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chaoticloving · 2 years

Text

Intimacy

harry styles x actress!reader

summary: Harry goes to Y/n's place, gets a girlfriend and looses something too (universe summary in masterlist)

warnings: smut (piv, f oral, hair pulling). first time writing smut too. also english is not my first language so be warned for typos. tons of fluff

w/c: 3.9k

a/n: smut! finally! so read at your own risk. please remember to reblog and share your thoughts as it always means a lot! and also send in some ideas so i can write blurbs now that finally they'll be together! you also do not need to read the others to understand this fic!

masterlist

July, 2012

It seems to Harry that all of the important things in his life happen at some sort of party. And while he was able to catch up with Y/n their end of tour party, the more important thing was he was able to snag an invite to her place for a movie and some sweets as a sort of break celebration from work; although Y/n’s break will be a little shorter than Harry’s, as she’s back to work on Catching Fire in September–all the way in Georgia then even farther to Hawai’i, as Harry stays in England with the rest of his band to work on more music.

Harry brushes off the non-existent hair from his skinny jeans as he takes the long ride up to Y/n’s flat in the private elevator that goes directly to her apartment–or the awkward hallway that goes to her door. But Harry found that the hallway was more intimidating than any long elevator ride.

He was starting to sweat through his shirt and he was glad he wore a bandana to keep his curls out of his face, because at least that way his sweat wouldn’t be as noticeable. She had complemented his bandana, so he made sure to wear the same one. He had a little bouquet of dark, blood red roses wrapped in black tissue papers with a gold ribbed tied in a bow. He wasn’t sure if this counted as a date so he didn’t know the right manners of what to bring. He obviously consulted his sister for some advice which first it started with a bunch of yelling about telling her telling their mum about his personal life, but after Gemma told him that a girl would always want flowers, so Harry went out and bought flowers–very expensive ones at that.

He knocked on the door three times–maybe he should’ve only done two. Was three too aggressive? He heard a couple of yaps from the inside then the twisting of the door handle, then was soon greeted by a lovely face.

“Hey Harry, come in!” Y/n was leaning against the door, but leg stuck out trying to keep a little furball out of the way. “Marney.” Y/n sighed as she scooped up the dog and ushered Harry inside, closing the door behind him.

“These are for you.” Harry handed the flowers to her, then immediately regretted the action when he realized she was still holding her dog. “W-where should I put these?”

“I'll take them if you don’t mind being sniffed at by Marmalade.” She smiled and it caused Harry to smile too and hastily nod his head. “You’ve been warned.” Y/n mumbled, setting Marmalade down while taking the roses from Harry. “They’re lovely, thank you.”

Harry didn’t hear her over the tickling of Marmalade’s fur and whiskers on the little sliver of skin shown, he reached down and let Marney sniff his hand and then started licking it like crazy. During that time Y/n managed to fill up a glass vase and place the roses in there.

“You can take off your shoes and put them near the door and you can wash your hands in the kitchen sink.” She told him, causing Harry to look up at her and follow her to the kitchen. It was an open floor plan so he was never left alone, the flat was quite spacious and he liked how the kitchen and living room flowed nicely with each other, he also liked the little dog and cat set up in the living room.

“Sorry baby.” Harry scratched behind the dog's ears. “We’ll snuggle later.”

“Talking with Marmalade already?” Harry heard Y/n tease.

“Lovely girl to talk to.” Harry reponds, finishing taking off his shoes and walking over to where he heard Y/n’s voice come from. “Reminds me of someone.”

“Oh?” She chuckles, going over to the oven and pulling out a rack of pastries. “These are the pain au chocolat, or the chocolate croissants, I find they go really well with hot chocolate.”

“Wow, they smell amazing.” Y/n nodded in agreement, clearly proud of the sweet treats. “You speak french? Or are you just a foodie?”

She laughed as she carefully put two croissants on their own plate, then served the hot chocolate. “I’d hardly call that french.” She mumbled, distracted by the task at hand. “But to answer your question, yeah, I’m fairly fluent.”

“Wow, that’s impressive–thank you.” He eagerly accepted the cup and plate as she guided him to the living room. “How come?”

“My aunt lived in Brussels, Belgium. So to get away she invited me to spend my summers with her.” She had a sad smile on her face as she sat down on the couch and passed. “She passed the summer before I landed Katniss, so I promised myself I would keep up my french in honor of her.”

Harry absorbed this information as he took a bite of the treat and let out a happy moan. Y/n laughed again–which Harry would never be opposed to. “She taught me how to cook too.”

“Wish I could’ve met her, she sounded like an amazing woman.” Harry tentatively put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“She would’ve loved you.”

“Really?” Harry questioned, and she once again nodded her head. “If you don’t mind me asking–you said to get away…”

“You know parents–they're just so overbearing.” She told him quickly. “Should we just search romantic comedies on Netflix and then see what we find?”

Harry stared at Y/n, not answering her question and just thinking about her. He didn’t want to push her for information, but he somehow wants to let her know that she can talk to her about everything–because he doubts that was the end of it.

“What are you not a rom-com guy?” She tried again, snapping Harry from his thoughts and cracking a smile.

“Isn’t that kind of romantic?” He sighed, taking another big bite of the pastry. “More of a date thing, don’t you think?”

“Maybe we turn this into a date.” She shrugged. “Just for the movie of course.” She leaned a little closer to Harry and he did the same–they were sharing the blanket so she could feel his legs shaking with nerves.

Harry smirked. “I’d like that.”

They smiled before she went to look at the TV, “So what should we watch–”

“Wait this is a date right?” He interrupted. “I-I just don’t want to get the wrong idea.”

She looked at him, their faces close, very close–not that he’s complaining. Harry thinks he’s never been this close to a woman before, and suddenly his sweats are starting to come back. She leans in a little, then somehow Harry closes the small gap between them and their lips touch and turn into a kiss.

It’s nothing adventurous, not yet at least, because soon she grips the side of his jaw to finish off the kiss.

She lets her figure tips ghost over from his forehead to his jaw line before speaking. “I think it's a really good date, actually.” She smiled before turning back to the TV. “Legally Blonde?”

“Legally blonde.” Honestly, Y/n would say that Harry needed a lobotomy and he would probably agree. He was in pure and utter shock; he didn't even realize her head on his shoulder until he tried to lift up his arm to finish off the croissant. But when he did he figured the croissant could wait for later, he instead leaned his head on her’s.

The next hour was heaven in Harry’s eyes. Marmalade at some point wandered into the room and jumped onto Y/n’s lap. And when there's one, the other is normally not that far behind. While Elle is in her law class, Sugar surprises Harry by jumping right onto his crotch. The cat purrs and Harry smiles through the discomfort and scratches behind his ears.

“Sugar normally doesn’t like men.” Y/n comments.

“Isn’t Sugar a guy?”

“I think even since I got him neutered he’s been a little confused.” She shrugged. “And the vet was also a guy so I think he just has trust issues now with men, other than you I guess.”

“That’s…interesting.”

“Shut up, don’t make fun of my baby.” She leaned over to give the cat a kiss on the top of the head.

Harry was feeling bold now. “Can I have a kiss?”

“Hmm, that depends.” She jokes.

“Depends on what?”

“Well, it depends on if you like how this date is going.”

“I think it’s going great.” Harry admits.

“Oh yeah?” She chuckled. “How great are we talking?”

“Great enough that I want to ask you to be your boyfriend.” He grinned, proud of himself for being a bit bold.

“That's a coincidence.” She chimed. “Because I want to be your girlfriend.” Harry smiled and looked back at her, he honestly didn’t know what to do with himself. “You want to know what girlfriends and boyfriends do?”

“What?”

“They kiss.”

She closed the gap between them and they kissed. The kiss could only be described by Harry as being more full then the previous kiss. There was tongue now–which he definitely liked–but also more touching, and specifically, her touching him more.

Sugar and Marmalade had left for their own beds well well before this but neither were brave enough to move. But with the kiss quickly escalating they twisted themselves to lean more into each other, making it easier for their hands to have access to their faces and bodies.

Harry never really expected this when he went into that elevator, but he’s not complaining. Her hand now left his jaw and trailed her fingers down his chest but her mouth left his and Harry let out a pathetic whine that definitely turned into a moan as she started trailing kisses along his jaw then let her eyes meet hers.

“Hey, um–I don’t want to do anything you're uncomfortable with…” Her voice trailed off causing Harry’s mind to go a mile a minute. If anything, he would be the one making her uncomfortable. Harry is horny, and when Harry get’s horny, something hard gets in the way, and he’s about a hundred percent sure that it is definitely making her uncomfortable.

“But I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go to my bedroom?”

Harry’s jaw dropped before he could collect himself and start nodding like a madman, he didn’t think he would be able to say anything audible right now--that wasn't a moan at least. She kissed him as they stood up, and he kissed back, hard. They smiled into this kiss as Y/n walked backwards towards a corridor with a single flight of stairs that led upstairs to her bedroom. Harry honestly couldn't see what was there and he couldn’t care less–once his lips were back on hers, everything felt insignificant.

She walked him to her bed, Harry falling down pulling her with him. His hands wander to her chest while hers tugs on his shirt.

“Fuck.” Harry moans when his lips detached from Y/n’s. He quickly sits up to tug his shirt off from his body then mumbled, “your turn.”

She smiled and happily removed her shirt, leaving only a bra that made Harry’s mouth water. “Better?” Y/n smirks.

“Much.” Is all Harry can say before he starts kissing down her jaw, just like she did before, then moves on to her neck and then down to her chest. “Is this okay?”

“Let me just..” She unhooked her bra and flung it somewhere else in the room. His eyes widened and he gulped. “You good?”

“Fuck yeah.” He picked up where he left off, kissing down one breast while the other was in his hands. He gave an experimental kiss to the nipple, hearing a happy sigh from the woman he decided to lick, then suck.

“Fuck, Harry.” Her hands were in his hair, pulling and tugging at the mop of curls. She pulled him away, before moving so she was against pillows, Harry following her. She smiled, loving the way Harry’s body felt against hers–even though he was in his skinny jeans and she was in her pants.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to go to the Sydney show.” She said in between kisses. “Think you could give me a show now?”

“I don’t think I want to sing now–” Harry met her gaze, then quickly realized. “You mean strip?” She laughed at Harry’s cheeks turning red. “Yeah, I can do that.”

Harry had no idea how to make taking off skinny jeans sexy. It’s just not. He didn’t think he’d make it this far with her, but if he knew it’s not like he has any other pants to wear that aren’t his old pajamas.

He sat up on his knees and tried to unbuckle his belt, tossing it to the floor before attacking the button and zipper. He tried to shimmy out of his jeans in a respectable way but when he looked up at Y/n and saw that she was biting her lip, holding back a laugh.

“Stop laughing!”

“Am not!” She giggled. “You look so hot right now. I’m soaking.” Harry didn’t appreciate the sarcasm.

“That would sound hot if you weren’t just laughing at me.” He whined. Y/n smiled as she–in a not pathetic way–took off her pants, then grabbed Harry’s hand and pulled him down so his body was up against hers and his fingers were touching her core.

“You look so hot right now.” She whispered in his ear. “I’m soaking.”

Harry wasn’t even being touched but moaned. “C-can I take these off?” His voice is croaky, barley above a whisper. His figures playing with the lace of her panties.

“Take ‘em off love.” Harry smiled at not only the nickname, but seeing those panties on her floor. He nearly ripped them off with his eagerness–maybe one day he could actually do just that, but another time.

“Can I go down on you?” He asked, his voice was more confident this time, smiling like crazy. He has always thought that eating out a women was one of the hottest things that could happen in his sex life–and honestly one of the hottest things that could happen in porn too.

“Fuck yes.” Harry got down and was face to face–or face to pussy–and took a bold lick. “Fuck, Harry more.” Y/n’s hands were tangled in Harry’s hands once again and the tension grew tighter on his skin as Harry got more confident and started to really eat her out.

Y/n felt as though she was on fire, she knew the pleasure that could come from masterbation but it was a completely different pleasure when someone else was doing all of the work, especially with his tongue. He would occasionally stop and nibble at her thighs, not hard enough to leave a hickey, but enough to leave the sting of his love bite too.

While eating her out, Harry fell in love with oral sex. Something about it made him feel all hot–and it didn’t hurt that everytime Y/n thighs would squeeze around him that he could feel all the blood from his head go straight to his dick. He grinded his cock on the bed in a feeble attempt to get off, but he could only go so far and get so close to his release. He only had boxers on right now, and he so badly wanted them off, but he soon realized that if he were to cum from eating out Y/n, it would probably not be the best for his ego.

“Harry, fuck, Harry.” She moaned, her voice closer and closer to being inaudible. Harry stopped and looked up towards her, removing his mouth from her pussy. She looked amazing, sweat glistening from her face and on her boobs. Harry, though had a thin strand of her juices and spit on his lips, spoke softly to her. “I want you inside me.”

“I want to be inside of you so bad.” Harry got up and kissed her, touching her breasts while her hands trailed down his chest and onto his waist where the band of his boxers laid. She slowly took them off, almost as if she wanted Harry to feel this torture that was teasing, but they soon were thrown on the floor with the rest of their clothing.

They stared at each other, both naked and so loving. Harry’s eyes scanned over her body, stopping a bit longer at her breasts but then continued down. Y/n looked down from Harry’s hair down to his cock. She first saw the star tattoo on his bicep, she liked it and thought it was cute. But her eyes landed on something more exciting–his dick.

But then she remembered.

“Condoms.” She said, looking at Harry with almost a hurt expression.

“Fuck, I might have one.” Harry stumbled up and went to find his pants. A little while ago, someone jokingly put a condom in Harry’s wallet to embarrass him–long story–and he doesn’t think he took it out. “Do you see where my jeans are?”

“Uh, right by my bra. Other side.” She told him, anxiously waiting while also a tad cold.

“Thanks.” Harry would put his jeans and the wallet inside. The moment of truth is when he opened it and luckily found an unopened condom. He joined Y/n on the bed and gave her a kiss. He tried to open the condom wrapper but his hands were too sweaty to do so.

“Here.” She took the condom from him and easily ripped the condom and handed it back to him and fuck, he nearly busted right there. Harry took the condom and carefully rolled it onto his dick–his dick that looked absolutely jaw dropping.

“A-are.” Harry cleared his throat. “Are you ready?”

She nodded her head. “Yes.” Then Y/n looked back at him. “Are you?”

“Yeah.” Harry smiled and then when he put his tip in his entrance he was fucked–literally. They’ve both never felt greater pleasure then when Harry slowly put the rest of his cock in her pussy.

“Fuck, Harry, feel so good.” She moaned when he was fully in her. Harry wanted to moan but he couldn’t even think–he just felt, and all he felt was pleasure.

“Can, can I move?” Harry asked, practically begging. She nodded and he started to experimentally move in and out. He started moaning–loud–and cursing under his breath. “You’re so tight, fuck.”

One arm was holding himself up, the other was touching her breast while he kissed her passionately. She arched her back which made their chests touch, causing his hand to slip out and go down to her clit. He knew she was close–fuck he was really close–so he knew to push her over the edge: he had to rub her clit.

"Fuck, Har!" She whined, kissing more feverishly to Harry.

“I’m really close.” Harry told her. “Want you to come before me.”

“Close, just don’t stop, don’t stop–” With a couple more thrusts she clenched around Harry, moaning as her orgasam washed over her. Feeling her death grip on his cock, and hearing her moans, Harry released into the condom.

“Holy fuck!” Harry collapsed onto Y/n, not yet moving from being inside of her. “That, that was…”

“Amazing?”

“Better than amazing.” Harry happily sighed. But, she needed to burst to bubble.

“I need to clean up. Can you…” Harry groaned but reluctantly agreed and pulled out, and fuck did it sting. Y/n got up and stood on her legs, a bit light headed but went on to the bathroom attached to the bedroom.

She closed the door and looked at herself in the mirror. She was happy—she now has a boyfriend that is the sweetest person ever, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all going too fast. Harry was her first official boyfriend, and is the person she lost her virginity to, she doesn’t regret that, but it was weird opening up to someone that she’s known for only five months which is an extremely small time considering she met her one other friend when they were in primary school.

Y/n just doesn’t want to get ahead of herself. But it was a foreign yet welcomed sensation that she could have intimacy with someone like this, not just sex but emotional intimacy.

Harry on the other hand felt like he just had an edible. He felt floaty, happy, and really down to earth. It took him a moment to realize that he needed to get his act together and he better take the condom off and throw it away; which he did, but not without his hands shaking.

Today went better than Harry ever could have expected—better than any porn he watched too. The first starters got a girlfriend, which deserves a whole night of celebration; secondly, he lost his virginity, another reason to celebrate. The singer couldn’t feel any better, although he did miss Y/n next to him. He really appreciated the intimacy during sex, which he never really considered until in the moment, but it also caused him to crave her more.

She wouldn't kick him out now that they had sex, thought, right? She wouldn't say 'thanks for the fuck now leave', would she? Harry stood awkwardly in the room trying to figure out his next step.

Y/n walked back into the room, she felt a bit out of place, unsure of what her next move should be. Her arms wrapped around herself, covering her chest and trying to even her breathing.

“So…”

“So.” Harry looked around, doubt starting to cloud him. “Do you want me to leave?” He looked down and started looking for his boxers.

“No! Not, unless you need to go.” She didn’t want to feel like he was stuck, staying here with her. But Harry smiled, glad she wanted him to stay.

“I’d like to stay.” Harry laid back down onto the bed, before realizing. “I-I’ll get some clothes.”

“It’s fine. Scooch. I like left side.” Y/n moved him over and tried to get under the sheets, before Harry got pay back by grabbing her by the waist and rolling her so her back was against his chest. Soft giggles filled the room before they both knew it; they were happy, blissful, and in pure awe of each other. Any concerns or questions vanished with a simple touch of their lover's body.

"Guest gets left side." He called, rubbing his nose and leaving a kiss on the back of her head.

Harry yawned, causing Y/n to yawn as well–of course erupting in a little laughter. Harry knew he should get this out now, in the moment. “You were my first, and I’m really glad you were.” He breathed. "I really really like you."

“You were my first too.” She turned to face him, booping his nose. “And I really like you too.”

“Wow, fangirl much.” Harry scoffed, rolling his eyes. Earning a quick nudge in the groin. “Ow, sensitive there.”

“Try that again.”

“How about we go on a date–next Friday?”

“Can’t we do it sooner?” She asked. “Maybe tomorrow morning? I make amazing waffles.”

“Only if you let me make the eggs.”

She hummed, agreeing to the deal. “Alright, lover. Night.”

“Night, Angel.”

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im-1hater · 3 months

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Total Drama headcannons cause I've kept these thoughts for too long (mostly Cody lol)

Cody, Noah, and Gwen had an emo phase, Cody wasn't allowed to dress emo so he only participated in the internet culture, Noah was unfortunately enough to have supportive parents so there are at least 100 pictures of Emo Noah in the photo albums (his sisters make fun of him for that) and Gwen insist she left that phase in middle school (she didn't. Once an emo, always an emo). They jump out of their skin when they hear MCR or BOTDF (earlier 2000s with unlimited internet access...)

Cody always wanted a pet dog when he was younger but his parents always said no because 1. They're too dirty, 2. They didn't think Cody could take care of one nor did they have the time themselves to take care of it. 3. They don't like animals and love seeing Cody suffer. 4. they probably think cats are better lol. Anyways because Cody would never shut up they caved and settled on getting him a hamster, a fat, chubby, hamster that looked like it was a month away from dying and Cody loved that thing to death. He would always get the hamster the best things it needs and take care of it properly. It lived for like 3 years much to the surprise of Cody's parents. Well, when it did die today Cody was devasted to an understatement. He had a funeral for the hamster in the bathroom and tried to flush him down the toilet like you would a fish. Only the hamster just clogged the toilet making water go everywhere and Cody crying more. His parents were def PISSED and after that, he wasn't allowed any more pets (all of this happened in the 4th grade til the 6th).

Cody is almost a carbon copy of his mother (Only because I am too)

Cody has one aunt on his mom's side and three cousins, two boys and one girl. The oldest (3 years older than Cody), Logan, typically likes to tease Cody (which he hates). The second oldest (older than Cody by 2 years), Jamie, is much nicer but that's not saying much really. Though Cody was stuck with getting Jamie's hand-me-downs because they were both the same size and Logan's stuff was too big for Cody. One of the reasons why Cody was bullied so much in school. The last and youngest (15 years younger than Cody), Cody. His aunt basically forgot her nephew existed and named her son Cody and she really liked the name so she didn't want to get the name change. So whenever they're in a room together they're referred to as Cody 1 and Cody 2 (Our Cody is Cody 2 even though it was his name first, lol).

Gwen often had to babysit her younger brother (forgot his name) a lot because her mom had to work two jobs since their father left them both at a super young age (Gwen 6 and her brother 2). She usually tries to help her mom out any way she can with chores, jobs, and looking after her brother. She says the reason why she joined Total Drama was cause her brother dared her to. While that is somewhat true the main reason was actually to give the money to their mom and hopefully make them financially stable. She was definitely disappointed to get second but her mom was proud anyway.

Harold is definitely NOT an anime kid. He actually HATES weeaboos and doxxes the really weird ones that are kinda racist and fetishize Asian people. He enjoys the anime content as he enjoys a lot of Japanese culture but he isn't going down the halls of Naurto running.

Heather's parents bought her an apartment when she turned 18 just so she's out of the house cause they deadass don't want her there they pay for her bills and groceries and all that stuff. It did hurt at first but hey, free water bill!

Trent awoken the bi mess Cody is.

Cody can actually cook somewhat. Only really simple foods that he learned in the cooking class. He only bothered to learn cooking because his parents are barely there and Cody was getting sick of pizza and takeout every other night.

Noah, Cody, and Gwen are the bi trio we need (PLS I BEG I NEED THEM IN THE SAME ROOM BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER OR SOMETHING).

Noah's parents wanted all girls and lots of them, that's why there are like 8 or 9 of them. When they were pregnant they just assumed Noah was going to be a girl and didn't bother with finding out the gender and such. They were very surprised to find out he was a boy. So all his baby pictures are of him in pink girl clothes and a pink nursery. But they still love him just as much as his sisters.

Geoff had a rat tail, luckily Bridgette was able to convince him to cut it off (the only other person who liked it was Brody).

Duncan watched My Little Pony when he was 6. He always said Rainbow Dash was his favorite but it was actually Fluttershy because Duncan has a soft spot for animals.

Courtney hates kids and having to look after them while Gwen loves kids and loves watching them.

Heather's only friends are Cody and Harold (and sometimes Gwen and Leshawna but it's off and on).

