I FINALLY FINISHED THIS PROJECT RAUGHHHHH 🗣🗣🗣

Cherri please can we have the translations for the little Hero Academia cards you made for Martyn's video?

Ask Martyn. He wrote it all and I still can't read Kanji. It's actually so embarrassing for me. My boss knows more Japanese than me AND I'M JAPANESE

Icarus, and the Sunflower

PART TWO: UNFIXABLE ERROR

PROLOGUE: PART ONE

3.4k words below the cut

SOME BEGINNING NOTES: - This AU is only character shipping, and references a lot outside the life series events (evo, hermitcraft, empires, etc). This is not meant to ship the CC’s themselves and if anything alludes to it, it is purely unintentional. - This is not canon-compliant ermmmm i do what i want and i will put every idea i have into this - No more bullet points this time... taking off the baby wheels - This is to add more to the first part! Please read that one before this if you haven't - Tags for this part? Game dev AU, Past BigB/Grian, a lot of BigGri flirting, some characters are real and some are fictional, this is only the prologue (part 2!), Grian is still down bad for Scar, absolutely not beta'd i only have one impulsive braincell, contains some fake chats

I. HALLOWEEN

The game awards have been announced, and it was the talk of the company. Evolutionists’ Portal has been online for 4 months now, and it built itself a dedicated fan base with a peak of about 80k players a month. Updates were still on the way, scheduled for Halloween and Christmas Day.

The team working on Evolutionists’ Portal hoped for a nomination, and maybe even an award. Gria hoped for this, as well, but he was too tired to even think with everything on his plate. Their art director quit suddenly, so he was carrying out two big roles, but even when the past art director was there, he was basically doing most of his work.

The team took notice of his exhaustion and invited him to the company Halloween party. Gria didn’t want to, but Martyn had a brilliant idea for making a bet: Gria believed they would get one nomination, and Martyn believed it would be two. If Gria wins, Martyn will get him breakfast every day until Christmas. If Martyn wins, Gria has to wear an outfit to the party of his choosing. Gria thought it was a harmless bet, and he’d actually benefit from it, so he agreed.

Jimmy is his closest friend in the company, but Jimmy was also busy with his work in Empires. There are talks of a big collaboration and he knows he can’t get ahold of Jimmy until it is settled. One morning, a cup of coffee appeared on his desk with a note attached to it that said,

“You might need a little boost in your morning.”

Gria had no idea who it could be from until he noticed a wrapped piece of warm, chocolate cookie beside the cup. He looked up from his desk and met eyes with Big B, who smiled and gave him a little wave before resuming his work.

His crush on Big B was no secret. The man is funny and handsome, and he and Gria started in the company together. Martyn was the first one to catch it, the way he gets giggly and embarrassed around Big B, and he’s been on Gria’s case since. Pearl found out about it through Martyn’s teasing, but she had the grace not to poke fun at Gria (only sometimes.) Jimmy still hasn’t caught on, and Martyn bursts out laughing every time Jimmy unintentionally third wheels or cockblocks Gria. Gria has an inkling that Big B might’ve noticed it, but he acts the same way around him, which Gria is thankful for.

The nominations were out the morning of the party, and they were nominated for “Best Multiplayer” and “Best Audio Design.” As soon as the news broke out, Martyn walked in stride to the art department and pulled Gria to the parking lot where Martyn’s car was parked. He opened the trunk, pulled something out, and gave it to Gria with a devilish grin.

Martyn: I’m so excited to meet such a popular singer tonight.

Gria peeked inside the dress cover, he wanted to die.

One night, the team went out drinking. Gria had a few more drinks than he should’ve. He doesn’t remember what happened, but Pearl recorded the whole thing; basically, he got so drunk that he started singing nothing but Ariana Grande songs. To put the final nail in the coffin, he might’ve sat on Big B’s lap as he sang one song.

Gria wore the outfit after being manhandled by everyone into wearing it. Big B wasn’t going to the party as he’d said days before, and while Gria was relieved not to embarrass himself, he also wished for Big B to be there.

Gria wore a ridiculously pink two-piece top and skirt, with a white furry shoal attached to gloves. Pearl also lent him her white boots, which surprisingly fit him well (and gave him a few inches.) The room cheered when he walked in, and he was too embarrassed to walk that Jimmy had to drag him around the room.

Pearl wore a cute green dress, which looked a lot like a character from Empires. Jimmy wore a Captain America costume, but instead of a star had a huge letter S at the middle of his chest. Martyn wore a pirate costume. 

Martyn: What a shame Big B isn’t here to see this.

Martyn teased, and Gria wanted to strangle him right there. Then, without warning, a finger poked his cheek. Gria turned and there Big B was, holding a bloody axe in a bloody costume. Gria remembered the game Big B told him about, a zombie game called “The Creaking Dead.” It was one of the things that led them to become friends, their love for zombie games.

The night went by, celebrating both Halloween and their nominations. Empires also had their own share of nominations, and Jimmy was so giddy that night.

Pearl pulled them four to the photo booth before they could get more wasted. Jimmy grabbed a weird-looking fish beanie and Martyn put on a Mickey Mouse headband. Pearl put on a sunflower crown that fit the gold accents in her dress. They made sure to put Gria and Big B at the center of the photo, and Gria tried not to explode with how close they were. Big B suggested they take a Polaroid photo after for keepsake, and before Gria could head out of the room and go home, Big B gave him a Polaroid photo with a message written in Sharpie.

"Glad I came by today, G. Happy Halloween. ♡"

II. VALENTINE’S DAY

Gria and Big B have been talking and texting each other non-stop for months now. People assume they’re dating, but when Jimmy asked, he clarified that they had no label. It’s true; they haven’t done much. They hung around a lot, and they might’ve fooled around during cold December nights, but it was an unspoken, casual thing. At least, that’s what it was for Gria.

