❀ Rubie ❀

College!Valko who pulled an uno-reverse card on you the moment you both settled on that date the day after the project assignment. All you could think about was how much he resembled Bruce Wayne in terms of intellect when he placed those glasses on his face and started to dissect the best way to make that project the best of the class. Eyes darting between his own notes, the books necessary for research, your own tablet that you had exposed with your original ideas and his own device made you feel like an asshole while trying to follow his own trail of thoughts. The man was an encyclopedia with muscles and a pretty face. 

College!Valko who had you for the first time in all your study years feeling like you weren't carrying the whole project in your back — he was the one carrying it himself. Your new worry was around if you could follow his steps and the speed in which he spat new ideas and add-ons out of his mind. And if you could add luggage for him to bear. 

“...” 

“So, what do you think?” — he asked, expectantly — “Got any questions or anything you wanna share left so we can start working this together?”

“I have one, actually”

For some reason, his demeanor gave you the idea of a puppy being curious about what snack you were going to pull out to feed him. 

“Shoot it!” — his enthusiasm made you nervously giggle, in an almost unnoticed way. Valko caught it anyway, and made a mental note of it for later. 

“I was wondering if my ideas are even worth it at this point, yours are so much better haha…”

“Huh?”

College!Valko who remembered quickly that his own intelligence could be scary for anyone who was new to it, and you weren't immune to it. So he lowered his own speed and opened in a way that would make you feel comfortable about sharing your own opinions and ideas — without making you feel dumb, or like he was pitying you. And you internally thanked him for that. 

College!Valko who you quickly noticed, was extremely addicted to chocolate in all its forms. Milkshakes, chocolate bars, chocolate pastries, cookies… The amount of gifts of the same nature that he gave you on your shared time inside the public library — behind the library's staff back — were totally unexpected at first, but became a heartwarming detail to you. You tried to reject them, Valko didn't listen to any excuse about it. 

College!Valko who kept looking for you for any project that came around out of his own wish. Who you witnessed pushing away — kindly and with courtesy — to his own peers while they whined about him not pairing himself with them. Peers that wiggled their own eyebrows to whatever he said as a response, an action you didn't fully understand. This became a habit you fully ended up enjoying and thanking him in the shape of chocolate desserts, since you no longer had to dread the incognito of who you would end up having as a next partner during your studies. 

Valko had accustomed himself to the kind of expression you made whenever you wanted to ask him about something, but didn't have the courage to do so.

His curiosity was bigger than his own restraint. 

“Go on, place on the table what you want to say” 

He read you like an open book and that made you jump slightly on your chair. 

“So, Valko… Why do you choose to team up with me?” — you stopped your own writing, and looked straight into his golden eyes. 

“I like how smart you are, I feel at ease with it, and not alone” 

You snorted at his bold claim.

“Come on big boy, you know that's not true. You're bad at complimenting people, huh?”

The sensation of a ghostly tail wagging nervously from side to side behind him overwhelmed your mind for a moment. You wondered why you kept thinking of him as a dog. 

“I'm not lying! And that's… not true! You're smart, I mean it. And also…” — his ears got slightly red, making him avert his eyes from yours. 

“And?” — you… Loved when he got shy in front of you? That's such a weird trail of thought…

“And don't tell them this, but I hate sitting with my colleagues just to end up carrying the whole project on my back. You're like fresh air after a marathon ever since I got to work alongside you, is that bad? We can stop here if it makes it uncomfortable…”

A full blown laugh came from your mouth, catching the whole library's attendants and placing it on you, and Valko couldn't look more puzzled than ever.

College!Valko who started inviting you to his own basketball games, saying that it would really pump him up if he saw you amongst the crowd that cheered for the team. Invitations that you rejected first since your schedule was busy, but ended up showing up to one of his games and surprising him. They won quickly that day. 

College!Valko who you came to know had a lot of girl admirers around the campus, who eagerly showed up to his games to cheer and catch his attention. Girls that —alongside his peers jumping and patting his back — made it impossible for him to meet you that day, opting to wave from a safe distance while leaving.

[chocoguy]: You didn't even congratulate me in person 💔💔 

[me]: Sorry big winner, didn't want to ruin your fans and peers' experience. I'll bring something filled with chocolate next time we meet again to celebrate your win together and with less chaos ;) 

[chocoguy]: How could you ruin anyone's experience? :( You would have improved mine

[me]: I promise you small celebrations are the best, you'll see <3

College!Valko who had a rumor floating around him about how he used to push away any girl admirer that came too boldly close to him, for reasons unknown to anyone. Despite this, there was no shit-talking about him coming from them so… What was the mystery behind him not having a girlfriend at this point? 

College!Valko who had told you that his own major was related to biotechnology, but for classified reasons couldn't dive too much into it on a casual talk. 

College!Valko who after his statement around his own studies forgot entirely about it after some time and started rambling about his own subjects, his own point of view around them and his own discoveries. Information that you couldn't understand well or at all, but that you loved to hear about from him. His eyes shined so brightly while rambling about them that you couldn't negate him from continuing, while you both enjoyed some dessert at your casual gatherings. 

College!Valko who also let you ramble and share your thoughts and opinions on your own career, that became full-blown discussions that you enjoyed so much, since you didn't have no one else to discuss them with, and your friends rejected the idea of speaking about studies outside the classroom. He also let you express your frustrations around your major. 

College!Valko who has a very expensive sports car, to which you questioned his own family background. To your surprise, he denied coming from a wealthy family, instead he assured it all came from his own internship at a very prestigious company that sponsored his studies and his brain. 

“I want an internship just like that. You won the jackpot with it” — chewing on some lemon cake, you wiggled your eyebrows and paired it with a smug expression. 

Valko looked at you with an expression that sent a message saying “it's not that simple”. 

“Luck like that comes with a prize, pup” — there it was, that endearing nickname that made your chest flutter and your cheeks to become hot. You ignored the sensation and pushed to fix the confusion that his wording had implanted on you. 

“You make it sound like you sold your soul to the devil himself”

Valko laughed softly, with some dark hints intercalated on it — “I'll snatch my own soul back soon, don't worry your overworking head around it”

Even if your confusion had just grown even more, you dropped the theme there. Valko's income, internship — and even his studies, at some point — were an eerie mystery that made you feel like you were standing on unstable ground that would end up badly if you continued to ask more of it. Valko shielded you discreetly against it, but you caught the hints every time. 

When you noticed, Valko was returning from the shop's counter. It looked like he had left while you dived on your own thoughts. 

“All riiiiiiight! We're set to go now! I have paid for everything” — Your independent spirit was screaming at his actions. 

“Valko! You know I can pay for my own things” — a pout that made him smile even bigger settled on your mouth. 

“And that's exactly why I don't notify you of my own gifts and acts of services for you, lil pup” 

College!Valko who won all types of recognition prizes for his versatile duties and hobbies that revolved around the campus. Who couldn't stop moving around and never ran out of energy to do anything, contrary to you — that's what made you realize that his involvement with the basketball team was to steam out some of that energy, since he couldn't stay still ever. You theorized that if he tried, it would hurt him physically. Once in a while, you came across him with one of his many prizes in his hands, and he tried to brag about it to you in a sweet-himbo way. He had broken some crystal-made ones because of it. 

College!Valko whose big body and non-ending energy made him extremely clumsy, which ended up with him clashing with several objects or stumbling without explanation, sometimes when he got too excited by seeing you. You had discovered he was a total himbo the moment he had crashed against you trying to hug you. 

College!Valko who had managed to make you fall for him because of the tenderness and sweet nature he possessed. He was the definition of a gentle giant in all his forms — even if he failed sometimes, physically. Valko was a family man, always telling you anecdotes of his own bloodline and how he looked forward to achieving better things for them with his own career and resources that existed in the palm of his hand, or would exist in the future. His determination to improve things for his beloved ones made you love him, secretly.

College!Valko who had opted to insert himself as your personal ride every day, after you were done with your study schedule. Whose car rumbling had made you fall asleep on his passenger seat multiple times, only to be awakened to his soft touch. One time, you woke up to his soft gaze on your face, while appreciating your sleepy face. 

You opened your eyes to find you were still in his car, and that its owner had probably spent some time watching your sleeping figure in a way that made your heart beat faster than usual. 

“... Valko? Is everything alright?” — Your words were dragged, you weren't still fully awake. Why was he looking at your face so intently before? 

Valko noticed your awareness and turned his eyes to the car's wheel, while sweeping his hands over his pants, which were stagnant with sweat. You didn't know the reason for his nervous behavior. 

