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“You… aren’t gonna do armageddon?”
“Well, uh no…”
There in the clouds, after the most confusing snack break of Onyn Ring’s life he was hit with a ton of bricks. He could feel the color behind his fur draining from his face as hope was dashed against the rocks by what should have been a bastion of safety.
“You… just d-decided to stop?”
Onyn didn’t even wait for an answer before ripping open his Journal and shoving it in Chikn’s face.
“You!- you don’t get it! Look, look here! See? It’s supposed to spread, b-blessing the lands as they are turned upside down and twisted into new shapes!”
Onyn turns to a new page, quickly changes it and picks the new page to feed to Chikn’s eyes whether they wanted a taste of his research or not.
“YOU HAVE MOUNTAINS SHAKE BENEATH YOU! And- y-you reshape the night sky! People will wake up in a new world where everything is chaos! It is better! Is sa- Eep!”
Chee had gently set a hand on the loud bat’s shoulder, she was saying something. Onyn couldn’t quite make it out. What he could definitely feel was pads of Chee’s paw burning into his bristling fur and keeping him under their control. All he could do was gape like a fish as he tried to get some of this elusive air in his lungs again. It’s not till Chee moves on to cheering up Chikin that she removes her paw and he is returned to his autonomy. He fills his lungs and folds his wings around his journal and himself while everyone calms down.
“I’m sorry, Onyn. I- well I don’t know a bunch about the armageddon I was on track to unleash but I don’t know how ready I am to learn. For now though I… don’t wanna talk much about turning the world inside out.” Chikn gives a nervous laugh and Onyn stares at his paw resting on the cat’s paw while he lets that information sink in. He squeezes his book a bit tighter.
“Demi God of Chaos… Onyn lowered himself quickly to his knees with forehead on the ground. I’m so sorry! I didn’t know and well I had been l-looking over books and tomes and scrolls for years about this change was gonna be a good one- crap! Wait, sorry, I should be apologizing for my conduct- I’m so sorry I was in your face and shouting I s-shouldn’t have ever even thought about doing that it’s rude and you're a Demi God that I should have never even addressed so casually-!
Chikn reached out a paw that grazed Onyn’s ear as it made its way to his head.
“Please, take a breath. You don’t have to do all this. I know I’m a demigod but I would rather you treat me like your friend Chikn Nuggit.”
If it wasn’t for the ringing in Onyn’s ears as his whole body bristles as every hair stood on end he would be a floundering mess at the sound of a demigod wanting to be friends with him! He can’t even remember the last time a mortal went out of their way for him. But for the time being he would have collapsed if he wasn’t already on his hands and knees. God, why did he feel so weak! He finally sucked in a shuddering breath and caught a chill from a cold sweat that had formed on his back, causing him to shake. He gathers himself and then makes his last plea.
“...Chikn. If I- y-you know what, never mind other stuff… would you- well, if you’ll forgive me for being carried away I would like to stay here in your realm. I want to study you and your influence on your domain. I promise to leave at a moment’s notice when you grow tired of me just- well, I want to at least study you as a temporary arrangement at least-”
“Sure. I think I would like to get to know you too, Onyn Ring.”
A Demi God wanted to indulge him. Even willing to learn about him as he did his own disciples- friends. Onyn sat up and nodded with delight as he couldn’t really find the words to express his happiness. What he did know was the count of every hair that both Chee and Chikn touched and how they twitched and burned.
And that's the way things played out for two months. He would ‘hang out’ with Chikn and ask some questions, however Chikn made a rule that he has to ask him a question for every one he tosses Chikn’s way. This did a good job on limiting his questions as he wasn’t used to talking about himself and still felt uncomfortable about it. But it seemed as time went on and he grew more comfortable with the yellow god that didn’t desire formalities, offerings, or constant praise. The only thing that stuck out to him as he had mostly adjusted to the way things worked in this wacky slice of paradise was touch. Chikn seemed to be ready to give and receive a friendly gesture or even a hug at a moment’s notice. All his friends seemed to be that way but each time they did this all Onyn could do was feel a lump in his throat as he watched these displays with furrowed brows.
