#goodboyaudios devin

[zeke-fanfucs]

YALL KNOW THE DRILL! I’m at school and got some inspiration by my stupid Instagram reels! Plus the fact I speed read all the School AU of Bastard Vs Zombies!

——————

Summary!

Kamor, the new mute kid at a chaotic, underfunded school, quickly finds himself entangled in a whirlwind of mischief and friendships with a quirky group of students

————-

The Gang descriptions:

• Hipswitch: A dark-skinned, cowboy-inspired with striking white splashes across his body, giving him a unique, almost paint-splattered appearance. He sports a prosthetic arm, the result of a past fire in his early foster home, and exudes an old Western charm. Hipswitch is tough yet surprisingly gentle, always ready to lend a hand, especially to Kamor, who has developed a quiet crush on him.

• Albus: The delinquent goofball of the group, Albus’s green eyes are as dynamic as his moods, shifting from bright and mischievous to dark and intense. He’s the type to start a fight just as easily as he’ll flirt, and he has a big heart, even if he struggles with family issues. He’s not afraid to get into trouble and drag Kamor along with him for the ride.

• Mahatma: A calm and intelligent soul, Mahatma’s glasses and cream-colored clothing give him an air of quiet sophistication. He’s the voice of reason in the group, always willing to help and give advice, although he often finds himself caught in the chaos around him. Mahatma is warm, kind-hearted, and perceptive, offering gentle support to Kamor as he navigates his new life.

• Attila: The quiet yet dangerous twin, Attila’s sharp glare and scarred forehead show he’s not someone to mess with. His loose gray palette clothing mirrors his often distant and brooding personality. Though he’s not as openly affectionate as his twin, Mahatma, Attila’s clever mind and sharp wit make him a formidable presence in the group.

• Kamor: The quiet, introspective new kid with sleepy eyes that hint at a lifetime of hidden pain. He’s usually found in thrift store clothing, his hands calloused from years of writing and drawing in his notepad. Kamor carries a small bag with him at all times, keeping his notepad and pen close as he processes the world around him.

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Warning: This fanfic contains elements of humor, light romance, chaos, and some minor violence (mostly lighthearted). There are also themes of bonding, mischief, and character growth. While it’s mostly fun and chaotic, there are moments that might delve into deeper emotional territory or touch on past traumas of the characters. The pacing can be a bit random at times due to the chaotic nature of the events.

• Genre: School AU

• Chaos, Fluff, Emotional Growth, Romance (Slow Burn), and Friendship

Character Focus: Kamor, Hipswitch, Albus, Mahatma, and other OC characters (including Kit, Faith, and others)

• Rating: T (Teen) – light swearing and implied mature themes, but not explicit.

(Trying a new format.)

The Outlaws of Blackridge High

⸻

Kamor adjusted the straps of his backpack and kept his head down, staring at the cracked pavement beneath his feet. The bus stop was nearly empty, just him and a few distant figures who hadn’t bothered to acknowledge his presence. That was fine. If he kept his head down, he’d be fine. That’s what he told himself.

But even as he tried to convince himself of that, his fingers twitched against the fabric of his hoodie, betraying his nerves.

New school. New people. New chances to mess up.

The bus screeched to a stop in front of him, its paint peeling, exhaust coughing out in thick clouds. Kamor hesitated for just a second before stepping up, slipping into the first open seat he could find near the middle. He pressed himself against the window, gaze fixed on the outside world as the bus lurched forward.

He didn’t look up when someone slid into the seat beside him. Didn’t even react. Until—

“Howdy, partner.”

Kamor stiffened. Slowly, he turned his head.

The guy sitting next to him grinned, sharp and easy, like they were already old friends. He was dark-skinned but had splashes of white across his face and arms, like paint strokes on a canvas. His hair was a mess of loose curls, and he was dressed like he’d walked straight out of an old Western—boots and all.

Kamor blinked.

The stranger tipped an imaginary hat. “Name’s Hipswitch. You must be the new kid.”

Kamor stared, unsure how to respond.

Hipswitch’s grin didn’t waver. “Ain’t much for talkin’, huh?”

Kamor shook his head.

“Gotcha. Don’t worry, I can do enough for both of us.” Hipswitch leaned back, crossing his arms. “Welcome to Blackridge High, partner. The school board might’ve given up on us, but that don’t mean we’re a lost cause. You stick with me, and you’ll be just fine.”

Kamor wasn’t sure he believed that. But as the bus rolled toward the school, with Hipswitch chatting beside him like they’d known each other for years, he felt the weight of his nerves lighten. Just a little. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.

⸻

By the time the bus rattled to a stop in front of Blackridge High, Kamor’s nerves had settled into something manageable. That didn’t mean they were gone—just dulled by the constant chatter of the cowboy beside him.

“—so then I told ‘im, ‘Look, partner, if you’re gonna throw a punch, at least make sure it lands.’” Hipswitch laughed, shaking his head as he stood and stretched. “Didn’t end well for me, but hey, I made a point.”

Kamor gave him a look, one eyebrow slightly raised.

Hipswitch grinned. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m real good at gettin’ into trouble. But don’t you worry—I don’t start fights with just anybody. Only the ones that deserve it.”

Kamor wasn’t sure if that was reassuring.

He followed Hipswitch off the bus, gripping the straps of his backpack as he took in the sight of his new school. The building was old, the paint peeling, and the front doors barely hanging onto their hinges. A group of students loitered near the entrance, most of them wearing scuffed-up jackets and torn jeans. One girl was carving something into the wall with a pocketknife.

Hipswitch must’ve noticed his hesitation because he clapped a hand on Kamor’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, partner. Most of ‘em bark more than they bite.”

Kamor wasn’t convinced.

“C’mon, let’s get your schedule.”

Hipswitch led the way inside, weaving through the crowded halls like he’d done it a hundred times—which, Kamor figured, he probably had. The walls were covered in graffiti, and a few lockers were missing doors. A flickering light overhead buzzed like it was on its last breath.

They reached the front office, a cramped space that smelled like burnt coffee and regret. Behind the desk sat a woman in her late forties, her hair pulled into a messy bun, dark bags under her eyes as she typed sluggishly on an old computer.

Hipswitch leaned on the counter with his usual easygoing charm. “Mornin’, Miss Darla. Got a new one here, needs his schedule.”

Miss Darla barely looked up. “Name?”

Hipswitch nudged Kamor.

Kamor hesitated, then reached into his pocket, pulling out a small notebook. He flipped to a page and showed it to her.

Kamor.

Miss Darla squinted, sighed, and started typing. A moment later, the printer coughed out a piece of paper, which she handed over without much enthusiasm.

“Try not to get into trouble,” she muttered before turning back to her screen.

Hipswitch plucked the schedule from Kamor’s hands before he could read it himself. “Let’s see what we got here.” He scanned the paper, then grinned. “Well, well, look at that. We got a few classes together. Looks like you’ll be stuck with me for homeroom, history, and—oh, hey! Lunch. That’s the most important one.”

Kamor took his schedule back, scanning the list himself.

“Alright, partner, let’s get you to class,” Hipswitch said, throwing an arm around Kamor’s shoulder like they’d known each other for years. “You ever get lost, just look for the best-dressed cowboy in this hellhole.”

Kamor huffed out something close to a laugh.

⸻

Kamor sighed as he stumbled into his next class, gripping his schedule like it was a lifeline. This was the first class he didn’t have with Hipswitch. Which terrified him.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for an empty seat, and he made a beeline for the one next to the window. Classic anime protagonist move. Yeah, he knew. Total nerd stuff. But so what? He was a weeb, and he’d own it.

He slid into his seat, exhaling slowly, trying to steady himself. The classroom was loud—students chatting, throwing crumpled-up papers, one kid half-asleep at his desk already. Kamor kept his head down, gripping the edge of his desk like it might keep him from floating away.

Then, movement caught his eye.

Two boys sat a few desks away. They looked similar. Same sharp features, same dark hair. Twins?

One of them turned toward him. He wore glasses and had a kind, nervous smile, like he wasn’t sure if he should say hi or not.

Kamor hesitated—then gave a small smile back.

The boy seemed relieved.

Then Kamor looked at the other one.

The second twin wasn’t smiling. At all. Instead, he had this glare—sharp, calculating, like he was trying to figure out if Kamor was worth acknowledging or not. The air around him felt colder somehow, like even the chaos of the classroom didn’t touch him.

Kamor quickly looked back out the window.

Great. He just walked into a class with the literal embodiment of nice twin, scary twin.

And he had no idea which one was worse.

⸻

Kamor’s eyelids grew heavier, and before he knew it, he was resting his head on the desk.

It wasn’t his fault. The teacher had left the room, and the class was just too boring. The students weren’t even paying attention, most of them talking amongst themselves or doing their own thing. Kamor figured no one would mind if he caught a quick nap.

The next thing he knew, he was jolted awake by the unsettling feeling of being watched. His heart raced as he sat up quickly, eyes scanning the room.

There.

The twins.

The one with glasses—Mahatma—was staring at him with a curious, gentle gaze, but it was the other one, Attila, who sent a chill down Kamor’s spine. The glare Attila shot him felt like it could freeze him in place. Kamor’s stomach twisted.

Okay. Yeah. He was definitely going to be killed or something.

Just as Kamor began to shrink in on himself, the door to the classroom swung open, and in walked none other than Hipswitch.

“Yo, partner!” he called, grinning. “Let’s skip.”

Kamor blinked. Skip on the first day? What was this guy—crazy?

Before he could fully process what was happening, Hipswitch was already walking toward him, the twins standing up from their seats with surprising ease. They didn’t look happy to be interrupted, but they weren’t exactly mad, either. Kamor noticed the way they seemed to know Hipswitch.

“Hey, fellas,” Hipswitch greeted them with a smirk. “This here’s Kamor. New kid.”

Mahatma smiled and waved shyly. “Hey there, Kamor. Welcome to Blackridge.”

Attila gave a small nod but didn’t say anything, his eyes still narrowed in a quiet appraisal.

Hipswitch chuckled and slapped Kamor on the back, already steering him out of the classroom. “You’ll get used to ‘em, partner. They’re alright. Kinda rough around the edges, but who isn’t, right?”

The teacher, somewhere in the back of the room, was still absent, probably off doing whatever the school staff did when they didn’t feel like doing their jobs. Kamor figured that, at this point, the whole school was too broke to care.

As they walked down the hall, Hipswitch kept his arm around Kamor’s shoulder. “So, what’s it gonna be, Kamor? The rest of the day’s all ours. You in for a little adventure?”

Kamor blinked, glancing back at the classroom door, still open behind them. Skipping school on the first day?

Hipswitch grinned, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Come on, partner. I’ll show you how we do things around here.”

⸻

Kamor, to his credit, did try to stay in class. He really did. He had planned to get through it, maybe try to make a good impression—if he could just survive the twin glares and the general awkwardness of being the new kid.

But then Hipswitch decided he wasn’t having it. Before Kamor could even open his mouth to protest, Hipswitch casually slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Let’s roll, partner!”

Kamor barely had time to grab his things before Hipswitch was already halfway out the door. He wasn’t sure if he should be embarrassed or just resigned to his fate.

“Put me down!” Kamor muttered, but it came out as more of a weak protest. He didn’t really want to fight it; if anything, Hipswitch’s carefree nature was starting to rub off on him.

Once outside the classroom, Kamor was finally set down, his feet hitting the ground with a soft thud. They walked down the hall with Hipswitch leading the way, his loud, confident voice drawing a few curious glances from other students.

Kamor walked beside him, his gaze flicking over to the twins.

“So,” Kamor began, writing quickly on his notepad, his handwriting neat and careful. “What’s your deal?”

Mahatma, walking just ahead, glanced back over his shoulder. “Our deal? Well, uh…” He scratched his head nervously, looking at Attila for reassurance. “We used to go to a small school. For medical studies. But, well… it didn’t exactly work out.”

Attila grunted from behind them, his usual expression of quiet disapproval settling into his features.

“Yeah,” Mahatma continued. “We weren’t exactly, uh, the most stable mentally, so they kicked us out. Now we’re here.” He shrugged like it was no big deal, but there was a hint of regret in his tone.

Kamor wrote down a quick note. Medical school, mental instability… interesting. He looked up, noticing that Mahatma’s gaze was on his notepad

“That’s some nice handwriting you got there,” Mahatma commented, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Kamor blinked in surprise and shrugged, feeling a flush creep up his neck. Was that a compliment? He wasn’t used to this kind of attention.

“Thanks,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, then added, I like to keep things neat

Mahatma chuckled softly. “I can tell.”

Attila, who hadn’t spoken much, seemed to glance at Kamor’s notepad briefly, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say anything, but the faint shift in his demeanor made Kamor wonder if the twins weren’t as different as they appeared.

“So, Kamor,” Hipswitch called from the front, “ready to get into some real trouble?”

Kamor didn’t know what exactly that meant, but given the way his day was already going, he figured he might as well embrace it.

⸻

Kamor’s curiosity piqued as Hipswitch led the way behind the school. The atmosphere here was different—darker, more chaotic. The distant sounds of shouting and grunts filled the air.

“What’s going on back there?” Kamor wrote on his notepad, looking up at Hipswitch, who didn’t seem surprised at all.

“You’ll see,” Hipswitch replied with a grin that didn’t exactly inspire confidence. “Just another day at Blackridge.”

They turned the corner, and Kamor’s eyes widened. A brawl was taking place, right in the middle of the school’s back alley. One guy was being pummeled with punches, his opponent relentless and furious. But what caught Kamor’s attention was the figure standing in the middle of it all—Hipswitch was calling out to him.

“Albus!”

The guy, Albus, was a mess of bruises and sweat, but there was a certain fire in his eyes as he fought back with everything he had. His movements were quick, his stance solid, but the other guy had the advantage of height and sheer strength.

Hipswitch sighed, shaking his head as he approached. “Seriously, Albus, can’t you fight without getting into every fight?”

Mahatma flinched as another punch landed. Kamor glanced over at him, seeing the way his shoulders tensed at the violence, his gaze flickering nervously between the fight and his twin, Attila, who was standing off to the side with an almost… amused look on his face.

“You’re too soft, Mahatma,” Attila muttered, crossing his arms. He watched Albus with an almost cruel expression, leaning in slightly. “You should be encouraging him to hit harder. This kid needs to learn the hard way.”

Kamor’s stomach twisted. Was Attila serious

Mahatma looked uncomfortable, but he said nothing. He just shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting back to Albus, who was now on the defensive. Kamor could feel the tension in the air. This wasn’t a typical school fight.

With one last punch, Albus managed to shove his opponent away, panting heavily, his face bruised but his pride intact. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath. Kamor could see that there was more to Albus than just a delinquent—there was a kind of restless energy in him, something Kamor couldn’t quite place.

“Alright, break it up,” Hipswitch called out with a voice that brooked no argument.

Albus wiped blood from his lip, then turned his head toward Hipswitch, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Guess I won again, huh?”

Hipswitch shot him a pointed look, one eyebrow raised. “You always win, Albus. But do you have to do it like this?”

Kamor watched as Albus approached, brushing off his clothes like nothing had happened. His eyes flicked over to Kamor for a split second, then back to Hipswitch. “Who’s the new kid?”

“This is Kamor,” Hipswitch said, slapping him on the back with a laugh. “New recruit to our little misfit group.”

Albus raised an eyebrow, sizing Kamor up. “Another one, huh? I’m Albus. You’re gonna need thick skin if you hang with us.”

Kamor blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. He wrote down on his notepad, A bit intense, huh?

Albus chuckled at that, ruffling Kamor’s hair in a way that felt oddly… protective. “You’ll get used to it. Welcome to Blackridge.”

⸻

Kamor quickly fixed his hair, smoothing down the messy strands that had been ruffled by Hipswitch’s earlier antics. He couldn’t help but glance at Albus and Hipswitch as the two started their usual banter.

“So, Hipswitch,” Albus started with a mischievous grin, leaning in a bit too close for comfort, “you finally brought someone new to the squad? I’m honored to be in the presence of such fine company.”

Hipswitch rolled his eyes, but the playful smirk never left his face. “Cut it out, Albus. You flirt with anyone who breathes.”

“Hey, can you blame me?” Albus shrugged dramatically. “I mean, who wouldn’t be charmed by this?” He struck a pose, chest puffed out as if trying to impress someone.

Kamor could only watch in awkward silence. He was used to things being chaotic, but this? This was a whole new level of weird.

Hipswitch chuckled but gave Albus a firm shove. “Knock it off, before I knock you out.”

Albus just laughed, clearly unbothered by the threat. “I’m just having fun, Hipswitch. You could use a little more fun in your life.”

Meanwhile, Kamor’s mind was elsewhere—his thoughts drifting to Hipswitch’s earlier touch when he had been lifted up like a sack of potatoes. The warmth of Hipswitch’s hand on his back lingered in his thoughts. He shook his head to clear it. Focus, Kamor. Focus.

