#ficklet

Dennis who can’t afford working hearing aids, so makes do with a pair he found on Facebook marketplace.

Dennis who favours one side significantly, to the point of being convinced that everyone knows (they don’t), and they all must hate him for being useless (they don’t know).

Dennis who uses these janky hearing aids despite constantly giving him a migraine, because he can’t let anything compromise his chances of being a doctor.

Dennis who completely understands that Abbott needs a break from his prosthetic, and is often the first to volunteer to cover his charting in the middle of the shift.

Dennis who cannot give himself allowances, because he’s not properly disabled; not like Abbot is anyway.

Dennis whose hearing loss is “self inflicted” and therefore needs to deal with the consequences of his actions (he was six).

Dennis who absolutely will not let himself have hearing breaks in the middle of a shift, no matter how much pain his ears are in.

Dennis who can’t take his aids out at night because he sleeps in shelters, and his hearing is the first line of defence against an attack.

Dennis who recognises the symptoms of an ear infection, but can’t afford antibiotics and the hospital cracked down on “borrowing” medicine.

Dennis who collapses mid shift after a particularly bad bout of vertigo.

Dennis who doesn’t really remember much after this because the floor was suddenly very, very close, and he was suddenly very, very cold.

…

Robby who sees Dennis pass out on shift.

Robby who curses these damn med students for drinking too much caffeine and not eating enough food.

Robby who walks over to Dennis and tries to rouse him.

Robby who thinks Dennis looks a little too out of it for it to just be low blood sugar.

Robby who touches Dennis and notices he’s ice cold.

Robby who holds Dennis as he starts seizing.

Robby who catches a glimpse of white in his ear, surrounded by red, angry tissue.

Robby who swears loudly and violently when he realises “god-fucking-dammit he’s deaf”.

Robby who curses every god he knows the name of (and he knows a lot) for putting Dennis in this situation.

…

Dennis who wakes up with a very stressed Robby next to him, saying words like “septic shock” and “septic encephalopathy” and “infection spread” and “potential brain damage”.

Robby who raises his voice in frustration, and Dennis who flinches imperceptibly.

Robby who drags Dennis to audiologist appointments and forces him to pick multiple different types of aids so he’ll be comfortable wherever.

Robby who pays for the new aids, but lets Dennis think insurance covers them.

Abbot who forces Dennis to take hearing breaks whenever he takes leg breaks because he’s “bored” and “needs company”.

Abbott who, for the first time in Dennis’ life, sits him down and teaches him the ASL he learnt from his vet friends.

Dennis, who when he formally attends ASL lessons, realises he’s been taught to swear like a sailor, and his vernacular is entirely comprised of military slang.

Dennis who doesn’t understand why Robby and Abbott are being so nice about being deaf, and explains all about how it was his fault that he lost his hearing (he was six).

Abbot who gives Robby a look, and signs him up for therapy the next day.

Dennis, who comes to the realisation that the factors surrounding his hearing loss are heavily consistent with signs of child abuse.

Robby, who can only hug Dennis as he breaks down, mourning the childhood he thought he had.

Abbot, who makes him hot cocoa when he wakes up from nightmares and rocks him back to sleep,

And Dennis.

Aw, hell yeah! I fell hard into Nerd and Awkward Law for this, so I really hope you like it! Because there is no way this man isn't awkward as hell in public social settings. Because he is him.

Also, you're married in this, because any excuse to have him call you "wifey-ya" just makes me smile and kick my feet. 💖

• Grocery Shopping • SFW • 899 words

Being in public was a fate worse than death to Law. He was a doctor, he knew the level of germs and grime that the average person had. It disgusted him, but he had never been much of a people person to begin with. You didn’t gross him out, but that was only one reason why he had married you.

