nods frantically.

Peter raised his brow but doesn't ask.

Jon nods and leaves Martin's side rushing upstairs to get dressed.

(Gerrad has cancer and has never seen a doctor)

Elias blinks. "Huh, so young as well. That's a shame."

(Help him)

"That's what Jon will do." Elias hums.

Martin looks to Peter and points, which causes him to stop breakfast from burning.

"Thanks, lad, but I guess it's a you and me day today." Peter smiles. "Do you like boats?"

Martin shrugs.

Elias sighs. "Have a good time. I don't expect this will take all day."

(Bonding)

Elias can hear Jon groan from a top of the stairs.

.......

Martin didn't exactly know how they ended up at a book store, and by the look of it, neither did Peter. He found a boom on spiders he used to own before in the future he didn't really want to think about that, but he wanted it. He also found another book he tried to balance while also carrying his plush spider. He tripped in front of Peter.

Peter caught him before he hit the ground. "What did you find?" He grabbed one of the books and turned it over it was about the sea and sea creatures. "Did you get this for me?"

Martin nods quickly he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. He looks annoyed but resigned.

"Don't force it." Peter ruffles Martin's hair. "Thanks for the book. I didn't think they made books about the stuff I like. Well, I mean, they probably do. I just I don't look, I guess." He watches the boy point to a section that was labeled deep sea science. "Well, I don't think Elias would mind if we bring home some books."

Martin holds up his book on spiders.

"You know what, how about you get a few more different types of that. I wager the Web and the Lonely want to share you." Peter chuckles, then pauses. Can someone be an avatar of two fears? Maybe he should probably ask.

Martin nods excited, running off to a different corner as Peter starts to pick out a large stack of books.

The cheery moment was interrupted by a man with a cheerful tone and the smell of ozone. "Well, if it's a shock to myself, Mr. Lukas, I didn't expect you to have a child, let alone be in public of all places."

Peter frowned, holding his bag of books. "Simon."

The elderly looking man with a nice cane chuckles. "Relax yourself. I'm merely here to talk to that little one of yours. The Vast seems especially interested in this little fellow." Simon chuckles, pulling out a piece of strawberry candy from his pocket.

Martin hid behind his plush spider.

"Oh ho a scary little spider, huh? Such a cute little boy." Simon hums. "Oh, the folly of youth, how's Jonah doing, er it's Elias now, right? I rather liked his previous body, but sickness isn't kind to anyone, even those of the Eye. I have been meaning to ask if it is odd being with him in different bodies?"

Peter sighs. "Simon, this isn't appropriate discussion in front of a child."

"Ah, right, where are my manners. I merely came by to check up on Elias, but I ended up here. Instead, distances are a tricky thing. It's nice to finally meet you Martin, oh you've got eyes on you and not just Jonah." Simon waves and vanishes in the smell of ozone and the feeling of vertigo.

Martin clutches onto Peter. His voice was quiet, but finally, sound came from his lips. "I don't like flying."

Peter chuckles. "Neither do I."

......

Martin blinks, staring at Elias and his, oh too expensive suit covered in stains and probably fresh blood. "Uh...."

Jon was equally a mess with a scowl on his lips. "Gerry went to the hospital and is getting treatment."

"Ok, but..." Martin tilts his head. "What happened?"

Jon covers his face. "It's a long story."

Elias takes a breath. "I'm getting Peter. Do not look for me." He leaves with a huff.

Martin opens his mouth before Jon shakes his head.

"Don't ask."

Martin shuts his mouth.

[captain-mj]

You know what I’m here for. Gimme that sweet sweet Ghost/Soap/Gaz for the lil guy au. Preferably smut but I’ll take anything. Thank you <33333

Love the lil guy au! For context to anyone who wasn't there, Ghost is a selkie and Gaz is a nixie

Also, it's smut :)

Ghost and Gaz told Soap it would be fun. They hadn't let him in on why exactly they were leading him into the woods, but they doubted he'd mind.

The water was slightly murky. "It's brackish." Ghost explained. "Mix of salt and freshwater. Not the nicest looking, but water is a water." It also meant he and Gaz could both get in with no problem. But Soap wasn't privy to that quite yet.

Soap followed them, looking happy to be included. He nodded and blushed brightly when Gaz started to strip, completely unbothered by being naked in front of them. Ghost liked Johnny's reaction, the way he blushed and looked away, the shyness that was so unlike his usual self.

Ghost started to strip too, even taking off the mask. Gaz had seen his face more times than he could possibly count, but Soap had only seen it for Ghost team. He felt him staring but chose to ignore it.

"Don't want to waterboard myself, do I? Are you going to swim in your gear?"

At Ghost's words, Soap finally started to pull of some of his clothing. He, like Ghost, stayed in his underwear and undershirt but Gaz undressed completely and slipped right into the water.

Soap flushed more. "So why did you guys invite me?"

