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buglife · 3 years

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In Which it is SIBLING DAY

More for Days of our (Bug) Lives!

Have you all a Hornet chapter, as she spends a day with her best siblings, Ghost and Hollow :3

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Hornet awoke to the smell of sweets and the sound of kitchen supplies banging together.

For a moment, she was confused. She could feel that she was on something soft, something she deemed unnecessary in an effort to stay awake – so she would not succumb to the blinding light. She did not need blankets or silks for the rare times she found a crevice to rest and patch her wounds in. It was strange.

She blinked her many eyes as they adjusted to the dim lighting of the den. She was momentarily shocked to find herself here until memories caught up to her. Yes...her mother was awake and alive. She was home. The Radiance is dead. Things were stable now and no longer did she have to worry about one of the reanimated infected husks stumbling upon her in her sleep.

She wasn’t quite sure that she would ever quite get used to the feeling of safety again. The life of a princess wasn’t one any other bug would consider ‘safe’...but compared to when she guarded the kingdom? After all, most of her life was lived during the infection. She spent a better portion of her life fighting for survival...and now here she was. Safe. She had to admit that It was vastly less stressful in general.

She yawned, stretching out her limbs before climbing down from her silken hammock. She used a spare hand to rub her eyes in an effort to make them feel less tired and dry, taking the time to let her brain catch up to the rest of her body. She squinted at her calendar where she wrote down her many appointments, frowning at how full it was. Except for today, which only had two words scribbled upon the silk. ‘Sibling Day’, it read, written in stark red ink and underlined thrice to make it stand out from her many duties.

Sibling day! Of course! Her mood quickly improved from grumpy to slightly less so, it was one of the few days she could have now where she was not expected to worry about duties or talk to yet another overinflated self important bug. She imagined her sibling, Ghost, felt the same way. No duties, it would be like how it was before when it was just them in a little house in Dirthmouth, freshly freed from the infection and learning how to heal together. She missed the closeness...but sadly they all had responsibilities to clean up the mess their shared father left behind.

She grabbed her plain cloak for today, forgoing all symbols of her station, and strapping her needle to her side. Today she was just Hornet, sister to two strange but loving creatures of void, whom she still felt a protective streak too.

If she was correct, the smell and noise in the kitchen was her mother making her famous honey cookies. She maneuvered around the bridges of silk, politely waving to passing weavers as she climbed her way up to her mother’s chambers. She often found Hallownest structure to be oddly cold and ridged. She felt more at home in the sprawling tunnels of white as she leapt from string to string, before she finally arrived at some of the few structures made of stone in the village. It was her mother’s den, which had a kitchen, and the last thing they needed was a fire in the weave-ways. She arrived just in time to spot her mother, oven mitts on her many hands, pulling trays of cookies from the oven.

“Hello, my little sling,” Herrah greeted her as she placed the trays down on stone slabs to cool faster. Like Hornet, Herrah didn’t need a lot of finery to reflect her station. Instead, she seemed to exude an aura of power which made most bugs listen when she talked. “It seems that you are just in time.”

“It seems that I have, mother.” Hornet drew close to inspect the cookies. “They smell amazing.”

“I’m sure Hollow and Ghost will love them like they always do.” Herrah sounded pleased with herself. She tested the cookies and plucked up the ones that have cooled to stack into a box. “Don’t let Hollow eat too much and get sick again.”

“I won’t.”, She promised. “Will you be okay today by yourself?”

“Yes dear, I’ll have Midwife with me. You just enjoy your day with your siblings. And do tell them to visit more often! I especially love Ghost’s little husband, he sure has a lot of grit when he needs to.” Herrah laughed and a few lingering weavers laughed with her.

“Well mother, your cookies are worth the price of combat to acquire.” Hornet could tell her mother wasn’t being malicious, she was just being chaotic just like Monomon and Lurien. Why her sire decided to have all three of them in one place she would never quite understand. It’s also why she thanked the gods that their visits were rare these days and meetups they DO schedule, she can be sure it’s in a fire, explosion, and acid proof location.

“I should hope so, I did get this recipe right from Vespa after all.” Herrah smiled fondly as she finished boxing the cookies. A few silken strands was all it took to tie up the box securely before she handed it off to her daughter. “There you go, run along and have fun, okay?”

“I will Mother, thank you.” Hornet gave her mother a quick embrace before rushing out of the den. With her precious cargo tucked under one of her arms, she made her way to the tram station. Just for today, she’ll put up with having to be stuck in a small space with other bugs. Hopefully the cookies will still be warm by the time she arrived at the palace.

-----

“Do you have everything you need?” Ghost looked over the newly replaced kitchen counter, eyeing the piles of ingredients and spices that took up much of the space. They had gotten a list from their sibling, and the local farms were more than happy to provide. They honestly didn’t know what Hollow was going to do with all that zucchini. They received three baskets of the vegetable when they only asked for a single bag! They ended up having to borrow a cart to bring all the produce back to the palace.

Hollow nodded, eye curled in amusement. “Yes, I do. You though, are not to touch anything in this kitchen. I wish to keep these unburnt, thank you.” They relished in every opportunity to tease their sibling just to see how flustered they got.

“You are going to hold that fire over my head forever, aren’t you? It was only the second time it happened!” Ghost threw up their hands dramatically. Burn down a kitchen twice and suddenly you aren’t allowed to cook in it anymore. They already got the polite, but firm lecture from the palace staff to just let their husband cook. If their Majesty did wish to learn to properly cook, they urged them to avoid using live fires for now.

“Cry me a river, Ghost.” Hollow stuck out their tongue at said sibling.

“I can’t BELIEVE my beloved twin is committing treason against me!?! How dare?!?” Ghost pretended to swoon, earning them a boop to the snoot with a wooden spoon. “Oooooo you dare strike your King? Horrible!” They grabbed a spatula, fully intending to strike back.

“Dear, what are you doing?” Quirrel peeked in from behind the door way, watching the two vessels bicker and gently assault each other with kitchen appliances.

“Just getting ready for Hornet.” Ghost forgot all about the booping to slide up to their favorite pillbug, giving him a smooch. “Hollow is just being a brat.”

Hollow flipped them off with a shining, pale ore finger, a gesture which Ghost returned.

“Well, you both have fun. I will be taking over your duties today, so don’t expect me back until later.” Quirrel snorted “Have fun with Hornet, and tell her I said hi and to please not attack me in the middle of court again. I appreciate and understand that she wants to keep me ‘in practice’ in case of another assassination attempt, but it does end up causing a mess.”

Ghost remembered with a shudder. They ended up having to replace all the floors in the audience room and remodel most of the walls the last time Hornet ‘tested’ their husband. It was a very expensive ‘practice’ session.

“I’ll let her know.” Ghost nuzzled their husband again, hoping that Hornet wasn’t already down in the audience room waiting for him. “Have a good day!”

“I’ll try!” He waved and left the suite, down to do the infuriating task of listening to bugs whine all day. They’ll have to save a few cookies for him, he’d appreciate those for sure.

They turned to look back at Hollow, who was arranging things around to their liking. They hummed, pulling out pans, examining them, and placing them here and there in preparation of being filled. They had also taken time to wash all the produce, moving them around until they were nice and straight. They had always had an attention to detail, something their father sadly forced on them when they were but a hatchling. Still, it helped them In matters such as cooking.

Everyone loved Hollow’s cooking. As soon as Hollow could stand on their own again, they were learning to cook. Even with one arm, they could make the tastiest things using the dried or canned goods hidden deep in the abandoned houses. Hornet and Quirrel were quite good too, and under their tutelage it was easy to see that Hollow surpassed them both. Once Sheo and Smith made their new arm, Hollow was unstoppable in the culinary department.

If life were different, Ghost could see Hollow being a chef, but they knew their sibling loved the nail and animals more. Still, it was quite a treat when Hollow decided to cook.

“Do you need help, Hollow?” Ghost felt a little useless at the moment, just standing around and watching. They weren’t willing to catch something on fire and getting yelled at this early in the day.

Hollow shook their head. “No, go ahead and wait for Hornet so she doesn’t try to stab Tiso again.”

“Will do.” Ghost nodded and headed to the door, eager to see their sister and tease her. That is, if she was where she said she’d be and not about to jump their dear little pill bug. Ghost dissolved into void and made haste to the palace entrance...just in case.

While the two siblings had their conversation, Hornet had arrived at the Palace tram line. She got off as quickly as she could, not wanting to be boxed in with other bugs for longer than she had to. To give them credit, they did behave, but she wasn’t sure that it was due to early morning tiredness or the fact they simply got used to her. Thankful for that, she zipped away with her silk and needle to avoid the crowded station. A few flight capable bugs had the same idea, but gave her a wide berth to avoid her needle.

As she traveled she began to wonder a little. Who would be at the palace doors today? She did like Cloth, from one warrior to another. She was always eager to schedule a spar or ask how her own kingdom was doing. Tiso, she could barely stand. He annoyed her to no end, but somehow he gained enough respect from her to not just kill him. Plus it would make Ghost cry, and nobody was allowed to do that. Xena rarely was there to guard the door, so Hornet didn’t have much of a time to interact with her. She seemed to be a loner type, something she understood deeply. Ogrim of course, she dearly loved. He had taught her the basics of being a knight when she was just a little Sling. When the kingdom fell and he took up residence in the waterways, she made sure to visit. Flukes may be nasty looking, but they would do for food in a pinch, something Hornet was forced to partake in more than once.