It was Thursday, which meant it was grocery night. Normally, you went by yourself, since Law would typically be on a late shift, but he had put in vacation time for some much needed R&R. He pushed the cart with hand-sanitizer strapped to his belt while wearing blue medical gloves and a medical mask. If anything, it drew stares both for him wearing it, and because it just made him look more mysteriously handsome.

“People are staring…” Law growled slightly, leaning his forearms on the shopping cart handle as he steepled his fingers. His eyes stayed focused straight ahead, but you could tell that the attention was bothering him.

You hummed, weighing out some vegetables, “Probably because you’re so good looking.”

There was a hint of pink on his cheeks under the medical mask, “Wifey-ya…”

Placing the veggies into the cart, you moved on to the next ones to be weighed out, “I’m not wrong, but it’s not every day someone walks around wearing rubber gloves and a permanent scowl with the build of a male supermodel.”

Your husband glanced down at his attire, realizing that the black t-shirt and cigarette jeans he always wore did do very little to hide his overall physique. He pulled his hat down over his eyes, but you could still see his blush moving up into the tops of his ears.

The two of you made your way through produce, then bickered slightly over which lunch meat brand was healthier for the price, You did your best to ignore the judging face he made under his mask as you bought regular bread for yourself (your only flaw, he would always say), and he stormed off to get a few other items off the list when you kept waving the bread in his face.

You only felt a little terrible for making him mad, but that was his problem that he disliked wonderful and glorious bread. Law also abandoned pushing the cart, so you continued along with the list, knowing he would come back on his own as if nothing happened.

As you perused the cereals and dry goods, you heard a woman giggling from one aisle over and a very familiar mumbled voice. After a few more giggles, a very frantic crack of Law’s voice rang out, “I’M MARRIED!”

The scurrying of feet followed after, and your husband rounded the corner, surprised to find you and yet relieved. Law scurried to your side, taking your hand and holding it as if nothing had happened and he had always been right there, placing the few items in his arms haphazardly into the cart. You held his hand, waiting for him to calm down, though it was hard for you to not poke and prod at him—but you knew better than to kick him when he was down.

Everything continued in mostly silence between the two of you other than the occasional question on which item he would rather have that Law would respond to you with grunts. Both of you stood in the checkout line together, and your husband was looking over the candies, snacks and various foil packs of different trading cards there to tempt people into last second purchases. Without a word, Law grabbed a pack of “Sora, Warrior of the Sea” TGC. Then a second, then a third.

You giggled, cocking your brow at your husband, “When was the last time you even played?”

“What?” You could hear the smirk in his voice behind his mask as he grabbed another pack, “Bepo and I have been teaching Shachi and Penguin on our breaks.”

“Okay, question redacted then,” you held up your hands as the two of you took a step forward to start loading your groceries on the conveyor belt for the cashier to ring up. He gave your husband a strange look at the cards, but where you could tell Law was ready to write him off, he started up a simple conversation about the newest cards that had been released. It wasn’t something you really followed, so you tuned it out, just a little happy that Law had at least one positive interaction with a person at the store that wasn’t you.

Once everything was bagged up and paid for, and the car loaded up, Law removed his mask as he sat behind the wheel, and you in the passenger seat. However, instead of starting the car, Law pulled the foil packs of cards out of his pocket and began to open them.

“Uh, honey?” You asked.

“Wifey-ya?” Law responded, ripping through the packs with surgical precision as he inspected each one closely.

“You, uh… you gonna start the car there?”

He looked up, then looked around, a soft tint of pink to his cheeks. It was obvious that he didn’t realize he got into the driver's seat. Getting out of the car, he walked around to open your door, this being his own way of saying you’re driving home so he could look at his cards.

• Mini Event: All the Small Things!

© This work belong to Zoro’s Sheath/Mama Alpha. You MAY NOT repost, modify, copy, translate without permission, feed into AI work, or share on other platforms.

Comments and Reblogs appreciated!

eddie slowly blinks twice, enough for buck to know how truly drunk he is. "You brought him here." Eddie just repeats dryly.

