sweet creature

Rudi: its going to be alright, everything will be okay

Rudi: just wait for me, im looking for you. imma find you, i promise

Rudi: i love you, but none of that 'whatever happens' talk, hold on. ill find you

Kyung won: i just need you to know how important you are and how special you are

Kyung won: so many people are dead

Kyung won: i don’t

Kyung won: if you come you’ll die too!

Kyung won: it’s the vampires i’m sure

Rudi: stay hidden stay quiet, youre doing the right thing.

Rudi: where are you? im in the hall

Kyung won: idk im inside i’m hiding behind a smashed table

Kyung won: i’m so scared

Kyung won: we cant get out

Kyung won: orion was fighting but idk where he is

orion wanted to turn around- wanted to comfort them and tell them they would be alright because he was there, he would protect them- but then people started running and orion was no longer kyung won’s date, he was their protector. a small part of him didn’t want kyung won to see him like this, like he was a killer, but how he felt didn’t matter anymore and all he wanted was to see them safe. “i don’t know. i don’t know, but nothing’s going to happen to you, okay?” he said, barely comprehensible around his jaw full of sharp teeth. with everyone running, it was no longer safe to send kyung won on their way lest they be trampled in the stampede, so orion nodded his head and wrapped an arm around them. “then stay close to me, alright? don’t let me out of your sight.”

the sight of orion with a mouth full of teeth was disturbing, be there wasn’t any time to think about it. far more disturbing was the massacre unfolding around them. tears streamed down their face. when did they start crying? they clutched at him, burying their face in his jacket. they nodded. their voice wouldn’t carry in the chaos. kyung won turned their tear stained face to see. they wished they hadn’t. it was horrible. a true, and real nightmare. “orion--- we’re trapped, no one’s getting out, there’s no way to get out. th-there’s no way out!” their voice cracked, shrill and panicked.

[2 missed calls from Rudi Khatri]

Rudi: where are you???

Rudi: where the fuck are you?!?

[1 missed call from Rudi Khatri]

Kyung won: can't answer

Kyung won: hiding

Kyung won: vampires attacked we're locked in i can't get out

orion smiled and squeezed their hand softly, a silent assurance that he was proud to be there with them. “i consider that a compliment considering you spend so much time at that library. you know, i was started to wonder-.” and then orion smelled the blood before he heard the scream, his siren nature immediately trying to wrestle control away from him at the thought of a hunt, but orion was no longer a child and he was holding kyung won’s hand. “something’s wrong,” he managed to say before ripping his hand away from theirs as a shrill scream broke out. “kyung won, something’s wrong.” had he been a lesser person, the sheer outbreak of panic and worry for his companion would have paralyzed him, but orion was born and bred to fight and protect, so he let his claws grow into deadly points and his teeth turn into those of a shark, making sure the whole time kyung won was in his sight. “you need to run, okay? i have to stay here but you need to run.”

kyung won was left hanging on his final word. they tilted their head, trying to catch his attention once more. something distracted him. they tried to follow his gaze, but couldn’t see over the heads over the other guests. someone screamed. wait, why would someone scream? orion ripped his hand from theirs. “wha-what’s wrong? o-rion!” panic spread as quickly as fire. people started to run this way and that, heading for exits. they got jostled and shoved. they fell against orion. “what? where--- why? what’s happening?” they understood him, but they couldn’t see a safe way out when they had no idea what was going on. they clenched their fists in his suit jacket. “i don’t want to leave you!”

orion scowled as yet another girl too tipsy for those heels stumbled into him, nearly knocking the drinks out of his hands for the third time that night. when he finally made it back to kyung won, he’d never been more relieved, and he was sure it showed on his face. “here,” orion said, handing the glass over, “for the prettiest date here.” taking a sip of his own champagne, he offered a small smile towards them and cleared his throat. “thank you for accompanying me, by the way. i know it was mandatory for me to come because, well, i’m part of the gathering, but i really appreciate you being my date.”

kyung won blushed but drank to his toast, anyway. whatever orion thought about them, they knew they were the one with the best looking date. they laced their fingers through his. “y-you’re welcome.” accepting compliments and gratitude, rather than rejecting it, was getting easier each day. they realized now how tense things got if they were always turning down compliments. the last thing they wanted was to make orion feel bad when he just wanted them to feel good. “thanks for asking me to be your date. i don’t even feel out of place or anything.” they beamed at him, bumping against his shoulder.

being all dressed up with someplace to go and someone to be with was an unusual feeling for kyung won. strange, but definitely exciting. this wasn’t just going to be an awkward attempt at socializing at a community event, either. they had a date, and they couldn’t be more excited about it. they watched him returning with a pair of champagne flutes, fondness as evident on their face as the glitter on their outfit. they couldn’t wait by the wall. they got up and hurried towards orion, to eager to wait any longer.

