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“How do I begin”
“When the roof is ever changing”
“Neath the Grove is a heart”
“That’s still in slumber”
“You can remain”
“Will you stay and tell a tale”
“Would you want to tear it down”
“To see better?”
~~~~
Two Time and Chance were curled up together, asleep on the couch in the main cabin.
It was a painfully sweet sight, especially after the past few days of Chance refusing to leave his cabin, only allowing in Two Time to ferry meals to and from for him. To see Chance resting out in the open was a big step for them, though Shedletsky was willing to bet that Two Time’s presence was the only thing keeping Chance calm enough to sleep.
It was sweet, and rather cute. He really wished he had a camera to take a picture.
Shedletsky snagged a spare blanket thrown over the side chair in front of the fireplace, and carefully draped it over the snoozing duo, making sure to cover them both comfortably. He didn’t dare touch Chance’s accessories, well aware that one wrong move and he’d have a very panicked Rabbit-Moth Hybrid on his talons.
Not particularly ideal.
He repressed a clucking coo, eyes soft and fond as he gazed down at the young Survivors, before walking away to the adjacent kitchen. It would be nice to cook something for the others, even if he wasn’t officially on food duty. You commit some food crimes a few times and suddenly no one wants you cooking. It’s not his fault that chicken pudding didn’t taste as good as he hoped it’d be!
Shedletsky would make a simple dish today, instead of experimenting with their limited ingredients like he did at home. Chicken, of course. Well, not quite chicken, as none spawned in the surrounding forests, but the game birds were just as good, if not quite measuring up to his one true love.
Today’s meal would be cooked goose, then.
As he prepared the pan, he wondered idly why he was doing this. He wasn’t one to cook often, especially when he wasn’t being prompted to do so. He’d usually rather practice his swordfighting for the upcoming Rounds, or go on patrol around the camp, or even go hunting entirely. Normally Shedletsky would leave the role of chef to Elliot, who ruled the kitchen with an iron fist.
He’d probably get fussed at by the little Merfolk later, for not informing him that he’d be cooking today. Oh well, that was a problem for future Shedletsky!
~~~~
“Here you go Two Time, you look hungry, have another serving!” Shedletsky chirped as he placed another helping of goose meat onto Two Time’s plate. The little Avian looked at him with wide eyes, their grin sharp on their face as always.
“You’re far too thin, have as much as you like, the hunting has been good recently!” He patted them on the head, smiling despite the miniscule flinch he felt from them, before Two Time relaxed minutely.
“Ah, Admin, the Spawn does not condone gluttony-” They tried to protest, being interrupted with a clucking noise.
“This isn’t gluttony, this is having a good meal to get some meat on your bones! You’re too thin! You too, Chance, have some more as well!” Shedletsky clucked, turning his head in a sharp motion to give Chance a look, placing another helping on their plate. The poor Rabbit-Moth looked like a deer caught in headlights, slowly bringing their utensils up to their food while still under Shedletsky’s scrutiny.
“Ah, uh, thanks, Shed. Hahah. Yeah.” Chance laughed awkwardly as Shedletsky retook his seat, the large Avian practically beaming with pride as the two ate their meals, willingly ignorant to the odd looks being thrown his way.
“Shed, quit hennin’ the poor kids. You’re freakin’ ‘em out.” Builderman scolded, and Shedletsky merely laughed in response before shoving a piece of meat into his mouth. He was content to watch the others eat, pleased at his meal being well received.
“I still wish you had mentioned you would be cooking today, now all of my plans are thrown off!” Elliot complained for the fiftieth time that day, receiving a sympathetic pat on the shoulder by Guest 1337.
“This meal was created quite well, your love and effort within I can tell.” Dusekkar complimented, making Shedletsky’s feathers puff out in pride as he grinned at his partner, who leveled a kind smile back in return.
“Aww, thanks Duse! You’re too sweet!” He crooned, shovelling another piece of meat in his mouth to devour rapidly. Hey, his cooking was pretty good, after all! Take that lifetime ban from the office kitchens!
~~~~
Noob was crying again.
Their sobs were soft, muffled into Shedletsky’s feathers as he held them close, a taloned hand petting their head, paying careful attention to their canine ears.
