Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chase remembers the night he got the call. They had been so close. Buddy and Violet moved in. They found more Keys. The only ones missing were the ones hosted in Ex Libris, and they had a plan to free them soon.

"Hey, kiddo, it's Dale. You may want to sit down for this." Chase knew as soon as those words were spoken what had happened.

Weeks passed by filled with grief. Chase tried his best to play it off. He promised Silver that he was going to save the rest of her family. He promised Buddy that they would fulfill his wish. He wasn't going to break those promises. He wasn't going to fail them again.

Buddy did his best to comfort him, and although Chase really appreciated it, it did nothing to quell the guilt brewing inside him.

Finally, after two months, two months too late, all twelve Keys were in the Hollow household. The Narratonin jar was full, and Buddy would finally be able to become human again.

"Alright, Noxxie, you ready?" Chase asked holding up the cicada-shaped jar. Nox couldn't turn into a Key form on his own, so he had to be knocked out and keyringed.

While Chase hated the thought of doing that to Nox, Nox trusted him completely. Chase opened the jar and watched as his boyfriend fell asleep and shifted into his key form.

Once Nox shifted, Chase grabbed the star keychain Buddy had given him a while ago and gently looped it on the black Key in his hand. Chase carefully set Nox on the table, and it was time to begin.

Chase set the jar of Narratonin in the middle of the sigil Deacon drew on the table. The drawing lit up, signaling that it was time to make a wish.

"I wish that Nox the Villain Key would return to his human form," Chase spoke. The light from the table grew brighter.

For a moment, Chase felt sick. Sick because he failed to save his mom. Maybe if he wasn't such a screw-up and did better with the stories. Maybe he should've devoted more time to collecting Narratonin and stopped practicing for his silly dream of being a star. Maybe Chase's mom died, and it was all his fault because he failed.

With blinding light, the wish was complete.

~~~~~~~

Nox rubbed his eyes with a groan. Rather than feeling a dull, smooth metal against his hands, he felt the soft stretching of human flesh. The boy blinked his eyes open to take in the room.

Nox was sitting on the table, which was now much smaller in comparison to a few minutes prior. Looking around, Nox first noticed that he was back in the rags he likely wore the night he broke into Ex Libris. The next thing he noticed was Deacon’s horrified expression.

"Freckles? What's wrong?"

"Chase… Chase disappeared," Deacon’s voice was barely about a whisper. Buddy frantically looked around the room. His siblings started waking up. Their congratulations died in their throats as soon as they realized something was wrong.

"Chase? Chase if you're pulling one of your sick jokes on us, it is not funny!" Nox called. Nox felt metal underneath his palm.

Lifting his hand, Nox noticed his gift to Chase, the keychain with a star, was now broken, the keyring snapped. Next to the keychain was a dark black key with a moon etched into it. The Key was likely Onyx, now restored by the wish, but that still did not explain where Chase was.

After another silent minute, the Key was replaced by a small person, a very familiar person.

Standing on the table in grayscale with tiger eye stones, was Chase, the new Villain Key.

"Buddy? When did you get so tall?" Chase asked, streaks in his eyes glinting in the natural lighting in the room.

"I fear there has been an unforseen error in our wish." Chase looked down at his gray hands and started backing away in shock.

"I'm… a Key?" Nox nodded, tears welling in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Chase."

~~~~~~~

After the initial shock, the rest of the day passed rather smoothly. Chase seemed to be in rather good spirits, connecting with the Keys and exploring the room from his new height.

Deacon and Nox determined that they might know a wish to fix this, but they just shy of enough Narratonin for another ritual. They decided that next day they would venture into stories, but they wanted to get Nox settled first.

The first thing Nox did after leaving the table was take a shower and change into clean clothes. The rags from his past life were rank with the scent of the streets of London. Chase had joked that even with his dulled senses, he could still smell it.

Nox watched as Chase laughed and handled the situation a lot better than Nox had in the same position. It was strange. He was sure that Chase had to have felt the jarring effects of waking up in a new body, but the little idiot seemed to brush it off like it was just another day.