"Felt like it." Gaz smiled at him. If Soap noticed his teeth looking a little sharper, he didn't react.

Ghost got in the water, feeling more at ease. He could see Gaz darting under the gentle waves, spinning and going to the very bottom of the pool.

It was deceptively deep which was the whole point. Gaz could sit at the bottom and still have a few feet above his head before he hit the surface.

Last he checked, he could hold his breath for 30 minutes. Gaz didn't need to breath air at all.

Soap had 2 minutes if he took a deep breath first.

Johnny was a lot slower than them, feeling out where the bottom was since he couldn't see it. He reached the drop off point and went to move back when Gaz snatched him by his feet and dragged him under.

Ghost watched, counting the seconds until it was about two minutes. He could see Soap struggling against Gaz who was trying to show him something. Ghost sincerely doubted Soap could even see under the water.

After the allotted time, he reached down and yanked Soap up and against his chest, laughing as he clung to him. He patted his back to make sure he didn't swallow any of the water.

"What the fuck." Soap's arms went around his neck. "Wha-"

"Sorry. I always forget you guys can't breath." Gaz set his chin on Soap's shoulders. "You should work on it. Two minutes is so little time."

Ghost hummed. "That's average for humans."

"What a shame." Gaz hummed. "I can't show you most of my stuff."

"Most of your stuff?" Soap choked out, digging his nails into Ghost when he started to sink down. "No!"

Ghost laughed. "Not gonna drop you, don't worry. We'll keep your head above water."

Gaz's hands, now webbed and much bigger, slid across Soap's back. "Humans are just so pretty."

"That they are."

Soap seemed to realize in that moment that two very inhuman creatures had him stuck between them in an element he couldn't really fight them in. Ghost felt Soap's legs twitch, kicking at the water underneath him a little more even though he was being held up perfectly fine.

"Guys..."

Ghost kissed him to keep him quiet and Gaz started to bite along his shoulders, leaving large marks that wouldn't leave. Simon thought he was gorgeous. Gaz had taken on a greenish hue and his antennae perked up when he noticed Ghost staring.

"Once we're finished with Soap, I want a turn." Ghost grabbed a hold of Soap's hips, claws digging deep into him.

Gaz blushed and smiled at him before they turned their attention back to Soap who was squirming hard. Ghost tugged Soap's underwear down, the only clothing he had left and Gaz pulled him so he was leaning against his chest.

In this position, the size difference was more noticeable. Gaz was closer to Ghost's normal height and Ghost also a couple of inches taller. Soap really was helpless between them, but they could both see how hard he was getting.

Gaz's hand clamped around Soap's throat, making sure his head did stay above the water as Ghost sank down, kissing and biting at his chest and down his stomach before setting Soap's legs on his shoulder. He ran his tongue along his cock, taking full advantage of the fact that it was longer than normal. Next, he forced his tongue into him, ignoring that Soap was thrashing above. Gaz would stop him if Soap was genuinely distressed.

Soap whimpered to Gaz, not prepared at all when Ghost pressed his tongue into him. The sensation was odd, much harsher than a human's and it made his knees feel weak. "Can't we -ah- do this on land?"

"No. Wanted you helpless. Obviously." Gaz gently ran his hands through Soap's hair. "You like it."

Soap very much did. Couldn't really deny it. "Fuck, you guys are gonna kill me."

Gaz squeezed the hand he had around his throat gently. "No. Of course not. Make wring you dry, but you'll like it."

Soap felt Ghost press a finger into him and started to struggle again, the sensation too much too fast.

He dragged his nails down Gaz's arm but he was moaning. The pleasure making his brain fuzzy.

"Gonna take such good care of you. Promise." Gaz kissed along his jaw before getting to his mouth. His tongue slipped in to Soap's liking the sweet taste of person.

Soap slowly relaxed, moaning helplessly. "You guys want me this bad?"

"Been wanting you a while." Gaz admitted gently and Soap wailed as another finger was forced in. They were so much bigger than a person's and he suddenly felt very small. He whimpered as his body learned to take it, stretching around the intrusion until it fit.

"There you go, Soap. That wasn't too hard was it?" Gaz sounded gentle but Soap could hear the undercurrent of mocking under the tone.

Ghost pulled his tongue out and Soap almost cried, feeling a third finger take its place. "So much. Too much. Don't know if... fuck."

"You can take it. You'll have to get used to it. Planning on passing you between us any chance we get. Sound nice? Ghost fucking you hard while you fuck me? Or I can ride you while you take care of Ghost for me?" Gaz's hand grabbed Soap's cock who struggled not to come right then and there.

"Fuck please."

"If you need to come, you can go ahead and do it."

Soap shook his head and continued trying not to. He wanted it. Wanted all of it so bad and he didn't want it to end so early. The fingers were pressing deeper now, searching, stretching him out and he didn't. couldn't.

Ghost completely ignored that Soap came, continuing on until he deemed Soap stretched enough before pulling out and leaving him empty. He popped his head back above the waves.