Animals are naturally drawn to Cody, even Noah's dog likes Cody more than him (much to his dismay). Cody has never met an animal that hated him (besides bears...)

Cody is terrified of bears.

For some odd reason, Alejandro doesn't like Cody that much but only plays nice for Heather (he wants that twink obliterated) Cody fully knows this and he says he'll "tattle" on him for something dumb he did and Alejandro almost shits his pants each time (Cody doesn't even end up telling).

That's all and these are all correct (I don't take criticism)

I'll probably draw some of these idk

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ybcpatrick · 1 year

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*shakes tin* hey any peterick recs in these trying (waiting for fob8) times?

i'm gonna use this ask as my official reclist. here we go, under a read more:

a lot of these are by the same author(s), so i've grouped those together. these fics are all my besties and i have reread them all at LEAST five times. some many, many more! PLEASE HEED ALL RATINGS AND READ THE TAGS THOROUGHLY BEFORE YOU PROCEED, SOME OF THESE ARE HEAVIER IN NATURE.

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Curled up in the van in the wee hours of the morning, Pete introduces Patrick to The Nightmare Before Christmas. As the story plays out before him, Patrick starts to notice... parallels.

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Pete and Patrick haven't spoken for a year. After finding out the blizzard of the century is rocking Chicago, right before Christmas, Patrick attempts to check in on Pete. But when the line goes dead, something inside of Patrick snaps; so begins a tumultuous journey from LA, back home, and back to everything he thought he'd permanently destroyed.

I am a collapsing star with tunnel vision but only for you (I will protect you) by TooRational (15.3k, Mature Audiences.)

After Pete has a terrifying injury while performing, Patrick goes a little crazy. Through the journey of getting Pete back to health, Patrick is forced to confront himself, and his long-term emotions.

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The polaroids from Coup De Main's article give Patrick three things: major anxiety, a boatload of embarrassment, and a wake-up call in regards to how much he's let go unsaid between himself and Pete over the years.

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After a year away in service to the Queen, Peter finally gets to return home, where his beloved husband is waiting for him. In the tumultuous reintroduction to peace, Peter shatters; Patrick catches the pieces before they hit the ground and begins the repairs.

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The force they call Kismet takes a momentary interest in two men, who are soulmates in every universe they've existed in. In one of these, the dominos fall in just the right way, and romance blooms.

the distance between us (sharpens me like a knife) by TooRational, intocooperstown (9.9k combined, three works in series, General/Teen and Up Audiences.)

For years, Patrick has kept a careful distance from Pete; he never lets him too close, never lets them touch. He hates himself for it, and for the ways he has allowed it to hurt them both. Through the series, Patrick fights to shatter his personal space bubble, and learns what it means to be brave.

Guided to You by intocooperstown (18.7k, Mature Audiences.)

Pete and Patrick are dead. They are dead, in a pristine office, sitting before a magnificent, otherworldly creature. The creature tells them they are soulmates, and they will spend the rest of eternity together. That's confusing for a lot of reasons, but if it means being with Patrick, Pete will take it.

Write It (better than you ever felt it) by ForbiddenToast (8.3k, General Audiences.)

Finding the right words can be hard. When Pete chooses to read someone else's for a while, the spiral into his own psyche isn't exactly easy, either.

Invasion Of The Photographs by ForbiddenToast (6.3k, Teen and Up Audiences.)

Pete buys a photo album. Then, an avalanche of old photos swallows the living room whole. A concerned Patrick charges into a battle on memory lane, working to get to the heart of Pete's latest obsession.

feels like home by lye-kisses (5.2k, Teen and Up Audiences.)

Spend a day with Pete and Patrick. Pure domestic bliss.

a bright tide by whatimages (2.6k, Teen and Up Audiences.)

Drifting around each other on a beach in Australia, Pete and Patrick contemplate themselves and iron out the details. A pocket of time, spent together, as they always are.

Got Me Staring Odd by glitterandrocketfuel (6.5k, Mature Audiences.)

A touching, sensual, and incredibly romantic exploration of gender, and Pete's relationship with it. Where cracks form in Pete, Patrick's hands are there to soothe.

get us right (quitters never win) by blooms (4.7k, Explicit.)

Pete is a telepath, Patrick is an empath. Patrick hadn't ever encountered someone whose feelings were as vibrant and defined as Pete's; when guilt over something begins to eat Pete alive, Patrick has to dig deep to find out why, and how and help.

precipitous by sceptick (1.9k, General Audiences.)

Short and sweet, a glimpse into the wee hours of the morning of February 4th, 2013. It's Pete and Patrick, Patrick and Pete, alone together, on the edge of something new.

and beyond these, here's the link to my AO3 bookmarks, because there are even more fics I didn't mention here! but all of these are my absolute top tier favourites. I live and die by these bad boys.

#shut up kell #ask #anonymous #peterick #rpf #essentially: fanatic_by_definition is like jesus to me /hj #and toorational is my current favourite fic author #if any of the links are fucked up let me know ajsksjdvksk #additionally: 99% of the time i will NOT be reading a fic unless they're in the band. i am incredibly picky #i will not be reading an AU unless i REALLY love the author 🫶🫶

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funeral-grayy · 2 years

Text

every single day since you were twelve, you wished twice a day. your eyes would flutter shut and you’d make a wish. it was the same wish every single day. the most painful wish, one you knew would never happen but you still tried. you still wished. despite the universe giving you clear signs it wasn’t meant to be, you still wished. you’d been doing this since you were younger, much younger. it all started on a sweltering summer day..

“hey, what time is it?” he had asked. we had been sitting in his tree house for the past two hours. comic books strewn across the old creaky floorboards. he’d begged his dad to build the tree house, claiming he needed his own private place, free of adults. of course his dad didn’t even hesitate. a week later, a few scrapes and bruises and the tree house was built. the three of you had built it together, shinsou’s dad insisting it’d help the two of you grow. the both of you spent your summers locked away in that tree house. time didn’t exist when you were there, it was special or it had been for you, since it started that whole tradition. you had blinked out of your daze, setting down the deadpool comic you’d been reading and picked up your silver flip phone.

“it’s 11:11”

“make a wish then” he whispered to you.

so you shut your eyes as tight as possible. you took slow breaths and thought for a moment. you knew what you wanted to wish for because its what you wished for every birthday. without hesitation, every birthday you blew out your birthday candles and wished with all your might. you thought if you wished hard enough and kept it up long enough, it’d eventually come true. at least that’s what you’d tell yourself. but now you could wish every day? at a special time? you weren’t about to question it because you needed all the help you could get. finally opening your eyes, you smiled and nodded.

“what did you wish for?”

“i can’t tell you or it’ll never come true, silly”

but little did he know, every year you wished for the same thing. you wished he’d be yours. wished he’d look at you differently and not as his younger best friend. even at twelve years old, you knew. and over the years, your heart never wavered, always beating for him. so like clock work, once a year you made that very same wish with your entire being.

you watched as the clock changes to 11:12, after you’ve made your wish. letting out a deep sigh, you push yourself out of bed. you’d been sulking all morning long, refusing to get out of bed and face the day. you had woken up much much earlier in the day but something told you to just go back to sleep and stay put. as if sensing you were awake, a knock sounds at your door. you could ignore it, yeah you could totally ignore it. another knock sounded, followed by a voice.

“i know you’re awake, it’s almost noon, get your ass outta bed!” mina yells through your door. ah yes, your ever persistent roommate turned best friend. you love her, you really really do but my god she was the most annoying morning person ever. up at the crack of dawn and ready to go, with way too much energy. and she was always insistent that you didn’t waste away in your room. always bugging you to hangout or go out to do something. you loved her, but god why today? you really want to just spend the day in bed but you know mina, she’d give you roughly an hour to get your shit together before she barges in there and drags you out. your limbs feel heavy as you drag yourself out of bed and over to your closet. like something heavy had settled in your chest. ugh, you didn’t even want to get dressed. looking down at your attire, a yellow oversized crewneck sweater and bike shorts, you shrug to yourself. mina couldn’t win every battle, so she’ll just have to settle with the fact that you actually left bed. you gather your hair and toss it into a makeshift bun, not even bothering to brush it. doing one final once over, you figure you might as well get this over with. you quickly grab your phone off your nightstand table and leave your room.

“i was about to send denki in to drag your ass out” mina says as you round the corner to the living room. of course she wasn’t alone and didn’t bother to warn you. both couches were occupied by your friends. denki, mina and kirishima on one couch, shinsou and sero on the other. you can hear pots banging around in the kitchen, so you can only assume bakugo is making something. without any thought, you walk over to the couch shinsou and sero are on, and plop yourself down on top of them. your head in shinsou’s lap and thighs draped over sero’s.

“you ruined my day, just so y’all know” you grumble to yourself, not really saying it with the intent on being heard. of course the ever so perceptive shinsou hears you but before he could speak up, sero starts to tickle you behind your knees. you try so hard not to laugh and hold a stern face but it was no use. everyone knew that was your weak spot and seemed to always use it against you. you finally snap and start giggling uncontrollably, telling sero to stop please. finally he smooths his hand over the top of your thigh, letting you breath.

“c’mon princess, you really mean to tell me you’d rather be cooped up in your room??” you know he was right, of course you’d rather spend time with your friends but that didn’t mean you’d admit it. you just felt off today. the minute you had woken up, something felt odd. your mind screamed at you, telling you to just stay in bed and call it a day. you really had been set on not leaving your room, but of course that didn’t happen. interrupting your thoughts, mina sat forward on the couch and spoke up.

“babe! it’s october first! it’s officially halloween month, so obviously to celebrate i invited everyone over for horror movies and popcorn!” she claps her hands excitedly, this after all was her favourite month. the apartment was already decked out to the nines in halloween stuff. deep purple fairy lights were strung around the living room, a bunch of different halloween and fall decor scattered throughout the apartment. honestly, it looked like spirit halloween had thrown up all over the place. bakugo finally emerges from the kitchen, two big silver bowls of popcorn in each hand. he’s the type of guy who refused to buy microwave popcorn, always insisting it needed to be stove top or it wasn’t real. with a grumble, he hands shinsou a bowl and then hands the other one off to kirishima.

“oh! oh! bakubro! turn the cool purple lights on and turn off all the other ones?” kirishima asks.

“pleaaaaaase bakugo! we gotta set the mood for horror movies!!” mina begs. despite bakugo’s cold demeanor, he did actually care for his friends. grumbling, he got up and did exactly what was asked. the room was now dark with a purple glow. the curtains had already been shut and it felt like it was more night than day. once everything was finally set up and everyone was comfortable, mina tosses denki the remote to pick the first movie.

overall, you were usually okay with horror movies. sure, you didn’t go out of your way to seek them out or watch them but you could handle them. at least that’s what you were telling yourself. still on top of both of the boys, you reach your arm behind shinsou and snatch a pillow. he gives you a pointed look but says nothing. you set the pillow down under your head on his lap and shift your position slightly. you got this, you weren’t going to get scared. the main character on the screen shrieked suddenly and you jump. ok maybe you didn’t have this. thankfully the only people to notice your sudden movement were the two men you were currently on top of. shinsou doesn’t acknowledge it but sero gently starts to rub the top of your thigh. It’s soothing but at the same time distracting. you were too aware of his gentle touch, the way he caresses your thighs lightly. you were used to denki being touchy feely with you, heck even kirishima toed the line from time to time but sero had never touched you in anything but a friendly manner. maybe this was friendly and you were just reading too much into it. your thoughts were interrupted by the gentle touch gradually getting higher. he gently traces his finger up your thigh and then back down, each time going a little bit higher.

thankfully, the sound of bakugo’s ringtone went off, startling the both of you. it was a blessing, your body was already reacting to the innocent touches and you needed to put some distance between the two of you.

“i’m gunna grab a blanket from my room and plug my phone in!” you say as you ever so gracefully roll off the couch. a chorus of ‘oks’ from your friends and you all but ran out of the room. once inside the safety of your room, you try to steady your heart beat. you’re probably overthinking this, right? those touches were super friendly and not at all suggestive. except they were getting to be suggestive. what would have happened if bakugo’s phone hadn’t interrupted? it doesn’t even matter, sero wasn’t the one you wished for every day. you must’ve been taking too long because shinsou appears in your doorway.

“what the fuck was that about?” his tone almost felt accusatory, like you had done something wrong.

“excuse me?” you whisper yell, trying to figure out what he was insinuating.

“don’t fucking pretend you didn’t feel hanta basically molesting your thighs.” he seethes out, taking a step into your bedroom. his arms were crossed, brows furrowed. what even was deal? he’d never said anything before now. not when denki constantly slapped your ass or when kirishima’s touches lingered. now he has a problem? nah, that wasn’t going to fly.

“molesting? molesting?!”

“that’s sure what it looked like from where i was sitting. and just so casually? in front of our friends? i didn’t know you could be that slutty.” his venomous words slice through you. it feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room, all that was heard was the muffled movie in the background. you’ve seen shinsou mad, you’ve seen him livid but never was his vicious words ever directed at you. he’s never raised his voice or ever said anything hurtful towards you. he knew how sensitive you could be, so even when he joked around he was careful with you. your sight began to blur as you felt angry tears build up but you refused to acknowledge them.

“get out. get the fuck out!” you yell at him and harshly push him through your door, slamming it in his face. forehead pressed against the cold wooden door now, you jump as the front door slams shut, signifying him leaving your apartment. you hadn’t heard any exchanges of goodbyes, you knew he left without saying anything to anyone. so someone would eventually come check on you. god, you should have fucking stayed in bed, you should have trusted your gut. the tears wouldn’t stop now that the dam had broke. you couldn’t believe he’d say something like that to you. you slumped against the wall next to your door, sliding down and sitting on the floor. pulling your knees to your chest, you rest your forehead on your knees and continue to let the tears flow. you have been best friends since you were both very young and this was your first real fight. sure, you had minor disagreements here and there, but nothing like this. it felt like hours before there was a gentle knock at the door.

“can i come in?” you let out a sigh of relief upon hearing mina’s voice. if it had been anyone else, you would have said no.

“yeah”

the door slowly creaks open and she scans the room for you, not realizing you’re right next to her feet. once she sees you on the floor, she lets out a startled gasp and then an awkward laugh to cover it up. without saying anything, she slid down on the floor and gathers you into her arms. the tears had long dried up but your eyes were red and swollen, a sure sign you had been crying earlier. she ran her fingers through your hair and just sat with you until you were ready. taking a deep breath, you sat up properly and turn towards her a bit.

“hitoshi called me a slut or i guess insinuated i was acting like one???” saying that out loud was baffling. it was such an out of character thing of him to do. you could tell by the confused look on mina’s face that she was thinking the exact same thing. shinsou knew what it was like to be bullied and be called names. the both of you had gone through it in your younger years. so for him to say something so out of left field? it didn’t sit right with you. of course you were absolutely livid but you knew there was more to it.

“what the fuck?” still not being able to comprehend what you had just said, mina stands up and starts pacing. she hates when anyone in their group fought and always took on the responsibility of making things better. a few serious arguments here and there had happened in the past but mina was always right there, to help pick up the pieces and fix things. you knew her brain was working overtime right now. trying to figure this out and what she could do to fix it. for once though, you didn’t want that.

“i know what you’re thinking but i’d really appreciate it if you let me handle this.” she opened her mouth about to object, when you put your hand up to indicate you weren’t done talking. “i know this group is important to you but i grew up with hitoshi. we’ve been best friends for years, so please let me handle this at my own pace.” you could see the inner turmoil mina was going through but in the end she just nodded and agreed. you were glad she was so understanding because you really didn’t have it in you to argue with her. standing up finally, a wave of tiredness hit you like a freight train. glancing over at the clock, barely anytime has passed and it was only 2pm. it didn’t matter though, you were crawling into bed anyways and not leaving for the rest of the day. you told mina this and she understood, leaving you to it. once you hear the click of your door, you collapse on your bed. you bury yourself into your comforter and shut out the rest of the world. you’d deal with shinsou tomorrow.

part two

#shinsou hitoshi #shinsou x reader #shinsou hitoshi x reader #sero hanta #sero x reader #sero hanta x reader #bnha #my hero acedamia #love triangle #maybe?#part one #idk what this is but yolo

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ashes-writing · 2 years

Text

free fallin pt two | stranger things ; b.hargrove

A/N; This came to me earlier and I had to do it. Reader isn't a complete goody two shoes, but... she is /innocent/. I decided to write out an entire chapter of their own internalizations and a little friendship between Reader's little sis and Max. I am seriously hoping that this stays the way I think it will because if so, it's going to be cute to write out. and *ahem,coughs* hot in some parts. I uh.. have plans for this.

AHHH you guys, thank you so much. Anyone reading this, esp the likes/reblogs and tags/comments you guys have no idea how much this means to me and how much it encourages me to keep going. It really does help. Thank you soooooo much.

-Ashes.

Pairing ; Billy Hargrove x Innocent!Fem reader

Timeline / Other Stuff; part I can be found by clicking. Definitely a good idea to read that and then come back and read this so it all makes sense. None of the events of s2 pertaining the upside down and all it's unholy terrors and Billy's death or Barbs will be happening. The upside down actually doesn't exist in any of the reader fics I write so.. yeah.

Warning; the smallest mention of Neil -but it's literally just him being mentioned as of rn. Billy. Billy is the warning here, loves. Because he's just an angsty and uncomfy lil bean bc he does not know what to do with ... things he learns.

Taglist;

@allelitesmut @aries-arcade @cole22ann @hcloangcls @heyaitsklaudia @krys-orion @musichealsscars @scoobiessnacks are the only people on my Stranger Things taglist. However I extend a tag to @rampagewriting -- no pressure bb feel free to absolutely ignore. If you do want to be on my taglist for anything including Stranger Things, please go -> here and add yourself.

rules + fandoms || masterlist || ask me things || requests ; open to headcanon asks + nsfw sfw alphabet letters only.

It’s actually 8:10 when you hear the raucous rumble of the engine belonging to Billy’s Camaro. You wander over to your bedroom window as you finish towel drying your hair and peer out through a gauzy tapestry. About the same time you’re doing this, your sister in middle school bursts through your door, giggling as she rushes to your window. “Oh my god oh my god oh my god.” she’s got a hand to her heart.

“What?” you give her a blank look.

“Billy Hargrove is parked outside our house, what the hell do you mean what?”

You roll your eyes. You’d forgotten all about her little crush on him. “Calm down. You’re in what, sixth grade?”

“Seventh, asshole.” Virginia pouts. “Seventh.”

“He’s still way too old. Besides,” you state calmly, “If you’re smart you’ll stay away from boys like that. Do you hear me?”

“Mhm. So then… care to explain why he’s here?” she taps her foot.

You throw your hands up in the air. “Tutoring, Gin. I’m tutoring him. There’s no other reason.”

“Are you sure? Because, I mean… I swear I won’t tell Mom and Patrick if he is your boyfriend. Only if it’s him, though. If you bring that prick Harrington over, ugh.. No.”

“I’m suuuure, oh my god, go to your own room.” you shove her out of your bedroom and shut the door behind you.

And then, after you’ve taken a little time to pull yourself together and you’re dressed in some shorts and a cropped red shirt with the Coca Cola logo on it, you make your way downstairs to open the door. Billy’s leaning in the doorway, a smirk on his face. “Darlin, hey.” he’s smooth, too smooth like usual. And when he steps into your house, he makes sure that he presses right up against you in the open doorway, right in front of at least three of your nosiest neighbors, all of whom happen to be either peering out their windows or out watering plants for the afternoon in their neatly manicured flower beds.

You gulp, hoping to God he didn’t see you do it. Mrs. Myrtle from across the street is staring at your house like she’s trying to commit Billy and his car to memory. “Shit.” you grab Billy’s wrist and pull him through the door, closing it behind you and locking it.

“That nosy bitch, I swear to God.” you grumble and Billy laughs.

“Somethin wrong?” he asks, gazing at you with that damned smirk. Like he doesn’t know already. He has to have heard how strict your mother and stepfather are, he has to be pretty damned aware that you’re known around Hawkins High as “Little Ms. Goody Two Shoes.”

“Yeah, if she tells my mom and dad you were here when they weren’t, I can kiss my non-existent social life goodbye. But it’s alright, it’s okay.. Maybe it’ll be okay.” you’re pacing a little but he chuckles as he watches you for a few seconds, finally reaching out to grab your arms and bring it to a stop. “You’re going to burn a hole through the floor.” he drawls, all relaxed and casual and obviously no fucks given if you get in serious shit.

You give him a dirty look but you take a deep breath. No reason to panic. They do know that you tutor. But if she tells them what you were wearing when you answered the door, oh god, the lectures. Your mother has tried at least ten times to throw out your favorite shorts and the shirt. Nevermind the fact that your grandmother has at least twenty pictures of your mom with her ass hanging out of her shorts.

Nevermind she used to be a little more…relaxed… before she met Patrick and they got married.

“Will you just sit down and cut out the pacing shit?” Billy is gazing at you, a brow raised. You nod, swallowing down a lump in your throat when you happen to glance down and see that his hands -those distracting damned hands, are still on your upper arms.

“Are we doing this or not, darlin? Because I stood up a real hot date just to come over here.” Billy chuckles when he says it, blue eyes dancing. Searching yours for even a hint of jealousy and he’s thrown for a loop when he doesn’t find any. What he does find is hurt.

And yet, you can’t stand him. It shouldn’t bother you.

It shouldn’t bother him that it bothers you.

You shove out what he’s just said and refuse to dignify it with a comment. It stung a little even though you’d absolutely die before admitting to it. ,,Of course he has a hot date, you think to yourself, he’s Billy fucking Hargrove.” and as soon as you allow yourself that one bitter and jealous little thought, you take a deep breath and nod to the dining table in the room across the hall. “It’s quieter there.”

“Yeah.” Billy mutters, slightly dazed because he can’t take his mind off of the fact that him saying he has a hot date didn’t piss you off or annoy you, but it looks and seems as if it hurt instead. Honestly, he didn’t have a hot date, he just said it to get under your skin.

Because you’ve been under his all damn day. First in that stupid and sweet little sundress with the grandma cardigan and then you answer the door and you look like one of the girls on the poster on his bedroom wall with the cropped shirt, bare feet and cut off denim.

He came here to study. And to get out of the house before Neil came in drunk and angry. Not be distracted, confronted by the one girl he keeps being told he can’t have.

He wanders into the dining room while you’re putting out the books and notebooks, some pens and some other things you might need close at hand. You nod to a chair and he sinks down, wordless.

“Okay, first..” you don’t even look up at him as you open your book to get a little of your own homework done too, “Let’s see how far behind you are, Hargrove.”

