#csau

Short Term:

Taash Week Fic - Locking in to finish this so that it can go up during @datvcompanionweeks Taash Week 2026. For gold and glory!

A Troubling Case (the Modern AU (tm)), Chapter 3 - This is written, and @juniper-and-dragonthorn kindly alpha read it for me, so now I’m editing and revising it before sending it to beta. I’m…I’m scared y’all. This leads us into the plotty plotness of it all, and yes I do have it (loosely) mapped out, but…th fear is real.

Dorian fic - Writing this one for @mageofquandrix! It’s in the process of being outlined, and then the fun begins.

Alt LI Answers - Oh, I have NOT forgotten these *steeples fingers* don’t you worry.

Mid-Term:

Next Chapter of The Ventus Job - This chapter (and several after) is fully written, but I need to get some shorter deadline stuff out before I can finishing revising/editing and send it to beta.

More A Troubling Case/TMAU - Chapter Four is half written, and all of the fic is outlined, so once I clear some stuff off my plate, we will be diving into THE PLOT! (Pray for me.)

The Ambassador and the Spy (Josie/Leliana) - Several of these vignettes are already written. I’m currently filling in some gaps and then will begin revising/editing/tormenting betas.

Long Term:

Neve Week 2026 - It’s not anytime soon, but if I wasn’t a little weirdo about it I wouldn’t be modding it.

Scene in a Box - I return to this whenever I’m feeling stuck elsewhere, so it’s seen some decent progress. When it grows up it will be a very long one-shot.

Neve/Davrin fic - That’s right, all my working on my Davrin Week prequel fic got me spitballing this pairing with @grimrevolution and now I will never be free of it.

Coffee Shop AU - Another one I poke at when I’m stuck, and I’m excited to see where it leads me.

Hanahaki fic - Look, sometimes I’m full of bad ideas okay? We will find out together if a Neve POV Hanahaki fic is one of them.

Vague Mental Flutterings:

Mass Effect post-trilogy fic - I’ve written snippets of this in response to prompts, so now it’s caught some of the raccoons’ attention.

MEA fic? - Another very nebulous idea, but I find the Ryder twins to be really interesting characters, so there may be something here.

Killian had expected the mausoleum to be locked. Affluent family gravesights often were, as a way to ward off theft and vandalism. What he had not anticipated was the style and intricacy of said lock.

Crouching in front of the iron door, Killian cursed as he fiddled with the mechanism. “Bloody tumblers won’t budge. It’s as though they’re secured by magic.”

“We’ve no evidence that Cora was a witch,” Liam replied without a hint of sarcasm, his gaze scanning the area for any signs of interruption.

“I didn’t mean literally, brother,” Killian said with an eyeroll, then muttered, “Though, I wouldn’t have put it past her.”

A soft giggle pulled his attention upward to where Swan was standing over him, holding the flashlight. As it was prone to do, his body instantly reacted; his breath catching and his heart palpitating as a warm flush of desire and affection spread through him. Seeing her, bathed in moonlight amongst the headstones, transported him back to the night they met, here in this very cemetery.

What he wouldn’t give to go back and do things differently. He’d been such a fool and desperately hoped--now that everything was out in the open between them--that she’d give him a second chance. A tall order, considering she was currently romantically involved and living with another man. Even if he found said man to be lacking in a number of ways and nowhere near deserving of someone the caliber of Emma Swan.

Although, some might question whether he was any more deserving himself, given how he’d squandered his chance with her when he’d had it, regardless of how noble he thought his reasons were at the time.

“Want me to give it a try?” Emma asked, crouching down beside him. Her breath against his cheek caused a shiver to run down his spine, compromising his balance and landing him on his backside with an audible oomph.

“Shhh,” Liam hissed. “Someone’s coming.”

His brother hid behind a tall grave marker as the beam of a flashlight swept across the headstones. Grabbing Killian by the lapels of his jacket, Swan pulled him back towards the cover of the mausoleum’s shadow, the two of them tangled together as they sat pressed against the structure and one another.

The roar of his blood thundered in his ears as he held his breath, his focus torn between trying not to be discovered by who he assumed was one of the officers on patrol and the feel of Emma wrapped in his arms as she practically straddled his lap. It felt like an eternity before the coast became clear once more, but Killian made no effort to extricate himself from his current position. Leaning back to glance around the side of the mausoleum, Emma’s hips shifted over his groin and he was helpless to stop his body from responding, or the aching whimper from falling off his lips.

The startled swiftness with which she straightened back up, eyes wide and lips slightly parted told him his affliction had not gone unnoticed. The two of them held the other’s gaze for a long moment, and when her eyes dipped down to his lips, his followed suit. Their breathing shallowed, exhales mingling in the chilled air that was growing more charged by the second. His fingers gripped her hip a bit tighter, his thumb sliding under the hem of her sweater to the bare skin beneath causing her breath to hitch and her flesh to pebble from his touch. Cautiously, he inched forward, intending to close the gap and claim that perfect mouth of hers, but only if she gave him the slightest hint of consent to do so.

Consent he’d never know if he would have received, thanks to his clueless, meddlesome, infuriating brother.