It had been a really rough set of Rounds for the little Survivalist, who had been picked off first each time without even a chance of survival. Shedletsky felt awful about it, the way he felt whenever he couldn’t protect any of his flock when they fell in the Rounds. There was nothing he could’ve done, as he had spawned away from Noob every single time.
“I-I-I just, I just really, really miss my friend, right-right now.” They stuttered, sniffling loudly as they tried to stop their crying. Shedletsky cooed a noise of acknowledgement.
“Wanna tell me about them?” He asked carefully. Noob’s old friend was a sensitive topic, one that easily led them to start crying in earnest whenever provoked. He’d have to tread carefully.
“Y-Ye-Yeah. That’d be…. Nice.” They hesitated, little claws poking pinpricks into Shedletsky’s shirt. He didn’t mind, their clothing was always reset to basic functionality after every Round.
The dirt remained, of course, but their clothes were usually intact enough to clean between Rounds. Small mercies, at least.
“Once, um, during-during Pride, we, we uh, went to this um, went to this nice flower field. We’d just left the, left the cele-celebrations, so we were, um, all dressed up. They showed me, uh, the flower field. Said it, said it reminded her of me.” Another loud sniffle, and Shedletsky could feel more hot tears forming from where Noob pressed their face against his ruff. He cooed softly.
“That sounds very nice, Noob. Was it a good day?”
“Y-Yeah. It was,” They sniffled, “A good day. Really good.” The fractured remains of a smile pressed into Shedletsky’s feathers, and he smoothed a hand down their head once more.
“I’m glad, fledgling. I’m glad.”
~~~~
“-And he just doesn’t get it! Why doesn’t he get it?!” Elliot ranted from where he sat on the porch of the main cabin, Shedletsky nodding along to his left.
“He’s pretty stubborn, man. I’m not surprised he doesn’t get it. Still, I see your point, Ells.” The Avian responded, nodding along at Elliot’s exasperated huff.
It was common for minor arguments and squabbles to break out amongst the Survivors group. It was natural, after all, for people from such different backgrounds forced in a confined space together to conflict. Usually, it was pretty easy to handle with a conversation or two.
Usually, at least. Today’s conflict was an age-old one started by Elliot in fear of Guest 1337’s health.
The Soldier had a habit of throwing himself in the line of fire unnecessarily more than the other Sentinels. He’d been on another losing streak recently, as a result of constantly trying to tank damage for Elliot’s sake. It had frustrated the poor Merfolk, hence the ranting outside of the main cabin.
Shedletsky had taken it upon himself to try and handle most conflicts that arose, and today was no exception. Sometimes, all it took was a listening ear and affirmation to make a situation better.
“I just don’t want him to keep hurting himself like this, is it some kind of- some kind of self-harm thing?!” Shedletsky carefully kept his posture casual, and his breathing normal. “I’d understand if it was, I get it, shit’s awful right now. But it’s impacting the team now, too! Plus, I don’t exactly appreciate people dying for me.”
Elliot was livid, his yellow face starting to turn red from frustration. His last conversation, more of a confrontation, with Guest 1337 hadn’t gone very well. From what Shedletsky understood, Guest 1337 had blown off Elliot’s concerns by trying to turn the tables on him with concerns about Elliot’s own health. They were valid concerns, in Shedletsky’s opinion, since Elliot was equally as likely to be overworking himself at any given time.
Sheesh, his flock was quite the chaotic bunch of messes. He adored them regardless.
“Maybe if we both talk to him, he’ll take us more seriously? Peer pressure, and all that.” He suggested, smirking internally as Elliot’s fins perked up at his words.
“Really? You’d do that for me?” His face looked so hopeful, it was adorable.
“Of course! You’re one of my flock, Ells, I’m happy to help!”
~~~~
Knock knock.
“Hey Puffling, how’re you holding up?” He called into the trapped cabin, receiving silence in response.
“It’s a bad day, isn’t it?” Silence, and then the soft scritch scritch of talons against wood. He softened, leaning slightly on the doorframe.