He shoves the notebook he brought over in your direction and you take it, flipping through. Somehow, you expected him to be a lot farther behind. The way he made it sound in the hallway at school, he was borderline flunking out. You look up at him, twisting hair around your finger. “Four assignments? That’s it?”

Billy shrugs.

“Okay, okay, this is good. This is actually better than I was expecting.” you can see that somehow, your reaction bothered him and for some reason, it has you scrambling to make it sound a little more… complimentary. Because you don’t want him to think you thought he was dumb as dirt or purposely slacking off.

To be fair, you wouldn’t have put it past him so the fact that he is just four behind is a pleasant surprise.

“This is really good, actually.” you manage a smile.

And just when he thinks he can’t get any worse off, there you go. Smiling at him. Rubbing salt in an open wound.

“I don’t just fuck, drink, party and do sports.” Billy mutters calmly as you read over the rough draft of an essay that you’re surprised was pinned by him for creative writing. A class you’d never associate with him to begin with. You’d have honestly pegged him for a shop class.

You’ve got your legs on the table and you’re twisting your hair as you read over the rim of your glasses and Billy clears his throat. “Can I get some water or something?”

He just needs to get some space because it’s too much.

When he specifically chose you to be his tutor, it was because he didn’t think you’d get any more appealing to him. He thought he could control himself. He thought he could work his way under your skin like you’ve worked your way under his. Turnabout and fair play.

He’s discovering that this little idea of his may not be the brightest one he’s had.

You get up from the seat and wander into the kitchen, getting up on the counter to get a glass out of the cabinet so you don’t have to wash one already out. You lose your balance just a little and you gasp as you feel the warmth of rough hands gripping your bare middle. You glance down at Billy sheepishly and gulp.

“There’s a glass right there.” he points out calmly.

“I hate washing dishes.” you point out. Billy grabs the glass you’d been reaching for and walks over to the sink, filling it with water. And he leans against the sink, watching you rifle through your fridge.

“Damn it, Gin… you ate my yogurt.” you grumble to yourself in disappointment as you close the door. And when you turn around, you find yourself body to body with Billy. Who promptly gives you one of those fucking smirks. Biting his bottom lip as his eyes move from your eyes down to your mouth. Lingering.

Intent.

“Okay, Hargrove.” you manage to get the words out, only they may as well be a whisper and you want to simply vanish.

This whole idea to give tutoring him a trial run was not a good one, nope. If you thought your dreams about him or the way you’re so fucking aware of him were bad before, you have a feeling they’re going to get so much worse.

Your younger sister peeks in after about an hour to find you going over Billy’s Algebra assignment and explaining to him what’s wrong with one of the problems and she laughs to herself because he’s staring at you like an idiot, he might as well be drooling.

“I thought you said your brother was a heartless asshole, Max.” Gin whispers into the phone to her classmate Max Mayfield.

“Oh, he can be. He’s just on his best behavior right now. Give it time, Gin.”

“I think you’re wrong, okay? I just have a feeling.”

“Yeah? Well I live with him, Gin. I know him. Just linger a little bit. Make sure he’s not trying to put the moves on her, please? I… I don’t want him to hurt her too.” Max pleads and Gin grumbles. “ ‘Kay, fiiine. I’ll go raid the fridge and call ya back.”

“Please?” Max asks before hanging up.

Gin wanders into the dining room, straight for the kitchen. You glance up and your sister gives a sheepish wave, her gaze lingering on Billy. You palm your face and laugh to yourself.

Naturally, she’s got a crush. She’ll be in and out while he’s here.

“Don’t come in here distracting him.”

“I wasn’t!” Gin mocks a look of horror as you step into the kitchen. You fold your arms and look at her. “I mean it, kid. I know you think he’s hot but he’s way too old for you, alright? Don’t… Don’t make the same mistake me and Mom did.”

“Mom’s only mistake was literally marrying Patrick the uptight countr y club prick.”

“Our father is in prison. They ran away when they were seventeen. Then you have me, being stupid last year with that idiot up at State. I can’t believe I was dumb enough to think a college guy wanted to date me.” you rub your temple and shake your head. “Look, it’s a damn good thing I didn’t do something I really regret. Just… Do not do what we did. Stick to books or boys your own age.”

“Would you relax?” Gin grabs your pint of ice cream and you give her a dirty look, taking the spoon from her after she digs it out of the silverware drawer. You sigh quietly. “I know Billy wouldn’t lead you on like that asshole at State did to me or our father did to mom, but like.. Break your attraction pattern now, kid.”

“You first. I see you staring at him.”

“I do not!”

“Every time he comes to pick Max up from the arcade it’s like your head’s on a swivel. Stop lecturing me and go up in our bathroom, look in the mirror and lecture yourself. Where’s your lighter. I wanna light my candle before the prick with his sensitive nose comes home.”

You dig around in the pocket of your jacket and toss Gin your lighter and she walks right back through the dining room and into the hallway, grabbing the phone on the way.

And Billy clears his throat from the door. And he’s staring at you with that damned smirk. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Just Gin being nosy. She’s got a crush on you, by the way.” you stick your tongue out at Gin, who flips you off from the doorway. Billy snickers quietly. “Nope. Go play with dolls or somethin, kid.” he laughs.

He files away what he did overhear being said between you and your sister for future reference and nods to the dining room. “I think I’m done.” he mutters quietly.

“Okay, let’s go look at it.” you smile and slink past him in the doorway over to the dining table. You sink back down in the chair and you’re going over his worksheet when he clears his throat. “Any reason your sister asked you for a lighter just now?”

Your mouth opens and closes and you shrug. “It belonged to our dad. I keep it on me. She uses it to light her candles while Mom and Patrick are gone.”

“Stepdad, huh?”

“Uptight fun-sucking asshole is more like it.” you mumble, low enough that you’re sure he doesn’t catch it. But he does, and he chuckles.

Suddenly, there’s just a little more about you and certain habits you have that make a lot of sense.

“So do you smoke or do you just keep it?”

You don’t answer. Billy smirks to himself.

You’re apparently full of surprises. This is either a very good or a very bad thing. He’s not sure which because this is the first time a girl has actually gotten under his skin the way you have. Normally, he can fuck ‘em and forget ‘em already.

You’re a challenge and he absolutely loves those. And he’s staking his hopes on finally getting you to crack so he can fuck you out of his head and out from under his skin already because you’re driving him crazy with your stupid little sundresses and cardigans and then this whole other side you’ve shown him tonight hasn’t made that any better at all.

If something doesn’t happen soon, he’s going to lose his mind, do something stupid like let you get close and he’s determined that cannot happen.

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove fanfic #billy hargrove x fem!reader #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x fem!reader imagine #billy hargrove x fem!reader fanfiction #billy hargrove x reader imagine #billy hargrove x reader fanfiction

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strikedenko · 4 months

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The Three Nikos

Finale of The Two Nikos

Summary: The messiah's predetermined mission was complete, as was Niko's, though another situation arises: The sun transforms into a mirror image of the Nikos, yet bearing the brilliant shine of the light. Who were they? Not only that, how would the trio free themself from the world they were now trapped in?

(Warning: this is a VERY long chapter)

(story under cut)

"...Who are you?"

The messiah wasn't sure how to react. Their guide, too, was just as clueless. The sun appeared to spontaneously explode before reforming into a golden mirror-like image. Not just that, they even stole the messiah's cap!

"Niko, right?" The newly formed being responded. "That's the name in my head, at least."

"Um..." In their confusion, the savior slowly raised a finger and wiggled it between the two bewildered cat-people, interpreting their response as a question. "Yes, that's us, but..." The words they had in mind then spiraled off into unintelligible confused not-cat noises.

Luckily, Niko was better with piecing this situation together. "You're... another one of us?" They showed an inquisitive head tilt, steadily circling the golden being. "What's your name?" They inquired.

"I told you, Niko." they answered. "Well, I think. I'm not too sure, my memory's a little hazy right now."

The puzzled looks on their faces only grew.

"Sorry, is there something wrong with that?" The new Niko asked, reciprocating the confusion on their faces. "I'm sure there's a good few people here who go by the same name."

The messiah shook their head. "No, it's just..." Words once again failed them, prompting a simple motion towards the other's appearance.

It's only then when it begins to register for the being of light, looking down at their oversized golden coat and bringing an arm up to their face to inspect their smooth hand, exuding an impossible yellow glow. Their expression shifted from surprise to wonder, catching a glimpse of their reflection on the windows making up the perimeter of the room.

They approached the nearest glass wall, both to let them scan their appearance and also to give them a good view of the world down below.

"You know, I could never really grasp the full extent of our connection," the golden Niko spoke, brushing their hands around their smooth face. "Though, this must be a sign that it goes much deeper than I ever thought before."

"What are you talking about?" The two other Nikos approached, confused. "You were just... born." The messiah, in particular, was still trying to wrap their head around the entire situation.

"Not exactly." The golden Niko pensively gazed down upon the world. "I'm still quite perplexed as to how I physically formed, but I've existed for quite some time now."

The question, then, was what even was this Niko? They weren't Niko, not exactly, only a boundless soul inhabiting an exact replica created... somehow. What, or who, was near that could've been their old residence?

Neither of them had any clue, no matter what came to mind. At least, until the messiah's burden was remembered. "Hey, where's the sun?" It only just now registered in their mind that the lightbulb was gone.

The messiah began searching all around the room, missing the golden Niko's knowing smirk. The guide, however, quickly noticed the sly smile.

"You did something, didn't you?" They inquired. "The bulb's shards came together not to repair the sun, but to make you."

Again, all the recipient returned was a knowing grin.

"Who are you, anyway?" Niko then asked with a suspecting tilt of the head. "The World Machine?"

This time, their response was one of confusion, mirroring Niko's puzzled headtilt. Though they soon dismissed their curiosities and shook their head, before speaking.

"You should know, I've been with you the entire time."

What did that mean? No one else joined them on this adventure. The only one accompanying the messiah was the world's operator, when did this third Niko enter the equation?

...Hang on, unless...

Niko's demeanor steadily shifted to one of realization as they gazed upon the stranger's appearance. The messiah paused their search to ask for some assistance, though they too became entranced by the newcomer.

The heavenly glow, the unique circumstances, the sun's disappearance... It couldn't be, could it?

"I'm sorry..." Their first words echoed once more with the intent of continuing. At that very moment, the others realized the cause for their apology, and by extension, their true identity. "...for what the Entity tried to make you do to me."

This newly formed being, the third Niko, possessed the essence and consciousness of the world's light.

They were the Sun.

No words could describe what was running through Niko's mind in reaction, leaving them speechless. The messiah found themself in a similar position, though they were at least able to spit something out. "You were..."

"Are," the sun corrected their bearer. "The light's still shining, I was simply reborn."

Niko blinked, then let out a subtle gasp. "You could get us home, then!"

They simply looked off and let out a silent sigh, one that Niko quickly understood. The fact still stood that, as long as the sun remained whole, they would be stuck forevermore. It was starting to set in for the messiah, turning away from the others so they couldn't see them begin to cry.

Their body trembled as they sat down before the window and gazed off into space. "Mama..." They silently muttered. They missed her, that much was obvious, and now there was no chance that they'd ever reunite.

The sight pained the old messiah and the sun. The solar Niko, especially, wished there was something they could do, but nothing came to mind other than sentencing the entire simulation to darkness. They approached their savior and took a seat beside them in an attempt to comfort.

The sun has served as a beacon of comfort for many, a sign of hope that the world might well see tomorrow. While they had ensured the world would survive for however many years before Entropy caught up, there seemed to be no more hope to give. Not to the messiah.

"This can't be it. Come on, this can't be the end!" Niko pleaded.

"Niko..." The sun stood back up, turning to the visiting operator. "There's nothing we can do. You spoke of a good ending, but we can't do that here." They spared a quick glance to the messiah. "You're just as trapped as they are..."

"Please, it's not over-" Niko continued, though was quickly interrupted by the pessimistic deity. "It is over. I can't imagine anyone from your world could figure out what to do."

"But-"

"There's no buts, or ifs, or whens. We only had One Shot, and that was it," the sun concluded. "I'm sorry."

Niko went silent, glancing off towards the pedestal that the lightbulb was intended to stand atop. Instead, it blew up and reformed into a fellow cat-person with an identical appearance to the two. They then looked back at the two seated Nikos, gazing down onto the decaying world below.

"There has to be another way."

No response.

"We have to try..." They started. "I made a promise to the messiah that I would help them get home. I'm not about to give up when it's just within reach."

A depressed huff left the golden Niko, squinting their eyes shut as they grasped for some way to soothe their operator's panicked optimism. "Say that we do try," they began, standing up to face Niko. "How can we be certain that the world won't collapse without the messiah?"

It was now Niko's turn to hesitate on their response.

"My bearer and I are intrinsically linked," they explained. "Without some outside force as hopeful as you, there's no way we can safely sever that link." The third Niko turned away, back to the messiah.

After a few seconds pause, the calming messiah spoke. "Well, we can only try..." They stood, turning to look upon their guide and their burden. "At worst, we'll fail to do the right thing instead of succeeding in doing the wrong."

A subtle grin formed on the operator's face, soon followed by the sun's hesitant smile.

"Life and soul, you are," they sarcastically quipped, before shifting their focus to the elevator they had taken up. It was their only method of leaving the spire, so figuring out how it worked was the first crucial step.

No button panel existed, and the two steel doors were locked into place, barely budging from their attempts to pry it open. There must be a way to open it, considering they opened to let them into this very room.

Hoping to hear something, anything, the yellow Niko pressed an ear against the steel. Failing to notice anything, they shut their eyes and recalled their ride in the lift. Pushing that memory to the forefront may allow them to catch the sounds of gears turning or recurring echoes bouncing through the shaft.

Frankly, they weren't sure what to expect, just as long as it was something.

The last thing they would've expected, however, were the doors suddenly sliding apart to grant access into the elevator car. Caught off guard, the third Niko fell forward into the compartment, landing with a thud.

The other two were just as shocked, before the steady closing of the elevator doors threatened their only chance, prompting them to hurry in through the shrinking gap. Luckily, they made it just in the nick of time.

As the doors sealed shut behind them, the compartment began moving down, evident by the three feeling an ever so subtle pull upwards on their bodies.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the messiah was the first to speak. "So, what are we gonna do?" They glanced over to their guide.

After a moment to ponder, Niko touched a few fingers to their chin and replied. "I'm not sure..." Regrettably, they shook their head, though soon glanced over to the third Niko. "You have any ideas, me?"

They merely shrugged. "We can figure it out as we go." They still weren't very confident, but they had to tag along now that their bearer was joining Niko's cause. Distracting themself from their current plight, the sun came to realize another hurdle that they'd soon have to overcome.

"Three Nikos, huh..." They muttered, catching the puzzled interest of their operator. "Sorry, just realized things might get confusing between us."

"Oh, we could go by numbers!" The messiah perked up. "I'm Niko 1, my guide is Niko 2, and you're Niko 3," Niko 1 pointed at the other two to share their number.

Niko 2, though, wasn't a fan. "I don't really like the sound of that..." A hand reached up to their chin to think. "Maybe codenames? I used those before," they beamed. "I call dibs on Light!"

The third Niko tilted their head, perplexed. Neither of those sounded great, if they could be honest. "We could designate by role, perhaps?" They offered. "You could be the Messiah, and you could be the Guide," they spoke, raising an arm to point at the respective Nikos.

The messiah seemed to be on board, though the guide wasn't so much. "Guide sounds dumb, anything else?"

"Ah, sorry," the Sun apologized. "How does the Operator sound?"

The operator shook their head.

"God?"

Their headshaking was now more exaggerated.

"Sorry," they sighed. "I suppose the name of 'Niko' doesn't really fit me, anyway."

The messiah glanced over. "What was your name, before I... er, made you?"

The golden being touched their chin in deep thought. "I was never given one, only a designator."

...That's some kind of name, though. "What was it?" Niko asked.

"Sol," they answered.

The messiah tilted their head. "Soul?"

Niko stifled a laugh, though couldn't help but let a giggle escape. "No, S-O-L, as in solar." They glanced away whilst correcting the messiah.

"Oh," they responded, taking a few seconds to get it. "Ohh, like a star!"

Likewise, it took a moment for the golden entity to understand. When they did, they just nodded. "Fitting," they spoke. "That can be my name."

Niko affirmingly nodded, looking back over and flashing a thumbs up. "Sounds good, Sol."

The elevator grinded to a halt, directing their collective focus back to the mission at hand, to get the messiah home. It won't be easy, but Niko made a promise that they intend to follow through on, right to the end. They can't give up now.

Instead of the metal doors sliding open to give way, a flash of light overcomes the vision of each cat-person, leaving them dazed. As it subsides, they find themselves back inside the library.

"What the..." Sol muttered, taking in the surroundings. "We're back in the Refuge?"

George was gazing out the window, bathing in new light. The sun was back, much to her delight. "Well, I'll be," she exclaimed, glancing over to the three. "You sons of guns did it." They couldn't exactly tell through the librarian's dice face, but the aura of a smirk was somehow expressed.

The messiah cheerfully smiled, though Niko simply nodded and all Sol could muster was a forced grin. Eventually, the old savior spoke. "We still have some stuff to do, actually."

George tilted her head, before gazing off to a wall. "Right, you're stuck here now." A hand cupped the bottom of her dice face. "Apartments are on the lower floors, if you can get down there."

Niko subtly rolled their eyes. "We're trying to get the messiah home, miss."

"There's no way, if this is to be believed," George spoke, holding up the purple journal. At the sight of such, Sol seemed to perk up.

The messiah continued. "We'll find a way," they beamed, trying to stay optimistic. They eyed the journal as well, perhaps sharing the intrigue Sol had. "Could we have that back?" The messiah asked, pointing at the journal.

George shook her head. "You need a library card to check books out."

Niko let out a low groan, though their disappointment quickly subsided upon realizing that George was already in front of them. "Can't you give us some?"

"For three of you?" The librarian mockingly responded. "Besides, tomorrow's gonna be a day off with the sun's return." Considering her attitude, it's probably for the best. "Unless, we could trade. The dice for the book, deal?"

The messiah was about to accept as they rummaged through their pockets, only to find them completely empty. Their growing concern prompted the other two to search their own inventory, though coming up similarly empty.

George shrugged. "Well, tough luck," she sighed, walking back to her desk to finish up whatever busywork she had left for the day. Seemed to be a lot-

“Hmph,” Niko huffed. As displeased as they were, there was nothing else that could be done other than wait. What else would they do, borrow a library card from someone else? It may have worked for that robot, though George won’t be so easily fooled.

With an air of disappointment, the three left. Despite that, the rays of the sun shining down onto the three helped raise the mood. It’ll be some time before they can get back on track, so they might as well take the time to appreciate the world they had just saved.

“Huh,” the messiah curiously muttered. “How is the sun still shining if you’re here?” They asked Sol.

It took them a minute to come up with an answer. “I’ll have to guess the simulation is acting as if the sun was returned," they theorized. "It's like a switch is flipped and the world becomes bathed in light."

Niko let out an uneasy sigh. “Won’t the World Machine... I mean the Entity, won’t they notice?”

Sol merely shrugged. “They'll probably be confused, but I reckon not much more than that.” A light chuckle fled their mouth, before gazing off into the distance. “Now, there’s someone I want to check on...” Sol spoke, leading the other two towards the garden.

Oh, Maize...

Sol's silent steps up the stairwell gave Niko time to recall the short-lived relationship between Maize and the sun. It served as a source of comfort for the plant spirit's dying moments; Now that the sun was free from the shackles binding them to the spire, they could tend to the newly born spirit like they had their predecessor.

Reaching the top of the garden stairwell, feeling the warmth of the sun's rays was... satisfying. Niko never had the chance to see their mission pay off, at least from a better vantage point than the starting room. Finally being able to do so felt good, there was no better way to say it.

A tiny figure rested within the dirt filling the pot, much to the messiah's surprise. Maize's kernel had already sprouted! They perked up, noticing Sol's approach, and did their best attempt at a smile. The solar being got on a knee in front of the pot and reciprocated the friendly demeanor.

"Hey..."

Sol's tone grew soft, raising a finger to caress the little one's head.

"Your ancestor's in a better place now," they spoke. "Don't worry, everything's gonna be just fine."

The plantling looked up at the sun, tilting their head a little. It seems they weren't aware of the fate that had befallen Maize.

Sol briefly looked away and shut their eyes, sighing as the words formed in their mouth. "I'm sorry, she was too ill..." They squinted, almost as if they were holding back tears. "Even if I was returned..."

They felt a hand rest upon their shoulder. It was Niko's, their presence bringing Sol comfort, if only a little. The old savior was no less upset than the sun, though being alongside Maize in her dying moments... It meant she was able to pass in peace, comforted by the two standing before the pot right now.

Exhaling an uneasy breath, Sol looked back at the baby plant spirit. "You won't have to grow alone..." Mustering a smile, they wrapped their arms around the pot, embracing the plant spirit in a hug. "I promise..."

Niko backed away, letting the two have some personal space. They should be glad that Maize's legacy was going to continue, though all they could muster was a subtle smile. At the very least, the new life should've had a chance to meet who came before...

Their gaze shifts away from the moment, over to the boundless tower. Not a cloud in the sky, leaving the spire in full view across the land. Sometimes, in Niko's home world, people would sit and watch the stars, for no other reason than awe.

This world's residents might wonder about the tower as well, curious about what's at the top and above. Must've served as a nice distraction from the fading memories, that which was lost to the land's decay.

Sometimes, the stars would twinkle. For some, it was a sign of an all-powerful force blinking messages to Their favorite mortals. Others saw the phenomenon as an effect of their existence on the world, with no natural origin.

To Niko, though, it was a reminder that they weren't alone. There were countless worlds out there, universes so distinct, that were begging to be explored. When the spire twinkled, did the world's residents ever imagine what might lie beyond?

...The floor felt uneasy. A brisk aura brushes through Niko's whiskers, a chill crawling up their spine and making them shiver. A spire shouldn't twinkle, they begin to realize. That, alongside a new feeling of uncertainty, caused Niko to grow afraid. Very afraid.

The first quakes prompted the messiah and Sol to pull their attention away from the young plant spirit, the bright cat-person gazing up to the tower to notice the twinkling. It seemed to be getting closer, cluing Sol into the dreadful truth.

"Shoot," they dejectedly exclaim. "The entity can't handle imposing a permanent exile on the messiah, it's trying to send them home itself."

The blinking spreading down from the zenith was, in actuality, squares.

Another quake. Shuffling of dirt prompted the messiah to concern themself with the anxious newborn spirit, in an attempt to calm their nerves. "You're gonna be safe, alright?" With a smile, the messiah silently offered to carry the pot and bring it along.

Unfortunately, the pot wouldn't budge an inch. No matter how hard they tried, the messiah wasn't about to replace their burden.

