“So, who did you get into a scrap with this time, Basilio?”

The question that breezed past the plump skin of your lips made Basilio’s ears twitch in response. His ruby gaze can’t quite seem to meet your inquisitive stare as he sat in the chair across from you in the medical bay. His taller stature sunk into the chair, his shoulders hunched and spine bent as he slouched. He sniffed loudly, the scent of disinfectant making his nose itch and sit heavily on the back of his tongue every time he had to swallow. 

“It was nothing” Basilio replied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. “Just some new recruit running their mouth. Someone had to put them in their place.”

A soft hum stirred in your throat as you gingerly took Basilio’s hands in yours. You didn’t notice the way the hairs on his tail bristled on end at the brush of your warm skin passing over his, your delicate fingers passing over his hands as you inspected the damage. His palms were littered with callouses and healed scars, a testament that he was a fighter and knew how to handle the axe he wielded. But there were fresh scratches carved into his knuckles, some deep enough to make dots of blood bead to the surface. His knuckles were bruised and you could tell by the way his sun kissed skin swelled around those areas. You tentatively poked the tender flesh and noticed his eyebrow twitch for a brief second, a pinch forming between his brow as he bit back a small huff of pain. You couldn’t help the smile that twitched at your lips before you began patching him up.

You always patched Basilio up, even if it was a minor scrape or bruise. He usually complained about it, arguing that he was fine and didn’t need treatment. But lately, he didn’t seem to offer up even an ounce of hesitation when you grabbed him by the wrists and dragged him towards your office to bandage him up. Fidelio usually wasn’t far behind his younger brother and he joined you this time, like he always did, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the far wall next to the only exit. His eyes were sharp as he observed your interaction, staring at the side of Basilio’s head as a thought crossed his mind. He was mildly surprised that when Basilio explained the reason he was here, he omitted the part that the reason he decked the new recruit was because they just so happened to be bad mouthing you. As soon as they had made fun of your appearance and weight, Basilio had knocked their lights out. Fastest he had ever witnessed someone pass out, he reckoned. And Basilio wasn’t telling you about it? He half expected him to run his mouth like he normally did.

Your voice suddenly cut through the silence, breaking Fidelio out of the stupor he was caught in as you addressed him.

“You seem awfully quite today Fidelio” you mused as you dabbed rubbing alcohol onto the back of Basilio’s hands. “Something on your mind?”

Fidelio’s tongue clicked behind his teeth as he stuffed his hands into the pocket of his pants, his stance taking on a much more relaxed pose as he leaned further against the wall at his back. 

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with lass” he replied. “Just worry about fussing over Bas. Poor bugger about sprinted over here after his little tiff.”

Basilio flustered from Fidelio’s words, head whipping around to him to shoot him a half-hearted glare. “Del!” 

All Fidelio offered him was a smarmy, cat-like smile. He was well aware of Basilio’s massive, fat crush on you and he took the opportunity every now and again to tease him about said crush. Basilio threw his older brother another dirty look, silently pleading for him to shut his trap and not fluster him further. It did not matter, because being in your presence could easily flustered the Paripus, especially if you were the one. 

Your hands suddenly tightened around Basilio’s wrists as you drew them back towards you, your grip firm as they hovered just over your lap. Basilio’s head turned as well, his cheeks feeling hot as the warmth your body radiated starting seeping into his own skin.

“Hold still, Bas” you gently reprimanded. 

Basilio swallowed thickly, his bushy tail thrashing like mad behind him as he started to nod his head along to your words.

“Right. Sorry.”

He settled as you trailed your smaller hands along his and he did his best to keep still for you. He didn’t want you to accidentally nick yourself along his sharp claws. You were mindful of the talons as you started to wrap small scraps of cloth around his cuts, your movements slow and measured, like you didn’t want to cause any more discomfort for him. It was one of the reasons that Basilio had fallen head over heels for you. You were so soft, kind and warm to both he and his brother, despite them both being Paripus. You didn’t judge others on their appearance, like most others did, and you would always lend a helping hand when needed. You were a talented healer and your caring personality matched it. He couldn’t stop staring at you, at the way your lashes fluttered over the swell of your round cheeks, or the gentle purse of your plush lips as you concentrated on your task. You looked so soft. You were soft. Basilio remembered. He had picked you up once to help you reach something high up on a shelf. Despite your complaints that your plump body would be too heavy to lift, he still did it, even if just to prove you wrong. He honestly didn’t know why you had been so worried. He was strong and your weight had felt like a mere suggestion to him as he wrapped his arms around your plump waist and hoisted you up. The memory still lingered in his mind. He could taste the perfume you had worn that day in the back of his throat. He honestly did not know how he wasn’t freaking out with you touching him now. 