“That was too close for comfort,” Liam whispered. “I think it best we take our leave and come up with a new plan.”

Emma scrambled off Killian’s lap, forcing another pained sound to escape from the back of his throat. Holding his hands out, Liam assisted them both to standing and waited for their agreement before setting off in the direction of the park.

It wasn’t until they were back in his Chevelle that Emma suggested, “Maybe the groundskeeper has a key to the mausoleum. We could ask Belle to find out. She could use the excuse of needing to update records or wanting to do research for city historical purposes.”

“Perhaps you could also ask Sheriff Humbert if he’d be willing to pull back on the patrols here, although I’m not sure what reason you’d give him,” Liam offered from the backseat, having graciously insisted that Swan ride shotgun, which Killian knew had been his brother’s way of torturing him. The git.

Emma smirked and stated, “If I have Ruby ask him he won’t need a reason.”

Liam chuckled. “Aye. The lass does seem to have your sheriff wrapped around her finger.”

“Among other parts of herself, I dare say,” Killian quipped, earning him a chortle from Swan and a slap at the back of his head from his brother. “Oi! Bad form to assault the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion!”

“Bad form to make such remarks about our host’s friend.”

“I assure you, I was only stating what Emma was already thinking. Isn’t that right, Swan?”

Glancing towards the passenger seat, Killian was met with a cheeky expression and mischievous glint sparkling from those enticing, green depths he often found himself lost in.

“Actually, I was gonna suggest that Liam talk with Belle about getting us access to the mausoleum, seeing as he wouldn’t mind being wrapped around more than just her finger.”

Killian erupted into laughter and peered at his brother through the rearview mirror. Even in the dim light of passing cars and streetlights he could see his brother’s face turn bright red. Fortunately, it was accompanied by a caught out smile and good-natured chuckle.

“Lass, I fear my brother has been a bad influence on you.”

“No more than I am over him,” she quipped back haughtily, furtively shooting Killian a look that made his pants tighten impossibly more.

He wasn’t sure how he’d ever manage to get out of the car, much less make it up the stairs to the front door. Coming up with some excuse to hang back, Killian remained behind the wheel as Emma and Liam both exited the car.

“I’ll see you both in the morning, then,” Swan replied, heading up the front steps, her tight jeans hugging her arse in a way that solidified the reality that Killian was in for a long, uncomfortable night.

“Everything alright, brother?” Liam asked with a little too much concern in his tone. “Finding it hard to put the day behind you?”

“Piss off,” Killian grummaced, throwing open the car door and stepping out into the cool night air.

“You’re both idiots, you know that right?”

Sighing, Killian conceded, “I’ll admit to you being half right. I’ve only myself to blame.”

Placing a firm hand on Killian’s shoulder, Liam urged, “Just tell her how you feel. Explain what happened after the Wend--”

“I have,” Killian told him. “But it’s not that simple. She’s with someone now. I don’t want to make things more complicated for her, or be the reason things fall apart and cause her more pain.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, brother,” Liam confided. “I have it on good authority that things were rocky between her and Neal long before we got here. If I were a betting man, I’d say their relationship has run its course and it’s only a matter of time before he’s out of the picture completely.”

“And you think I ought to be waiting in the wings, ready to pick up the pieces? A bit opportunistic, don’t you think?”

“I think,” Liam countered in a somber yet affectionate tone, “you should give yourself permission to fight for what you want. Give yourself permission to be happy. You deserve that as much as anyone else, little brother.”

Killian swallowed past the tightness in his throat and gave his brother a nod of understanding before following him inside, muttering younger as they entered the carriage house.

~/~

Consciousness came slowly, lazily, and with little effort. Stretching out the few kinks peppering her body, Emma could not remember the last time she’d slept so well. Allowing herself a few more moments of comfort, she hugged the pillow beside her and sighed into its softness. The smell of her laundry detergent and the lavender scented dryer sheets filled her sinuses and a contented smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

After they’d returned home from the cemetery, Emma had made her way upstairs and surveyed her room. Her room. No physical sign of Neal remained; a fact that had enveloped her in a blanket of relief. She’d wasted no time stripping the bed, replacing the sheets she’d last shared with him with fresh ones from the linen closet.

From the depths of her dresser drawer she’d pulled out the raggedy t-shirt she’d almost always worn to bed before Neal had become a frequent overnight fixture. The one he’d mocked incessantly until she finally replaced it with a cami or some other barely there pajama top. The soft, worn fabric felt like the embrace of an old friend on her skin, welcoming her back with comfort and ease.

Out of habit, she’d pulled back the blankets on what had been her side for the past couple months, but then stopped herself. She’d only started sleeping on that side, the one closest to the door, because Neal had preferred the other. The one closer to the bathroom, so he wouldn’t have to go too far if he awoke in the middle of the night, ensuring he’d get back to sleep quickly. Nevermind the fact he was never quiet about it and often woke her up in the process.

She supposed she could sleep on whichever side she chose now. Hell, she could take up the entire bed if she wanted. Smiling, she’d climbed onto the mattress and slid beneath the covers smack dab in the middle of the bed. Nestled beneath the weight of the extra blankets--Neal had always wanted it as cold as possible when he slept, despite her desire to stay warm and cozy--Emma had drifted off perfectly content.