She knew for sure that Hollow wouldn’t be there, it was their day off after-all.

Still, she expected everyone but Ghost to be there waiting for her.

She cut her thread and landed gracefully before them, standing up to assess them.

‘Hello, G-”

She gasped a squeak, as her sibling swept her up in a hug. The void around her purred and vibrated with barely contained excitement and happiness.

“Sister!” They boomed, perhaps a little louder than they meant too, as a few other bugs in the area turned to see what the commotion was. They saw her glare and quickly went to mind their own business again.

“My dear Spooder Sibling has returned, at last!” They nuzzled her forehead and she couldn’t find it in her heart to be annoyed about it.

She clutched the box of cookies in one set of arms, and unfolded the other two to return the hug. It was Sibling Day, she could afford to let her guard down for a little while. She can just enjoy the fact that she had family without some horrible plague or world ending catastrophic befalling them all. Especially since it was family she liked. She didn’t know what she’d do if the Pale King was still alive, most likely something not nice at all.

“Then let us not keep them waiting. I am sure they would like some help.” Ghost was slightly surprised by the willing touch, but recovered and begun to lead her up the winding stairs of the palace. She was getting used to casual touch again, and it felt pleasantly warm despite the cold of the void that made up their hands. She figured it was a family thing and left it at that.

Eventually, they released her. “Hollow is already upstairs. They are getting ready to start cooking.” They bounced a little on their feet, unable to contain their excitement. Hornet could barely contain her either and took one of their hands.

“I can watch, but I am not allowed to do much more than that.”

“Well, you did nearly burn down your suite...again.” She teased gently. “I can see why, as your Knight, that they would forbid you from putting yourself in danger.”

Ghost just humphed in response. “Quirrel kindly asks you to not attack him in the middle of court today. I wondered if you’d be down there waiting for him.”

“Well, it is Sibling Day. As if I would have the time to assess his combative ability.” She scoffed. “Your silly little Pillbug is safe for today.”

The statement seemed to put a little more pep in their step. As much as they joke around, Hornet really did like their husband. She just wanted to be sure that they would be ready in case of another scare. It wasn’t like she beat him up too badly. It was getting to the point where they would end in draws, something she was quite proud of. They barely arrived at the door to the Royal Suite when Hollow poked their head out of said door. They chirped and just like Ghost, ran over to pull her into a hug.

Hollow’s hugs were a little different from Ghost’s. Hollow was hyper aware of the places she did not want touched, and never hugged so tightly that she felt trapped. Gentle Hollow, with a heart bigger than most in the Kingdom, knew how to give the safest feeling hugs. Ghost was more excitable and eager, but Hollow was more careful and soft.

They gave her a nuzzle, and for a little moment, it was like when she was a sling, stealing hugs and nuzzles from Hollow when the Wyrm’s back was turned. She had called them ‘Holly’, because she couldn’t pronounce the harsh ‘ollo’ sound. Of course when caught, she always said that she ordered them to do so, but she knew the truth. It was Hollow who hugged and comforted her when she learned that her mother was going to sleep and never wake up again. Hollow wiped her tears after particularly harsh training sessions. Hollow was always there...even more than her mother or sire, though it wasn’t so much the fault of her mother.

She had despaired during the infection, her beloved Holly, suffering a fate worse than death. She had thought when Ghost returned, that finally their pain could be put to an end, but somehow clever little Ghost found a way to save them and everyone else.

She was more grateful than she could ever express.

Hollow pulled away from the hug and began to sign. “<It is good to see you, sister. Are you ready for a good day?”>

“Of course I am, because you are cooking.” She laughed as everyone piled into the room. “What’s the menu for today?”

<“Breakfast rolls, zucchini bread, TikTik and noodle soup, and roast Boolfy with garden vegetables and spices.”> They looked proud of themselves as they stepped into the kitchen and gestured around them. <“The roast I will make and put in now as it will take all day to cook and then I’ll make the bread and rolls.”>

“You are going to let me help you, right?”

Hollow nodded and handed her an apron. <”I am sure Ghost told you that they are not allowed to help?”>

“They did.” She she looked over the apron [No Bitchin’ in my Kitchen’] and tied it on.

Ghost just sat on a stool and looked like a kicked frog.

<“It’s okay, sibling. You can be the official taste tester.”> Hollow did their best to soothe Ghost’s bruised ego. All the power in the world, a god of gods, but couldn’t keep a kitchen from burning down to save their life. They seemed to be pleased with the suggestion and was content to lean over and watch.

Hornet and Hollow made quick work of dicing veggies and meats, occasionally slapping Ghost on the hand when they tried to steal little pieces. She nearly drooled when Hollow unwrapped the big chunk of boofly to douse in spices. She had gotten used to just snatching animals from the ground and eating them raw, fires were a luxury that would draw too much attention to her hiding spots. It still astonished her how plentiful food was now, she had started becoming concerned as prey started to vanish, them too being caught in the infection. But wildlife has recovered, and it brought her comfort that in case of another emergency, there would be food at least.

Hollow got the roast ready, sticking in the bottom part of the oven to slowly roast through the day while she busied herself with getting the wraps ready. She had to admit that she was a little hungry, the sight of fresh meat stirred up the want to scarf it down in case another meal was days away.

Then she saw the size of the wraps Hollow started making and realized she wasn’t going to stay hungry for long.

Hollow plated everything with all the mastery of a five star chef, only to see their creations vanish in a gnash of teeth and void the second it was set down. They weren’t offended but wished their siblings would slow down a little.

After inhaling breakfast, Ghost led them all to their private hot spring. Hornet was curious, she had never been in there, but she knew they had one. It was the only thing of luxury they requested and nobody was going to say no to that. Even then, it just looked like a regular hot spring, rocks and all, just enclosed in a room attached to the royal suite.

“Rather simple, isn’t it?” She remarked, looking over the walls where soul infused water fell down in a gentle waterfall, steaming as it filled up the pool. It looked big enough for someone to sit under it and she approved. She knew then where she was going to be.

“Less is more.” Ghost replied, bending over to check the water.

“Why is there a bench there?” She pointed, noticing the metal glinting in the low light.

“Don’t all hot springs have benches?”

She stared at them, and then looked to Hollow, who shrugged.

<“Siblings, you both need to get out more.”>

They probably spend the better part of three hours just lounging in the springs. Hornet appreciated the heat that worked its way through the joints of her chitin and eased her aches. She relaxed and let the little waterfall flow down her back and shoulders. She would definitely need to bring this up to mother. They would both probably deal with bugs a lot better if they had something like this waiting for them at the end of the day.

None of them spoke at all, they didn’t need to. It was cozy and quiet, the sounds of running water was enough to soothe her mind. She was used to quiet. More times than not, the sound of bugs everywhere, as happy as it made it, also aggravated her. It was so quiet and still then, the noise was still so new. She needed quiet moments and her siblings understood that.

The only sound came from Hollow as they rose out of the water halfway through their little spa moment.

<”I need to put the soup on”> was all they signed, and they left for but a moment, returning shortly. They had a bunch of freshly cut lavender flowers under their arms, which they threw into the spring. It just made it so much better.

Hornet must have dozed off, because she jerked to awareness she felt flicks of water being thrown on her face. Her first instinct was to grab her nail, only for her hand to meet water when she grasped to it.

“Sister,” Ghost was leaning close, eyes turned upwards in a smile. “If we stay any longer, we’re going to end up as bug soup.”

“You mean a bug and god soup.” She snorted. She raised her arms out and stretched, feeling rejuvenated.

“That and if we don’t get out, the soup Hollow made will get cold and then they’ll be sad.”

Hornet quickly stood and threw on their cloak. “Well, we can’t make them cry, that’s illegal.”

She wouldn’t admit it, but she was hungry again, and soup sounded very nice after a long dip in the springs.

How nice it was to have food when she wanted it.

-----

After soup (that was delicious of course), the siblings prepared for another part of their Sibling Day ritual.

Hornet held three paper lanterns under her arms as they took a hidden path away from the palace grounds. The Ancient basin might have been derelict and dead before, but life had returned to rim the path in glowing flowers and fungi. It once was a tunnel the Pale King would take to head to his lab down in the abyss, but Ghost had repurposed it for another reason.

They had told her that sometimes they felt the need to go down to ‘stretch’, spending time in their true form among the darkness. Too long squished in mortal sized form tended to make them feel jittery and cramped. She imagined it must feel like a molt that can’t progress and sympathized.

But it was also where the three could go to pay their respects and reflect.

The long dead siblings in the birthplace have since rejoined the void and thus, became a part of Ghost. But the individual potential they all had was now gone. Every single one of the hundreds of masks that still litter the bottom of the abyss was a thinking, feeling being, now gone forever.

Hornet was glad that at the end, they no longer had to suffer, and moved on by becoming one with her living sibling turned god. She however, wished that she could have known them. How would life be if she didn’t have two siblings, but hundreds? Before she was ignorant, and fought a few, and even separated a few shades from their shells. She forever felt regret over that even if Ghost told her that they all forgave her.

They eventually reached the dock that stretched out over the abyss and sat, legs dangling over the edge. They each took a lantern and lit the candles inside. Hornet put as much love as she could into the lantern, even if she felt a little foolish doing so, and let the lantern drift over the edge. There was nobody left to mourn in the abyss but...the ritual made her feel a little better.