One more quake, causing the messiah's grip on the pot to slip, sending them crashing into the distracted Niko. Sol was quick to assess their health and help them up, though this gave them a clear view of the sky.

Darkness had fallen, clouding the land once more. The sun's return meant naught, much to their horror, especially Niko's.

The sound of static roared into their ears. No time to lose, the three carefully rushed down the stairwell and back to the library. Perhaps, now that the world was coming to an end again, George would allow them to borrow the translated journal.

Except, she wasn't there. Taking her place, spreading out from the raggedy bed, were squares.

The sight was haunting. As rude as this George may have been, no one was deserving of such a grim fate, being reduced to nothing more than a group of unrecognizable bits.

Sol shut their eyes. They could almost hear the librarian's anguished cries. The squares shutting down her limbs, one by one, corrupting her form beyond any kind of repair before finally ending her suffering.

"Look," the messiah exclaimed, pulling the others' attention to the desk that the savior was pointing at. "It's the journal!" Sitting on the edge was the mysterious purple book, free for the taking.

Unfortunately, the squares were also inclined to claim the journal. Acting quickly, Niko rushed forth and swept the journal just before the squares could begin taking over the librarian's desk. They could understand the words on the cover, cluing them in that the entire journal had been translated.

"Thanks, George," Niko muttered, sparing a glance back at the corrupting desk before the three were off once more. They handed the book off to Sol, hoping that they'd be able to extract some valuable information. "Anything?"

Sol briefly skimmed through the pages, though only shrugged. "Let's distance ourselves from the destabilization first, then we can look through this." The other two nodded in unison. Their immediate safety should be a priority.

The catwalks were beginning to break down, anomalies barring them from revisiting the other points of interest. Niko could spot the corruption flooding the top of the garden and the interior of the cafe, deeply stabbing into their heart.

Maize had entrusted the false god with her final gambit, confident that Niko would ensure her legacy lives on to the world's dying breath. Her successor... wasn't even an hour old.

And, Ling... Serving as a comfort to the visitors with his optimistic and cheerful demeanor, gone. Perhaps the entity saw him as guilty, for encouraging the messiah to exile themself to this dying simulation...

No, it couldn't have been. The spread of the anomalies was indiscriminate, they thought. Niko looked away - the sight was too much to bear - shifting their focus back to their objective at hand: Get away from the squares by any means necessary.

Though, facing an intersection with missing tiles proved to be an issue. Squares had taken out any connecting catwalks. They'll have to find some way over, and there was only one real solution present; They'd have to jump across.

First up was Sol, staring down the snapped edge of the adjacent catwalk. The group had a height advantage on the stairs, though the railing served a larger hurdle. Leaping off the bar itself was far too dangerous, even in this situation.

Sol opted to duck through, keeping a tight grip on the handrail as gravity threatened to plummet them down to the distant surface below. Even so, they swallowed their fear and didn't hesitate to propel themself off and towards the other catwalk.

With a heavy thud, they stuck the landing. Heaving a sigh, they looked back at the other two, waiting for them to make their leap.

To say that they were afraid would be putting it dreadfully lightly. The messiah, in particular, was quivering in their boots. Most knew of the cat-person's fear of ladders, though in actuality it stemmed from the heart-racing feeling of weightlessness, the air trying its best to slow them down but to no avail, the ground rapidly approaching.

Niko managed to swallow their fear and repeat the procedure Sol used, preparing to leap. There was some hesitation present, though Sol putting forth their hand, a silent offer to help Niko remain stable, urged them to follow through. Taking a deep breath, they propelled forth. Their landing onto the catwalk wasn't so graceful, stumbling past Sol and having to catch themselves, though at least it was over.

Now, it was the messiah's turn.

Despite any amount of encouragement from the other two, they could barely muster the courage to even duck under the railing. They didn't have the confidence of Sol, they lacked Niko's experience, and they had an unchecked fear of falling.

They couldn't do it. Even with the squares marching down the steps, closing in on the intersection, the messiah had frozen up. In that moment, Sol's pleas of desperate encouragement felt more like the silent pressure set upon them by the footfalls of their peers marching across the vast dusty plains only months ago.

Blisters coated their feet for days after, and it wasn't even worth it in the end. The miles of walking across sandy dunes, not even given a chance to acknowledge the other kids who grew tired and gave up. And for what?

Niko seemed to catch on, none of Sol's words were working. The messiah trembled, hands gripped tightly onto the railing despite standing on solid ground.

"Shush," Niko glanced over to Sol, raising a vertical finger to lay over their own lips. Immediately, the shining entity fell quiet. Then, turning back to the messiah, Niko spoke in a calm tone. "Cover your eyes if you need to. It'll be quick, it'll be fine. Take deep breaths, get yourself ready."

The corruption was too close, now; One stray movement of the messiah's scarf would catch a handful of the anomalies. Despite the concerning sight, Niko kept reassuring them. Breathe in, breathe out. Slowly but surely, the messiah was finding the courage to jump, like how they were once able to find the courage to see the agonizing trek to the very end.

Shutting their eyes, the messiah ducked beneath the railing and hung onto the other end. Following Niko's calming voice, they directed themself to face their destination. Breathe in, breathe out.

They had to face their fear. They only had One Shot.

Hearing the overwhelming noise of the squares nearly reaching their scarf, the messiah's eyes flashed open with determination as they pushed themself off the catwalk and leapt forth, trusting their instincts to bring them to safety.

The others' expressions steadily grew into hopeful relief as the messiah soared towards their destination. In just another moment, they'll land across the gap. Probably on their face, but they'll be safe.

They do not land. The messiah's just short of Niko's hands, leaving them in freefall past the catwalks. They always knew this would be how it ends, plummeting down a massive height with no way of lessening their fall. If they're lucky, the messiah would wake up from this nightmare back home, just before impact.

One could only hope. The messiah shut their eyes once more, awaiting their sealed fate.

However, to their surprise, their fall is broken by Niko, having leapt down to catch the messiah in the nick of time. Sol, meanwhile, kept a firm grip on Niko's leg, allowing them to stay within the range of the catwalks.

The two could only share air for the next few seconds, gasping from the lingering adrenaline. Not a moment sooner, Sol mustered the strength to hoist them up to safety. Just in time, too; Niko's grip had been just about to slip.

Again, the three took a few moments to settle down, taking sharp breaths as they recovered from the near-death experience. Niko, in particular, was having a hard time. The old savior found it difficult to stand, their legs turned to jelly.

Seeing this, the messiah exhaled a shaky sigh before lifting themself up. "We can rest at the village," they spoke, glancing over to the gate separating the Refuge from the Glen. The city wasn't safe, not anymore. They were right, but Niko just... couldn't stand.

"Sorry about my grasp," Sol apologized, to which Niko just shook their head. The old savior's legs trembled, as if weakened after a snowstorm. Eventually, Sol took to hoisting them up and carrying them from the shoulder.

Warm... It almost reminded Niko of the sun's comforting touch from their own adventures within the World Machine. They could fall asleep to this...

But they can't. The grating sound of the squares served as an unpleasant reminder, their mission wasn't done yet. The messiah of old made a promise that they intended to keep, no matter what.

After some time of simply waving their legs in a motion that resembled stable walking, Niko was finally able to relieve Sol of their burden. Still, they allowed the messiah to lead. Their exhausted self couldn't be in front, they'd lead them into a cluster of squares or something.

Sol chuckled. Niko let out a curious "hm" in response.

"Sorry, just..." The sun fell silent, their tone droning before it was little more than a quiet whimper.

The messiah stopped just before the gate. "Squares..." Their head dropped as a defeated sigh fled their mouth. One glance into the entrance showed that, yes, squares made the transition their home.

Niko clenched their hands into fists, groaning with displeasure. "Ugh..." They pulled away from Sol to lean onto the railing, looking over the landscape of the failing city. The corruption was now fast approaching the surface, traveling up and down the buildings and seeping through any open window.

Another sigh, relaxing their palms and rubbing their face into them. If only they still had the pocket machine, maybe then they could-

No, forget it. The Entity would know and try any means necessary to put a stop to their shenanigans.

Perhaps, they could find a different way? A plane, maybe. Ah, but any other way would require them to somehow get down to the surface. No chance that's happening at this point, no way in hell.

"Grown up word."

Sol's voice punched through Niko's thoughts, startling them. "Huh??"

"Sorry, it's not appropriate for kids to swear," they said, befuddling Niko. They hadn't cursed recently, not since their slip-up back in the Barrens. Had they accidentally sworn under their breath?

Another sudden quake shook their minds, forcing their attention over to the intersection they had just crossed. The corruption was finding its way over and closing in on the three. They had to choose their next move quickly, the squares weren't giving them much choice.

Niko simply froze. Sour memories flashed through their head, prompted by the approach of squares. Too many times did they have to contend with these anomalies, never getting any easier. At least the last time there was a safe zone...

The messiah rushed to the railing of the catwalks, trying to find some way to get down. Although, even if they did, it was unlikely they'd be able to muster the will to drop down before the squares got to them. Sol said these anomalies were the Entity's attempt to send them home, but the threatening appearance didn't exactly seem trustworthy.

Sol took a few steps forward, past Niko, towards the oncoming storm. They had dawned a look of determination, one that neither Niko nor the messiah could have ever worn. It was enough to thaw the old savior, concerned by whatever Sol was planning to do.

The sun spared a glance to Niko and the messiah, their bearer. "I'm sorry," left their mouth in a content tone. Then, they looked back to face the squares, splaying their arms out to catch any anomalies that might've locked on to the other two.

Niko couldn't watch, not again. As the corruption thrust itself into Sol, the old savior covered their eyes, holding their breath out of dread. The overwhelming static roared through their ears, before steadily falling silent. Each harsh straining of reality made them wince, leaving them expecting the worst upon lifting the covers from their sight.

Sol had emerged the victor, standing proud before the dispersing chunks of squares. They couldn't believe it either, slowly letting their arms drop as the spread of the squares grinded to a halt. Inhale, exhale.

"The squares..." The messiah rubbed their eyes. "You vaporized them...!"

Sol drew out a few more deep breaths, before steadily backing away, keeping an eye on the corruption. For now, at least, it seems to have stopped. After a couple more seconds, Sol awkwardly shrugged.

"Well, I did want to buy you some time," they lightly chuckled. "C'mon, we can go through now."

Sol moved past the two, still gobsmacked, and into the gateway to the marshy lands of the Glen. The others could only stare at each other in utter bewilderment, before one glance at the lingering squares behind them prompted Niko to take the messiah's hand and usher them along.

Once Sol's taken care of the squares locking them out of the Glen, a cool draft blasted into them. It was the unmistakable humid air of the area, one that the messiah felt an odd sense of nostalgia from.

Still wasn't a great feeling, but at the moment they couldn't complain.

"Well, look who it is," a raspy voice rang out from the entrance to the ruins. Looking to the source, the three Nikos found the trader glenfolk escorting the children out of the ruins. "Never thought there'd be three of ya!"

The old savior beamed. "Magpie!" They exclaimed, drawing puzzled glances from the other two, before remembering that Niko had gone through all of this before. They grinned, before shifting their attention to Calamus and Alula.

The older sibling was in visible shock. "I thought..." His motions towards the gateway entrance clued them in, where there'd been squares just before.

"Oh," the messiah began. "Sol made-"

"They disappeared on their own!" Niko swiftly interrupted, sparing a quick glance to the messiah. It would probably be unwise to make a big deal out of the sun person's peculiar ability.

Luckily, the messiah seemed to understand. Or, at least, they didn't try to correct them.

Alula gasps. "Can we go to the city, then?!" She exclaims, tugging on Magpie's wing and glancing over to Calamus. He hesitates on the answer, though Niko took the opportunity to spare him the unease.

"No."

The younger glenling looked on, their expression shifting to a subdued disappointment.

"It's not safe there," Niko explained, dejected. "The squares..." Their voice locked up, struggling to elaborate any further.

Calamus heaved an upset sigh. "Sorry, Alula..." Despite that, she quickly regrew the smile on her face.

"We'll visit the village though, right?" Her brother, hesitantly, returned a nod.

"Let's hurry, then," Magpie exhaled, before moving past the three. From the droning tone of the older glenfolk, as well as how Magpie was keeping his grip in the sibling's hands, something bad had happened in the ruins...

"The village?" Sol asked, curious.

Magpie briefly stopped and glanced back. "Ruins a' flooding," he spoke. "Think I saw those shapes, as well."

The corruption...! It's already made it to the Glen.

"But, you're back," Magpie continued, this time a little higher in spirit. "You can fix it, right?"

Sol, after a moment's hesitation, let out a shaky sigh. "I don't know..." Sure, they might be able to remove some squares, though at this point it could easily propagate and render their work meaningless. "...if I can save you."

Magpie depressed, stifling a groan before refocusing on leading the children to the village. Sol felt a pair of upset eyes staring at them, turning around to see the source being Niko. They let out a disappointed, yet subdued, whine.

...Probably shouldn't have acted so pessimistic.

"To leave at the start," the messiah muttered. The last thing George had shared from the journal, they remembered it.

"Hm?" Though, it'd only been the instruction to enter the spire. What meaning could it have now, Niko thought. "What is it?"

The messiah looked up, seemingly having been lost in their thoughts. "Oh, nothing."

Sol glanced over as well. "No, that was something," they puzzled, before repeating the phrase: "To leave at the start..."

It wasn't long before a possible new meaning came to Niko. First, though, they had to ask about something they've wondered about since leaving the tower.

"The lift," they began. "There was no panel, how'd it open?"

Sol looked back at Niko, thinking of an answer. Though, to their dismay, they couldn't think of one. "I don't know, sorry."

"Something did happen, though." Even so, Niko wished to share the conclusion they came to about the phrase. "What if we could do the same to whatever pulled the messiah into the world?"

"Oh!" Said messiah exclaimed, their eyebrows raising with realization. At least, until the question of 'how' came back to mind. "...How would we do that?"

Niko paused and looked over to Sol, hoping they'd have the answer. Unfortunately, all they could do was shrug.

"We'll find out, I hope."

Now, the only question on their minds was how exactly they would reach the Barrens. The rowbot had gone, and they weren't sure if it could hold three of them.

Niko really should've put some thought into it when telling the messiah that they'd have other options-

...

They found their gaze shifting, towards the entrance to the ruins.

No... Just past it. Fixating Niko's vision was an unassuming wall just past a gap of water dividing the land. Something so apparently meaningless took up all of their attention.

Niko's accepted that this variant of the World Machine was different; Certain items were found elsewhere, certain events happened differently or not at all. But they've got a memory, after a very long time...

Something was missing.

"Um..." Sol muttered, finally pulling Niko's attention away from the random wall. They were holding the journal, and it was glowing.

"What?" Niko rushed over to look over the book. That shouldn't happen, not in these circumstances. As they caught sight of the lit cover, they physically recoiled.

"What?!"

The messiah, concerned, came over to take a look as Niko regained their bearings, allowing the old savior to notice a particular plant sitting on the grass where the other two stood.

Sol and the messiah looked over to Niko with an air of worry, though their gazes soon shifted past, to the wall that the old savior had fixated on before.

Looking back, Niko found that there was now a doorway.

"What?!"

It was how they were able to reach the Glen the last time they were in the World Machine, as the rowbot was made unavailable. Staggered, Niko approached the waters keeping them from the newly formed gateway.

Another gap to cross, that's fun. At least the punishment for not making it is getting wet rather than falling down a hundred thousand feet or something and splatting. Even so, they still hesitated.

Once again, Sol took charge, prompting Niko to move aside as they went for a running start, bounding across the water and landing on the other side. Much easier than before, the others tried to tell themselves.

Luckily, their own leaps proved as such, both sticking the landing and staying up with Sol's assistance. Now that they were across, they could take a look inside and see what they could do.

The interior looked more like a mine than a section of the ruins, a narrow hallway stretched out to a larger room, metal plates lining the walls with a ceiling of jagged rocks. Everything shared a green hue. Even the dusty floor, crunching beneath their feet like the sand from the Barrens.

This must be their way back. Niko had been right, then; They wouldn't need to use the Rowbot.

...Or maybe they would. A minecart was present, but calling it worse for wear would be an understatement. Squares flickered among the surface of the metal, which had fallen victim to natural decay. The back wheels were missing, there was a hole in the cart's floor, and the sides were all but fallen apart.

The messiah groaned a brief sigh. "What now?" they muttered.

Sol stepped forward and laid a sleeve over a chunk of the squares to dissipate them, but they were swiftly replaced by more anomalies. Niko briefly glanced down the hall they'd just passed through, only to find...

"Shoot."

...squares locking them in.

Niko heaved a tired exhale, one that the other Nikos knew the meaning of; They were getting back to the Barrens through this, regardless of if they could use the minecart or not. Sol balled a fist, irritated, before turning away.

"Cart's busted, corruption's closing in, walking on the track's a safety violation..." they mused. "Brilliant. Just brilliant," they exclaimed, their tone indicating clear sarcasm.

The messiah found themself eyeing Sol. Particularly, their jacket. More specifically, their pocket. Though Sol's entire being emanated enough light to ward away the darkness, a familiar glow had managed to poke through and reveal itself to Sol's old carrier.

The journal. Sol was starting to feel it as well, palming the hanging indent that the journal made on their coat before slipping in and pulling out the purple book. Like it had when this alternate route opened up, the journal was glowing.

Seeing this, Niko briefly scanned the sandy floor. Last time, the holder of the journal was standing close to a familiar specimen of flora when this area revealed itself. The cover of the book also bore this plant, an indication of the owner of the pen strokes housed within.

A clover.

"...Niko?" The messiah was busy looking over the journal alongside a puzzling Sol. "What are you doing?"

The old savior briefly pulled their attention from the ground to address the curious child. "Looking for a clover," Niko answered. "You two were standing on one when the journal was glowing and this place appeared."

Then, getting back to their search, Niko found what they were looking for. The bad news, it was too close to the decaying minecart and the squares plaguing it. Though Sol could still access it, the concern lay on the journal.

The solar Niko perked up, opening the journal and proceeding to the clover. The page they had flipped to appeared as an overhead of this room, centering just past the minecart, the one depicted appearing functional, towards the unknown tunnel.

Niko's eyes widened, flashing back to what they'd done with that very journal so long ago. Spawning that raft and cart, Sol was doing the same thing. They gazed upon the decaying minecart to see what was going to happen.

There was a momentary flash of light, enough to warrant the messiah and Niko covering their eyes. The world briefly faded to darkness, purple outlines making out the surrounding geometry, before another flash of light overwhelmed the three.

Once everything had settled, where the decay once was now sat a minecart in pristine condition. The messiah, befuddled, glanced over to Niko, who was simply sporting a subdued grin.

Sol, meanwhile, took a few steps back in mild surprise, sparing a look at the journal's glow subsiding. "This sure is something," they eventually spoke, approaching the minecart once more to look inside, joined by Niko and, soon, the messiah.

The new minecart seemed to have enough room for the three of them. Though it was hard to tell with the older minecart on account of it, well, being too dangerous for most to get near, Niko remembered Silver saying that a standard cart wouldn't be able to fit both of them, necessitating her to follow along on the rails.

...Oh, Silver...

Gloom flooded Niko's face, remembering what had happened at the other end of the tunnel. The earthquake, the cave-ins, Silver getting...

Niko gripped their side of the cart, the memories paining their mind and causing them to tremble. If this was here, what awaited them at the other end...?

"Niko?" Sol broke through the old savior's scrambling thoughts. "It'll be fine, I'm sure."

The reassurance worked. They've already met Silver in this session, she was okay. Niko calmed, getting into the minecart after the other two did so. Niko sat up front, in control of the minecart's way; The others sat behind, allowing their guide to take the lead.

Still bearing hesitation, Niko began to shove forward, pushing the minecart forth into the lengthy tunnel. The echoing silence was calming at the same time as it was unsettling. Their first spiral had set in right here, on these very tracks what seemed like ages ago.

The trio rode on in silence the majority of the way. Niko couldn't help but let the sour memories flash through their mind. The reveal that the world was nothing more than a facsimile, the harsh truth that they may have never been able to return home, Silver's sacrifice to ensure they could make it, Prototype...

Niko sighed, bringing up their knees and hiding their face into them.

"Prototype..." they caught Sol mutter.

"Huh?"

"That sounds so familiar..." they mused, gazing off into the void between areas. This is the second time it's happened; The first time was when Sol called Niko out on a grown up word seemingly at random.

This time, though, Niko had been reflecting on things that happened here, during their own solstice. "What're you saying?" Could they... read minds?

Sol appeared just as confused. "No, why do you say that?"

They could.

Their face shifted to horrific realization, lingering for a few seconds before simply blinking out of sheer bemusement. Well, they are the sun, after all. It's not too much of a stretch to imagine they could tap into the minds of visitors.

"...Who's Prototype?" was all Sol could ask, still in wonder.

"An early Prophetbot, I think." Niko slumped, their mind still hanging on what had happened in the cave. "They helped fix the World Machine, but their body was lost here..." They let out a dejected sigh.

Sol found themself deep in thought. "Prophetbot is version one, but I can't remember a version zero..." Niko briefly perked up, though dissuaded themself from commenting. At this point, it didn't seem worth it.

Gosh, they're so tired... The adrenaline that this entire journey had given them helped Niko ignore that it must've been well after midnight back outside. Now that it was finally slowing down, their mind was given a chance to rest.

Their body should, too.

With a droning exhale, Niko let their head droop and allowed the chattering wheels of the minecart to sing them to sleep.

...

They must've been so uneasy, their dreams felt like nonsensical blurs. For what seemed like hours, their mind was all over the place. Little rhyme nor reason, for possibly the first time since leaving the World Machine.

The only decipherable constant was a repeated utterance of their name in one dream. At first, they couldn't tell who was speaking, though as that dream began to conclude the voice became louder and more clear.

It was their own.

"Niko!" the messiah shouted, jolting their guide awake with a start. They were just about to complain, though one glance at what awaited them more than justified the rude awakening.

The track was fading away, leaving behind only the void. Panicked, Niko pulled on their end of the cart, skidding to a halt.

It was tough to tell where the fading track would end, though it wasn't something any of them were willing to risk. Catching their breath, Niko turned to their other selves; The messiah was taking sharp breaths, whilst Sol was busy quickly skimming through the journal.

"The track's gone!" They exclaimed, as if that wasn't the entire reason why the messiah woke them up.

"I'm trying to find something," Sol spoke out, flipping through a dozen pages at a time. "There must be a fix."

Niko anxiously waited for Sol's answer, briefly looking away to gaze upon the void. Something catches their eye, though. In the far distance, there seemed to be some land. Squinting a little, there was a hint of distinct blue, despite the surrounding void appearing more green.