Nox was worried for Chase, but as long as Chase seemed happy, things might be okay.

Nox never saw the newest Key curling up into fetal position, long after the rest of the house fell asleep, trying to cry tears that stubbornly would not form.

Chapter Text

Chase was a Key. This was fine. Really, it's fine. This may have not been the plan, but Chase intended to roll with it. After all, it's not like he really had much of a life anyways.

Chase glanced over at his reflection in the vase that was now over twice his size. Maybe he deserved this. Maybe the Key chose him because he- No. No spiraling! Chase didn't want anyone to worry. He was perfectly okay! He was excited to explore the house from a Key's perspective!

Chase glanced over towards his bed to see that Nox was waking up. The Key walked from his nightstand and hopped onto the bed.

It was strange seeing Nox from this perspective. Although, he supposed that this must've been what Chase looked like to him.

Chase could see Nox's large lashes batting as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes. His breath felt like a warm breeze to Chase, although muted.

"Morning, sleepy head!" Chase greeted as cheerfully as possible. Nox startled at the sound of Chase's voice.

"Oh, hello, Chase. How are you holding up?"

"Oh ya know, pretty good all things considered. Enough about me! Today's your first full day back as a human! What're you planning to do?"

"Go into a book and gather Narratonin for you." Chase sputtered.

"I mean aside from that, silly! There's so many things you could do now that you're a human!"

"Yes, there is, but those are things are less pressing. Now, I would like some breakfast, would you like to accompany me?"

"Sure!" Nox shifted to sit up and get out of bed. Gently, he picked Chase up and placed him on his shoulder. Chase clung onto the old tshirt they had given Nox for the night.

The pair made their way downstairs.

~~~~~~~

Nox felt guilty to say the least. He was finally human again, able to feel again. Chase had taken his place. His little golden one was trapped in the hell Nox worked so hard to escape.

After breakfast, the keyholders sat down to make a plan. It was obvious they needed to word their wish differently in order for Chase and Nox to both be human. Freckles proposed the idea of wishing for Onyx to be fixed so that Chase could return to his human form, rather than simply wishing for Chase to become human again.

It was a long shot. It was possible the wish would not work out how they wished it to, but it was the best chance they had. The wish would use up all their remaining Narratonin, meaning if it doesn't work it will take months before they can make another one.

The keyholders were preparing to enter a book when Chase caught Nox's attention.

"I, uh, think I might sit this one out. I can't even collect Narratonin like this anyways."

"Are… you sure? You can still accompany us," Nox asked with concern. Chase looked up at him, tiger's eye glowing in the light.

"Yeah, I'm sure. The most I'll do is get in the way. I'm not very good at following the plot, ya know?"

"If you are certain, I will miss you."

"Yeah, yeah, go have fun! I'll be here when you get back!"

"Very well." Nox turned towards Freckles and the child. Violet, Bronze, and Goldie transformed into Keys, and the three humans were whisked away to their adventure.

~~~~~~~

Once the humans had vanished, Silver turned to look at her keyholder.

"Are you sure you are alright, Chase? It is not too late to join them." Chase smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'm fine, Sil! It's just a bit of a different sensory experience as a Key. I need to get adjusted to it, especially if…" he tapered off. Silver walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It'll be okay, Chase. Deacon, Prunella and Nox are working hard to fix this!"

"Yeah, I know, and I'm thankful for that! I'm just… not gonna get my hopes up too high." Silver frowned before hesitantly pulling Chase into a hug, trying her best to avoid the spikes on his armor.

"Chase, it'll be okay. I promise! Even if the wish doesn't work, you'll always have a place with us." Chase returned the hug.

"Thanks, Sil. I think the only real thing that sucks is that I think I'm one of, if not the, shortest Keys here."