“Ah! I'm sorry pup, it's just that… Y-You looked so peaceful sleeping there that I didn't want to… Wake you up” — a blush creeped up both of your faces, for two different reasons. 

“Oh… I'm sorry Val, knowing how busy you are you must be tired. Thank you for the ride home, see you later?” — you were almost opening the door when his hand grabbed your arm and stopped you from running away. Now that you have realized how intimate the moment had become, the butterflies on your stomach were chaotic enough for you to not be able to contain your nervous wrecked feelings. 

You stopped in your tracks, and turned your head around to see why he had stopped you. 

“Mind if we go on a date this Saturday evening? I know of a very good restaurant we can go to, and honestly, I've been wanting to ask you out on a date that doesn't revolve around a recreational time after our packed schedules… What do you say?”

Turning your whole body to him, you took the same position you had before trying to leave — “That's why you were looking at me so expectantly before?”

Valko licked his lips, anxious. 

“You could say I was gathering enough courage to ask you this…”

You sighed, internally surprised. We're you making Valko, such a successful and confident man, shy in front of you? 

A smile smile was paired with your answer — “I would love to”

His excitement made him shake his left hand in excitement on a fist, bashing it against the door’s handle. 

“Hell yea-OUH!”

College!Valko who had a whole bet on his head from a large group conformed by his peers, classmates and even professors on the campus that knew of his rumors of him pushing away girls — around how long it would take for you to leave him too. Some were betting money on the idea of you lasting only 6 months, and other time-frames. A small group of past girls who had approached him before and had left him shortly, were betting that you would never leave his side. Nobody understood why they chose that option, and they giggled as a response when they were questioned about it.

College!Valko who made the last group of girls win the bet that Saturday night while you both dined on your best set of clothes. He never stopped complimenting your attire and looks, saying different types of praises all the way to the restaurant in which he had made a reservation prior — while pushing his nerves away. You wanted to reciprocate them, because he definitely looked gorgeous in that prussian blue suit. But your anxiety got the better of you. That is until you sipped a whole glass of wine while you ate and spoke to him, after that you couldn't stop flirting with him all night. It was endearing how you managed to crumble a man that size to your own words and whim. 

College!Valko who got your love confession that day, after you managed to take advantage of the courage the alcohol had brought to you. If you didn't do it then, certainly you would never do it another day. He reciprocated the feelings even stronger than you, bringing attention to your table. An old couple muttered how cute your love was to witness, other people giggled at it. 

College!Valko who unveiled why the girls that approached him in the past left him alone quickly when you expected him to initiate something more intimate and he refused, saying that he liked it better when it was taken slowly instead of rushing things, like everyone did it nowadays. 

The alcohol sure did bring you courage to do things you'd never do sober. You had confessed to him finally. You also haven't stopped flirting with him all night, which he replicated back at you while trying and failing to hide how shy your lines made him feel. And you had now invited him to stay a little more in your apartment after dropping you off. 

You slowly started creeping above his figure, kissing him fervently — to which he was also reciprocating back. Eager hands moved to his tie, and you started to undo its knot on it. 

Valko noticed this, and grabbed your hands softly, trying to stop them. 

“Pups…?” — he spoke in between your hungry kisses, while trying to keep up with them — “What’re you doin-?”

You didn't answer with words. Instead, you answered by starting to caress his chest, sneaking your hand inside his shirt to touch his chest and abs. His body had started to answer back to the stimuli you were delivering to his senses, making an erection appear quickly. 

Despite this, he stopped you more firmly. 

“Pups, stop for a moment…” — he grabbed both of your hands with one of his, and made you look at him directly. 

Your carnal desires made you get irritated for a second, since you were enjoying devouring his lips nonstop. You wanted to escalate things between the both of you. But his puppy eyes made you regain what little sense you retained. Confusion bathed your face. 

“What's wrong? Are you afraid of-” you were quickly silenced by his louder voice. 

“I'm not afraid! I just… I can do this with you while you're drunk, love. I know better. And I also… Don't like to rush things”

‘There's no way’ — you thought. Suddenly, everything was falling into place. The rumors made sense now. 

“I hate casual and fast relationships. They have never been attractive to me… You know? I wish I could explain it better but…”

The reason no girl wanted to stay longer… 

“And I want us to last for a long time, is that bad? Girls always run away from me once I hit this milestone with them, and I was hoping it could be different this time, so please…”

The reason all girls left him — no, ran away, now you know — was because… 

‘What are you doing? Get that dress strap back on its place! The alcohol has possessed us!’

Valko was a hopeless romantic, just like you. 

College!Valko who started to spoil you even more — to his whole capabilities — after that night, and you both made it official as soon as the next morning came. Everyone who was involved in the bet was shocked at the turning of events. They never thought they would see him gain a partner while he studied. Or ever. Rumors say that the girls who won the bet could pay their whole college debt with it. Some people approached and asked you about the reason he declined so many girls before you, you never answered and redirected them kindly. 

College!Valko who asked you if you would like to get to know the family he always spoke so much about, to which you agreed happily. A meeting that answered why his manners were immaculate. His older figures were mostly strong women, who looked out for him but also teased him about this being the first time bringing a girl to the house. Where you also got to be introduced to his nieces, brothers and sisters, who despite their nonstop teasing and successful attempts of embarrassing him in front of you, made sure to let you know that you were welcome in their family as long as you didn't hurt any of their blood. 

College!Valko who with his love made you realize that you have finally found the love of your life, and that you could trust every part of you to him without fear. And who you also communicated that he also could deposit the same trust with you. Which directed both of your steps to finally devour each other in bed. He showed him that he was also relentlessly energetic while making love to you, and made you realize that he was also aware of your own energetic resources. 

Moans that came from your mouth and his, filled his whole apartment. Thankfully for the both of you, his walls were thick enough for the sound to not escape through them.

His thrusts were deep and steadily fast, your eyes were rolled back by the amount of pleasure he brought to you with each one of them. His cock was so thick and large that it stretched and filled you so deeply, to the point you were sure that you were getting hoarse from how long you have been howling his name and moaning near his ear. That made him regain even more energy to keep thrusting your cunt. His chest felt heavy with pride, knowing that those sounds were provoked by him, and his cock twitched at knowing that you were his. Valko's back was scratched from the middle to the top of his neck, and red spots could be seen in the whole length of them. 

Wet kisses adorned your face, clavicles, neck and lips, while he rubbed your nipples, sending you through your first orgasm. He joined you a few seconds later, groaning at the release of his cum still inside of you. Heavy breaths followed sooner — trying to regain the breath lost all this time, and Valko couldn't help but drop on top of your chest and cuddle you, always keeping it inside to stretch any second of both of your releases.

When you both were finally silent, something with a fluffy texture started tickling the tip of your jaw, while you scratched his ears. At first you brushed it off by thinking it was a part of his hair, but it kept tickling you nonstop, several times. 

“Val, stop tickling me with your hair…”

“I'm not doing that, pup” — his voice was also hoarse, and he sounded tired enough to not be in the mood for one of his jokes. 

But the sensation returned, and it was really bugging you. You didn't want to open your eyes, you were tired enough to fall asleep on the spot, so why was he… 

That's when you heard it — and felt it too.

‘Swosh, Swosh, Swosh’

“What the hell…?” you finally opened your eyes, to the biggest surprise Valko would ever give to you. One that you would accept and to embrace him fully. But it scared you how suddenly exposed you were to it at the time. 

Sitting at the top of his head, two dark and fluffy wolf ears were settled, half down, twitching from time to time as if catching sounds your ears could never hear by themselves. 

The shock made you freeze at the view that was in front of you. But something large and constant kept hitting your leg on a repetitive rhythm that made you lift half of your tired body and go against your boyfriend's weight to get an image of what exactly was happening down there. 

‘Swosh, Swosh, Swosh!’

The scream you let out woke up Valko from his almost-achieved sleeping process — and eyeing where your eyes were looking, reminded him of what he had kept a secret for too long. Big mistake. 

“V-Va-Val…” — Your eyes looked for an explanation without saying it out loud. He sighed, and sat on the bed. 

He had a lot to explain to you that night. 

e/n: He's such a nerd himbo to me 🥹❤️

This took me all day to write, but I don't regret it. He's been a brainworm these days to me and I feel like a widow with his cancelation. I've been trying to delay works of him because I wanted to gather more information before writing fics about Valko but since we don't know if that will ever happen, I jumped in the boycott and in the trend too lol

I got some inspiration from one of the best fics I've read about Valko and his family for one of my headcanons, so I gotta recommend you to please check it out, you won't regret it! It warmed my heart so much <3

a month ago, the internet had been on fire. not just because love and deepspace had announced a new love interest. because they'd taken him away before anyone had the chance to meet him. you still remembered where you had been when the notification appeared.

