Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I already know what it is, I’ll let you guys go first.” Gus said, motioning to the other three on the couch. 

“Remember, first guesses are just what you guys gauge by the cover, then after we watch the movie we will get final answers and I will tell you guys what it is.” Luz said with a smile, watching as Hunter furrowed his brow at the DvD box cover in his hand. 

“I mean, we can’t really get much from this. It’s just a skeleton with a red background, after all.” The blonde hummed. 

“Can we know anything about the movie going in?” Willow asked, turning her eyes from Hunter to Luz. 

“Hmm…” Luz rubbed her chin. “ I don’t want to give it away too much is the thing. That's why I refuse to let you guys read the back.” 

“If I had to guess…fake…” Amity was unsure in her answer.

“Why do you say that?” Hunter asked, looking at her. 

“This logo is very refined, like I would expect to see in a film.” Amity nodded.

“Unless it's the logo of this ‘Mesozoic Park’.” Willow hummed, turning her eyes to Gus to try to gauge what he knew. 

“Don’t look at me, I’m not telling you guys!” Gus shrugged at Willow with a smug smirk. 

“...I think I am going to go with fake like Amity. We don’t have a lot to go off of yet.” Hunter nodded, sure in his answer.

“Alright, alright…Hmm…” Luz rubbed her chin. “I will give you guys…it takes place on an island that humans experimented on and made long dead species come back to life through science.” 

Hunter paused, staring at Luz carefully as he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Willow sighed through her nose, rubbing the side of her head in thought.

“...Real. Human’s can be rather surprising, after all.” Willow nodded with a smile.

“Yeah, I think I am going to switch my answer to real, too.” Hunter sat the case down for Luz before leaning back on the couch. 

“Alright, so one vote fake, two votes real!” Luz said with a smile as she took the DvD case, turning to shift in front of the old TV she found in the basement. “Now let's see if your opinions change!” 

Hunter at some point had curled into Willow’s side, who happily wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug. Gus got up a few times, having already seen the movie, to get more snacks and food items for the rest as Amity clutched Luz’s arm in hers at more intense scenes. Luz and Gus shared a moment of mischief; the two briefly considered making a loud noise at the kitchen scene, but decided against it…for now. 

All and all for Willow, Hunter, and Amity’s first viewing of one the most groundbreaking movies in human history…it went pretty well. Luz found herself laughing as the three got into it by yelling when the massive reptile chased after the car or groaning in disgust when one of the kids was sneezed on. The human found herself busting a gut when Hunter cheered for ‘Yeah. Big Lady returns!’ at the final scene. When the credits started to roll, Luz paused the screen, stood up, and looked back to everyone.

“Ok first thoughts then guesses.” Luz motioned. 

“That was a really intense movie! I liked the theme song.” Willow nodded with a smile. 

“Those kids-” Hunter started, before he paused. “...I was about to make a horrible joke. Amity, Go!”

“What was your joke?’ Amity asked.

“Bad. Go.” Hunter motioned at her, gaining a shrug from the girl who looked back to Luz.

“Whether it is real or fake, I think it was a really good story! Though, I can tell something was off with their beast. I assume they used illusion or whatever the human equivalent of Illusions are.” Amity stated with a nod. 

“Gus, any parting thoughts on the matter?” Luz asked, looking at the illusionist.

“Did they imply that the T-Rex threw the goat leg with her tiny little arm in the car scene?” Gus asked, rubbing his chin. 

“...Uh-...” Luz hummed, rubbing her chin.

“Well, they needed a way for the T-rex to learn the fence wasn’t electric anymore.” Hunter shrugged. 

“Sounds like you switched sides, Hunter.” Luz said with a smirk. 

“I did, but near the end. Things kind of lined up a bit too perfectly for the movie to happen, even if it was based on real events.” 

“Really? Hmm…Well if it is based there is no telling what the actual event was. The electricity could have been out for a while for the rex to learn the fence no longer hurt her, but they can’t show that in a short movie time.” Willow said with a smile as Hunter moved his head from her shoulder to look up at her. 

“That is true… If it is real though, I am really questioning human’s and their choices.” Hunter looked back to Luz, who nodded.

“That is a fair question to have, to be honest.” Luz said, before clapping her hands. “Alright, final votes!”

“Fake!” Amity said with a smile. 

“Fake.” Hunter affirmed.

“Hesitantly, I say real, but based on an event that lasted probably months.” Willow nodded before resting her cheek back on Hunter’s head. 

“Alright! Gus, if you would like to do the honors!” Luz motioned to the youngest in the room, who stood. Dramatically, he drew his fingers in the air before summoning an illusion of curtains, before pulling them back.