As if sensing his distraction, Hipswitch suddenly turned his attention back to Kamor.

“Hey, let me help with your hair,” Hipswitch said, his voice soft as he approached.

Kamor blinked, not sure how to respond. His cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn’t pull away as Hipswitch gently started to smooth down his hair. Kamor had never really been one to care much about his appearance, but something about Hipswitch’s touch made him feel a little… flustered.

Albus, who had been watching the scene unfold, leaned in with a grin. “Oh, I see it now. Kamor’s got a little crush on you, huh, Hipswitch?”

Kamor froze, his eyes widening. No, no way. He couldn’t have figured it out that fast.

Hipswitch looked completely oblivious, still focused on fixing Kamor’s hair. “What? No. You’re imagining things, Albus.”

But Albus wasn’t backing down. He looked Kamor up and down with a teasing glint in his eye. “Oh, I’m not imagining anything, trust me. You’re just too cute to ignore.”

Kamor’s face went red, and he quickly looked down, focusing on the ground to hide his embarrassment.

“Yeah, Hipswitch,” Albus added, grinning wider, “you’re too dense to notice, but I can see it. Kamor’s totally got a thing for you.”

Hipswitch paused for a moment, still not getting the hint. “Whatever, Albus. You’re ridiculous.”

⸻

It had been four weeks since Kamor stumbled into Blackridge High, and he had quickly gotten wrapped up in the chaos that defined this place.

Albus was, of course, at the center of it all, always throwing a punch or dragging Kamor into a new mess. Kamor had tried to stay on the sidelines, but Albus had an irresistible way of pulling him into trouble.

This time, it was a fight—nothing new for Albus. But what was new was Kamor getting caught in the crossfire and ending up with a black eye.

Hipswitch was furious

“Are you kidding me, Albus?” Hipswitch barked, his mechanical fingers twitching as he paced back and forth. Kamor sat on the nearby bench, one hand pressed against his bruised face, trying to hide the pain.

“It’s not like I planned for it to happen!” Albus protested, hands thrown up in defense, but there was a slight smirk on his face. “You know how it is.”

“I don’t care how it is! You’re supposed to be looking out for Kamor, not getting him hurt!”

Kamor winced at the tone in Hipswitch’s voice, but he didn’t say anything. This was a fight between the two of them—he wasn’t going to get involved.

Mahatma and Attila, meanwhile, were too preoccupied with their latest experiment to notice the drama unfolding. Kamor had caught glimpses of their “work” over the past week—Mahatma and Attila had taken to stitching dead frogs together in an attempt to “revive” them. Kamor was both terrified and slightly intrigued by the whole thing, but it was hard to focus on the science when there was a very real chance of them blowing up the entire lab in the process.

“Maybe we should stick to just dissection?” Kamor wrote one day, trying to keep it polite.

“Don’t be a sissy, Kamor,” Attila had snapped, a wicked grin on his face as he held up a needle and thread. “This is where the real work happens.”

Kamor had no idea how to respond to that. He just stayed back and tried not to breathe in whatever concoction was in the air.

And then came the day at 7/11.

The gang had been hanging out, as usual, and for some reason, they all forgot their wallets. The plan? Well, Albus had no problem suggesting they steal.

“Come on, it’s just a couple of snacks,” Albus said with a wicked grin. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Before Kamor knew it, the gang was bolting out of the store, bags of chips and soda in hand. Kamor had no intention of being part of this, but the group had already dashed through the door. The security alarm rang out as they sprinted down the street, and in a matter of seconds, they were surrounded by cops.

The gang stood there, frozen. The cops searched their bags, but there were no snacks in sight. Albus looked utterly confused. “Uh, did we leave them in the car?”

Kamor watched from a distance, still clutching the bag of chips he had picked up earlier. But when the cops were distracted, he made his move.

As the gang was getting ushered out of the store by the police, Kamor led them around to a back alley. He flashed them a quick smile before pulling the stolen goods from under his jacket—hidden all along.

The gang stared at him, eyes wide. Kamor didn’t even look guilty as he casually tossed the goods at Albus.

“That’s how you do it,” Kamor said with a grin.

Albus blinked, his mouth agape. “You did steal them?”

“Are you sure?” Attila raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were supposed to be the innocent one, Kamor.”

Mahatma just shook his head in disbelief. “Well, I’ll be damned. You are quick with your hands.”

Hipswitch, who had followed them into the alley, chuckled softly. “And here I thought you were just a quiet kid who never did anything wrong.”

Kamor just smiled, leaning back against the wall as if it was no big deal

Albus leaned closer, whispering in Kamor’s ear, “You’re definitely one of us now.”

⸻

The next day, the sun filtered through the thick canopy of the overgrown willow tree, casting dappled shadows across the worn grass beneath it. Kamor sat cross-legged, a stack of tarot cards shuffled lazily in his hands. He had been doing this for a while now, ever since one of his many foster homes had gifted him the cards. They were a simple way to pass the time, a habit he’d picked up without much thought.

Beside him, Albus was sprawled out, taking an exaggerated nap. His heavy breathing and soft snores were carried away by the light breeze that rustled the leaves of the tree. The whole scene was peaceful in a way Kamor wasn’t used to—a kind of calm that felt out of place with the chaos of Blackridge High. But right now, it was just him, Albus, and the gentle wind.

The shuffle of the cards was rhythmic, almost meditative. Kamor’s fingers moved with practiced ease, not really focusing on the patterns or the cards themselves, just the motion. He wasn’t sure why he had this particular habit, but it helped him tune out the noise of the world, at least for a little while.

Albus snored again, the sound echoing in the quiet air, and Kamor couldn’t help but smile a little. The guy had no shame when it came to naps. Not that Kamor could blame him; who wouldn’t want to tune out sometimes?

The wind picked up a little, and one of the cards slipped from Kamor’s hand, drifting onto the grass. He reached to grab it, but before he could, Albus suddenly flopped over, knocking a few more cards from Kamor’s lap.

“Hey, you’re messing with my spread,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, showing Albus, who lazily squinted at the cards.

Albus blinked, still half asleep. “Huh? Tarot cards? You a fortune-teller now, Kamor?

Kamor just shrugged, holding up the card that had fallen to the ground. “It’s just a hobby,” he wrote.

Albus yawned, clearly not understanding but still mildly entertained. “Well, maybe you can predict when I’m gonna win my next fight. Would be handy, right?” He stretched, his arms reaching for the sky as he fully woke up.

Kamor gave him a deadpan look, then returned to his cards, shuffling them again. The sound of the cards moving through his fingers was calming once more.

In the distance, he could hear the faint sounds of students rushing between classes, the distant chatter and the low hum of the school’s broken bell system. But here, beneath the willow tree, the world felt distant.

Kamor wasn’t sure how long they’d been sitting there when the sound of footsteps interrupted the peace.

“Alright, you two. Time to get moving,” Hipswitch’s voice broke through the stillness, his voice low and slightly amused.

Kamor looked up to see Hipswitch, along with Mahatma and Attila, walking toward them. All of them looked like they’d just come from a grueling exam.

Albus grinned up at them lazily. “Hey, look who’s come to ruin the vibe.”

Hipswitch rolled his eyes. “Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but the rest of us have things to do.”

“Like what? Ruining lives and making trouble?” Albus said with a playful grin, sitting up and stretching.

Mahatma smiled, offering Kamor a small wave as Attila just gave him a silent nod.

“Didn’t know you were into fortune-telling,” Mahatma said, his eyes scanning the cards Kamor had laid out. “They say tarot cards can predict the future, right?”

Kamor shrugged, holding up the deck. He didn’t have much to say, but the cards in his hands had become a quiet comfort over the past few days.

“Not exactly,” Kamor wrote on his notepad.

Attila tilted his head, a slight smirk on his face. “Guess we’ll just have to find out for ourselves, huh?”

Kamor gave a small, cryptic smile before starting to shuffle the deck again.

⸻

The gang had, as usual, found their way into a mess. It was Hipswitch, Mahatma, Attila, Albus, and Kamor—albeit, Kamor was the reluctant participant in this particular adventure. The plan was simple: sneak into the nearby movie theater. It was easy enough to get past the run-down staff, especially when most of them couldn’t care less about a few kids sneaking in to watch something they probably shouldn’t.

Kamor had nodded along with the group, not really having a say in the matter. It wasn’t like he had anything else to do, and being around the chaos was starting to feel normal. Besides, it wasn’t like he could turn down the gang entirely. He was beginning to realize he was stuck with them, whether he liked it or not.l

Albus had an idea, of course. “Let’s sneak into a movie with a sex scene,” he’d said with a wild grin, nudging Kamor in the ribs.

Kamor blinked, unsure how to react, but before he could even try to process the idea, Hipswitch had immediately thrown it out.

“No way, Albus,” Hipswitch said firmly, his tone the kind of serious that only happened when he was ready to play the role of the “adult” in the group.

Albus grumbled but didn’t push it. Instead, the gang snuck into a random theater showing a horror movie. The kind of movie with way too much blood and way too many screams.

Kamor wasn’t exactly a fan of horror. In fact, he wasn’t sure why he’d agreed to it, especially with his ever-growing anxiety and fear of things he couldn’t fully remember. Still, he kept quiet and followed along, seating himself between Hipswitch and Albus.

The movie started, and the screen lit up with disturbing images. At first, Kamor thought he could handle it. He sat quietly, his eyes glued to the screen, trying to be brave. But then it happened.

The scene was too much. A crazed man was carving into a victim, blood spraying across the screen in grotesque detail. Kamor’s stomach twisted, and his heart began to pound. His hands shot up to his ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound.

The scene felt too real. The screams of the victim echoed in Kamor’s mind, and for a moment, the theater felt like it was closing in on him. His breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, his chest tightening with panic.

Albus, who had been munching on popcorn, glanced over at him and frowned. “Hey, you okay?”

Kamor didn’t answer. His mind was too clouded with images he couldn’t place—shadows of his childhood, fragments of something dark and painful that he couldn’t fully remember. His hands trembled as he squeezed them over his ears harder, trying to block out everything around him.

He didn’t know why this scene triggered him, why it felt so familiar. He couldn’t explain the memories that crashed into him like waves—just brief, fragmented images of pain and confusion. The trauma was locked away in parts of his mind, and moments like this tore at the seams, making him remember things he didn’t want to know.

Hipswitch, sensing the tension, leaned over and gently nudged Kamor’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to watch it,” he said, his voice soft but firm, almost protective.

Albus noticed the way Kamor was reacting, his eyes wide, his body stiff with fear. His playful grin faltered for a moment, and he looked to Hipswitch for guidance.

“Dude, you good?” Albus asked again, his usual cocky demeanor gone, replaced by something softer.

But Kamor couldn’t respond. He felt like he was suffocating, trapped in his own memories. His body was shaking now, and the darkness of the theater felt more like a prison than a place of escape.

Mahatma was the first to notice how bad it was getting. He leaned forward, his face serious. “Kamor, hey, look at me,” Mahatma said, his voice gentle but commanding. Kamor felt his attention shift to the other boy, and his trembling fingers slowly moved away from his ears.

It wasn’t much, but it helped.

“Breathe, Kamor,” Mahatma urged softly. “You’re fine. We’re all here.”

The words hit Kamor with a strange weight, and though his heart still raced, he could feel the panic starting to fade. Slowly, his breaths returned to a more even rhythm, though his chest still felt tight.

Albus was quiet now, watching Kamor with a rare, concerned expression.

“You want to go?” Hipswitch asked, his voice as calm as ever, though his brow was furrowed with concern.

Kamor nodded, just barely, still unable to find his voice.

Without another word, Hipswitch stood, gently helping Kamor to his feet. “We’re leaving. I’ll make sure you get home, okay?”

As the gang quietly filed out of the theater, Kamor felt the weight of his memories pressing down again, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Hipswitch was there, the others trailing behind, and maybe for the first time since coming to Blackridge High, Kamor felt like he wasn’t just floating through life.

They were his people. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

⸻

It had been a few days since the incident at the theater. Kamor hadn’t spoken about what happened—he didn’t need to. The gang didn’t push him, understanding that everyone had their own burdens to carry. Hipswitch was the first to notice that Kamor hadn’t shut down since, though. He was quieter, still a little distant, but the light in his eyes hadn’t disappeared.

Today, they were in class, and Kamor had already given up on learning. The classroom was droning on, the teacher’s voice a dull hum in the background. Kamor sat at his desk, his head resting on his folded arms. Sleep was creeping up on him, and as his eyelids grew heavier, he let himself slip into the warmth of unconsciousness.

It wasn’t long before Kamor’s hand drifted. Maybe it was the sleepiness, maybe the strange comfort he felt from being around Hipswitch—maybe it was the overwhelming sense of trust he’d started to build—but Kamor’s hand reached out, fingers brushing against the cold, smooth surface of Hipswitch’s prosthetic arm.

The moment he touched it, Kamor’s heart skipped a beat. He pulled back instinctively, but it was too late. Hipswitch had already caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.

“Hey,” Hipswitch said softly, looking down at Kamor with a gentle smile. “You know you can touch it if you want. I don’t mind.”

Kamor blinked, unsure of how to respond. He had never really touched it before—had never dared. But there was something about the way Hipswitch was looking at him, something reassuring in the way his eyes softened. Slowly, Kamor’s hand returned to the arm, this time with more purpose, gently tracing the cold, smooth surface.

Hipswitch’s smile widened, a warmth bubbling up inside of him that he didn’t quite understand. It was like a soft, quiet thing—a feeling he hadn’t expected but somehow welcomed. Kamor’s touch was so delicate, so careful, and Hipswitch found himself savoring it in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

“You don’t have to be afraid of it,” Hipswitch continued, his voice low, almost contemplative. “I got it in a fire. Chemical fire, back in my early foster home. It was… rough. But I was lucky. After everything, a man named Sensei took me in.”

Kamor nodded slightly, his fingers still lightly tracing the prosthetic’s smooth surface. He was fascinated by it, not just because it was mechanical, but because it was a part of Hipswitch. Something personal. Something that, even though he didn’t fully understand, seemed to tie into the man’s past.

Hipswitch paused, watching Kamor, his thoughts wandering for a moment before he continued. “Sensei was the one who paid for all my treatments. Helped me get back to something that felt… like me again. He’s the one who got me here. And now, here I am.”

Kamor looked up at him then, meeting Hipswitch’s eyes. It was almost like a silent understanding had passed between them. Kamor didn’t have to say anything. He didn’t need to. But Hipswitch knew he was listening—he could see it in the way Kamor’s fingers continued to trace the prosthetic.

There was something warm in Hipswitch’s chest now, something soft and new. He didn’t quite know what it was, but he didn’t mind. There was something comforting about Kamor’s presence. Something that had been missing from Hipswitch’s life for a long time.

For Kamor, it was a strange feeling too. He had always felt disconnected, like he was floating through life, never truly part of anything. But with Hipswitch… it was different. There was no judgment in the way the older boy looked at him, no expectation. Just acceptance.

He couldn’t explain it, but the simple touch of Hipswitch’s arm felt like a bridge between them—a bridge he didn’t want to burn.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Kamor reluctantly pulled his hand away, glancing up at Hipswitch once more.

“Thanks,” Kamor wrote quickly on his notepad, his eyes soft with a kind of gratitude he wasn’t used to feeling.

Hipswitch smiled, his usual easy grin returning, though there was still a flicker of that strange warmth in his chest. “Anytime, partner. Anytime.”

⸻

It was October at Blackridge High, and for once, the school was buzzing with an energy Kamor hadn’t seen before. The usual chaos and neglect seemed to be replaced by something… organized. It wasn’t much, but for a school that barely functioned, the sight of decorations strung up in the hallways and students running around with excitement was a strange but welcome change.

Kamor stared out the window in his classroom, watching a couple of students work together to set up a banner that said “Annual Fall Festival: Blackridge High.” He had never been to anything like this before. It was his first year at this school, and the concept of a fall festival was new to him. Back at his old schools, they had only hosted the usual sad bake sales and field trips, but nothing like this.

Mahatma, who had been eagerly talking to him all morning, seemed completely excited about it. His eyes sparkled with the kind of energy Kamor only saw from people who loved something with all their heart. “It’s tradition!” Mahatma explained, his voice full of enthusiasm. “Every year, the students get together to celebrate the fall season. There’s food, games, costumes, and just a lot of fun! This year, they’re even doing a haunted house! You’ll love it!”

Kamor’s eyes widened. He’d never really been one for festivals—let alone haunted houses—but the way Mahatma spoke about it made him feel like it might not be as terrible as he first thought. Besides, it was the first time he’d been around people who seemed so eager for something good. He was curious.

Before he could ask any more questions, a loud crash and a maniacal laugh pierced the air. Kamor jumped, his head snapping toward the source of the noise.