Soap looked like a mess. All blushed with his bottom lip between his teeth. Ghost wanted him so bad. He lifted Soap's legs up to his hips.

Gaz moved his hand to Soap's mouth as he pressed in, hearing the muffled screams it was probably a good idea. Soap's eyes rolled back as Ghost pressed all the way in in one smooth motion. Tight heat enveloped his cock and Ghost couldn't help but press in a little deeper. Gaz's free hand went to his stomach, feeling Ghost fuck Soap.

Soap clenched around him and whimpered. Gaz slowly removed his hand.

"Fuck you're so goddamn fucking big and..." Soap covered his face, shuddering. "Ah..."

Ghost bit down a smirk and focused on Soap, gently rubbing his hips as he rocked into him. After a moment he pulled out and turned Soap around so he was facing Gaz before sinking him back down. He hooked Soap's arms so he couldn't grab either of them.

Gaz stroked his cock gently as Ghost told him how good he was doing. He was starting to thrust up into him and Soap's mouth fell open, body going lax.

"There you go, Johnny." Ghost purred as Gaz pushed two of his fingers into Soap's mouth. Soap soaked on them immediately, whining.

Gaz smiled. "You were right, his mouth feels amazing. So slick and warm." Soap struggled a little but this time Ghost hit his prostate and he was back to just taking it all. He came all over Gaz's hand, head falling back.

Gaz disappeared from there view but Soap felt his mouth on his overly sensitive cock and he knew exactly where he was. Ghost hit his prostate over and over and Soap ended up getting hard again, shaking quite a bit from the overstimulation.

Ghost bit the side of his neck hard, making sure it would leave a mark for a long time. "Ours. Understood? No one else could ever do this to you."

Soap nodded immediately. Ghost came in him, groaning as he nuzzled into his neck. He tapped Gaz who came right back up and attacked Soap, kissing him hard as he grabbed his cock and lined up. He gently sank down on Soap, letting out a soft sigh.

Soap groaned, trapped between their chests. "Aren't you going to pull out?"

"No." Ghost stayed exactly where he was, enjoying himself. He watched Gaz kiss Soap and felt him moving under the water, fucking himself on Soap hard.

Soap panted softly, already so close again.

"Come on, you can last a little longer, right?"

"Fucking hell. You two must be demons." Soap managed to get out, sounding hoarse.

Gaz laughed and kissed along his cheek, following the scar over his eye.

Ghost rocked into him and Soap groaned. "Come on, Simon. Mercy, please."

"Alright, alright. Still not pulling out. You're so fucking tight."

Gaz felt himself getting closer, already so close from watching them. Ghost's hair fluffed up like a halo as he held Soap, both of them so pretty.

Both of them were his.

He came with that thought in mind, clenching hard around Soap until he felt him spill into him too.

"No more... Tapping out guys..." Soap muttered. They both laughed, gently running their fingers along his sides and down his legs.

"You're good, Johnny." Ghost promised, biting at where his jaw met his neck. "We got you."

The two of them detangled themselves and gently put Soap on the beach. Before Gaz even had a chance to pull away, Ghost grabbed him, pressing him into the water. Gaz squealed as Ghost thrust into him, grabbing at Ghost's hips.

Ghost knew him well, immediately fucking him as hard as he wanted. Gaz kissed any skin he could reach as he felt the stretch. Thanks to Soap, it wasn't too bad, just enough pain to make it feel nice. Ghost was much rougher than him, not as worried he'd break. Gaz moaned and panted softly, circling his hips how Ghost liked.

"I think Nixies are pretty too."

"Never had a doubt about that." Gaz mumbled. Ghost hit his sweet spot and he was a mess, biting and scratching at any exposed skin like an animal.

"There you go, darling. I'll show Soap how to do this later. How to fuck you how you like."

Gaz nodded excitedly, feeling Ghost's pace start to stutter. He felt him come in him and then reach down, playing with him until he finished a moment after.

Ghost laid him right next to Soap and smiled. "That was fun. We should get dressed and go."

"Fuck off."

"Give us a minute, damn."

[reveseke]

Thinking about... if spider!reader was Hotch's son & got caught

PT. Thinking about... if spider!reader was Hotch's son & got caught. PT end

Gif ID. A gif of Aaron Hotchner in his office illuminated by the table lamp showing a brief smile to the camera before covering the side of his face with his and as he leans into it. Gif ID end.

Credits – 👑 | underneath 👾 - 🎡 - 🕸️ |

Some odd hadcanons + small blurb

Feature .. Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner | Spider! Son! Reader ( he/him)

Summ .. Son! Spider! Reader getting caught by his dad climbing through the window in suit. Reader thought he wasn't even home!