Well, almost perfectly content.

There was that small pang of disappointment that it was a stack of quilts and not Killian’s body pressing her into the mattress before sleep fully claimed her. She’d be lying if she said it had only been a fleeting thought. Her dreams of him had been anything but fleeting.

Reluctantly, Emma rolled over and reached for her phone. Unplugging it from the charger, she did a double take when she read the time.

1:16 PM

“Holy shit!” Shooting up, she struggled to detangle herself from the blankets. Grabbing a pair of nearby leggings, Emma hopped towards the door on alternating legs as she struggled to put them on. A glance towards the guest room showed it to be empty, and after making her way down the stairs, another look into the study revealed the same. Turning into the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of a shirtless Killian Jones, hair sticking up at odd angles with pajama pants perched precariously low on his hips, filling a cup of coffee.

“Morning, love,” he offered in a rough, gravelly voice before bringing the steaming mug to his lips. After a quick, testing swallow he turned towards her fully, his eyes taking her in over the brim as he took another sip. Tonguing an errant drop from the corner of his mouth, he smirked and said, “Nice shirt.”

Glancing down at herself, Emma remembered which shirt she’d put on the night before… and where it had come from in the first place.

“You’ve been taking good care of it, I see.” Before Emma could respond, Killian grabbed another cup from the cabinet and asked, “Coffee?”

“Uh, y-yeah,” she stammered. “Please.”

By the time he’d poured and handed her the beverage, she managed to pull herself together.

Sort of.

“Guess I’m not the only one who overslept?”

Scratching his fingers through his hair, Killian followed her to the living room, a yawn escaping him as he replied, “Seems so.”

Sinking down on opposite ends of her couch, they both took a drink and waited for the coffee to do its thing. Or for the other one to break the ice. Emma wasn’t quite sure which.

“Have you seen Liam?” she asked, tucking her feet beneath her and wrapping her hands around the warm ceramic. For all its comfort and charm, the carriage house still had issues with letting in the morning chill.

Killian pulled an afghan off the back of the chair next to him and handed it to her. “Aye. Briefly.” He helped her spread out the blanket so she wouldn’t have to put her mug down, then added, “He woke me up about half an hour ago. Said he was going to meet Belle at the library and ask her about that key.”

Emma nodded and brought the cup up to her lips, murmuring against the edge, “I’ll call Ruby and see if she can work her magic on Graham.”

Setting her coffee down, Emma took her phone out of the side pocket of her leggings. She was scrolling through her contacts when Killian asked, “How’s Neal this morning? Haven’t seen him since yesterday’s unfortunate event.”

Sucking in her bottom lip, Emma warred with herself before confessing, “He’s, uh… He’s gone.”

“Gone to work?” Killian replied. “I would have thought he’d call out, but I suppose I can’t blame him for wanting to get out of the house for a bit.”

Emma opened her mouth to correct him, but was cut off by an incoming call. She didn’t recognize the number which normally would mean she wouldn’t answer. This time, however, she’d risk a telemarketer in order to have a reprieve from the current topic of conversation.

“Hello?”

“Miss Swan?” inquired a male voice on the other end of the line.

“This is she.”

“Miss Swan, this is Robin Locksley. We met briefly at Regina Mills’ house yesterday?”

Sitting up straighter, she waved at Killian to get his attention (which she already had) and took the phone away from her ear, putting it on speaker. “Yes, Mr. Locksley, I remember.”

Killian scooted closer and the two of them hovered over the phone as the man replied, “Oh, call me Robin. Please.”

“Robin,” Emma repeated. “What can I do for you?”

“I’ve had a talk with Miss Mills… Regina, and she wonders if you’d mind her and I coming to the carriage house so we can all talk some more about… you know.”

“Of course!”

“Terrific. We can head that way in about an hour and be there around four?”

“We’ll be here.”

Killian leaned in so his voice would be picked up clearly, and said, “Robin, mate. It’s Killian. May I ask… What made Regina change her mind?”

Silence echoed over the line to the point that Emma wondered if Robin had ended the call before Killian spoke. The clearing of a throat attested otherwise.

“I’d prefer to have that conversation in person… if you don’t mind.”

Emma shared a bemused look with Killian who haltingly replied, “Sure thing, mate.”

A heavy sigh crackled over the phone. “Thanks. We’ll see you both soon.”

“Aye. Safe travels.”

“See you soon.”

Ending the call, they both sat back into the cushions, dumbfounded over this sudden turn of events. Now that Emma had a chance to process it, a series of concerns ran through her mind.

“You seem vexed, love. Unexpected as it may be, this is a good thing.”

“I know,” Emma said, worrying her lip. “It’s just…”

“Just what?”

Turning her body, Emma looked up at Killian, momentarily distracted by his chest, and whispered, “Is it really a good idea for her to come here? What about… you-know-who? We won’t have a chance to… you know, until after dark. Won’t Regina being here to find closure with Daniel amp Cora up?”

“Probably,” Killian responded nonchalantly, draping his arm over the back of the couch. “Unless we create a warded area that will keep her from interfering.”