Official Statement from Infold.

your heart had leapt into your throat

Dear Miss Hunters,

We have decided to cancel both the launch and any further development of the new love interest. We also commit that no additional love interests will be introduced in future content plans.

you hadn't finished reading it the first time. the comments beneath it had said enough.

Justice for Valko.

Bring him back.

You can't treat us like this.

He deserved better.

within minutes, hashtags exploded across every platform. edits of his reveal trailer flooded tiktok. artists worked overnight, posting illustrations of the red-haired wolf beneath the glowing moon. theory channels insisted it was an elaborate marketing campaign.

"it has to be," one creator confidently declared. "there's no way they'd throw away a character with this much hype."

except...they did. a week later, the hashtags slowed. two weeks later, discussion shifted toward the next event banner. by the end of the month, it was like valko had never existed.

everyone moved on. everyone except you.

your monitor cast a pale blue glow across the bedroom as the trailer played for what had to be the hundredth time. moonlight poured through towering pine trees. a figure stepped from the shadows. red hair. golden eyes.

valko looked directly at you, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"do you dare follow?"

you smiled despite yourself, "i guess i would have."

you knew every second by heart. the slight raise of his eyebrow. the confident smirk that made the fandom collectively lose its mind. the glimpse of sharpened canine teeth.

the trailer ended. without thinking, you clicked replay. again. you leaned back in your chair, hugging one knee to your chest.

"this is getting pathetic."

maybe it was. but every time you tried logging into the game something felt...wrong. the game hadn't changed. the home screen still greeted you with the same music. events arrived on schedule. everything functioned exactly as it always had. yet there was an emptiness you couldn't ignore.

you should have been unlocking valko's memories. listening to his voice calls. reading anecdotes. grinding affinity levels. instead all you had were three trailers, a handful of promotional images and the outline of someone who had never been allowed to become real.

it felt like someone had quietly torn an entire chapter from a book before you'd ever gotten the chance to read it. you minimized the trailer and opened the official statement again.

maybe you'd missed something. some hidden clue. some promise. some tiny sentence that hinted they'd changed their minds. there wasn't one. just polished corporate language. carefully chosen words. an apology that explained nothing.

you sighed and closed the page, "i know it's silly."

your eyes drifted back to the paused trailer, "i know you're just...code"

the word tasted wrong. you had never met him. never played his route. never experienced his story. yet every teaser had made him feel...alive. not because of the graphics but because someone had poured genuine care into creating him. someone had written his dialogue. designed his smile. imagined the sound of his voice. and now, he would never get to become who they intended him to be.

your fingers absentmindedly reached toward the monitor. they rested lightly against the glass over his face.

"you would've been my favorite."

only silence answered you. outside, the city had grown quiet. a few distant cars drifted through the streets below before disappearing into the night.

still...you couldn't bring yourself to pull your hand away.

"i hope..." your voice was barely above a whisper, "wherever you were supposed to end up..."

you smiled sadly, "someone got to know you."

for just a second...the paused image seemed different. his eyes felt strangely warm, like they were looking back at you.

you blinked, "nope."

definitely sleep deprivation. you powered off the monitor, plunging the room into darkness save for the faint glow of the streetlights filtering through your curtains.

your phone read 2:37 a.m. you should have gone to bed hours ago. tomorrow you'd log in again and collect the daily rewards. pretend everything felt normal. maybe eventually it would. maybe one day you'd stop thinking about a character who never even had the chance to exist.

the thought settled heavily in your chest as you slipped beneath the blankets. you closed your eyes and within minutes, exhaustion pulled you under. until you heard a soft noise.

tink.

something struck the glass. you frowned without opening your eyes. probably a tree branch. except...you didn't have a tree outside your balcony.

tink. this one was louder.

you groaned, rolling onto your back, "what now..."

your eyes opened and the clock beside your bed glowed 4:43 a.m. you listened. nothing. maybe you'd imagined it. you were just about to lay back down when—

tink.

"you've got to be kidding me!"

heart pounding a little faster, you slipped out of bed and quietly crossed the room. you hesitated beside the curtains. every horror movie you'd ever watched suddenly replayed itself in vivid detail. someone was outside. but that shouldn't have been possible. you lived on the third floor. another pebble hit the glass.

before you lost your courage, you grabbed the curtain and pulled it aside and your mind went completely blank. there was a man standing on your balcony. not climbing. not hanging from the railing. just standing there as though appearing three stories above the ground in the middle of the night was perfectly reasonable.

moonlight caught auburn hair that shimmered in the breeze. sleeveless black shirt. broad shoulders. golden eyes. no, that wasn't—he smiled. the exact same smile you'd watched a hundred times on your computer. you forgot how to breathe.

"there you are," he said with an easy grin, relief softening his features as if he'd finally found someone he'd been searching for. "i was beginning to think i had the wrong balcony."

"i..." your voice barely worked, "you're..."

you rubbed both eyes and looked again. he was still there. every detail was perfect. every strand of hair. every sharp angle of his face. every expression you'd memorized from limited official content and countless fan edits.

this wasn't possible. you had finally lost it. a combination of sleep deprivation and stress. this was an extremely vivid dream. that had to be it.

he looked at the closed balcony door, then back at you, "so..." he asked, almost sheepishly, "can i come in?"

you don't move. you aren't entirely convinced you still remember how. the balcony door separates you from the impossible. maybe if you don't unlock it, you'll wake up.

your hand remains frozen around the curtain.

"i..." you swallow. "you're not real."

he frowns and scoffs, "i certainly hope i am."

"no." you shake your head. "no, you're—"

you gesture wildly toward him, somehow expecting that to explain everything.

"you're you."

a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, "i'll take that as a compliment."

this isn't happening. it can't be. you pinch the inside of your forearm hard enough to sting. he's still here. you pinch yourself again.

"are you alright?" he asks, concern beginning to replace the playful expression on his face.

you stare at him then at the red mark forming on your skin, "you should disappear."

"i beg your pardon?"

"when i wake up."

a beat of silence passes before realization dawns across his face.

"ah." he laughs. it's soft and low. exactly like it sounded in the trailer.

"you think you're dreaming."

"i know i'm dreaming."

you squeeze your eyes shut. count to five. open them again. valko is still patiently standing on your balcony. still looking at you as though the strangest part of tonight is that you haven't invited him inside.

he glances over one shoulder at the neighboring apartments before lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"if it helps," he says, "i'd rather not explain to your neighbors why i'm loitering outside your balcony at this hour."

despite yourself a nervous laugh escapes. the sound surprises both of you.

you look back at the locked balcony door. every sensible instinct screams not to open it. but if this is a dream, it doesn't matter. and if it isn't - you don't even know what that would mean.

with trembling fingers, you unlock the handle. the door slides open and cool night air spills into your apartment. valko steps inside as though crossing that threshold is the most natural thing in the world. for a moment, neither of you speaks. he's taller than you expected. the promotional art hadn't quite captured the sheer size of him. nor had it conveyed the quiet warmth radiating from him, or the subtle scent of cedar and rain clinging to his skin.

your apartment suddenly feels much smaller. he takes a slow look around as curiosity flickers across his features.

"this is..." he pauses, "different."

you don't miss the hesitation, "different from what?"

he turns his attention towards the kitchen, the living room, the hallway that leads to your bedroom.

his brow furrows almost imperceptibly, "i can't quite explain it."

he continues looking around with growing curiosity, "the architecture is different...the lighting...the air."

his golden eyes settle on you again, "and..." a faint crease appears between his brows, "you look different."

your stomach drops, "i think," you say carefully, "you have me confused with someone else."

"i don't." he says matter-of-factly.

"you do...you've never met me."

his answer comes without hesitation, "but i have. i knew to come here."

you take a slow breath, "valko...sit down."

you close your eyes for the briefest moment. this conversation is about to become infinitely more complicated. you motion toward the couch, watching him carefully as he steps farther into your apartment. despite his general confusion, his movements are effortless and confident, like someone accustomed to occupying any room he entered.

you remain standing, keeping a healthy distance between yourself and the man who, as far as reality was concerned, should not exist.

he notices immediately, "i promise i'm not dangerous."

"i don't know that."