Hinted towards – R has a dog, mentioned once | is stressed or ready to have a breakdown lol

CW – small mention of injuries | mention of breaking down

DNI - Fudanashis/fujodashis, women & fem-aligned, profic/proship, anti - LGBTQ+ folk & exclusionists, anti-antis, Necro- Zoo- Pedophiles + (NO)Maps(and other terms), basic DNI criteria, kink/nude/nsfw/sh/vent/pro-ana/ed/18+ blogs

Gif ID. Three gifs in a row the first of an arcade showing four different games, second gif of clear slime being toyed with in purple lighting, third of something easily breakable a sponge maybe being turned into a powder in blacklight where it glows green. Gif ID end.

Thinking about Son!Spider!reader climbing through his room's window at around three in the morning thinking his dad was either not home or sleeping by now.

Thinking about the fact that Aaron could have heard the reader coming in to his own room. Just hearing the window creak and open as Reader climbs in and the happy click clacks of the dog's nails against the floor bc the door was not completely closed.

Getting caught off guard by the door swinging open as Aaron stands on the doorway looking at his son with wide eyes. The poor boy having jumped up and trying to appear small.

Thinking about the shock and heavy silence between the two, the truth being progressed in silence. How the Reader would take his mask off with his gloves and let the goggles he had on his head to be around his neck, eyes basically trained on his dad as he processed what was going on.

Scared was one way to say how R felt, maybe nervous and on edge of a breakdown as the silence progressed.

" are you alright ? "

Breaking the silence with the first words between the two Aaron sounded genuinely worried. He knew what the web slinger that had been caught in videos and pictures at least thousands of times and the thing head done. Some that could have been lethal and ended with Reader dead.

Being mad at one who kept something so important, yet something so dangerous as a secret was not a way to go.

The silence continued for another few seconds, R taking a gulp of air as everything around him felt like it was about to collapse, stretching his neck in the silence to look at the roof of his room for a second. Adrenaline surging through his nerves, ears ringing and eyes watering his face contorted in confusion before meeting his father's eye. He merely nodded, brows knitted together with a frown on his face. Barely breathing, shallows as if he could just breakdown any minute with tears.

I genuinely think that being stressed out to hide the fact that your playing a real life superhero and hiding it from your dad who is a FBI agent and known to be strict and a little callous maybe? I really think that would put pressure on the reader to say that if he found out he could have a bigger problem than the bad guys around. Or at least think he would be.

Thinking how Aaron would come forward and hug Reader after seeing how he reacted to him coming in. Stressed and basically alone to deal with such a thing not exactly true R has his friend group to talk to lmao. Just engulfing him and letting the boy sob against his chest while petting his head to soothe him. The tension a d stress just spilling over.

Making sure R feels comfortable to talk about it, because he knows the topic might be sensitive and stressful to the reader. And he might not want to address the issue, but Aaron isn't going to let it slide either. He's seen many things during his time working in BAU ofc and knows what kind of things can make a person slide off.

Making sure he's good mentally and physically; making sure he's got no fatal injuries is the first things. If he has Aaron's going to help him, he doesn't he's good lol.

If R isn't ready go address it on the spot, Aaron gives him time and they talk later about it. The first thing he wishes to know is if he's alright as mentioned earlier, how did it all come to be and why.

In the end he'd be reluctant leaving R be on the topic, wanting him to be safe but also not really telling anyone about it for the privacy sake and bc there's no guarantee what the government would do with the information, but atleast he gets to know what's going on in Virginia crime vice lol.

Also thinking about how the man has most likely some times seen his own son hopping buildings but never knew it was actually him lmao .

[ideas-on-paper]

Monster Hunter Tri Diary, Part 1: Intro, Arrival in Moga, First trip to Moga Woods

So, inspired by @dragonflight203's Mass Effect replay posts (hope you don't mind me adapting the idea!), I've decided to do a "gaming diary" for my first playthrough of Monster Hunter Tri.

Thanks to the dedicated endeavor of fans from the MH community, the servers of Tri are finally accessible again, so I'm very excited to check this one out. The 3rd Gen is my favorite overall, and I've been yearning to see Loc Lac with my own eyes for years now.

But first, I'll have to spend some time in singleplayer to farm some equipment and re-familiarize myself with the game. Wouldn't want to do the hub quests ill-prepared! So, for now, we're starting slow.

Disclaimer: Text is paraphrased from my localization and might slightly deviate from the English version.

Intro

This is the first time I've seen the intro of MH Tri in person - and it’s such an amazing one, too! I love the correlation between the sea and land environments depicted here: The Jaggi pack is hunting the Aptonoths at the coast (great way to introduce the new small bird wyverns!), while the Ludroths are picking up the scraps that fell into the water.

That Great Jaggi was about to have the feast of his life on that Aptonoth, only to be bowled out by that Rathalos. xD Dude wanted his lunch back so badly that he was even willing to make a stand against the Rathalos. Probably wouldn't have held out for long, though, with Jaggis being weak to fire. (If Tri had turf wars, that Great Jaggi would've been totally obliterated.)