‘ FAKE!’ 

“D’aww!” Willow let out a disappointed groan, but smiled as she did. 

“Haha! Knew it!” Hunter cheered, offering his fist out to Amity who bumped it with her own. 

“This movie was released in the nineteen nineties, and broke what the humans call ‘The Boxoffice’.” Gus said with air quotes on the last word. 

“It just means that the movie made a lot of money on its first weekend….I think…” Luz shrugged. 

“In any case, it spawned two sequels, and I think they actually made a few more recently?” Gus asked.

“Mesozoic World, yeah.” Luz nodded. “Where humans never learn from their mistakes.” 

“Are we going to watch those now?” Hunter asked, turning his head slightly to try to keep Luz from telling he was interested. 

“We… can …But I will warn you guys, the second and third films are uh-” Luz hummed. “...Weird…”

Chapter Text

Hunter pondered over the cover of the box in his hand, showing a variety of characters in colorful outfits with who he assumed was the main character taking most of the picture behind said characters. ‘The Grand Ringmaster’ was interesting looking, but he knew better to judge a movie by its box cover…what he couldn’t judge was if it was a ‘real’ or ‘fake’ movie. 

“Is there anything you are willing to tell us about it?” Gus asked, having not actually seen this particular movie. 

“I made an AMV of one of the songs in it to one of my favorite anime couples.” Luz nodded with a smile. 

“Anything that will actually help us determine?” Hunter asked, “I don’t know what an AMV even is.”

“Is the big human actually that size?” King asked from the floor, having decided to join on movie night this time, but mostly for the right to help eat the snacks they had. 

“No, that's just a style choice, buddy.” Luz turned her smile to King before taking the cover from Hunter to hold up and show everyone. “So, first thoughts?”

“I think this time I am going to go with fake.” Willow said, rubbing her chin. “It looks very much like a ‘Movie’ like, if you know what I mean.”

“Very sat up and presentable.” Gus confirmed with a nod. “I think it's fake as well.”

“I concur with them.” Amity nodded. 

“Hmmmmm…” King rubbed his chin, leaning forward to look at the cover with narrowed eyes. “... You know. I think it's real!”

“Ooo, King with the first real vote!” Luz cheered. “What's the thought process there?” 

“Well, looking at all the big human’s minions, they all just look like regular humans to me in colorful costumes. My guess is that the story is about a man who ruled over his minions to…do something!” King said with a confident nod.

“You know, I think I am gunna side with King on this.” Hunter said. “ Maybe it's a ‘based on some event’ thing.” 

“Then it is two votes for real, three for fake!” Luz announced, putting the box down. “Will it remain after we see the movie? Let us see!” 

“I really love that movie!” Luz said, moving to stop the credits before turning. “What did you guys think- oh…”

The rest of the group were looking at the screen in awe, a range from smiles to jaws dropped in wonder across their faces. After a few beats, everyone started talking at once, making Luz look back and forth over her friends as they all split their thoughts out. “Guys! One at a time!” 

They all stopped, looking at each other, before going back to Luz for her to pick who goes first. Luz sighed, smiling as she rubbed her neck before looking over everyone. Of course, they all looked like they had something to say, but King’s tail had been wagging since almost the beginning of the movie…aww. 

“Ok, King. You first.” Luz said, motioning to him. King gave a happy laugh before he motioned to the TV.

“The costume design was amazing! The scene where they were marching back to their theater, then the scene changed to the lady singing in that red dress!” King squealed, putting his paws on his cheeks. 

“Aww, King you little fashion designer! Do you still think it's real?” Luz asked. 

“I think it's like Hunter said. Real, but based on an event. No one really busts out singing, after all unless they are cursed.” King nodded.

“Or come in contact with ‘Jingle Oats’, but I don’t think they grow in the human realm.” Willow pointed out.

“I need to find these Jingle Oats.” Luz said, staring at Willow. 

“They are probably out of season, but grow just in front of the skull’s chin.” Willow said with a smile.

“Well, since you are already talking, what are your thoughts on the movie?” Luz asked. 

“I think I am changing my answer to real, but based. I can see this actually being something that has happened in human history, and I think I remember seeing a ‘Traveling Circus' thing in a book Gus showed me.” Willow rubbed a finger on her chin in thought. “All and all, I still really liked the music in it, and I adored the acrobats, even if some aspects did confuse me.” 

“Yeah, I forgot about uh…” Luz frowned slightly, rubbing her neck again, “Some aspects in the human realm that are not really a thing here…hmm…Hunter, go!” 

“Yeah, the music was good.” Hunter nodded, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the couch. “Real.” 

“Aww come on! Surely you have more than just ‘The music was good’?” Luz put her fists on her hips.

