Work Text:
The Collector and King were messing around, outside of The Owl House near the sea shore, King accidentally pushed Collector into the boiling sea. King immediately got worried but The Collector kept giggling and King sighed of relief, he forgot how resilient The Collector is.
The Collector got out of the boiling sea, their pajamas soaked, they turned to King and went to hug him but King backed away as he could see the hot smoke from the water on them. Collector’s eyes dimed for a second but then remembered the water is boiling hot.
“You do know you can touch the water right?” The Collector asked.
“Weh?” King said, questioningly.
“Yeah! Here, let me show you.” Collector said, softly grabbing King’s claw. “Trust me pleaseee.”
King sighed before stammering out. “Okay, I trust you.”
The Collector’s face lit up as he slowly walked themself and King to the boiling water that lapped at the shore, The Collector kneeled and King copied the action. The Collector leaned forward and since he’s holding King’s hand it caused King to lean forward as well.
To say King was nervous would be an understatement, but he knew The Collector wouldn’t hurt him on purpose and any sign of discomfort they would pull King away and help him. King closed his eyes tightly preparing for a wave of harsh pain that never came.
King felt his and The Collector’s hands go under the water, it felt warm like really warm but not enough to burn him. King opened his eyes which shined brightly as he saw his hand under the water, The Collector still holding it softly but firmly.
“See? I told you!” The Collector said, cheerfully.
“It’s Awfully nice.” King said.
The Collector nodded, holding King’s hand tighter with a mischievous smile.
“Weh!?”
King had let out before The Collector dived into the water, dragging King in with them. The Collector giggled, their hair getting in their eyes as they were soaked in the warm water as King looked like a wet cat.
The Collector parted their hair so they could see, before splashing King with the water, making King ‘weh’ again before he splashed Collector back in retaliation. The Collector giggled louder and they went back and forth splashing each other.
Then the Collector suddenly tackled King, making a big splash in the water.
The Collector smiled widely and never stopped giggling, King thought they maybe would lose their voice over it, The Collector held both theirs and King’s head above water, as they snuggled into King, resting his head under their chin.
King snuggled into the wet fabric of The Collector’s pajamas, the warm water lapping at his sides along with the soft and comfiness of Collector’s clothes and the gentleness of their hold on him.
Collector grinned and splashed water in King’s face and snickered, before King could splash Collector back. The Collector took his night cap off and put it on King covering his eyes. Collector kept snickering but King managed to splash Collector back despite his temporary blindness.
King pulled the cap up and looked at The Collector, then Eda stood at the doorway and called to them.
“Kids! Come inside- Are you okay?”
“Yes, Mama Eda!” Collector said, cheerfully standing up, water pouring off of them.
King isn’t shocked at Collector calling Eda “Mama Eda”, they called Odelia “Mamadalia” when Collector had turned everyone to puppets.
“Well, I’ll bring some towels so you two can dry off, don’t need boiling water inside.” Eda said, walking inside.
The Collector quickly picked King up and ran towards the door of The Owl House, ignoring Hooty’s attempts at nagging. Eda came a few minutes later handing the two kids towels.
“Thanks, Mama Eda!” Collector said, drying themself off.
“No problem, kiddo. I’ll go get you something dry to wear.” Eda said, as King and Collector walked inside.
King dried off pretty easily despite his fur, Collector went and changed into a galaxy onesie, ever since Collector heard of onesie’s, he collected them like cards. He sat on the couch next to King and it wasn’t long before The Collector had King in their arms. King was used to The Collector holding him at random as if he’ll just randomly disappear.
Eda came in with some hot apple blood for Collector and King, Collector have no sense of whats too hot, drank the apple blood which shockingly almost made them spit it out from the heat.
“Careful little star, it’s hot.” Eds chuckled, blowing on her ‘special’ apple blood.
Collector wanted to drink it but never had the chance as Eda never lets them, Collector copied Eda and blew on their apple blood before drinking it and King did the same. Eda sat next to her two boys on the couch.
“Want to hear a story?” Eda asked.
“Yes, Mama Eda!” Collector said, although King said the same thing only without the ‘mama’ part.
Eda chuckled, “Okay you too, once upon a time.”