Together they watched the lanterns drift slowly down, each light growing dimmer and dimmer before being consumed by the darkness. Time passed as they leaned on each other, until their legs grew numb and they headed back to the palace.

Sibling day was as much about the dead as much the living, and Hornet didn’t think she would ever forget that.

-----

Roast was served and eaten and the three found themselves lying around on the many pillows contained in the suite and looking up at the ceiling.

“Do you remember the forts we used to make in Dirthmouth?” Hornet mused. “We had more pillows and blankets than the rest of the citizens in that town combined."

<”Yes, they were the best. Very Cozy.”> Hollow’s head was next to her on the right, so she could see them sign. <”Dad was good at making them.”>

“Dad was the best at making them!” Ghost replied, to Hornet’s left. “Remember how he’d catch lumaflies to let them loose in the fort?”

“It was because they are Hollow’s favorite.” Hornet sighed, resting her hands on her belly where the roast currently resided (but not for long).

“It kinda makes me wish were were little again, before we had to do...all of this.”

There was a note of sadness in Ghost when they said that, and Hornet couldn’t help but feel the same. They managed to scrape together a few good years to be kids before responsibilities became too much to ignore. Hollow especially, since they were never even allowed to be a child. Ghost tried to remain as they were until molted a few times and could no longer get away from things by being small and cute. She would always cherish those years in Dirtmouth where she was allowed to be the child she was.

<”I know, but it’s not like we can’t do the things we like anymore. I have lumaflies, and you have the blankets and pillows.”> Hollow was quick to point out, gesturing at the room around them.

“And I can make sure you both aren’t going to build something that will collapse on your fool heads.” Hornet caught on fast, sitting up to pick up a pillow and drop it on Ghost’s face.

When Ghost didn’t respond right away, she piled more pillows on them before until they tried to escape. She laughed and sat on top of the pillow pile to trap them. “Go get your lumaflies, Holly. I think was can make something resembling the grandness of Mato’s pillow forts.”

Hollow rolled over to do just that while Hornet busied herself throwing things on top of Ghost as they tried to burrow out of the pillow pile. They were laughing too, so she didn’t feel too terrible tormenting them so. It was only when they gasped out a ‘I Yield!’ that she allowed them to escape.

The next half hour was spent with the three working together to build a passable cozy fort. Hornet was happy to see that her silk could make the structure much more sound and used it liberally. Hollow raided Ghost’s nest and took the mattress off of it to make the base, and after some trial and error, they made something quite comfortable. Hornet was especially pleased, spider eyes do not do well in bright lights, and the comforting dim haze in the fort was quite nice. Hollow released the lumaflies and the small bugs brought a lovely soft glow of colors to break up the monotony of the darkness. Ghost grabbed snacks and drinks and all three retreated inside.

As an after thought, Hornet grabbed a spare sheet of silk and wrote ‘No Wyrms Allowed’ and stuck it to the side of the fort. Somehow, it made her feel a little more secure.

The three lounged together talking about the past, some about the present, and a little bit about the future. She didn’t know how long they stayed up talking, but eventually she found herself to be the only one awake in a cuddle pile.

She was happy. Lying there in the dark of the fort, eating tiktik chips and gossiping, it brought back the time in her life when she was allowed to do nothing but be herself. It was short, but she was grateful all the same. She mused a little on a concept of a ‘family day’, but wasn’t so sure what would happen if Monomon, Mato, and her mother were in the same space for a prolonged period of time. Perhaps something chaotic, but she could perhaps plan for that.

Before she could keep up her thoughts, Hollow and Ghost snuggled up with their purring and Hornet could not stay awake with such an onslaught.

Hornet drifted off, feeling truly safe for once.

-----

Quirrel staggered up the stairs, half tempted to dig out the bottle of whiskey he kept in the dresser and downing the entire thing in one go. Today...was something else. A bunch of kids were caught letting wild stink beetles loose in a high class noble block and were now starting to multiply at an astonishing rate. A gang of mothers showed up with a petition to ban books with ‘suggestible themes’. Quirrel saw ‘The Famished Famished Firefly’ as first on the list and had to escort them all out of the courtroom after a stern talking to. He had to convince the Capital Board to just raise taxes on luxury goods to pay for a new tram station instead of cutting funding for education. To top it all off, the sandwich he was going to eat for lunch got snatched away by a vengefly. Truly, the worst.

What a day...er….next day. It was very late and no doubt his spouse would be wondering where he was. He hoped they had a good day with their siblings and was looking forward to a snuggle.

However, opening the door to his room showed that the day with their siblings had turned into a sleepover.

He stood for a moment, looking at the scene, unsure as what to do. He didn’t want to bother anyone, and surely Sibling Day was just that. A Day for siblings. He wasn’t about to be the selfish one and barge in on something so important, especially since Ghost rarely got to see Hornet and Hollow in one place. He figured he could go sleep in his office. The couch there was quite comfortable, after all.

He was about to close the door again when he heard a quiet voice in the darkness, sharp and feminine.

“Quirrel.”

“Oh!” He jumped. “Sorry Hornet, I didn’t mean to wake you up, I’m so-”

“Shut up and get in here.”

He paused for a moment, the gears turning in his head at the request. He was...being invited?

“Shut the damn door and get in the cuddle pile before I make you.” She hissed.

He gulped and shut the door behind him and approached the pillow fort. When she stared hissing, it meant she means business and he did not want to test her at this time of night. He could see Hornet softly illuminated by the drifting lumaflies as she held open the blanket door. She gestured for him to climb inside, a finger held to her mouth as an indication to be quiet.

“Are you sure?” He whispered, bending down to crawl in.

“You married my sibling,” She whispered back, sounding a little exasperated. “What makes you think I don’t consider you a sibling too?”

“Because you beat the shit out of me.” He climbed inside with a grunt. Ghost must have sensed that he was there, because he was quickly grabbed with a squeak and held tightly to his spouse’s chest, like a plush toy.

“I beat up Ghost and Hollow. Your point is…?” She watched and offered no assistance whatsoever, her fangs curled up in a grin when Ghost squeezed him harder.

“Do you only beat up the people you like?” He made himself comfortable, quite happy on the inside to finally get a cuddle after such a day.

“You should know me by now Quirrel, that the people I choose to train and spar with are those I consider worthy of my time and respect. And who do I train just as hard as Ghost and Hollow?”

“Oh.” he whispered.

“Yes, ‘oh’. Now you know, dear brother.” She sounded amused through her fatigue. “We tried to invite you, but you were quite adamant about assuming duties for today. And how did that go?”

“I hated every second of it.” Quirrel sighed. He was surrounded by warmth and softness, and wasn’t too sure how long he’d be able to stay awake now that he was comfy.

“There you go, sleep well. Extra training sessions start tomorrow.”

Quirrel snapped out of his mental fuzz. “Wait, what ?!?”

He was only met with snores.

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ebonyfirewolf · 4 years

Text

The First Date.

Eli was super nervous as he walked into the restaurant.

More than nervous.

When Aja and Steve had brought up a polyamorous relationship with him. He had thought they’d been joking at first. Still wasn’t sure if they weren’t joking just yet. But he had agreed to try it.

Two of his favourite people. His favourite couple in the world was asking him to join them. To be with them. Become part of their relationship.

They had agreed to meet here and Eli walks up to the maitre'd, praying to god that this wasn’t some colossal prank.

Steve wasn’t like that anymore though. So it couldn’t be a prank.

“Hello sir, Do you have a reservation”

“Yes uh, Tarron or Palchuk. For three?” Eli asks softly.

The guy nods and looks over the list before smiling and Eli takes a little breath of relief. Reading the guy’s name tag. Douxie. Interesting name.

“This way,” He says picking up three menus and walking deeper into the bustling room.

Eli follows behind quickly to a small out of the way table. Intimate and nice.

Douxie lays out the menus before saying the normal spiel and walking off.

Eli amuses himself with reading over the menu. Getting just a water to start with and then he starts to worry. When he's read the menu three times and he's glanced at his watch.

Fifteen minutes late.

That’s fine. It’s just fifteen minutes. The traffic might be really bad.

Eli just amuses himself.

“Sir, are you ready to order?” The waitress asks.

“Oh no. I’m still waiting on my...friends” Eli finishes awkwardly.

They weren’t together yet. That’s what tonight was supposed to be. To see how all three of them went in a romantic setting.

“Very well. I’ll be back soon.” She says happily before walking away.

That happy smile turns to a pity filled one when it’s been forty-five minutes since she first asked. An hour late and Eli’s checked his phone but he has no messages or texts. He even tried calling Steve.

“H-Hey. Just uh. Checking where you are? This totally isn’t a prank right. I mean you wouldn’t rea-really do that to me would you” He stammers out.

Feeling tears sting his eyes.

Finally an hour and a half later. An hour and a half of Eli sitting here looking like a fucking dumbass. Does Douxie come and put him out of his misery.

“Sir I’m so sorry. You either need to order or go. I’m sorry about your friends” He says. Open face. No pity thankfully. Just a small about of sadness.

Eli stands dejectedly and sighs. Handing the guy a ten buck tip just for having to deal with his mopey ass all night.

“Thanks for not making me feel worse,” He says softly.

Douxie just pats him on the back and walks him to the front.

