Chapter Text
He knows he’s gonna start denning soon when he starts getting protective.
Which– Okay, he won’t lie and say he isn’t already pretty protective, but he gets like reallllly protective. Like, not letting Red leave the base type of protective. Shielding Ash from a creeper type of protective. He got nervous just from Squiddo being on their roof, out in the open. That’s how he knows. It’s how Ro knows too.
“You should track your doggytime cycles,” Ro says, and Mapicc makes a face.
“It’s not– There’s no den cycle apps like there are for periods, dude,” Mapicc argues, raising an eyebrow.
“There have to be! So you can plan better. So you know for sure when you’re gonna shove us all in your cave.” Ro laughs. Mapicc’s tail starts wagging faster– When did it start wagging originally? Just another sign. He’s pretty sure that in a week, him and the worms will be tucked into the Lsoss base, warm and safe and–
“You look stupid,” Ro continues, smiling fondly. Mapicc zones back in and hits him.
“Shut up bro,” he huffs, failing to suppress a grin when Ro starts laughing. “You’re crazy.”
“You’re thinking about how nice and cozy the den’s gonna be. I can tell.” Ro responds, all proud of himself. He’s right, but fuck Ro.
“Shut up. You smell like butt.” Mapicc counters, looking away. Fuck. Ro.
And then Ro leans back and laughs and pets Mapicc’s hair and Mapicc jerks away just so he doesn’t start purring. There’s no reason for Ro to do that other than to be a dick and indulge in his evil selfish desires.
Lo and behold, four days later, Mapicc starts feeling lonely and fuzzy in the evening. Well, they planned for it. It’s fine. Ro isn’t on the actual Lifesteal server, so he’s probably on Lsoss.
…Mapicc’s greedy, is the thing. He looovess being greedy, and he wants everyone, the whole team, in his den. His den in their house, their shared space, for his whole pack. He wants his pack, pretty much.
If the fuzziness wasn’t enough, the childish need for his family definitely is.
Other than Zam, the only one of his teammates online is Squiddo. He’s pretty sure she’s just at the base.
And he’s right, he finds her drawing something onto a sign. Casual. He can be so normal and casual.
“Hey Squiddo,” he starts, staying very still so he doesn’t jump on her and drag her offserver like a fucked up snake with a mouse or something. Consent is key. Snakes probably don’t know shit about consent. He could kill a snake easily.
“Oh, hi Mapicc,” Squiddo chimes, turning around. They frown. “What are y–”
“Why are you sad,” Mapicc asks so fast he forgets to add tone. Whyre you upset what happened who do i need to kill also we should really go to the den it’s a lot safer it’s not–
“You’re acting weird,” Squiddo answers, like an arrow to his chest. Blood coagulates to the wound.
“Oh,” he says, blinking. So he needs to kill himself, got it.
“Well, it’s just that– You don’t seem happy, and I don’t want to be happy if you aren’t.” Squiddo clarifies, which is a little better than him directly making her sad. “What’s wrong?”
“Uh, I’m,” Mapicc begins, shifting on his feet. Staying still made Squiddo upset, so he just be normal. Which was the original plan, by the way. “Remember when you asked about instincts? And I told you about nesting?”
“You’re nesting?” Squido asks, and scoots her chair away from her table. Mapicc nods, and his tail clips his legs as it wags.
“Yah,” Mapicc answers. Normal.
“Where do you wanna go?” They question, and stand just a few feet away.
“Ho– Our– Home. Our Lsoss base.” Mapicc says, failing to keep the purr out of his voice. What the fuck ever, it’s Squiddo, they’re probably weirder than he is. They won’t judge. (and also theyre his pack but he’s tryna not think about that)
“Then let’s go,” Squiddo smiles kindly. Mapicc heartrate leaps just at her kindness.
He shoots Zam a dm, because she’s still far away from their base, then he logs off.
It’s always really easy when he’s all clingy to find the servers his pack are on. He already knows the connection from Lifesteal to Lsoss like he knows his childhood home, and it just adds a guiding beacon. Like waypoints if they were good.
He logs in in the living room, and to his pleasant surprise, his pack’s right there to greet him.
“Does he bite?” Red asks, half joking.
“Sometimes,” Ro answers casually, then smiles and walks up to Mapicc. “Hey pu– Hey Mape.”
“Hi,” Mapicc says, then realizes what Red said. “I don’t– I don’t bite you!”
“You bite people threatening the pack,” Ro argues, and he’s won the second he refers to himself as Mapicc’s pack. “Told you.”
“What?” Mapicc demands, shaking himself out to focus. “What??”
“Ro said you get excited whenever we mention pack,” Ash answers. Hey. True. But.