"and yet you opened the door." he says slyly

you sigh shakily, "i may regret that."

he smiles barring his pearly canines, "i hope not."

silence settles between you. it isn't uncomfortable. it's just...palpable, almost indescribable. he studies your apartment again, this time more carefully. books stacked beside the couch. a charging cable stretched across the coffee table. a mug that still smelled faintly of peppermint tea. then his eyes land on your computer monitor. the screen had gone dark after falling asleep.

he gestures toward it, "you were working?"

"not exactly..."

"then what kept you awake?"

you hesitate, "you."

his brows lift, "me?"

you nod slowly, "i was watching your...trailers."

"my..." the word dies on his tongue, "trailers?"

your heart pounds. there's no easy way to say this. no gentle introduction. no version of this conversation where he doesn't think you've completely lost your mind.

you finally take a seat across from him, fold your hands together and take a deep breath.

"i need you to answer one question honestly."

"you have my word."

"what city are we in?"

he answers without hesitation, "linkon."

you nod once, "and who am i to you?

his expression softens, then a small frown appears on his face. he seems confused and slightly offended by the question.

"you've always been..." he pauses and his gaze searches yours, "it's difficult to explain."

he presses two fingers lightly against his temple, "i remember wanting to find you."

"why?"

"i don't know...instinct is the only way i can describe it."

now he realizes that he sounds like the insane one.

"when did we meet?"

his brow furrows deeper, "i.."

his lips part, then close again. for the first time since arriving, uncertainty flashes across his face.

"i don't remember."

your stomach sinks. he remembers you. but not how, not when, not where. just that he had to find you.

you stand abruptly, and disappear into your bedroom, heart racing. when you return, your phone is already unlocked. the official love and deepspace youtube channel fills the screen.

you stop in front of him, "you're going to think this is insane."

"i'm beginning to suspect nothing tonight can surprise me anymore."

you ignore the joke and with a shaky thumb, you press play. the familiar trailer begins. the music starts then moonlight, and a line of text appears. then on the screen, standing exactly as he had a few moments ago on your balcony.

his own voice fills the apartment, "take me in for the night."

the trailer continues until the game logo fades into view. you pause the video.

the room is deathly quiet for a while. oh god you broke him. his yellow eyes remain fixed on the screen.

suddenly, "that's...me."

a part of you wants to gloat say 'i told you so' while the other doesn't know how to continue on.

"i don't remember saying any of that." his gaze slowly lifts to yours, "what is this?"

you inhale slowly, "this..." you gesture toward the phone, "is a promotional trailer."

"for?"

you almost can't bring yourself to say it, "a video game."

he laughs once not because he finds it funny but because the alternative is absurd.

"i think you've misunderstood something."

"i wish i had."

"i'm not..." he gestures vaguely toward the phone, "fiction!"

"i know you aren't."

"you just said—"

"i know what i said!"

your voice comes out louder than intended. you force yourself to continue.

"you are here! you're sitting on my couch." your throat tightens, "and yet...you shouldn't exist."

you open the official statement before handing him your phone. he hesitates before taking it and begins reading. the further down the page his eyes travel, the more the color drains from his face.

his grip on the phone tightens, knuckles turning white. "so they..." his eyes return to yours. "canceled me."

the word lands like a stone, tears welling up in your eyes.

"it wasn't your fault. there was backlash online."

you sit beside him, careful to leave space between you and yet desperately wanting to reach out to him.

"people were devastated."

you pull the phone closer and open social media. old posts. archived hashtags. petitions. compilation after compilation. millions of views. millions of people excited to meet him. millions of people mourning someone they'd never even known.

he sits there for you arent entirely sure how long and scrolls quietly through every drawing. every edit. every comment. as his expression becomes harder to read.

"they...cared...so much" he says looking up at you

you nod, "they still do. i know i do."

he doesn't register the last part of what you said as questions flood his mind.

"then why..." his voice catches, "why wasn't i released?"

you lower your eyes, "i don't know. i've spent weeks trying to understand it. i thought maybe there'd be another announcement. a delay. a rewrite. anything. but there wasn't."

the apartment falls silent again. he sets your phone carefully on the coffee table. neither of you speaks for what feels like several minutes.

finally, his voice is distant, "so linkon and everyone i know...doesn't exist?"

you slowly nod, throat dry as you can't form anymore words. his shoulders slump ever so slightly. the realization comes in waves. not all at once. everything he'd believed to be true. every memory. every place. every person - reduced to data.

then another thought seems to strike him. slowly almost afraid of the answer he asks, "and you?"

your heart aches, "i'm..." you look down at your hands, "i'm just someone who plays the game."

"you aren't..." he searches for the right words, "the person i thought you were."

your blood runs cold, "i don't even know who that person is."

it doesn't make sense to you. why would he know he has to find you? you aren't the heroine. not a deepspace hunter. you are just well...you.

he leans back against the couch staring at nothing, "so if..."

his voice is barely audible, "i don't belong there...and i don't belong here..."

his golden eyes finally meet yours again. lost and vulnerable. nothing like the composed ceo from the trailers.

"where do i belong?"

you wake to the smell of coffee. for one blissful, fleeting second, everything feels normal. the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. the comforting weight of your blankets. the distant hum of traffic outside.

then your eyes snap open. your heart immediately jumps into your throat. you throw the blankets aside and hurry into the living room.

valko is standing in your kitchen. wearing the same clothes from last night, as he examines the buttons on your electric kettle with intense concentration.

"good morning."

the greeting is so casual that it takes your brain a second to catch up.

"you—" you point accusingly, "you're still here."

he looks over his shoulder, "i certainly hope so."

his smile is small, "well it's not like i have anywhere else to go."

so...last night wasn't a dream. you sink onto one of the kitchen stools. for a moment, neither of you says anything. valko returns his attention to the kettle.

"i believe i've lost."

"what?"

"it keeps beeping at me."

you follow his gaze. the kettle flashes an error because it isn't sitting correctly on its base. you walk over, adjust it, and press the switch. the water immediately begins to heat.

he watches with genuine fascination, "that's all?"

"that's all." you say patting his shoulder

"things are way more...advanced in linkon."

"and you've been awake for how long?"

"i'm not entirely sure."

your eyes sweep across the apartment. nothing appears out of place. the books are still stacked neatly. the couch cushions haven't moved. even the blanket you'd forgotten to fold has been draped neatly over the armrest.

"you cleaned."

he looks almost embarrassed, "i couldn't sleep."

something in your chest twists. you remember how the night ended.

"where do i belong?"

neither of you had found an answer. instead, you'd made up the couch with extra blankets while insisting he take it. the kettle beeped again signaling the brew was done.

you reach for two mugs, as he settles behind you. the only sound was your spoon tinkering, mixing cream and sugar before you cleared your throat, "so...we need a plan."

you turn passing valko a cup, your hands slightly brushing. he jolts lightly at the contact before nodding, "that's a good idea."

you settle on the couch, pulling out your laptop, "the obvious option..." you hesitate, "would be telling infold."

his expression changes immediately, "they made me?"

"they did."

"and you trust them?"

you don't answer because you don't know. you shouldn't. not after everything they have done.

"unfortunately that doesn't really matter. they know way more about this than i ever would."

"true..but they canceled me. who know's what they would do to me now."

he lightly shudders at the thought and you wince, "i know...but i don't think they'd hurt you."

"you don't know that."

you close the laptop before you'd even begun searching, "you are right i don't know anything."

you laugh quietly, "i don't even know how you got here."

"the balcony."

you roll your eyes, "you know what i mean."

you rest your elbows on your knees, "wait a minute. there was that astronomy article..."

he looks over, "what article?"

"last night before you appeared..."

you scroll until you find it, 'rare total lunar eclipse expected to coincide with heightened solar activity.'

he reads over your shoulder, "it says events like this haven't aligned in decades."

"it happened just after midnight. about the time i was watching the trailers and well...spiraling."

you both turn to look at eachother, before he speaks "about the time i arrived."

it's the closest thing to a lead you've found.

you set your phone down, "until we figure this out..." you glance around your tiny apartment, "you can't exactly wander outside."

he sits quietly for several moments then looks around your apartment, "but..." he begins standing, "if staying here puts you in danger, i should leave."

"what?! you have nowhere to go!"

"i'll figure something out."

"you don't have money."

"i'll earn some."

you sigh. he really is considering walking out your front door with absolutely no plan.

"please... don't leave."

he hesitates. but you reach for him anyway, touching his wrists and bringing him back towards you.

"we'll figure this out."