Up on the roof of the school, there was Albus. Of course, it was Albus. He was standing there, arms spread wide, with a wild grin plastered on his face. “It’s the Fall Festival, baby!” Albus yelled, his voice carrying all the way down to the students below. “Let the chaos begin!”

Kamor blinked, his heart racing as he processed what he was seeing. Albus was… on top of the school.

A few seconds later, Kamor’s other favorite person, Hipswitch, appeared, his robotic arm effortlessly moving as he scaled the side of the building. “ALBUS!” Hipswitch’s voice rang out, stern and commanding. “Get down from there right now before you do something stupid!”

The whole scene was a mess, and Kamor couldn’t help but feel slightly terrified. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at Albus, who was still laughing like a madman, and then at Hipswitch, who seemed like he was about to tear his hair out.

Mahatma, standing beside Kamor, shook his head with a soft chuckle. “Don’t mind them,” he said, his tone calm as always. “Albus has this way of turning every event into a spectacle. He’s the chaotic one. Hipswitch is the one who has to clean up after him.”

Attila, who had been quiet until now, smirked from behind them. “Just wait until they start setting up the haunted house,” he said in his usual deadpan manner. “That’ll be a real mess. But hey, it’ll be fun. We might even get kicked out of the school by the end of the day. Who knows?”

Kamor’s eyes widened. “Wait, you get kicked out?”

Attila shrugged nonchalantly. “Probably. You’ll see.”

The entire school seemed to be in a frenzy. Students were setting up food stands, hanging decorations, and painting random things on the walls. Kamor wasn’t sure if it was just the usual chaos of Blackridge or if it was something more. One thing was for sure—if this was a glimpse into what the fall festival was going to be like, he might need to find a way to stay out of the way.

But it was too late. Before he could escape the madness, Hipswitch was already approaching him, holding out his hand with that usual calm grin of his. “C’mon, partner. You’re part of the gang now. No backing out. Let’s go check out the festival. You might even enjoy it.”

Kamor hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go—it was just that everything felt so… overwhelming. The loudness, the chaos, the madness. But then, Hipswitch’s smile made it seem okay. Maybe he could trust the process.

“Fine,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, “but I’m staying far away from the haunted house.”

Hipswitch grinned wider. “Deal.”

As they headed toward the mess of festivities, Kamor couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement building inside him. Despite the chaos that was sure to follow, there was something oddly comforting about being here, in the middle of it all. And with Hipswitch by his side… maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t have to go through it alone.

But knowing Albus, Mahatma, and Attila, Kamor had a feeling that the real fun was just beginning.

⸻

The autumn sun hung low in the sky as the fall festival continued, chaos and fun still swirling in the air. Kamor had managed to get some distance from the madness, sipping a drink he’d grabbed from one of the stands, his mind still trying to digest everything happening around him. The festival, despite the initial overwhelming experience, was… oddly comforting in its own way.

However, what caught his attention next was the sight of Albus, standing off to the side, staring intensely at someone. Kamor’s gaze followed, and it didn’t take long for him to spot the person who had caught Albus’ attention: Devlin. The older brother—or, rather, stepbrother—had arrived at the festival with a quiet but noticeable presence. He was slightly awkward, a contrast to the wild energy of the rest of their group, but there was something about his demeanor that stood out to Kamor.

Devlin was tall, but not as intimidating as Albus. His frame was lean, his movements methodical, as though he was always thinking a few steps ahead. He had a strange, warm smile, almost apologetic, as he approached Albus

Albus shot a glare at his older brother, crossing his arms in irritation. His usual carefree energy was dampened for a moment as he seemed to stand tall, trying to make himself look even bigger than usual. “What are you doing here, Devlin?” he grumbled, his voice half-annoyed, half-amused. “Did you come here to ruin my fun, or are you just checking in on me to make sure I don’t burn the place down?”

Devlin chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re still my little brother, Albus. I just… thought I’d stop by. See how you’re doing. Mom and Dad wanted me to make sure you weren’t causing too much trouble.” His voice was smooth and calm, but there was a subtle tension in the way he said it.

Albus’ eyes narrowed. “Yeah, well, they’re not my parents, are they? Not like they ever cared anyway. Doesn’t matter to me.” He turned away slightly, his gaze shifting back to the festival activities. “I’m not the one they ever cared about.”

Devlin sighed, his face softening. “You know that’s not true, Albus.” He took a step closer, but his words felt heavy. “Dad may not have been the best, but… I want his approval. I always have.”

Albus stiffened at that. “Yeah, but you’re the perfect little golden boy, aren’t you? Smart, well-behaved, always doing what he says. I don’t care about any of that. I’m me. But no, he didn’t care, and you know it.”

Kamor, watching the exchange from a distance, felt a pang of discomfort. It was like he was witnessing a silent battle between two people who were linked by blood but divided by their experiences.

Albus snorted, breaking the silence. “And besides, you’re not even sporty like the rest of the family. What does Dad care about a guy who can fix cars and engineer things? He doesn’t care about brains. All he ever wanted was someone to be a star athlete like the rest of his kids.”

Devlin’s gaze faltered, just for a moment, but his expression remained patient. “I know, Albus. But I can’t change that, can I? I’m just trying to get through it, do the best I can. For me. For the family. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you succeed, too.”

Albus shot a look at Devlin, a bit softer now. Despite his usual bravado and teasing, there was a vulnerability to his posture as he grumbled, “I still don’t care about him. But… I’m glad you’re here.

Devlin gave a small smile, the awkwardness between them easing just a bit. “Always, Albus. Always.”

The tension between them seemed to lighten a little, but Kamor could tell the scars of their shared history ran deep. Albus, with all his loudness and defiance, was just as hurt by their father’s neglect as Devlin was, in a different way. Albus hid it behind teasing and rebellion, while Devlin wore his need for approval like a second skin. They were bound by family, but their relationship was fractured, each struggling to navigate the expectations and disappointments placed on them.

As the conversation came to an end, Albus finally relaxed, leaning against the nearest post. “Alright, alright. You’re not so bad, Devlin. Go ahead, hang around. Just try not to lecture me while I’m having fun.”

Devlin chuckled softly, the unease between them melting away for now. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Albus.”

Kamor, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy for them both. Family wasn’t always easy, especially when it felt like it was more about proving your worth than actually being seen for who you were. But at least, for a moment, it seemed like the brothers were finding their way back to each other, even if it was just through small words and awkward smiles.

Kamor took a slow breath, glancing over at Hipswitch and the others. The chaos of the festival was still in full swing, but for once, it felt a little quieter in his head. Maybe there was something to all of this after all.

The fall festival’s chaos reached new heights as Albus and Devlin grinned mischievously, sizing up the game booths. Albus cracked his knuckles, a wicked gleam in his green eyes. “Alright, little bro, you use your brain, I’ll use my muscles. Together, we’ll dominate these games.”

Devlin smirked, his engineering mind already whirring with plans. “With your strength and my strategy, we’ll be unstoppable. They won’t know what hit them.”

They took a few steps toward the first booth, but before they could even get close, a hand shot out and yanked them both back, pulling them off their course. Albus stumbled slightly, his eyes widening in surprise, only to find himself face-to-face with none other than Faith.

Her sharp eyes locked with Albus’s, and despite the usual bravado that Albus wore like a second skin, he felt a flutter in his chest. His green eyes softened as he gazed at her, a genuine affection shining through, though his tough-guy demeanor tried to mask it. He flashed her a crooked grin, his voice teasing as always. “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemaker. Here to save the day again?”

Faith arched a brow, crossing her arms over her chest with a look that could melt steel. “You two are seriously going to cheat?” she asked, her voice full of disbelief. “You’ve already been warned about the whole no cheating rule, right?”

Albus’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Hey, a guy’s gotta get his wins somehow. And you love the charm.”

Faith rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “I don’t know why I even bother with you two. You’re so much trouble.” She paused for a moment, before her gaze shifted from Albus to Devlin, who had been trying to suppress a laugh at the interaction. “We’re all supposed to do this together, remember? I promised Kerano we’d hang out today.”

Albus stiffened for a moment at the mention of Kerano, his mood slightly dimming as he glanced at the younger child. He couldn’t help the twinge of frustration that rose within him. Kerano was this sweet, adorable kid that had wormed her way into their lives. But what bothered Albus most was that he wasn’t sure how to fit in when it came to Faith and Kerano. And it didn’t help that Faith always treated him like a kid, a troublemaker, and not the guy who could protect her.

But what made Albus cringe the most was the fact that Faith was so damn good at reading him. She knew the walls he put up, and yet she still kept coming back, still dragging him along. He was so not good enough for her, but he didn’t know how to let go. His feelings were complicated, and no matter how much he tried to act like the tough guy, Faith had a way of getting to him.

Devlin, on the other hand, was silently seething, and he knew that his brother’s feelings were obvious. He just wished Albus would realize it and stop acting like he wasn’t good enough for someone like Faith. Devlin had his own frustrations with their family, but he could see how much his brother struggled with feelings for Faith. He couldn’t help but find it a little annoying that the two acted like love-struck idiots whenever she was around, but deep down, Devlin knew they were just being themselves.

Faith glanced back at her little cousin, Kerano, who was eagerly waiting near the edge of the crowd. The child bounced up and down, practically jumping in excitement. Faith softened, her serious tone shifting as she looked back at Albus and Devlin. “Kerano’s been dying to play those games, and I promised her we’d all go together. So, no more cheating, alright?”

Albus, ever the flirt, leaned in a little too close, his voice low and teasing. “Well, Faith, I guess I’ll have to make up for my lost victories by winning your heart instead. How about that?”

Faith rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the blush creeping up her neck. “Albus, you’re impossible.”

Devlin snickered, but it was clear that beneath his teasing, there was a sense of protectiveness toward his little brother. The kid’s got it bad, he thought, his irritation mixed with a strange sense of sympathy. But he’s not wrong about the way Faith looks at him…

With a sigh, Devlin placed a hand on Albus’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Come on, man. Don’t make it weird. Let’s just go before Kerano drags us all into the chaos.”

Albus shot one more smirk in Faith’s direction, but for the first time, it wasn’t just about teasing her—it was genuine. “Alright, alright. But next time, I’m definitely winning you over, Faith.”

“Not if I win first,” she replied with a teasing glint in her eye, before she turned toward Kerano.

Kamor, still hanging at the back of the group, watched the exchange unfold with a curious expression. There was something about the way Albus and Faith acted around each other that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He didn’t know what was going to happen between them, but he could feel the tension in the air, something unspoken but very real. It was like watching a scene from one of the romance shows his parents used to let him watch, only this one had real people in it.

The group, now fully intact, headed toward the game booths, the festival’s chaos buzzing around them. Kamor was content to watch the others interact, his thoughts drifting as he looked at the way Albus and Faith played off each other. There was an undeniable connection between them, even if neither of them seemed to fully understand it just yet.

Kamor knew something about connections. He was starting to realize, despite everything, that he was part of something much bigger now. He had his own tangled feelings, his own little crush on Hipswitch, but for once, he wasn’t afraid to be part of something chaotic and messy. It wasn’t perfect, but it was his.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

As the group moved through the crowded festival grounds, the chaos of the fall festival enveloped them. Albus and Devlin were already making their way to one of the game booths, with Kerano bouncing alongside them, chanting for Albus to win her a stuffed animal. Kamor followed behind them, a quiet observer of the whole scene, while Hipswitch and Mahatma lingered near the sidelines, each trying to avoid getting roped into more trouble.

Faith, however, was momentarily distracted by something else—someone, in fact.

A flash of blonde hair caught her attention, and before she could fully process it, she found herself bumping into a person in the crowd. The stranger had quick reflexes, managing to catch Faith before she stumbled back.

“Whoa, sorry about that,” Faith muttered, her voice laced with surprise as she stepped back and glanced up at the person she’d collided with.

The girl she bumped into had wild, tousled blonde hair and a look in her eye that immediately made Faith realize this was no ordinary encounter. The stranger had a smirk that bordered on mischievous, and she was staring at Faith as if she’d just bumped into her on purpose—probably to get a better look.

Faith blinked. “Uh, no problem.”

The stranger’s eyes lit up in an instant, and she straightened her posture, clearly taking the moment to compose herself. “Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention, you know… just, uh, distracted,” she stammered, trying to look casual, but it was clear she wasn’t.

Faith raised an eyebrow, her own smile forming. The girl had clearly been trying to flirt, though it was a bit on the awkward side. Faith chuckled softly, finding it endearing. “It’s fine,” she replied, giving the girl a quick once-over. “Not every day I get bumped into by someone this… interesting.”

The stranger—Kit, as Faith quickly noticed on her name tag—blushed deeply at the comment, realizing how much of an idiot she was making of herself in front of this gorgeous woman. She stuttered a bit before her confidence kicked in, and she cleared her throat. “Well, I mean, maybe it’s not the worst thing to bump into someone… like you?” Kit’s voice wavered just a little, as if unsure how to follow through with the flirtatious remark.

Faith couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re not bad at it,” she teased. “But you’re gonna have to try harder if you wanna win my attention.

Kit, looking completely flustered but still determined, nodded earnestly. “I’m, uh, totally up for the challenge,” she replied, her voice trying to sound cool despite the blush creeping up her neck. She gave a small, shy grin, but before she could say anything else, Faith’s attention was diverted once again.

“Albus, for the love of God, don’t throw that ball at him!” Faith shouted, her voice full of exasperation.

She turned just in time to see Albus, with that characteristic grin on his face, winding up for a perfect pitch at one of the game operators—a poor guy who had just been caught rigging the game. Kerano, the little ball of energy, was chanting, “Do it, Albus! Do it!” from the sidelines.

Kit’s face lit up with sudden understanding as she caught a glimpse of Albus. She muttered under her breath, “Oh, great, that guy looks fun.” Her eyes flickered back to Faith, who was now attempting to de-escalate the situation.

“You’re gonna have to save your flirting for later,” Faith said with a wink, her tone light but with an underlying command. “I’ve got to stop this idiot from causing a scene.” She gave Kit a quick smile before turning away, heading toward Albus.

Kit stood there for a second, blinking and trying to suppress her embarrassment. She had just attempted to flirt with someone who could have been straight-up out of her league, and now, she was getting caught in a small battle of egos involving what looked like a pretty intense rivalry.

But it was clear Faith wasn’t fazed by any of it. With that, Kit’s smile turned a little more mischievous. “Alright, I’ll take the challenge later,” she said to herself, a little more confident than before. She watched Faith hurry off, her heart racing.

L

Meanwhile, Albus was still holding the ball, a dangerous glint in his eyes. His smile was that of a man who found all rules to be optional, especially when he had the perfect target. But before he could make his move, he was intercepted by Faith, who wrapped him in a chokehold from behind.

“Albus, if you throw that, I’ll make you play every booth game until your arms fall off!” she scolded, her voice full of playful threat. Kerano giggled at the scene, clapping her hands.

Albus sighed dramatically but gave in. “Alright, alright, I’ll spare the guy,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes. “But he deserved it! He was totally cheating!”

Faith let him go, shaking her head but smiling. “I know. I saw. But trust me, starting a riot at the festival is not how I want to spend my afternoon.”

To continue

I kinda lost interest of this. Might come back to add things. Uuhhh don’t know.

@kitsprivatelair hope you like how I added your desperation simp self for goddess Faith

[zeke-fanfucs]

OKAY OKAY BIG IDEA AND I LOVE TO SEE SOMEONE DRAW THIS!!!

⸻

“Bastard vs. Zombie: Gamer AU”

HIPSWITCH

• Streamer name: “SwitchShot”

• Content: Western-style and survival games—Red Dead Redemption 2, Hunt: Showdown, Weird West

• Vibe: Cowboy hat-wearing, drawling commentary, always rides off into the sunset (usually after accidentally shooting his horse). Chat loves him for his moral dilemmas and soft rants about the nature of justice in video games. He’s got a loyal following called “The Switchgang” who spam tumbleweed emojis whenever he starts streaming.

• Favorite quote: “There’s a code to every outlaw. Mine just happens to include lootin’ and petting dogs.”

MAHATMA & ATTILA

• Shared channel: “ScalpelTwins”

• Genre: Medical horror, grotesque anatomy puzzle games (Autopsy Simulator, Body of Evidence, Surgeon Simulator 2)

• Setup: Mahatma tries to calmly analyze and explain the medical aspects while Attila—either over his shoulder or forcibly hijacking the stream—insults the game, the devs, the players, and sometimes the viewers. Their fans love the twin dynamic.

• Mahatma is the soft-spoken host who talks about body horror like he’s giving a lecture, sipping tea while removing a virtual lung.

• Attila screams things like, “That’s not where the liver goes, you pretzel-brained fucker!” and throws snacks at the webcam.

• Their fans are either med students or chaos lovers.

ALBUS

• Streamer name: “RagePill”

• Game of choice: Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and the occasional Monster Hunter

• Style: Absolute gremlin. Always makes cursed characters with names like “Hamslice” or “DaddyRuin” and gives them tragic backstories. He beats impossible bosses shirtless and with a fork, then turns around and gives dating advice like “Just parry their emotional distance, bro.”