Silver chuckled. Chase spent the next few hours by her side, watching her knit and talking to her.

~~~~~~~

Once they had finished the book, Nox and the other two appeared on the floor of the Hollow's attic. The goth walked over to the table to find Chase and see how much Narratonin they gathered.

There was not much Narratonin, each vial filled a little over halfway. It looked like they needed at least another book before they would have enough.

Nox heard Freckles break the news, and Chase assured them that it was okay. Nox was close enough to hear him mumble, "Maybe, I'm just destined to be the villain."

Nox glanced over at his boyfriend-turned-Key in thought. Chase was experiencing the same thought process that Nox was over a century ago. Nox had no idea why. Chase was the pinnacle of a hero in his mind, but then he remembered the events of two months prior.

The death of Chase's mother had been hard on him, everyone knew this. Despite everything, Chase had brushed it off and insisted it was fine. A sick feeling of realization twisted in Nox's gut. Chase must feel guilty.

Chase had spent all of his summer working towards earning enough Narratonin and finding all the Keys to save his mom, and it wasn't enough. He had failed her.

Nox sighed. It looked like he needed to have a heart to heart with his lover.

~~~~~~~

Chase was staring at his reflection again, this time at a mirror so he could see himself fully. The color was drained out of every part of him except his eyes, which looked unnatural in contrast with the grays and black.

The Key clearly had taken careful consideration into his outfit. The base of it was similar to Nox's, plain black coat, gray pants, black boots, but the armor and accessories were different.

His shoulder guards were crecent-shaped, pokey and uncomfortable to sleep on. On the back of his head was a laurel-like crown made of two black crecents that met at a star in the middle, but from his view at the front, they looked like horns.

He looked unapproachable, and he definitely felt like it. The Key had chosen him for a reason. It made sense. He was the villain after all, spending too much time focusing on his silly dreams than saving his mom.

"Hey," Buddy's gentle voice startled him.

"Hey yourself. Did you have a good time in the book?"

"It was tolerable. Perhaps it would've been more fun if you had accompanied us. The heroine was so drab. She lacked a certain energy and idiocy I'm used to experiencing," Nox stated. His lips curled into a smile.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I just wanted to get a bit more adjusted today."

"I understand the feeling. It was a bit jarring when I first woke up 5 inches tall."

"Yeah, definitely a different view."

"Chase, you are aware you are not a bad guy, right? You are not a villain." Chase looked up at Nox, trying to stop himself from having a breakdown.

"I-I know!" Chase didn't sound very convincing. Nox pursed his lips before sitting down close to Chase.

"Chase, you are quite literally the most heroic boy I know. You are not a villain. None of this was your fault." Something bubbled up inside of Chase.

"BUT IT IS MY FAULT! It's-it's all my fault," Chase's voice cracked, "If I hadn't spent so much time chasing a useless dream, I could've saved her, Buddy."

"Chase, you tried your best. You did what you could. It was not your fault that Ex Libris had the remaining Keys. If you had overworked yourself any more than you already did, you wouldn't have gained any Narratonin whatsoever. It's not your fault, Chase."

"I failed, Nox! Don't you see? I'm the villain in my mom's story. I was too stupid and stubborn, and I almost got us killed! What kind of hero is that? Besides, the Key chose me, right? There's gotta be a reason I was chosen to be the Villain." The room was silent for a tense minute before Buddy spoke up.

"When I first turned into the Villain Key, I felt similarly. In my past, I was not a good person. The whole reason I fused with the Villain Key was because I found it while I was stealing from Ex Libris.

I hated myself. I thought I deserved to be the villain, that I was one. Things only got worse when I placed trust in the wrong sorts of people. I…I was the reason that Silver got cracked. It was my fault. After…after that happened, I never saw myself as a good person ever again. Well, that is, until something changed." Chase perked up, curious as to where this was going.

"I met this silly, little brat who drove me up a wall. He was obnoxious and brash, and he couldn't follow the plot of a simple bed time story.

However, despite this, he is the most selfless, compassionate person I know. He told me something important, something I carry with me. Would you like to know what this brat said?" Buddy paused for dramatic effect. Chase gave a feeble nod.