“I mean…” Hunter shrugged slightly as he thought. “ Uuh…” 

“Hunter~” Willow chimed, smiling at him. The boy’s ears flicked as he looked at her. “Don’t try to be all aloof and mysterious. I felt you leaning forward in your seat when the characters had a particularly good dance.” 

“...H-how are you able to-” Hunter sighed, rubbing his own neck now as he looked away from Willow, his cheeks flushing. “Alright, yes. I was very impressed by the choreography. Particularly the scene where they were all in the bar singing about going home.” 

“HAha! That's what I thought!” Luz teased with a smile, before looking at Amity next to Hunter, noting the girl’s face was tomato-like. “Amity?” 

"...IfIamtheapprenticewillyoubetheacrobat?" Amity asked, making everyone look at her with how fast she spoke. Willow was the first to react with a snort, quickly followed by Hunter rolling his eyes and Gus shaking his head as King made a questioning 'Weh'. 

“D-Did you just ask if I am the acrobat to your apprentice?” Luz asked, feeling her own face flushing. Amity nodded, burying her face into her hands to hide her embarrassment about letting that slip out. 

“Connected with the apprentice on a spiritual level, then? I knew you would.” Luz chirped at her girlfriend with a big smile. “So, real or fake?”

“...haek.” Amity said through her hands. Hunter leaned over slightly, turning his ear to her with his brow furrowed. 

“What do your grim ears hear?” Gus asked Hunter with a mystical tone in his voice.

“The tomato says ‘fake’.” Hunter confirmed, before getting his face swatted by the annoyed hand of the Blight. King pointed, laughing at the teen. 

“Alright, last but not least! Gus, what do you think?” Luz asked, turning to look to her friend. 

“As always, the human realm does not cease to amaze me…” Gus started, clasping his hands together for a moment as he breathed in. “ WAS THAT A GIRAFFE STATUE?!” 

Hunter slammed his hands over his ears, frowning at how loud Gus had gotten.

“Gus, inside voice.” Willow lightly reprimanded. 

“Oh- Sorry, man.” Gus gave an apologetic look to Hunter who smiled and nodded. 

“It's ok, go ahead.” Hunter nodded back. 

“Right…Giraffe.” Gus looked back to Luz.

“Yeah, from what I know the century in which this movie took place, people would have probably not seen giraffes.” Luz rubbed her chin. “At least, that's what I think? I don’t know when zoos became common enough that you could just go and feed a giraffe.”

“What?” Hunter blinked a few times in surprise. “F-feed a giraffe?” 

“Oh yeah, the human realm is CRAZY for giraffes, apparently.” Willow affirmed, looking at a baffled Hunter. 

“But, I like to think I know enough about the human realm to confidently say that this movie is based on a real person.” Gus nodded.

“So, everyone now says real except for Amity?” Luz confirmed, everyone nodding along. “So, without further ado, then…The movie…is… Based on a Real Person!” 

“Aww, dang it!” Amity laughed as everyone else gave a cheer. 

Weeks Later…

Gus clicked his tongue slightly as he looked around the field he and the rest of his friends decided to picnic. Hunter was laying next to him as he twisted a few flower stems together in the way Willow showed him how. Said girl was sitting on Hunter’s otherside with a book in her lap, as Luz and Amity walked around the grass in search of flowers. Gus looked down at Hunter, a small smirk appearing on his face before he moved to slap his hand down on Hunter’s forehead, making the older teen jump slightly.

“ RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW! I PUT THE OFFER OUT!” Gus started to belt out the lyrics of one of the movie Luz showed them a while ago, but one that Hunter and him had actually watched a few times without the others knowing while they hanged out. 

“Oh titan, are you two really about to-?” Willow asked, but cut off as Gus kept continuing. Hunter moved to sit up, leaning back into Willow slightly as Gus moved his arms around in dramatic motions to keep singing. Luz and Amity had stopped their hunt to watch their friend suddenly bursting out into music. 

“...Ok, my friend, you’d like to cut me in. But I’d hate to tell ya’ that it just won't happen.” Hunter replied, though he wasn’t really singing his part as much as Gus was. Willow snorted slightly as she watched the two boys going back and forth now on the song, trying hard not to make too much noise. Luz and Amity walked over, Luz watching Hunter in particular with bafflement. 

The two nudged and poked at each other as they continued, before giving the final finish, which was an abrupt cut off. The boys went straight back to what they were doing, trying their best to hide the smirks on their face as they felt the eyes of the girls staring at them in bafflement. After a few moments passed, however, Hunter looked over to Willow, before moving to cup her face with his hands.