• Drinks mid-stream. Half the chat doesn’t know if he’s serious. He probably doesn’t either.

• Once got banned for telling a boss, “You fight like my last ex and just as disappointing.”

• People tune in for the unhinged chaos, but stay for the bizarre wisdom hidden beneath.

KARMOR

• Streamer name: “Kamor.exe”

• Genre: Still discovering. Plays chill indie games, occasionally ventures into big-name titles like Stardew Valley, Subnautica, or Outer Wilds.

• Vibe: Soft, awkward, very “just chatting with lo-fi music,” but when he gets scared in horror games, he lets out tiny, startled “eep!” sounds.

• Genuinely unsure why people watch him but is slowly developing a fanbase drawn to his sincerity.

• Occasionally gets raided by Hipswitch or Mahatma, and it sends him into a mild panic every time.

• Known for asking “How do you jump?” far too often.

⸻

FAITH

• Streamer name: “SisterSpatula”

• Content: Cozy cooking streams with soft lighting, relaxing music, and gentle narration—her stream is like digital tea.

• Signature: Every so often, little Kerano pops in with her own “child genius” wisdom like, “If the oven beeps twice, it’s lying,” or “You don’t need a recipe if you have hands and God.”

• Video Games: She occasionally plays Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer, or wholesome indies.

• Special Feature: She’s part of the “Unholy Trinity” game night with Albus and Devlin, where the three of them co-op horror or survival games. Faith is scarily good. The boys begged her to join because they sucked at it and screamed too much.

• Her followers: lovingly called “the Kitchen Choir.”

• Favorite quote: “Just add love… and butter. But mostly butter.”

⸻

KERANO

• Not a streamer, but a recurring star on Faith’s channel

• Known for saying unnervingly wise or cursed things during cooking streams or while Faith plays games.

• Occasionally grabs the controller and wins without knowing what she’s doing.

• Meme status: her saying “Maybe the ghost is just lonely” during a Phasmophobia stream became viral.

• Once beat Albus in Mario Kart and said, “He drives like he does in real life.”

⸻

DEVLIN

• Streamer name: “PatchMeUp”

• Content: Engineering/maker streams—welds, 3D prints, or rigs bizarre contraptions like a flamethrower toaster or a potato-based motion sensor.

• Games: Streams techy survival/horror games like Dead Space, Astroneer, and Five Nights at Freddy’s (which Albus dared him to play).

• Dragged Albus in to test his DIY projects live, such as:

• The “Taser Gauntlet of Encouragement”

• A chair that ejects when you lie

• An automatic snack launcher (still in beta, launched a whole sandwich at his wall)

• Stream Vibe: chaotic genius, tech gremlin energy. Uses words no one understands. Regularly electrocuted.

• Fans: Tech nerds and people who enjoy watching someone almost destroy their own apartment.

• Quote: “This is technically safe. If you ignore the voltage curve.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

Hello have you thought of how faithful and kerano meet karmor? If so how does it go

“We Don’t Leave Each Other”

⸻

The warehouse reeked of rust, oil, and something darker—like burned sugar and old blood.

Faithful kicked the door in with Devlin behind her, both armed, both burning.

Albus was already inside, reckless and loud, throwing bodies like furniture.

But Kerano wasn’t screaming anymore.

That’s what scared Faithful most.

She saw the gang. Seven men. Two holding Kerano, her little arms bound, face bruised. One was raising a gun.

And then—

Time cracked.

Not stopped. Not rewound.

Bent.

Like a paper being folded.

The man with the gun froze mid-motion. The others blinked, then stumbled backward like the floor shifted sideways.

And there, standing between Kerano and death, was Karmor.

Terrified. But he stood tall anyway.

He had just appeared.

Like the air decided he belonged.

And as the man fired—

Karmor raised a hand.

Reality shuddered.

The bullet never reached her.

It spiraled mid-air and shattered against the concrete like glass.

But the moment the threads realigned, Karmor screamed.

He fell like a puppet cut from strings—his leg twisting beneath him with a sound that made Faithful’s stomach turn.

Albus got to him first, shouting something that sounded like “You absolute moron!” as he picked Karmor up like a sack of potatoes and dragged him behind cover.

Kerano ran to Faithful, sobbing, clinging. “He saved me. He just—he was there. He made the world stop.”

⸻

Later, in the ship’s medbay as Devlin flies them back to the base, Mahatma hovered like a worried mother hen, setting the broken leg with soft words and glowing salves.

Faithful sat nearby, holding Kerano close, watching Karmor.

“You’re not like anyone I’ve met,” she said gently.

Karmor gave her a dazed smile. “I’m not sure I’ve met me yet either.”

Faithful tilted her head. “You jumped into hell for someone you didn’t know.”

“She was scared,” he said, like that explained everything. “And I know what it feels like to be alone when it happens.”

Faithful blinked.

Then reached out and gently took his hand.

“You’re not alone now.”

Mahatma glanced up, nodded, and whispered, “He’s family now, isn’t he?”

Albus, from the corner, grunted. “Yeah. Whether he likes it or not.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

🪐FAN THEORY

Okay, so I’m really exhausted since I watched all the BvzZ and BW. The demon from BW told something to Devlin in episode 12 (Bastard Warrior and Listener battle priest to rescue child). Faithful learns a bit Sub-Delta. But anyways, Devlin learn that Kerano isn’t the only GodKiller. Also how Kerano was unaffected by drugs, that Brother Joshua had to make a new type a drug. Interesting. Also Albus knows the holy language of truth. (If someone could translate it, amazing job!)

Greek letter: Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, represented by the symbol Δ or ƍ.

It’s probably nothing, but what if Sub-Delta isn’t the first operation. What if Karmor was part of something similar with the Academy of Intelligence. Would the Mad Crow be like a teacher or someone who was studying with Karmor. Cause in the first episode of BvzZ how the Mad Crow said “I hate you”, it’s strange how he said it. Like they shared a bond that snapped. Or that’s me being stupid. So what if, and this is a BIG IF. Like don’t trust my opinion or what I’m going to say cause I need sleep. What if Karmor is a godkiller, he’s powers were maybe capable to kill the gods. Maybe the Mad Crow was okay to kill the gods, but Karmor refused and betrayed the Mad Crow. Again I’m just having dulus. Oh well, I’m dumb I’m going to do my school work now

[zeke-fanfucs]

Welcome home

EHEHEHEHEHEH! It’s a fanfic of my beloved family! Aka! The Bastard Family! Featured Faith, Kerano, Devlin and our favorite ALBUS! (Yes this is before the whole shitshow of Kamor’s power. I NEED THIS OKAY!)

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/—-//—/—////——

The air was warm, the scent of soil and fresh herbs drifting through the dry desert breeze. Faith’s garden was a rare patch of green in the otherwise sunbaked wasteland of SpringRock—a small miracle in a land where life had no right to thrive.

And right in the middle of it, giggling with uncontained joy, was Kerano. She sat cross-legged in the shade of the cabin’s porch, surrounded by a ragtag army of stuffed toys. Some were well-loved, some were missing buttons or patches of fur, but none were as battle-worn as Fluffal.

The stitched-up bunny sat proudly in her lap, his fur matted from years of cuddles and his seams reinforced more times than she could count. Fluffal had seen wars. He had survived tea parties, pillow fort sieges, and the great mud puddle incident of last week.

Kerano held him up, shaking him dramatically. “Commander Fluffal!” she announced, her voice filled with faux seriousness. “The enemy forces are approaching from the east!”

She turned to a stuffed lizard with a missing tail. “General Wiggles, prepare the troops!”

The lizard flopped over in response.

“No time for naps, General!”

She giggled, placing Fluffal down as she started rearranging her army, completely engrossed in her mission. The desert wind ruffled her dark curls, but she paid it no mind. Her world was here, in this little garden, where she could play without a care.

From the porch, a voice called out. “Kerano,” Faith’s warm tone carried through the air. “Don’t wander too far from the house, alright?”

Kerano’s head snapped up. “I won’t, Mom!” she chirped before turning back to Fluffal and whispering, “That was the Queen of the Kingdom. We must protect her at all costs.”

Fluffal, as always, remained steadfast in his duty.

——————————————

Behind the house in a small workshop, the rhythmic clanking of metal echoed through the dry air as Delvin tightened the last few screws on the weapon in front of him. It was a sleek, customized rifle—nothing too fancy, but sturdy enough to survive the harshness of SpringRock.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, exhaling as he reached for a bolt he’d set aside earlier.

His fingers met empty space.

Delvin’s eye twitched. Slowly, he looked up.

And there, leaning lazily against the workbench with a shit-eating grin, was Albus.

Delvin didn’t even hesitate—he just rolled his eyes and held out his hand.

“Give it back.”

Albus twirled the bolt between his fingers, inspecting it like it was some rare treasure. “Give what back?”

Delvin deadpanned. “I don’t have the patience for your games today, Albus.”

Albus smirked, flipping the bolt once before finally tossing it toward Delvin, who caught it effortlessly.

“Didn’t think you’d actually show up,” Delvin muttered, turning his attention back to the rifle.

Albus shrugged. “Didn’t think you’d still be holed up here, playing house.”

Delvin’s hands paused for a second before continuing his work. “Not playing. Just… making sure this family stays standing.”

Albus scoffed, but there was something guarded in his expression. He rarely came around—not because he didn’t care, but because he cared too much. He wasn’t like Delvin. He wasn’t steady. He wasn’t reliable.

He was a mess. And this family? They deserved better than a mess.

Delvin glanced at him, as if reading his mind, but said nothing. Instead, he just sighed, shaking his head. “If you’re staying, make yourself useful. I’ve got another job after this one.”

Albus smirked. “You want me handling weapons? Bold choice.”

Delvin snorted. “Not handling. Lifting. You’re taller than me—useful for once.”

Albus grumbled, but he didn’t leave. Instead, he grabbed a wrench, twirling it between his fingers before setting it down next to Delvin. It wasn’t much. But it was something.

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾ ≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━

In the quiet of the house, the scent of fresh herbs and simmering broth filled the air. Faith stood at the kitchen counter, carefully slicing a ripe tomato, her movements slow and methodical.

Her gaze drifted to the window, where she could see Kerano outside, completely lost in her world of stuffed animals and imaginary battles. A soft smile tugged at Faith’s lips.

It had been a few months since the incident. Since everything changed.

Since she nearly lost everything.

Her fingers absentmindedly brushed against the chain around her neck, her thumb tracing over the simple ring that hung from it.

Albus’s ring.

She let out a quiet sigh, rolling it between her fingers. She never took it off. It rested against her heart—a constant reminder of what could have been.

What she wanted but refused to reach for.

She knew how he felt. How he tried to keep his distance, convinced he was nothing but a storm that would wreck whatever peace she had built.

But he didn’t realize—he was part of that peace.

Faith shook her head, pushing the thoughts away as she resumed cutting the tomato.

She hummed a soft lullaby as she worked, the same one she used to sing to Kerano on restless nights. It was an old song, one from before she left the Triad. Before she became this.

A mother. A fugitive.

A woman in love with a man too stubborn to believe he deserved to be loved back.

She exhaled, placing the sliced tomatoes into a bowl.

Outside, Kerano laughed, the sound full of life. And in the distance, she swore she heard the faint echo of boots approaching.

Albus was here.

────────༺♰༻────────

Faith didn’t turn around, didn’t need to. She just smiled as she continued preparing lunch.

“Welcome home,” she said softly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Albus froze in the doorway.

Home.

The word settled deep in his chest, foreign and familiar all at once. He had never really had a home before—just places he crashed, places he fought, places he ran from.

Yet here… in this quiet little cabin, with the scent of fresh food in the air, Kerano’s laughter outside, and Faith standing there like she had always been waiting for him—

It felt like home. And that scared the hell out of him.

He swallowed, shifting awkwardly. “Didn’t know I was staying.”

Faith glanced over her shoulder, her expression knowing but gentle. “You never do.”

Albus exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn’t good at this—at staying, at belonging. He didn’t deserve this place. He didn’t deserve her.

And yet… he was still standing in the doorway, unable to make himself leave.

Faith didn’t say anything more, but she reached for the bottle of whiskey on the counter, pouring a generous amount into a glass before sliding it toward him.

Albus didn’t need to be asked. He picked up the glass, his fingers wrapping around the cool rim. His eyes met hers for a moment, his usual playful grin creeping onto his face. It was a facade, a shield he wore well. But something in the way his eyes softened told her more than words ever could.

He took a long sip, savoring the burn as it slid down his throat. Then, with a quick, sly smile, he looked at her again.

“Thought I was the only one with bad habits,” he teased, raising the glass as if to make a toast.

Faith didn’t flinch, not this time. “Everyone needs a vice,” she replied with a wink, continuing to slice the vegetables with practiced precision.

For a brief moment, Albus felt the walls he’d built for so long start to crumble. He knew she didn’t push. She never did. But he couldn’t shake the feeling she saw through him, knew the parts of him that were broken, the parts he kept hidden.

It wasn’t just about the whiskey.

It was the way he avoided real food, the way he filled himself with Load Pills instead.

It was the way he pushed people away even as he longed for their company.

But Albus couldn’t bring himself to let her in. Not fully.

He leaned against the doorframe, a half-smirk still playing on his lips. “Maybe one day you’ll teach me how to cook like that,” he said, nodding toward the stove.

Faith smiled without looking up. “I’m sure you’d ruin it.”

He chuckled softly, but the weight of her words, the ease of the moment, lingered in the air. The truth was, he was already ruining things. Ruining himself.

But for now, he’d settle for this—this fragile, unspoken truce. Just being here.

Just being home.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The door swung open with a thud as Kerano stormed into the kitchen, her little legs stomping on the wooden floor in dramatic fashion. She was clutching Fluffal tightly in her arms, the bunny still showing signs of all the battles it had endured over the years. The plushie had seen more action than most warriors, and Kerano treated it like a true comrade.

She paused when she saw Albus standing near the door, her face going from fiery frustration to a more reserved, shy expression. Albus had always been there for her—another father figure in her chaotic little world—but she still wasn’t fully sure how to act around him. She had a little habit of calling him “Mr. Albus,” as if she were still trying to make sense of the fact that he was part of her world now.

Kerano waved her free hand excitedly, her voice high-pitched and eager. “Mr. Albus! Guess what! I finally won against the mean desert rats!”

Her eyes sparkled with pride, and she held Fluffal up as if the bunny had helped her win the fight. “They kept eating our raspberries, but I showed them! I told them, ‘No more! You’re not taking my mom’s berries!’”

She puffed out her chest, as if she had just saved the entire family from a great catastrophe.

Fluffal’s floppy ears bounced with every dramatic gesture.

Albus couldn’t help but smile, the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth despite himself. His usual playful demeanor softened as he looked down at Kerano, the shy little girl who had changed everything.

“Is that so?” Albus said, his voice light but warm. “You took down all the rats by yourself?”

Kerano nodded enthusiastically, spinning in a small circle as if reenacting her victory. “Yep! All by myself! Fluffal helped too!” She glanced at the bunny, holding him up like a trophy, as if Fluffal had somehow dealt the final blow.

Faith, watching the exchange from the stove, smiled softly to herself. Her heart warmed as she glanced at the two of them, knowing how much Albus meant to Kerano—and how, despite his walls, Albus had become more than just a protector to the girl. He was family.

She turned back to her work, letting the moment play out. The kitchen, once quiet and solitary, was now filled with a hum of life.

Delvin walked in, wiping his hands on a rag as he stepped through the door. His brown hair, usually messy from long hours spent working, was now streaked with a bit of muck and dust from his latest project. His green eyes flicked over the room before landing on Faith, who was busy at the stove, and then to the little whirlwind of energy that was Kerano, proudly showing off her victory over the desert rats.

He froze for a moment, looking at the kitchen floor, which had just been cleaned not long ago. His lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced at his hands—definitely not clean.

Faith caught the look and sighed, wiping a hand over her forehead. She had just cleaned the floors, and now it looked like they were all covered in dirt, muck, and whatever else they had dragged in from the outside. The joys of living in a desert, she thought, slightly amused at the chaos.

Delvin chuckled sheepishly. “Well… I guess that’s my cue to leave my boots outside next time, huh?” He glanced down at his boots, now caked with dust from the day’s work.

Kerano, hearing him, darted over and quickly grabbed onto his leg. “Daddy!” she squeaked, her eyes wide with excitement. “I beat the rats! I’m a hero!”

Delvin looked down at her, his heart swelling with affection. He’d never get used to hearing her call him Dad—but it was a word he would protect with everything he had. He ruffled her messy black hair, a smile tugging at his lips. “A hero, huh? Well, I guess I’d better start calling you ‘Captain Kerano’ from now on.”

Kerano grinned brightly, then immediately ran to show Fluffal off to Delvin, her stuffed bunny now her proud trophy.