“Can I come in, or will that blow the place sky high?” Silence, before rapid shuffling. Most likely the sounds of Taph disarming their traps, given that the door creaked open moments later. Shedletsky stepped into the dark cabin, blinking idly at the half-finished Subspace Tripmines littering the floor.
Hazardous, yes, but rather typical for one of Taph’s off days.
Everybody had off days. Even Shedletsky had them. It was normal, after everything the Survivors had gone through, both during and before their times in the Realm. He wasn’t terribly surprised when Taph failed to show up for breakfast, having seemed oddly twitchy and flighty during last night’s dinner.
His poor, sweet Puffling. All puffed up and miserable in their nest of blankets, pillows, and the occasional ragged plushie scavenged from the Rounds. He crooned deep in his throat, a deeply parental sound aimed at the younger Avian as he entered the cabin fully, shutting the door softly behind him.
“Oh, sweetheart…. Come here, let me see you, Puffling.” He made grabby hands and kneeled, wanting his little fledgling to get up and stretch their legs. They likely hadn’t moved from their spot, outside of disarming the traps for him to enter, since last night. He clucked mournfully at them.
Hesitant and slow, Taph peeled herself from her nest, trudging into Shedletsky’s open arms. Her face, hidden as it was, pressed into his fluffy neck ruff, a hand coming up to absently stroke the soft feathers. He clucked again, wrapping large wings around the two of them affectionately.
“I know, baby. I know.” He soothed, rubbing their back through their puffy outfit. It’s where he got the nickname Puffling from, since they were always so puffed up all the time. A cute nickname for a cute little fledgling.
Shedletsky held him close, rocking them back and forth slightly in a soothing manner. Little talons gripped onto his feathers, but he didn’t flinch back. He was used to the small tugs, after all, and he would never flinch back from his baby.
Silently, he settled himself in for a long bout of cuddling and care, willing to do whatever it took to perk his Puffling up.
~~~~
“Ughhhhhhh.” Shedletsky groaned into a pillow, wings splayed around him and nearly hitting Builderman in the head. The CEO expertly dodged the flying limb, never turning his attention fully off of his book.
“Long day?” He hummed absently, being rewarded with another groan from the oversized Avian.
“Long week, no, month, no, year.” Shedletsky complained, raising his head enough so that his breathing wasn’t smothered. Rolling partially on his side, he pouted up at Builderman, who simply glanced at him with an unimpressed look.
“Oh yeah?” He drawled, sliding a bookmark in and closing his book, placing it on the nearby nightstand. “You wanna talk about it?”
“No.” The Avian huffed. “I wanna cuddle.” He insisted, making grabby hands at his partner. Builderman chuckled, smirking at him.
“So much fuss for some cuddles. You sure you want that?” He teased, laughing as Shedletsky groaned again in minor frustration.
“Don’t tease meeee, I wanna cuddleeee.” He whined, inching closer to his lover. A hand was gently set on his head, and he looked up curiously, meeting Builderman’s warm eyes.
“We can cuddle, Shed. I know it’s been a long few days, you deserve a break too.” It was just sweet enough for Shedletsky to chirp in pleasure, lifting himself up slightly.
He reached out for Builderman, receiving the smaller and pulling him to his chest securely. Laying on his side, he spread one large wing across the two of them as a makeshift blanket, the other hanging off the side of the bed comfortably.
“Anyone tell you you’re just a big cuddle bug?” Builderman snarked as he curled into the overwhelming fluff of his partner, resting his head in that fluffy neck ruff of feathers.
“Only you!” Shedletsky retorted, pleased to receive an answering huff of a laugh.
“Get some rest, Shed. You’ve done a lot for everyone these past days. You deserve your break, too.” Builderman soothed, petting at Shedletsky’s easy to reach feathers. He cooed again, curling around Builderman a bit more.
“Okay, if you insist!” He chirped, laughing at Builderman’s annoyed click of his tongue. He settled properly, comfortably curled around his partner and warm underneath his own wing and blankets.
It was safe there, in that warm moment. One of the few times Shedletsky could really, truly relax. Neither could defend against the horrors of this Realm, but in that handbuilt cabin, they found safety in each other's arms.