"Yeah," buck responds lamely. "It was just one night... he wanted something more, but that never even blossemed into anything. I know you're probably a little mad-"

"Mad?" eddie asks. "why woukd i be mad?"

"Ummmmm... Well, I don't know how to tell you this bit you tend to get posessive. I kind of figured, since we got this whole... not dating, thing going on, you'd be a little. Y'know."

Eddie just laughs dryly, and buck's stomach does a flip. "Oh, sweetheart, why would i be jellous? He had you for one night. And while i do, well, want that-" (Buck blushes so hard he's pretty sure he coukd be used as a flashlight,) "-He only had you for one more night. We have almost ten years together, a house, a kid..."

"So you're not upset that my ex and i... um... christened the living room?"

"Buck, baby, you could go out and adventure all you want. Untill we've got everything figured out, you're on free reign. But at the end of the night, you always come here- to our home -back to me." He gives buck this preditory look, canines flashing and all buck wants to do is bear his neck. "Aint' that right, sweatheart?" He grins and Buck. there's a drawl there, its only slight. Buck has heard it before when eddie was very mad or very drunk, but it hits so diffrent now. buck feels faint. please universe do not let him pass out durring the hottest converstaion he's ever had.

"Yeah." Buck agrees without thinking. "i'm yours. even tommy could read that writing on the wall."

"Is that so?" eddie asks, and his tone is so deep. buck might just do something super embarssing like moan mid conversation if eddie keeps talking like that while looking like that. He leans closer into buck's space, the smell of the beer on his breath mixing with his aftershave and faint laundry detrgant smell assulting buck's senses. "Say it again, Buck."

"I'm yours." Buck lookes deep into eddie's brown eyes. "I'm yours and you are mine."

Jaskier: I think Ciri should marry Radovid.

Geralt: Are you insane? He's way too old for -

Radovid: If I may, he's talking about a purely political alliance. I can assure you I'm gay, and I've got absolutely no matrimonial interest in your daughter. I do, however, so happen to have a kingdom that I'd very much love to abdicate from in favor of a queen that might actually have an interest in running it.

Ciri: I could use a kingdom! One that would treat elves, dwarves and humans as equals...

Jaskier: See? She'd make a great queen! They get married, Radovid renounces the throne, they divorce, Ciri inherits Redania - and with it the most powerful army in the North to keep her safe... Oooh! And Yennefer could be her mage adviser!

Yennefer: You sound like you've been giving this way too much thought...

Geralt: Wait. Redania legalized divorce?

Jaskier: And gay marriage, too. *Tries to sound casual about it.* Not that this is, you know, at all relevant to the the current situation.

Geralt: And why should we believe the King of Redania would be keen on giving up power so easily?

Radovid: Look, all I really wanted was a pretty song...

Geralt: *Eyes him suspiciously*

Jaskier: No, he's being honest. Had my doubts, too, but turns out all he really wanted, at first, was a pretty song.

Geralt: *Slowly realizes what this is about, an amused glint in his eyes as he looks back at him.* I thought you didn't do pretty?

Jaskier: *Dramatically throws his arms in the air, slightly annoyed.* Well, apparently I do now, don't I?

Radovid: *Smirking smuggly* I'm "pretty".

Ciri: *Totally missing the innuendo* You really are!

Radovid: *Delighted and preening* Thank you.

Yennefer: *Snorts*

Yarpen: *Points to Jaskier and Radovid* Wait. Has the lute-playing walloper been fucking a King?

Geralt: *Groans and sighs* Again, real subtle, Yarpen.

Yarpen: *Whisling while looking at Jaskier, somewhat impressed.* Didn't think you'd have it in you, friend!

Radovid: Well, technically -

Jaskier: Aaand on that note! I'll also need Ciri to divorce him, so I can marry him after.

Ciri: *Excitedly* You two are getting married?