“Be nice to him,” Squiddo defends as they walk into the living room.
“Exactly,” Mapicc agrees, nodding. “Be nice.”
“I’m so nice. You fuck with me.” Ro beams, the grabs Mapicc’s hand before he can argue and ohhh. ohh. “You wanna go to your den?”
Ro is dumbing himself down, and Mapicc hates being treated like he’s stupid, but it’s by ro, his ro, so it’s okay. For now.
“Yeah,” he answers, half trying to pull himself out of the fuzziness. He doesn’t like to fight losing battles. He will, just for his pride, but.
“Wait, he’s kind of adorable,” Ash says, smile very evident in his voice as Ro leads them.
“He is,” Ro agrees, and Mapicc smiles idly, just basking in the happy mood. They’re all safe, they’re going to his den right now and they’re safe and–
“Wa– Hey. Shut up.” He says, once he actually realizes what Ash said. Ro starts laughing and puts a hand in his hair. Not fair at all. “You’re mean.”
“You like it,” Ro beams and yeah he’s super right. Still mean though.
“Mapicc can’t properly defend himself,” Squiddo argues.
“Squiddo’s my favorite,” he decides, failing to not lean into Ro’s side. He’s just– It’s Ro. “The rest of you suck.”
While Ash and Ro laugh, Red makes an offended noise.
“Hey, what’d I do!” He exclaims, playfully. Mapicc leans forward and laughs.
Red doesn’t get his answer, because Ro opens the door to Mapicc’s denning area, and he is immediately distracted. It has to be good. They talk while Mapicc finds the ideal positioning of blankets and pillows and quartz, and it’s really– Well. It’s new. Squiddo and Red and maybe Ash are new to his denning, and he– He just. It needs to be good. So he keeps messing with the blankets and moving the pieces of quartz and wondering which side they’ll be sitting on and if maybe all the strings across the room draping quartz everywhere were dtm and–
It’s new for everyone except Ro. And it needs to be good so that they keep coming. He did a bad job with Minute and the Empire and they never came back so he just–
“Chill,” Ro repeats for the ten thousandth time. Mapicc listens, because of course he does. “You’re fine.”
“I know,” Mapicc lies without thinking. “I’m not freaking out.”
“Chill,” Ro says again, instead of calling him out. He loves Ro. Ro might be his favorite person to den with, he’s just so… he’s… Fuck man, it’s Ro.
“Okay,” Mapicc accepts, shifting on his feet. Okay but what if– No. No, no, it’s fine. The nest is fine and it’s cozy and it’s safe and it’s perfect. Squiddo and Red and Ash are gonna love it. They already love it. Ro said it’s fine, so it is.
He steps back, notices about five corners where the blankets need to be better pulled over, and doesn’t hurry to fix them. Because it’s fine. It’s okay. He’s chill af.
“You done?” Ro poses, and Mapicc takes a breath. Absolutely not.
“Yeah,” he says, caught up staring at the imperfections. He can fix it later, he’s just… tired. He’s tired, he wants to sit down.
“Then go in,” Ro tells him, so Mapicc does. He steps into the nest, and all but collapses in it. Ro was right. Ro is always so right. It’s perfect. “Let’s goo!”
“We– Do we go in now?” Ash asks, and Mapicc’s words get stuck in his throat. Thankfully, he has his awesome translator.
“Duh,” Ro says from in the nest, and reaches over to grab Ash’s hand.
He wants to say Ro you’re the best, but instead he throws himself at his packmate and starts purring. Awesome. Ro is so cool. Ro is giggling and happy and in the den and–
“Awww,” Squiddo says, and puts a hand in his hair. Hell yeah.
“I told you guys!” Ro chimes, and leans over to press their foreheads together, horns clinking. packpackpackpack– “I told you he’s sweet.”
“Just a sweetheart,” Ash coos, and Mapicc normally would fuckin’– He doesn’t know, tease or deflect or something but right now, it’s just– His pack is happy and directing the happiness towards him, and really he wants absolutely nothing else.
So he drifts a little, in between all the floating and happiness and compliments.
There’s just one thing. One very wrong thing keeping him from being completely lost in the sauce, and that’s the lack of Zam. There’s no cherryblossom-rubbertoy-sundust smell.
But it’s okay, ‘cause she’s probably just busy. He’s just surprised, because usually– Zam’s always there, she’s always with him when he dens. She doesn’t ever– She’s there. She’s supposed to be here, and she isn’t and it’s kinda driving him up the wall. Ro is here when he usually isn’t, and so are Ash and Squiddo and Reddoons. The only reason he isn’t unhappy is ‘cause. well. They’re his pack. Also, Ro is realllyy good.