And little did he realise, that was your current predicament. It was hard to keep your hands steady in Basilio’s proximity. His hands were so warm. His nails were well kept despite his penchant for getting into fights. You were freaking out at how big they were. He could fit both of your tiny hands into the large palm of one of his and the thought alone was making your head feel a little dizzy. You did your best to quell the thoughts stirring in your hazy mind, tucking them back into your box of day dreams that you could fantasise with later. Basilio was your friend and you didn’t know if he even viewed you the same way. You were unsure of when your friendship started to mean something a little more to you but you had fallen for the handsome Paripus and you had fallen hard. 

After a long, drawn out silence you had finally finished patching Basilio up. With a small sigh of relief you put your tools away, a beaming smile settled on your face. 

“I’m all done” you announced. 

Basilio’s ears perked up at the sound of your cheery voice, a smile touching his lips ashis tail continued to wag happily behind him. He inspected his hands, turning them over and flexing his fingers to test the strength of his bandages. Not tight enough to cut off circulation but firm enough to hold in place. 

“You did a great job” Basilio said. “I expected no less from such a great healer.”

It was your turn to feel flustered as you shuffled around your little clinic, cheeks warm as you briefly averted your gaze. You giggled softly, twirling a stray piece of your hair around your finger before tucking it behind your ear.

“Well, I don’t know about all that…”

Basilio was standing now and you had to crane your head slightly to look up at him. 

“I mean it” Basilio insisted. “Never seen a better healer in me life. Tell her, Del.”

Fidelio gave a flippant wave of his hand. “What he said” he simply stated, agreeing with his brother’s previous statement. 

You preened under their attention, pinching another piece of hair between your fingers and twirling it around until it was curling around your digit. The Paripus brothers were nice to you. Fidelio took a longer time to warm up to you than Basilio did and his personality could still be a little prickly at times, but you knew he was appreciative every time you patched up his little brother. 

“Is there anything else you needed?” you asked. 

Basilio opened his mouth, intending to respond, but Fidelio cut him off before he could even take a breath. 

“Yeah, he’s got a case of the ‘love bug’” Fidelio piped up. “I’m afraid you’re the only one that can treat it.”

Basilio sputtered, almost biting his own tongue off as he turned on his heel towards his brother. 

“Del! Shut yer trap, would ya? Don’t put me on the spot like that!”

Fidelio’s eyes rolled so hard they almost disappeared into the back of his skull. He had been witness to you both dancing around each other for so long. He could only take so much before he just had to say something. 

“Oh belt up, Bas” Fidelio bit back. “I’m trying to help, ya twit. And that goes for you too lass.”

You blinked owlishly in surprise when Fidelio seemed to be addressing you. You tipped your head, raising a questioning brow as you hesitantly pointed to yourself. 

“Yes, you” Fidelio confirmed. “I see the way you twirl your hair every time Basilio compliments you. I know ya ain’t daft, so quit acting like it and fess up.”

Fidelio had caught you both off guard and neither of you knew how to respond. Your feelings were out in the open now and it was going to take a moment to process your thoughts. You couldn’t believe how brazen Fidelio had been with spilling your secrets like that. You figured he must have been tired watching the silly charade going on between the two of you. With a small huff Fidelio pushed himself from the wall, seeing himself out and throwing a few more words over his shoulder before promptly shutting the door behind him. 

“Sort it out between the two of you.”

Well, the cat was out of the bag. You and Basilio fell into silence for a long time. Neither of you knew what to say nor where to begin. You were still reeling from the revelation that Basilio possibly harboured the same feelings you did for him and your heart was beating so loud you could hear it beating like a drum in your ears. You and Basilio continued to awkwardly glance in each other’s direction, trying to pluck up enough courage to speak but flustering when it came time. It was Basilio that broke the silence. 