Just as he goes to walk out the door. Two people are rushing in and nearly shoving him off his feet.

“Shit sorry...Eli thank fuck your still here. I’m so sorry baby. My Vespa decided to shit itself on the most important night to” Steve says catching his arms and pulling him into a hug.

Aja joining it.

Eli though was mad. He wiggles his way from their grip and tries not to drop kick Steve.

“Well, your just in time. Your prank went spectacular. I’m humiliated and mortified. Laugh away”

“What?” Aja says confused. Steve echoing her.

“This whole prank. Cause that’s what it is right? A prank on the desperate loser. Everybody else has someone. Let’s make him think he's wanted as well and then laugh when he's left alone for an hour and a half! Made to look a fool of in front of an entire restaurant”

“No. No! Baby, it’s not a prank” Steve says softly. Looking upset, trying to reach for him but Eli's recoiling.

“His Vespa really did break down. We both tried calling. Many times. Is your phone working?” Aja says pulling her phone out of her pocket and showing him her call history.

“See. Four times. Steve tried eight” Aja murmurs. Sure enough, there was Eli four times. Eli though finds his heart skipping a beat at the heart next to his name. Further down Steve’s contact has one the same. Though his called Blond Oaf.

“But that’s not. I had my phone in my hand the entire time” Eli says meekly. Grabbing his own phone and showing them.

Suddenly Steve starts laughing.

“For such a smart guy you really can be so dumb,” Steve says pressing a kiss to his head and then flicking open his home page settings.

“You had it on do not disturb” Steve explains. Turning it off and suddenly Eli’s phone lights up with notifications.

Twelve missed calls and about ten messages come through.

Hey Pepperbuddy. Sorry again babe. Please don’t be mad. We’re on our way now. Is the last one that pops up.

Eli just wants the ground to open up and swallow him whole right now. How could they even want to be friends with him anymore after that? Let alone date him.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think to look. I’m so sorry! God, I’ve ruined this haven’t I, by being a paranoid idiot.” Eli whimpers hiding his face in his hands.

“Of course not. No way in any galaxy have you ruined this. You being paranoid is why we like you so much My Eli” Aja says cupping his cheeks.

“Even when I make a fool of you and myself” Eli mutters sheepishly. Aja’s grip not allowing him to look anywhere else.

“Even more then” Steve promises.

Aja is kissing him then. Only softly but it’s enough to send Eli practically spinning into another world. Eli finding himself unable not to grin.

Some part of him does expect Steve to deck him for kissing Aja but all Steve does is grab his chin softly and turn him to look at the big blond.

“You’re ours Cheese Slice. Ok. I understand why you're a little paranoid but we really do want you. We have for a while. Just took us a few months to work up the courage to ask you out” Steve says.

Nothing but softness in his eyes.

“R-really”

“Oh yes. We were worried you wouldn't like us back” Aja explains. Grabbing Eli’s hand, curling their fingers together.

If Aja kissing Eli blew him away. Steve kissing him making him made him melt.

He sees Douxie out of the corner of his eye raise an eyebrow before his smiling.

When Steve pulls away he looks up at Douxie.

“Is our table still available or is there another one we can take?” Steve asks.

“Your table is still available. This way.” Douxie says.

This time when Eli is walking into the restaurant. His walking on air. Not a hand to spare since Aja and Steve are both holding on. Like if they didn’t he would run away.

They sit down and Douxie hands them the menu.

“Your...friends seem nice,” Douxie says with a wink and a smirk.

Steve and Aja’s eyes both narrow. Aja's hand covering Eli's, slotting their fingers together. It takes Eli a second to realise it’s out of possessiveness.

“That’s boyfriend and girlfriend to you.” Steve huffs.

Eli is pretty sure his face is splitting with how big his smiling.

#Eli Pepperjack #Eli Pepperjack/Steve Palchuk #Steve Palchuk #Aja tarron #Staja #Steli #Steve palchuk/Aja Tarron #Trollhunters #3 Below #Tales of Arcadia #ao3 #Steve/Eli/Aja #Aja Tarron/Eli Pepperjack #A little sprinkle of angst #Cuteness Overload #Paranoid ELi #With his two amazing partners

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ksfd89 · 4 years

Text

Riding in Style

Oneshot set in S5 where Lorelai impulsively buys a Vespa! A little Literaiti thrown in too! Enjoy!

"What is that?"

Rory stares at her mother's porch in disbelief. There, propped up against the steps, sits a bright turquoise motorcycle and Lorelai crows, "It's a Vespa!"

"I can see that."

"I wanted it in Hello Kitty but they only had this colour. Thoughts?"

"Well, my first my thought is why," Rory says honestly and rolls her eyes as Lorelai explains, "Roman Holiday was on and I thought it looked cool."

"So you bought a motorcycle."

"A Vespa."

"Excuse me, you bought a Vespa because it looked cool?"

"Yes," Lorelai says, protectively putting a hand on it. "And it is cool, isn't it?"

"Where'd you even buy it?"

"Oh, online somewhere," Lorelai says carelessly. "You can get anything there."

"Of course. Can you even ride it?"

"I rode it around the lot I picked it up from."

"And how did that go?"

"Wobbly," Lorelai admits. "But I can drive, and I can ride a bike, and that's kind of the same, right?"

"Um, sure," Rory says but smiles as her mother says pleadingly, "Isn't it pretty?"

"It's very pretty," Rory allows, going over to take a closer look. "I think turquoise is a more classic colour anyway."

"Very possibly," Lorelai beams. "I need to name it - any contenders?"

"Audrey?"

"Meh, too obvious."

Rory nods, going around it and placing a hand on the seat. She's usually used to unusual sights when coming home from Yale (her mother gardening is the first that comes to mind) but Lorelai has outdone herself with this. It does look cool, Rory has to admit.

"What did Luke say when you showed it to him?"

Lorelai coughs, looking away and groans as Rory exclaims, "Mom!"

"I thought I'd show him in person...maybe later today, or tomorrow is good too, if I put it in the garage..."

"Mom, don't you think he'll want a clue if someone tells him his girlfriend got in a Vespa accident?"

"Who says there'll be an accident?"

"Luke will, that's for sure."

"And that's why I haven't told him yet - he's filled with doom and gloom about these things," Lorelai says defensively. Sighing, she looks at her daughter and says, "I guess I'll tell him now - you want to take it into town with me?"

"As long as take doesn't mean ride," Rory says suspiciously, groaning as Lorelai says, "Hey, where's your sense of adventure?"

"It's busy with my sense of keeping all my limbs intact!"

"Fine, fine. Coffee before we get coffee?"

"You read my mind," Rory says, following Lorelai into the house.

They walk into the square with the Vespa between them, causing a lot of excitement and admonishment from Taylor, who shouts out road safety horror stories all the way to Luke's.

"You know Taylor won't let you ride it."

"We're ignoring him," Lorelai says cheerfully. "Check us out - the Gilmore girls and their Vespa!"

Rory has to admit it's kind of fun. Her bookbag is swinging against her leg and Rory has to shake herself from a fantasy of riding it to school and back. It's a fun picture, if completely ridiculous, and it breaks as Luke marches out of the diner and barks, "What the hell is that thing?"

"My new Vespa," Lorelai says sweetly. "I bought it online."

"It could be a total piece of junk!"

"Stop, you'll hurt its feelings!"

"Lorelai, you can't ride a Vespa!"

"I can learn!"

"It might not be safe!"

"I'll get Gypsy to check it out!"

"I'll check it out right now," Gypsy says wistfully, making Lorelai and Rory jump. "I got my stuff ready the minute I saw you two walk it down the street!"

"All yours," Lorelai says, reaching into her bag. "Here's the helmet it came with and there's another under the seat."

"Great. Can I get a spin on it sometime?"

"Sure, as long as it makes Taylor mad. What do you think, Luke? If Gypsy checks it's safe, can we make Taylor mad with it?"

A look of frustration passes Luke's face and Rory suppresses a giggle. Making Taylor angry is one of Luke's greatest joys in life.

"If Gypsy says it's safe and if you get some lessons, then I guess it's not too dangerous."

"You can bring me coffee on it!"

"What?! No way am I getting on that thing!"

"We can ride it together!"

"I have no interest in dying, thank you!"

"It won't be dangerous!"

"I was talking of dying from humiliation!"

As they argue back and forth Rory wanders over to the counter to get a slice of pie. She's just put the lid back on the plate when she almost drops it; Jess comes down from the stairs behind the counter and stops, looking as stunned as Rory feels.

"Hi."

"Okay, hi," Rory says, feeling a severe sense of déjà vu. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the day...was passing through and thought I'd see Luke."

"Oh."

There's a long, awkward pause, broken by Rory saying, "My mom bought a Vespa."

Jess blinks, almost smiles and says, "Why?"

"I don't know," Rory admits. A small smile creeps across her lips but she can't let herself relax. She's too caught up in remembering their last meeting, where she told Jess to leave. It seems Jess feels the same as he coughs and says, "I'll just get some coffee and head back up...I won't come back down."

"It's okay," Rory says, but Jess is already halfway there and doesn't stop, and Rory doesn't try to make him. She opens her bookbag to study and takes a bite of pie, but fails to absorb a single word.