Cocking her head to one side, Emma stared at him with a dubious expression and muttered, “How, exactly, do we do that?”

Shooting her a cocky grin and lifted brow, he crooned, “Leave that to me, love. Leave that to me.”

Emma snorted at his ridiculousness and was once again sidetracked by her phone. “It’s Ruby,” she said, putting her friend on speaker. “Hey, Rubes. I was just about to call you.”

“Too late,” Ruby said. “Belle got me first. I just talked with Graham.”

She shared yet another glance with Killian. They both should have known Liam wouldn’t waste time putting things in motion.

“And?” Emma prompted. “What did he say?”

“He said the best he could do was give you an hour of no patrols at shift change.”

“That’s it?”

“I’m afraid so,” Ruby replied. “He said, and I quote, ‘the mayor will have my guts for garters if he finds out I suspended patrols this close to Halloween.’ I mean honestly… who talks like that?”

Emma nearly laughed out loud at the affronted look on the face of the man she knew full well said things just like that.

“Sorry I couldn’t do better.”

“You did plenty, Rubes,” Emma assured her. “Do me a favor and let Belle know so she can tell Liam?”

“Will do,” Ruby replied, and Emma could almost hear the shift in her friend’s demeanor before she sultrily inquired, “So… how’s it going with Mr. Hot Cemetery Makeout Guy? You buy a ticket on that ride yet?”

“Ruby!” Emma exclaimed as Killian choked on the last bit of coffee he was polishing off and erupted into a fit of coughs.

“Oh, shit! He’s right there, isn’t he?”

“I have to let you go.” Without waiting for a response, Emma hung up and got up from the couch. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”

His hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her, and he managed to croak out, “It’s fine, Swan. No need.” With one last cough, he cleared his throat then swallowed hard against the tight knot that had formed there. “See? Right as rain.”

“I’m sorry about Ruby, she’s…”

“No need to apologize,” he said, and it seemed to Emma that he was suddenly hyper aware of the fact that he was only half dressed. Releasing her wrist, he stood and headed towards the hallway. “I should get myself dressed. Robin and Regina will be here soon, and we need to…”

“Right,” Emma agreed, feeling a bit self-conscious about her own appearance. The thin material of her shirt likely left little to the imagination, especially since she wasn’t wearing a bra, to say nothing about the painted-on quality of her leggings. “I need to shower and get ready.”

Her face went red at the mention of a shower, and the traitorous thought of asking him to join her. Fortunately, Killian spoke again before her tongue could betray her.

“I’ll check-in with Liam and let him know of Regina’s impending arrival. Take your time. I’ll take care of getting things ready.”

As much as Emma wanted to question him about what that might entail, her instinct to run whenever things got emotionally overwhelming took over. Though she’d spent years trying to overcome the reaction and the root of its cause, it still reared its ugly head from time to time. Usually, she would berate herself when it did, but this time she was glad for it.

Racing up the stairs, she entered her room and firmly closed the door behind her. Shedding her clothes, it wasn’t until she was under the spray of the shower--the dial turned to a much colder temperature than usual--that Emma allowed herself to face the truth of why she’d run from him just now.

Because if she hadn’t, she would have done as Ruby suggested, and having Regina Mills show up as she was riding Killian probably wasn’t the best way to help the woman get closure.

~/~

It was much later than four before Robin and Regina arrived. Still struggling with doubt and a whole host of other emotions, Miss Mills had apparently insisted the two stop several times along the way. At one point, Robin had called to inform them of their updated estimated time of arrival, which would be cutting it close to the window of opportunity they had to enter the mausoleum. Knowing Emma would need one of the brothers there for support and assistance with helping Daniel move on, it was decided that Killian would stay behind while Liam and Belle - who was the one securing the key from the groundskeeper later that evening - would deal with Cora’s resting place.

When Robin and Regina finally arrived, the former extended heart-felt apologies while the latter coolly offered a ‘sorry I’m late’ before strolling into the structure she likely had not set foot in for many years, possibly decades. Emma welcomed them both, her nerves taking over and causing her to overshare about the remodel as Regina perused her surroundings. It wasn’t until Killian invited them all to have a seat in the living room, offering beverages that might make the situation a little less tense that everyone began to relax and soften.

“I must say,” Regina stated, accepting the offered libation being handed to her, “you have done a remarkable job here. Everything looks impeccably finished yet it feels so homey.”

“Thank you.” Swan took a swallow of her own drink, obviously allowing herself time to formulate a more in-depth response.

Killian, however, did not wish to waste time on small talk. “If you don’t mind my asking,” he began, cradling his tumbler in his hands as he leaned forward with his elbows resting on the tops of his thighs, “what changed your mind about coming here? You did not seem very keen on the idea when we left you, and given the amount of stops you made along the way, it seems you may not yet be completely at ease with the decision to be here.”

“Yes, well…” Regina took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing. “You’re right. When you and Miss Swan left, I thought you were either some sort of conman team set out to swindle me, or completely insane.” Glancing over to the man seated beside her on the sofa, she added, “But after you were gone, Robin sought me out to check on me, and after I told him what you had said, he…”

Hesitantly, Robin reached over and took Regina’s hand, picking up on her distress before it became apparent to either Emma or Killian.