"together?"

the question is so quiet it almost breaks your heart. you nod, "together."

something in his expression softens. not relief. not happiness. something deeper. like a man who had spent the last twelve hours believing he belonged nowhere...had finally been offered somewhere to stay.

you sit at the edge of the couch, staring at the small pile of things you've already accumulated this morning. his shoes are by the door, the phone you used to show him the trailer, and the almost-empty coffee mugs sitting on the table.

valko stands near the window. he's been there for several minutes without moving much, just watching the street below like it might explain itself if he looks long enough.

you break the silence first, "you're going to need stuff."

he turns slightly, "stuff?"

"yeah...like clothes"

he gestures to his outfit, "what's wrong with this?"

you laugh lightly, for how smart he is supposed to be he is a bit dense.

"you're going to live here."

the word hangs between you both for a second longer than it should — live.

you stand, walking toward the kitchen counter as you start listing things on instinct.

"toothbrush. soap. food. more clothes. chargers, actually i don't even know if you need chargers—"

"i don't think i do."

"you see? that's the problem. i don't know what you need."

valko finally turns fully toward you. there's no panic on his face. just focused, steady attention like he's evaluating a situation he intends to solve.

"you are treating this like i am unprepared."

"you are unprepared!"

"yes well i am adapting."

"you arrived here twelve hours ago!"

you exhale, rubbing your forehead, "okay new plan, you need supplies and i can't just…improvise your entire existence out of my apartment."

you grab your phone, "we're going out."

valko watches you unlock the screen, "outside? you just advised against that."

"i still advise against it! but we don't have any other choice."

ten minutes later, you're both standing at the door. you've done what you can. cap, mask, sunglasses — it still doesn't feel like enough.

valko adjusts the cap once, then looks at you smiling, "good enough?"

"no but it'll have to be."

you open the door and the outside world feels too normal — too bright, too loud. unaware of what's walking beside you. valko stays close, not crowding you, but matching your pace with quiet precision. every few steps, his gaze shifts, observing and processing his new surroundings.

the first stop is a general store, it's practical and less risky. you grab a basket and hand him one. he takes it like it's standard procedure.

"so," you say, "we're starting with basics."

you move methodically through the aisles. every item you place in the basket, he studies like it matters more than it should. like he's rebuilding an entire system from scratch.

the clothing aisle is next. you slow down instinctively.

"what's wrong?"

"it's… personal stuff."

he tilts his head slightly, "then i will follow your lead."

that's it. just trust again. you pick out essentials quickly and you try not to think too hard about the fact that you are now actively selecting the building blocks of his life.

at checkout, the total flashes on the screen. you pay before he can even look at it too closely. you gather the bags. they are heavy and real — it's evidence. as you step outside, valko adjusts the strap of one of them over his shoulder. you notice something then. he isn't struggling with the weight. certaintly not physically. but most surprisingly not mentally. he just…accepted it.

you look at him as you start walking back, "you're handling this really well."

he glances at you, "you are doing most of the adaptation work."

"i'm not the one who got dropped into another world."

"no...but you are making it really easy to choose to stay next to you."

that stops you mid-step. you don't respond right away. life continues like nothing unusual is happening. but for you—that sentence lingers.

time passes in a way you don't really notice at first. not in days or weeks that feel defined. just...repetition.

there is a rhythm now. morning light seeping through the blinds and quiet conversation. afternoon silence broken by small experiments—him learning how your world behaves, you learning how little confusion he actually carries about it. evenings together on the couch. sometimes talking. sometimes not.

you don't remember falling asleep. one moment you were sitting on the couch with a book half-open in your lap, valko's voice somewhere in the background asking something you can't quite make out then, there’s warmth.

soft fabric pulled over you. the faint scent of clean laundry and something faintly woody. his scent, you knew it by now. the way it envoloped your entire apartment.

you blink slowly and the room is dimmer. you realize you're on your side, curled slightly, a blanket tucked neatly around your shoulders.

you didn't do that. you shift a little and hear movement nearby. valko is sitting at the edge of the couch. you try to sit up, but the blanket resists in that too-comfortable way that makes your body betray your argument.

"how long was i out?"

"forty-seven minutes."

you stare at him through sleepy eyes, "you were counting?"

his gaze doesn’t move away, "i wanted to make sure you were still breathing normally."

the city outside continues like nothing unusual is happening but inside your apartment, something has quietly shifted shape without asking permission. later, you don't notice when it becomes routine. that's the strange part. it just… happens.

you reach for his hand on the off chance you leave the apartment. the first time, it's instinct. the second time, it's habit. by the third, it feels wrong not to. valko looks down at it once when it happens. he doesn't ask you to let go. instead he tightens his grip and tries to hold back a grin that wants to take permanent shape on his face.

"is this necessary?" he asks one day, lifting your intertwined hands up

you hesitate, "no...i guess not"

"then why do you do it?"

your brain short-circuits cause the honest answer feels too simple.

"because i want to," you say finally.

that seems to satisfy him and he brings your hand up to his lips leaving a gentle kiss there that has you blushing.

you start sharing things without thinking about it. a childhood story while making instant noodles. a memory you didn't mean to say out loud until it's already out there.

"why did you start playing the game?" he asked while you were eating dinner one night

you poke absentmindedly at your food before answering.

"in case you haven't noticed..." you say with a small laugh, "i don't really have a life."

you meant it as a joke. he doesn't laugh, instead, he tilts his head ever so slightly.

"i don't think that's true."

you shrug, "it kind of is. i worked, came home, ate whatever was easiest. went to bed then did it all again the next day."

valko listens head propped in his hands like everything you say is stored somewhere important.

"i guess..." you sigh. "life wasn't bad. it just wasn't...fulfilling."

you laugh quietly, "but it still felt like i was watching everyone else live."

his expression softens, "and the game changed that?"

you smile at the memory. of creating your character. choosing your main love interest when your real love life was tragic.

"it gave me something to look forward to at the end of the day."

"i don't think you were searching for a game." he responds

"you were searching for connection."

you hadn't thought about it like that before.

"maybe." you smile to yourself, "you might be right."

"and now?"

a slight smug smirk forming on his lips, already knowing the answer but asking you anyway.

"what do you look forward to?"

you open your mouth trying to come up with a joke or something to ease the tension. yet nothing comes because the answer is embarrassingly obvious.

"you."

then the world interrupts. a notification from infold. you open it without thinking.

Infold Official Statement

your stomach tightens immediately. that same dreadful feeling you had before. valko notices your expression before you even speak.

"what is it?"

you hesitate then turn the phone slightly toward him.

To our Hunters,

Following recent developments and renewed interest in Valko’s character, we would like to address ongoing speculation regarding his future.

At this time, we confirm that while there were internal discussions regarding the possibility of reintroducing Valko into future content, unforeseen complications involving his existing character data have rendered further development unstable.

We appreciate your passion and continued support.

you lower the phone slowly, "they were going to bring you back."

valko completely seems to ignore the words on the screen. picks up his fork and starts eating again.

"i see."

"that's it?" you stutter out

"what would you like me to say?"

"i don't know...something."

that night, you start researching...again — lunar eclipse timing. celestial alignment anomaly. rare atmospheric event cycles

"there's another one. the same kind of alignment that was happening the night you showed up."

he studies the data without interrupting you as you scroll further.

"there are articles about unusual energy fluctuations during these events. some people think they're just atmospheric interference. others think—"

you stop yourself, because it sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud. valko finishes it anyway.

"that it's some kind of portal."

you nod once, "yeah."

he leans back slightly, "and what does your research suggest?"

"that it could explain how you got here."

then you add, quieter, "and maybe how to send you back."

the word back sits differently now. he hears it but he doesn’t react immediately. instead, he looks toward the window. the night outside is still.

then he speaks, "and if it can...what happens then?"

you close the laptop slightly, "i don't know. do you want to go back?"

it comes out softer than you intended. and you hope he doesn't hear the fear and disappointment in your voice.

valko is quiet for a long time, contemplating your question.

then, "i do not think i know what 'back' means anymore."

you should feel relieved. this is solvable. there is a mechanism. a way to fix what broke.

instead you feel something tightening quietly in your chest. because neither of you sounds like you are talking about a problem anymore. you sound like you are talking about a choice.

later that night, after everything has gone quiet again, you somehow end up curled up by his side. his warmth radiating over you. it's comforting in a way you have never felt before.

valko breaks the silence first, "if i leave through this event" he says, "i will return to a world where i was never completed."

you look at him. this is closest you have been. you notice every bit of texture on his face. and for a moment he is as real as he as ever been.

