#ch:nereus

*in this scenario, the mc somehow gave the ROs permission to kiss before going under the spell bc in this house we only write about consensual smooching ✌️

it differs depending on if it's pre- or post-relationship (obviously), but pre-relationship/crushing stage is juicier imo so that's what i'm gonna do lmao

Alex

oops, spoilers actually :/

Sam

sam feels overwhelmed initially—it’s a lot to go from having a crush on someone to finding out they’re your true love, but once they’ve gotten over their initial shock, they’re all-in baby!! as long as the mc feels the same, there’s no hesitation on sam’s part

Nereus

nereus feels….uncomfy at first. he might need to take a couple of days to really sit and think about all the implications something like this could have, but once it’s fully set in—he’s relieved. like sam, as long as the mc is ready and willing, he’s all-in

Katalina

for your viewing pleasure

from left to right: f!alex, m!alex, f!sam, m!sam, katalina, fish

thank you for giving me this scenario, it's one of my favorites :)

Alex

When you say that you're going on a date with someone else, Alex doesn't outwardly react. Why would they? They've been expecting this, mentally and emotionally preparing for it. Alex has been standing next to you for years and you've never looked at them as anything other than a friend. Don't get them wrong, they love being your friend and they will never ask for anything more if you don't want it. And clearly you don't want it. So, they'll smile for you. They'll tease you about your date. They'll ask if you need any help finishing getting ready. It doesn't matter if they feel like you've put a gun to their stomach and pulled the trigger. It doesn't matter if their breath keeps catching with barely-contained tears. You, you're the only thing that matters. If this means you'll be happy, well. They'll be okay.

Sam

Sam raises their eyebrows and puts on a suggestive smile when they first walk in on you all dressed up. When you tell them it's for a date, however, their face immediately drops. Of course. Of course someone as incredible as you would have people lining up to take you out. Almost frantically, they run through all their interactions with you--every lingering glance, every potential flirty comment, every too-loud laugh. They thought, they had thought that maybe. . . there was something there. They may not be the best at picking up more subtle cues, but. Maybe they've been wrong this entire time? They can't decide if them completely misinterpreting everything is more painful, or them being right but you still wanting to go on a date with someone else. You're looking at them curiously and they realize they've been silent for way too long. But what can they say? They mumble an excuse and turn around to leave the room, flinching but not stopping in their stride when you call out to them.

Nereus

"I see," is all Nereus says when you tell him you're going on a date. This is good, he thinks. This is for the best. The casual flirting of the past few months has been fun, but he knows it can't go any further than that. He knows, but it doesn't stop him from clenching his fist tight enough that he feels even the slightly dulled tips of his nails break through the skin of his palm. He can't imagine anyone is good enough for you. For a moment he lets a wave of bitter anger and disgust wash through him at the thought of someone making that kind of presumption before he clamps down, hard, on those emotions. He excuses himself, citing not wanting to make you late, and heads into the nearest washroom. The water swirling into the sink basin is tinted green when he runs his hand under the stream but it quickly turns clear again. He studies the pinpricks on his palm, already healing over. He almost wishes they wouldn't, so he could keep the reminder to stop wanting what he can't have.

Katalina

Katalina's face had already closed off when she spotted you in your formal clothes and when you tell her that you have a date, she doesn't seem surprised. Katalina likes to flirt. She likes to fuck even more. Feelings had never been a part of the equation for her and even though she's never been anything but upfront about that, she's left more than one lover in a tear-filled mess. She's never understood it, can't imagine why anyone would want to tie themselves to any one person. Not once has she ever regretted walking away from someone. So, when you gather up the last of your things and wave goodbye to her, she doesn't understand the hot, vibrant pain that shoots through her chest. She lays a hand on her sternum and takes a deep breath--the pain lessens but doesn't go away altogether. With furrowed eyebrows, she watches your retreating back until you disappear into the elevator. No, she's never regretted walking away from someone, but. . . it almost felt like regret watching you walk away.

--

absolutely!!! thank you so much for asking, i’m truly over the moon

and even if there isn’t a demo yet i’m more than thrilled to talk about the loves of my life!!

Alex

has a black cat named Sir Beanford, Bean for short. (yes, the cat is on the ship. yes, you will be able to pet the cat.)

is amazing at dancing games (DDR/Just Dance, but make it ~future~)

makes playlists as gifts for friends

Sam

is sinfully good at baking

grows plants!! they commandeered a spot in the science lab to set up all the lights and stuff

watches soap operas in their spare time and gets genuinely invested in them

Nereus

is on the short side for an otnean :)

does NOT understand math or technology and at this point is too afraid to ask

is obsessed with human art, especially paintings

Katalina

can deadlift ~200 lbs

doesn’t have a bad angle (there’s a betting pool on who can take an “ugly” picture of her. so far no one has managed)

has a secret journal that she writes poetry in

..soft.....

Alex

This is far from the first time that you've fallen asleep on Alex's shoulder, but that doesn't stop their heart rate from picking up or their palms from prickling with sweat. They sneak glances at your sleeping face, trying to sear the image into their head so that when they climb into bed at night they can close their eyes and picture what it might be like if you were laying next to them. After a few minutes have passed and it's clear that you're not going to wake up anytime soon, they carefully shift so they can rest their head on yours.

Sam

The second that you fall asleep and slump over onto their shoulder, Sam turns their head to ask you to please move over. The words die in their mouth, however, when they realize that you're sleeping. They stare down at you for a moment too long, lingering on your fluttering eyelashes and slightly parted lips, before turning back to what they were doing. They don't usually like to be touched, but you look so peaceful. . . surely they can let you sleep for a few minutes. Besides, they can hardly pass up on the opportunity to tease you for drooling in your sleep.

Nereus

Although he knew the exact moment that you fell asleep, Nereus is still surprised when you slowly slide over until you're leaning against his arm. He stares, unabashed, down at you and can't help but think about how soft humans are. He reaches up and touches your cheek with the tip of his sharp, curved nail until the pressure makes your skin dimple. When your eyebrows furrow slightly, he drops his hand back into his lap. He knows how hard you work, how tired you must be. . . so it's with the gentle ache of regret that he carefully shakes you awake.

Katalina

please.....my heart can’t take it...