Chapter Text
Pandora sighed as they shook the snow off of her cloak and shoes. Sure the lava would take care if it but… it felt like the respectful thing to do.
It would also keep this place more well hidden. Protesilaus and Zephyrus’ daily personas were known for their traps to deter people after all. If people saw a lava pit, but no footprints, they’d assume a simple stunning and banishment trap would be what greeted them, and turn back.
No one wanted their gear stolen after all, it was always a pain to grind back.
Even she had to admit, she knew it was safe with her netherite and her enchantments, it still scared her at the idea of jumping into lava without the proper potions and balms. Lethe or Heracles were usually kind enough to let her hold their hand and jump in together, but she didn’t know if either would show up today. Bundling her cloak closer to her body, she quietly waited, soaking in some of the heat from the lava. The artic was always so cold, even in the summer months.
Still, she had a friend who lives here, she was hard pressed to not visit them. She’s pretty sure he’s been trying to get her to move in with him- she’d likely take him up on that if he asked. The cave she lives in wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing, but it was dry and warm and most importantly safe.
Bad had been trying to coax them to move in with them for a long while, and while they would stay for a while, it was never for long.
Dream had to move around a lot after all.
Surprisingly he wasn’t the only one trying to gain their attention with shelter however.
While Bad had been at it since the start, Techn-Protesilaus had started when he had to walk them to their ‘home’ after she was concussed badly. He had taken one look at her ‘home’ and immediately dragged her to his own home.
It was the first time she really felt loved in this world, like she genuinely mattered and wasn't just… a burden, a replacement. Protesilaus always made her feel like that though.
Bad didn’t mean to, but he just couldn’t help himself sometimes. Like how a parent would call siblings by the wrong name.
Sure Sapnap and George would check in on them, but… they’d see them as someone she wasn’t. She… she couldnt be a replacement for him. They would still visit, and even bring her supplies and gifts, but… they’d look at her, and see their friend, their friend that was under so many mind healers at the moment.
Callahan was a godsend, he treated Narcissus like he wasn’t a monster, just sick.
Which he was- even if she hated him with every fiber of her being for a long time she knew that much, the mind was just as important as the body after all.
He was sick, he could get better, he was getting better after that shattered that god forsaken eye of his. Even if he wasn’t magically back to how he should be, he was working through things.
She didn’t mind giving up her own to heal him- it couldn’t bring the madness that other had, she just… she couldn’t stomach watching someone die.
She only hopes Sapnap and George visit him too, like she does sometimes. He likes the brioche she’d make him, and the little blob plush she stitched for him. He takes it with him when they go on walks in the gardens.
He doesn’t stay still much- not from madness thankfully, he’s fully aware of what’s going on around him. She likes to think it’s a way for him to express himself. Even if he does stay quiet most days.
He had even started to speak more too, little words here and there, but thankfully his laugh had been around for quiet a while-
She jumped, startled out of her thoughts when a scarred, warm hand was set on her back. Looking up, she relaxed a bit, seeing Lethe. “Hey.”
‘ Hey.’ She signed back, relaxing a bit.
Lethe smiled and sat next to her, pulling her close. “Still nervous about the lava fall? I can’t blame you, if it was water I’d need to hold someones hand too!”
‘Thank you. I still get nervous about jumping in without someone.’
“That’s fair, well then Madam, may you do my the honor of jumping down with me?”
‘I would be honored.’
“Okay let’s go then! Weeee!” The heat from the lava was heavenly, warming up her bones and taking the chill out from the snowstorm dying down outside.
She barely noticed that Lethe had picked her up as they fell down, only noticing it when they started to move.
Knowing that she was basically a prisoner now, she couldn’t help but laugh some as they started to talk about their personal life- knowing it was safe to do so under the curtain of lava. “Michael’s learning how to walk properly! He said his first words and everything. Granted he called Tubbo mama but-“
‘it’s sweet, and also a good indication that he’s socializing well with the village children. Most have moms and dads. Michael probably saw what the moms do and went “Bee is mama”. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.’
”See! That’s what Tubbo told me too but I can’t help but worry.”
’Ranboo I promise your Son won’t give your Husband gender dysphoria. I don’t think Tubbo even cares about gender 99.9% of the time unless he’s committing to a bit with Tommy.’
”You know what, that’s probably true. Bee just tends to wear whatever suits his fancy usually, and-“ He stopped himself before continuing, looking at the table they used for meetings.
Zephyrus was there, but he was holding up another. One that got to go home all those months ago.
One that was currently bleeding a bit on the table while they were being tended to.
”Phil?!”