"and you will remain here."

you swallow, "we should probably fix this."

it should sound certain but it doesn't.

valko studies your expressions for a moment. looking for any hint of doubt or sadness.

then says, quietly brushing a piece of hair behind your ear, "i do not think i want to be undone."

that word lands differently than everything before it. undone. not returned. not reset.

then you say, "neither do i"

ever since discovering there was another celestial event approaching, sleep had become a stranger. not because you were afraid. at least, that's what you kept telling yourself.

you had spent days searching for an answer—for a way to undo the impossible, to return valko to the world he came from if such a thing was even possible. but now that there was finally a lead, now that there was something tangible to work toward, yet...you couldn't bring yourself to keep researching. every article about the eclipse felt less like hope and more like a countdown. you caught yourself looking at the calendar far too often. every crossed-off day tightened something in your chest.

and somehow neither of you could bring yourself to speak about it anymore. valko lingered near open windows. he spent longer on the balcony at night. sometimes you would catch him standing perfectly still, his attention fixed on the moon.

"what is it?" you asked once.

he didn't look away. the gravitation pull drawing him closer.

"it feels..." he searched for the word, "louder."

"the moon? i don't hear it."

his brow furrowed slightly, "i feel it."

you remembered what he'd told you before. the closer the full moon became...the harder it was to ignore the wolf within him.

but that night, neither of you slept. the clock on your nightstand read 2:07 a.m. you sighed and threw the blankets aside. just like the night he arrived. you stepped into the living room to see the balcony door was already open. moonlight spilled across the floor and valko stood outside, one hand resting lightly against the railing.

he turned as you approached, "you couldn't sleep."

it wasn't a question. you leaned against the doorframe.

"neither could you."

a quiet smile touched his lips, "no."

the night air was cool and the city was unusually still. you looked up at the moon hung low and bright above the rooftops.

"come on."

he glanced at you, "where?"

you smiled faintly, "just around the block."

"but it's late."

"exactly." you slipped your shoes on, "there won't be anyone around."

after a moment's consideration...he nodded.

you had grown so used to seeing valko in disguises that it took you a second to realize something was different. halfway down the quiet sidewalk, you looked over—and stopped walking. he wasn't wearing his cap. the breeze stirred his short red hair away from his forehead. nestled among the crimson strands were two soft wolf ears, tipped with darker fur, as naturally as if they'd always belonged there.

one ear twitched. valko noticed your silence.

he looked over, "what is it?"

you couldn't answer immediately. you were too busy staring.

"your ears..."

understanding dawned across his face. instinctively, his hand lifted to cover them.

"i apologize. i should have concealed them."

"no!" the word came faster than you intended. "they're..." you smiled before you could stop yourself. "beautiful."

for perhaps the first time since he'd arrived in your world...valko looked genuinely surprised.

"you think so?"

"i know so."

he watched you for a long moment. his golden eyes turning brighter.

"i forgot that they were visable." he admitted quietly

"the moon?"

he nodded, "it becomes... difficult."

you stepped closer, very slowly. "so this is what you meant."

one flicked again at a distant sound you couldn't hear.

you laughed softly, "can i ask something?"

"you may."

you hesitated for a moment. then almost whispered, "can i...touch them?"

the question seemed to catch him completely off guard. for a heartbeat, he simply looked at you. then...he nodded bringing his head down to meet your height.

you reached up carefully and your fingertips brushed impossibly soft fur. one ear twitched beneath your touch and valko inhaled sharply.

"i'm sorry!" you pulled your hand back immediately.

"did i hurt—"

"no." his voice was breathier than before but his hand reached up to your wrist to hold it in place against the weight of his ear.

you laughed, relief washing through you, "they're softer than i imagined."

he peered up to look at your expression, "i wasn't aware you'd imagined them."

the two of you continued walking beneath the moon, unaware that across the street, someone walking their dog had stopped. their phone rose slowly. the camera zoomed in. the recording lasted only twelve seconds. it was uploaded before sunrise with the caption —

i went for a walk at 2 a.m. and... am i losing my mind, or is this literally valko from love and deepspace?"

you didn't know any of it — not yet. you returned home just before three. for the first time you dragged him into your bedroom. your safe space. and fell asleep on the bed, your body curled up against his while an old movie played quietly in the background.

valko stayed awake because he knew these moments had become precious. because he had someone he wanted to protect. the eclipse drew closer. and somewhere, beyond the safety of your apartment, twelve seconds of borrowed happiness had already begun spreading across the internet.

the day of the eclipse arrives quietly. no warning that the world is about to ask both of you to make a choice neither of you is ready for.

it is simply another day. one that hangs over the apartment from the moment you wake. neither of you mentions it as you cross it off on your calendar. not while making breakfast or while washing dishes. but every glance at the clock reminds you that time is moving whether you want it to or not.

by evening, the silence has become unbearable.

"i can't stay here."

across the room, he looks up immediately concern washing over his face, "you wish to leave?"

"if we're going to wait..." you force a weak smile. "i'd rather not do it staring at four walls."

he studies your expression. not that he really needed to. his senses had been hightened. he could physcially smell your emotions

"you've been afraid all day."

you laugh softly, "i've been pretending not to be."

the looming eclipse and the exposure of valko has been the only thing on your mind. they know now without a doubt that he exists in this world - that he is with you.

he stands without another word, "then let's go."

"i used to come here sometimes," you say after a while. "when things became...too much."

the woods sit just outside the city. far enough away that the skyline is only a distant glow beyond the trees. the air is cooler than usual. everything smells clean after the afternoon rain. you walk slowly along an old trail, your flashlight mostly forgotten at your side. tonight, the full moon is bright enough to guide you.

your hand finds his without thinking as his fingers lace with yours almost immediately. you shouldn't be touching, what if he goes all wolf mode and mauls you. you should be afraid of that possibility. except you aren't. because you trust him now. more than you have ever trusted anyone in your real life.

he looks around, "it is peaceful."

"it usually helps me think." you sigh

"is it helping?"

you shake your head, adjusting your grip on his hand giving it a tight squeeze. a reminder he is still here.

as the moon climbs higher, you notice the changes in him beginning. his hearing sharpens first, head turns toward sounds you can't detect. leaves rustling somewhere deeper in the forest. an owl taking flight. the distant snap of a branch.

then his eyes. their familiar gold grows brighter, almost reflecting the moonlight.

finally...his ears. they appear gradually this time. the breeze catches the dark tips of the fur.

"i can hear your heartbeat."

your breath catches, "can you?"

he nods, "it changes when you're worried."

you look away, embarrassed, "i was hoping you couldn't tell."

"i always can."

it was true. it didn't take super werewolf powers to figure you out. just gentle observation.

you find a small clearing where the trees part just enough to reveal the sky. the eclipse has begun. a shadow slowly creeps across the moon. the forest grows strangely still. even the insects seem to quiet. you sit together on an old fallen log.

finally, you whisper, "if this works...you could disappear tonight."

the words sound unreal like saying them aloud might make them true.

he takes a deep breath before asking, "and if i do?"

you swallow the forming lump in your throat, "i'll have to keep living."

now he looks at you, "you say that as though it's difficult."

"it will be."

the confession escapes before you can stop it and you close your eyes.

"i wasn't supposed to..." your voice cracks, "fall in love with someone who wasn't even supposed to exist."

the forest is silent carrying your words far away.

"i kept telling myself this was temporary."

you laugh once through the tears gathering in your eyes.

"but somewhere along the way..." you finally meet his gaze, "you stopped feeling that way."

he reaches for your face carefully, as though afraid you'll disappear if he moves too quickly. his thumb brushes away a tear before it can fall.

"i have been trying to understand what i feel."

his voice is barely louder than the wind.

"at first i believed it was instinct. then i believed it was a memory. but neither explanation remained true."

his eyes never leave yours, "the life i remember belongs to someone i no longer recognize."

his hand slips gently to cup your jaw while the other moves to guide you by the waist closer to him.

"the choices i have made since arriving here...they belong only to me."

the eclipse darkens another fraction of the moon as your vision blurs.

"i love you."

the words leave you before fear can stop them.

"i know this situation is impossible, and maybe it's selfish, and maybe i should want to send you back, but..."

your voice breaks, "i don't want to lose you."

he rests his forehead against yours. steadying himself. anchoring his emotions to the one thing he can control. his feelings for you.

"i love you...my mate."

the world seems to stop and for one perfect moment there is nothing except the two of you. lips nearly meeting to solidify a bond. then—flashlights.

"over there!"

voices echo through the trees and the spell shatters. he turns immediately, creating a shield between you and the approaching lights.

several figures emerge from the darkness wearing jackets marked with the developer's logo.

one steps forward, "there he is."

another raises a hand towards you, "please remain calm."

you let out a disbelieving laugh, "calm?"