And when the Lagiacrus shows up, the Jaggis are just like: "Okay, this one’s way out of our league. Let’s get the hell out of here." xD

One thing I love about the Lagiacrus is that he's designed like an antithesis to Rathalos: Rathalos wields fire, which is the Lagi's primary weakness. Meanwhile, Rathalos himself is weak against lightning, which makes him vulnerable to Lagiacrus’s attacks. Both are the kings of their respective element, but when encroaching on Rathalos' territory, the Lagiacrus is like a literal fish out of the water.

I wonder what would happen if there was a turf war between them, though. Would there be a 50:50 chance of either one winning? Would the Lagi try to pull Rahtalos into the water? Would he even get out of there by himself? (I imagine it would look like a bird of prey that crashed in the water, but much bigger. Poor Rathalos might need a hand. xD)

I love how Lagiacrus turns away in an "Eh, I didn't mean to hunt this anyway" manner; like having his snack snatched away from under his nose hurt his pride, but he tries to act unbothered by it. xD

Ah, guys... I always get a little teary-eyed when the MH Tri main theme comes up. The Rathalos flying over the vast plains, the music picking up, and then the view with the hunters standing at the cliff... It really doesn't get better than this. :,)

Arrival in Moga

Ah, it's been ages since I saw that cutscene... It's technically the same as in MH3U, but still it feels so good to be back. I love how you see the villagers just going about their daily lives, the children being excited about the trinkets the Chief's Son brought back from his trip and all that... It evokes such a homey feeling right from the start, and it makes the village community feel that much more like family.

The chief actually mentions the sea people having crests on their skin and looking a little different from normal humans. I remember this from the MH artbook, where it's stated they gave them a different skin tone/markings as well as webbed hands to distinguish them from normal humans. I thought this was just a scrapped concept (since you don't see much of a visual difference in-game), but I had no idea there was in-game dialogue about it. Cool!

"Diversity means prosperity!" That's actually a really wise quote right there. Both the sea people and wyverians are knowledgeable in their own right, but each have different skills. If they unite them, everyone profits. (I think we could learn something from this for our own society.)

I love the Guild Sweetheart from MH Tri/3U. She's legitimately my favorite of all the Guild receptionists in Monster Hunter (at least those I’m familiar with). And she's trying so hard - she's really upset the Guild apparently forgot about them in this backwater village. Hang in there, sweetie!

"The Guild has permission to hunt and do research in the Moga Woods, and in exchange, we help the village with its problems." A fair trade, but I wonder if the Guild might have ulterior motives. Like, what are they doing with the research results? And do they really only permit just as much hunting as the monster population will allow, or is that just a farce? (I always trusted the Guild was true to their word, but after watching a few Monster Hunter lore videos, I'm not so sure. Ah, I was so gullible back then... xD)

The gossipy lady really loves her silly word games. (And so do I. xD)

"The Chief must have really good relationships with the Guild if he got a hunter like you to come to such a small village in the middle of nowhere." Not an unreasonable thought, actually... How did he convince the Guild to send a hunter to Moga if they otherwise completely ignore it? Is he friends with some of the higher-ups?

"For safety reasons, we’ve collected all information about monsters in a so-called "monster list"." Uh-huh... "Safety reasons"... I'm telling you, the Guild is definitely keeping secrets.

Okay, so the item seller really likes hunters. This reminds me, I think there's one single NPC in the entire series who couldn't stand hunters. (I believe it was some guy in Minegarde, though I can't say for sure since I've never been in that city myself.) Is this dude the only one or are there any others who actually dislike hunters?

I love the Outfitter with her "very important" virtual tests. Like yeah, I'm sure that fantasizing about slaying monsters with no first-hand experience will bring you that much closer to finding the "ideal weapon". (I gotta say, I love this kind of humor that Monster Hunter has - it's so dumb, but in a hilarious kind of way. The game knows it's dumb and doesn't take it too seriously, so it almost feels a bit like satire.)

I'm also quite fond of the Fishmongeress. She is warm-hearted and helpful, but also very assertive and knows what she wants. My kind of woman!

I love the dynamic between the two kids; like one is constantly bragging about how smart he is (while actually being really dumb), while the other, shy one is the actual smart one (can confirm this from personal experience xD).

Our local "whizz kid" tells us that the villagers are threshing rice at the windmills in Moga Village. (The ones you can see in the background near the armory and if you walk across the leftmost pier.) That’s probably what the farm is for, though I haven’t seen any paddy fields there.

You know what I find absolutely hilarious? The way the game incorporates gameplay tips. The villagers say stuff like "Okay, so try imagining a "screen", alright?" and "Try imagining a thing called "Wiimote". No kidding, just try it!". They talk about a yellow cursor ("I know: a what?!") like it's the weirdest thing ever, and "saving the game" is treated like some outlandish slang word. Like, the developers were probably aware that to the people in-universe, these explanations would sound entirely nonsensical, and they put in the extra effort to make it funny - I love it.