Luke awkwardly mentions about Jess when he and Lorelai come back in and is mortified when Rory informs him she's already seen him. Rory pretends it doesn't matter, deliberately taking a large bite of pie, and Lorelai loudly starts talking about Vespas to try and diffuse the tension, to no avail. They stay at Luke's until Gypsy gives them the all-clear on the Vespa, but by then Lorelai has to go to work and says she'll leave it at Luke's for the night.

"I was so excited to ride it there too," she says gloomily, pouting when Luke points out it wouldn't have handled the bumpy road too well. She and Rory walk back together, picking out a movie for later, and Lorelai heads out to the Dragonfly. Rory eats some pizza and tries studying some more, but she can't focus. As Rory searches fruitlessly for a textbook she realises she left it at Luke's and, biting her lip, decides to brave getting it. She swore to get some studying done tonight.

Rory knows where the spare key is but in the end it doesn't matter. Jess is sitting at the counter, eating the last of the pie, and turns as Rory hesitantly opens the door.

"Hi. Sorry. I left my book..."

Jess lifts it up and Rory nods. "That's it. Thanks."

She takes it from him, her thumb brushing his, and blushes. They look at each other for a moment, hesitate, and at the same time say, "I'm -"

"Never mind," Rory says, shaking her head, and Jess looks at her, eyes sad. "Rory..."

"It's okay."

"None of it's okay."

Rory gives him a kind of shrug. What happened between them feels too much for a simple apology but she finds herself saying again, "It was a long time ago."

"Not really."

"Well, it feels like it," Rory says honestly. That night Jess asked her to go with him feels almost like another lifetime and yet, in the same moment, seeing him doesn't seem strange. It's as though Jess was always there. Rory doesn't voice the last part.

"It feels a while ago for me too," Jess admits. "I'd do it all differently - Rory, I -"

"We don't have to talk about it," Rory says quietly. Jess nods, and it's her cue to leave, but Rory simply stands there with him, hugging the book to her chest. The silence stretches between them until Jess asks, "Lorelai get you on the Vespa yet?"

"Not yet," Rory laughs, relieved. "She'll be trying tomorrow though, I'm positive."

"It sounds cool."

"Do you want to see it?" The words are out of Rory's mouth before she knew she was saying them. Jess stares at her, smiles and says, "Really?"

"Well, it's just sitting outside. No harm in taking a look."

It's totally normal to show Jess the Vespa, Rory tells herself. It's something friends would do. They can be friends, right? It's all Rory feels good with these days anyway, after the whole disaster with Dean. They open the door and see the Vespa standing outside, looking cheerful next to all the cars.

"Very cool," Jess says approvingly. "You going to ride it?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't bet a lot of money on that."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Jess, I've watched those road accident videos Kirk shows at the movie theater! Plus, it'll be driven by my mother, who gets distracted by anything shiny."

"Lorelai can drive. So can you."

"I am not riding it by myself," Rory says stoutly, her fantasy from taking it to Yale rapidly diminishing.

"But you'll ride it with Lorelai, right? Once she learns how?"

"I think she might be riding it solo."

"Where's your sense of adventure?"

Rory shrugs and teases, "Would you ride it?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Jess - I was just joking. You can't ride a Vespa!"

"I can ride a motorcycle. If you want, you can ride it with me."

Rory stares at him, unsure what to think, and he smiles at her.

"I mean it - I'll take you for a ride on it, if you want. But if you don't want to we can just forget it..."

"Ride it where?"

"Hadn't thought where," Jess says slowly, checking to see if Rory's kidding. "Around the square?"

"Fine, you're on. I'll go get the keys."

Jess watches as Rory goes back into the diner, emerging with them glinting in her hand and laughs.

"You sure you don't want to drive?"

"One hundred percent sure."

"Hand them over, Gilmore."

Rory passes them to Jess who takes them, hesitates and says, "How much will Lorelai kill me if she finds out about this?"

"We'll be fast!"

"That's not exactly an answer."

Jess fastens one helmet under his chin, passing the spare to Rory and climbs on, looking over to where Rory is waiting.

"Ready?"

"Yes," Rory says decisively. This is just to help her nerves, she tells herself, and climbs behind Jess. He looks at her, about to put the key in the ignition and says, "You need to hold onto me."

"What? Oh, right," Rory says, blushing. She hadn't thought about that, she berates herself and almost thinks of calling it off, but shakes herself. This is fine - it's going to be fun - and she firmly puts her arms around Jess's back. "I'm ready."

"Let's go," Jess says, powering up the engine and kicking into the road. Rory's yelp turns into a silent gasp, her grasp tight as they curve through the streets. Jess isn't going fast but Rory's heart is barely stopping, the wind is rushing through her helmet and hair and she can barely reply as Jess calls, "You good back there? Rory?"

"I'm okay!" Rory manages to call back. "I'm okay!"

That's a matter of opinion, Rory amends silently. Her initial panic has disappeared to a kind of rush, the same rush Rory felt when Jess drove her car to get icecream in cones, all those years ago. Rory tries not to think about how that ended, but Jess is steering smoothly, and her fear is more focused on herself, the way her body is thrumming against his. Suddenly, Rory isn't so sure they can be friends after all. Her feelings for him aren't as dormant as she thought. All of her senses seem magnified, more, and all Rory can do is hold onto Jess. She's not sure what it means. She holds onto him, watching the world whirl by, and then suddenly it's over. Jess is slowing down, parking the Vespa back by the diner and climbing off. He holds out a hand which Rory awkwardly takes, helping her off, and grins as he takes off his helmet.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For this," Jess says simply. "All of it - thank you."

"You're welcome," Rory says politely. She smiles, unsure of what else to say, and thinks of mentioning what she felt before, but doesn't know how. It seems too weird. Instead, Rory focuses on taking off her own helmet and the keys from Jess.

"I'm leaving early," Jess tells her. "Guess I should say goodbye..."

"Yes. Okay. Bye."

They look at each other, start to laugh and Rory feels instantly relieved. Maybe it's okay after all.

"Good seeing you," Jess says and Rory says sincerely, "And you too. I'm happy we ran into each other."

"I imagine people will think they hallucinated if they saw us," Jess says, nodding at the Vespa, "but I'll be a few states away if they argue. Besides, I'm just a hoodlum."

"No," Rory says. She laughs but is serious as she says, "You're not a hoodlum, Jess."

"Maybe," Jess says, giving her a crooked grin. "Goodnight, Rory."

"Goodnight, Jess."

Rory walks slowly home, dazed. It already seems like a kind of dream.

The next morning, Lorelai insists on riding the Vespa and drags Rory to the diner before she's even finished her waffle.

"There's waffles at Luke's," she says mercilessly. "And neither of you are going to stop me from taking it for a spin!"

Once at the diner, Luke argues back and forth until agreeing that it's probably fine to ride the Vespa down the street.

"I rode it when I was sixteen," Lorelai insists, ignoring Rory as she says, "You also got pregnant with me."

"Yeah, yeah. Come on offspring - want to brave it with me?"

"You know, I do," Rory says and Lorelai looks at her in surprise.

"Seriously?"

"It's just down the street."

"Didn't think I could wear you down that quickly!" Lorelai says happily. "Was it the Roman Holiday reference?"

They don their helmets, climb on, and Rory puts her arms around her mother's back as the townspeople gather and cheer. Lorelai turns on the engine, drives slowly into the road and then down the street, finding a little speed.

"Isn't this the best?" Lorelai shouts and Rory shouts back, "The Gilmore girls ride in style!"

Carefully, Lorelai turns the Vespa and drives back up to the diner where, keeping her promise, she turns off the engine and hops off, to much applause. Rory gets off as well, laughing, and gives her mother a hug.

"See? I told you I could do it," Lorelai says, before stumbling into Luke's arms.

"Lessons," he says and Lorelai sighs, nodding.

"Real lessons, I swear. But I've got to name it something cool first!"

Rory takes off her helmet, shaking out her hair and as she looks up sees Jess in the window, smiling at her. She smiles back, lifting her hand in greeting, and he waves before silently moving out of sight.

"What?" Lorelai asks and Rory shakes her head, laughing.

"Nothing. This calls for coffee, don't you think?"

"Daughter, everything calls for coffee!"

#Gilmore Girls #lorelai gilmore #rory gilmore #jess mariano #literati #mine

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elizabethemerald · 5 years

Text

Freeing Angor

It’s your girl! Back again with a canon divergent moment for Trollhunters! Because this is what I do best! This time featuring one pissed off Assassin, Barbara being a badass, and Jim deciding against making a mistake.

Jim raced on his vespa through the Arcadia sewers. He knew he only had a few more minutes of frozen time from the Kirosect. So far he had saved Claire, saved Blinky, saved Bagdwella, got tea for his mom, passed his Spanish test, and recovered the Inferna Coupula. Plus he had managed to spit in Strickler's mouth and mess with Steve.

Now he had the ring and knew where Angor was with the Kill Stone. He pulled his vespa to a screeching halt in front of the troll assassin. Even frozen Angor Rot was terrifying.

Jim checked his phone. He had less than a minute left of stopped time. He could swap the ring for the Kill Stone and get away I time. It maybe he could use the ring to control the assassin? No. He was going to do either of those things.

"For the Glory of Merlin, Daylight is Mine to Command."

As the glow of his armor faded Jim watched a single drop of water slowly start to fall as the alarm on his phone sounded. Angor's eyes slowly focused in on him, his expression changing from surprise to rage.