Faith watched the interaction quietly, a soft warmth filling her chest as she turned back to the stove. She had built this little family out of what she had left—what they had left—and every day it grew a little stronger. It wasn’t perfect, but in this place, with the dust and the heat, she had everything she needed.

Delvin, wiping his hands once more, looked at Faith with a knowing expression. “I’ll take the blame for the floor later,” he said, a bit of humor in his voice. But his eyes lingered on her, and for a brief moment, something more than just friendship flickered between them. He knew his place now, though—he wasn’t blind to the connection that Faith and Albus had, even if neither of them had the guts to admit it.

Faith caught the look and smiled faintly. “You’re a good dad, Delvin,” she said softly. “Kerano is lucky to have you.”

Delvin didn’t reply at first, his eyes softening as he watched Kerano run around, her laughter filling the room. He had accepted the fact that Faith had moved on, but he would never stop caring for her—and for Kerano, who had stolen his heart just as quickly as she had stolen Faith’s.

“Maybe. But it’s her that’s lucky to have you as her mom,” he muttered, almost to himself.

Faith didn’t respond right away. She just smiled quietly, her back turned as she chopped more vegetables for their meal. Delvin had been her closest friend for so long—he understood her, and she understood him. Even if their paths hadn’t crossed the way either of them expected, they had made something real together.

Outside, the wind howled over the desert, the heat pressing in from every angle. But inside this little home, amidst the dirt, the dust, and the mess—this was where they were meant to be. This was their family.

[zeke-fanfucs]

Little Kamor before he gets traumatized by his tormentors (probably Mad Crow)

Anyways, friend and I were laughing about what we wish Kamor would say when/if he gets his voice

Soooo, here’s our best (Number #1)

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

In a middle of a battle between a group of Triad Knights, Kamor regains control after witnessing the ones who been caring for him since he woke in this new world. A surge of anger came, pushing down the voice of a man in a crow’s mask in his head, a rippling pain on his throat burned as he ran forward. The shouts of Albus telling him to stop, the fear in Hipswitch’s voice begging him to return, even Attila yelled at Kamor to return. But they all became silent as a surge of blue lighting rippling through their silent friend as Kamor growled..

“Get. The. FUCK. Away. From. My. Family!”

Memories flooded like a broken dam in Kamor’s head. The memories of his childhood, family, friends.. the torment in which he faced. Kamor growled as he grasp his head as he pour his anger into his powers. He shifted the lightings, the atoms changed to sword made from the lighting and shoot towards those who dare harm his family. Faithful, who held the injured Albus whispered

“Albus.. who is he.?”

Albus lets out a breathless laugh. He’s surprised seeing the man who he secretly considers a younger brother who needed protection now was the protector

“He’s.. a friend.”

Hipswitch felt warmth, usually he was the one to protect, so it felt a bit strange seeing the man he’s been protecting for so long protecting him. Manhatma gasp seeing the powers, the fear of death soon forgotten as he muttered questions of Kamor’s full power. Delvin lets out a flabbergasted chuckle as he held Kerano as the threat was gone. Kamor staggered down to his knees. The rush of his memories felt like someone shot him with a .338 Win. Mag. from the back of his head. His vision goes foggy but he felt the familiar cold steel hands that belonged to Hipswitch caught him before he fell. Hipswitch whispering to Kamor

“You.. you did great partner. Rest, I don’t mind carrying you again.”

Kamor lets an exhausted chuckled as he lets his head rest on Hipswitch’s chest. His voice horsed

“Kay.. I.. we.. we can talk.. lat-”

Hipswitch interrupts him

“Rest Partner, I know. We will.. figure things out.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

I’m gonna need some angst between Albus and faithful, maybe where faith almost dies and Albus saves her or something like that, but Yknow 😉😉

Absolutely~ my lil anomaly. You’re getting raw, gut-wrenching angst followed by soul-healing comfort. Albus, heartbroken and broken, pushed past the edge of damnation for love—and Faithful, even in death and return, is his tether. Here we go.

⸻

Title: “To the End”

They found them too late.

The Triad had finally caught up. Like vultures to rot, they’d found their trail.

Albus had raced back to the safehouse, fingers twitching around the grip of his blade, something in his gut already screaming. And when he opened that door—

It was silent.

Faithful’s body was slumped near the stove, blood soaking the apron she still wore. The pot of stew she’d been humming over lay shattered beside her. Kerano was curled in her arms, motionless, pale. And Devlin—his older half-brother, the bastard with the crooked grin—was crumpled just beyond the threshold, weapon still drawn, throat torn open.

For one long, shattering second, Albus couldn’t breathe.

Then he screamed.

The gods did not answer.

He stumbled forward, dropping to his knees beside Faithful, his blood-soaked hands trembling as he gathered her close.

“No, no no no—no, Faith…” His voice cracked into something unrecognizable. “Come on, baby, you’re— you’re the strongest thing I know, you—!”

But she didn’t stir.

And something inside him shattered.

⸻

The carnage he left behind after that… it couldn’t be called human.

They called him a demon in the Triad’s final hours. A monster.

He became what they’d always feared—a fury with nothing left to lose.

Churches burned. Screaming priests, shrieking in tongues, were silenced beneath his blade. He cut down zealots in droves, eyes red with blood and grief. If the gods wouldn’t answer? He’d drag them down from their thrones and make them bleed too.

And when the flames died, all that was left was ashes.

⸻

He saved their bodies—Faithful, Kerano, and Devlin—locked in stasis capsules he bought with blood money and black-market tech. Ice-cradled. Preserved in time. And when the offer came from a scientist who whispered of resurrection, he didn’t hesitate.

Albus sold everything for the chance.

And then—

They breathed again.

The capsules hissed open with a slow exhale. Devlin gasped first, cursing loud and hoarse. Kerano blinked up at the lights, confused, whispering Faithful’s name.

And Faithful… beautiful even in death… opened her eyes.

Albus broke.

He dropped to his knees at her side, his hands shaking like a leaf in a storm. Tears poured down his face, hot and messy, splashing against her cheek as he buried his face in her lap.

“I did it,” he sobbed. “I fucking did it. I brought you back, I burned them all, I—”

His voice cracked, lower now, trembling.

“I’m a monster, Faith. I am. They were right. I don’t deserve to be seen by your eyes, not after what I’ve done. But I couldn’t— I couldn’t let them take you from me. I’d do it all again, I swear it— I’d burn the whole world just to hold your hand again.”

Faithful lifted his chin gently.

There were tears in her eyes too.

“You are not a monster,” she whispered. “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine, Albus. To the end.”

And then she kissed him.

Fingers curling in his hair, lips pressing softly to his tear-streaked mouth—gentle, grounding, like he wasn’t covered in ash and blood but in hope.

He choked on a sob and held her so tightly it hurt

“I’ll stay with you,” she murmured. “If you lose yourself again—I’ll pull you back. I promise.”

Albus nodded into her shoulder, clinging to her like the lifeline she was.

“To the end,” he whispered. “To the end.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

Older kerano getting a boyfriend and having to meet faithful, Devlin, and Albus.

Trial By Fist

Kerano adjusted Orion’s collar as they stood outside the house she grew up in. He looked nervous, despite already knowing what was coming.

“I’m grown,” she said calmly. “I make my own choices now.”

“I know,” Orion replied, fiddling with a rose he brought for Faithful. “But they still scare me. Especially the tall one with no soul.”

“You’ll have to be more specific.”

The door opened.

Faithful stood there with her hair braided back and a tea towel slung over her shoulder. She looked serene. Dangerously so. “Welcome back, Orion.”

He handed her the flower. “For you.”

She smiled. “Still polite. That’s good.”

Devlin emerged from the kitchen, eyes like surgical knives. He said nothing. Just stared. Orion gulped.

And Albus?

Albus sat in a chair in the hallway with his boots up, arms crossed, and a quiet smirk pulling at his face.

“Well,” he drawled. “Look who survived puberty.”

Kerano rolled her eyes. “Don’t be weird.”

Albus stood slowly, cracking his knuckles. “C’mon, Orion. Let’s talk outside.”

“NO,” Kerano said, immediately stepping between them.

“It’s tradition,” Albus said with a shrug. “He wants in? I get one punch. That’s the rule.”

“That’s not a rule!” Orion cried.

Faithful held up a finger. “Actually, it sort of is.”

Devlin nodded. “Been that way since Kerano was thirteen.”

Kerano groaned as Albus led Orion out back.

The garden was quiet, save for wind in the trees. Orion stood facing Albus, hands loose at his sides.

“I don’t wanna fight you,” he said.

Albus nodded. “That’s not what this is about. You don’t swing. You just stand there.”

“That’s worse.”

“Yup.”

Albus drew back his arm. Orion tensed.

And when the punch came — fast, brutal, sudden — Orion moved.

He didn’t dodge it completely, but he twisted at the last second, absorbing the impact with his cheek instead of his jaw. He grunted, stumbled, and caught himself.

Then straightened.

Cheek already swelling.

Albus blinked.

Orion sniffed. “Still standing.”

Albus stared at him a long moment… then barked a short, sharp laugh.

“Well I’ll be damned.”

He clapped Orion on the shoulder — a gesture that nearly knocked him over.

“Respect,” Albus said. “You got hit like a truck and didn’t fold. You really like her, huh?”

“I’d take ten more,” Orion muttered, wiping his nose. “Please don’t make me.”

Albus grinned. “Nah. One’s enough.”

They returned to the house. Faith gave Orion an ice pack. Devlin raised one brow approvingly. Kerano scowled and dabbed at his eye.

“I told you he’d do something dumb,” she muttered.

Orion, grinning through the bruise, leaned toward her.

“Worth it.”

Albus crossed his arms and looked out the window.

“…Guess he’s not completely useless.”

Faith smiled faintly. “He’ll fit right in.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

Zeke…it’s time to pay your rent. Cook something up for me

Title: “We Choose Life”

(Scary Faith, Colt being a bitch, kerano already knew how to steal.)

(Colt is my oc for those who don’t know)

The town of Maya was never quiet, but this—this was different.

Faithful was a blur of muscle and wrath, swinging Albus’s oversized sword like it was a goddamn spatula. The edge missed Colt’s nose by a whisker as he yelped, vaulting over a half-toppled fruit cart.

“You taught her to what?” Faith thundered, eyes wild, skirts hiked up just enough to run like hell.

“I-it was survival training!” Colt panted, using his tail to spring off a wall. “She asked! She was curious!”

Kerano sat daintily on the curb, sipping from a juice pouch like royalty. Her scuffed shoes tapped together while Fluffle, her ever-limp stuffed bunny, sat crooked in her lap. She sucked her teeth in satisfaction. “He said if I could steal an apple without the old man noticing, I was ready for Level Two.”

“LEVEL TWO?” Faith screamed, voice cracking a window.

Meanwhile, across the street, Albus stood beside Devlin, arms crossed, sipping from a hip flask with the calm of a man who knows better.

Devlin didn’t even blink as Colt tripped over a barrel and face-planted into a fish display.

“I’m not getting in the middle of that,” Albus muttered.

Devlin nodded. “Nah. We choose life.”

Another roar. Another swing. Colt scrambled up, hair full of herring, as Faith cleaved through the ground next to his boot.

Kerano gave a tiny smirk. “Told you she’d find out.”

Faith pointed the massive sword one-handed like it was made of foam. “COLT. TRAINING. MONTAGE. IS. CANCELLED.”

Colt whimpered. “But she passed—!”

“RUN.”

And he did.

[zeke-fanfucs]

I’m not sure if anyone’s asked this before but!

Older teenage kerano getting a boyfriend, and then having to meet Devlin, Faith, and Albus?

Dinner with the Doom Squad

Orion adjusted his collar for the fiftieth time and stared at the closed door in front of him. Inside that house sat:

• Devlin: six-foot-something, sleek, surgically sharp ex-mercenary with terrifying calm.

• Faithful: beautiful, unreadable, and probably strong enough to throw him through a window.

• Albus: built like a brick wall with the emotional depth of a broken barstool and an unblinking death glare.

All three were Kerano’s family. And Orion was supposed to eat spaghetti with them.

He knocked.

The door opened. Faithful smiled like a schoolteacher who’d seen some shit. “Come in, Orion.”

He stepped inside, sweat already clinging to his back.

Kerano sat at the table looking like someone being held hostage by love and dread. She mouthed sorry the second he stepped into view.

Devlin rose smoothly from his chair. “Good to see you again.”

He shook Orion’s hand like he was checking for structural integrity. Orion gritted his teeth and prayed his knuckles stayed intact.

Albus didn’t stand. He just stared. Fork twirling spaghetti. Eyes locked. Like a lion sizing up a gazelle.

“So,” Devlin said, smooth as wine, “Orion. Tell us about your intentions.”

Orion coughed. “My—uh, my intentions?”

“Yes,” Faith said sweetly, setting down her napkin. “With our Kerano.”

Kerano groaned. “You guys…”

“I like her,” Orion said quickly, glancing at her. “She’s smart, and kind, and she deserves someone who respects her.”

Albus made a sound. A low grunt that was either “acceptable” or “I will stab you with this fork.” No one could tell.

“Do you believe in marriage?” Devlin asked.

“DEVLIN,” Kerano snapped.

“I’m just asking questions,” he said mildly.

Faithful leaned forward. “What are your thoughts on violence?”

“Against—like—what kind?”

“Say… if a stranger insulted her.”

Orion blinked. “Uh… probably try words first?”

Albus snorted. “Soft.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Faith said, waving her hand. “That’s his third beer.”

“It’s water,” Albus growled.

Dinner went on. Orion ate quietly, tried not to look like he was sweating, and answered all thirty-seven of Devlin’s gentle but deeply intimidating questions. Faith just watched, always smiling, always calculating. Albus barely blinked the whole night.

After dessert (peach cobbler, because Faith was deadly in the kitchen), Orion stood to leave.

“Thank you for having me,” he said, awkwardly polite. “I, uh. Hope I can keep seeing Kerano.”

Faith nodded once. Devlin offered a neutral “We’ll see.”

And Albus—

Albus stood, finally, towering. He walked up to Orion.

Leaned in.

And whispered:

“If you hurt her, I will put your kidneys in a blender.”

Then, clapped him on the shoulder like they were old pals.

Orion left the house pale and shaky but technically alive.

Kerano watched from the window, arms crossed, lips twitching.

“…You threatened him again,” she said.

Albus shrugged, popping another Load Pill. “He took it well.”

Faith smirked. “He didn’t cry this time. That’s progress.”

Devlin poured himself tea. “I still have a background alert set up. Just in case.”

Kerano sighed.

Her family was insane.

But… it was kind of sweet, in its own terrifying way

[zeke-fanfucs]

Okay, I have a crazy idea, Older teenage kerano liking a guy and going on a date with a guy, and devlin’s, Albus, and faith’s reaction?

“Kerano’s Date (a Disaster Waiting to Happen)”

Kerano smoothed her skirt, checked the mirror, and tried not to panic.

She wasn’t a kid anymore. She was seventeen. She had a date. With a guy. A nice one. Polite. Smart. He liked books. He didn’t seem like a criminal. A win, right?

So why did it sound like three grown adults were currently staging a covert military operation outside the hallway?

Faithful knocked gently, her voice all warmth and concern.

“Sweetheart, are you sure about this boy? What’s his name again? Orion? That’s not a demonic name, is it?”

“He’s in my chemistry class, Mom. He’s fine.*”

In the living room, Devlin was whisper-yelling.

“We run a full background check. I have contacts. I can do this fast.”

“She’s going on a date, not enlisting in the war!” Faith whispered back. “Put that damn tablet away!”

Albus, meanwhile, was pacing, his arms crossed so tightly it looked like he might snap in half.

“Look,” he muttered, pointing a Load Pill at no one in particular. “If he breathes wrong, I’ll—*”

“You’ll what?” Faith snapped, arms crossed, giving him the look.

Albus faltered. “…I’ll politely question his intentions.”

Faith narrowed her eyes. Devlin snorted.

Kerano stepped out of her room just then — radiant, nervous, cheeks pink. “You three are being weird.”

“We’re concerned,” Devlin corrected.

“We’re protective,” Faith added.

“We’re gonna kill him,” Albus said.

“ALBUS.”

The doorbell rang.

Everyone froze.

Kerano inhaled sharply. “That’s him.”

Faith grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “You don’t have to go if you’re uncomfortable.”

“I’m good.” Kerano smiled, nervous but steady. “I want to do this.”

Devlin and Albus shared a look like they were sending her off to a firing squad.

She opened the door. Orion stood there with flowers and a slightly terrified look in his eyes as he spotted the three doom guardians behind her.

“Uh… hi,” he said.

Albus stepped forward. Devlin flanked him. Faith stood directly behind Kerano, all calm judgment and silent warning.

Orion nearly dropped the flowers.

“Bring her back by ten,” Devlin said, voice silky and terrifying.

“Don’t touch anything unless she says you can,” Albus growled.