Once Chikn did this to him too.
It was their second time hanging out and so they went for a walk through the park. They had chatted a bit but Onyn was still busy on taking more notes and constantly disappeared into his thought process as it raced with the new information that it brought in. It wasn't till the tail end of that walk that Chikn had called him out on only being half present and so he tucked his book away for the rest of the trip. And it was enjoyable, fun really, and Chikn seemed to think so as well. At the end of their loop around the park Chikn gave Onyn a quick goodbye hug as he was in the middle of his third awkward goodbye.
The sensation made him let out a breathy bat screech that hurt the dog's sensitive hearing as the high pitched sound was on par with a dog whistle. Chikn pulled back and held his poor ears as Onyn’s body refused to hold him and he flopped to the ground. It wasn’t till his back hit the sidewalk that he was jolted out of his shock and managed to take air back in his shaking body.
Since that day his idol hasn't touched him. No words were exchanged on the subject…
This all seems innocent and like a great thing. But as time had gone on and Onyn had continued his habit of journaling he had begrudgingly come to terms that he didn’t just want to study Chikn he did want to get to know him. He was too informal with the Demi God of Chaos but as time went on, he didn’t mind it much. And that bothered him. His eyes lingered on the soft looking fur of the yellow dog. He didn’t even think that much about him being a demigod anymore and was thinking of him as he would a mortal dog. No that wasn’t right, he still revered Chikn and he spent so much time thinking about him. His ideas, beliefs, cute voice, his love for his friends, his cute laugh, those big eyes he got lost in like a maze-WHAT WAS HE THINKING! He only liked Chikn like someone would their God! Like appreciating his thoughtfulness and his obsession with cute small animals was down right adorable- oh crap! He flipped through many scribbled out foot notes and the smudges of erased lines in the effort to be factual when his writings strayed personal. As each page was flipped it became more apparent. HE HAD A CRUSH ON A FREAKING DEMIGOD!
Onyn was roped into a sleepover after being caught off guard journaling in a cafe booth. Chikn and Slushi came up to him and Slushi tapped him on the shoulder and between the shock of the sudden touch and floundering to close his book and keep his private thoughts to himself he had agreed to it. On his next outing with Chikn he planned on setting the record straight, that he had no intention of joining, but the dog was bouncing up and down in his seat as he spoke of everything he had planned for the sleepover at his place. It was so unfair! How was he supposed to shoot down the wagging tail of the cutest dog he’s ever seen.
Chikn, Chee, Slushi, Hawt Saus, and Cofi were all here and it was Cofi he had to thank for this terrible position he was in now. After they all had pizza it came time to figure out what the gang wanted to do first. She suggested truth or dare and Onyn had already called this out in his mind as the bad idea it was. After a couple rounds he was asked for a second time and he picked truth again out of fear that he would be dared to leave. Cofi, being as insightful as she is, had picked up on his aversion to touch even with the few interactions they’ve had. And so she planned to satiate her curiosity and learn something new about her new friend.
“Do you not like being touched?”
Onyn sat straight up and ridged for two seconds as his eyes darted around the room and to each expecting face.
“I- well I don’t hate it…its just… not c-common and- well… when it- you- uh… hurts- but not! I meant to say-?!” Onyn scrambled for an answer but as faces stared with expression he couldn’t read (like always) he felt his throat almost close up on him as sound stopped coming out.
Onyn wanted to be swallowed by the ground. Or if that wasn’t an option, pick dare and be asked to leave. The others said some things he didn’t quite make out but no one approached him while he was getting his bearings again and with the mood thoroughly shot dead they decided to watch a movie and go to bed after. Without saying anything he was left with the only chair as Chiken, Chee, and Cofi made use of the couch and Hawt Saus and Slushi made use of the floor. As they watched the lord of the rings, a movie that Onyn had seen a hundred times, his eyes started to wonder. He watched as Hawt Saus leaned on Slushi and she shifted seamlessly to accommodate the squirrel. Cofi and Chee sat hand in hand and the latter rested her head on the shoulder of the former. In fact, Chee leaned so far into Cofi that she was nearly sitting in her lap. But he also saw Chee hold Chikn’s hand and his mind started to race. He knew Chikn was single and with how in love Chee and Cofi were with each other it was apparent they only had eyes for each other. Then his mind grew curious about what was really aloud between friends. Onyn knew he didn’t have friends growing up but that also meant he didn’t know what the limits really were for friends. One thing was for sure, Onyn was jealous of Chee.