Also, the UI design in Tri is absolutely gorgeous. I love the "tribal" style the old games had going on. MH World can't hold a candle to this!

I remember there was an old post on the MH Lore Tumblr blog (sadly, it's been defunct for a while now) that in the MH universe, the Felynes are treated like cheap laborers who are always given the shit jobs nobody else wants to do. Considering how they're constantly seen in positions like chamberlain, farm worker etc., I believe there might actually be something to this. It's kind of sad, but these kitties really don't seem to have the best standing in MH society... :(

I love the Felyne-specific language, though. (Like hairstyling being "grooming", "child's play" is "kitten's play" and so on.) It's so endearing.

So, the shy kid tells me there's a cave at the farm, but I shouldn't go inside because the Chief is gonna get really mad if I do. The Head Farmer tells me it contains some kind of ancient weapon. From what I remember from 3U, that "weapon" is a mask for the Shakalaka. (It's funny how every Monster Hunter used to have this "special", sword-in-the-stone kind of weapon.)

Moga Woods (day)

I gotta say, from a gameplay perspective, I think the tutorial for Tri is really well done. It doesn't immediately throw you into a timed quest so you don't feel pressured from the get-go, and it introduces you to all core mechanics bit by bit.

Village Chief: "Can you hear me?" Yes, I can hear you. I'm not sure how you can speak to me since you technically should be back at the village, but I hear you. (Do these villagers have mastered the art of telepathy somehow?)

"My ancestors had a saying: "Wherever you go, there you are."" Wow - I never could've figured this out on my own. Truly, the wisdom of ages.

It's easy to forget, but MH Tri is actually the first Monster Hunter where gathering points are displayed. I remember how distressed I was when playing MH1 and realizing there were no pop-ups to mark gathering spots. (And now that I’m used MH1 and Freedom Unite, I have to get out of my habit of pressing the gathering button at suspicious looking places. xD)

"That's an Aptonoth: a herbivore. Eats... herbs." You don't say, Chief. You don't say.

I remember when I first played Monster Hunter, I felt so bad for killing an Aptonoth. Now, I’ve kinda gotten used to it - still wouldn’t say I feel good about it, though. ^^’

"You're just like me when I was your age! Of course, my stamina bar was way longer." Yeah, sure - just don't forget to toot your own horn.

When finding the Chief's Son: "Sorry we couldn't talk yesterday, though natural disasters are a great conversational topic!" I've said it once, I will say it again: I love Monster Hunter’s humor.

"I'm Juni-- Er, I'm the Chief’s Son." Ohh, do I hear someone having daddy issues?

"Our tent and bocce set were in that destroyed camp." Oh, no - due to the earthquake, the villagers can't play bocce anymore. What a tragedy.

”I’m so hungry, I could eat an Aptonoth.” Well, friend, you’re in luck - I’ve just slaughtered one of these beasties.

Aaand he snatches the meat right up. Okay, dude - have fun grilling. I’ll just go back to the village all on my lonesome, I guess…

And thus, after finding the lost son and completing our first job for McDelivery, we return to the village...

To be continued

[parkerpeter24]

4 months post spell, reader is cleaning her room bcz she is moving to uni. She comes across a box labeled "open me when sad or just looking for happiness" she opens it leading to smack of memories and recalls the boy she meets almost daily in park at eve.

Take it over bro, i trust u with this piece. 😘

hope this turned out nice <3

pairing : mcu!peter x reader

nwh masterlist 🕸️

four months since the multiversal chaos. all it took was a few minutes to make everything go back to normal, as peter thought of it, but nothing was normal since.

he lost.

the one time spider-man didn’t fight, instead trying to heal all the bad guys he’d thought would die without his help, he lost the most important people in his life. he lost may, ned, mj and you.

he lost his own identity, now no one knew him as peter parker. he was just another face in the crowd and sometimes peter thought it all was for the better— everything was better now— but other times, he missed the days he used to go on those little walks with you. he missed them more than anything. you both had bonded over the evenings where you went on and on about your day, making silly jokes to get a little laugh out of the brunette, and he’d do the same.

what he wouldn’t do to have that again with you. now it felt like all peter could do was catch a glimpse of you whenever he was on a patrol, passing by your old apartment or your favourite coffee shop where you two used to sit for hours, completing your homeworks.

you were recently packing your stuff because you were finally going to move to a dorm at your uni. you couldn’t believe you got into the college of your dreams and even though it was a bit far from your friends, ned, harry and mj, it was still worth it.

peter had finished his patrol for the day and was sitting on a rooftop across your apartment with his favourite delmar’s sandwich in his hands. he watched down through your open window— not in a creepy way, he just liked watching the skyline from this roof, as the two of you did when things were normal— as you shuffled through your wardrobe.

you were searching for any more stuff to pack around your room when your eyes fell on a red, velvety corner of what you could only assume to be a jewellery box, except that when you pulled it out it looked way bigger for a jewellery box.

it appeared dusty, as if it hadn’t been touched in several weeks, or even months. four months.

you brushed your fingers over the 3-digit combination lock that was protecting the contents inside it and for some reason the numbers 108 danced before your eyes. it was someone’s birth date but you couldn’t really recall whose.

on the inside of the lid was a sticky note, inscribed on which were the words, “for when you miss me.” your brows furrowed as you plucked the piece of paper and examined it. whom was this note even refering to, you wondered.

the next thing you noticed were the two tickets to a star wars movie. you picked them up after placing the note down over your carpet, the material of the pink coloured receipt sparking a memory in your brain but it was too blurry.