Squiddo is petting him while talking about something, their next project maybe. Squiddo’s good. Her hand goes down his spine and almost makes him shiver, but it’s fine ‘cause it’s Squiddo, it’s pack. Then she starts all over again in his hair, barely brushing his ears, which is a little mean, where are his head scratches, but again, Squiddo bias.
Mapicc is vaguely listening for threats or anything dangerous, and then–
That’s footsteps.
He shoots up off the floor, and whips his head around towards the door. Who is–
“Ow,” Squiddo says.
“You’re fine, Mape, you’re okay, it’s Zam,” Ro soothes, reaching across Squiddo to pet him. Not right now. “Chill, bro.”
“What happened?” Red asks, and he at least has the sense to lean back. That might just be away from Mapicc, but he’ll take upsetting his pack over them getting hurt.
Mapicc growls a warning, and Ro whistles.
“Woah,” Ro says, then wraps a hand around Mapicc’s collar.
Mapicc freezes. That means drop, relax, go back but the– He can’t! There is literally someone there and he’s denning and everyone’s guard is down and that’s not a safe time to relax. There’s a threat.
“Mapicc,” Ro calls, and Mapicc drops right back where he was. okayokayokay listening. He cranes his neck to watch the door. Squiddo isn’t petting him, but Ro lets go of his collar. Something’s double wrong and Ro doesn’t know. In lieu of words, Mapicc whines.
“What’s wrong?” Squiddo asks. Mapicc tries to breathe. There’s someone outside the den.
“He’s freakin’ out ‘cause he hears Zam,” Ro says, laughing. It helps Mapicc relax a little. Ro doesn’t seem worried, so it’s… probably okay. “There you go pu– Uh, Mape. There.” He breathes a laugh again, and pats Mapicc’s head. do that. keep that up. “You’re fine. It’s Zam, Mapicc.”
“Aww,” Ash comments. “He just wants to protect us.”
“Wait that’s wholesome," Squiddo agrees.
He’s still a little worried about the noise, but Ro isn’t, and Mapicc knows he gets jumpy when he’s denning, so it– maybe it was just house moving.
Except, right as he thinks that, the doorknob turns.
“Chill out!” Ro laughs, leaning over Mapicc like a blanket. “It’s Zam. Do you listen? Chill, chill chill chill; you’re fine.”
Ro has to have sounds off or something because the door is literally opening and Ro’s just laughing it off when there’s something dangerous coming into the den right now–
“Hey guys,” Zam greets, and Ro giggles. Oh! “What is even going on here, even? Hi puppy.”
“Zam,” Ro breathes a laugh. “Don’t–”
“Oh shit, I meant– Hi Mapicc.” Zam says, and Mapicc squirms, sandwiched between Squiddo and Ro. “Awww.”
“You scared him,” Red reports. Zam coos and Mapicc purrs right back at her. Zam zam zam zam hi. Pack. pack pack.
“I’m sorry,” Zam coos, and Ro rolls away. Zam’s here and everything’s okay. Mapicc waits patiently for her to crawl up next to him. Zam’s here.
“You call him puppy?” Ash interrogates, and Zam does just that, crawling up next to Mapicc and grabbing his face. He beams and his tail starts thumping louder.
“Zam,” Ro huffs.
“Ash,” Squiddo scolds, leaning away from Mapicc. It’s okay, he’s confident another pack member’ll replace her spot.
“Sorry,” Zam says, and pulls away from him. Mapicc follows her until a shaky hand on his chest stops him.
“Don’t growl at me, mister,” Ro says, and Mapicc calms himself. Oh, it’s Ro. hi ro. “Hi. Just sit.”
“Did he hear me?” Zam asks as Ro takes Squiddo’s place. All according to plan. Oh fuck and Ro’s nice too, fluffy and nice and warm and soso good. Mapicc shoves his face into Ro’s front.
“Your loud ass footsteps,” Ash snorts, and Squiddo makes a noise of protest. Mapicc offers a little keen. What’s wrong?
“She’s fine, Mape,” Ro smiles, leaning backwards onto the floor. Mapicc shuffles to stay in the same position. Ro’s tall, which is good for keeping watch, but a little upsetting when he just wants to snuggle. It’s okay. It’s Ro. pack.
“Oh, can we not make noises?” Squiddo questions.
“He’s kinda–” Ro starts, then starts giggling. Mapicc purrs back, even if it is jostling him. Happy. Ro’s happy.
“Don’t call him stupid,” Zam argues. “Yeah, he’s a little dumb like this. Like, he can’t really–”
Ro cuts off Zam's words with more desperate laughter, and Mapicc starts growling with him. pack pack pack.