She grinned as Kyung Won made various poses.  Even if they looked a little stiff she appreciated the enthusiasm.  Dani had a feeling they were still enjoying themselves despite the embarrassment.  “Of course I like it Won Won!  Get changed and we’ll get it!  Then on to the thrift store!  Don’t think I forgot.”  She wagged a finger in their face, still grinning.  Danica loved seeing the half-elf being themselves.  She would do everything she could to help them feel more comfortable.

kyung won nodded and stepped back into the dressing room. they were relieved to be moving on from the boutique. they wouldn’t have to stress about the cost until they saw the price tag again back home, or worse--- before dani could spend more money on them. once they changed and carefully returned the dress to its hanger, they found dani waiting at the register. sheepishly, and without looking at the cashier, they placed their items on the counter. “thanks for this, dani. i really, really appreciate it.” they gave her a shy smile.

That laugh set Jace at ease, too. It had taken literally years for the boys to teach them fan etiquette. When it was all four of them at a signing or whatever, Jace could just fade into the background and talk shit with Gabe until it was over. They were channeling the friendliness of the other two. WWTD or WWFD? “I am,” they said, “but it’s temporary, until my sister and I find a place we both like. And now Taeler’s coming to town, so I don’t know if we should wait or start looking for something bigger. It’s a drag, and not the good kind,” they smiled, shaking their head. “Damn, you’re so sweet. There are three of us, and I wouldn’t want to impose. Plus the hotel has a pool and a breakfast buffet, so I’m happy to slum it there until it’s time to move on.” Another chuckle.

kyung won listened intently. they were a very good listener. it was one of the few things about themself they were proud of. “ooh, i see. wait--- taeler is coming?” kyung won was a jace-stan through and through, but hearing that the rest of the band was coming to town excited them. well, at least one more part of the band was coming. surely, the rest would follow, and then they could see them perform live. they’d yet to see the band live. kyung won came close, once, when they came to seattle. unfortunately, extenuating circumstances had prevented them from going. “well, in the meantime, i’d love to help you find some place nice? maybe? i haven’t been here very long myself, but, y’know... if you need it?”

The thought of other worlds unnerved him, but he already had s much to worry about that he could afford to ignore that. Like his fear of space or the depths of the ocean, his fear of greater magic was irrelevant to his daily life. “I think so, too,” he admitted, laughing. Rudy thought Kyung won was hilarious. Their humor was clever and good-natured; they went through their whole life like that. It was admirable, and it made Kyung won even more of a delight to be around. “That’s a really good one, now I feel silly,” he shrugged, still laughing, “I want to live in Beach City. You know, Steven Universe’s universe? Powerful space ladies and everyone in town is shockingly progressive, supportive, and loving? The dream.”

their eyes lit up at the mention of steven universe. sometimes they wondered if rudi intentionally only brought things up they liked or if they were really that compatible. it seemed too good to be true, but they’d been friends long enough to know that, whatever his real interests, rudi’s friendship was as real as any friendship they’d ever experience. maybe even more. “wait! wait, i want to be in steven universe’s, uh, universe! i change my answer.” they rested their chin in their hand, still beaming at him. “if you think about it, we both want the same thing. social harmony where everyone is equal and we al support one another. incidentally, we both apparently prefer sci-fi leaning universes,” kyung won added, matter-of-factly.

“Thanks. Mesh is a statement when you’re on stage, but as a civilian outfit it just screams ‘look at my nipples’. Which, now that I say it out loud I realize is a win for everyone involved.” Jace laughed, almost haughtily. “I’m glad you did, too. We might be the same size,” they added, giving them an appraising look. If they were to be hanging out soon, they considered going through their closet for things to give to Kyung won. “If you ever wanna raid my super-tiny hotel room closet,” they offered.

kyung won laughed along with them, the laughter giving their anxiety much needed relief. as it turned out, jace was unbelievably easy to talk to. at the mention of being the same size, kyung won’s eyes widened. they looked from themself, to jace, and back again. this took a turn. for the better, and kyung won couldn’t be happier, but they still felt the urge to pump the brakes. kyung won resisted the urge. this could be the start of the next best phase in their life. “you’re staying in a hotel? if you need a place to stay, i could help you find one! or you can move in with me for a little. i’d just have to check with my roommate, i’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

Rudi already knew what he wanted. One good sniff of that gnocchi and he was sold, and he already had a wine in mind. He dedicated his full attention to following what Kyung was saying. He missed them fiercely; he was as jittery as a puppy when their favorite person finally comes home. “Magic is wild. Do you think you’ll ever get to see one? Oh, oh,” his incredibly short attention span strikes again, “If you could pick an alternate universe to live in, which would you pick? TV and comic and book universes included, and like. The ‘real ones’,” he performed in air quotes, “the astral plane, the ghostly plane, and all those.” He gestured a lot when he talked even when he wasn’t signing.