"He told me that 'nobody should have to accept being the villain when they're trying their best not to be'. Chase, you were the person who made me feel like I could be a better person, like I was something other than a villain."

"I mean, duh! Of course, Buddy! You may have screwed up in the past, but that doesn't make you a bad person-"

"Then why do you not apply the same principles to yourself?"

"What?"

"Why do you not give yourself the same grace you gave me? Chase, you are a far better person than you give yourself credit for. What happened wasn't your fault. You had no way of knowing. Chase, you did the best you could.

There are many things that you 'woulda coulda shoulda' as you would say, but what has happened has happened. What is more important is the person you intend to be. Chase, do you intend to become the 'villain' you picture yourself to be? Do you desire to be a bad person?"

"No! But I-"

"Then you are not a bad person. You are trying not to be one. Therefore, by your own logic, you are not one. Chase you are a great person. You are not a villain in any story."

"But I'm the Villain Key! That's my whole purpose now!"

"Is Violet evil because she's the Villainess?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Was I evil for being the Villain?"

"No…"

"Chase the Key archetypes mean nothing. We are people who exist outside of our archetypes. Silver isn't always the innocent Heroine. Goldie isn't always the selfless Hero. Violet's not always the scheming Villainess. You are definitely not a villain, even if it feels like it sometimes."

"I…I guess you're right. I just feel so guilty, you know? It's been eating away at me for a while, but I didn't want anyone to worry. I didn't want you to worry."

Nox stroked Chase's shoulder with his finger.

"It is common in a situation such as yours to feel guilt and remorse. You're grieving, Chase. Allow yourself to greive, but remember your mother, from what I gather, would not want you to beat yourself up over this.

I imagine that Ms. Myra would actually be quite proud of you for all the effort you've put in, not only to help her, but also to help reunite my family."

"You think so?" Nox nodded.

"Thank you, Buddy. I, uh, actually feel a lot better now."

Nox leaned down and gently placed a kiss on the top of Chase's head.

"I'm glad. Now, would you like to accompany the rest of the family for dinner? I believe your grandfather is making stir fry?"

"Sounds yummy!" Nox offered a hand and gently cradled Chase to ensure safe travel. The pair made their way downstairs to join the rest of the Hollows and Keys.

~~~~~~~

That night, Chase put play dough on his spiky armor to dull the points. The Villain Key slept soundly in the crook of his boyfriend's neck, feeling a lot more optimistic than he had the previous night.

Chapter Text

When Nox woke up, he felt cool metal and dried out clay resting on his throat underneath his chin. The little idiot was fast asleep.

Deacon knocked on the door signaling that breakfast was ready. Nox replied saying that it would take a minute seeing as he's trapped by his sleeping beauty.

The vibration from his vocal chords appeared to coax Chase awake, as Nox almost choked when a sudden weight was put on his esophagus.

"Whoops, sorry," Chase's apology came out sleepy and slurred. The little Key slipped off his neck and climbed onto Nox's face before lying down again.

"Are you trying to suffocate me, brat?"

"Maybe," Chase responded, splayed out over Nox's mouth, "You're a lot less of a jerk when you aren't talking."

Nox briefly considered his options, voting to keep his mouth shut in fear that Chase would accidentally fall in.

"Your grandfather has made breakfast," Nox stated, keeping his lip movement to a minimum.

"Breakfast can wait! I'm comfy!" Nox rolled his eyes.

The human brought his hand up to his mouth to protect Chase from falling as he sat up. The little Key slid into his palm still hugging around Nox's chin. Nox gently pulled Chase off his chin and pressed a kiss on top of his head.

"Alright, Starlight, let's go downstairs." Nox kept Chase between his hands. The little idiot wrapped his arms around Nox's thumb, nudging it with his nose. Nox let out a soft laugh.

"I thought you were an early riser?"

"I am, but even super stars need rest days!" Nox smiled, happy to see Chase in better spirits.

The rest of the morning was rather standard. Breakfast was eaten, a book was chosen, and this time, Chase was successfully convinced to join.