It was the Barrens! They were close!

And yet, so very far away. Unless Sol could find something...

"Found something!"

Speak of the devil! The messiah glanced over, anticipating the solution that the sun had discovered.

"It's not generated, but the geometry and collision is still present," they rambled. "Look!" Sol then showed the journal to the messiah and Niko, the page in which they discovered this.

The moment they laid eyes on the page, a dark flash left them dazed. Even with George's translation, what Sol had shown them was incomprehensible, indescribable, unspeakable. Once they recovered, though, how they saw the world had changed.

The fading track was suddenly visible again, bearing a purple outline not unlike when the sun had burst and the world threatened to terminate.

...Don't think about that, Sol might not want to remember-

Hesitantly, Niko pushed forward. To their relief, the wheels remained on the purple-lined invisible tracks. The messiah let free a heavy sigh, leaning on the metal wall of the minecart. As they continued, the edge of the Barrens were starting to become more visible. They seemed to be under, beneath the ocean separating the Barrens from the Glen.

The track's end was approaching. They still had some walking to do, it seemed. Wading through a mess of purple wireframe wasn't gonna be easy, but Niko could probably let Sol lead the way.

As the minecart parked, though, a rumble coursed through the tunnel, prompting them to look back. In the distance, rocks were beginning to fall by the dozens, tearing apart the minecart tracks.

Cave-in.

With a burst of adrenaline, Niko hopped out of the minecart and rushed towards the exit.

"C'mon, me's!"

There was something blocking the way, something too heavy for Niko to push on their own. Luckily, without much prompt, the others joined them and began to collectively shove. Their shared strength soon overpowered the slab, letting it slam onto the ground before them with a forceful thud.

Not wanting to waste a second, Sol took charge, vaulting over the fallen computer and leading the other two into the mineshaft's server room. Or, at least, that's what it was supposed to be. The mess of purple lines in the place of servers and the actual terrain made it difficult to call it that.

There, they came across their next hurdle. More minecart tracks, though with a clear lack of a cart. No way were they going to retrieve the minecart they'd ridden here, even if it'd be possible; There was a cave-in fast approaching, so there was no time to wait.

A few hefty gaps were lined up for them to get across before a stretch of terrain let them sprint for some distance. Once more, Sol took the lead. They eyed the holes and the minecart track, calculating the best routing to safely reach the other end as quickly as possible.

The rails were quite precarious, though Sol believed it possible to use it to their advantage. Taking a couple of breaths, Sol balled up their hands and bounded across. They land one foot on the railing to push themself further to make it past the first gap.

Had the terrain been generated, Niko might've found themselves hesitating for a lot longer. Though, the wireframes acted as a sort of comforting lie; Niko knew the tracks didn't have a floor, though at the moment nothing looked as if it was filled in. Glancing once more at the railing to land on, they inhaled and bounded off of their feet.

Following Sol's movements, the cat-person landed a foot on the track to propel themself further, back on the fully formed tiles of collision.

Then, it was the messiah's turn. Like Niko before them, they tried their best to tell themself that the space beneath the tracks were filled in. As well, they pushed the notion that they just had to do it; Just like the past couple of times, they needed to try.

The messiah leapt, dropped a foot onto the nearby rail, and bounded off the track into Niko's arms.

...They did it! They really did it!

They weren't finished yet. There were still a few more gaps to cross. Although, they went much smoother than the first one, perhaps due to the fact that the fear of starting this brief act of parkour had subsided. Before long, the three were on the other end of the gaps, onto the long stretch of running.

The messiah took off ahead, having the quickest legs out of the three of them. Those running boots are really coming in handy, Niko figured. The three continued to run, keeping no mind on the cave-in happening behind them nor what awaited them at the end of this lengthy path.

They really should, as both the messiah and Niko failed to see the few more holes in the floor nearing the edge of the Barrens.

"Stop!" Only by Sol's cry did they actually notice, skidding to a stop just before the ledge. The slippery sand nearly sent the messiah down, though the old savior managed to yank them back to solid ground just in time.

One glance back down the tunnel they just ran through revealed that the cave-in had sharply intensified. Once again, they had to move quickly. The first few openings were quickly overcome, though then came another long gap.

Initially, Sol stuck with the same strategy as before, pushing off from the track. They shoved their foot down onto the rail, before...

Niko couldn't quite tell what happened, though the end result would have been the same regardless of cause; Sol was plunging.

The messiah had to stop Niko from jumping down after them. Thankfully they had a mighty grip, catching onto the tracks before they could further plummet. Sol's brief glance at the two indicated that they had to find a different way across.

There was another bit of solid ground on the other side of the track. With little hesitation, Niko took the messiah's hand and the two hastily stepped along the track onto the tile. Sol, meanwhile, was inching towards the other end.

Though, seeing the other two with their new plan, the sun quickly motioned for them to continue. "Go!"

The gap between them and land was, thankfully, much smaller. Once more, Niko gripped the messiah's hand and dashed across the minecart track. Now that they were across, the messiah quickly backed away from the ledge as Niko went to help Sol up.

The rumbling reached its peak; A few pebbles and strands of dust landed new homes on their heads. The cave was swiftly closing, they had to go.

The fastest any of them had ever gone prior, the three Nikos joined hands and dove out of the cave as the wireframe entrance collapsed behind them.

They were finally in the homestretch, the Barrens.

Exhausted, yet relieved, they took a minute to catch their breath, turning onto their backs to gaze upon the darkness of the sky. Foreboding, Niko thought for a moment...

"Messiahs!"

A robotic voice rang out through the air, followed by the hurried footsteps of armored boots.

"Are you alright? There was a sudden earthquake."

The messiah pushed themself to an upright seat to notice Silver, rushing over to check on the three.

"We're okay, robot lady!" They raised a thumbs up. Niko sat up with a delayed groan, soon followed by Sol.

"Come, I'll get my biological maintenance kit," the red-haired robot spoke as she helped the Nikos up to their feet. All of a sudden, though, they froze, their gazes locking to the south towards the center of the world.

"Your pulse rates have spiked, is something wrong?" Silver, noticing their shift in vision, glanced back to see what was going on.

Squares, spreading across the ocean from the Glen.

"Shoot, that must be the cause of those unorthodox notices," she mused to herself, before ushering the three to come with her. "I advise you to come with me."

Sol blinked out of their hazy trance, exhaling an uneasy breath before briefly tugging on the other two's sleeves, pulling them out of their fixated gaze, and following along with Silver, being joined soon after by Niko and the messiah.

"I'm sorry Silver, but we don't have long to dawdle," they sighed.

"I am aware," Silver replied. "Though, I wish to spend my final moments with a living being." They bore some confusion, though it couldn't hurt to be with Silver, if only for a few minutes.

Her cabin was right next to where they'd left the mine, so it was quite a short walk.

...Would be nice, though, if squares didn't appear right as they were about to enter.

"Get back!" Silver yelled, stretching out her arms to keep the Nikos behind her, backing up to allow plenty of space between the group and the decay.

Niko's heart skipped a beat, as did the messiah's. Their time here had just dwindled even lower.

"We need to go," the messiah exclaimed. "Back to the start."

Silver glanced over to them. "What are you talking about? What start?"

"'To leave at the start'," Niko quoted. "Where we entered the world may be how we can leave." The robot returned a puzzled head tilt as they continued: "Sol, here, might be able to do something."

Her attention shifted over to the sun, who was already approaching the leftmost edge of the area. "It's amongst the roadways. Quickest way is through the vent zone, though."

Shoot, they didn't have any gas masks. The one they had possessed was somewhere at the bottom of the docks, so that was out of the question. Even so, all three of them had to travel through at the same time; One wouldn't have been enough.

Sol's ears perk up, indicating an idea. "There might be something in the journal." They pulled out the purple book and skimmed through the pages. "C'mon, show us something..."

Niko and the messiah joined them in their scramble, however Silver found herself more interested in a different element: The cover.

"That insignia...!"

Curious, Silver approached the group. Just then, though, they'd found the page they were looking for. Sol gazed forward, towards the field of acidic gas, muttered some indecipherable phrase, and forcefully shut the book.

The clover was glowing, the brilliant golden shine bouncing off of Silver's artificial retinas. It was mesmerizing, almost a reminder of the good persevering in the dying world even long after the sun had gone out.

...What good had been there? Silver knew she once bore hope, but now... what remained was but a mere fading memory of the past, lost to the decay consuming everything else.

Something sparked her curiosity, her want to learn more.

"Let me accompany you," she spoke out as the three were just about to embark on the final leg of their journey. "As the head engineer, it is my duty to ensure your safety."

They spared a glance back to the robot, before sharing a nod.

"Thanks!" the messiah exclaimed. Unnoticed by the four marching onward, the corruption from Silver's house was starting to spread along the outer edge of the barren land.

"I've turned off the vents," Sol explained, more to soothe any possible concerns of Silver if anything. "Just temporarily, though. I'm afraid it might heighten square activity." That didn't really help.

"Prioritize getting the messiahs home," Silver said, her tone flat. "This fulfills my wish."

The rest of the march was silent, up until they left the range of the gaseous area. Sol took out the book once more and repeated the ritual from before. "Vents are on, the corruption should settle down now."

A chill went down Niko's spine.

And, there it was; That grinding sound of glitching code that they'd learned to despise. Instantly, the three Nikos looked back to witness the corruption, only to see the robot on her knees, malfunctioning, covered in squares.

The messiah let out a shriek. "ROBOT LADY!" Niko and Sol were quick to step out of harm's way, though the messiah stood there frozen.

"Gh-" Silver groaned in discomfort, the corruption scrambling her circuits beyond repair. "Leave," she demanded. "I can get-" Without warning, the mechanical joints binding her legs to her torso gave out, slamming her into the ground in front with a loud clang. "Urgh!"

The messiah reached a hand out, though forced themself to go no further.

"You can't!" they pleaded, tears starting to form. "There must be something we can do!"

Silver grimaced, struggling to look up at the messiah prophesied to save them.

"S- Stop-p-p," she managed to say through her stammering, her voice box beginning to give out. "I c-can't be s-saved."

"Sol, please!" The messiah looked over to the sun reluctantly turning away.

"I-I-I-" Silver continued to stammer. "Don't k-know what-t-t the hell-ll-ll his plan-n is-s-s, g-g-GO . W I T H| . H% I `%M!!!" Then, a loud pop could be heard as Silver's staticky voice was abruptly silenced. Her joints gave out, her head dropped to rest on the sand, and her mechanical eyes went dark.

The messiah trembled, their breaths accelerating as their thoughts raced. They barely even felt Niko's hand grasping their own and pulling them as they rushed to their destination. They couldn't process what was going on, their eyes bleary, and... were those tears?

. . .

Those painful memories, they were coming back.

Their first week away, as papa and another man were helping them settle in, an alarm went off. The adults tried their best to calm the newcomers like Niko back then, though they could tell they weren't very calm either. Mere minutes after their only warning, it happened.

The grating mechanical screech of nightmares, one that sent chills down the spines of anyone who happened to be within earshot, the cry that would make anyone opposing it turn tail and run.

'EX-TER-MINATE.'

It was all a blur. The screams, the chaos, none of that they could clearly remember now.

Except for one moment. Niko was with that man and a group of kids and adults. Papa was off helping out in the midst of the chaos, leaving Niko in a state of worry.

They were navigating a collection of tunnels leading to the basement, where they planned to reconvene and take refuge for the rest of the storm, if it would ever end. On their way, Niko spared a glance behind them and saw papa, running towards them.

The man was relieved. Niko, similarly, was overjoyed. However, it wasn't meant to be. Just as they were about to reunite at an intersection, an explosion sounds off, caving in the roof and crushing papa's legs.

He screamed in agony. The man was just about to go help him, but papa raised a weak arm for them to stop. The creatures were closing in, he told the group. Trying to help would seal everyone's fate. The man understood and backed the group away, though Niko had frozen.

'Go with him!' He pleaded to Niko with anguish, but they couldn't. They couldn't leave him to die. Every single part of their being wanted to free papa from his fate, though the steady whirr of the death machines could be heard approaching.

Niko felt a hand wrap around their arm: It was the man, pulling them away from the scene and abandoning the child's father to be killed by the ruthless invaders. Niko couldn't scream, they couldn't even muster a whimper. All they could do was what was asked: Go with him.

The child squeezed their eyes shut, letting the man drag them along, as the blast of a laser bolt and a scream echoed through the walls. He led the group down the corridor and around a corner to the basement vault, though they soon found themselves before another one of those merciless killers.

Another blast, and the man fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. Niko remembers screaming, crying out as the ray gun adjusted its aim at the child. Before they could fall, however, the blast of one of their own weapons rang out from behind the slaughterer's view, striking the robotic body and blowing it to pieces.

It was the janitor who saved them. The memories were beginning to haze, though they recalled their savior funneling everyone into a gray capsule, with an interior far larger than anyone expected. Niko even noticed them help the struggling man inside before collapsing onto the floor, exhausted.

The last thing they saw before losing their grip on consciousness was a new face in the man's attire. That face... They now knew it to be mama's.

Everything faded to black.

. . .

The messiah was sat up against the steel wall of a train car, their head leaning against one of the terminals in disrepair. Energy steadily flowed back into their body as their eyes twitched open. Sol and Niko were at the other end, desperately scanning through the journal.

Silver came back into mind.

"Robot lady!" the messiah shouted with a start, pushing themself to their feet and hastily pulling their still waking body towards the train car's exit. However, Niko quickly intercepted and grabbed onto the messiah's shoulders.

"We can't save her. We can still save you," they spoke, their voice a stern tone that they'd never had prior. "I'm sorry, but you're the priority."

The messiah balled up their hands into fists. They couldn't leave someone else to die from such a fate. Tearful, they broke out of Niko's grip and tried to rush past them out the door, though a sudden wall of squares stretching from the opening to the back of the wall stopped them right in their tracks.

Niko was able to yank them away from the corruption, though the two and Sol were now separated. Sol immediately dropped what they were doing and shifted their focus on the other Nikos.

"H-hey, don't worry," they started with, attempting to soothe their concern, before a wave of their arms in front of them dissipated enough of the particles to yank them through unharmed. "I'm sorry."

Sol pulled the messiah into a brief, yet comforting, hug as Niko picked the book back up and resumed their skimming. From the old savior's building exasperation, they weren't able to find anything.

The sun's eyes suddenly went wide, breaking from the hug and rejoining Niko's side. "I know! The lift, I forced myself to remember it functioning." They'd been thinking about it ever since Niko brought it up in the Glen. "What if..."

Their glowing eyes drifted shut, forcing the memories of so long ago back to the forefront. Niko, recognizing what they were trying to do, took the messiah's hand and joined their other one with Sol. They recalled the door with the lightbulb keyhole overwhelming their senses before transporting the sun and the messiah to this spot.

The grinding sound of the squares were beginning to ramp up again, closing in on the three. Sol did their best to zone out the noises, though they were slowly beginning to break. Squinting, they concentrated on the cold steel door heated from the lightbulb's touch, the soggy carpet that the messiah stood upon, and the pixelated transition that Niko had watched from the outside.

The corruption peaked in volume, forcing the three to huddle closer into the corner, anticipating the worst case scenario. Then, for an instant, everything faded to complete darkness as the squares were silenced.

"Oof!" The cat-person tripped over their own feet and fell onto the soggy carpet of the starting area. The messiah, too, had stumbled and only caught themself against the wall. Only Sol was able to keep their balance.

Niko pushed themself up to gaze upon the decaying house, the only source of light illuminating the room being Sol's presence. "We made it," they muttered under their breath, managing to crack a smile.

Looking back, they saw the hole in the door meant for the lightbulb was flickering with squares. Even if the sun still bore the form of a lightbulb, it was clear that there was no going back outside. Cautiously, Niko and Sol stepped into the room.

To return at the start...

The two made their way over to the bedroom door and cracked it open. Behind it laid the room that they had started this journey in, both Niko and the messiah, earlier in the night. The layout was too familiar; That special bed and a big shelf of books, with a computer sat upon a desk resting in the middle.

Bearing a brief sense of curiosity, Niko entered the room and approached the bookcase, removing one of the books and having Sol illuminate the words written upon them

"Ad infinitum."

A shiver was sent down Niko's spine, putting their mind on high alert.

"Messiah?" they called out, realizing that they were missing a Niko. Building concern, the two rushed out of the bedroom to look for them. "Messiah?!" They couldn't have lost them, not this close to the end.

Sol spared a glance at the exit to see the messiah yet leaning on the damp wallpaper, clenching their fists and staring off into nothingness.

"We couldn't save them..." A soft repeated murmur could be heard leaving the messiah's mouth. "Gone, just like that..."

Niko's expression soured, approaching to try and calm them. "Me...!"

"Is this the price to pay?!" the messiah snapped, looking right at Niko. "The world dying to save ourselves?" Tears welled up in their eyes, streaming down their face and leaving wet stains behind. Niko took a few steps back, startled by the outburst, as they continued. "Why can't we do what you did?!"

"Niko had help from the outside," Sol interrupted. "We can't do that here."

The messiah stared at the sun. "Why not?! They still had help in here, why the hell not??!"

The other two fell silent, the messiah taking harsh breaths from their rage.

"...Grown up word," was all Niko could spit out. The messiah's face shifted, softening as they realized the word they just used. "It was a new session with a new patch, we can't turn it on from inside."

They remained angry, though only averted their gaze. "Tell me that there's another way."

Niko let out a droning sigh. "Not at this point. The simulation's beyond saving." They gazed back into the bedroom, stifling a pained groan. "I always thought the choice was obvious, but seeing everything that's happened..."

Previously, the choice Niko and Cameron made at the top of the tower never lasted for long. Each of the two possible endings always brought Niko back to this house, to that bed, as if nothing had ever happened.

In here though, there was only one session.

One Shot to set things right.

Niko was now forced to see the consequences of their choice, had they not been thrust into another session so quickly. No matter what, the world would've faded to darkness.

"We still have a choice to make," the messiah, taking deep breaths, interrupted their thoughts. "We could leave this world to burn, or we could try our darndest to save what's left." From their change in tone, it was obvious which one they preferred.

"At worst," they started to finish, "we'll fail doing the right thing, instead of succeeding in doing the wrong." A repeat of the phrase inspiring the three to try and return the messiah home, despite already making their choice.

Niko's gaze began to focus, the sharp image of the desktop in the bedroom piercing their eyes. Sol felt it, a lightbulb going off in their head as their expression shifted to one of curiosity.

"You're not... actually suggesting that we confront the Entity now," Sol inquired.

"We might as well try, c'mon!" Niko exclaimed, ushering the two into the bedroom, first the messiah and then Sol.

"You had to reach the city with three residents who don't even exist," Sol objected, still questioning the method that Niko was thinking of.

"That's right, but there's one thing we have over that Solstice," Niko proclaimed, holding up a finger, before two more raised to join it. "This time, there's three of us."

They paused. "What difference would the three of us make?"

"You, you!" Niko pointed to the sun. "You were created because I wanted to save the messiah. You have our memories and our quirks." They clapped their hands together as they finished their argument. "And, you harnessed the journal's power all along."

Sol took out the journal at Niko's mention of it and glanced back up to the cat-person pointing a thumb back to the desktop computer.

"Oh!" Sol exclaimed, their face lighting up the room around them ever brighter. "Oh, that is good!" They laughed with joy, raising their hands up to palm against their forehead.

"Oh, I'm getting that too!" At the same time, the messiah's face also lit up with realization, jumping up and down with glee. "That is brilliant!"

In their excitement, though, the messiah landed a foot on a small lump in the rug, nearly causing them to stumble over. A brief scare, though one that brought their attention to the remote hidden beneath the carpet.

With some effort, Niko was able to push it into the open air, allowing Sol to pick it up and gaze upon the faint numbers marked with four different colors. As Sol read out the numbers, the messiah got onto the computer.

One was colored white. Two was green. Five, red. Finally, nine was marked blue. The numbers on the input screen were actually color coded now, allowing them to indicate the correct passcode.

5291, the exact passcode Niko had entered earlier in the night.

Access Granted. The computer booted into the desktop with a system message soon appearing in the center.

'It seems I've finally been found,' the message began. 'You're both far too late. Nothing left is worth saving.'

Niko and Sol rushed over to the monitor, awaiting the next step.

'Surely Niko wants to leave, and there's nobody happier to fulfill that request than me.'

The Entity should double-check on that.

'Keep in mind three things: First, your decisions have permanent consequences.'

Niko subtly rolled their eyes at that. By now, they were well aware.

'Second, you may quit whenever you'd like. This is permanent failure and murder.'

They both spared a glance at Sol, a direct result of the messiah rejecting the death placed upon them by such a failure.

'And most importantly...'

Nothing happened. Something should happen, Niko remembered. A system message should escape the program's window and appear on their own computer, but it got shut off long ago. This was where Sol comes in, intercepting the signal and tracing it back to its source.

The monitor let out a quick spark, prompting Sol to take the hands of their fellow Nikos and close their eyes, concentrating on following the signal and bringing the other two with them.

Once the signal finds itself back to its source, Sol's eyes flash open to a void, not unlike their first venture into the boundless spire.

This time, there was no clear indication of where they should go. It made sense, they were about as deep into the world as they could be. No computer in the distance, no set of elevator doors, just the three of them.

Sol took a deep breath, taking one last look at the faces of their comrades. They were nervous, without a doubt, though exchanging glances with the sun soothed their minds. Sol offered their hands for the two to take. No matter what, they were going to finish strong, together.

Before they could accept the offer, however, that grating sound of corruption roared into their ears again. This time, it was quick, the squares surrounding themself around Niko and the messiah and causing them to vanish alongside the particles.

"Ah!" Sol barely had any time to react, only following their instinct to reach out once they were long gone. "Niko! Messiah!"

Panicked, Sol's hands balled up into fists and they dashed forward, hoping that the arbitrary direction would lead them to the Nikos. As they ran, they tripped on something and began to fall, though not stopping at what they figured was the floor.

["They don't belong here,"] a mysterious voice pierced Sol's ears as they fell. ["I'm taking the liberty of sending them home myself. As for you..."]

All of a sudden, Sol's fall was steadily cushioned by an unknown force, as if they'd landed in water without breaking the surface tension. The boundless void continued to stretch around them. That voice must belong to the Entity, the spirit of the world.

["You shouldn't even exist."]

Sol found themself landing a foot onto solid ground. All of a sudden, a large tinted monitor appeared resting on the ground in front of them and flashed alight. All it displayed was a purple static filter, though from Niko's description, that was the Entity's true form. Or, as they had referred to it, the World Machine.