Faith simply smiled. “You make good choices, sweetheart.”

Kerano rolled her eyes so hard she nearly levitated. “Bye!”

She dragged Orion away before the grilling could escalate into bloodshed.

As the door shut, the three of them stood in silence.

Albus exhaled through his nose. “I hate this.”

Devlin pulled out his tablet again. “I give it forty minutes before he says something dumb.”

Faith smiled. “I give her twenty minutes before she calls us saying she’s fine and that we need to stop lurking across the street.”

Albus paused. “…so we are following them, right?”

Devlin and Faith exchanged a look.

“…Obviously.”

[zeke-fanfucs]

I CANT STOP THINKING

Okay Kay. Uhhhhhhhhhh don’t know if anyone might get this but here it goes

I have a hyper fixation with Supernatural (a supernatural show of two brothers getting fucked over by some supernatural forces all cause they were worried about their father being missing on a “hunting” trip.)

And I thought something was familiar about Dean. He likes women, food and drinking. Every 80s bad boy type. But he’s trying to cope by those things cause his mom died a horrible death, dad was practically a deadbeat, and he had a younger brother to care for.

You know who that reminds me of? ABLUS YORK! The man sleeps with anyone, drinks and cares deeply of family.

Okay okay look

Dean: cares about family, copes in unhealthy ways, violent behavior, literally went to hell and purgatory. Will give up the only healthy family he had (Aka Lisa and Ben) so they would be pulled into the mess of his life.

Ablus: cares for the people he considers his family, copes with drinking and pleasure, suffers from Sub Delta Project, has sacrifice himself for his family (Faithful, Davin, and Kerano)

I will do more, but sadly I’m human and need to eat. Be back in a few minutes. Byeye

[spiderjumper]

needed to save this for myself later

YALL KNOW THE DRILL! I’m at school and got some inspiration by my stupid Instagram reels! Plus the fact I speed read all the School AU of Bastard Vs Zombies!

——————

Summary!

Kamor, the new mute kid at a chaotic, underfunded school, quickly finds himself entangled in a whirlwind of mischief and friendships with a quirky group of students

————-

The Gang descriptions:

• Hipswitch: A dark-skinned, cowboy-inspired with striking white splashes across his body, giving him a unique, almost paint-splattered appearance. He sports a prosthetic arm, the result of a past fire in his early foster home, and exudes an old Western charm. Hipswitch is tough yet surprisingly gentle, always ready to lend a hand, especially to Kamor, who has developed a quiet crush on him.

• Albus: The delinquent goofball of the group, Albus’s green eyes are as dynamic as his moods, shifting from bright and mischievous to dark and intense. He’s the type to start a fight just as easily as he’ll flirt, and he has a big heart, even if he struggles with family issues. He’s not afraid to get into trouble and drag Kamor along with him for the ride.

• Mahatma: A calm and intelligent soul, Mahatma’s glasses and cream-colored clothing give him an air of quiet sophistication. He’s the voice of reason in the group, always willing to help and give advice, although he often finds himself caught in the chaos around him. Mahatma is warm, kind-hearted, and perceptive, offering gentle support to Kamor as he navigates his new life.

• Attila: The quiet yet dangerous twin, Attila’s sharp glare and scarred forehead show he’s not someone to mess with. His loose gray palette clothing mirrors his often distant and brooding personality. Though he’s not as openly affectionate as his twin, Mahatma, Attila’s clever mind and sharp wit make him a formidable presence in the group.

• Kamor: The quiet, introspective new kid with sleepy eyes that hint at a lifetime of hidden pain. He’s usually found in thrift store clothing, his hands calloused from years of writing and drawing in his notepad. Kamor carries a small bag with him at all times, keeping his notepad and pen close as he processes the world around him.

——————

Warning: This fanfic contains elements of humor, light romance, chaos, and some minor violence (mostly lighthearted). There are also themes of bonding, mischief, and character growth. While it’s mostly fun and chaotic, there are moments that might delve into deeper emotional territory or touch on past traumas of the characters. The pacing can be a bit random at times due to the chaotic nature of the events.

• Genre: School AU

• Chaos, Fluff, Emotional Growth, Romance (Slow Burn), and Friendship

Character Focus: Kamor, Hipswitch, Albus, Mahatma, and other OC characters (including Kit, Faith, and others)

• Rating: T (Teen) – light swearing and implied mature themes, but not explicit.

(Trying a new format.)

The Outlaws of Blackridge High

⸻

Kamor adjusted the straps of his backpack and kept his head down, staring at the cracked pavement beneath his feet. The bus stop was nearly empty, just him and a few distant figures who hadn’t bothered to acknowledge his presence. That was fine. If he kept his head down, he’d be fine. That’s what he told himself.

But even as he tried to convince himself of that, his fingers twitched against the fabric of his hoodie, betraying his nerves.

New school. New people. New chances to mess up.

The bus screeched to a stop in front of him, its paint peeling, exhaust coughing out in thick clouds. Kamor hesitated for just a second before stepping up, slipping into the first open seat he could find near the middle. He pressed himself against the window, gaze fixed on the outside world as the bus lurched forward.

He didn’t look up when someone slid into the seat beside him. Didn’t even react. Until—

“Howdy, partner.”

Kamor stiffened. Slowly, he turned his head.

The guy sitting next to him grinned, sharp and easy, like they were already old friends. He was dark-skinned but had splashes of white across his face and arms, like paint strokes on a canvas. His hair was a mess of loose curls, and he was dressed like he’d walked straight out of an old Western—boots and all.

Kamor blinked.

The stranger tipped an imaginary hat. “Name’s Hipswitch. You must be the new kid.”

Kamor stared, unsure how to respond.

Hipswitch’s grin didn’t waver. “Ain’t much for talkin’, huh?”

Kamor shook his head.

“Gotcha. Don’t worry, I can do enough for both of us.” Hipswitch leaned back, crossing his arms. “Welcome to Blackridge High, partner. The school board might’ve given up on us, but that don’t mean we’re a lost cause. You stick with me, and you’ll be just fine.”

Kamor wasn’t sure he believed that. But as the bus rolled toward the school, with Hipswitch chatting beside him like they’d known each other for years, he felt the weight of his nerves lighten. Just a little. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.

⸻

By the time the bus rattled to a stop in front of Blackridge High, Kamor’s nerves had settled into something manageable. That didn’t mean they were gone—just dulled by the constant chatter of the cowboy beside him.

“—so then I told ‘im, ‘Look, partner, if you’re gonna throw a punch, at least make sure it lands.’” Hipswitch laughed, shaking his head as he stood and stretched. “Didn’t end well for me, but hey, I made a point.”

Kamor gave him a look, one eyebrow slightly raised.

Hipswitch grinned. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m real good at gettin’ into trouble. But don’t you worry—I don’t start fights with just anybody. Only the ones that deserve it.”

Kamor wasn’t sure if that was reassuring.

He followed Hipswitch off the bus, gripping the straps of his backpack as he took in the sight of his new school. The building was old, the paint peeling, and the front doors barely hanging onto their hinges. A group of students loitered near the entrance, most of them wearing scuffed-up jackets and torn jeans. One girl was carving something into the wall with a pocketknife.

Hipswitch must’ve noticed his hesitation because he clapped a hand on Kamor’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, partner. Most of ‘em bark more than they bite.”

Kamor wasn’t convinced.

“C’mon, let’s get your schedule.”

Hipswitch led the way inside, weaving through the crowded halls like he’d done it a hundred times—which, Kamor figured, he probably had. The walls were covered in graffiti, and a few lockers were missing doors. A flickering light overhead buzzed like it was on its last breath.

They reached the front office, a cramped space that smelled like burnt coffee and regret. Behind the desk sat a woman in her late forties, her hair pulled into a messy bun, dark bags under her eyes as she typed sluggishly on an old computer.

Hipswitch leaned on the counter with his usual easygoing charm. “Mornin’, Miss Darla. Got a new one here, needs his schedule.”

Miss Darla barely looked up. “Name?”

Hipswitch nudged Kamor.

Kamor hesitated, then reached into his pocket, pulling out a small notebook. He flipped to a page and showed it to her.

Kamor.

Miss Darla squinted, sighed, and started typing. A moment later, the printer coughed out a piece of paper, which she handed over without much enthusiasm.

“Try not to get into trouble,” she muttered before turning back to her screen.

Hipswitch plucked the schedule from Kamor’s hands before he could read it himself. “Let’s see what we got here.” He scanned the paper, then grinned. “Well, well, look at that. We got a few classes together. Looks like you’ll be stuck with me for homeroom, history, and—oh, hey! Lunch. That’s the most important one.”

Kamor took his schedule back, scanning the list himself.

“Alright, partner, let’s get you to class,” Hipswitch said, throwing an arm around Kamor’s shoulder like they’d known each other for years. “You ever get lost, just look for the best-dressed cowboy in this hellhole.”

Kamor huffed out something close to a laugh.

⸻

Kamor sighed as he stumbled into his next class, gripping his schedule like it was a lifeline. This was the first class he didn’t have with Hipswitch. Which terrified him.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for an empty seat, and he made a beeline for the one next to the window. Classic anime protagonist move. Yeah, he knew. Total nerd stuff. But so what? He was a weeb, and he’d own it.

He slid into his seat, exhaling slowly, trying to steady himself. The classroom was loud—students chatting, throwing crumpled-up papers, one kid half-asleep at his desk already. Kamor kept his head down, gripping the edge of his desk like it might keep him from floating away.

Then, movement caught his eye.

Two boys sat a few desks away. They looked similar. Same sharp features, same dark hair. Twins?

One of them turned toward him. He wore glasses and had a kind, nervous smile, like he wasn’t sure if he should say hi or not.

Kamor hesitated—then gave a small smile back.

The boy seemed relieved.

Then Kamor looked at the other one.

The second twin wasn’t smiling. At all. Instead, he had this glare—sharp, calculating, like he was trying to figure out if Kamor was worth acknowledging or not. The air around him felt colder somehow, like even the chaos of the classroom didn’t touch him.

Kamor quickly looked back out the window.

Great. He just walked into a class with the literal embodiment of nice twin, scary twin.

And he had no idea which one was worse.

⸻

Kamor’s eyelids grew heavier, and before he knew it, he was resting his head on the desk.

It wasn’t his fault. The teacher had left the room, and the class was just too boring. The students weren’t even paying attention, most of them talking amongst themselves or doing their own thing. Kamor figured no one would mind if he caught a quick nap.

The next thing he knew, he was jolted awake by the unsettling feeling of being watched. His heart raced as he sat up quickly, eyes scanning the room.

There.

The twins.

The one with glasses—Mahatma—was staring at him with a curious, gentle gaze, but it was the other one, Attila, who sent a chill down Kamor’s spine. The glare Attila shot him felt like it could freeze him in place. Kamor’s stomach twisted.

Okay. Yeah. He was definitely going to be killed or something.

Just as Kamor began to shrink in on himself, the door to the classroom swung open, and in walked none other than Hipswitch.

“Yo, partner!” he called, grinning. “Let’s skip.”

Kamor blinked. Skip on the first day? What was this guy—crazy?

Before he could fully process what was happening, Hipswitch was already walking toward him, the twins standing up from their seats with surprising ease. They didn’t look happy to be interrupted, but they weren’t exactly mad, either. Kamor noticed the way they seemed to know Hipswitch.

“Hey, fellas,” Hipswitch greeted them with a smirk. “This here’s Kamor. New kid.”

Mahatma smiled and waved shyly. “Hey there, Kamor. Welcome to Blackridge.”

Attila gave a small nod but didn’t say anything, his eyes still narrowed in a quiet appraisal.

Hipswitch chuckled and slapped Kamor on the back, already steering him out of the classroom. “You’ll get used to ‘em, partner. They’re alright. Kinda rough around the edges, but who isn’t, right?”

The teacher, somewhere in the back of the room, was still absent, probably off doing whatever the school staff did when they didn’t feel like doing their jobs. Kamor figured that, at this point, the whole school was too broke to care.

As they walked down the hall, Hipswitch kept his arm around Kamor’s shoulder. “So, what’s it gonna be, Kamor? The rest of the day’s all ours. You in for a little adventure?”

Kamor blinked, glancing back at the classroom door, still open behind them. Skipping school on the first day?

Hipswitch grinned, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Come on, partner. I’ll show you how we do things around here.”

⸻

Kamor, to his credit, did try to stay in class. He really did. He had planned to get through it, maybe try to make a good impression—if he could just survive the twin glares and the general awkwardness of being the new kid.

But then Hipswitch decided he wasn’t having it. Before Kamor could even open his mouth to protest, Hipswitch casually slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Let’s roll, partner!”

Kamor barely had time to grab his things before Hipswitch was already halfway out the door. He wasn’t sure if he should be embarrassed or just resigned to his fate.

“Put me down!” Kamor muttered, but it came out as more of a weak protest. He didn’t really want to fight it; if anything, Hipswitch’s carefree nature was starting to rub off on him.

Once outside the classroom, Kamor was finally set down, his feet hitting the ground with a soft thud. They walked down the hall with Hipswitch leading the way, his loud, confident voice drawing a few curious glances from other students.

Kamor walked beside him, his gaze flicking over to the twins.

“So,” Kamor began, writing quickly on his notepad, his handwriting neat and careful. “What’s your deal?”

Mahatma, walking just ahead, glanced back over his shoulder. “Our deal? Well, uh…” He scratched his head nervously, looking at Attila for reassurance. “We used to go to a small school. For medical studies. But, well… it didn’t exactly work out.”

Attila grunted from behind them, his usual expression of quiet disapproval settling into his features.

“Yeah,” Mahatma continued. “We weren’t exactly, uh, the most stable mentally, so they kicked us out. Now we’re here.” He shrugged like it was no big deal, but there was a hint of regret in his tone.

Kamor wrote down a quick note. Medical school, mental instability… interesting. He looked up, noticing that Mahatma’s gaze was on his notepad

“That’s some nice handwriting you got there,” Mahatma commented, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Kamor blinked in surprise and shrugged, feeling a flush creep up his neck. Was that a compliment? He wasn’t used to this kind of attention.

“Thanks,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, then added, I like to keep things neat

Mahatma chuckled softly. “I can tell.”

Attila, who hadn’t spoken much, seemed to glance at Kamor’s notepad briefly, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say anything, but the faint shift in his demeanor made Kamor wonder if the twins weren’t as different as they appeared.

“So, Kamor,” Hipswitch called from the front, “ready to get into some real trouble?”

Kamor didn’t know what exactly that meant, but given the way his day was already going, he figured he might as well embrace it.

⸻

Kamor’s curiosity piqued as Hipswitch led the way behind the school. The atmosphere here was different—darker, more chaotic. The distant sounds of shouting and grunts filled the air.

“What’s going on back there?” Kamor wrote on his notepad, looking up at Hipswitch, who didn’t seem surprised at all.

“You’ll see,” Hipswitch replied with a grin that didn’t exactly inspire confidence. “Just another day at Blackridge.”

They turned the corner, and Kamor’s eyes widened. A brawl was taking place, right in the middle of the school’s back alley. One guy was being pummeled with punches, his opponent relentless and furious. But what caught Kamor’s attention was the figure standing in the middle of it all—Hipswitch was calling out to him.

“Albus!”

The guy, Albus, was a mess of bruises and sweat, but there was a certain fire in his eyes as he fought back with everything he had. His movements were quick, his stance solid, but the other guy had the advantage of height and sheer strength.

Hipswitch sighed, shaking his head as he approached. “Seriously, Albus, can’t you fight without getting into every fight?”

Mahatma flinched as another punch landed. Kamor glanced over at him, seeing the way his shoulders tensed at the violence, his gaze flickering nervously between the fight and his twin, Attila, who was standing off to the side with an almost… amused look on his face.

“You’re too soft, Mahatma,” Attila muttered, crossing his arms. He watched Albus with an almost cruel expression, leaning in slightly. “You should be encouraging him to hit harder. This kid needs to learn the hard way.”

Kamor’s stomach twisted. Was Attila serious

Mahatma looked uncomfortable, but he said nothing. He just shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting back to Albus, who was now on the defensive. Kamor could feel the tension in the air. This wasn’t a typical school fight.

With one last punch, Albus managed to shove his opponent away, panting heavily, his face bruised but his pride intact. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath. Kamor could see that there was more to Albus than just a delinquent—there was a kind of restless energy in him, something Kamor couldn’t quite place.

“Alright, break it up,” Hipswitch called out with a voice that brooked no argument.

Albus wiped blood from his lip, then turned his head toward Hipswitch, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Guess I won again, huh?”

Hipswitch shot him a pointed look, one eyebrow raised. “You always win, Albus. But do you have to do it like this?”

Kamor watched as Albus approached, brushing off his clothes like nothing had happened. His eyes flicked over to Kamor for a split second, then back to Hipswitch. “Who’s the new kid?”