“i don’t know,” they answered, a quick answer for a quick question. they could’ve gone on about how they never thought they’d see magic, yet here they were, half-magic with pointed ears to boot. “i think i would pick something like... well, some place with lots of magic, i think? or maybe the world of star trek, where capitalism and inequality are a thing of the past, where science, reason, and empathy prevail. i know it isn’t a very exciting answer, but these days it’s all i want.” they smiled, wryly. “we’d all have to give up pockets, but i think social harmony is worth the sacrifice.” if there was anyone who got their humor, it was rudi. 

Danica smiled as they put the choker on, not at all bothered that they gave her back the gloves.  “Of course I like it!”  Setting the gloves on a chair she pulls her phone out, turning on the camera.  “Pose sugar!  You’re too damn cute not to take a picture of.”  Dani started taking various shots from different angles, acting like if Kyung Won was her fashion model.  

kyung won stood frozen in surprise as danica snapped away on the phone. they could only manage an awkward smile. how did one pose? they put their hands to their cheeks, then one in their hair, they they tried holding up a peace sign. they even tried a wink. it felt terribly stiff. they chuckled, sheepishly. “um, does that mean you like it? i think i like it a lot.”

“Well, golly gee,” Jace sang, their voice going up an octave. “We are pretty and cute, aren’t we?” They plucked at their mesh shirt. “Thanks, I was nervous about this outfit at first, thanks for validating me,” Jace pretended to flip their hair. They weren’t nervous really, but maybe hearing that might help Kyung won relate to their hero or realize fears were worth conquering. 

kyung won’s eyes widened in disbelief. “but you look so amazing! bold and confident!” they glanced down at their own outfit, carefully put together with the help of dani, a woman they trusted and adored. “i was really nervous to wear this, too. i’m glad i did. and i’m glad you wore what you wore. you really do look incredible.” they beamed at jace, giggling rather sheepishly. “we are very pretty and cute.”

Branching off and kind of unrelated, he wondered aloud, “Do you think other worlds exist?” He was as spacey and whimsical as ever. “I’ll take goofy. There are worse adjectives.” Rudi took advantage of their being tangled together and frog-marched them playfully to the front to order at the register. “Damn, you’re so smart, that’s probably why they have wine,” he said as it belatedly occurred to him. He knocked the heel of his palm gently to his forehead, the sign for duh. Then, he was beaming at them again. “Thank you for coming out with me,” he gushed back. They could play this game all day; their appreciation for each other was endless. A waiter walked passed him with a plate of something that looked so absolutely delicious Rudi had to do a double take. “Shut up, this place has gnocchi?”

kyung won could practically hear rudi’s stomach growling. or was it their own? whichever it was, their hunger was more than apparent. “i think we should get a table,” they suggested. looping their arm through his, the two made their way to the host, who seated them. she left them with two menus and a big smile, which kyung won reflected ten fold back at rudi. “i think there are other worlds. like, both in our universe, and in other ones. possibly even other dimensions!” thought their hunger had distracted them for a moment, they hadn’t forgotten the fascinating question he posed. they loved how his mind worked. utterly unlike theirs, he bounced from fancy to whimsy and back again, as carefree as the wind.

Rudi didn’t need to practice. He’d been fluent in ASL for years and used it as often as he talked to his parents (which wasn’t terribly often, but often enough). It was easy to lose though; his sisters had the same problem as Kyung won. 

They made a great team, he thought as kw listed their options and he kissed the top of their fuzzy head. Together, they made one competent decision-making adult. And they were about to have some amazing sweets! Wins all around. “We’re quite hungry. Late lunch, then slab of chocolate,” Rudy decided after catching sight of the menu board. The front room of the factory was a cafe that smelled like rich bread and fresh coffee. “They serve pinot noir,” he gasped, putting a hand to his chest, “I think I’m in love with this place.”

the combination chocolate factory, restaurant, and cafe smelled as heavenly as promised. so heavenly in fact, kyung won had to wonder if there was magic involved, and not just the magic of confections. “oh, wow, it’s like stepping into another world,” they sighed in awe. rudi made them laugh. “you’re so goofy.” they gave him a loving squeeze. “but, i bet they have some wines here that pair excellently with chocolate.” everything on the menu looked good. truly, this would be a struggle, especially if rudi planned to be as generous as he always was. maybe they would order lots of small things, rather than several big things, and put less of a strain on rudi’s seemingly endless pocketbook. “you know, i think i am, too.” they beamed at him, eyes full of unbridled affection. “thanks again. i am so happy you’re in town.”