Jaskier: Only if you are! Which, I'm aware, makes very little sense...

Radovid: I actually did offer to marry him first - and have Redania become the first kingdom to have two kings - but that triggered a bit of a panic attack.

Jaskier: Look, I stopped using that viscount title and left nobility behind for a reason. If Ciri can make room in the castle for a retired king and his traveling bard, I'd be fine spending a few weeks or even months living at court from time to time. Especially at first, so Radovid can help her get settled and update her on the most important issues that need to be addressed and resolved in the kingdom.

Ciri: Of course you'd always have a home here, and I wouldn't just kick Radovid out! Actually, would it be okay for me to let him keep his prince title? Just in case anything happens to me, and -

Yennefer: *Firmly* Nothing's going to happen to you.

Ciri: Yeah but -

Geralt: No buts. We won't allow it.

Ciri: What if I accidentally portal myself to another dimension? Wouldn't want to force me to leave the Kingdom unattended until I get back, would you?

Jaskier: Hate to say it, but she does have a point.

Radovid: Look, if that would give the Princess some peace of mind to have someone willing to be holding the fort in case of emergencies... But, if that were to happen, I'd be needing Jaskier's help.

Jaskier: *Shrugs* I mean, I guess that would work. It's not that I don't want to get involved in making people's lives better in the kingdom, or share in any of those responsibilities. It's just that, no matter how much I love any of you guys - and I really do love you - I tend to get quite antsy and unpleasant confined to a single location for too long.

Radovid: And personally, I've always wanted to travel, meet different people, and experience some of the tales that have inspired Jaskier's songs for myself.

Geralt: You know he makes a lot of those things up, right?

Radovid: *Shrugs* I think Jaskier's always told those stories the way he sees them - for what they are or mean to him according to his own emotional truth, rather than facts. For example, I've always thought that "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" was about how the world tends to forget that, behind every larger-than-life heroic figure, there's often just someone that needs to be looked after, too, offered a drink from time to time, listened to, and treated as a friend. If accuracy or factually reporting events had been his goal, then he'd have become a historian, not a bard.

Yennefer: That's... surprisingly insightful.

Jaskier: *Swooning* I know... *Sighs happily* He really is quite brilliant, isn't he?

Radovid: *Blushes brightly* I take it my humble interpretation's not too far off?

Jaskier: *Leans in to whisper into his ear.* I'll let you know just how close you got later...

Geralt: *Confused* Okay, what's actually happening here?

Ciri: *Chuckles* It's called poetry.

Jaskier: *Dreamily, mostly to himself* You'd have to be a spoon to get it...

Radovid: *Now also confused* Wait. What? Now I don't get it.

Jaskier: *Winces slightly* Sorry. That one's on me, you're missing context. You're a spoon, Geralt's a hammer - just...

Radovid: ...different tools for different purposes?

Jaskier: *Makes a half strangled noise, as his legs threaten to give up on him.*

Yarpen: *Motioning to Jaskier while looking at Yennefer, bit puzzled* Does your bard usually do that?

Yennefer: *Looking deep in thoughts, seemingly analysing the situation* Not that I've ever been aware of.

Geralt: Yeah, no. That's new.

Ciri: *Incredulously* You've been travelling with him for, like, over 20 years, and you're telling me you've never seen him have a crush before?

Yennefer: Oh! Oh. Yeah, that's um - okay. I think you're right - I mean, I can see the nuance.

Jaskier (*slowly coming back to himself*) & Geralt: What nuance?

Yennefer: *Innocently* Nothing! Just enjoy your spoon, bard. I'll explain it to the hammer later.

Geralt: *Huffs thoughtfully*

Jaskier: *Still looking unsure* Alright...

Yarpen: You know what, I think it's safer if I don't know.

Radovid: I'm actually not entirely sure I follow...

Yennefer: *Uses magic to telepathically communicate with Radovid, making him blush even brighter.*

Radovid: No, I mean, that seems...