~~~~~~~

Once they entered the story, Nox walked down the corridor to find Chase. It was odd not having the plot filter into his head. Perhaps, he'll have to take to reading beforehand. Rapid footsteps clashed against the cobblestone behind him.

With a grunt, Nox took the force of his boyfriend crashing into him with stride. The boy looked up at him with a smile. His appearance was similar to when he was human, blond hair and sunkissed skin. However, his eyes still seem to have bands of light like tiger's eye.

Nox joined Chase's smile and planted a kiss on the other boy's forehead.

"So, little idiot, where are we supposed to be right now?" Chase arched a brow.

"Aren't you supposed to know that?"

"That was when I was a Key. Now, that ability has been to you."

"Now that you mention it, it does feel like we're supposed to be on our way to the courtyard right now."

Chase and Nox walked hand-in-hand down the castle hallway. The blond gently led them to the courtyard, instinctively knowing how to get there. It was strange to Nox having Chase be the one with all the knowledge of a story.

Despite his knowledge of the story, Chase still seemed to add his fun little spins on different plot points. Nox had asked him at one point about what they were supposed to be doing, and Chase had responded, "Well, you're supposed to try and murder me in my sleep then we get into a sword fight, but I thought a pillow fight would be more fun!"

That was all the warning Nox recieved before getting hit in the face with a loud 'thwack'. For a moment, he was stunned, but he quickly recovered and reached for a second pillow on the bed.

The boys continued to slam pillows at each other until Nox gained the upper hand.

"It's over now princess! Victory is mine!" He said, overconfident. Chase grinned.

"Not so fast foul witch! I got my super secret weapon!"

"Oh? And what would a little thing like you have that could possibly defeat me?"

Chase yanked Nox down for a kiss. Unfortunately for Chase, Nox had anticipated this move and smacked the blond's face with a pillow before their lips could make contact.

"Aw not fair! I'm supposed to win!" Nox's smile turned sly.

"Oh? Is that so? I wouldn't know cause I haven't read this one." Nox tilted Chase's chin up to look at him.

"Perhaps there is a way to make it up to you?" Chase pursed his lips before grinning.

"Yeah, this!" Chase swung his pillow and hit Nox on the side of his head. The goth's hair was likely misplaced judging by Chase's laughter.

"And here I was going to be nice and offer the princess a kiss. Oh well, I guess he'll have to live without one." Chase pouted like a child being denied dessert.

"Aw man!" Nox spared him a sly glance.

"Yep, no kisses for little brats!"

"You're such a big jerk!" Chase huffed. His eyes lit up with an idea.

"You know, the more we enjoy a book, the more Narratonin we earn!"

"Are you implying that I would enjoy a kiss from the likes of you?" Chase grinned before standing on his toes to reach Nox's ear.

"Oh I know you would," he whispered. Nox could not control the pink spreading across his face.

"Very well. Perhaps we can test your theory." Chase eyes seemed to sparkle at the idea (almost literally except tigers eye has a silky luster rather than a metallic one, though it can be glassy sometimes.)

Their eyes met, and Nox leaned down to meet Chase. His eyes closed once soft lips met his own. Soon, they wouldn't be limited to only kiss properly in stories. Soon, this predicament will finally be resolved. At least, that is what Nox hoped.

~~~~~~~

When the four of them finished the book, they returned with three relatively full vials of Narratonin, just enough to top off the jar. It was time to make a wish.

Chapter Text

The table was set once again. The keys were placed in their various places. All that was left was for Chase to join them.

"Now, the being in key form is restless. It is important to try and remain calm so that you do not break the keyring before the wish is complete," Nox explained. Chase nodded.

"Will it hurt?" Nox shook his head.

"No, it will be rather uncomfortable though. We will try to be quick."

"Thanks, Buddy!"

"Of course. Are you ready?" Chase gave the affirmative, and Buddy opened the jar.

The fog felt like going under anesthesia. One second, Chase was drifting off, the next he woke up feeling frozen in place.

Buddy must've noticed him beginning to move because Chase heard his voice quietly reassuring him that he was okay.

The wish itself was a strange thing to experience. Chase found himself surrounded by blue light as soon as the jar was placed. Once the words were spoken, it felt like pure warmth and power rushed through his veins as the magic seeped into him…or out of him? He couldn't really tell. The magic was moving, and it felt weird.

Everything felt hazy, and Chase wasn't sure what exactly was happening. The light seemed to grow more intense before he was pulled back to sleep.