“Sorry about that” Basilio started, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. “Del means well, please don’t sour on him.”

You shook your head, taking a deep breath as you placed your hand on your chest. You could feel your heart racing beneath your fingertips as you sifted through your head for the right words. 

“I’m not mad at him. Just…still reeling a bit, is all” you confessed. 

You took a brief pause, taking another deep breath as you steeled your resolve for what you were about to say.

“I just wanted to say-”

“I wanted to tell you-”

You and Basilio both stopped short when you realised you were speaking over the other. You felt warmth rush to your cheeks. 

“I’m sorry, you go first” you said.

Basilio shook his head. “It’s alright. After you.”

“No, please. I insist. Bas.”

Basilio loved hearing his nickname on the tip of your tongue. It sounded really nice when you said it. His tail perked up and this time you noticed it. It swayed gently behind him as he faced you, eyes locked onto yours as he garnered your attention.

“Look, I quite fancy you. And I was wondering if you…well you don’t have to…but would you like to…have dinner? With me? Doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I’m pretty handy with a pan myself. What say you? Now, I won’t be offended if you decline.”

Basilio was rambling a little but you waited until he was finished, falling silent as he awaited your response in anticipation. His heart was ready to leap up into his throat as you slowly started to nod your head in agreement, his wagging more violently as you offered him a warm smile. 

“That sounds like a lovely idea. I would love to be treated to your cooking.”

I’m gonna start with @birinboom Em, my dear sweet potato moot. She’s a really kind moot and will hear you out and support you in your endeavors! She also writes really sweet fics and has a penchant for sweetheart and silly/mischievous type characters…dunno much about Hashbrowns (Hoshina Kn8) but he seems silly and mischievous to me. Very warm like a baked sweet potato! Also has a way of describing nature that puts you there. Em you already know my favorite, and it’s coming up again: she has the ability to nail the vibes of one universe but apply it to different characters.

@philistiniphagottini Nagi is so very kind. It’s the firm kind of kind, the one that encourages establishing and maintaining boundaries. Also writes really sweet pieces and for chubby readers to boot! Embodies multiple characters and matches their vibes with her narration too! I have come across some neat prose reading her work, I cannot remember them off the top of my head. Which is concerning given I meant to borrow that… Anywho Nagi is considerate! Be kind to Nagi please! She has definitely taught me a lot by being herself.

@feral-artistry : in my head you’re objectively hot. Like a Thai spicy mango salad, sweet with a kick and it’s fun! I don’t think I thought to apply traditional painting techniques to digital painting until I saw you do it. The way she hears you out and gives out solid advice and interesting pieces of information. Generally an educational experience talking with you and I would recommend it to others here. Also: pretty art. Oh and your sense of humor might just align with mine because you’re effortlessly funny in some posts I’ve seen. Also you kicked one of the things I had only ever hoped to experience off my bucket list when you made art of Ace after reading my headcanons of him. Pure joy.

@captainportgasdace an absolute sweetheart. Seriously: like 80-90% fluff and sweetness. Deeply loving (her dedication to her blorbo and her sweet characterization of him speaks volumes) has absolutely brought me brainworms and joy on the dash. Also a patient listener and just so kind? Like...imagine a whole stranger tells you about something completely unrelated to you and you just wish them well? Tell them they deserve good things? Like...lovely. Just lovely.

(Yes my mutuals are all very kind sweethearts)

@silentgravesdontexist a well-meaning sweetheart through and through. Kinda feral not gonna lie, and the spice adds a nice variety. No, not spice like spicy work, more like a bit of a warm kick-her energy? Very energetic, it’s refreshing! Also I don’t think I’m going to be forgetting Cy and the Cap having one of my all time favorite reblog convos under my fic. The dopamine high was real. Absolute sweetie pie and she's goes out of her way to be kind to you.

@throwmethroughawindow : I remember sharing something with her about my reading preferences and her responses surprised me in a really good way. No judgement, just a lot of respect and consideration. I appreciate that. Also loving, and enthusiastic about it. The fun person screaming in the tags (as I've seen and had the privilege of experiencing)

@true-deru : haven’t been mutuals long, but definitely a lot of fun! There’s a decent amount of alignment in fandoms we’re interested in and is generally a sunny presence on the dash! Haven’t gotten to reading her stuff yet, but when I dooooo. Also a lot of the YuGiOh posts throw me back to my childhood and it just brings me this sense of: yay! other people like YuGiOh too!