Yennever: *Continues to telepathically communicate with him, looking fondly amused, and just the slightest bit smug.*

Radovid: *Bashfully* I'll ah, I'll take your word for it, and thank you...

Jaskier: What did she just say?

Radovid: Nothing bad, and I'll tell you one day, when the time's right, I promise.

Jaskier: *Doesn't look quite convinced.*

Yennefer: *Rolls eyes* I promise it's fine, Pankratz. Now stop pouting!

Jaskier: *Sighs dramatically* Fine!

Radovid: But,to go back to the whole political royal union thing, I did look to see if I could just hand the kingdom over to Ciri - simply name a successor and step down. Sadly, changing the laws of succession would appear to be a complete nightmare!

Geralt: Meaning we have to trust that you'll honor your end of the agreement, and -

Yarpen: What? You really think that King's going to attempt to stay married to your kid with the amount of eye fucking that's been happening between him and your bard?

Geralt: *Groans* Yarpen, for fuck's sake!

Yennefer: That's a bit of a crude way to put it, but he's got a point.

Geralt: You know Dijsktra and Philippa won't be happy about this, right?

Jaskier: Yeah, well, good thing you and Yennefer are scarier than Dijsktra and Philippa.

Ciri: *Crosses arms on her chest, pointedly looking at Jaskier* Why are you overlooking the fact that I'd totally rip their spines out if they tried to come after you and hurt my family?

Jaskier: Gods, I love you kid! *Pulls Ciri into a tight hug*

Radovid: Didn't you say Yennefer was the scary one?

Jaskier: Like mother, like daughter.

Yarpen: *Proudly* I actually taught the cub how to rip out spines.

Geralt: *Gives two vigorous pats on Radovid's shoulder, almost making him fall over* Welcome to the family, Radovid! *Whispering omninously* But, should you ever try to hurt Jaskier or Ciri, trust me, you'll be wishing she ripped out your spine.

Yennefer: Yes, because I know how to eternally trap souls into an infernal dimension.

Radovid: *Hesitating* That's... oddly reassuring. *Visibly relaxing while looking at Jaskier* You were right, love - Dijsktra and Philippa aren't so scary after all, are they?

Jaskier: *Smuggly* Told you!

Yennefer: Are we sure we shouldn't have been warning Jaskier not to hurt him?

Snapetober 2024! Day 1: Warmth!!

For @superfallingstars Snapetober 2024 prompt for day 1, warmth. This is an AU where Snape has somehow miraculously survived Nagini’s bite.

Severus is aware of movement as he hears long strident footsteps approaching his hospital bed. He knows it’s not Potter, who often tries to muffle his steps in order nodt to disturb his sleep. The only other person visiting would be Minerva, who had been coming daily to check on him no doubt to his irritation. Severus opened his eyes and faced the tall looming figure of Minerva standing by his bed, just as she made to sit down.

“Evening Severus.” She bristled, sitting down on the hard chair by his bed, and pulling out the Daily Prophet newspaper to read. She’d be fool to think any conversation with Severus would be forthcoming. Severus gave no reply but watched her open the paper and flick the pages to where she wanted, and began to read without further comment. Severus watched her for a minute or two, it was always the same routine when she payed a visit. She would greet him, and then open the paper to read in silence.

“Why, did you save me?” He finally asked hesitantly, unsure weather he wanted to know the answer at all.

“Why?” Minerva frowned snapping the paper shut and folding it away, before finally facing him. “Well it was, it was Potter really, I mean Harry had wanted us to go attend to your body, wanted you to have a proper burial and be buried with the other Order members. He told me he would explain once I’d found someone to collect your body. He thought you were dead.” Minerva sighed and rubbed her face, no longer looking at him. She couldn’t face him he noticed whilemi giving her explanation. He knew she hadn’t finished, there was more, he would wait for her to continue when she was ready.