“I asked Regina whether she was willing to take the chance on you not being crazy and missing out on the opportunity to heal a long held wound.” Shifting in his seat, Robin met Killian’s eye and said, “I have some experience with unrestful spirits. My wife, Marion, visited me after her death.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Aye, mate,” Killian replied, echoing Emma’s sentiment. “Our condolences.”

“Thank you.”

Robin gave them both an appreciative nod then shared the story of his wife’s passing. Her death had been sudden and tragic; a fire had broken out at her workplace and due to several fire code violations, she and several of her co-workers had perished in the blaze. Robin had been out of town for work in a rather remote area and had not spoken to his wife for several days, only communicating via e-mail. When he was notified of what happened, he’d been told she was identified by dental records and there was no need for him to identify the body. In fact, he was encouraged not to, being told he would not wish to remember her that way.

“Of course, I said good-bye to her at the funeral, but…” Swallowing past the lump that had formed in his throat, Robin looked up at the ceiling in an attempt to quell the tears pooling in his eyes. “It felt so empty. I remember being tortured by the fact that I couldn’t even remember the last thing I ever said to her. Had I told her I loved her? Had I made her feel missed? Or had I been short and flippant because I was busy?”

Taking a fortifying drink, he gave himself a moment before clearing his throat to continue. “It was about a month after her death that I started to… experience things.”

“What sort of things?”

“The smell of her perfume, an indentation on her pillow, the feeling of her presence, and what I thought to be the occasional glimpse of her in the corner of my eye. I thought I was going mad, and I confided in one of my mates, Will.”

“And did this Will believe you?”

Robin let out a light chuckle. “Not only did he believe me, he dragged my arse to a psychic medium he knew.”

“You went to a psychic?” Emma inquired, fascinated. “Who?”

“A woman by the name of Zelena,” Robin told her. Killian filed the name away in the back of his mind and encouraged the man to tell them more about the meeting with her. “She backed up all my experiences. Said that those who die suddenly or violently often have difficulty moving on due to having unfinished business. She, uh… she helped me get closure. She helped me say a proper good-bye.”

Killian did not wish to offend the man, but he had to ask. “And you are certain she was… legit?”

To his relief, Robin smiled at the question. “Regina said the same thing.”

“I did,” Miss Mills said, sheepishly. “And I’m still not sure I believe in ghosts, or psychics, or any of this,” she said, gesturing vaguely at the room around them. “But what Robin told me in reply made me at least keep an open mind and be willing to see this through.”

Killian and Emma shared a common look of curiosity before Swan asked, “What did you tell her?”

“I told her,” Robin said, squeezing Regina’s hand. “That even if I had imagined everything that had happened after Marion’s death, and even if Zelena was a total fraud… The closure was real. The peace is real. The firm belief that Marion is in a better place, her unfinished business resolved… that’s real. And it has allowed me to move forward through my grief into a life that is still worth living.”

A long pause hung in the room; Robin and Regina looked fondly at one another while Killian and Emma shared furtive glances. The buzz of Killian’s phone broke the reverie, and he apologized as he pulled the device from his pocket.

Key acquired. Headed to the cemetery. The text from Liam read. Putting the phone back in his pocket, Killian turned his attention back to the couple who was looking at him expectantly.

“So…” Regina drew out, hesitantly. “What now?”

“Now,” Killian replied, getting to his feet. “We get you and Daniel the same closure.”

It was hot outside.

But not the "Jesus Christ it's way too hot to exist" kind of hot yet, but the kind that's a comfortable warm with a nice cool breeze every now and then. The kind where most couples would play some kind of water games together in their yards or swim together in their pools and just co-exist together happily.

The kind where Vee wasn't shutting herself in the fridge just yet but still inside in a tank top and shorts and refusing to leave the house (leaving Shelly inside with her because the fossil didn't want her to feel abandoned).

The kind of weather Gi would drag her robot wife around in as they looked for the next coolest spot to be together in, and that was what they were doing when-

"Gi! Gi look!"

The two had stopped mid sidewalk, hand in hand, the robot- who was silent and just looking around without a word a second ago- was now pointing up at a sign. "SUMMER FAIR" it read in massive rainbow letters, a sign near their height stating "Children under 6 get in free!" in bold black ones. Both signs hand painted with love. Both toons knowing they'd pass for the free admission age at their size. Gi blinked at the signs, then looked at her wife, who was grinning ear to ear and bouncing in her spot, her simple pastel blue sundress flowing with her excited movements. Gi then looked down at herself, in her light green flannel with a white tank top under it and jean shorts under that too.

They were definitely looking like a weird couple.

They were definitely going to fit in... Probably.

"You want to check this place out? I thought you'd be a bit too shy for such a crowded pla-"

"The games, Gi! They have so many games, it's like an outdoor arcade full of candy and love and joy!" Vivi excitedly cut her off, then paused. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You are the most precious thing I have ever laid my eyes on, Viv."