~~~~~~~

When Chase woke up, he was on the table. He could feel the wood underneath his palms. Chase sat up to look around.

"Did…did it work?" Chase looked at Deacon who nodded.

"Yeah, it worked."

"Oh good! Buddy? Where's Buddy?" Chase looked around frantically. His boyfriend was nowhere to be seen.

"Buddy?!" Chase called. Deacon was trying to tell him something, but he wasn't paying attention.

Panic filled Chase as he scanned the room. Where's Buddy? Chase looked down at the table to see a perfectly intact black Key.

"No! No, no, no, no, no! Buddy you better not have sacrificed yourself for me!"

The Key disappeared with a 'poof', leaving a small person in its place. Curious eyes stared up at Chase, eyes that didn't recognize him.

"You're not Buddy," Chase stated looking at the new Key.

The Villain Key looked more similar to Buddy than to Chase, with moonstone eyes and a basic armor, but his hair was different, longer and swooped into a side part that covered part of his right eye.

"If you're here, then where is Buddy?"

"While I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing, I merely had to go relieve myself, Little Idiot." Chase whipped around to see Buddy standing by the entrance of the room.

"Buddy don't ever scare me like that again!" Chase lurched off the table falling into a hug.

"Um, apologies for interrupting, but where am I?" Chase looked back over at the new Key on the table.

"Oh, right! You're at our house! Your siblings should be waking up here soon!"

"Sib-lings?"

"Yeah! You have eleven of them! Twelve if you count Nox!"

"Nox?" Buddy stepped forward.

"Hello, Onyx, I am Nox, your… 'stand-in' if you will. When you were formed with the rest of our family, you cracked and were unable to wake up until now."

"But how are we family if you are so much bigger than I am?" Onyx asked.

"Family is something that transcends blood, or whatever we-the Keys have. The rest of your family adopted me into the fold when I was in your place. The people who created you placed you in a jar, and when I opened it the Key chose to fuse with me to fix your cracks."

"Are they nice? Our family?"

"They are. You will love them."

~~~~~~~

As it turns out, once Onyx was out of his shell, he was a chaotic little shit, causing mayhem and threatening to bite people. His family loved him dearly.

Despite the cracks being restored, Onyx was still a bit physically weaker than most Keys, wearing out after walking too much. Prunella brought him her hot pink doll wheel chair, but the color was deemed too obnoxious.

Nox eventually found a better one on Ebay used for those monster themed fashion dolls (IYKYK). Overall, spirits were high now that Onyx was restored and Chase and Buddy were finally able to live their human lives together.

While Chase wasn't fully one-hundred percent yet, he was feeling a bit more optimistic. He and Buddy were both signed up for therapy which should help.

There was just one more important thing this week that Chase wanted to do.

~~~~~~~

"Hey Mom, hi Dad. There's, uh, someone I want you both to meet," Chase sat down with Nox on the blanket they brought.

"This is Buddy, or Nox, he's… a really great guy! He's also my boyfriend! He's very sweet, but can be very dramatic at times. He also loves chocolate and gets scared every time the toaster pops. He's very smart, and between you and me, he's also a really good kisser," Chase stage whispered that last part. Nox's face flushed.

"It is, uh, a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs. Hollow. Your son, well, I'm assuming your son gained his best qualities from you. He truly is a great person, selfless and looking out for others. I am so glad to have met him," Nox placed his hand on top of Chase's, "I hope you are both proud of your son, because you should be."

Chase leaned against Nox's shoulder. The two sat silently in the graveyard for another ten minutes, listening to the wind rustling the leaves and the acorns occasionally falling.