"Haunt-" Angor had stood, pulling his dagger but stopped short when Jim raised the ring. His golden eyes grew wide. "My ring!"

Jim took a deep breath then held out the ring. Angor hesitated as well before reaching and grabbing the ring. His face lit up as he held the ring is soul was bound to.

"Thank you, Haunter." Angor slipped the ring on his own finger. "I will free your mother of the changeling's binding spell. Then I will kill him."

"Please don't." Jim said, his voice sounded bone weary, even in his own ears. Angor Rot paused, giving him a strange look. "Listen, I just spent the past forty minutes racing around trying to save all my friends from different problems. I just thought that maybe nobody had to die."

Jim sighed and turned to his vespa. "I'm not going to bargain with your soul. I can't do that. I can't stop you, you can do whatever you want. But please. No one needs to die today."

Angor paused looking at the ring on his finger. It was his choice, he could decide what to do.

“You would have me spare the man who enslaved me?” Angor growled.

“You are no one’s slave any more.” Jim said simply. “I know it’s not much compared to what he did, but if it makes you feel any better I loogied into Strickler’s mouth while I was using the Kirosect.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

Jim demonstrated, then jumped back at strange sound the assassin made. It took a moment to realize that Angor was laughing. It sounded like even he wasn’t used to him making that sound.

“Very well. I will spare the changeling. And I will remove the binding spell. If the changeling is willing I can remove it with out any adverse affects on either of them.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you.” Jim said. Angor’s eyes widened. He couldn’t even remember the last time someone actually apologized to him. “Though I still don’t forgive you for releasing pixies at my school! That was traumatizing.”

Angor let out his strange laugh again, then paused and pulled out a green gem. “You have not asked about the Kill Stone yet.”

“I need the Kill Stone to kill Gunmar. I need to kill Gunmar so I can save Claire’s brother from the Darklands. But I have no power over you. You can do whatever you want.”

The ancient assassin looked at the green gem for a moment. Then tossed it to Jim. “Well played Haunter. Now it is time to hunt.”

He pulled his dagger out, while Jim looked at the Kill Stone. Then Jim caught what Angor was saying. “Wait, I thought you said you weren’t going to kill him?”

“I won’t kill him. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to put the fear of death in him.”

Angor grinned devishley then dashed off. Jim watched him go for a moment then returned to his Vespa. He needed to tell his friends that he had the Kill Stone, especially Claire. They were one step closer to entering the Darklands. And he needed to check on Blinky, to make sure he wasn’t hurt any worse from his ordeal as a human. But first the was someone else he had to talk to.

“Mom?” Jim called into the house. He saw his mom’s car parked in the street and assumed she had come home soon after the run in with Blinky’s troll form.

“Jim?” Barbara was standing in the kitchen.

“Hey I was hoping we could talk. Like actually talk.” Jim said. He was nervous. He knew his mom had every right to be angry at him, but he couldn’t keep the secret anymore.

“Perhaps you would like to talk about how I swear for a second I saw your guidance councilor turn into a blue four armed, six eyed creature, then the next second I was sitting back at my seat in the cafe, with a cup of coffee prepared exactly the way I like it? Exactly the way you make coffee?”

“Uh Yeah, actually.” Jim rubbed the back of his head. Then pulled the amulet from his back pocket. “You might want to sit down.”

It was well past night fall by the time Jim finished explaining. His mom had taken the news pretty well all things considered. She had finished an entire pitcher of water by herself, but had done minimum additional freaking out.

“So let me sum up what you said, to make sure I understand. Trolls exist.” Barbara said.

“Yep.”

“And you were called to be a Trollfighter-”

“Trollhunter.”

“Trollhunter. By a magic amulet.”

“Yeah.”

“Your job is to protect the good trolls from the bad ones.”

“You got it.”

“The bad trolls want to kill you.”

“For the most part yeah.”

“And some of them can look human.”

“Uh,huh.”

“Walter is one of those.”

“That was a surprise to me too.”

“And he raised a troll assassin to kill you.”

“Yeah but he decided against it.”

“And he poisoned me.”

“That’s why you’ve felt these sudden pains without explanation.”

“Is there anything else I missed?”

“Uh, Claire’s brother.”

“Right. Your crush’s brother got trapped in troll hell so now you want to go there and rescue him.”

“Uh, I think Claire’s my girlfriend now. My girlfriend’s brother is trapped in troll hell.”

“Language Jim.”

Barbara leaned back on the couch. She enjoyed the moment of Jim’s mouth flapping open.

“I’m so glad you finally told me everything. I wish it didn’t take my boyfriend drugging me and raising an assassin for you to do so but I’m glad you did. I love you so much, kiddo.”

Barbara hugged Jim tightly. The armor he was still wearing pressed sharply into her skin but she didn’t mind. Eventually she let go and she stood and walked into the kitchen.

“By the way, you are so grounded buster. You should have told me as soon as your life was in danger.”

She stepped fully into the kitchen. At that second she heard the front door slam open. She recognized Walter’s voice immediately.

“Jim! Jim! You have to protect me! Angor is after vengeance and wants to kill me! If you want your mother to live you have to protect me.”

“Hello Walter.” Barbara walked back into the living room from the kitchen, her glass of water in her hand. Walter was on his knees in front of Jim, holding onto his armor. “Let go of my son Walter.”

Strickler tried to straighten himself up and pretend like nothing was wrong. “Ah, Barbara… I was just uh worried-”

“Be quiet Walter.”

“I told her, Strickler. She knows everything. Everything you did to her.”

Strickler gasped and held his hand. Jim turned to see his mom pinching a spot on her hand. She was really digging her nails in.

“And more importantly I know everything you tried to do to my son.” Barbara��s cold fury chilled her words. She moved her hand to spot on her arm and dug her nails in there. Walter grimaced. “Jim dear, why don’t you go downstairs and bring up your friend. I think it’s time we all have a chat.”

Jim’s eyes were wide as he saw Strickler wince again. He hurried downstairs and brought up Draal. The blue troll was a little awkward around Barbara, and was doing everything he could not to immediately crush the changeling.

“None of you understand! Angor Rot is coming! If he kills me, Barbara you will die too! You have to protect me!” Barbara rolled her eyes and ignored him, instead introducing herself to the troll who had been living in her basement for the past couple of months.

“What would they have to protect you from Stricklander?” The voice chilled the blood of everyone in the room.

Walter stood bolt upright as Angor Rot came down the stairs. He transformed ready to fight, pulling multiple knives from his collar. Jim summoned Daylight to his hand, though he was unsure which side of this fight he was on.

All action in the room ceased at a sudden crashing noise. Strickler collapsed multiple bleeding wounds opening spontaneously around the top of his head. Everyone else’s eyes turned to Barbara. She had the shattered remains of her water glass in her hand, multiple cuts on her head and hand.

“Draal, if Walter tries to run, kindly break one of my legs.” Barbara said. She was completely indifferent to the blood running down her face.

“Mom!” Jim cried, shock on his face, all the color draining away.

“Bar-bur-a” Draal said in confusion.

“Now Jim has explained the terms of the Binding spell. I presume you are Angor Rot?” She waited for the assassin’s nod. “What do you need to break the spell?”

“If both halves are willing I can remove it easily. If not it will be more painful. For both of you.” Angor growled out, eyeing Strickler closely. The changeling struggled to stand again.

“If I willingly remove the spell what guarantee do I have that you won’t kill me immediately after?”

Jim opened his mouth to speak but Barbara silence him with a wave.

“No Walter. That isn’t how this is going to go down. You will release me from the binding spell. Because it is the right thing to do and for no other reason. If not I will send my son to Trollmarket. And Draal, Angor and I will get extremely creative with my body.”

“Mom please!” Jim begged. The last thing he wanted was to see her hurt.

“Jim. I’m a doctor. I know the points on my body that are painful but not permanently damaging. I know pressure points. I know how to make a cut that that can be stitched close without leaving a scar. I don’t want you to have to witness that. But I will do what I have to.” Barbara was idly pressing a small towel to the cuts on her head, stopping the bleeding. She turned to Walter. “You have used us and our kindness too many times. You have hurt my family too many times. Now release me.”

“But your memories! If I break the binding spell it will take away your memories during the time.”

It was Angor who intervened. “Fool. Do you think that my magic is so poor that I cannot preserve her memories when I break my spell? As long as you are both willing I can do so with no other harm done.”

Walter dropped his head, then nodded. “I am willing to fix my mistake.”

The morning sun was rising outside. Walter and Barbara were both unconscious. Draal had dropped Strickler on the couch, under Jim’s strict insistence that he not be hurt. Jim had carried his mom upstairs to sleep off the effect of the spell breaking in her bed. Angor was still glaring at the changeling, but made no move to kill him.

Jim rubbed his hand down his face. Watching the spell had been exhausting. Dealing with everything that happened yesterday had been exhausting. Now all he wanted to do was join his mom in sleep. Instead he made himself some coffee. As the smell filled the kitchen Strickler stirred.

“Young Atlas?” His voice was still groggy. Jim walked over to him. He was still wearing his armor. “Is Barbara ok?”

“She’s fine. She’s sleeping upstairs.” Jim thought for a second then shook his head. “Actually you don’t get to ask about her. Either way she will be a hundred percent better now that your spell is broken.”

“Jim…”

“No! You owe us! You owe me!” Jim shouted. “I was the one to convince Angor not to kill you. And he’s had every opportunity while you slept off your magic hangover. You don’t get to pretend you care about us now.”