"Oh- uhm- haha, thank you, Gi." Vivi very softly replied, getting a soft laugh in return from the gachapon as she gently started leading her to the place she was so excited to see. As they expected, they were let in for free the instant they showed up- but for a completely different reason than they expected. The woman at the ticket booth had actually recognized them both... And now Vivi had a pair of light blue sunglasses on the top of her monitor, which were gifted to her to help her see better despite being completely okay.

They matched her outfit though so she couldn't keep saying no after being reassured she could have them three times in a row.

The first game they checked out together was a pretty simple one, one that didn't require much skill. It was one of those ones where you shot a water gun into a small opening and filled up a balloon. Vivi immediately knew she'd win against the few teenage boys at it, so she strutted over and leaned against the counter, looking at the one running the stand with the confidence of a supermodel at a photo shoot, knowing they'd be the star of the show that day. Gi could never lie, it was odd seeing her like that, but absolutely adorable and beautiful.

"Mind if I join in boys?" She asked with a smile, making the group of three look at her a little funny. One soon shrugged, so the other two nodded. Vivi quickly took a spot, smiling as she wagged her tail. Gi soon was just standing beside her, watching the entire thing unfold casually.

"Already competitive, huh Viv?"

"Always am, I love winning."

"You think you'll win against us? We're like, way older than you. You cannot be more than six." One of the group teased with one of those "I got her good" looks on his face, but Vivi just huffed and flicked her sunglasses down.

She won without even a slight struggle and walked off with her arms crossed, Gi now holding a new blue teddy bear in her arms.

"I told you I'd win." Vivi simply stated with a very sassy flick of her tail, making Gi nod as she let out a squeaky little laugh.

"You'd win anything just to get me something fun, I swear."

"Oh? No, that's just a great bonus my sweet sweet lil blueberry muffin, I do it for the thrills. It's also just part of my programming but that's a lot lamer than "it's actually really funny proving humans wrong" I'd say."

"I see... So Vee did trivia and you did games?" Gi questioned, getting a shake of the head from Vivi. Though before she could explain that they both did game shows, Gi had ran off, just to come back with a little turquoise beaded bracelet she immediately grabbed Vivi's hand for and slipped it onto her wrist.

"I found it near a sink and I washed it for you." Gi stated, making Vivi blink as she looked at it, then at Gi.

"How come?"

"You got me a teddy bear, I thought you'd like something too."

"...You wanna bet I can get you more?" Vivi questioned with a tilt of her head, a very mischievous looking smile slowly growing onto her screen. Gi swallowed hard as her face immediately warmed up intensely, she had never seen Vivi be so... Competitive and playful, and she couldn't deny the fact that she found it extremely adorable and precious. Especially since it wasn't competitive in a game or anything... It was just them competing to see who could get the other the most gifts. It was so selfless and sweet... Gi's heart was racing and she had started toying with the beaded bracelet on her wrist without realizing it.

"Oh jeez, uh, I don't-"

"You do deserve them babyyyy~" Vivi softly cut her off with a gentle touch of her finger to Gi's lips, making the gachapon look away. Oh why did her wife have to be so damn cute?!

"I... I can't even argue..." Gi mumbled, soon squeezing her teddy bear just a little closer to herself as she looked back at Vivi, who was back to being posed like the usually overly polite toon she was. The one Gi swore she didn't deserve yet somehow always had with her... The one staring back at her with her innocent green eyes and gentle smile on her screen.

"Ready to game on then? I promise, I'll behave and follow the rules."

"Could... I kiss you first..?" Gi softly asked, looking away immediately afterwards like she was overly shy. Vivi blinked at her, taking a mental note at how their behaviors seemed to switch as she very carefully took Gi's face into her hands, making the gachapon light right up as she looked at her.

"You can always kiss me, okay?"

"Okay... And... You can kiss me whenever too, Viv, I just... Never saw you so confident I... I think my brain malfunctioned from how absolutely amazing you are."

"Pfft, Gi you are not a robot you absolute goob." Vivi stated with a laugh, though she immediately went in and gave her a quick kiss, her mic tail wagging a mile a minute as she kissed the girl. Gi immediately was clinging to her beloved robot as she kissed back, shaking from the pure joy she felt from it, even if this was nowhere near their first kiss. Or even their hundredth, maybe thousandth kiss? They tended to be way too affectionate to each other for their own good, though that didn't matter right now. Or ever to be honest. What mattered was that there was now a bet to see who could end up with the most gifts from the other, though Gi couldn't honestly focus on that right now.

Or focus on it at all...

She kept finding herself pausing behind Vivi, admiring the overly competitive robot every single time she'd find a new game to play. Whether it was just an average game of basketball to some weird game Gi couldn't even try to understand- it was always so beautiful seeing Vivi genuinely so focused. So excited, so full of life as she had every intent of winning every single game she played, her tail wagging a mile a minute the entire time she proved everyone who doubted her even slightly wrong. Sure Gi did find more little knick knacks laying around and she did clean them up for Vivi whenever she'd remember to, but...

She genuinely couldn't stop focusing on the center of her world.

That usually shy little green robot who was currently cheering after she won yet another plush for her favorite person in the world. The one who did the cutest little happy dance whenever she got something she swore up and down Gi would absolutely love and cherish till the end of time, the one laughing at the faces she always got after she proved her skills and showed off to the crowds that seemed to always form around her now that she was caught being a toon in a world full of humans.