Why was it so easy for them? All of them! They can be so vulnerable with each other. Onyn never got to have that! It was harder for him, it felt like it would be impossible! It seemed every living thing that brushed against him left a throbbing bruise in its place. Onyn didn’t have friends and being super invested into the occult didn’t help that. His interest pushed normal people away and fragile ears, tail, and his thin bat wings made him an easy target for bullies while he was young. Chikn and his friends seemed to be able to shrug off anything! He watched a child actually explode because a karen was mad at him and Slushi at the mall over something trivial. He didn’t know all the details as he spotted the commotion no longer than a minute but he knew if he was under such scrutiny even a stranger could reduce him to tears. And he hated that weakness that festered inside him. BUT HE EXPLODED AND BRUSHED HER OFF WITH HIS BABY SITTER! For crying out loud he would flinch if a checkout clerk moved too quickly in handing him his change! Something his poor eyesight didn’t help with. Onyn chased himself in mental circles for who knows how long over his pathetic weakness and jealousy.
Before he could snap out of his spirallying thoughts the movie ended and he jumped at the sound of Chikn whispering his name into his ears for what the demigod claimed was a solid minute. HOLY CRAP! His soft light voice in his ear!!! Onyn covered his face with his wings and felt… water- tears! Had he been crying! He was crying for who knows how long while Chikn probably saw… *kill me now*. With him back in the room mentally he watched as Cofi gently scooped up a sleeping Chee to the guest bedroom and Chikn draped blankets over Slushi and Hawt Saus who had both slumped onto the floor and seemed to sleep on top of each other. Onyn also wondered if this was ok. Till Chikn approached the stone still bat and said something that would change the course of the whole night.
“If you don’t want to sleep on the couch, I have a cot in my room that Hawt Saus was gonna use. You’re welcome to sleep there if you want.”
Onyn knew he shouldn’t say anything. He knew he just needed to shake his head and things would be ok. Exactly how they should be… but his mouth moved before he could shake his head.
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll do that.” his voice cracked and croaked, oh god, he really had been crying.
Chikn lead the way and Onyn freaked out internally he followed Chikn to his room and followed his instructions to set up the cot with Chikn before he took off his tie and glasses while Chikn got a blanket and pillow. He set the pillow on the cot and asked Onyn to lay down. Onyn did what he asked on auto-piolet and he watched by lamplight as Chikn pulled the blanket over him, getting as close as he could to touching him with his paws without doing so. And that’s when the dam broke.
“Chikn… what’s it like when your friends touch you?”
Chikn choked on the night air. “w-*cough* when they what?”
Onyn turned red instantly. “Sorry! Forget I said anything cause I-”
“No no, it’s ok. It's good. It feels good. It’s reassuring and when I’m feeling down or nervous it’s grounding and… well it makes me feel warm. It makes me happy even when I’m not feeling bad.”
“You could… feel all that from a hand on your shoulder… well, I don’t think touching means the same thing where I lived.”
“If I can ask… what does that mean?”
Onyn swallowed in an unsuccessful attempt to clear his throat of the forming lump.
“F-for me it’s… I didn’t have friends before… here… I’m not used to that uh…touch… I really am only used to it… other s-stuff.”
Chikn’s heart broke a little. Chikn instinctively stepped closer for a hug before pulling back, mentally reprimanding himself.
Onyn sat up fully in a flash, having only seen a quick blurry step taken toward him in the dark room.
“I know things might be different where you’re from but here… touch is to show you care… if there… there was ever a time you felt comfortable to try then, feel free to call me. *it was Chikn’s turn to blush, but that wasn’t something Onyn could see in a dark room as chikn turned and sat on his own bed, ready to turn in.
