Chapter Text
Chapter 1: table of contents
(You are here!)
Chapter 2: vacation
“Come on!” Paxton urged.
Chapter 3: sunlight
He always woke early, and he was never more grateful for it.
Chapter 4: loyal
Sulfur-yellow eyes narrowed.
Chapter 5: suitcase
It was nicer than the bag he had brought with him.
Chapter 6: stars
He didn’t see it coming.
Chapter 7: nightlight
He’d never been allowed a nightlight as a kid.
Chapter 8: cold
They had been out in the city all day, handing out food, blankets, anything they could find or… requisition to distribute to those who needed it in the face of the bitter winter.
Chapter 9: dust
He woke coughing.
Chapter 10: identity
Corbeau of the Rust Syndicate, they called him.
Chapter 11: scream
I can’t do this without them.
Chapter 12: delicate
The feather-light touches made no sound in the dim room.
Chapter 13: inkstain
Corbeau’s body oozed power.
Chapter 14: test
Paxton stared them down across the battle court.
Chapter 15: indulge
The steam rising from the water smelled of rose and lavender, and the almost-scalding heat had coaxed Philippe’s muscles to unprecedented relaxation.
Chapter 16: failure
The city was unending in its sameness.
Chapter 17: mending
When he’d first arrived in the Valley, he’d been a collection of scraps, worn thin in some places and entirely away in others.
(Stardew Valley AU)
Chapter 18: serendipity
Years in the city had taught Paxton ruthlessness when it came to sorting his mail, so an unexpected envelope in his mailbox with a loyalty card to the supermarket and a note inviting him to come “talk business” was either a scam or a trap.
(Stardew Valley AU)
Chapter 19: flow
The sink was running.
Chapter 20: riot
The angry crowd at the entrance to Wild Zone 20 had been growing all day, incensed at the destruction of Prism Tower and the incredibly powerful Pokémon that now lurked beneath it.
(Direct sequel to "stars.")
Chapter 21: agony
He was moving—people were shouting—he was gathered into familiar arms and cradled against a broad chest.
(Direct sequel to "riot.")
Chapter 22: CPR
One of Corbeau’s ribs snapped.
Chapter 23: soup
Paxton had had soup before, of course. He’d just… maybe never seen it made.
Chapter 24: siege
Philippe was an expert at withstanding a siege.
Chapter 25: greed
It was almost unforgivable, Philippe thought at first.
Chapter 26: laughter
“You hear this, Philippe?”
Chapter 27: reprise
They had to be paired up eventually, Corbeau supposed.