“Jim?” Barbara’s voice echoed down from the stairs. Jim dashed to the bottom step as she carefully made her way down. She saw Walter on the couch and glared at him.

“You are right Young Atlas. I have wronged both of you. But if I might attempt to start making it up to you.” Jim turned back and glared at him as well. Barbara walked down and put her arm over her son’s shoulders. “You have two of the Triumbric stones now is that not correct?”

“Yes.” Jim held pulled the Kill Stone from his pocket. He stiffened as Walter reached into his own pocket. And pulled a pale blue eye.

“May I present the Eye of Gunmar?” Walter said. Jim took in a deep breath through his teeth. “I know what I’ve done is unforgivable. But I have started to care for the two of you. And I am so sorry my actions put the two of you in danger.”

Jim snorted but hesitantly took the Eye Stone from Strickler’s hand.

“Jim, Call your friends, I think it’s high time we talk strategy.” Barbara said, looking at the stone over his shoulder.

Claire and Toby were anxiously watching the clock. Neither had heard from Jim since he used the Kirosect and disappeared in front of them. Suddenly Claire’s phone rang. Jim’s picture appeared. She answered it immediately.

“Jim! Are you Ok? We hadn’t heard from you since yesterday!” Toby pressed close to hear Jim’s response.

“We got it Jim. I’ll pick up Blinky and Aaarrrgghh from Trollmarket and we’ll portal to your basement in a couple of minutes!” Claire said. Then she grabbed her Shadow Staff.

It was time for the Trollhunters to enter the Darklands. It was time to save her brother. It was time...to face Gunmar.

#jim lake jr #walter strickler #angor rot #Barbara Lake #Trollhunters #tales of arcadia #canon divergence #writing emerald #call this one another fix it fic #it doesn't make any sense for jim to try and control Angor #I 'm way happier if he tries to spare him

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hantheheart · 5 years

Text

A Boy and His Dog: A TrollHunters AU

Chapter 1

On his 5th birthday, James Lake Jr’s father left him and his mother behind. His reasons were unclear and rumored to have been the result of an affair.

On his 7th birthday, the local shelter delivered a small kennel with his name on it. The letter attached claimed it was from his father. A final farewell, it said.

The letter addressed to Barbara explained it was actually from his uncle, Jim Lake Sr’s older brother. A last ditch effort to give the boy a good final memory of his father after waiting 2 years for him to come around.

Inside the kennel, a 2 month old border collie-golden retriever pup with the brightest, bluest eyes Jim had ever seen and a dark golden coat that reminded Jim of his mother’s nicest silk blouse.

He named her Lacey for the lace ribbon attached to her collar.

She followed him everywhere: She waited at the door when he left for school and was there when he got back; she sat beside him at the kitchen table; she had as much trouble as he did getting on his bed (his mother didn’t want her on the bed, but he loved burying his face into her fur.); she walked beside him when he and Toby went to the park.

When he was 12, Steve Palchuk shoved Jim into the canal and he broke his leg. Steve and his friends didn’t even get to laugh at him before Lacey had bitten the bigger boy’s leg hard enough to break through his jeans and skin. The three ran off screaming as Lacey scurried down the cement slope to the sobbing child. She curled up beside him and licked his face till someone finally spotted them while walking on the bridge above.

He spent 2 and a half months with a cast that every kid in school but Steve and his lackeys signed. Lacey whined at him every time he tried to walk until it came off, then licked his leg till he cried from laughing, then she licked his face.

When his mom decided he was old enough to go out on his own, Lacey followed him and Toby anywhere they rode their bikes to. It became a normal sight to see the gold and white pup outside the school, the library and the clinic when Jim visited his mom at work.

Where Jim Lake Jr went, Lacey would follow.

Not even destiny could keep a dog from her boy.

---___---

Jim wakes to the radio playing the same old station and groggily slaps the off button. Taking a moment to wake, he gets up to get dressed. Lacey yawns and stretches, watching sleepily as he moves about the room. Shirt, pants, jacket, socks and shoes, a quick brushing of his hair and one joking attempt to brush the fur atop her head into some silly style later, they head downstairs, a spring in Jim’s step.

She sits at her usual spot by the entrance to the kitchen as Jim goes about cleaning and whipping up lunch for himself and Toby, as well as dinner for his mother when she finally wakes up.

Lacey whines and walks over to paw at his leg, eyes big and pleading. Jim chuckles and reaches down to rub the dog’s ear between his fingers.

“Don’t worry, I remembered to pack something for you.” To prove his words, he pulls a treat from the box on the counter and tosses it into the air. Lacey is quick to jump up and catch the little bone-shaped biscuit.

An omelet is quickly whipped up in true Jim Lake fashion, then he heads to the stairs with the tray of breakfast, Lacey going on ahead of him to nudge the door open.

She heads back downstairs as Jim does a quick cleanup and tucks his mother in properly. Slipping her way into the garage, the dog finds her boy’s helmet hanging off his bike’s handlebars and carries it by the straps to the bottom of the stairs.

He comes down with a soft smile that broadens at the sight of his dog wagging her tail faster at the sight of him. He takes the helmet, patting Lacey’s head as he puts it on.

“Thanks Lacey.” She yips and leans into his touch happily. Lacey happily trots over to the garage door and watches Jim glance from his magazine of Vespas to his beat up old bike. He sighs and sets the magazine down, moving to pick up his bike.

The garage door is barely open before Lacey squirms her way outside and trots over to Jim’s best friend.

“There’s a good girl!” Toby grins, leaning down slightly to rub the dog’s face between his palms. They both look up as Jim huffs about raccoons raiding the garbage again, but Toby quickly turns his attention back to petting the happy pup, cooing at her about how she was such a good girl.

“We’re late for school, Jimbo!” Toby says, turning and picking his bike up, giving Lacey a final pat for the morning.

“Sorry Tobes,” Jim says as he sets the trash can back up. “Busy with the lunches.” He tosses a milk carton up, nearly missing. “One for me, one for mom, and-” Jim reaches into his bag and produces a little brown bag, which Toby takes with a excited grin. Lacey yips and walks around Jim’s legs with her tongue lolling, panting happily.

“Ah!” Toby takes a deep whiff. “Mmm, balsamic mushrooms, meatloaf, chunky, sun-dried tomatoes.” He peeks into the bag.

“And cardamon.” Jim says, rolling his bike on past, glancing down with a light laugh at Lacey staying right beside him.

Toby ‘ooh’s in surprise. “Takin’ a chance there, Chef Jim.”

“What’s life without a little adventure?” Jim looks back as he steps up on his bike.

The two start their usual bickering about Toby’s “diet” so Lacey’s attention wandered, dropping into her chase pose of rear in the air as her sights settle on a butterfly on the front yard. She hops over and swipes at it, yipping excitedly as she bounces back and forth.

“C’mon Lace!” Jim calls as he starts off down the road. “We’re gonna be late!”

“We’re already late!” Toby corrects, trying to catch up.

Lacey spares a last glance at the butterfly, then bolts off after, barking. She breaks into a sprint, cutting across a few yards to catch up with the boys.

“Take the canal, Tobes!” Jim calls, taking the beaten dirt path with a quick turn. “It’ll save us five minutes!”

“N-n-n-not the ca-nnaaaaallll!” Toby’s voice distorted by the bouncing of his bike on the rocky path. Lacey sprints on past him, barking loudly as if to encourage the boy.

“Oh, live a little!” Jim calls before jumping over an oddly placed ramping of the path.

“It’s living that I’m worried about!” Toby calls, huffing as he looks from his best friend to the over excited dog letting out a howl as she jumps over the same ramp.

“Come on Tobes! Don’t you ever want a little more excitement?” Jim grins as Lacey catches up to him, running alongside him with legs moving so fast they blur.

Toby chuckles dryly and shakes his head slightly. “No!”

Jim grins and pedals even faster, jumping over the edge of the canal wall. The world almost stands still as he basks, just for a moment, in the feeling of weightlessness as he and his bike almost hang in the air before dropping about half way down the side and skidding to a stop at the bottom and looking back to wait for Toby.

Lacey is quick to slide down the side and then trot up to Jim with a bark. He knows she can’t technically, but he swears she’s smiling as he ruffles the top of her head.

“Come on Tobes!” Jim calls, attention being quickly diverted as a distorted voice calls out his name from some… oddly placed pile of stones that definitely didn’t come from the canal.

Dog and master pay no mind as Toby comes flying down the side, screaming. Jim slowly sets down his bike as Lacey puts herself between him and the odd pile, ears back and growling softly in the back of her throat.

Jim glances back as Toby finally stops, falling flat on his face before removing his helmet and slowly approaching the pile. Lacey whines and hurries to stay as close to his side as she can without tripping him up.

“Tobes. Hey, Tobes. Did you hear that voice?” Jim asks, the other boy jogging over.

“What voice?”

As if on a cue, the voice calls Jim’s name again, loud and haunting, surprising all three. Jim and Toby yelp, falling onto their bottoms. Lacey yelps and bolts behind Jim, whining loudly and nudging his shoulder with her nose.

“That!” Jim quickly crawls back to the pile. “That-that pile of rocks knows my name!”

“It’s a pile of K-spar! Minerals don’t talk!” Toby points out, quickly crawling over as well. “There’s gotta be a walkie talkie or something in here!”