The one who had no idea that her wife didn't want any of the plushies or the other prizes she had started gathering- but instead just wanted to admire her as she finally found her place to thrive in a world she's been so scared to exist in as herself for so long.

That was until Gi actually was caught admiring her, though Vivi didn't even seem to care as she just gave her a wink before making the winning shot in the tank dunk game they were at now, landing a perfect bullseye after messing with the poor soaking wet woman in there and missing on purpose with the first two balls she got. She of course apologized to her afterwards, but was reassured it was just part of the game- so Vivi instead turned her attention back to Gi with a teasing smile.

"You haven't been doing anything but watch, haven't you?"

"Uhhhhh-"

"Maybe you can short circuit like a robot, I remember you did the same thing at Gardenview. Secretly a robot huh? Huhhhh?" Vivi warmly teased as she poked Gi's nose, getting a snort in reply before the gachapon sneezed. Gi then shook her head, looking up at Vivi again with a sniff as she rubbed her nose a little.

"You know I would've told you if I was one, Viv. I just... I never saw you so... Confident and happy with yourself in so long, I think I just... I kinda forgot about the whole bet because I just loved admiring you being so happy and proud of yourself. I know its probably just your program and I get it, but it's really nice to just, see you be- you!" Gi explained quietly as she nervously fidgeted with the sleeves of her flannel jacket, being a complete blushing disaster and acting a little shy about it. Vivi just silently watched her as she adjusted the new tote bag she got for... Everything... Then she glanced away from Gi before looking back at her.

"There is no way Im that beautiful, Gi."

"Haha uhm..."

"But thank you, I did honestly notice a lot sooner I just, really liked the fact that you were always right there and you... Always missed when I would glance at you for more confidence. You're cute when you're shy too, I always noticed that you avoided looking at everyone whenever you'd be caught staring at me. You're a sweetheart, you know that?" Vivi softly informed her, making Gi giggle as she just nodded.

"You don't ever let me forget that, Viv-"

"Because you are and everyone who ever says otherwise is a big fat liar." Vivi stubbornly stated with her arms crossed, making Gi just burst out laughing at the sight of her being so stubborn about something when she's usually very easy to persuade. Though the two soon turned and looked at the same thing together, and since it was starting to get a little dark and they knew the boys would be coming around to find them soon, they knew they had to ride it.

So, hand in hand, the two walked off to the main attraction of the place, the one thing they knew they could enjoy together while they stayed side by side.

The ferris wheel.

It wasn't a big one by any means, it was pretty average for the size of the fair around it, but it still was pretty interesting to the two. However, on the way there, they found out they could have some free cotton candy from a shop that was closing down for the night.

So they were now also eating free cotton candy.

Nice.

Maybe it did pay to be a town celebrity... Maybe. The two didn't know it was just offered to them because they were toons and very well known around the town, they just knew they were together and eating cotton candy, and honestly that was what mattered to them.

Just being able to exist together was the best prize they both won that night, especially when they got to sit in the same cart on the wheel together- and ended up being in one of the carts that stopped near the top, letting them both admire the view together as they cuddled into each other. They didn't say a thing, they didn't have to, they just kept one arm around the other as they held hands, just silently enjoying the experience together. Enjoying the smell of the cotton candy they just had, the warmth of the other's presence beside them, the view they had overlooking the pretty large town they called their home.

Neither once looked at the abandoned Gardenview building... Nor look at the park surrounding it...

They just looked at the city lights, the cars that drove around on the streets below them, at the small specs of humans walking on the sidewalks or around the fairgrounds underneath them now.

Vivi huddled just a little closer to her girlfriend, who just squeezed her closer to herself in reply.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Gi."

Those were the only words spoken on that ride from the two. None other would fit better in that moment, the moment when they both realized that they were never going to be stuck in the endless loops they were born into ever again. The moment when they realized they had so much more to explore than they'd ever imagine down there, the moment they realized their pasts and the reasons why they were made didn't matter anymore.

The two were oddly silent on the walk home from the fair as well, hand in hand, side by side. They knew the realizations they both had were a little too much right now, that the fact that they really did have the whole world out there to actually explore and not just their usual hideaways now. That the town was theirs to explore, that no twisteds or no humans would ever force them to be seperate again. That everything really was okay... And it was okay to let go of the trauma they both secretly held onto and be themselves, whatever that looked like in that moment. Vivi soon sighed as she adjusted the tote bag, making Gi look at her.

What mattered was the fact that they had each other, and nothing could ever pull them apart ever again.

"You okay?"

"Just... Thinking about a lot."

"Oh, same. I think we both learned a lot about each other today..." Gi replied with a casual little shrug, making Vivi nod as she smiled and looked over at her.

"I think I learned something else, too." She replied, stopping in her place on the sidewalk for a moment. Gi just silently stood beside her, watching as Vivi just looked at the sky, watching the robot gather her thoughts as her green eyes focused on the sunset colored sky.