“When I heard you had been bitten, that you had died, I had to see for myself. I gathered a few people and went to the shack with Harry in tow. I didn’t believe him, I didn’t want to believe him. But then when we saw you lying there as Harry had said you would be, I thought, we all thought you were dead. What other explanation was there. But I still wanted to see you up close, before they took you away. Harry and I went closer, he stood by me as I bent down to, I don’t know Severus, to say goodbye. But then as got closer I saw it, just a tiny movement of the chest, rising and falling. So small and soft, one wouldn’t have been able to see it without looking closely. I checked your pulse, it was there, slow and weak, you didn’t have much time, I knew that much at least. I decided to levitate you myself and decided I would take you to the hospital wing, I needed to hurry, time was short. Without waiting for anyone else I began to levitate you and walk quickly away with everyone running after me, as I explained that you were indeed still alive.” Minerva looked to the window opposite his bed in thought, as the memories flooded her mind.

“I knew I had to save you, that I had to do something. I called Poppy and told her to work quickly and swiftly, as we didn’t have much time left. Poppy worked fast to remove the poison, and miraculously somehow was able to reverse any damage to your organs. I was so grateful that we had succeeded. I lost one dear friend Severus, I couldn’t save Dumbledore, but I had a chance to save you. I couldn’t bare losing another one of my dearest friends Severus, I couldn’t bare it if I were to lose you too.” Tears began to slide down her face as she finished her tail.

“What do you mean Minerva, how could you still call me a friend after what I did? I’m the reason you lost your very oldest and very best friend.” Severus choked out with a frown.

“Harry explained everything while Poppy worked to remove the poison, what you did, what Dumbledore asked of you Severus. I know all about that, how Dumbledore died and why it had to be your hand. You did a brave thing Severus. Dumbledore may have been my oldest friend, but best friend? I have many a friend and acquaintances Severus, but I had two very best friends who held a special place in my heart. Yes one of them was Albus Dumbledore, and the other was you. Who else would I ever compete with over the house cup.” She smiled at Severus with fond smiling eyes. “It’s as I said Severus I could not bare to lose you after losing Dumbledore. With the both of you gone, I would have nothing to live for, except the students and this school. But I would have no one else to compete with or banter with, or have scorn me for ruining their day. That is should you still want to stay here at Hogwarts of course, after all you are free to leave and pursue other options if you wished. Your duty to Dumbledore and the school has expired. It’s up to you.” Minerva hesitated watching Snape now for any indication of his thoughts.

“But here at Hogwarts you do know that, you will always have a place to call home, and friends who will be there for you. I will always be here Severus always.”

As McGonagall’s words washed over him, Severus felt a strange feeling take a hold of him. He felt a warmth like he hadn’t felt before, something good and wonderful filling his insides.

“I’m glad I have a friend in you Mini,” Severus whispered using the nickname he’d often used when they were alone, “and as am I to you and I will always be there for you too. I would love to return to Hogwarts, only to beat you for a few more years yet in the house cups of course.” Severus smiled, and for the first time in as long time, the two friends began to laugh like old time, as thought time had not passed between them.

When Minerva finally left the hospital wing, Severus found that warm feeling was still there, stirring and floating within his heart. For the first time in his life, he felt he truly belonged. That he had true and real friends who cared for him, something he’d longed since his childhood. To be loved and wanted, and be surrounded by people he could count on. Severus closed his eyes and savoured that warm feeling and stayed that way for a long time. For the first time in a long time. Severus Snape was happy.

_____________________________________________________________________

Oops! That wasn’t supposed to turn into a little ficlet, it was just suppose to be a short dialogue thing. But my thoughts and fingers carried me away. I hope you enjoyed that and like my picture. I think day 4 might be a little darker. I’ve got a horrible angsty idea for that one, possibly based on Natalie Embruglia’s song torn. But may change my mind. We’ll see. Not sure why I’m thinking ahead when I haven’t even thought of day 2 yet. Eek!! Also I’m doing inktober as well, so these may come a little slowly and may continue after the moth has finished. I’ll do my best.