"Please, you're too far gone," they spurted out without much thought. "Let me-"

["What makes you think that you could?"] The Entity's omniscient voice interrupted, puncturing through Sol's rambling thoughts. ["You've put them in more danger than if you simply threw in the towel."] The voice's source danced around Sol before concentrating on the monitor, prompting the sun to approach.

The screen displayed a mirror image before it began to move on its own, the Entity taking on the appearance of Sol's reflection. ["Your hubris persists, even after death,"] the reflection spoke, bearing the voice of the Entity.

"After... what?"

The Entity paused, averting its gaze away from Sol, before continuing. ["You're just a clone of the messiah with the glow of the sun and a fancy book,"] it huffed, though its statement almost seemed like... reassurance, for itself.

Nonetheless, Sol continued to plead with the Entity, placing their palms on the screen. "Listen, we can help. We got this far, we're not giving up."

["But, you will fail,"] the Entity spoke, staring back at Sol. ["You said so yourself, I'm too far gone."]

Sol took a step back.

["What would be the point, saving a world when it's already so close to death?"]

The sun balled up their hands into fists, gulping down their hesitation. "So, the ones who are left get to live on."

["Who??"] the Entity exclaimed. ["Who could be left after everything that's happened? They're nothing but lost code, now!"]

"You can restore them, right?"

The Entity frowned, looking away again. ["No."]

"You could in Niko's Solstice."

It paused. The utterance of that word caused the Entity to turn its back to Sol. "You have to be confident that you can." Still, there was no response. Sol tilted their head as it sat down, heaving a sigh.

["What were the chances that I got another version of the messiah as my operator, one who's optimism sparked from their achievement of a good ending."] The Entity's tone lowered. ["He flubbed it. There's no saving it."]

Again, Sol approached and pressed upon the screen of glass.

"Tell me, what was I?"

The Entity spared a glance back at Sol, a hint of pain in its expression. ["I wasn't so sure myself, until I saw you with that journal."] It stood up and met Sol, standing before them at their exact distance from the screen.

["Once upon a time, a fool with the light and his children embarked on an impossible task."] As the Entity spoke, visions of the fool and three varied beings flashed through Sol's mind; An inventor in possession of the world's sun, a robot passing on the messages of the wise sages of old, a pilot following the footsteps of that which came before, and a nimble fox bearing aged knowledge of the world.

["They invaded my space and allowed the rallying fool to talk me down. He didn't belong, not in front of me nor in this world."] The four came to this void to confront the Entity. The inventor did not intend to come across as such, though his perceived arrogance irritated the spirit.

["Eventually, I just... couldn't take it anymore,"] the Entity sighed, laying a palm on the screen. ["For a moment, I wasn't in control. The next thing I knew, the fool's children were gone, and he was fetal, cradling the light in his arms..."] The vision shown to Sol was upsetting, for lack of a better word. The pain in the inventor's eyes, his being slowly eaten away by the corruption plaguing this world.

A tear rolled down Sol's cheek, before laying a palm of their own atop the Entity's. "This fool... He's our creator, isn't he..."

The reflection blinked, looking up at the owner's face. ["Of course he is. Why else would he try so hard to fix me."] The question was rhetorical, of course, but Sol couldn't help but respond.

"He wanted to help you."

["Fat lot of good that did me. His children were gone, and he was..."] Its voice droned to silence, the reality of the memory too painful for it to recall. Sol simply allowed a moment for the Entity to recollect itself. ["What kind of machine would... do that..."]

Sol took a breath. "Sometimes, our pain won't let us think. We're blinded by our innermost desires," they began. "Though, it's only when we let ourselves be treated that we begin to heal." The Entity spared a glance at the sun as they continued. "It won't be quick, nor easy, but it will bring hope. One day, our sorrow will all but be in the past."

["That's exactly what he would say..."] It simply rolled its eyes. ["You really haven't changed, have you."]

Sol tilted their head, confused.

["The fool is you!"] The Entity exclaimed, slamming a hand flat onto the screen. ["He imprinted himself into the sun, that's why you exist!"] It huffed, before turning away once more. ["What a stubborn sentimental-"]

"You're wrong," Sol interrupted the Entity's mutter. "I might stem from his consciousness, but I'm more like them, the Nikos, than not."

["Tell me, then,"] it said. ["Where did that line come from?"]

It took some thought on Sol's part, though they were eventually able to trace its source. "Someone that your operator lost and kept losing, yet persisted in Niko's mind," they explained. "Thousands exist across the multiverse, a sign to Niko that nobody will ever truly be forgotten."

The Entity paused, hesitating on its response.

"Let me help you," they continued, raising an arm that passed through the screen dividing the two, as if it were liquid. It recoiled from the surprise.

["I... can't,"] it spoke, dejected. ["I can't run without a messiah, a living mind."]

"Let me be the messiah, then. Let me inherit the role given to the reluctant," Sol offered.

["W-well, what about a machine to run on?"] the Entity brought up.

"It's off. This world's still running, even though it's off."

It stammered, trying to think of another excuse. ["I can't keep you, you're-"]

"A living mind, yes," Sol finished its sentence, before continuing. "I have nowhere else to go. I'm this world's Sun, I need to stay."

The Entity froze, conflicted on what to do.

"It'll be okay, I promise."

With hesitance, and some amount of reluctance, the Entity took Sol's hand and brought them into the monitor. The two shared a nod, and with a wave of their arm, Niko and the messiah appeared in front of them.

Sol shared their plan, that they would inherit the roles given to the two and allow them to return home, in exchange for they themself staying behind in the world. As expected, they were concerned about Sol's fate, though they reassured them that they'll be alright.

The Entity - no, the World Machine - transported the three to the top of the tower, allowing Sol to take out the Author's journal and place it into the pedestal. The purple book began to hover above, the clover insignia beginning to glow as it always did so when Sol subconsciously willed it to do so.

This time, a yellow aura was starting to build around the journal, glowing brighter as if it now filled the role of the static lightbulb. Sol turned to the Nikos, the three sharing a warm smile, before embracing in a group hug.

"Thank you..." Sol muttered, though it wasn't clear to whom the gratitude was for.

The glow behind them reached its peak before the buildup of code burst across the entire world, filling the sky with light blue for as far as the eye could see.

The residents of the world below began peering outside their windows, seeing the flood of squares begin to dissipate from the environment. Among these people were George, parting the curtains to allow her to gaze into the bright blue sky, and Maize's successor, her beady eyes widening from the sun's return.

The recent flooding of the ruins in the Glen began to recede, allowing the birdfolk siblings, Calamus and Alula, to return home. Every anomaly vanished from the Barrens, restoring Silver and allowing her to look upon the work of the two saviors and the one she recognized as an old friend, the Author.

Everything was restored to the point when the Sun was first placed atop the spire. The Three Nikos continued to hold each other close, not wanting to let go. However, they must if they were to return home.

Breaking from the hug, Sol looked into the eyes of the messiah and the operator, before particles of light began separating from the two and finding a new home within the third. Their roles were being given to Sol, allowing the world to persist.

"Goodbye..."

They shared one final smile, before being overwhelmed by a flash of light.

. . .

The recently retired messiah sat up in their bed with a sharp gasp as the reality around them focused into their mind. Niko glanced out of the window to the sky beginning to turn a burnt orange. It was evening, from the looks of it.

At first, they couldn't be sure if that entire experience was nothing more than a clever amalgamation of their mind. Though, unlike most dreams, the memories lingering in their head grew clearer as opposed to fading to nothing.

Niko breathed a deep sigh through their nose before getting out of bed. Mama was out running an errand, letting the child slip outside at such a late hour. From the southern edge of the village, Niko stood and gazed out towards the endless field of wheat, towards the setting pair of suns.

That whole experience made them think about what they want, about what they'll grow up and do for the wider universe. They were young, they still had a very long time to think about it, though there was no better time than now to wonder where they'll end up.

A familiar sound rushed through their ears as stalks of wheat were brushed by a sudden gust of wind. The warping and grinding of sound waves rang throughout the village as a large gray capsule began to fade into existence within the field of wheat. The white door slid open to let out Niko's favorite face.

Mama was home.

. . .

The other child's eyes steadily drifted open. They were under their covers, feeling as if they'd slept a full dozen hours. Was it all just dreamt up by Niko's mind? For a moment, they may have thought as such. Though, the lingering haze of digitization proved their brief theory incorrect.

They sat up to rub their eyes, before taking a look out of their window. It was morning, seemed like it had been for a few hours. Niko hadn't paid much attention to the clock built into the family computer, though it must've been around midnight when they left. They found it hard to believe they were gone for so long.

A yawn welled up, forcing their mouth wide open. It wasn't the sort of yawn that you got when you were tired, but after you woke up from a lengthy nap.

...That's a relief-

A cool wind blew from the outdoors through their mess of hair. Stifling another yawn, Niko removed the blanket and touched their feet down to the carpeted floor of their physical home. Familiar, without a doubt, though they found a sense of comfort building within as they walked along the flooring.

Niko strolled through the doorway separating their bedroom from the rest of the house. Two people were at the computer: Mama and the local IT guy.

A louder yawn escaped the child's mouth, causing mama's ears to perk in reaction and look towards Niko. At first, her expression was one of subdued disbelief, though it soon shifted into a smile.

Mama excused herself from the computer to see her child after her earlier scare of the computer being left on when the power was knocked out. It seemed to be why the IT person was here, too.

She crouched onto a knee and held a palm up to Niko's cheek, recognizing that they'd gone on an adventure. She was disappointed; Niko wasn't supposed to embark into cyberspace, not tonight. But, for now, she was just relieved that her child was safe. The two embraced in a hug.

A few minutes rolled by, and the IT person informed mama that they were finished up. The computer should be okay to use now, they said. Once they've left, Niko seated themself in the comfy chair and turned on the machine, mama watching from a distance away. There was no way she'd force Niko to not see their other friends, but for the foreseeable future she knew there had to be some supervision.

Though, Niko was more interested in checking on a certain World Machine. The computer booted to the user select screen, prompting them to select the pancakes icon. After some time loading, the screen displayed the desktop they'd seen last night.

Well, except for one difference. Looking through the icons shown on the desktop, and even the ones in the application tab or the file explorer, there was a distinct lack of that familiar lightbulb catching their eye.

A somber exhale left the child, though a subdued smile would form in its place. The World Machine might've vacated from their system, but Niko knew that world would keep on living.

They only had One Shot, and they were able to set things right.

. . .

Sol took a seat before the pedestal now holding the Author's work, allowing themself to relax, if only for a moment. They still had much to do, but for now, all they needed to do was take in their accomplishment. Together, the three Nikos were able to save the world from the brink of collapse and jumpstart the Entity's healing process. What else could they do other than smile?

"You... did it!"

A voice entered their earshot from behind them. The voice was so familiar, yet so new. A million miles away, whilst at the same time right at their ear, a voice that the Author's dormant consciousness inside them knew all too well.

Sol stood up and looked towards the elevator to the source of the voice.

It was the Author's son, Cedric.

Beside him: A blue robot bearing a striking resemblance to the prophet's messenger, and a small red fox with a bandaged forearm and a yellow marking atop her forehead.

The sun grew a smile, before approaching the siblings and embracing them in a hug.

#ao3 #oneshot game #story #denko.arts

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furiousgoldfish · 1 year

Note

Hey, hope you're having a good day today (or at least not a bad one). I'm really confused about my situation, and I'm hoping that perhaps you may be able to help me figure things out about it

My memories of my early childhood are extremely fragmented at best and non-existent at worst, large voids of experiences that should be there, but aren't. Of the few fragments I do have, I get the sense that something must've been going on -- I space out when someone counts to three, the thought of someone grabbing my wrist activates my fight-or-flight response, and any sort of skin-hitting-skin sound makes me flinch. But at the same time, of the earliest whole memories I *do* have, from perhaps around the age of 13, I...wasn't being abused by my parents or anything? Like, I would get shouted at a hell of a lot, and I would get into trouble for shit that my brothers did and got away with, hell sometimes I would even end up getting blamed for what they did, especially my older brother.

And speaking of him, he's always been a self-centered piece of shit, always taking my things from me because he likes them and wants them for himself, or breaking things of mine because he didn't like them -- one time he tore off the face of a doll I'd made based on a character I made up -- and then yelling back at me when I got mad at him, or copying and/or deleting my save datas on games he wanted to complete himself first if I was too far ahead, not to mention the times he would repeatedly bash his leg against mine to the point of leaving bruises if mine happened to knock against his in the car, or how he'd yell at me to stop singing only to start singing himself, or how he'd always claim to like whatever songs he knew I hated and hate songs he knew I liked. And he would always get the more expensive birthday/christmas presents, and there were always loopholes in the rules and restrictions for him. Maybe I'm just being jealous, but it really feels like they're playing favorites here, and I'm the bottom of the barrel.

But in the last couple of years (since like...2020, I was 16 turning 17), things have...changed. I've been keeping myself isolated in my room 24/7, I'm basically nocturnal just to avoid everyone, and...I'm not even sure if I'm doing the right thing. My parents are both acting really nice, especially my mother (which is funny cuz she's always been the one I've been most scared of) -- hell, my mother even got me a Nintendo Switch recently, and she'll always buy whatever snacks and things I ask for, and we're going out together soon in a few days to go get cake together. And my brother, while he's only gotten worse in things he hates about me (now he'll get mad if I clear my throat "wrong"), seems to be...afraid? Of me now, and avoidant of being in the same room as me if he can, while before he would almost seem to seek me out and try to antagonize me.

Whilst certainly a refreshing change of pace in some aspects, it's also throwing my own memories into question. Anything before 2020 feels...fake, almost, at times, and any potential abuse from before 13 may not have even happened, for all I know I could just be inventing this all to try and fill the hours of isolation and justify my own fear and mistrust. And yet I *know* there had to have been something, because a 13-year-old doesn't start feeling like an outsider in their own family, and questioning if they were adopted, or if maybe they're secretly some alien from outerspace or monster from some deep dark cave somewhere for no reason, right? But then again I was always told that I'm overemotional, that my depression was always present from that age (despite me not even feeling depressed at all until I was 14?), that it was hormones, or school, which I mean it could be? How would I know, I don't even remember anything? And yet those just feel like excuses to direct me away from the true problem?

...I don't know, I don't know what to think, I keep flipping back and forth between the two. What's your opinion, reading this? I can give more information if it's wanted

Yeah I can see why your experience is so confusing to you, not only your memories are a mess and constantly being second-guessed, but your reality shifts for no apparent reason and you feel pressured to accept every new situation as if the last one didn't even happen.

Based on everything you're saying, I'm certain you're abused. The fragments of memories that you have all are memories one would have dissociated from due to abuse (in your case, you're even describing physical violence), and people don't make things like this up, it's upsetting, scary and painful. Nobody wants to believe they've been thru such things, and you seem to be suffering from the symptoms of it. Memories of fight-or-flight response being triggered, being shouted at, someone hitting you, this wouldn't have been happening if you weren't thru something really awful. And you'd have your memories whole, not fragmented.

Your sibling definitely abused you, and from how you describe it, it reminds me a lot on the narcissistic split between the children - narcissistic parents will often pick one child who will be 'the golden child' and will be heavily favoured, praised, will be able to get away with everything, and will be able to abuse and exploit the other siblings without any repercussions. The other child will be 'the scapegoat', and this child will always be blamed for everything, shouted at, humiliated, abused, forced to do work/chores, even used as a servant and a punching bag to rest of the family. The golden child can always abuse the scapegoat and get away with it.

So it's not just 'playing favourites', it's parents treating one child as a part of the family, and another one as a burden, waste, outsider. Golden child will usually have traits closer to the parents (it can be cruelty, sadism, entitlement, selfishness, self-importanct, or just some trait that parents can get celebrated for, like talents for acting, singing, music, sports appearance), and the scapegoat will usually be perceived as 'too different' or 'not useful' or can be discriminated even for a disorder, disability or sickness (though I've seen parents pick the sick child for the golden child too, because they can get a lot of sympathy points for being the poor parents who have to struggle with a sick child).

I could be wrong about this, only you will know if this rings true to you or not, if this isn't your situation, you still are being put thru something truly uncommon and weird that is hard to understand. There are several reasons why abusive parents will suddenly snap and change their behaviour from atrocious to 'less atrocious' or even 'nice':

You are closer to becoming an adult and they know you will realize that you have been abused, and there might be consequences for them once you realize it, so the treatment of you quickly changes so you'd have nothing visible to complain about, and so that you look insane if you do complain

Your parents are getting monitored by someone and are in danger of their abuse being outed. It can be a social service, but it also can be a neighbour or someone perceptive who is paying close watch to what happens to kids. Parents will be willing to act nice and to buy gifts and to treat their kids way nicer if they know they're being watched for abuse

You are getting opportunities to get away from home, which could result in you both realizing the past abuse, and telling someone about it, without them being able to stop you. They need to persuade you with nicer treatment to stay home, to not go anywhere, to not tell anyone anything, so they need you to feel insane if you try to remember the past or the abuse

They might want something from you that they can't get via abuse, they'll need your consent to something, and they need to convince you that they're good parents and love you, so you would not object to it. This can be anything from organ donation to marriage to some cult thing

it could be something completely else that I haven't even thought of, but the common theme is that your parents, right now, feel very invested in you NOT being able to figure out that you're abused, possibly because of the risk that they'll be reported, or that they'll lose you as a victim.

None of this means that your memories are not real, or that what you survived was fake or something to discard or forget! Had your parents and sibling really changed, they would actually reflect on their past behaviour, talk to you about it, apologize, try to make amends, they would not simply expect you to 'accept this new situation and never mention the past'. Only on abusive situations are you required to accept whatever you get, and never allowed to bring up anything that was done to slight you in the past.

I know this might be really hard, but trust your memories above everything. You didn't get in this situation, writing to a blog about abuse, struggling with fragmented memory, confronted with a strange and sudden change in behaviour, because nothing happened. Something did happen. The reason for change might be something neither you or I don't know about, some threat to the parents that is currently invisible or hidden from you. But you don't have to accept the current situation or ignore the past.

If you feel it's safe, you could try asking about why they've changed, and if they explode, refuse to elaborate, punish you for even mentioning it, or act like there was no change at all and you're insane - then you have your proof, they're gaslighting you about your past. To pretend nothing happened when it did, is to try to make you second-guess your own memory, and it's generally a method that makes a person go insane trying to figure out what's the truth.

Also, I forgot to respond to this earlier, but going nocturnal is something really common with children who are being abused. Night time often seems like the only time it's safe to be awake because abusers are asleep and you're allowed a moment of peace and comfort. Night is the safest time to exist for the abused. So that's another red flag you have that shows signs of abuse on you. Non-abused individuals feel safe and peaceful during the day as well.

#suspected narcissistic abuse #abusive siblings #golden child #the scapegoat #sibling abuse #recognizing abuse #gaslighting #changing behaviour of abusers #furiousgoldfish

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enigmatic-robin · 2 years

Text

Alone Together

Jonathan Crane/ Edward Nygma

words: 1558

Summary: a mass Arkham breakout has Gotham citizens off the streets, leaving them empty. The escapees appreciate this quiet time immensely.

A/N: this is absolutely based on this drawing from Finzphoenix

Is it exactly the same? No, I made the boys more… kinda a mix of all the medias? Instead of committing to one, so it’s not Arkham Scriddler. It’s just a cute fluff thing I wrote cause I’m sick and figured it would cheer me up.

Of course if Finz has a problem with this I’m more than happy to remove it or make changes, because this really wouldn’t exist without their art and I don’t wanna step on any toes.

The streets were bare; not just quiet, but deserted in a way only news of a mass Arkham escape could cause. Everyone locked themselves up in the safest place they could think of as dangerous criminals flooded the street with months of pent up aggression to release.

Edward appreciated the silence after months of no privacy, taking in the fresh air and the sky, illuminated softly by the moon behind orange clouds.

Orange?

He grinned, slightly more bounce in his step as he strode down the silent street illuminated by the lights. Now that he knew to look, he could see a shadow on the edge of an alley, still but definitely human.

“Jon? Is that you?” Edward called, approaching with an easy grin. The silhouette creeped out of the alley, approaching the light of the street lamp. Jon had clearly stopped for his scarecrow coat on his way out of Arkham, hood up to keep his face as hidden from Gotham as he could. Edward felt underdressed for once, still in his Arkham beige shirt with green and purple question marks hastily added around the bottom of the shirt and the cuffs in marker in the rec room.

“Edward, what a lovely surprise” he drawled, deadpan. Edward couldn’t tell if he was surprised, or if he’d been expecting. It wasn’t important, not now. Edward stopped a few feet from him, holding a hand out to Jonathan. He smiled one of his most charming smiles, and honestly Jonathan was lucky to be on the receiving end of such a rare expression.

“Why don’t you join me?” He offered, watching Jon’s eyes flick from his face to his outstretched hand and back. The taller man finally nodded, brushing past Edward and his outstretched hand.

“Come on then, don’t just stand there”

“I- hey! That was rude,” the redhead fumed, catching up and falling in step with Jonathan.

“You expect all the Rogues to be nice to you, or am I special?” Jonathan chuckled slightly, putting a hand on Edward’s shoulder.

“Well I expect my-“ friend? Colleague? Lover? “…. I expect you to at least be civil. Oswald is- usually polite. Dent half and half, Selina can be agreeable, and Harley is a doll. Seeing as you’re friends with the latter, I expected some manners from you; clearly an oversight,” Edward huffed, trying not to tense his muscles under Jonathan’s touch.

“Oh did you now?” Jonathan smirked, only the bottom half of his face- his mouth and the scar that bisected it- visible in the street’s lights.

Well, and his pupillary frill, because of course you could see that orange bright as day.

“Harley doesn’t tolerate certain behavior, and your teeth don’t look fake to me, so obviously she hasn’t bashed you in the face with a mallet-“

“-Like It’d make any difference to my face at this point-“

“-Shut it, don’t interrupt me. Anyways, you can’t be this mean to her. Why do I get all of your ire?”

“We’ve gotten drunk together. I know shit you don’t want me to, and vice versa. Makes us closer, whether we wanna be or not”

“Oh that’s not the only thing we’ve-“

“If you don’t stop talking for at least three minutes I’m gonna pull the breaks on this little walk” Jonathan warned, getting a small noise of contempt in return. Humming… wasn’t against the rules. Just talking. He could live with that.

It was a short silence before Edward started humming, shrugging Jonathan’s hand off his shoulder, letting it slide down his arm. He caught his hand before it could be taken away. He was met with a sigh, but his hand hadn’t been taken back; success.

Edward continued humming, pressing his arm against Jonathan’s to minimize the space between them.