“okay, my eyes are closed.” you smiled, holding out your hands as he sat beside you. the two of you had taken another trip down to the park in the evening. the weather was cloudy and you hadn’t brought an umbrella but he wanted to show you something special so you just sat on the bench and did as he said.

you sighed, not being able to recall who he was.

there was some shuffling as the brunette pulled out something from his pocket, holding it right it front of your eyes, “you can open ‘em now!” you could practically hear the grin in his voice.

“oh my god...” you mumbled, discarding the tickets right beside the note from earlier before going back to shuffling through the contents of the box until your hand wrapped around a weird device covered in webs

“come on, cheer up, (y/n)!” peter nudged your side as the two of you entered the huge opera hall behind the rest of your classmates.

“i don’t see a reason to cheer up, pete. it’s gonna be four hours of opera tonight, and we just missed the coolest carnival for it all!”

that night, peter had told you to stay in for the opera show as you saw your classmates sit beside each other in the, almost empty, theatre. you obviously hadn’t listened as you followed him outside through the exit.

not to your surprise, just a few minutes later you were witnessing a fight between a weird lava monster and peter, who was now dressed in a suit nothing akin to his original one. this one was black. you remembered betty had called for his help, refering to him as ‘night monkey’.

the piece of metal in your hands was a remnant of that fight in prague. those webs belonged to peter.

“peter..” you mumbled the name. it rolled off your tongue so easily, like you were used to saying it.

unbeknownst to you, peter had travelled down the roof of the opposite building as soon as he saw you pull out the box full of memories. his senses went into an overdrive as he heard his name pass your lips through the partly open window and all he wanted to do was reach out.

but he waited and watched you pull out a letter from the box. the envelope was torn from the sides and it looked like it had been read ages ago before being stored but it had just been four months.

“you’re going to forget me.” he mumbled.

“that’s not a possibility.” you chuckled, assuring him as the two of you looked at the stars above. peter had brought you to his favourite spot after a dinner date at your house– going out was not a preference after mysterio revealed his identity– and the topic had somehow rose, “i do think, however that you could forget me, now that you’re famous.”

you heard him chuckle at your comment, turning to look at the brunette and noticed his eyes were already on you. both of you leaned into a soft kiss, your hand caressing peter’s cheek as his lips moulded against yours.

peter was the first to break the kiss, taking a deep breath, “how about i write you a letter just in case you forgot me.”

“how about i do the same.”

you hadn’t even noticed that you were crying till you felt the tears fall onto the back of your hand. peter’s heart ached watching you wipe the tears off your face but he wasn’t sure what to do. he watched you place the letter back into the box and place the lid to enclose the contents, losing all hope that you could ever remember him.

but the next second, you picked up your phone and dialled a number. and peter recieved a call.

you had remembered his phone number.

taglist | masterlist 🕸️

@httphollands @the-girl-in-the-chair @spideyspeaches @prancerrparkerr @usergarfields @theglitterymess @quaksonhehe @lowkey-holland @starlight-starks @piscesparker @incorrectsourwolf @wildxwidow @blankspaceblankday @raajali3 @kelieah @arvinsvintage @parkersdahlia @icarusafety @uwiuwi @tommyfroggie @saturnpeter @ellabellabus07 @comfort-reads @holland-styles @glowunderthemoon

[jnjxi]

I still hate you

Miguel O'Hara × gn!spider!reader 𓏸 🕸️

Warning: small make out session, probably bad English, terrible Spanish,mention of blood and injury but nothing too explicit so go safe.

Summary: You always hated Miguel. Or so you thought before you ended up stuck with him...

I realized I couldn't stand Miguel O'Hara the same day I met him.

I don't know exactly why.

Maybe it's because of that superior tone he uses, or because he always has the same serious expression maybe it's because he's always boring and stiff or because he does nothing but bark orders at everyone.

I don't know exactly why, but from that day on I decided that I would do anything to annoy him. It doesn't take too much to annoy Miguel, but the first few months I couldn't even get close to him.

Then Hobie Brown came along.

Annoying Miguel has been easy since the day Hobie arrived, but while Hob has gotten tired of doing nothing but tease our boss, I've become almost addicted to it. By now I don't think my day ended without having at least a little annoyed Miguel.