"You make me feel complete, Gi. You make me feel like... Me... I remember that day, the one we met, the way you never once even thought of me as just... Version Two. You immediately saw... Me... Even when I didn't understand me myself. You knew I'd be able to become myself, to be happy, to... Not, be just, Version Two. I won't ever understand that... I won't ever understand a lot of things, but I think I finally made peace with that tonight. I won't ever understand what you see in me... But I won't ever leave your side. I truly do love you, and I'm happy we get to be by each other's side in this timeline. You're my world and I cherish you." Vivi quietly spoke, often squeezing Gi's hand as she got so sentimental about what she talked about, but didn't dare try to stop any emotions from showing. Not the tears that fell from being so vulnerable and open, not the shivers that started when she let herself finally process everything- nothing. Gi just stood at her side, her eyes huge and also a bit watery, but she soon let out a little weak laugh anyways.

"I was so scared you were about to propose-"

"Oh goodness, pfft- no Gi, no I would've started sobbing-"

"I would've said yes."

"I need to find a ring then." Vivi stated with the most intensely genuine tone one could ever imagine coming from her, making Gi burst out laughing as she leaned in close to her future wife.

"I don't need a perfect ring." Gi reminded her softly, making Vivi look at her, then shake her head as the two soon started their journey back home together again.

"You do... You need the perfect ring because you're the perfect toon for me. I love you too much for mediocrity."

"Pfft, alright. Oh and Viv..?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Could... We do something before we go to bed?" Gi asked softly, getting just a simple nod from Vivi. She knew that if it was anything, it would be very simple and easy to end off the day with. Gi just nodded back, smiling as she whispered a soft thank you to her. Vivi just giggled and whispered a "no problem" in reply, the two soon going right back to their silent walk home afterwards. Though now, they were even closer together than they used to be, Gi's head resting against Vivi's arm as they walked in unison.

They didn't even say hi to anyone when they got home, quite frankly, they were too tired to have their usual small talk whenever they'd get home from their usual adventures, even if Shelly and Vee were surprisingly there too. Well- not as surprising when Vivi noticed the completely unconscious Shanon on the couch, snoring into a pillow as Sam just stroked her hair gently, like this was just a normal Tuesday.

Because it was just a normal day for them, just not Tuesday. It's Saturday when I post this. Kudos to you if you read this on a Tuesday.

The two just silently went to their room, Gi turning on the lights when Vivi opened the door, the two being quite surprised by what they had walked into though. Gigi was fast asleep on their bed, Gi's pillow tight in her arms and tucked slightly under her head, her body covered up by Vivi's blanket, a plush of Vee was resting on her side as well. Her ichor hand was resting on a plush of Shelly they swore they didn't have, and she honestly just looked as snug as could be. Gi looked at her mom, then at her girlfriend, then back at her mom.

"Uhm... Wanna... Do that thing tomorrow instead?"

"I don't even know what you were planning, Gi."

"Oh... Right... I'll tell you tomorrow then, let mama sleep." Gi whispered back as she slowly left Vivi's side, just getting a simple nod from Vivi as she set down the bag of gifts for Gi down beside the bed and stretched. The two just silently got ready for bed together, wearing matching pajama sets just because they could and never once batting an eye to any sounds Gigi made in her sleep behind them. They were used to this, used to getting ready for bed while their mom got her sleep behind them, though they both were definitely questioning where the two plushies came from since they didn't ever take any from the gift shop for her whenever they'd go down there to visit their other friends.

That didn't matter too much though.

The two simply left Gigi to sleep on their bed, turning the lights back off for her and closing the door gently behind themselves, and soon just joined in whatever chaos awaited them in the living room.

Except it wasn't actually that chaotic... Vee was loafed on Sam's lap and fast asleep, Shelly just eating some popcorn as she sat alone in the pillow fort she made for her and Vee (who had obviously been lured away by something later), Sprout and Cosmo both were probably in their own room right now because they weren't there. Vivi just decided to silently sit on the side of Sam that Shanon wasn't on and just started gently petting her older sisters head, while Gi went and curled right up against Shelly, who just pulled her close subconsciously mid crunching on popcorn.

"Why are you guys even here..?" Gi sleepily questioned the fossil when she gained enough brainpower to do so, which made Shelly glance at her, then back at the tv.

"Mom needed a break, so I suggested she come over here and let Sam take care of things for her today. I would've stayed home with Vee but she insisted we join mom, so we ended up here too. I just turned on some dinosaur documentaries because I got bored and Sam didn't mind..." Shelly casually explained as she rubbed Gi's arm, getting a slow nod from the gachapon as she closed her eyes and let out a massive yawn.

"Hey Shells?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you teach me how to get married in the oat milk aisle sometime..?" Gi murmured, making the fossil blink. Shelly just turned back to the gachapon and stared at her funny, though Gi was already fast asleep on her shoulder, having absolutely no idea that she just asked that. So Shelly just let herself laugh a little at such a question as she shook her head, letting Gi sleep against her as much as she wanted.

"Sleep well Gi, and please don't ever actually get married in the oat milk aisle, goodness." She murmured with a little laugh, though she soon quieted back down and just silently went right back to watching whatever she found interesting on the TV that night.

Even though she did absolutely keep randomly giggling at such a question... She didn't know how iconic their running joke was, and probably never will.