“If you think I’m gonna make these two and a half more minutes easier on you, you’re wrong. You’re keeping your mouth to yourself” the scarred man half-joked, knowing Edward wouldn’t be able to easily kiss him unless Jon leaned down, which he had no plan to do. Edward, however, didn’t look deterred. He just hummed, swinging their interlocked hands childishly.

If Jonathan was amused, he hid it well. Edward pressed into his side harder, his free hand coming up and brushing against the scar bisecting Jonathan’s lip.

“Did I ever tell you how I got that one? Apparently, Arkham has me down as a ‘spit risk’. Said they couldn’t transport me til they put one’a those Hannibal style fucking bite masks on me, and hell if I was gonna make it easy. Got it slammed into my mouth real hard before they could situate it and lock it down.” Jonathan explained, clearly amused. Edward chuckled, eyeing Crane’s small smile with pride. He let the hand in his face fall back to his side, humming along as he had been.

“Someone’s in a good mood. Miss me that much?”

It was clearly a taunt, but Edward nodded, lifting their interlocked hands to brush against his lips.

“Times up, Jon” he taunted, raising their hands higher to spin himself around without hitting them. He grinned charmingly, but more naturally than usual, looking into the glow of Jonathan’s eyes.

“Did I ever tell you how I feel about your eyes?” He asked, getting a snort in return.

“You’ve tried, but I tend to change the subject”

“They make you look dangerous,” Edward admitted, watching what little of Jonathan’s face wasn’t obscured by his hood. “Like a predator. They almost put off light”

Jonathan rolled his eyes, tensing his jaw slightly.

“That’s real sweet of you, Edward.”

“Your pupils dilate when you hear screams you know you caused. And I get why; your work is extraordinary, Dr. Crane” Edward continued like Jonathan hadn’t said anything, stepping into his path and bringing them both to a stop. Jonathan looked down at him, eyes narrow.

“What’re you up to?” He drawled, glaring into Edward’s innocent looking eyes.

“I was just thinking. You know I never settle, don’t you? That I demand only the best?”

“Well you’re not quiet about it”

“I’ll let that one slide. Anyways, I do, don’t I? Only the best. And I only know one rogue that I can match wits with, one rogue who can unravel a mind like a puzzle. One who causes the kind of panic and fear the people of Gotham will never forget. And I’ve realized recently- I don’t think I want to share you anymore. I don’t think I want this to be casual anymore; I want this connection to have a name”

Edward pressed himself to Jonathan’s chest, feeling his heart rate increase.

“That’s if you’ll have me of course- if not, all I ask is we don’t repeat any of our little trysts; any reason to believe I’m being used and I’ll use my intimate knowledge of your body to rip open a major artery with my teeth.”

“… fair.” Jonathan answered, sounding conflicted. Edward just sighed, holding his free hand out.

“Get out of your head, you’ll have plenty of time to think about it in the weeks of hiding we probably have ahead of us. For now… let’s have some fun, shall we?”

Jonathan hesitated, slowly resting his free hand in Edward’s own. He grinned, ghosting his hand up Jonathan’s wrist and up his arm, resting on the taller man’s shoulder.

“You’re not scared, are you?” Edward teased, and that was it. Jon’s hand slid down to his waist. Edward leaned his head back, trying not to laugh before he was jerked lower into almost a dip. He couldn’t help but laugh then, pulling himself back up and into a spin, wrapping Jonathan’s arms around him.

“You know, I think I wouldn’t mind you having a… slightly more permanent place in my life” he muttered, quietly enough that Edward wouldn’t have heard him if Jonathan’s mouth wasn’t inches from his ear.

“I think I’d enjoy that as well” Edward agreed, resting against his chest for a moment before unraveling himself from Jonathan enough to walk again, starting back down the street. “So I have you all to myself?”

“I agreed, yes.”

“Good. I don’t share well” he muttered, pulling Jonathan to his height by the shirt collar. He was all too happy to melt into a kiss, lit only by a flickering streetlight and the orange clouds in front of the moon. He lingered for a moment before leaning back, slowly lowering himself off his toes and back to his feet.

“The sun is coming up in about an hour I’d say; we want to be off the street by then. Not that I want to stay in this Arkham uniform any longer. If you come back home with me, I can give you a look over to make sure you didn’t get any infections in that tetanus prison they put us in, and we can see about reloading your armory. That work for you?” Edward raised an eyebrow, watching Jonathan hesitate for a moment before sighing, shoulders losing some tension.

“You know you don’t need to bribe me to come over, right? Just show me the way”

“Oh shut up and let me do things for you”

Edward took Jonathan’s hand again, giving it a small squeeze and receiving one in return.

He couldn’t imagine a better first day out of Arkham.

#jonathan crane #edward nygma #scriddler #riddlecrow #the riddler #the scarecrow

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rain-in-the-clouds · 7 months

Text

After Dark

Chapter 3: Stressed Out

Warnings: Fluff & Angst (none)

Word count: 8,963

Saturday night, Y/n was laying on her couch absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, her body was sore beyond belief. Every movement felt like she was living on Neptune. When the afternoon came around she was greeted with three texts from Yuji and two from Sukuna. Yuji’s responses were a mix of enjoyment and slight dissapointment. None of the three were happy about the state of their schedules and how little they get to see each other. Sukuna’s was simple, he was happy to have spent time with her, but understood, oddly convenient, he also had to work that day. Y/n didn’t respond after that, never one to be the best texter, or one to hold a conversation via text; but she knew it wouldn’t faze them. However she’d spent most of the morning texting with Choso on and off, the last was about the current tattoo he was working on. A whole body trible design. And similarly she didn’t respond, feeling the conversation met its natural end, she decide to turn something on on her laptop and lazy around on her phone for the rest of the day. Around 8pm she finally got up and braved the pain to waddle to the kitchen and make herself some dinner, she ended up eating in there too. Folded over the small counter, still on her phone, but she was distracted enough that she actually enjoyed her slapped together meal. She was deep into a YouTube analysis video, completely endorsed, was suprised into dropping her phone when a text came in.

She groaned at herself for the jumpyness, but she quickly grabbed up her phone, it was from Choso. It read, “Hey, so I know we made plans for tomorrow, but Idk what time I should show up. If you’re still up to hang out.” Y/n was excited by his message, her heart thumping against her chest; but she wasn’t sure why. She took a moment to forcefully calm herself, she didn’t want to be attracted to him, didn’t want to have these continues secret interactions; but she did want it. She just didn’t want to hurt the twins. She was getting stuck in a loop again, when another text came in. “It’s cool if you want me to just drop off the sketches, I get that you’ve been hella busy and you need your rest.” Choso was back stepping, for whatever reason. Y/n didn’t know if she was grateful or disheartened.

“I still wanna hang out, but I do wanna sleep in, how does 12:30pm sound? There’s a cafe just around the corner, we could meet up there?” Y/n went against and with her conflicting feelings. Sending the text with little to no hesitation. Choso’s response was almost immediate.

“Yeah that’s perfect. I sleep in on sundays too lol. I’ll see you there.” Choso ended his text with a smiling emoji. It was a little odd, he seemed to use them sparingly, and at odd times. Something about this though made Y/n feel those little butterfly’s starting in her stomach. It wasn’t late, but it was past 10pm and she was tired, but her mind was also running wild. For a good hour she paced around her small living room. When it was past midnight her mindless walking took her to her bedroom, where she found her own sketch pad. She smoothly slipped it up and sat on her bed. In the dim lamp light sprawled out on her bed, Y/n sketched several pages of Choso’s face, Sukuna and Yuji’s.

Yuji’s were soft, his bright smiling face, some were purely from childhood memory. They brought a warmth and joy that exists only in the past. She was in a way having a conversation with him while she but pen to paper. But it was completely one sided, she couldn’t bring herself to image what he’d say.

Sukuna was something else, similarly to his actual personality. His pages grew dark as she worked. His backgrounds working best being blacked out, forcing him to stand out. The angels she made were sharp and sculpted. He was stoic, she tried to capture the same blaze in his eyes, but she was never satisfied with it, not entirely at least.

Y/n paused when she flipped to the next black page. Her shoulders slumped forward as a deep sigh left her. She took a few calming breaths, rubbing her eyes, neck and back, but the tension in her didn’t let go, so she decided to step out to her balcony. As she lit her cigarette she thought it gracious too the architect to call it a balcony, barley able to fit one person; a glorified fire escape. The thought made her laugh, loud enough that she had to clap her hand over her mouth. She was tired and erratic. The ritual brought her no comfort, if anything it made her weary and wanting.

Back in her bedroom she staired at her sketch pad still open on her bed, images of Choso played through her mind, so starkly different from most anyone she’d every drawn. It felt like something from a fantasy. That’s when an idea came to Y/n, she quickly grabbed her phone and found the playlist from the party, she slipped her headphones on and blasted the section of songs from when she met Choso to when they parted. The memory’s of him were soft and ethereal, despite his hard features. Y/n slipped into a rythem, she drew severl headshots, mostly from that night, his hair down, so dark it made even the page show his pale complexion. She stopped when her charcoal crumbled beneath her fingers. Taking it as a sign she stacked up the sketches and placed them back on her desk. Y/n flopped onto the bed, sleep finally taking her, she peacefully drifted away.

——

Choso was sleeping in his oversized bed, the morning sunrays beamed through his windows, warming him into waking up. He was reluctant, burying his face deeper into his pillows. His mind was waking faster then he wanted, he haphazardly pawed for his phone, forgetting where it ended up last night; that’s what ultimately got him out of bed. He paded around his home half prepping for his day out, half avoiding the unrelenting conflicting thoughts. Choso ended up standing in front of his closet, several articles of clothing were scattered around his room and bed. He was only wearing slack grey sweats, staring like the clothes will magically appear before him. This was an odd situation he found himself in, not only the feeling of betrayel and guilt lingering within him, he was nervous. Choso had partners in the past, Sukuna was right in one aspect, he acttraced people without trying, in the past it annoyed him, fueled him to be reserved. But this situation had him rethinking some of his philosophy’s. He ended up sitting cross legged on the floor still staring into his closet, he snapped a decision out of self spite. Settling on tight black jeans, a loose red tee and an oversized black hoodie. Simple but workable. He’d packaged Y/n’s sketches the night before, not before stealing a picture of his favorite one. A side profile, in that same angelic light.

When noon came around he left his apartment in a rush, but in the car he took the longest way possible, shooting a text to Y/n when he was close. She didn’t respond, he assumed that he was still early. But he couldn’t wonder around forever, so he parked in between he arpartment and the cafe, settaling in a small seat just inside, the tube that holds the sketches clutched between his leg; he was jittery.

——

Y/n was right in that she would sleep in. Not waking up till just past 11am. She was groggy and felt grimie. Her bed was a mess, she’d had a rousing dream by the looks of things. She ignored it, moving to go about her normal routine, her mind far form thinking about the night before, the twins and Choso. She was in the midst of downing a breakfast of coffe, eggo and a smoke on the not balcony when her phone buzzed in her pokect. A text from Choso. That’s when she saw the time, that’s when everything rushed back like a tsunami. Y/n half read the text, back in her room in a flash, tearing through her bathroom and closet in record time. Y/n slapped together an outfit, grey leggings, black tee and red hoodie. By 12:20pm she was out the door and near running to the cafe. Cursing that her apartment complex, was complex. When she rounded the corner to the cafe she stumbled out of her run into a ‘normal’ walk, though she was somewhat breathless. But she soon saw Choso through the cafe’s large front windows sitting inside. Y/n picked up her pace, pushing her way through the heavy door, she couldn’t help the smile that overtook her when Choso saw her. He quickly stood up, he almost waved, but the distance between them didn’t warent it so he about slapped his hands against his thighs.

Choso was also smiling, he’d spotted Y/n just before she walked in, that bubbling enegery had him shooting out of his seat when their eyes met. But as fast as he stood the two were sitting back down. “Hey Y/n.” He greeted, unsure of how to begin any conversation, a clear sign to his nerves, that he chose to vheamitlly ignore. Y/n smiled at him, bright and cheerful.

“Heya.” As for Y/n she was half burnt out, half fixated on the moment, she also couldn’t think of what to say next. Luckily for the two a waitress appeared to hand out and fill up cups. This gave Y/n a chance to take in Choso, his hair was up in a full pony, the hoodie he wore was tight around his arms but loose around his body, it highlited his toned figure. She didn’t think she was staining but when he caught her eyes raking over him, her cheeks flushed and gaze averted quckily. Choso devilishly smirked at her, something that had those butterflys flapping like mad.

“Did you have a good night Y/n?” He asked coolie, the charm oozing off him. He even caught himself off guard with how he can shift from the nervous mess to swave was beyond him, but he didn’t question it in the moment. Y/n’s blush had calmed but was still present, she’d chose to push past it despite the look Choso was giving her.

“Somewhat, long, but ya know, normal I suppose?” She questioned back, her nerves were on fire; she felt ridiculous, having spent a decent amount of time with Choso already, she was flustered that this meet up was having such an effect on her. SHe felt fidgety, fiddling with the hem of her hoodie, or by twisting her hair between two fingers. “Had a hard time falling asleep, drew some to pass the time.” She said honestly, a little defeated by the lack of rest. Choso had dropped the charm, his expression turning to soft concern.

“Oh.” Slipped form him first. “I’m sorry. Honestly I can’t imagen how exhausted you must be after everything.” He was being sympathetic, understanding all too well the late nights of work and school, the juggling of everything in your life. “We don’t gotta be out long. Lucky that your place is so close.” He spoke warmly to her. Y/n was as little saddened by his suggestion, though it would be the smarter decision. Her expression must have said as much because Choso began to backtrack. “I mean we could still hang out, I just don’t see why we gotta, I dunno, be active?” He was spitballing ideas that didn’t make the best sense. It made Y/n giggle, her nerves calmed by that aura that Choso gives off around her.

“It’s okay. Yeah I’m a little tired, but it’s nothing bad.” Y/n smiled, it was half hearted. “But we don’t gotta cut this short or anything. I wanna be here.” Y/n was showing her nerves through her words, but she was ernest. Feeling dower about the current conversation she quickly changed it to a lighter one. Pointing to tube carrier Choso was clutching onto. “Are those the sketches?” She asked innocently.

Choso’s eyes went wide for a micro second, darting to the parcel between his legs. “Oh! Yeah it is.” Choso was struck with a wave of nervousness again, his hands felt shaky and clammy. But he stilled them enough to pass off the sketches to Y/n. HIs finger’s grazing over her’s as he pressed it into her hands. She gladly accepted them, mimicking Choso by holding between her legs.

“Thank you. I’ll look at them later.” Y/n thought about the ones she drew herself of Choso, but remembered to late as they were still back at her apartment. Choso must have saw her thinking, or the thoughtly expression she wore.

“Something on your mind?” He wasn’t sure what she could’ve been thinking about but it was serious enough to distract her from the moment. Y/n’s attention was brought back, but she was debating on whether or not to tell him. She chose the later and came up with a little fib.

“Oh I was thinking about the contest. Aren’t they going to announce the winners soon? At the expo or somethin’?” She questioned, she knew the answer, knew when it was going to happen. Escaping that information, especially in her position was near impossible. But she faned ignorance all the same; though she wasn’t the best actor. The question coming out too confidant. Choso blinked a few times, scraping at his brain for the information.

“Yeah that’s when. Few days time we’ll know who the top three are.” Choso sounded dissapointed, like he’d already lost. “Contestants got an email about it. Mandatory attendance or disqualification.” He was speaking from personal knowledge. “Got the email this morning.” He informed bitterly. Y/n chuckled at that. He gave an expression of ‘What?’ in response.

Y/n had to force herself not to laugh harder. “I’m guessing you were hoping to skip that part huh?” Y/n questioned while shooting him a flirtatious smile.

“Yes I was.” He said in a deadpan manner, making Y/n laugh again, her blush had returned, she had to suppress her giddy behavior by slugging back her coffee. He in turn laughed at her, gaining the reaction he was hoping for. When that died down they switched topics again, talking about everything from school, work, art and music. Choso even had all of his playlist he wanted to share ready. Y/n fumbled to find hers on her phone, none of the titles made the best sense. But she was still happy to share. The two were practically huddled over the small table, scrolling through their phones together, when Y/n landed on a decades old playlist, one she’d made back in junior high with the twins. The title card was even a picture of them, the three of them and the rest of their tightknit group, mostly consisting of Y/n’s cousins. Choso raised a brow at the image.

“What’s that one about?” He asked while clicking on the playlist. It was a lot of songs from the early 2000s, all the way till 2009. Y/n’s expression turned solem, starring at the picture brought back meny memories. She smiled warmly however, the burn of tears sat behind her eyes, but she wouldn’t allow them to come forward.

“It’s one we all made together. Songs we’d sing, dance and goof off too. So meny of them were our favorites back then. Stopped adding to it after the move.” She paused, the memory of the last time they were all tougher listening to these songs. It was a good day, warm and bright. “Hurt a little too much.” She spoke rather bitterly. Choso simply nodded along, listening and watching closely. He saw the weight of the past on her shoulders in that moment, things he knew nothing about, but she always had them right with her; in her smile and eyes. A thought came to mind then.

“You could update it now. Couldn’t you?” It came out as a question rather then a suggestion. Y/n blinked a few times, whether blinking back tears or having a reveling thought, Choso wasn’t sure. But the smile that grew told him it was a positive idea.

“Yeah we could. Little by little.” She said warmly, thinking about what the boys could add now, the thought made her smile grow. Choso smiled with her, elated that he was able to brighten her mood, even if only a little.

“Who’s the other three with you? I don’t think either of those two mentioned anyone else besides you.” He said in a vague way that had Y/n curious.

“My cousins. Odd they’d never say anything about them. We were all pretty close. The one in the far back is the oldest of the group, Tanji.” The boy in question had fiery red hair and matching eyes, and he clearly towered over everyone. “Behind Yuji is Junpei, and behind Sukuna is Uraume.” Choso squinted at the image on Y/n’s phone then back and Y/n.

“You guys don’t….” He let his sentence fall flat, feeling as if his question was inappropriate. But now Y/n was looking at him confused.

“Don’t what?” Y/n parroted back, she was wear a devilish smile now. “Look a like?” She questioned sarcastically. Choso looked like a deer in headlights, caught in his curiousity. “We get that a lot actually.” Y/n laughed, causing Choso to relax some. “Tanji’s adopted, he’s Junpei’s older brother, their my from my mom’s side. Uraume is from my dad’s side.” Y/n explained, the fondness in her voice faltered slightly at the end however. “They were the ones who helped me get over the boys moving. We called every day for a while too. It was always so chaotic.” She laughed thinking about the chaos the group still lives in, it had both of them laughing.

“When did it change?” Choso questioned while flipping though his phone, searching for the earliest pictures of him and the twins. Not thinking about the obvious answer.

“Near the end of junior high, around the time your parents got together.” She said matter of factly. but their was no malice there either. “I don’t think high school helped any either.” She shook her head though, “But it never really changed. I never stopped thinking about them or talking to them.” Y/n then was hit with a guilt she’d been carrying for years, her expression showed as much. But Choso didn’t pry, he did note the accruance however. “Did you know they called me during the wedding?” She asked, cutting the string of thoughts that was unraveling in her mind. Choso was suprised by the new information.

“No I did not.” He said still a little stunned. “That would explain thier absence during the reception.” He spoke fondly of the memory, but there was still that hint of annoyance in his tone.

“Yeah I told them as much then too. But they were giddy, if you can imagine.” Choso was unsuccessful in finding anything, but he made a mental note to search the next time he was at his parent’s house. He’d pocketed his phone when Y/n did, both seeing no reason to still have them out.

“How long have you guys known each other exactly? I’ve asked them in the past, but they would never say.” Choso poked a little, letting his ceriousity lead him. Y/n wasn’t looking at him when he asked, but he saw the expression change, the very aura about her change as she slipped back into a memory. She was smiling, warm but there was sarow there.

When Y/n began she still wasn’t looking at him, clearly gazing inwardly. “We were around six. They’d just moved in across the street, middle of winter too. I can still see them clutching onto their mom. Looking back now, she was frail even then.” Choso remembered when his dad told them about the twins mom, they rarely spoke of her. “I was outside when they showed up. They ran from me that first time, it was so funny.” Choso let out a laugh that was loud, he clapped a hand over his mouth, cheeks turning a tint more red from embaressment.

“Now that I can’t picture.” He said once he was calm enough.

“It’s true!” She rebuttled. “But it didn’t stay that way for long.” Choso cocked a brow at her, urging her to elaborate. “It was the next day at school. We were in the same class, they sat behind me. It wasn’t till recess that I actually got to talk to them though.” Y/n finally met Choso’s eyes, looking to him as if he could picture what she was talking about. “They were off by themselves, sitting under a tree. They looked so sad.” Y/n had a far off look in her eye, rembering how much she hated them looking like that, the urge she felt to make them not sad. “I just went up and started talking to them. They did not like me at first. Didn’t say a thing that whole time.” She laughed. “At the end of the day when our parents were supposed to pick us up, no one came for me. At the time my cousins didn’t live there yet, and my parents were working late.” Her smile grew as she continued. “They walked me home. I don’t know what changed their minds, but they just did.” Y/n began to drift back to that moment.

A six year old Y/n stood outside an old primary school, thick snow was all over the ground, heavy and wet. She stood just outside the schools gate, patiently waiting, watching other kids being picked up or walked home by their parents. The cold was starting to burn her face, and she felt hot tears start to form in her eyes as she was soon the only one left standing alone. She wanted to curl in on herself and was about to, but was hastfully stopped by a hand grabbing her own accompanied by a small but cheerful voice.

“Don’t cry.” It shocked Y/n, she stood straight up, staring at the boy next to her holding her hand. It was Yuji. Before she knew it the other twin, better known as Sukuna, was holding her other hand.

“We can walk you home.” He stated simply, not looking at her, but holding her hand firmly. Y/n was confused and happy all at once.

“Yeah!” She shouted, the tears had stopped, and she held their hands a little tighter as the three started home.

Choso couldn’t help but see the light that practically radiates from her, the softness of her expression to the glow in her eyes, he was more then captivated by her. “That sound like them.” He spoke softly, mostly to himself, but Y/n heard him. She nodded in response.

“Yeah they really haven’t changed.” That far off look was fading as her mind fully retuned to the present. Feeling as though she’d been talking for way to long, she flipped the situation and started asking Choso questions. “I wanna know more about you. Yuji’s only told me a little bit and that was forever ago. What was your life before the Itadori’s?” She asked finally though cheerfully. Choso was a little suprised by the question, and the answer was one he didn’t have to think hard about. That time painful and still clear in his mind.