This is why I am now locked in an uncomfortable closet squeezed between the wall and O'Hara's body.

I try to move a little to be a little more comfortable, but the only thing I can do is cause a pained grunt from Miguel. His arm circles my waist from behind, holding me steady against his chest.

«Stay still, Mierda, solo faltas tu para empeorar todo.» I have no idea what he said, but it doesn't matter when all I hear is his rapid heartbeat and his breath brushing the side of my face.

«You are crushing me» I whisper to him annoyed.

In another situation, in a world where Miguel isn't a pain in the ass, I wouldn't mind being pressed against his muscular body, But that's not the situation, not when he's bleeding from his leg and the only thing blocking the wound is one of my webs.

«It's your fault we're in this situation, don't complain» I hear anger in his voice, but also something I identify as concern.

I roll my eyes, opening my mouth to speak again but his hand gets over my mouth preventing me from doing so.

I decide to speak anyway, but the result is just a series of muffled sounds

his hand keep growing a little firmer. «Let me breath, O'Hara» I grip his wrist, trying to push his hand away «tranquilizarse . We can't be spotted.» He keep a firm grip on my wrist, but he remove his hand. «The only reason you're safe right now is because I'm not letting you move. »

I sigh, tilting my head back to rest on his shoulder, looking up at his face.

There is a small furrow on his face, between his eyebrows, like he's thinking hard about something -or is it just his typical expression, I don't know-

My gaze falls on his slightly open mouth, open just enough to show a part of his sharp fangs.

I hate Miguel, I hate that he's bigger and taller than me so he always towers over me,I hate that it's so intriguing and annoying at the same time i hate that he looks so good but he acts so ugly i hate knowing i hate him and still feel attracted to all the things that set him apart from anyone else, spider-person or not.

«Deja de mirarme, niña» His breath tickles my face, and his slightly huskier voice rouses me from my thoughts.

My mother has always called them "dangerous thoughts", the same ones that make you feel good before being dragged into oblivion.

Sins.

«What?» I frown.

We are so close, more than we've ever had, too close.

«Stop staring at me» He whispers bringing our faces even closer. I don't think he realized how close we are, that if he just tilted his head a few inches our lips would meet.

I hate him for not noticing, I hate him because he isn't pushing me away.

«Im not staring» My eyes lock with his. They're red, but not the same deep red as when he's angry.

I, unconsciously, lick my lips. He huff staring at me.

He did notice. Bastard.

«I hate you, If it weren't for you, I'd be back in my office by now, taking care of other anomalies. You are a pain in the ass»

He Speaks with contempt? and for a moment his fangs are clearly visible, white and gleaming. Every now and then I wonder if they are the reason for the small red marks on his lips, if he bites them causing small blood spills.Is he some kind of vampire? Or is it like a cat? Maybe a bat, like Batman.

Just the thought makes me smile, in the end they both have capes, don't they?

I hate Miguel O'Hara because which Spider-Man has the cape? Which Spider-Man has claws and fangs? Which Spider-Man relies on artificial intelligence?

«Why are you smiling now? I just insulted you» he looks confused.

So my gaze falls to his lips as he speaks. «Why should I care? You always insult everyone»

«I don't »

«Yes, you do. You are such a bitch with everyone, O'Hara. That's why I always talk back, because you deserve it.»

He grunts, sniffles and looks away, but his arm tightens around my waist even more,

almost possessively.

And here a yellow light illuminates our faces as Layla shows herself.

«Oh- I hope I didn't interrupt you» The hologram with the pink glasses smirks as she alternates her gaze between Miguel and me.

«Finally, where were you? Call Jess and Ben and tell them to deal with the anomaly, it's hanging around the palace.» Miguel starts giving orders to poor Layla who looks at him annoyed.

«Then open a portal to HQ, -name- doesn't have the device anymore and mine doesn't work well. Also tell the infirmary that I need bandages and maybe some stitches.»

«What do we say?» She asks,

Miguel looks at her with hatred, but sighs all the same before answering her «Please?» I giggle watching the scene.

Layla disappears, and a pink and blue portal opens in her place.

I smile trying to get into it, but Miguel's arm keeps me glued to him.

«What are you doing?» I turn to him in confusion, only to belatedly realize that his lips are on mine. His hand squeezes both of my cheeks, holding my face against his. I close my eyes, focusing on the feel of his lips on mine and his fangs occasionally tingling.

Then he pulls away abruptly, keeping my face away from his. I stare at him wide-eyed as I realize what he's done. I feel my swollen lips and hot cheeks.

«Just to be clear, I still hate you»

He moves me slightly to the side to enter the portal.I stay still for a few more seconds before following him and returning to my usual routine.

I hate him because now I don't know if I really hate him.

Mierda, solo faltas tu para empeorar todo:/ Shit, only you are missing to make everything worse./

tranquilizarse:/calm down/

Deja de mirarme, niña:/stop looking at me kid/

Send request please<3