Onyn’s mouth was dry. His crush wanted to touch him- NO! He’s a DEMI GOD! Him being his first crush was secondary and he was a professional! He would keep things professional. He would be proper and say no. It was the right thing to do after all. Just don’t say yes.
“Please.”
“Huh? Please what?”
crap!! Think of something NOW! “W-water if that’s ok… sorry I should get it mys-”
“No no, please, let me be a good host. I’m the host. So just, let me get the water.”
Onyn stared up at the ceiling. A Demi God had let him stay in his paradice… a place where kids don’t fear angry adults, where vulnerability was not a weakness but a valued point of connection, an inlet for those around you to shower you with affection and not a failing in your armor waiting to be run through with a verbal and… sometimes physical blade. It was a place where the walls he built up and reflexes he had were foreign to the residence and despite this being a place of chaos and whimsy, A PLACE HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO FINDING and in the end… he was still the outsider. HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE! He was surrounded by people who didn’t understand or didn’t like, or didn’t even give him the time of day to even be judged and he felt so lonely. Onyn couldn’t take it anymore.
Chikn walks back in with a glass of water and a glass of chocolate milk and he finds Onyn with legs pulled up to his chest under his wings. His head is poking out the top of his wrapped wing and he’s panting, like he can’t catch his breath. Chikn sets the drinks on the nightstand and jumps to Onyn’s cot.
“Onyn! Are you ok?!”
“Chikn… deep breath in. deep breath out I need you to touch me.”
Needless to say, they both had to stare at each other in utter shock. And as Onyn floundered Chikn was able to quickly surmise that he definitely didn’t mean it like that… but oh boy did his gay little puppy heart almost explode.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
“What I mean is… I don’t want to stay scared of people touching me. I- well I trust you wont hurt me but my… it feels like my body doesn’t believe that.”
“Oh… is that… does this all have to do with why you cried during the movie?”
“I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to interu-”
“Oh no, please, you didn’t make any noise or anything… most everyone was asleep by then anyways so I doubt that half of them even noticed… but if… if you need, I can help you… please, how would you like to start?”
Onyn blanked. He didn’t really know how to start.
“Well, what are the rules?”
“Wha- hahaha, there are no rules, silly, it’s just to let people know you care. It doesn’t matter as long as both people are ok with it.”
“S-sorry! I-”
“No I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have laughed.”
“It’s ok. I love your laugh.”
Chikn’s face was glowing if the heat gathering in his cheeks was anything to go by.
“Well, then… why don’t you sit with me on my bed, I don’t know if the cot will support us both.”
“Oh… but!- I can’t get in your bed its not- I’m not wo-”
“Please Onyn, I really want to help. I want to help you get over your fear. Please trust me.”
“of-OF course I trust you!”
“Then sit down please. Oh, and I’ll turn on my bedside lamp and you can get your glasses.”
Onyn couldn’t say no. He obediently got up, put his glasses on, gently and gingerly crept over to Chikn’s bed and set himself sitting on the edge of it next to Chikn. It might go without saying but the poor bat was already starting to sweat and regret.
“This is stupid, I’m just tired- I’m! Well I-”
“Onyn… it’s not stupid to me. And I want to help you. Tonight. So please… put your wing in my paw when you’re ready.”
*holy crap, he’s gonna do this. But- but his wings are so fragile, a-and sensitive! They are literally thin skinned! He-”
“Onyn, breathe. Please, you’re ok. We haven’t touched yet.”
Onyn’s throat opens up and he gulps down oxygen with Chikn’s prompting and permission.
“Im, huff huff, I’m ok… sorry I- my wings are fragile… can we start with… something not so vulnerable?”
“Oh, oh Onyn, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even consider that… How about… a paw on your back? Or maybe your knee?”
A river of sweat felt like it ran down his spine, leaving with limited options. “Kn-knee”
“Here, take this. * Chikn hands Onyn a pillow to squeeze.* When you tell me to stop, I'll stop. Ok?”
“... y-yeah. Onyn takes a deep breath in… then lets it out. O-ok… start.”