“This is Kamor,” Hipswitch said, slapping him on the back with a laugh. “New recruit to our little misfit group.”

Albus raised an eyebrow, sizing Kamor up. “Another one, huh? I’m Albus. You’re gonna need thick skin if you hang with us.”

Kamor blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. He wrote down on his notepad, A bit intense, huh?

Albus chuckled at that, ruffling Kamor’s hair in a way that felt oddly… protective. “You’ll get used to it. Welcome to Blackridge.”

⸻

Kamor quickly fixed his hair, smoothing down the messy strands that had been ruffled by Hipswitch’s earlier antics. He couldn’t help but glance at Albus and Hipswitch as the two started their usual banter.

“So, Hipswitch,” Albus started with a mischievous grin, leaning in a bit too close for comfort, “you finally brought someone new to the squad? I’m honored to be in the presence of such fine company.”

Hipswitch rolled his eyes, but the playful smirk never left his face. “Cut it out, Albus. You flirt with anyone who breathes.”

“Hey, can you blame me?” Albus shrugged dramatically. “I mean, who wouldn’t be charmed by this?” He struck a pose, chest puffed out as if trying to impress someone.

Kamor could only watch in awkward silence. He was used to things being chaotic, but this? This was a whole new level of weird.

Hipswitch chuckled but gave Albus a firm shove. “Knock it off, before I knock you out.”

Albus just laughed, clearly unbothered by the threat. “I’m just having fun, Hipswitch. You could use a little more fun in your life.”

Meanwhile, Kamor’s mind was elsewhere—his thoughts drifting to Hipswitch’s earlier touch when he had been lifted up like a sack of potatoes. The warmth of Hipswitch’s hand on his back lingered in his thoughts. He shook his head to clear it. Focus, Kamor. Focus.

As if sensing his distraction, Hipswitch suddenly turned his attention back to Kamor.

“Hey, let me help with your hair,” Hipswitch said, his voice soft as he approached.

Kamor blinked, not sure how to respond. His cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn’t pull away as Hipswitch gently started to smooth down his hair. Kamor had never really been one to care much about his appearance, but something about Hipswitch’s touch made him feel a little… flustered.

Albus, who had been watching the scene unfold, leaned in with a grin. “Oh, I see it now. Kamor’s got a little crush on you, huh, Hipswitch?”

Kamor froze, his eyes widening. No, no way. He couldn’t have figured it out that fast.

Hipswitch looked completely oblivious, still focused on fixing Kamor’s hair. “What? No. You’re imagining things, Albus.”

But Albus wasn’t backing down. He looked Kamor up and down with a teasing glint in his eye. “Oh, I’m not imagining anything, trust me. You’re just too cute to ignore.”

Kamor’s face went red, and he quickly looked down, focusing on the ground to hide his embarrassment.

“Yeah, Hipswitch,” Albus added, grinning wider, “you’re too dense to notice, but I can see it. Kamor’s totally got a thing for you.”

Hipswitch paused for a moment, still not getting the hint. “Whatever, Albus. You’re ridiculous.”

⸻

It had been four weeks since Kamor stumbled into Blackridge High, and he had quickly gotten wrapped up in the chaos that defined this place.

Albus was, of course, at the center of it all, always throwing a punch or dragging Kamor into a new mess. Kamor had tried to stay on the sidelines, but Albus had an irresistible way of pulling him into trouble.

This time, it was a fight—nothing new for Albus. But what was new was Kamor getting caught in the crossfire and ending up with a black eye.

Hipswitch was furious

“Are you kidding me, Albus?” Hipswitch barked, his mechanical fingers twitching as he paced back and forth. Kamor sat on the nearby bench, one hand pressed against his bruised face, trying to hide the pain.

“It’s not like I planned for it to happen!” Albus protested, hands thrown up in defense, but there was a slight smirk on his face. “You know how it is.”

“I don’t care how it is! You’re supposed to be looking out for Kamor, not getting him hurt!”

Kamor winced at the tone in Hipswitch’s voice, but he didn’t say anything. This was a fight between the two of them—he wasn’t going to get involved.

Mahatma and Attila, meanwhile, were too preoccupied with their latest experiment to notice the drama unfolding. Kamor had caught glimpses of their “work” over the past week—Mahatma and Attila had taken to stitching dead frogs together in an attempt to “revive” them. Kamor was both terrified and slightly intrigued by the whole thing, but it was hard to focus on the science when there was a very real chance of them blowing up the entire lab in the process.

“Maybe we should stick to just dissection?” Kamor wrote one day, trying to keep it polite.

“Don’t be a sissy, Kamor,” Attila had snapped, a wicked grin on his face as he held up a needle and thread. “This is where the real work happens.”

Kamor had no idea how to respond to that. He just stayed back and tried not to breathe in whatever concoction was in the air.

And then came the day at 7/11.

The gang had been hanging out, as usual, and for some reason, they all forgot their wallets. The plan? Well, Albus had no problem suggesting they steal.

“Come on, it’s just a couple of snacks,” Albus said with a wicked grin. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Before Kamor knew it, the gang was bolting out of the store, bags of chips and soda in hand. Kamor had no intention of being part of this, but the group had already dashed through the door. The security alarm rang out as they sprinted down the street, and in a matter of seconds, they were surrounded by cops.

The gang stood there, frozen. The cops searched their bags, but there were no snacks in sight. Albus looked utterly confused. “Uh, did we leave them in the car?”

Kamor watched from a distance, still clutching the bag of chips he had picked up earlier. But when the cops were distracted, he made his move.

As the gang was getting ushered out of the store by the police, Kamor led them around to a back alley. He flashed them a quick smile before pulling the stolen goods from under his jacket—hidden all along.

The gang stared at him, eyes wide. Kamor didn’t even look guilty as he casually tossed the goods at Albus.

“That’s how you do it,” Kamor said with a grin.

Albus blinked, his mouth agape. “You did steal them?”

“Are you sure?” Attila raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were supposed to be the innocent one, Kamor.”

Mahatma just shook his head in disbelief. “Well, I’ll be damned. You are quick with your hands.”

Hipswitch, who had followed them into the alley, chuckled softly. “And here I thought you were just a quiet kid who never did anything wrong.”

Kamor just smiled, leaning back against the wall as if it was no big deal

Albus leaned closer, whispering in Kamor’s ear, “You’re definitely one of us now.”

⸻

The next day, the sun filtered through the thick canopy of the overgrown willow tree, casting dappled shadows across the worn grass beneath it. Kamor sat cross-legged, a stack of tarot cards shuffled lazily in his hands. He had been doing this for a while now, ever since one of his many foster homes had gifted him the cards. They were a simple way to pass the time, a habit he’d picked up without much thought.

Beside him, Albus was sprawled out, taking an exaggerated nap. His heavy breathing and soft snores were carried away by the light breeze that rustled the leaves of the tree. The whole scene was peaceful in a way Kamor wasn’t used to—a kind of calm that felt out of place with the chaos of Blackridge High. But right now, it was just him, Albus, and the gentle wind.

The shuffle of the cards was rhythmic, almost meditative. Kamor’s fingers moved with practiced ease, not really focusing on the patterns or the cards themselves, just the motion. He wasn’t sure why he had this particular habit, but it helped him tune out the noise of the world, at least for a little while.

Albus snored again, the sound echoing in the quiet air, and Kamor couldn’t help but smile a little. The guy had no shame when it came to naps. Not that Kamor could blame him; who wouldn’t want to tune out sometimes?

The wind picked up a little, and one of the cards slipped from Kamor’s hand, drifting onto the grass. He reached to grab it, but before he could, Albus suddenly flopped over, knocking a few more cards from Kamor’s lap.

“Hey, you’re messing with my spread,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, showing Albus, who lazily squinted at the cards.

Albus blinked, still half asleep. “Huh? Tarot cards? You a fortune-teller now, Kamor?

Kamor just shrugged, holding up the card that had fallen to the ground. “It’s just a hobby,” he wrote.

Albus yawned, clearly not understanding but still mildly entertained. “Well, maybe you can predict when I’m gonna win my next fight. Would be handy, right?” He stretched, his arms reaching for the sky as he fully woke up.

Kamor gave him a deadpan look, then returned to his cards, shuffling them again. The sound of the cards moving through his fingers was calming once more.

In the distance, he could hear the faint sounds of students rushing between classes, the distant chatter and the low hum of the school’s broken bell system. But here, beneath the willow tree, the world felt distant.

Kamor wasn’t sure how long they’d been sitting there when the sound of footsteps interrupted the peace.

“Alright, you two. Time to get moving,” Hipswitch’s voice broke through the stillness, his voice low and slightly amused.

Kamor looked up to see Hipswitch, along with Mahatma and Attila, walking toward them. All of them looked like they’d just come from a grueling exam.

Albus grinned up at them lazily. “Hey, look who’s come to ruin the vibe.”

Hipswitch rolled his eyes. “Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but the rest of us have things to do.”

“Like what? Ruining lives and making trouble?” Albus said with a playful grin, sitting up and stretching.

Mahatma smiled, offering Kamor a small wave as Attila just gave him a silent nod.

“Didn’t know you were into fortune-telling,” Mahatma said, his eyes scanning the cards Kamor had laid out. “They say tarot cards can predict the future, right?”

Kamor shrugged, holding up the deck. He didn’t have much to say, but the cards in his hands had become a quiet comfort over the past few days.

“Not exactly,” Kamor wrote on his notepad.

Attila tilted his head, a slight smirk on his face. “Guess we’ll just have to find out for ourselves, huh?”

Kamor gave a small, cryptic smile before starting to shuffle the deck again.

⸻

The gang had, as usual, found their way into a mess. It was Hipswitch, Mahatma, Attila, Albus, and Kamor—albeit, Kamor was the reluctant participant in this particular adventure. The plan was simple: sneak into the nearby movie theater. It was easy enough to get past the run-down staff, especially when most of them couldn’t care less about a few kids sneaking in to watch something they probably shouldn’t.

Kamor had nodded along with the group, not really having a say in the matter. It wasn’t like he had anything else to do, and being around the chaos was starting to feel normal. Besides, it wasn’t like he could turn down the gang entirely. He was beginning to realize he was stuck with them, whether he liked it or not.l

Albus had an idea, of course. “Let’s sneak into a movie with a sex scene,” he’d said with a wild grin, nudging Kamor in the ribs.

Kamor blinked, unsure how to react, but before he could even try to process the idea, Hipswitch had immediately thrown it out.

“No way, Albus,” Hipswitch said firmly, his tone the kind of serious that only happened when he was ready to play the role of the “adult” in the group.

Albus grumbled but didn’t push it. Instead, the gang snuck into a random theater showing a horror movie. The kind of movie with way too much blood and way too many screams.

Kamor wasn’t exactly a fan of horror. In fact, he wasn’t sure why he’d agreed to it, especially with his ever-growing anxiety and fear of things he couldn’t fully remember. Still, he kept quiet and followed along, seating himself between Hipswitch and Albus.

The movie started, and the screen lit up with disturbing images. At first, Kamor thought he could handle it. He sat quietly, his eyes glued to the screen, trying to be brave. But then it happened.

The scene was too much. A crazed man was carving into a victim, blood spraying across the screen in grotesque detail. Kamor’s stomach twisted, and his heart began to pound. His hands shot up to his ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound.

The scene felt too real. The screams of the victim echoed in Kamor’s mind, and for a moment, the theater felt like it was closing in on him. His breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, his chest tightening with panic.

Albus, who had been munching on popcorn, glanced over at him and frowned. “Hey, you okay?”

Kamor didn’t answer. His mind was too clouded with images he couldn’t place—shadows of his childhood, fragments of something dark and painful that he couldn’t fully remember. His hands trembled as he squeezed them over his ears harder, trying to block out everything around him.

He didn’t know why this scene triggered him, why it felt so familiar. He couldn’t explain the memories that crashed into him like waves—just brief, fragmented images of pain and confusion. The trauma was locked away in parts of his mind, and moments like this tore at the seams, making him remember things he didn’t want to know.

Hipswitch, sensing the tension, leaned over and gently nudged Kamor’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to watch it,” he said, his voice soft but firm, almost protective.

Albus noticed the way Kamor was reacting, his eyes wide, his body stiff with fear. His playful grin faltered for a moment, and he looked to Hipswitch for guidance.

“Dude, you good?” Albus asked again, his usual cocky demeanor gone, replaced by something softer.

But Kamor couldn’t respond. He felt like he was suffocating, trapped in his own memories. His body was shaking now, and the darkness of the theater felt more like a prison than a place of escape.

Mahatma was the first to notice how bad it was getting. He leaned forward, his face serious. “Kamor, hey, look at me,” Mahatma said, his voice gentle but commanding. Kamor felt his attention shift to the other boy, and his trembling fingers slowly moved away from his ears.

It wasn’t much, but it helped.

“Breathe, Kamor,” Mahatma urged softly. “You’re fine. We’re all here.”

The words hit Kamor with a strange weight, and though his heart still raced, he could feel the panic starting to fade. Slowly, his breaths returned to a more even rhythm, though his chest still felt tight.

Albus was quiet now, watching Kamor with a rare, concerned expression.

“You want to go?” Hipswitch asked, his voice as calm as ever, though his brow was furrowed with concern.

Kamor nodded, just barely, still unable to find his voice.

Without another word, Hipswitch stood, gently helping Kamor to his feet. “We’re leaving. I’ll make sure you get home, okay?”

As the gang quietly filed out of the theater, Kamor felt the weight of his memories pressing down again, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Hipswitch was there, the others trailing behind, and maybe for the first time since coming to Blackridge High, Kamor felt like he wasn’t just floating through life.

They were his people. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

⸻

It had been a few days since the incident at the theater. Kamor hadn’t spoken about what happened—he didn’t need to. The gang didn’t push him, understanding that everyone had their own burdens to carry. Hipswitch was the first to notice that Kamor hadn’t shut down since, though. He was quieter, still a little distant, but the light in his eyes hadn’t disappeared.

Today, they were in class, and Kamor had already given up on learning. The classroom was droning on, the teacher’s voice a dull hum in the background. Kamor sat at his desk, his head resting on his folded arms. Sleep was creeping up on him, and as his eyelids grew heavier, he let himself slip into the warmth of unconsciousness.

It wasn’t long before Kamor’s hand drifted. Maybe it was the sleepiness, maybe the strange comfort he felt from being around Hipswitch—maybe it was the overwhelming sense of trust he’d started to build—but Kamor’s hand reached out, fingers brushing against the cold, smooth surface of Hipswitch’s prosthetic arm.

The moment he touched it, Kamor’s heart skipped a beat. He pulled back instinctively, but it was too late. Hipswitch had already caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.

“Hey,” Hipswitch said softly, looking down at Kamor with a gentle smile. “You know you can touch it if you want. I don’t mind.”

Kamor blinked, unsure of how to respond. He had never really touched it before—had never dared. But there was something about the way Hipswitch was looking at him, something reassuring in the way his eyes softened. Slowly, Kamor’s hand returned to the arm, this time with more purpose, gently tracing the cold, smooth surface.

Hipswitch’s smile widened, a warmth bubbling up inside of him that he didn’t quite understand. It was like a soft, quiet thing—a feeling he hadn’t expected but somehow welcomed. Kamor’s touch was so delicate, so careful, and Hipswitch found himself savoring it in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

“You don’t have to be afraid of it,” Hipswitch continued, his voice low, almost contemplative. “I got it in a fire. Chemical fire, back in my early foster home. It was… rough. But I was lucky. After everything, a man named Sensei took me in.”

Kamor nodded slightly, his fingers still lightly tracing the prosthetic’s smooth surface. He was fascinated by it, not just because it was mechanical, but because it was a part of Hipswitch. Something personal. Something that, even though he didn’t fully understand, seemed to tie into the man’s past.

Hipswitch paused, watching Kamor, his thoughts wandering for a moment before he continued. “Sensei was the one who paid for all my treatments. Helped me get back to something that felt… like me again. He’s the one who got me here. And now, here I am.”

Kamor looked up at him then, meeting Hipswitch’s eyes. It was almost like a silent understanding had passed between them. Kamor didn’t have to say anything. He didn’t need to. But Hipswitch knew he was listening—he could see it in the way Kamor’s fingers continued to trace the prosthetic.

There was something warm in Hipswitch’s chest now, something soft and new. He didn’t quite know what it was, but he didn’t mind. There was something comforting about Kamor’s presence. Something that had been missing from Hipswitch’s life for a long time.

For Kamor, it was a strange feeling too. He had always felt disconnected, like he was floating through life, never truly part of anything. But with Hipswitch… it was different. There was no judgment in the way the older boy looked at him, no expectation. Just acceptance.

He couldn’t explain it, but the simple touch of Hipswitch’s arm felt like a bridge between them—a bridge he didn’t want to burn.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Kamor reluctantly pulled his hand away, glancing up at Hipswitch once more.