“Who is that?” Hunter asked, unable to keep the smirk as Willow’s cheeks flushed before she snorted loudly.

“Don’t drag me into this!” Willow laughed, lightly pulling away from Hunter, but allowing him to actually pull her in to kiss her cheek.

“Are you the acrobat to my apparent-” Hunter’s question was interrupted as abomination splatted onto his head, narrowly missing Willow. He pulled away, putting his hand to his head, before looking at the tomato faced Amity. “Did you just GOO me?!” 

Gus laughed loudly, putting his hand on his head as he watched Hunter try to get the abomination out of his hair.

Chapter Text

“Oh Willow loves this one!” Gus held up the DvD cover with a smile. “It's one of the few I know she has seen.” 

“Hmm…So that is three out of six who have seen this then. Wait- Will this be too much for King?” Luz took the case from Gus, flipping it over to look at the rating. 

“Well, to be fair The Boiling Isle’s rating system is a lot different than the human realms.” Gus defended as he rubbed his chin. “What would Eda say?”

“...Yeah, I think it's fine then.” Luz nodded before tucking the DvD under her arm and picking up one of the trays of snacks. She turned to head into the living room, Gus following her with a second tray of goodies. “The movie has been decided!”

Luz sat the tray and DvD case down, smiling as Hunter, as always, picked it up to look over the art. Amity tilted her head at it, giving a small smile as King scurried up to look over Hunter’s shoulder. 

“Oh, I love this movie!” Willow smiled, gaining a small chuckle from Hunter.

“You know, considering there is what I can best describe as a strange looking ‘Dragon Trap’ on the cover, I am not surprised.” Hunter glanced over to the girl, giving her a smirk. 

“ ‘ A Singing Plant, A Daring Heroine, A Honeyed Guy, and a demented doctor’” Amity read outloud from the cover. “ I am going to guess it's fake with that particular wording.” 

“Also considering that the bottom reads ‘ Its the most outrageous musical comedy in years.’” Hunter pointed at the wording. 

“Yeah, I don’t think Humans would be able to control a plant to sing in the human realm.” King nodded.

“Wow, so everyone is saying it's fake then?” Luz asked in surprise. 

“Eeyup.” 

“Yeah.”

“I’ll let you kiss Flapjack if it is real.” Hunter sat the case down. Luz slumped her shoulders slightly as she took the cover. 

“Usually you guys talk a lot about whether it is real or not.” Luz hummed, faking a sad tone in her voice as she turned to put the DvD in.

Willow has a bright smile on her face, eating up every moment of the movie. She had to stop herself multiple times from singing along, and even mouthed the words to herself sometimes. Even harder, she had to prevent her body from moving when ‘Mean Green Momma from Beyond the Stars’ finally came on. She didn’t notice how many times Hunter had taken to glancing over at her, enjoying watching her reactions to the movie more. 

“Feed me crowborne, feed me now !” King quoted when the movie turned off, making grabby hands over Hunter’s shoulders at the rest of the snacks. Amity gave a laugh, leaning over to hand the demon a pack of gummies that Hunter was too distracted to grab for him. 

“Oh no, I gave him quotes to use!” Luz gasped before turning to face everyone. “Alright, thoughts and final verdict from you three?”

“Considering that Hunter seemed distracted for most of the movie, I will go first.” Amity smirked, gaining a red-faced glare from the blonde. “I still think it is fake, but I really did like the story it was telling and the music is definitely going to get stuck in my head. Whatever they did to animate the plant, though, was amazing!”

“I agree with Amity!” King said quickly after, not allowing Hunter time to try and get a word in just yet. Hunter puffed his cheeks slightly, but after realizing King had no more to say he looked to Luz. 

“The plant was very impressive for sure, so I am curious how they were able to do that. I don’t think it was that ‘C G Eye’ stuff you were talking about?” Hunter raised a brow.

“Actually, I think Huebert 2 was an animatronic?” Luz rubbed her chin. 

“So it is fake?” Hunter asked with a small smirk, making Luz pause for a moment. 

“...You stole my thunder!” She whined. Willow gave a laugh into her hand, before looking at the others.

“You know, I do kind of wonder if I would be able to actually replicate Huebert 2.” Willow pondered.

“Willow, if you do, I will BEG the theater teacher at Hexside to put on Tiny Shop of Terror as its spring musical performance!” Gus smiled, a sparkle in his eye as he thought of the possibility. “A human musical at hexside!” 

“That actually does sound pretty fun.” Amity smiled.

“Welp! The movie is done and the snacks are gone.” King announced, climbing over Hunter’s shoulder. Willow smirked, before standing up to help take the tray of empty wrappers and bowls to the kitchen, a reason to allow King to take her spot for a nap.