“What the– What’s that? What’s he doin’?” Red asks.
“Dear god, shut the hell up,” Zam demands, and Ro’s laughter peeters off. “Sorry Mapicc. Okay. He just can’t understand words, Squiddo. Like– Ro, let go.”
“No,” Ro teases, and Mapicc presses into him. ro.
“Stop being greedy, what,” Zam says, and grabs Mapicc’s shoulder. He makes a noise and looks over his shoulder. Hi Zam. pack. “Aww, he’s so moe.”
“What does that even mean,” Red says.
“It’s not important. Look, I can–” Zam smiles at him and tilts her head, then starts complimenting him in a really nice voice. “Aren’t you just so dumb. Stupidest idiot to ever live, probably. You’re so fucking ugly, it’s just so impressive how chopped you are. Aww. Awww.”
Mapicc preens under the praise, and rolls off of Ro to lay on Zam.
“That’s mean,” Squiddo says, audibly frowning. Mapicc’s ear twitches. “I mean– Aww, Zammm. Don’t be meann.”
Zam laughs, and Mapicc’s heartrate picks up.
“He actually is kinda adorable,” Red comments. Zam and Ro start cackling, which makes Mapicc jolt.
“Aw– Awww! You’re scaring him!” Ash coos, and starts petting his back. Mapicc relaxes right into it. “Oh my god.”
There’s– There’s kind of a lot going on. He wants to lay down on Squiddo again and have her pet him. He wants to relax.
“He’s– You’re just a delight, Mapicc,” Zam tells him. Mapicc slow blinks. “You’re aaactually adorable."
He’s glad his whole team’s here, he hasn’t had that in– since– in a really long time. They’re all here and he loves them but… Mmmmmmm.
Someone’s petting him, and he’s laying on someone else. He has to focus to recognize the long fingers and the lack of callouses as Ashswag’s hands. Zam is easier; soft and curved and laughing with Ro. She’s shaking him.
All of a sudden, or maybe slowly, the overlapping laughter isn’t comforting, it’s just loud. And Zam keeps jostling him and it’s rustling the fabric against his ears and he can’t hear and if he can’t hear he can’t make out sounds and he can’t tell if something dangerous is coming so everything is dangerous because he can’t–
“–top, stop. Uh, uhh, shut up–” Someone says, and a light hand grabs his face. Mapicc scrunches it up, and tries to pull away, but the hand is firm. It’s Ro. please fix this.
“Oh shit,” Zam says, and wraps an arm around his shoulder.
“You’re okay, Mape,” Ro soothes, sounding stressed, and climbs over Zam and onto Mapicc. pack pack pack pack “Chill out, chill. Look, we’re fine.”
Ro’s voice lilts up at the end, and Mapicc opens his eyes to Ro’s smile. Mmm. Everything’s okay now. Ro’s smiling. That’s all that matters.
It’s hazy for a minute, and when Mapicc zones back in, he’s laying on someone who smells like warmth and electronics. His hug tightens for a second, just enough for the body makes a sound.
“Ow, stop clawing me,” Ash complains. Oh, Ash is– he’s good. packpackpack. “I thought he– He can understand us?”
“He just wanted to hear you, that’s why he stopped,” Ro says. Mapicc makes a happy noise. “Hi Mape.”
“What the hell,” Ash breathes a laugh, but Mapicc doesn’t mind being jostled as long as the hand in his hair doesn’t stop. “Okay.”
“He can kinda understand certain commands though,” Zam continues, gentle.
“Heh?” Red questions. Ro giggles. Ro’s good too. Ro’s the best, kinda.
“We taught him sp– Ess pee e aye k.” Ro says. The hand pulls too far away, and Mapicc presses into it until it presses him back down.
“You taught him tricks?” Squiddo asks, skeptical. Mapicc tries to start a purr, but finds the task already begun. He puts more into it.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Zam hums. Mapicc’s ear turns towards the noise.
“Stop humming, Zam,” Ash says, and the hand in his hair pokes his ear. He feels nice.
He feels nice and safe and warm. And he loves his pack.
“Let her sing,” Squiddo says, and Ash huffs a laugh. Mapicc vocalizes a short happy sound.
“Let him sing too,” Red jokes.
And maybe even better than him loving his pack, they love him right back. He can tell. He can tell ‘cause they all smell like his den. And his den smells like his pack which smells like love.
And not only that, but Ash is hugging him. Ash is pretty warm, and he loves Mapicc.
Mapicc grumbles with a smile, and shoves his face into Ash’s sweater.
It’s the first time in a really, really long time that his den has held his whole team. It’s the best feeling in the world.