So, here's a tiny one-shot that never really went anywhere and ends kinda abruptly; but I don't want it to go to waste in my files, so I'm sharing it here.

It features my Hazbin OC, Serenity and Blue (aka 2p Alastor); just a quick and cute little interaction based on a sentence prompt. Enjoy!

~ ~ ~

“Serenity, w-why are you up here?” Blue asked, holding his mic close to his chest. “Are you hiding from me? I-I'm too much, aren’t I?”

Blue was about to turn and leave, specks of tears already forming in his eyes; but Serenity stopped him, stretching her hand out towards him. “No no, I just thought I’d hang out in my room for a while. Come and join me.” She insisted, patting the spot on her bed next to her.

“Are you certain?”

“Of course. Besides, I enjoy your company.”

Very much unlike his counterpart, Blue was a very sensitive soul. So, Serenity felt as though she needed to be a tad cautious about what she said to him; especially concerning their relationship. Blue always showed such distress over Serenity possibly getting bored and leaving him; this was always followed by a reassuring snuggle session to put Blue’s worries to rest.

Like a doe crossing a meadow, Blue‘s steps were hesitant as he slowly made his way across the room. Serenity kept her arm raised slightly so that when Blue reached her, he could easily slide in next to her; burying his face in her neck as his arms slipped around her torso. Serenity let her hand drop gently on Blue’s shoulder, rubbing it as he cuddled in closer — if that was even possible.

Blue mumbled something incoherent into Serenity’s neck; the only reason she could tell he said anything was the slight vibration his speech caused.

“I can’t hear you, Blue.” The brunette spoke in the softest tone she could manage.

The deer demon gently shuffled his face away from her neck to repeat what he wanted to say, “C-Could you play with my hair?” His already-lowered hair tuffs flicked as he nervously made his request.

Serenity smiled fondly down at her deer lover and placed a quick peck on his forehead. “Sure thing.”

The hand that once rest on Blue’s shoulder now moved to the top of his head. Serenity gently combed her fingers through the soft head of hair, occasionally petting down the two tuffs that resembled deer ears; although she wasn’t entirely certain that’s what they were.

Blue leaned happily into Serenity’s touch, his little tail flapping around under his tailcoat. He nestled his head back into the crook of her neck, planting a soft kiss here and there as a way to return the affection.

@rueitae​ said in a tag that they would love to see Pidge’s grotto, but I didn’t think I could really draw that well enough. So! I decided to draw a basic picture as well as a short drabble, just shy of 1,100 words. 

Language was no problem between the two; as odd as it seemed, Pidge could speak and understand the human language very well. Lance always felt it had to do with mermaid magic. But one day, the two were talking about homes and collections. Lance talked about his collection of snow globes, video games, and sea life figurines and toys. It amazed Pidge, her wide eyes glistening. Then he asked about what she likes.

This led Lance to don his diving suit and breathing mask; thank modern technology, creating both to protect deep-sea divers without needing bulky gear that could get caught on protrusions and crevices. He dove down into the waters with Pidge, holding onto her hair as she took him to where she called her second home. Second home; this little detail told Lance that she had another home, one she didn’t talk much about. It was probably where her family was, most likely much deeper in the ocean.

Lance was amazed when he saw an old, sunken ship; it looked like it was once a cruise ship at one point. It had to be decades old, judging by the style. Somewhere within the second or third decade of the 2000s. Amazing. Even more amazing was its condition. Life had taken over it, but it was still recognizable. And in all honesty? Lance didn’t think it looked too much like tetanus waiting to happen. Wow.