"we're not here to hurt either of you." another voice says

"we're here to resolve an unprecedented situation."

the lead representative looks directly at him, "you don't belong here."

before he can answer, you step in front of him, "no!"

the representative's attention shifts to you, "we understand you're emotionally involved—"

"you don't understand anything!" your anger surprises even yourself.

the representative remains annoyingly composed, "this isn't the time—"

you take another step forward, "it is exactly the time! you decided his story was over. you treated him like defective data. and now that he's standing in front of you..."

you gesture toward him, "breathing, thinking, choosing..."

your voice trembles, "now you suddenly remember he's valuable."

"this isn't about value." the man says to you

"no?" you laugh bitterly, "then why did it take him becoming real for you to come looking?"

another member of the team moves closer. the word 'developer' written on the pocket of the jacket.

"we need him to come with us voluntarily."

"he has a name!" you snap.

the developer finally looks past you, "for what it's worth..." he speaks directly to the wolf, "the decision is yours."

the clearing falls silent. the moon slips deeper into shadow and the air begins to hum. leaves lift from the ground without wind. the world itself seems to hold its breath.

for the first time in valko's life...no one else can choose his story. only him.

no one moves as the eclipse has swallowed nearly the entire moon. the air vibrates with a strange pressure. valko's claws and canines now growing to their full size.

the employees remain several feet away, careful not to provoke him further.

"look you've become something we never anticipated."

another member steps forward carrying a small tablet, "the anomaly is stabilizing."

the director nods, "the eclipse is creating a temporary bridge. if you choose to return, we believe we can restore you to your world."

then he looks at you, "if you choose to remain...we cannot predict the consequences."

you instinctively tighten your grip on his hand. every atom in your body screaming at you to run. to take him away and hide somewhere in these woods.

the representative notices as your panic begins to set in

"so...what's it going to be?"

no one argues. no one tells him what his purpose should be. no one writes the next line for him.

he closes his eyes, a faint salty rim of tears appearing as he turns toward you.

"you once told me something."

"i did?"

"you said that being alive meant choosing."

he smiles gently, "i finally understand."

Ending One

he reaches for both of your hands, "i have thought about the world i left. the one that was created for me."

he pauses, "but i have never felt more alive than i do in this world...with you."

he turns to speak directly to the crowd of professionals in white lab coats.

"i have learned what it means to live. to choose. to fall in love."

he smiles as he wraps his furry burgundy tail around your waist.

"i appreciate what you created but...i am no longer your creation."

the eclipse brightens and the strange light surrounding him begins to fade instead of pulling him away.

the representative watches quietly, as the earth around valko accepts and grounds him as one of it's own children.

"understood."

another member protests, "we can't just—"

the man interrupts, "if he has the ability to choose...then our responsibility is to respect it."

infold moved on again, no relaunch, no new love interests. some players continued while others like yourself stopped playing all together. at times part of you felt guilty that you couldn't share him with the world, but this version of him was yours.

slowly he began building his own life. he learned about computer science and mechanical engineering. determined to make the world a more "user friendly" place.

one night after a long day of working on his passion project, there you both were, standing on the same balcony where everything began.

he slips an arm around your waist, "you know...what would you have done if you hadn't opened the balcony door that night?"

you laughed slightly nudging him in the side, "i probably would've gone back to bed...or called the cops."

"oh really and how would you have explained that to them? you thought you were dreaming."

"sometimes i still wonder if i am..." you say softly as you looked up at the night sky.

there was no eclipse. no portals. no one chasing you. this time it was just the two of you.

"want me to prove this is real?" he asks eyes flickering to your lips.

you didn't need to answer. his hand cupped your cheek. and when his lips met yours, the kiss was soft and unhurried. a promise of a choice unbroken.

when you finally pulled apart, your foreheads rested together.

he smiled nuzzling his chin against the top of your head, "see you didn't pinch yourself this time."

you wrapped your arms around his waist, "i don't have to anymore."

Ending Two

the wolf stands quietly beneath the eclipsed moon. then he smiles, sadly yet also peacefully.

"when i first arrived...i believed this world was my home."

he gently brushes a strand of hair behind your ear.

"you taught me what ordinary life felt like. you taught me love."

tears spill freely down your cheeks, "so stay." the words break apart as you say them, "please."

he closes his eyes for just a moment, "if i stay...millions of people lose someone they have been waiting for."

you shake your head, "they'll be okay."

"but i know they won't."

he smiles sadly, "because i remember the look on your face when we met. i remember what you showed me that night."

he glances toward the representatives, "it was hope...that i would return."

he looks back at you, unable to hold back his own tears "i finally understand why i was created."

"it's not to belong to a company but to remind people that stories can make them feel less alone."

you begin crying harder, "i don't want to let you go."

he presses his forehead against yours, "i know. and if our lives had been different..."

he smiles gently, solemnly, "i would have stayed."

the eclipse reaches its peak as golden light surrounds him.

"i will remember this life." he whispers holding onto you for as long as he can. memorizing your touch.

"i will remember you."

"and every time someone chooses kindness..."

he kisses your forehead gently, "i think a part of me will find its way back here."

you force yourself to release his hand. not because you want to but because you love him enough to let him choose. he steps backward into the light. the forest glows. then— he is gone.

six months later, the game relaunches his story. the announcement crashes every server within minutes. when you finally load into the opening chapter...he appears exactly as you remember.

for just a second he looks directly toward the screen. a glimmer flickering in his eye, almost as though he recognizes you.

you smile through your tears, "welcome home."

a/n: yeah....soooo im crying i want him back so bad and i want to remain hopeful so that is what against all odds i will choose to do.

⠀ ⠀Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)

⠀ ⠀⠀•⠀In the "language of flowers", the lily of the valley signifies the return of happiness.

Shoutout to Yuei for locking in insanely and finishing this comm in literally under a week after I slid into their DMs all teary eyed (╥ ᴗ ╥) I was hoping I would be posting this under happier circumstances, but alas. Whatever happens now, I hope this wolf knows he will always be welcome in my pretty kitty barbie house <3

He halts behind a yew sapling, ears perking up when he catches it. Hind leg scraping into the forest floor, as if readying himself to lunge. Internally, Valko snaps in warning; you know better.

His wolf obeys but pushes a sigh through his nose, sick of the way Valko's been getting between him and his target every time he takes their body.

They lie in wait as the group of humans congregate and idle, his wolf's sensitive ears painting the scene on their eyes' behalf. Conversation quieting, the metallic rattle of a chain-link gate, rusty hinges protesting as it clangs open and shut, their collective disturbance slowly swallowed into the seclusion of the No Hunt Zone until it's silent.

His wolf holds their body still for a heartbeat, two. His eyes narrow into a sniper-like scope when his target appears next to the van, figure outlined by moonlight.

Without any obstructions, the scent swells, strengthens. Growing teeth that sink deep into his coat, standing the fur on his body straight up until his hackles raise and his muscles tighten.

Piercing yellow eyes never veer from the lone figure as Valko's wolf skulks toward them. He pads soundlessly across the forest floor until his body is flush with the van. The human, none the wiser, now merely feet away, fixated on the device on their wrist.

This close, the scent's become overwhelming. It thrums through the air like a magnetic field, tuning everything out except for bone-deep, primal chant of mine, mine, mine that even Valko isn't immune to anymore.

His wolf takes one step closer, another, then another, and all-too-late Valko realizes that maybe this isn't the best way to–

"Stop."

The command bombards him with a swarm of realizations, ricocheting between man and wolf like agitated molecules in a heated chamber: how did you know that they'd been– scent; you were totally spying, sneaky little hellion– mine; buddy, there's a gun pointed at our– mate, mate, mate.

That last word is expressed aloud through a deep growl of frustration. Frustration over the distance between you, over Valko holding him back, and over everything else that's standing in front of this wolf and his newly found mate – including the gun in your hands.

You startle at the sound, but your arm never wavers. "Don't. Move."

That's it, sweetheart, Valko thinks. Don't let this big lug push you around.

But for the first time since he was a rowdy pup learning how to shift, Valko is unsure of his wolf.

Not that he'd hurt you, never that, no wolf would ever hurt their mate. But you're a human and he's still a wolf. An onyx-coloured beast with mahogany markings as big as the vehicle parked next to him. Who's being kept away from his mate. Who might not be mindful of your boundaries, or his strength, when it comes to having you to himself.