Jim picks up some of the rocks, looking at them curiously. Suddenly, he notices a bright blue glow under one rock. He carefully removes the rock. A bright, glowing, odd looking device that is weirdly reminiscent of a large pocket watch seems to call for him.

“Huh… it looks like an amulet.” Jim remarks softly as holds up the device, turning it this way and that as Toby starts shouting, demanding whoever might be playing this joke on them to come out.

Lacey whines and leans over Jim’s shoulder to sniff the amulet, before whining and cowering behind him.

“Hello? I’m listening.” He holds the device up to his ear, Toby quickly moving closer to hear as well.

Not far off, the school bell goes off, startling both boys.

“Ah! Final bell!” Jim shouts as they race back to their bikes, Lacey scrambling to follow after them.

“We’re so late, our kids are gonna have detention!” Toby yells as they run.

“Come on Tobes, we can still make it!” Jim jumps on his bike and starts pedaling, Toby following as quick as he could. Lacey barks as she runs ahead, stopping atop the canal wall to watch them, nearly squeals in panic at the sight of glowing eyes in the sewer grates behind where they’d been.

“Lacey?” Jim looks back, the eyes vanished now, then shakes his head. “Come on, we gotta go!” He urges and the pup quickly follows him towards the school, looking behind them the whole time.

#trollhunters #trollhunters au #Give Jim A Dog AU #A Boy And His Dog #its a little shorter than I intended #i wanted the whole ep per chapter #but it was 2am when i got to this point

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ernmark · 6 years

Text

I had this one outlined pretty much the day Time Gone By part 2 aired, and I’ve just never had the spoons to write it out fully before now.

"You're sure you'll be safe here?"

"As safe as anywhere on Mars," Buddy said, unbuckling her helmet and offering it back to her friend. "Thank you, darling."

"Of course," he said, replacing the helmet in its designated bag, and then Vespa's helmet after it. "I'll need to return to Juno to see to his aftercare. If you need me--"

"I'll be sure to call," she said, clasping his hand with a warm smile.

He nodded. "Be safe. Both of you."

And then he revved up his hovercycle and rode away, back out toward the desert and the distant beacon of the Cerberus Province.

Beside her, Vespa was silent, her eyes flitting over every detail: the people milling in and out of the apartment complex, the traffic cameras above the intersections, the cars overhead that slowed down just enough to not be worth slapping with a speeding ticket.

Buddy stepped closer, in part to announce her presence and in part to better wrap an arm around Vespa's shoulders. "Do you see anything out there?"

"All sorts of things," Vespa muttered. "Some of them are even real." Her electric green hair bobbed as she nodded to the top of a nearby building. "See how those blinds are all bent out of shape? Somebody's been watching this building recently. That traffic cam has been hacked, too, you can see where somebody's climbed it to get in there. And some bad deals have gone down in that alley..."

"It's hardly ideal accommodations, is it?" Buddy asked. "But we won't be staying here long. I'm sure Juno will want his apartment back eventually. As soon as we get back on our feet, we'll find someplace nicer. More secure."

Vespa's gaze stopped flitting around the thousand dangers of Hyperion City and turned back to Buddy, her eyes burning into hers with a piercing intensity. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, Buddy. You know that, right? Not in the next place we find, not here, not anywhere. Not ever again."

"Why do you think I was so quick to take Juno up on his offer?" Buddy asked, and gave Vespa's hand a squeeze. "So. Let's see our new accommodations, shall we?"

That might have been a mistake. If the neighborhood was a mess, that was nothing compared to the inside of Juno Steel's apartment. There were three designated piles for laundry-- one on a corner, one beside the bed, and one that might possibly have been for clean clothes, loaded on top of what was probably a chair. An old shirt lay bundled in the bathroom sink, hand-stitched in more than a few places and left to soak out a bloodstain on a bed of soap scum. What little fresh food and takeout had existed in the refrigerator had gone bad long ago, though there were still a few nonperishables in stock that could be worked with-- after, of course, the mountain of dishes in the sink was taken care of.

At least it hadn't come as a surprise. Even if her friend hadn't informed her as to the state of Juno's apartment in intense detail, Juno had been upfront about it. Still, it was a place to stay free of charge, it was safe within the protection of a dome, and it was far away from Razbach and his company, and that was all she could ask for at the moment.

"Well," she said, taking in her surroundings. "It's not the worst I've dealt with so far. What do you say, Vespa? Help me with the dishes, and we'll see what we can cobble together?"

After the first moment of distaste, she was grateful for the sink of dirty dishes. There was something soothing about the sound of running water, the suds on the plates, the squeak and click as Vespa dried and found places to arrange the clean dishes. It gave them something to focus on besides the fifteen-year-long silence that still lingered between them, but still provided the opportunity to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and just focus on being in the same room again.

Suddenly, Vespa twisted to face the door, glaring like if she stared hard enough she could look right through it to the other side.

"Vespa, darling?" Buddy asked carefully. "Did you hear something?"

Vespa's hand tightened on the last thing she'd been drying-- a pitted butter knife. It was dull, even for a safety knife, but that wouldn't make it any less lethal in her hands. "Someone's coming."

"Are you sure they're coming here?" Buddy said carefully. "A lot of people live in this building. They could be going to one of the other apartments."

Or it could be nothing at all-- just another of the hallucinations that Vespa had to deal with these days. Buddy couldn't stop those from happening, but she could at least help Vespa tell the visions apart from reality.

Vespa shook her head. "No. She's coming here."

The words were barely out of her mouth when a fist pounded against the door. "Hello? Hellooooooo? Anyone in there?"

Vespa flattened herself against the wall just beside the door. The instant it opened, she could put the knife through the stranger's throat before she knew what was coming.

"Vespa, wait," Buddy whispered. "Let me talking to them first."

A frantic gleam entered Vespa's eyes. "I'm not losing you again, Buddy."

"I know, darling." Buddy smoothed Vespa's hair and brushed her lips with a swift kiss. "I know. And if things go sour, I know you'll be right here to save me. But let's see if we can keep it from coming to that, first."

Vespa gave a small, breathless nod, then stepped back behind Buddy, her back flat against the hallway door.

Before Buddy can reach for the door, it slides open, and on the other side is a woman-- just one, wearing a big puffy skirt and crop top combination that's far more flattering on her round little frame than it would be fashionable, and a red-faced glare so intense that she can't actually see what's in front of her.

"Mistah Steel!" she shrieks into the apartment. "Darn it, Mistah Steel, we talked about this! What were you even thinking, leaving like that? You said you'd only be gone a few hours, a couple'a days, tops, and it's been a week, Mistah Steel, a week! I was worried sick, do you hear me? And after you promised you weren't gonna just up and leave again, too! You coulda called or somethin, instead of just goin' straight back here while I-- I--"

Buddy could pinpoint the precise moment when the young woman actually took in what she was seeing. It was all very flattering, actually. First came the moment of pure confusion, followed by a little sagging motion as the woman's knees went weak and her gaze went dull and sappy.

"You're so pretty..." she started, and then with all the abruptness of an electric shock, she regained her composure.

"No. No. It doesn't matter how pretty you are, this is private property. Who do you think you are, breakin' into Mistah Steel's place like this? I can call the cops-- okay, I can't call the cops, because they hate the boss and they'd probably take more stuff than you will. But I can call that nice Mistah Khan and that cute friend of his and they--"

"There's no need for that, Rita," Buddy said, flashing her most disarming smile. "It is Rita, isn't it?"

"The one and only," she said automatically, but immediately her eyes narrowed. "Who's askin'?"

"A friend of Juno's," Buddy said. "He's the one who gave us the key to this place. He said you might come asking for him. Now, as much as I'd like to talk this out, I'd rather not do it in the hallway. Come inside?"

Maybe this Rita was braver than she looked, or maybe she was just careless, but she marched through the door with less than a glance at Vespa-- or at the knife in Vespa's hand.

"Where is he?" she demanded before the door was closed behind her. "I wanna know what happened to him."

"He ran into a bit of trouble out in the desert," Buddy said. "He's safe, but he's going to need some time to work through a few things."

"And he couldn't just tell me that in person?" Rita demanded.

"Not if he didn't want people to track him back through your comms," Vespa said, her glare sharp on Rita-- but approving.

"There are people looking for him right now," Buddy said. "People who probably mean him a lot of harm. And until he's ready to deal with them, he needs to stay in hiding. But that's why he offered to let us stay in his apartment: so we could get a message back to a few of the people he can still trust in Hyperion City-- but especially to you."

"Of course he wanted you to send it to me," Rita said. "I'm his best friend after all." But that moment of beaming pride didn't last long. Again she narrowed her eyes. "But how do I know this all ain't a big lie?"

"He told us that when all this is over, he'd sit down and watch a whole movie marathon with you. Maybe even give those Andromeda movies another shot. That mean anything to you, sweetheart?"

It must have, because tears were starting to form in Rita's eyes and her lip was starting to tremble. "Really? He said that?"

“Yup.”

“So he really is okay? He’s really coming back?”

"Tell you what, sweetheart,” Buddy said with a warm smile. “Sit down and have a drink with us. We'll tell you what we can about Juno, and maybe you can help us get situated around town. How's that sound?"

"Y-yeah," Rita said, sliding into a couch. "I'd like that."

#the penumbra podcast #fanfiction #100

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