⚜ CASPAR VON BERGLIEZ

— Frostfall Manor, a quiet balcony with a cool breeze, 8:15 PM.

It’s roughly an hour and a half into the ball. You’ve already fit in a few dances (with friends and strangers alike), snuck a few sweet treats off the refreshments table, chatted with your friends in the garden courtyard and admired the blooms… But now you’re wanting a reprieve from the delightful, busy revelry of the ballroom as you’re feeling just a little worn out from the festivities. While the garden is certainly an option for a rest, you fear it might be just a little too crowded. Plus you’re pretty sure the gardens themselves, aside from the courtyard, are an actual maze. You don’t fancy getting yourself lost. No, perhaps you’ll find elsewhere to rest. Surely there’s an open balcony, or perhaps a sitting room. With a few promises to your friends that you’ll be back in a while once you’re feeling up to it, you slip out of the heavy wooden doors separating the ballroom from the rest of the manor.

There’s a short hallway connecting the ballroom to the main entrance hall; at the far end of the room is a large staircase leading to the upper level. Your steps are softened by the dark green runner along the stairs, and your fingers brush along the ornate, carved handrail.

Eventually, after wandering down a couple long hallways, you stumble across an empty balcony by chance. It’s a bit further from the ballroom, on the other end of the manor. The night air is cool, and you honestly feel a bit chilled when the wind breezes past you; the mesh sleeves on your gown really don’t do much to keep you warm. The balcony itself is small, cozy, and lit by a few sconces attached on either side of the doors. A small but thick book sitting on a small table just off to the side of a chaise catches your eye, and it piques your book-loving curiosity. It isn’t something you have read before, and the book appears old and well-loved.

As you settle onto the plush lounge chaise, you crack open the worn tome. The scent of aged paper is distinct as you run your fingers over the opening paragraphs. It’s a novel of some sort, though you’re not quite sure what sort of plot is in store for you—you certainly won’t be able to finish it while you’re here, either, but perhaps enough to keep you busy. The distant music and laughter from the ballroom fades away, replaced by the soft whispers of the wind and the rustling of pages turned slowly.

Some time later, a quarter after eight o’clock, your attention is grabbed by the balcony doors opening.

When you look up, you see a young man with short, messy hair in pale blue. He’s wearing a classic masquerade eye mask in black, though the gold edging really makes the mask itself and his light blue eyes pop. His outfit is nice, just showy enough to denote his status, his coat being a rich burgundy that pairs nicely with the rest of the layers that are primarily black. For a moment, he seems a bit surprised to see someone out here.

His eyes flick to the book in your hands, back to your face, and then he blurts out: “Who comes to a ball like this and reads?”

Seriously? You quirk a brow, thumb marking your spot on the page, and you tilt your head as you really take a good look at him.

“Is it really so strange?” you ask, shrugging your shoulders. The way you level your gaze at him displays an air of amused tolerance… or intolerance. Honestly, you’re not too bothered. “The book was already out here, and I may as well do something to keep myself busy while I’m taking a break. I can’t dance and drink the entire evening.”

“Well, I mean, that’s true enough,” he backtracks, sounding a little awkward, like he just realized how rude his initial statement might’ve been. “I guess you wouldn’t really catch me reading at a party like this. Or… unless I really had to, actually.”

As he speaks, he makes his way further onto the balcony, plopping down in a plush chair opposite yours. “This is kind of a nice quiet place for a break though, huh? I was looking for a friend—he’d totally be napping somewhere like this—but I’m getting a bit tired of it. He’ll show up eventually.”

“Uh huh… and you think you can just hang out here with me?” you ask, daring to pull the poor guy’s leg a little.

His eyes widen and you can see how his shoulders tense. “I, uh. I can leave?” he stammers, and you let out a huff of laughter.

“I’m just teasing, I’m sorry. You can stay, I wouldn’t mind the company.”

Perhaps you’ll see what you can make out of this chance encounter. That in and of itself is a little romantic in a way, is it not?