Before Valko can react, find a way to forcibly take back their body, his wolf sits, tilts his head – and whines. A 200-pound apex predator who cowers to no one, feared by humans and creatures alike, whining.

Nothing about your stance changes, but a curious, considering light slightly softens your gaze as you continue to stare at Valko's wolf. He stares back and slowly rises. Places a paw forward. Another when you don't react, as if he's trying to act casual.

Your brow furrows and your head tilts to your right, a hesitant glimmer of recognition flitting over your face. His wolf halts, snout just a handful of inches away from you, calm and attentive on the outside. On the inside, he's impatient as hell. Visions of him rubbing his nose into your skin and leaving his scent all over you project as a constant loop in Valko's mind and all he can think is: please don't embarrass us.

Completely ignoring him, his wolf sends a low rumble through his chest, a sound used to soothe newborn pups. And though the fear doesn't smell as acrid and acute as it did just a few moments ago, neither Valko nor his wolf like that it's still present.

Cautious about closing anymore distance, he lowers himself to his haunches until he's below your eye level, noting the size of your pupils as you take his features in, the loosening grip on your gun, the dawning realization.

"Valko?" You ask, incredulous, accusing. And yeah, maybe a little more annoyed than he'd been hoping for. "Oh god, tell me you didn't–"

At the sound of their name, Valko's wolf lunges forward without warning, headbutting the gun out of your hand and burying his nose in it, snuffling and licking and nuzzling.

You yelp and your fear skyrockets just as fast as it retreats, smothered by a relieved, hysterical laugh that has his wolf smug for all of five seconds before you snatch your hand away.

"I can't believe you– When I said 'you' shouldn't have anything to do with this mission, I meant every version of you." The biting tone does nothing to wipe the charmed smile from your face as you wipe your hand on the back of your jeans. "Ugh gross, your nose is all wet."

He takes that as an invitation, pressing forward again, nudging into your hip, chasing the hand you're keeping from him behind your back.

Valko would like to roll his eyes at his wolf, at this lovestruck, downright pathetic behaviour he'd quite frankly never seen him display – at least, not since he was a yearling still being carted around by his mother. But with one small whiff of your delicious, intoxicating scent, he instantly gets it.

"I told you I'd find a way to bring whatever we find to your research facility," you say, voice clipped and low. "Do you not trust me?"

His wolf butts his snout into your stomach when you cast a quick glance at the gate behind you, affronted at your divided attention. Finally, you peer into Valko's eyes and sigh. "Can you even understand me?"

Hunter and wolf stare at each other for a moment, the rapid whoosh of a tail the only sound in the clearing. When too much time passes he whines again, to Valko's chagrin. Like a damn puppy.

"I'll take that as a no." you giggle.

You tentatively offer him your palm and he finally dives in, rubbing and licking as he circles you. Covering you in his scent. Covering himself in yours. Valko and his wolf love your taste, like flaky salt and pine sap. Like warm sunrises and crisp leaves. Like sweet and warm and home.

Valko raises a brow as his wolf chuffs and noses and yips like the attention-whore he is.

"Shh, you have to be quiet," you command, finally giving in and scraping your nails across the fur behind his ear.

His body melts beneath your touch until he's a puddle of fur at your feet, belly flashing, tongue lolling.

Dude, Valko projects in mortification, where's your dignity?

Unfortunately for them both, that's the last thing on his wolf's mind when your nails move to scrape beneath his chin.

Mate. He thinks back, in a tone equivalent to "duh."

Valko's wolf growls playfully when you glance at gate behind you again, mouthing at the rubber sole of your boots, wanting all your attention. An indulgent grin curls your lips, and you lower to a crouch to reach him better.

"You certainly act like him," you note with a murmur. His wolf shuffles forward with his hind legs, draping himself across your lap in a way that has you chuckling. "Exactly like him, actually."

"Big puppy eyes. All up in my business. Hyperactive as hell." He paws at your stomach a few times and you snort as you grab it and move it away. Valko's wolf chuffs in indignation, sticking his whole snout under your arm in a wordless demand. "Bossy."

You sigh, sinking your fingers into his pelt, scratching a spot along his flank that sends his tail thudding happily into the ground. "As if dealing with one of you wasn't enough."

Your hand travels lower, the softness of your breasts pressing into him when you reach deeper into his undercoat. His wolf's muzzle noses into the crotch of your jeans, resting at the apex of your thighs so he can breathe in your pussy, where your scent is the strongest.

"You're so big," you murmur, staring down at the way his head covers both of your thighs, the way they strain to hold up his weight. Your other hand nestles into the space between his ears. "And soft."

Valko and his wolf both snort. There's nothing soft about him right now. As it is, his wolf can barely contain himself from rutting into her thigh. And if he had their body, his cock would probably be leaking from how painfully hard he'd be.

Still, Valko warns him: behave.

And yet underneath the instinctual urge to breed his mate, even Valko can see there's an unfamiliar feeling of levity, of joy that his wolf is feeling. Valko's never really felt this from him before. Aggression, irritation, sure. But, never this carefree sort of happiness.

"Look at these mitts of yours," you tease, pressing the silkiness of her palm to the rough pads of his paw with a teeth-baring smile.

And maybe Valko would too if he was an outsider looking in. Stumbling upon a massive beast on its back, snuggling a human a fraction of its size on the outskirts of one of the most dangerous areas of Linkon would be a sight.

Usually when Valko's wolf has their body, his mind isn't really present. He processes and documents everything that happens, but it's like his consciousness is disconnected. In the passenger seat, along for the ride.

He's anything but disconnected right now. And he's completely in awe of how differently his wolf is behaving. Wanting your attention, but not pushing. Horny, but deferring the urge.

Is this what meeting your mate does to you?

His wolf huffs in an absentminded reply as he plasters himself to your lower abdomen, your womb – my mate will grow our young – and Valko would be damned if that response wasn't as condescending as hell.

"Hey, what're you doing?" He's moving around now, getting more playful, and probably not watching his strength as much as he should as he rests his paws on your chest to lap at your cheek, judging by the way your arm darts behind you to brace your weight. His tongue darts out again, over your lips this time.

Valko freezes when you squeal and thump the side of his muzzle. "Stop."

But Valko's wolf doesnt even snarl. Instead, he settles back onto his paws, resting his head between them, glancing up with a remorseful whine in his throat.

When you roll your eyes and reach back out to pet him, he lurches forward and laps at your cheek again, making you giggle softly. "You're like a giant puppy."

A rustle stirs one of the bushes nearby, snapping both your heads toward the sound.

His ears flick once before he turns back to you, smelling nothing more than a squirrel darting around. But your attention stays fixed on the shadows, moving from the forest to the chain-link fence.

"It's probably not much longer 'til my team comes back," you murmur. You turn to face Valko and smooth your hands over his sides once more. "You have to get out of here, big guy."

He gusts out another whine deep in his throat, this one smaller, more pitiful. The bastard's begging.

"Go on," you urge in a low voice when he doesn't move, waving your arm toward the forest. "You can't be here when they come back."

He tries another tactic. Lowers his head to catch the leather of your belt in his teeth, gives his head a little shake in defiance.

You thump your hand over his snout with a stern, "No."

His ears flatten, and he answers with an indignant huff.

If Valko could pinch the bridge of his nose he would. C'mon man, pull yourself together.

"Sit." His wolf hesitates for only a moment before lowering his behind to the ground.

Unfortunately, even when he's sitting, his head remains above your eye-level, leaving you to rise to your toes in order to place your palms on either side of his snout.

"It was nice to meet you, big guy," you murmur. "Tell Valko I'll come and find him after this, okay?"

His ears flick at the sound of his name, but the only answer he gives you is a low, mournful whine.

"And..." Your fingers curl gently into his fur. "Deliver this for me."

You tug his snout down just enough to meet him halfway, pressing your lips to the soft velvet of the peach fuzz between his eyes and nose.

Valko and his wolf still, their heartbeats escalating as one in response to open affection from their mate.

Then, as if deciding he needs the final word, his wolf takes one last lick beneath your chin. Smug as the soft sound of your laughter becomes the last thing he hears as he finally, reluctantly, trots away.

Valko is more grateful than he wants to admit that his wolf finally listens. He's going to need every second he can get before he sees you again. To regain his control before he meets you back at the facility. To pretend his harebrained scheme to have his wolf meet his mate, feel your touch, hear your laughter, and taste your skin, hasn't completely unraveled him.

Because if your scent had been intoxicating, the taste of you is downright dangerous.

➻➻ MASTERLIST

NOTE: Just an excuse to write about Valko in his wolf form and use one direction lyrics as a fic name xoxo