Pidge led him inside. For the most part, it had been hollowed out. This allowed Pidge to move more freely inside as she went from one end to another. Lance had parted from Pidge a bit, deciding to swim on his own without having to hold onto her hair. He looked around, seeing the occasional plane or small boat, all perfectly placed, seemingly undisturbed by the water.

They’re from different eras! Lance thought, recognizing them only because of Shiro’s interests and hobbies. Amazing, if Shiro could see this, he would faint from happiness! He went to a car, gently resting his hands on its frame. Aged, partially from time, partially from the water, but it almost looked like Hunk could work with it and make it run again. Pidge really had to have been using mermaid magic to preserve everything; he would have to remember to ask questions when they returned to the surface since his mask made it tricky to communicate under the water.

Pidge really likes this stuff, though. Ships. Planes. Maybe that’s why she located Shiro’s plane. He thought, going to a small plane, amazed to find it to be a World War II era plane. Amazing! He had only ever seen refurbished ones in museums or Shiro’s collections; but this one had to be legit! Did Pidge find it somewhere? Or maybe she collected it long ago? He didn’t know her age, mermaids most likely aged different than humans and had different life spans.

Lance felt the soft fin along one of Pidge’s arms brush against him, getting his attention. He looked to her as her ears moved, twitching in a direction, carefully beckoning him to follow her. She then swam off, heading further into the ship. How much further, though? It was only at least eight times her size.

Curious and ever the adventurist, he went along with her, thankful that Pidge moved slowly so that he could easily keep up, even occasionally pushing him with one of her hands to help move him along. Goodness, sometimes he didn’t always find himself comprehending just how big Pidge was until she would bring up her hands; he could fit in one hand with ease! It was both amazing and terrifying. But mostly amazing.

Pidge led Lance to an opening of the ship, but it didn’t exactly lead back outside into open water. Instead, he found himself in a cave, his eyes lighting up in admiration. It was like a scene out of his favourite, old cartoon! But this? This was much larger, meant to accommodate the various sizes of small boats, planes, vehicles, even old satellites and spaceship parts that ended up in the ocean. Remarkable. Truly remarkable.

People talk about the seven wonders of the world, well here’s one on my own personal list! He thought. He then looked up, seeing light filter in. Holes in the cave? And yet it stayed hidden? He swam up and found himself resurfacing. An air pocket! He removed his mask once he was sure it was safe. He then looked to see Pidge resurface a bit, her eyes just above and staring at him.

“Pidge, this is really amazing.” he told her, swimming to an edge. He chuckled when Pidge helped him up onto the ledge, letting him sit there while she brought her head up all the way. “Did you really collect these?”

“Mm-hmm.” Pidge nodded. “They’re my favourite things to find.” She chuckled a bit, though it sounded a little embarrassed. “I was ready to take Shiro’s plane, too. But… he was still alive. I knew someone would miss him, so I took him back to his people.”

“You returned the plane, too.” Lance reminded. Pidge lowered herself enough to cover her nose and mouth; she blew some bubbles as she did so. Lance could only guess that she returned it because of Shiro’s arm still wedged into the crushed metal despite her biting him free. Maybe she thought it could be reattached? Well, whatever the reason, she wasn’t saying.

“Really, Pidge,” Lance decided to redirect the subject, “it really is amazing here.” He looked in awe, even the parts of the cave above the water had alcoves with objects placed; he was amazed to find an old motorcycle there. Yup, Shiro would have loved this! He would have gone ballistic in seeing that bike. “Your collection is wonderful.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Pidge smiled brightly, her face fully above the water again. “You can visit whenever you wish! I’d like the company.”

As would Lance. He loved sitting and talking with Pidge. Their friendship was like a sort of dream come true and he found himself being very fond of her. “Before I return to the shore, I’d like to see more. Do you have any favourites?”

“Of course!” Pidge chirped. “They’re further down.”

“Then it’s time to dive.” Lance said, standing up and putting his mask back on. He then dove into the water, Pidge waiting for him to get a bit further down before moving to lead him.