“Thanks,” Kamor wrote quickly on his notepad, his eyes soft with a kind of gratitude he wasn’t used to feeling.

Hipswitch smiled, his usual easy grin returning, though there was still a flicker of that strange warmth in his chest. “Anytime, partner. Anytime.”

⸻

It was October at Blackridge High, and for once, the school was buzzing with an energy Kamor hadn’t seen before. The usual chaos and neglect seemed to be replaced by something… organized. It wasn’t much, but for a school that barely functioned, the sight of decorations strung up in the hallways and students running around with excitement was a strange but welcome change.

Kamor stared out the window in his classroom, watching a couple of students work together to set up a banner that said “Annual Fall Festival: Blackridge High.” He had never been to anything like this before. It was his first year at this school, and the concept of a fall festival was new to him. Back at his old schools, they had only hosted the usual sad bake sales and field trips, but nothing like this.

Mahatma, who had been eagerly talking to him all morning, seemed completely excited about it. His eyes sparkled with the kind of energy Kamor only saw from people who loved something with all their heart. “It’s tradition!” Mahatma explained, his voice full of enthusiasm. “Every year, the students get together to celebrate the fall season. There’s food, games, costumes, and just a lot of fun! This year, they’re even doing a haunted house! You’ll love it!”

Kamor’s eyes widened. He’d never really been one for festivals—let alone haunted houses—but the way Mahatma spoke about it made him feel like it might not be as terrible as he first thought. Besides, it was the first time he’d been around people who seemed so eager for something good. He was curious.

Before he could ask any more questions, a loud crash and a maniacal laugh pierced the air. Kamor jumped, his head snapping toward the source of the noise.

Up on the roof of the school, there was Albus. Of course, it was Albus. He was standing there, arms spread wide, with a wild grin plastered on his face. “It’s the Fall Festival, baby!” Albus yelled, his voice carrying all the way down to the students below. “Let the chaos begin!”

Kamor blinked, his heart racing as he processed what he was seeing. Albus was… on top of the school.

A few seconds later, Kamor’s other favorite person, Hipswitch, appeared, his robotic arm effortlessly moving as he scaled the side of the building. “ALBUS!” Hipswitch’s voice rang out, stern and commanding. “Get down from there right now before you do something stupid!”

The whole scene was a mess, and Kamor couldn’t help but feel slightly terrified. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at Albus, who was still laughing like a madman, and then at Hipswitch, who seemed like he was about to tear his hair out.

Mahatma, standing beside Kamor, shook his head with a soft chuckle. “Don’t mind them,” he said, his tone calm as always. “Albus has this way of turning every event into a spectacle. He’s the chaotic one. Hipswitch is the one who has to clean up after him.”

Attila, who had been quiet until now, smirked from behind them. “Just wait until they start setting up the haunted house,” he said in his usual deadpan manner. “That’ll be a real mess. But hey, it’ll be fun. We might even get kicked out of the school by the end of the day. Who knows?”

Kamor’s eyes widened. “Wait, you get kicked out?”

Attila shrugged nonchalantly. “Probably. You’ll see.”

The entire school seemed to be in a frenzy. Students were setting up food stands, hanging decorations, and painting random things on the walls. Kamor wasn’t sure if it was just the usual chaos of Blackridge or if it was something more. One thing was for sure—if this was a glimpse into what the fall festival was going to be like, he might need to find a way to stay out of the way.

But it was too late. Before he could escape the madness, Hipswitch was already approaching him, holding out his hand with that usual calm grin of his. “C’mon, partner. You’re part of the gang now. No backing out. Let’s go check out the festival. You might even enjoy it.”

Kamor hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go—it was just that everything felt so… overwhelming. The loudness, the chaos, the madness. But then, Hipswitch’s smile made it seem okay. Maybe he could trust the process.

“Fine,” Kamor wrote on his notepad, “but I’m staying far away from the haunted house.”

Hipswitch grinned wider. “Deal.”

As they headed toward the mess of festivities, Kamor couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement building inside him. Despite the chaos that was sure to follow, there was something oddly comforting about being here, in the middle of it all. And with Hipswitch by his side… maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t have to go through it alone.

But knowing Albus, Mahatma, and Attila, Kamor had a feeling that the real fun was just beginning.

⸻

The autumn sun hung low in the sky as the fall festival continued, chaos and fun still swirling in the air. Kamor had managed to get some distance from the madness, sipping a drink he’d grabbed from one of the stands, his mind still trying to digest everything happening around him. The festival, despite the initial overwhelming experience, was… oddly comforting in its own way.

However, what caught his attention next was the sight of Albus, standing off to the side, staring intensely at someone. Kamor’s gaze followed, and it didn’t take long for him to spot the person who had caught Albus’ attention: Devlin. The older brother—or, rather, stepbrother—had arrived at the festival with a quiet but noticeable presence. He was slightly awkward, a contrast to the wild energy of the rest of their group, but there was something about his demeanor that stood out to Kamor.

Devlin was tall, but not as intimidating as Albus. His frame was lean, his movements methodical, as though he was always thinking a few steps ahead. He had a strange, warm smile, almost apologetic, as he approached Albus

Albus shot a glare at his older brother, crossing his arms in irritation. His usual carefree energy was dampened for a moment as he seemed to stand tall, trying to make himself look even bigger than usual. “What are you doing here, Devlin?” he grumbled, his voice half-annoyed, half-amused. “Did you come here to ruin my fun, or are you just checking in on me to make sure I don’t burn the place down?”

Devlin chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re still my little brother, Albus. I just… thought I’d stop by. See how you’re doing. Mom and Dad wanted me to make sure you weren’t causing too much trouble.” His voice was smooth and calm, but there was a subtle tension in the way he said it.

Albus’ eyes narrowed. “Yeah, well, they’re not my parents, are they? Not like they ever cared anyway. Doesn’t matter to me.” He turned away slightly, his gaze shifting back to the festival activities. “I’m not the one they ever cared about.”

Devlin sighed, his face softening. “You know that’s not true, Albus.” He took a step closer, but his words felt heavy. “Dad may not have been the best, but… I want his approval. I always have.”

Albus stiffened at that. “Yeah, but you’re the perfect little golden boy, aren’t you? Smart, well-behaved, always doing what he says. I don’t care about any of that. I’m me. But no, he didn’t care, and you know it.”

Kamor, watching the exchange from a distance, felt a pang of discomfort. It was like he was witnessing a silent battle between two people who were linked by blood but divided by their experiences.

Albus snorted, breaking the silence. “And besides, you’re not even sporty like the rest of the family. What does Dad care about a guy who can fix cars and engineer things? He doesn’t care about brains. All he ever wanted was someone to be a star athlete like the rest of his kids.”

Devlin’s gaze faltered, just for a moment, but his expression remained patient. “I know, Albus. But I can’t change that, can I? I’m just trying to get through it, do the best I can. For me. For the family. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you succeed, too.”

Albus shot a look at Devlin, a bit softer now. Despite his usual bravado and teasing, there was a vulnerability to his posture as he grumbled, “I still don’t care about him. But… I’m glad you’re here.

Devlin gave a small smile, the awkwardness between them easing just a bit. “Always, Albus. Always.”

The tension between them seemed to lighten a little, but Kamor could tell the scars of their shared history ran deep. Albus, with all his loudness and defiance, was just as hurt by their father’s neglect as Devlin was, in a different way. Albus hid it behind teasing and rebellion, while Devlin wore his need for approval like a second skin. They were bound by family, but their relationship was fractured, each struggling to navigate the expectations and disappointments placed on them.

As the conversation came to an end, Albus finally relaxed, leaning against the nearest post. “Alright, alright. You’re not so bad, Devlin. Go ahead, hang around. Just try not to lecture me while I’m having fun.”

Devlin chuckled softly, the unease between them melting away for now. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Albus.”

Kamor, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy for them both. Family wasn’t always easy, especially when it felt like it was more about proving your worth than actually being seen for who you were. But at least, for a moment, it seemed like the brothers were finding their way back to each other, even if it was just through small words and awkward smiles.

Kamor took a slow breath, glancing over at Hipswitch and the others. The chaos of the festival was still in full swing, but for once, it felt a little quieter in his head. Maybe there was something to all of this after all.

The fall festival’s chaos reached new heights as Albus and Devlin grinned mischievously, sizing up the game booths. Albus cracked his knuckles, a wicked gleam in his green eyes. “Alright, little bro, you use your brain, I’ll use my muscles. Together, we’ll dominate these games.”

Devlin smirked, his engineering mind already whirring with plans. “With your strength and my strategy, we’ll be unstoppable. They won’t know what hit them.”

They took a few steps toward the first booth, but before they could even get close, a hand shot out and yanked them both back, pulling them off their course. Albus stumbled slightly, his eyes widening in surprise, only to find himself face-to-face with none other than Faith.

Her sharp eyes locked with Albus’s, and despite the usual bravado that Albus wore like a second skin, he felt a flutter in his chest. His green eyes softened as he gazed at her, a genuine affection shining through, though his tough-guy demeanor tried to mask it. He flashed her a crooked grin, his voice teasing as always. “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemaker. Here to save the day again?”

Faith arched a brow, crossing her arms over her chest with a look that could melt steel. “You two are seriously going to cheat?” she asked, her voice full of disbelief. “You’ve already been warned about the whole no cheating rule, right?”

Albus’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Hey, a guy’s gotta get his wins somehow. And you love the charm.”

Faith rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “I don’t know why I even bother with you two. You’re so much trouble.” She paused for a moment, before her gaze shifted from Albus to Devlin, who had been trying to suppress a laugh at the interaction. “We’re all supposed to do this together, remember? I promised Kerano we’d hang out today.”

Albus stiffened for a moment at the mention of Kerano, his mood slightly dimming as he glanced at the younger child. He couldn’t help the twinge of frustration that rose within him. Kerano was this sweet, adorable kid that had wormed her way into their lives. But what bothered Albus most was that he wasn’t sure how to fit in when it came to Faith and Kerano. And it didn’t help that Faith always treated him like a kid, a troublemaker, and not the guy who could protect her.

But what made Albus cringe the most was the fact that Faith was so damn good at reading him. She knew the walls he put up, and yet she still kept coming back, still dragging him along. He was so not good enough for her, but he didn’t know how to let go. His feelings were complicated, and no matter how much he tried to act like the tough guy, Faith had a way of getting to him.

Devlin, on the other hand, was silently seething, and he knew that his brother’s feelings were obvious. He just wished Albus would realize it and stop acting like he wasn’t good enough for someone like Faith. Devlin had his own frustrations with their family, but he could see how much his brother struggled with feelings for Faith. He couldn’t help but find it a little annoying that the two acted like love-struck idiots whenever she was around, but deep down, Devlin knew they were just being themselves.

Faith glanced back at her little cousin, Kerano, who was eagerly waiting near the edge of the crowd. The child bounced up and down, practically jumping in excitement. Faith softened, her serious tone shifting as she looked back at Albus and Devlin. “Kerano’s been dying to play those games, and I promised her we’d all go together. So, no more cheating, alright?”

Albus, ever the flirt, leaned in a little too close, his voice low and teasing. “Well, Faith, I guess I’ll have to make up for my lost victories by winning your heart instead. How about that?”

Faith rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the blush creeping up her neck. “Albus, you’re impossible.”

Devlin snickered, but it was clear that beneath his teasing, there was a sense of protectiveness toward his little brother. The kid’s got it bad, he thought, his irritation mixed with a strange sense of sympathy. But he’s not wrong about the way Faith looks at him…

With a sigh, Devlin placed a hand on Albus’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Come on, man. Don’t make it weird. Let’s just go before Kerano drags us all into the chaos.”

Albus shot one more smirk in Faith’s direction, but for the first time, it wasn’t just about teasing her—it was genuine. “Alright, alright. But next time, I’m definitely winning you over, Faith.”

“Not if I win first,” she replied with a teasing glint in her eye, before she turned toward Kerano.

Kamor, still hanging at the back of the group, watched the exchange unfold with a curious expression. There was something about the way Albus and Faith acted around each other that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He didn’t know what was going to happen between them, but he could feel the tension in the air, something unspoken but very real. It was like watching a scene from one of the romance shows his parents used to let him watch, only this one had real people in it.

The group, now fully intact, headed toward the game booths, the festival’s chaos buzzing around them. Kamor was content to watch the others interact, his thoughts drifting as he looked at the way Albus and Faith played off each other. There was an undeniable connection between them, even if neither of them seemed to fully understand it just yet.

Kamor knew something about connections. He was starting to realize, despite everything, that he was part of something much bigger now. He had his own tangled feelings, his own little crush on Hipswitch, but for once, he wasn’t afraid to be part of something chaotic and messy. It wasn’t perfect, but it was his.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

As the group moved through the crowded festival grounds, the chaos of the fall festival enveloped them. Albus and Devlin were already making their way to one of the game booths, with Kerano bouncing alongside them, chanting for Albus to win her a stuffed animal. Kamor followed behind them, a quiet observer of the whole scene, while Hipswitch and Mahatma lingered near the sidelines, each trying to avoid getting roped into more trouble.

Faith, however, was momentarily distracted by something else—someone, in fact.

A flash of blonde hair caught her attention, and before she could fully process it, she found herself bumping into a person in the crowd. The stranger had quick reflexes, managing to catch Faith before she stumbled back.

“Whoa, sorry about that,” Faith muttered, her voice laced with surprise as she stepped back and glanced up at the person she’d collided with.

The girl she bumped into had wild, tousled blonde hair and a look in her eye that immediately made Faith realize this was no ordinary encounter. The stranger had a smirk that bordered on mischievous, and she was staring at Faith as if she’d just bumped into her on purpose—probably to get a better look.

Faith blinked. “Uh, no problem.”

The stranger’s eyes lit up in an instant, and she straightened her posture, clearly taking the moment to compose herself. “Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention, you know… just, uh, distracted,” she stammered, trying to look casual, but it was clear she wasn’t.

Faith raised an eyebrow, her own smile forming. The girl had clearly been trying to flirt, though it was a bit on the awkward side. Faith chuckled softly, finding it endearing. “It’s fine,” she replied, giving the girl a quick once-over. “Not every day I get bumped into by someone this… interesting.”

The stranger—Kit, as Faith quickly noticed on her name tag—blushed deeply at the comment, realizing how much of an idiot she was making of herself in front of this gorgeous woman. She stuttered a bit before her confidence kicked in, and she cleared her throat. “Well, I mean, maybe it’s not the worst thing to bump into someone… like you?” Kit’s voice wavered just a little, as if unsure how to follow through with the flirtatious remark.

Faith couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re not bad at it,” she teased. “But you’re gonna have to try harder if you wanna win my attention.

Kit, looking completely flustered but still determined, nodded earnestly. “I’m, uh, totally up for the challenge,” she replied, her voice trying to sound cool despite the blush creeping up her neck. She gave a small, shy grin, but before she could say anything else, Faith’s attention was diverted once again.

“Albus, for the love of God, don’t throw that ball at him!” Faith shouted, her voice full of exasperation.

She turned just in time to see Albus, with that characteristic grin on his face, winding up for a perfect pitch at one of the game operators—a poor guy who had just been caught rigging the game. Kerano, the little ball of energy, was chanting, “Do it, Albus! Do it!” from the sidelines.

Kit’s face lit up with sudden understanding as she caught a glimpse of Albus. She muttered under her breath, “Oh, great, that guy looks fun.” Her eyes flickered back to Faith, who was now attempting to de-escalate the situation.

“You’re gonna have to save your flirting for later,” Faith said with a wink, her tone light but with an underlying command. “I’ve got to stop this idiot from causing a scene.” She gave Kit a quick smile before turning away, heading toward Albus.

Kit stood there for a second, blinking and trying to suppress her embarrassment. She had just attempted to flirt with someone who could have been straight-up out of her league, and now, she was getting caught in a small battle of egos involving what looked like a pretty intense rivalry.

But it was clear Faith wasn’t fazed by any of it. With that, Kit’s smile turned a little more mischievous. “Alright, I’ll take the challenge later,” she said to herself, a little more confident than before. She watched Faith hurry off, her heart racing.

L

Meanwhile, Albus was still holding the ball, a dangerous glint in his eyes. His smile was that of a man who found all rules to be optional, especially when he had the perfect target. But before he could make his move, he was intercepted by Faith, who wrapped him in a chokehold from behind.

“Albus, if you throw that, I’ll make you play every booth game until your arms fall off!” she scolded, her voice full of playful threat. Kerano giggled at the scene, clapping her hands.

Albus sighed dramatically but gave in. “Alright, alright, I’ll spare the guy,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes. “But he deserved it! He was totally cheating!”

Faith let him go, shaking her head but smiling. “I know. I saw. But trust me, starting a riot at the festival is not how I want to spend my afternoon.”

To continue

I kinda lost interest of this. Might come back to add things. Uuhhh don’t know.

@kitsprivatelair hope you like how I added your desperation simp self for goddess Faith