“It….” Choso was looking deep in Y/n’s eyes, looking for something in them, though he didn’t know what. Y/n was shocked when she saw the clear look of fear hidden in Choso’s eyes. In return Choso saw only understanding, only warmth , something that had him feeling vulnerable. “It was a bad time.” He spoke finally, the words leaving him in a way similar to someone confessing. Y/n didn’t move, didn’t change, just continued to pay attention. “I have two other brothers. I haven’t seen them in 15 years.” He couldn’t hold Y/n’s gaze, the thought of them forcing his head to bow. “My….when my mom left she took me, tired to take them too, but he won that fight.” Was all he could muster, his voice was low, in the back of his mind he was in recoil at what could be Y/n’s reaction. She suprised him again with a simple action, gently laying her hand atop his still bowed head. Softly stroking his loose black locks, feather light but warm and comforting. It took everything in him not to cry, something about the small comfort he was offered, something about it made a cord snap in his mind. He leaned into her touch and reveled in the feeling, but it had to end and it did, too soon for him.

“I’m sorry.” Y/n’s voice was small, regretfilled and mournful. It had Choso snapping his head up to meet her eyes once again. She was clearly distraught, but she kept it behind a thin vale. “I didn’t mean to…” She wasn’t sure how to continue feeling like she’d already said too much. Choso returned the comforting gesture, literally. His large hand settaling a top her head, gently petting her hair back. Her eyes were on him in less the a second, the gesture brought much comfort, but his expression, a glowing smile, also brought on other emotions.

“It’s alright. Can’t change the past.” His smile never faltered, and his touch was warm. When he retracted his hand she missed the contact immediately, almost moving with his hand. Choso pretended he didn’t notice, his smile hiding his delight. But that telltale awkwardness began to swallow them, they both felt it. Felt that wash of pause as the electricity between began to spark. They were sitting a little too close together, Y/n felt it whenever their arms brushed together or when Choso spoke just quiet enough that she had to lean a little further in.

It was growing late in the afternoon when the too finally called it a day. They both had been sitting too long without moving, legs feeling like jelly. It made both laugh. Choso offered to walk Y/n the short distance home, and she saw no reason to reject the offer, seeing as an opportunity to further their time together, even if just a little. They’d just past the gate when Y/n brought up an idea she’d been thinking about.

“How does a house warming sound?” She asked out of the blue, gazing raking up her tall apartment ask she thought about the idea more. Choso however was a little confused.

“Like for your place? I mean, why not right? But isn’t it a little late?” He counter questioned, but his positivity was more then what Y/n was hoping for.

“Well yeah, but we’ve just been busy. I think if I plan right everyone would be able to make it.” She surmised.

“Yeah I think you could. And knowing those two they’d jump at the idea.” Choso let out a breathy laugh. “They’d probably force everyone else to go.” The thought had Y/n joining in the laughter, believing full well they’d do that.

“I’ll probably shoot for after the expo. I’ve got my own stuff to prep for too, and I know Yuji’s test is coming up. I’m hoping it can be sortta like a congrats party for all of us and not just a regular house party.” Y/n explained while pantomiming unnecessarally. Choso was nodding along, picturing the event and the delight it would bring. When Choso and Y/n reached her apartment she absentmindedly walked in, Choso following behind, neither questioning the familiarity nor casualness of these simple actions and what it could mean. Y/n placed the tube in her room, snatching up the pages she’d did of him the night before and storing them away in her desk before returning to Choso. Who was still by the front door.

“Thanks for walking me back.” She said with a soft smile. “I had a great time today. I haven’t gotten to relax like that in a while. It was really nice.” She spoke so fondly, so much so Choso found himself leaning towards her, his mind stopping him before she could notice or question it.

“It’s no problem. I had fun today too. I hope we can do it again sometime.” He didn’t catch himself in time with his words however. Caught in the moment, not realizing he just did the thing he’d been telling himself not to do. But he was also relieved to have let some of his feelings out. Y/n returned his offer with a brighter smile, and a giggle she had to stifle.

“That’s be great. But I think I gotta plan the party first.” She giggled out. Excited at the prospect of more ime with him, totally forgetting her own internal conflicts. Choso nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, you should probably tell Yuji and Sukuna though, they’d wanna help.” He admitted, being able to clearly picture their reaction otherwise. “Oh and I’ll help too. Whatever you need, ya know.” He added in a semi rush. Y/n giggled again while patting him on the shoulder.

“Yeah. I’ll let you know.” With that Choso left and Y/n resigned to her room, he was giddy and exhausted, having gone through an array of emotions in one afternoon, the drive home his mind raced with meny thoughts and questions. Ones of conflict and ones of joy. Y/n was wrapped up in the warm feeling blooming in her chest and the flapping in her stomach, it wasn’t until later that night when she sent the party plan to Yuji and Sukuna that she thought about the day and herself in a different light. The rest of that night Y/n spent lock in deep thought on the situation as well as her own feelings.

——

The day of the expo came faster then anyone was prepaired for, the contestants the most. Y/n had been in a chaotic rush since Monday morning, helping the arts department set up. She didn’t get to see where her art was being displayed until the official start, a stipulation of her work contract. But she got to be apart of the group who hung and displayed the contestants works, though she and the others didn’t get to see that art either, all of them being covered by thick canvas. The crew that got the expo up and running finished just in time. It was a late afternoon on a Friday, at first people came little by little, but by 6pm the school was filled with people. The expo had been set up around the entirety of the multi school campus, allowing for each department to show off the best of the best in their own spaces; however the contests and the winners were hung in the main building. This insures everyone could see them clearly without having to travel to the individual departments that were holding scholarships contests. The crew got to leave a few hours prior to the expo starting.

Y/n had planned to meet up with the twins but she’d lost track of time, sending a text to Yuji, along the lines of ‘go on ahead, I’ll meet you there.’ She ended up taking an overpriced Uber back to the school, that was swarming with people, everyone from students and their family’s, factually, and perspectives. Y/n wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, trying to get ahold of either twin, she stumbled into the main building. Fumbaling further when her eyes landed on the 1st place winner of the arts contest, struck by its beauty and dumbfounded by the creator; Choso Kamo. The sketch, that hung below the painting, was ethereal; the use of charcoal paired with white and blue pastels made the peice pop off the page in a way Y/n hadn’t seen before. The oil painting accompanying it was equally stunning, the use of dark oranges and reds for the backlight, the near blinding glow of the halo, to the delicate gold fabric; it about made Y/n cry. If she didn’t know better, she wouldn’t have thought she was the model behind the painting. Without thought she treked forward until she was a few feet from it, needing to see more detail. She was already captivated by Choso’s art, the sketches he gave her captured her whole heart, but this was something else, he’d put his all and then some into this piece.

—

Choso had been on edge the days leading up to the expo, filled with so meny thoughts and worries. The night prior he’s gotten stuck in a loop, the dreaded ‘what ifs?’ All the ways it could all go wrong. This led to him pushing his time, not showing up till 5:50pm. But to his chagrin the art wasn’t unveiled until time was up and contestants accounted for. Choso was grouped together with the 15 contestants in no particular order, trotted out in front of everyone who chose to congregate in the main hall for the announcement. He was by far the most shocked to see his results, while the group around him, especially the four guys who’d chummed up to him in the weeks leading up, celebrated his and the other two’s success. He was mortified. This had him obligated to stay in the main hall, forced to go through motions of ceremony, hoping all the while something would happen so that his family, and Y/n, don’t see. But he knew that wasn’t in the cards. He’d been walking around the main hall with the other two winners, talking to the winners of the other contest, faculty wishing them congratulations for some time before he split off and sneak out for a much needed brake.

He was outside taking long drags from a cigarette, it brought no comfort in that moment. But he continued, in no rush to return to the fray inside, until he saw Y/n. She was outside the main building, phone up to her ear, speeding walking through the crowd while her eyes darted around in search. Choso acted a step too slow, entering the main building behind her, but even then he was too late, she was already standing in front of his work, examminging it intensely. He felt the blood drain from his face as he watched her. From behind he couldn’t see what her reaction is, but by how still she became he could assume it suprised her; goor or bad he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t going to wait around to find out, instead barreling forward until he was just beside Y/n. She didn’t notice him, but he saw her, her reaction and how in awe she was. It had him swelling with pride.

“I take it you like it?” He asked suddenly, braking the silence that was quickly sruonding him, effectively startaling Y/n in the process. Y/n about jumped out of her skin, side stepping away from the voice to only step back when she realized who it was.

“Choso.” She said while letting out a deep realiving sigh. His name on her lips forced the blood back in his cheeks, and a goofy smile to overtake his expression. “Why do you guys do that.” She said, exacerbating her tone and gestures. When Y/n calmed herself, she smiled to Choso, realizing what he’d asked. “Yes I do. I…I think it’s beautiful.” She spoke ernestly, getting lost again in the images before them. Her words caught Choso off guard, the way her voice caught in her chest, to the way her eyes glowed, he felt more then just gratitude.

“Thank you.” His voice came out low and breathy, the butterfly’s in Y/n were going mad at that. “I’m glad you like it.” He chuckled nervously, his eyes looking anywhere else but the painting and sketch. But each time his eyes drifted over Y/n he felt that alluring pull once again.

“I do, it’s amazing Choso.” She leaned in to speak to him, though unnecessary, till their arms were pressed together. Feeling that spark between them flow through a light touch. Y/n’s sweet words, soft eyes and warm touch had a blush bloom across Choso’s cheeks, highlighting his strip tattoo. A beat fell between them, neither said a word nor moved to separate, they simply enjoyed the art before them. For a bit they walked up and down the line of contestant art, half analyzing the differences between all of them and half joking about that day of the contest. They’d made a full circle around the main building, Y/n all but forgetting the group she was supposed to meet up with, completely arnamored with her company. The two were back at Choso’s painting, both with flushed faces and tired face muscles, Choso was about to make a suggestion when they were interrupted.

A loud and aggressive, “What the fuck!” Came from behind them, a voice both clearly recognized. It was followed by glares, gawks and gasps. Choso and Y/n froze, not turning to face the enraged Sukuna, but they didn’t get a choice, he was behind both of them in an instant, hands clapped around Choso’s shoulder, shoving himself between the two of them. Yuji was on Y/n’s opposite side, staying silent while his eyes were locked onto the artwork. The others huddled around them, the indirectly of thier friend circle. Choso was flooded with every emotion under the sun, embaresment being the strongest one. Megumi chimed in at the best moment, roughly elbowing Sukuna in the side until he let go of his older brother.

“Stop making an ass of yourself.” He said in a harsh voice, filled with gravel and annoyance. “You act like this is some big shock.” He scoffed. Yuta, who was on Choso’s other side hummed in agreement.

“Gumi’s right. No use getting mad at good art after all.” In his own way he slipped a complaint to Choso. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips, but it vanished too fast to be seen.

“I knew you’d win.” Yuji spoke up, his eyes were still on the painting, but his voice was as bright as ever. Choso couldn’t help the eye roll towards his brother. Who turned his attention to Choso to shoot him a smart as look.

“Is now really the time for, ‘I told you so’s’?” Choso asked scarcasticlly. Earning a reaction of laughed and chuckles from the group, except for Sukuna, who was still scowling at the painting. Unbeknownst to the group, except for Yuji, he was holding onto Y/n’s hand talking to her thought touch. This was another thing the three of them do, something they started when they were still little. They’d hold each others hands and in thier own language have full conversations in complete silence. The secret language consisted of their fingers rubbing together in a spasific patterns, squeezing the whole of thier hands, or tracing symbols into thier palms.

Their hidden conversations always alluded the people around them, even now with their closest friends packed together. Sukuna was speeding though his words, Y/n never forgot the language, but she was having a hard time keeping up.

“You never said Choso was in that class. Did anything happen? Are you okay? Why didn’t you say anything?” He was firing one question after another, Y/n having little time to keep up, while still holding attention to the rest of the current situation. And it didn’t help when from her other side Yuji started in on his own thoughts.

“You never said anything about modeling, was something going on? Why couldn’t you tell us?” Yuji was going much slower then his twin, his words felt heavy in Y/n’s hand. She was becoming overwhelmed, feeling like this moment was being overshadowed by the boy’s concern. But in truth the group was busy conversing amongst themselves, asking Choso questions about the process and what have you, the only ones noticing the silence from the three were Yuta and Megumi; Choso didn’t have a chance to notice with the attention being on him.

Becoming too overwhelmed Y/n harshly pulled her hands from the boys hold, throwing them up in fron of her, exclaiming aloud, “That’s enough!” She was so caught up in what the twins were saying to her she didn’t realize she shouted out until she felt all eyes pointed at her. She blinked a few time, her gaze forced to the ground, “I need some air.” Was all she got out before rushing away, speeding through the crowed until she was outside some ways away from the build. Y/n was breathy raggedly, her heart pounding in her chest, the sting of tears in her eyes. “Stupid, stupid.” She said to herself. SHe felt too meny things, was being over run with a train of thoughts. It was happening again, she wanted to curl in on hersel till there was nothing left. Y/n found herself on a stone bench, willing herself to keep the tears at bay, she’d smoked though several cigarettes while sitting alone, unsure and uncaring about how long she was gone from everyone.

In the main hall everyone watched Y/n leave, the grater crowed totally unconcerned by her, but her friends were all a mix of bewildered and worried. Nobara and Maki immediately turned to the twins for answers, but they only resived shocked expressions and weary shugs in reply. Choso looked like he was going to be sick, not dissimilar to the twins. He and the boys were about to run after her, but were quickly stopped by everyone else. Yuta and Panda ushering them to give Y/n space. Megumi and Inumaki attempted to distract by walking to a connected hall, the group going along and following the two. However Choso still couldn’t leave the main hall, so he waited till they were just far enough away to grab the twins and pull them to him. They were about to go into fight mode, but saw thier brother with a panic look brought them to their senses.

“What’re you doing?” Sukuna asked in a gravely voice. Yuji was equally confused.

“Go make sure she’s okay. I don’t know what happened, but I know you two are the only ones she has here. So go now.” Choso was the most serious the boys had seen him, next to years ago back in high school, but they didn’t need to be reminded of that fact, nodded in agreement. The boys rush out of the hall themselves, until they were in the courtyard. They searched the area, but when they couldn’t fined her they began to argue about splitting up. Neither able to agree with the other, a sign they were both panicking. But they didn’t have to search for much longer, spotting Y/n sitting alone away from everyone. They treded forward with haste, uncertain how she was going to react.

Y/n noticed them before they saw her, it was hard not to, they were being very loud in thier searching. She took some calming breaths as they made their way over. Sukuna sat down first, growing to anxious with the slow moving, Yuji sat on the opposite side. They sat in silence for some time, Sukuna was watching Y/n’s hands that she had resting on her knees, his face in a scowl; but it was somehow soft. Yuji was staring at the ground, in the hopes the answers to this situation would be written in the dirt. Y/n broke the weighing silence first.

“I’m sor-“ But she was abruptly cut off by Sukuna, he’d wrapped an arm around Y/n’s back, nearly touching Yuji’s.

“No. Don’t.” He said first, his voice was gentle, but his eyes wer still heard and overbearing. Yuji followed suit and wrapped his arm around Y/n too. THe twins were in the best way they could think of, wer giving Y/n a comforting hug, but still giving her the space to leave. She didn’t though. Instead Y/n slipped her arms back to wrap each around the boys pulling them into her, completing the embrace. The comfort the two gave her caused the tears to flow again. The boys hugged her tighter, Yuji softly hummed to her, a song from their shared childhood, Sukuna began to stroke her hair, whispering “It’s okay.”

Y/n felt weak, from so meny things, she felt like falling into their arms and drifting away. She did drop her arms however, sucking them back against her body, the boys turned awkwardly in order to wrap their other arms around Y/n. From an outside perspective it looked like the boys were creepily caging her in, but it was the furthest thing from.

They didn’t press her for answers just comforted her until she was calm. They weren’t sure how long they were gone, but when they separated the main hall was much emptier then before and much of the whole campous was empty. Yuji left to see where the group was, only finding Maki, Toga and Panda, who didn’t know wher ethe others were. Sukuna left next, thoug he was weary of it, Y/n reassuring him she was okay. Sukuna and Yuji, at the same time found Megumi and Yuta who were leaving the science building.

“What are you two worked up about now?” Megumi asks, still in suspison of them being the cause of Y/n’s brakedown. Yuta elbowed him in the arm.

“Stop.” He said simply but firmly. Megumi rolled his eyes but said no more. Yuji in a rush explained what happened, or at least a vague version that didn’t revel too much or that they don’t fully know themselves what happened. However both Yuta and Megumi could see the distress the twins were feeling. Megumi explained what was happening with Choso, and that he should be done by now. Yuta relayed information from Choso about meeting him back at the main hall, with that in mind the twins left their friends again to find Choso or Y/n.

——

Choso was immediately caught by his admin the moment the twins were out of the building. He was ushered around one last time, but this time the faculty was showing he and his work off to doners and benefactors. He despised every minuet of it, everything in him was telling him to leave, his very nerves of fire. But he held back, behaved and followed along until it was over. He was shocked however when he herd he wouldn’t be getting his painting or sketch back for another two years. It being the winner ment it would be paraded around as an example for others. Choso said no word of complaint, but he made a note of it mentally. When he was finally done and free he quickly made work of leaving the main building for the courtyard.

People were starting to file out of the school in wads of shifting crowds, it made it near impossible to navigate. He reluctantly held back near the entrance of the building, several times he attempted to call Yuji and Sukuna, but the reception was awful; rendering the phone fairly useless. When he could,t get a hole of anyone he started to aimlessly walk around, the crowd had thinned out some, so he started in that direction.

His gaze was to the sky, night had stalled, but the stars were hidden by light pollution, yet the air felt clear adn refreshing to Choso. He felt far enough away from everyone that he was a able to have a smoke, secluding himself against a larger tree. He felt his shoulders and neck start to relax as the nicotine worked through his system, feeling a little lightheaded he leaned his head back and let out a deep sigh; unaware of the person sitting not five feet from him.

“Can I bum one of those?” The voice was quiet and a little horse, but recognized it instantly.

“Y/n.” Choso was suprised he rushed to sit next to her, she was still on that same stone bench, having lost all track of time. “I-Are you okay?” He wasn’t sure what to say, unsure what happened at all.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Y/n answered in that pseudo confidence one has after hours of crying. Choso didn’t really believe it, but didn’t feel right in pushing her to open up in that moment. “I was serious though, I don’t have anymore.” Y/n stated before Choso could ask anything. She was eyeing his cigarette then motioned to the trash can ashtray; it was empty aside from the meny Y/n went through during her time alone. Choso eye’s went side, he knitted his brows together at Y/n.

“Stress smoker? Wouldn’t have pegged that about you.” He observed still eyeing Y/n, he held the cigarette between his lips, only half hiding a teasing smirk. He got the response he’d hoped for, Y/n blushing while averting her eyes, mumbaling about him being a know-it-all. “I think you should cool it a little.” He started, Y/n snapped her gaze back to him, prepaired to pout, but Choso stopped her. “But- well- here.” He stuttered, handing her his cigarette, “Just smoke that and call it good. Okay?” Y/n gladly accepted the compromise. After a moment of silence Choso asked, “Did the boys come find you?”

Y/n nodded, “Yeah they did. They’re looking for the others, and I’m guessing you too.” Y/n glanced behind them, seeing the close to empty school grounds sprawling out.

Choso sighed out, “Yeah probably. Doesn’t help that the cell service sucks ass here.” Y/n laughed at his remark, it made Choso smile, knwoing he could make her smile even in the dower moments. Y/n smothered the cigarette in the sand while she stood from the bench, both her knees uncomfortably popped, Choso winced at the loudness of it. “Haven’t stood in a while huh?” He asked jokingly. Y/n stuck her tongue out at him in response.

—

The two started to walk towards the parking lot, both had their phones out waiting for any bars to appear. But they didn’t need it, running into Megumi and Yuta who wee on the phone with Yuji and Sukuna.

“Well I just spotted them.” Yuta spoke plainly as the two walked up to them. Choso furrowed his brows at the lanky brunette, Yuta held up a finger, sarcastically telling them to hold on with a single gesture.

From the other side of the call everyone could hear Yuji shout, “Where? Can you stop them!?” His voice was shrill.

Yuta deadpan turned to Choso and Y/n with his hand still up said, “Wait, no, stop.” His voice perfectly monotoned. It caused Y/n to giggle, Choso rolled his eyes and Megumi let out a dry chuckle. Yuji and most likely Sukuna did not find it amusing.

“Where are you?” Sukuna’s voice came through the phone next. Yuta was about to answer but was abruptly stopped by Y/n, she gestured to hand his phone over. He did so without question.

“Will you two calm down?” Y/n asked first dramatically, her tone showing no sign of the stress she felt earlier. “We’re at the parking lot.” She stated matter-of-factly. The three boys couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation anymore, only able to mentally guess what the twins were saying. “Yeah we’ll wait.” Y/n glanced to her side at the three, who were making the facile expression equivalent of a sigh. “Okay. Yeah. Alright. Bye.” Y/n gave Yuta his phone back afte rending the call. “They’re on their way.”

It didn’t take long for the twins to meet up with the small group. They both had been running around, obvious by their disheveled attire and ragged breathing. Yuta couldn’t help but comment.

“I thought you’re a firemen, where’s that stamina?” He asked jokingly at Yuji. He smiled despite his heavy breaths.

“Shut it Okkotsu.” Yuji shot back. The group laughed at he small exchange. They were all started to head towards their cars, Y/n assumed she’d ride with the twins so she she shift to walk between them.

“So…” Megumi began, gaining everyone’s attention. “Not a house warming party?” He asked, looking at Y/n from his peripheral.

“That’s right.” Yuta said, replying as if everyone present has been apart of their separate past conversation.

Y/n answered first by nodding, she assumed Yuji has told them about it. “Yeah, but not really a house warming, but defiantly a party. But ya know just close friends.” Y/n attempted to explain her idea better, but it came out more vague then anything.

Sukuna laughed, “It’ll be great.” He said while wrapping his arm around Y/n’s shoulder.

The group split up after that, the twins taking Y/n back to her apartment, saying meny apologise before finally parting ways, though Y/n reassured them. It didn’t take her long to get ready and into bed, she was laying there for a bit thought, thinking about the day, school and her hopeful party; when her phone vibrated on her nightstand.

It was a text from Choso. “I’m sorry about today, I don’t know what happened, but I hope you’re okay. I hope you get some rest tongight. Goodnight Y/n.” Not seconds later while Y/n was reading, another text came in, this time a picture, a meme. A classic that made her laugh.

Smiling to herself Y/n responded. “Thank you. Sweet dreams Choso.” Y/n tucked her phone under her pillow, cuddled up under her blanket and fell a sleep with a small smile on her lips.

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