Chikn so gently lowered his paw to Onyn’s left knee. He stayed quiet and calm and so Onyn wouldn’t startle. And as his paw pads gently pressed down on his fur he stopped, not even resting the weight of just a paw on Onyn’s knee without his permission. After observing Onyn for two months almost as intently as Onyn studied him he could tell that this was a great show of trust for him, the weight of that fact was handled with tender care even if Chikn didn’t have all the context of his past.
“Ch-Chikn.” Onyn whimpered
“Yes, Onyn. you’re doing good. You’re doing so good. You’re being so strong right now.”
“It bu-burns…”
“But does it hurt, focus… please.” Chikn pleaded.
“... no”
“Good. Good job. That’s wonderful news, tell me. What does it feel like?”
Onyn audibly swallowed some of his nerves.
“T-tingles… like each hair is poking back into my skin. Little needles but- but it do- doesn’t hurt. R-right?” Onyn looked to Chikn with pleading eyes, trying to coax more whispered affirmations that the bat would fight and bleed for.
“That’s right. That's good. You’re doing so good for me. Thank you.”
Onyn’s heart fluttered, causing him to shiver
“Onyn… do you… want me to rest my full paw on your knee.”
Onyn’s breathing got caught in the sharp lump in his throat. “M-more weight?”
“Yes Onyn I’m holding my paw over your knee. I want you to tell me to rest my paw on you. Please, only when you’re ready though.”
He knew Chikn was gentle. A kind soul who would do anything to help someone else. On top of this, he was capable of anything! He could always be able to help! All he would have to do is pray to Chikn to save him from this fear that strangles him when his fur brushes up against another.
“You’re paw… please, help me. A-all of it.” Onyn braced by squeezing the pillow tight as his delicate wings could.
“Thank you.” Chikn slowly let his paw rest on his knee. Fully. He kept it very still to make it as easy to adjust to as possible. “Breathe for me Onyn, please. Be good for me and only deep breaths, keep it slow.”
Onyn’s mind started to blank. The sensation of Chikn’s lead weight of a paw that trapped his knee was overwhelming. Only when the soft voice of the beautiful yellow pup penetrated through his walls to gently coax him onto the road of calming down did he breathe again.
“Good boy. You’ve done so well. The burning will subside. The tingle will too, I just need you to be strong for me, ok?”
Onyn felt like crying. But Chikn was right. The burning subsided, him being tired also helped his adrenaline to drain from his system faster. And as he slowly acclimated to it, even the tingling was subdued now,he wanted to cry for a whole new reason.
“Th-thank you… it’s… I need this.”
Chikn’s heart melts at the most genuine sounding words he’s ever heard from his precious bat friend. Now Chikn wanted to cry. That was, until Onyn spoke his next words.
“I need more Chikn… I’m sorry- I know you’re tired and this is… f-far from something I should be asking from a demigod but… please. Will you forgive me if I ask you to keep going?” All Onyn could do was keep his voice from sounding like a whimper, but it did crack a few times.
“Onyn, I would be very happy to continue. Thank you. For trusting me. I feel far more important when you ask for my help than when you refer to me as a demi god… and… so really. I want to continue too… Do you want me to move my paw? Just a little, back and forth, and in circles. I will be covering moving some on your thigh so if that's too much… we can move on…”
“I’ll try…” *he wanted to add ‘for you’ but the poor bat could only stand so much.”
“G-ouch!” Onyn hadn’t been paying attention when Chikn said he was starting and the sudden sensation lit up his nervous system. Chikn quickly revoked his paw.
“I’m so sorry! Onyn, I’m so sorry, I should have waited for a yes or something. Please forgive me I-”
“No you huff … didn’t hurt me pant I just… spaced out.” Onyn turned to a worried looking Chikn and seeing him so worried on his account… did something to him. He had to prove to himself- no… he wanted to prove his bravery to Chikn too.
“Chikn… my back is sweaty but- only, only if that doesn’t bother you… you can move your paw there”
“Onyn, nothing could stop me from helping you right now… I’m moving my paw to your back now. I’ll give you a countdown till it touches you since you can’t see it… 3…2…ready? 1.”
Onyn flinched on initial contact but after a few minutes he was acclimated, and this time, excited for Chikn to move his paw some. “Ok, I’m ready for you to move your paw please.”
“already , are you sure?” Chikn looked over Onyn and noticed his tail had gone from twitching to wagging. “Looks like you are ready. I’m gonna be really gentle. Ok, moving in 3… 2… 1.”
Onyn jerks at start up and his breath catches again. But it doesn’t feel bad! Its progress! And it feels good and- “mmm-gah~”
Chikn stopped moving his paw. Onyn quickly shoved the pillow over his face to muffle his loud, panicked cries.
“I’M SO SORRY! I- I SWEAR I’M NOT A PERVERT!” If it wasn’t for the pillow he might have actually woken everyone up.
“Oh Onyn I know you- you didn’t mean to! It’s ok! You’re just sensitive… I mean, I’m sure you haven’t had many people you let touch you so- so it’s only natural. What was wrong with Chikn… why did he want to hear more?
“I’m still so sorry… I ruined everything-”
“Onyn I’m still fully ready to keep going! I’ll keep h-helping you so please! Let's keep this momentum going! You’ve made so much progress and… even if its brief I… really want to hug you and not hurt you… even if it's the quickest hug ever.”
Onyn couldn’t believe his ears. They had perfect hearing and he still couldn’t believe it… Chikn was still raring to go. Even after he messed it up he still wanted to help. All for the chance to hug his friend. Onyn. of all people, Chikn wanted to help him. And he wanted to do it tonight.
“Do you… really mean that. And you, you’ll forgive me if I- well, if I accidentally make a weird noise?”
Chikn smiled that gentle, warm smile. “I will. Every single time I will. You’ve come to me for help… and I really want to help you. I know this is a big step up but… if I’m gonna hug you and you really want that too then… I’m gonna have to help you feel comfortable with someone touching your neck.
Onyn sat with that one while his mind ran through the scenarios of Chikn with both paws on either side of his neck. Upon his mind taking that simulation of its logical extreme his fur bristled and poofed up.
“Onyn, look at me. Only what you want to do tonight… ok?”
“Thank you… please… I want a hug too. I can’t remember the last time I had one before I became a recluse. I need your help.”
Chikn understood and slowly moved his paws in plain view of Onyn so he would see that they bare no ill will. Till eventually, they made contact with the base of the neck and when Onyn stopped trembling, this time under a minute, he started to move his paws. They gently ghosted over his fur on the way up his neck and pressed ever so gently in as they fell as slow as a feather back down to the base of the neck. This time, Onyn was on high alert to keep any noises in but… damn did this feel good.
“You’re doing such a good job for me, Onyn. I’m so proud of you. Thank you for working so hard so I can hug my friend.”
“Thank y-you… thank you… th-thank you.” those words are the only ones that would come out of him as happy tears started to slip out of the corner of his eyes. With Onyn’s ears slowly stopping twitching, and his tail kept up its enthusiastic wag he decided to ask if he was ready.
“O-one more minute… I feel… happy.” Onyn felt happy, actually he felt so many more things, a few of them bubbling up and trying to escape out his throat but he swallowed them down. But the whimper and whining in his voice was in full affect and as his minute passed.
“Onyn-”
Onyn nodded and Chikn slowly let his arms slide along his neck and around it to hug his neck.
And… after all that prep, pain had been transformed to bliss. Onyn was moved by Chikn’s efforts and even moved to put a wing around Chikn, careful not to press too hard but it meant so much to Chikn that even he was feeling all emotional. Chikn worried about overstimulating his friend and didn’t want to ask Onyn for a marathon after just getting him acclimated to walking. Chikn ever so gently tapped his back and it only sent a small shiver but the message was clear. Onyn and Chikn leaned back a little, but that was the thing, just a little, their muzzles remained close and Chikn clasped one paw over wrist behind Onyn’s neck while he sat. The bat’s mind melts into a blissful fog until a thought occurs. Chikin is so kind… and… forgiving… surely he would forgive one selfish act. Chikn’s earlier encouragements play on repeat till-
Onyn leaned fully forward. And gave Chikn his first kiss.