On Valentine’s day, Big B invited him for dinner, and everyone teased them about being lovebirds. That night, Big B finally asked Gria to be his boyfriend.

Gria was happy. Overjoyed. Someone as kind and thoughtful as Big B, who treats him so well, wanted them to be exclusive. He wanted Gria. But the smile on Gria’s face slowly faded as his happiness turned into dread. Big B is too nice for him. Too perfect for him. Too much for someone like him.

Gria turned him down without explaining further. He saw the hurt in Big B’s eyes, but the man still treated him the same: with adoration and care.

Big B drove him home, and that was the last time they talked outside of work.

III. MARCH

Gria finally took some time off. Aside from the upcoming April Fools update, there wasn’t much to be done. The tension between him and Big B has been too much to bear, and he can’t shake the guilt he feels each time Big B leaves a warm cup of coffee with a cute note on his desk.

He lurks on the internet, bored out of his mind. He met this person, PotatoNutshell, and became friends over Hermitopia 6.

IV. APRIL FOOLS

< Let's play like cats, let's count to three. >

The gang liked the Alpha version of “The Life Game.” The map is good (which makes Gria proud as he designed it,) and the mechanics are simple enough to get used to.

There are several problems, though. The motion blur is making everyone sick, and the one who had it the roughest was Joel. The UI is also unintuitive, as you have to look at your wrist to see the messages and your health status, which you can easily lose track of. Then, the computer AI characters are indistinguishable from each other. It was supposed to be a battle royal game, but with only the players having unique skins, it feels a bit more like player versus enemy than a competition.

It was understandable, though, that it didn't have much character customization. The remaining two working on the game are a writer and a programmer, and they have no 3D modeling experience at all. Gria figured he could help out and tinker with it when he had time, especially with how the gang loved the game despite all its flaws.

V. SUMMER, a year later

Gria’s old friends finally messaged him that they added more things to the game, and it might be enough for a beta test. The only thing they haven’t figured out is the character models. Gria confirmed if they were planning to release this game, and the two said “no, not yet. Not anytime soon.” That gave Gria all the liberty to simply tinker with the game just for their own enjoyment.

He asked the team if they had any characters they’d like to mod into the game, preferably with 3D models so they wouldn’t have to worry about rigging and animation too much. Skizzleman suggested Hermitopia characters, which Gria wouldn’t contest because this gives him a great excuse to add Scar into the game.

They needed one more character, and Gria remembered the Empires plush on Jimmy’s desk. The team gave him a free plushie of the “Starboy, The Rivendell King” because all plushies of the “Codfather” were sold out, the one Jimmy usually played as. Still, Jimmy keeps the Starboy plushie on his desk and sometimes carries it with him to the breakroom when he takes a short nap. Gria found the image of Jimmy carrying this plush to be adorable, although he will never say it aloud, so he decided to add Starboy as their final character. He also had Gemini and Shadow Lady (as per Joel’s request) 3D models ready, but he’ll probably add them next time. Pearl also isn’t joining their session for now, so it would be good to save her favorite character for another time.

On one Friday night in April, they all logged on and waited to connect to The Life Game’s private server. Gria was excited to play until he received a message from one of his old friends.

A slight chill crawls up Grian’s arm. He gripped his VR headset, a bit hesitant after his conversation with his old friends. After a moment, he shook off his nerves and wore his headset. He looked at the server status reading “5/6 Players” and hovered his controller over the button that would let him play with his friends. Grian ignored the warning bells and hit “Join World.”

VI. HELLO, WORLD

Gria spawned into the world, a bit dizzy from the sunlight blasting into his eyes. He got off on the ground and surveyed his surroundings, and it seemed like the map was different from the last time. In front of him looked like a ruined portal, which he doesn’t remember adding to the map years ago. Could this be something his old friends added to the map for the Evolutionists’ Portal developers to see? Gria smiled at the sentiment. He looted the chest near it, and it felt a bit like cheating. He joined the game late, but he already had golden gear in his first minutes of playing.

He did some resource gathering, something which they learned was crucial from their alpha test. He travelled and spotted a village, and saw Martyn’s character completely raiding it. Out of all of them, Martyn might have been the one who became so immersed in the gameplay. Even before playing, he was discussing tactics and plans in their call. If it ever came down to it, he knows Martyn would be a formidable opponent with how into it he is. 

Gria traversed the map more until he hit the border. There’s no way to get through it, even if you force it. It also seemed like the friendly creatures weren't able to get past it. It’s a bit scary to think about how they’re stuck in this little box until only one of them remains. It’s a good thing all of this is just a game.

Being the creator of the maps for this game, Gria remembers where most of the biomes are on the map. He goes back to the village and spots Big B.

Excited and without thinking, he jumped in front of Big B and surprised him, which made Big B’s character jump back. But, when Big B met his eyes, he immediately laughed and smiled. 

Before Big B could strike up a conversation, Joel’s voice could be heard from a distance, he looked just like himself in real life, but he wore a costume that reminded Gria of Shrek. He shot Big B a quick look and saw he was wearing something similar to his costume during one of their old Halloween parties. Martyn’s character seemed different, too.

Gria noticed the little shop icon on his screen. When he clicked on it, it opened a shop of a multitude of items that can be bought with experience points. He checked out the costume section and saw that costume accessories were fairly cheap. He bought himself a red sweater, and now his character feels more like him.

He noticed someone trailing behind Joel, a blazing head of fire and red eyes. It took him a while to realize that this was Tango Tek from Hermitopia. When he spoke, both Gria and Joel cranked their neck at him, surprised he could speak. Hermitopia had no voice lines. Despite this fact, Joel excitedly conversed with Tango, prompting him to speak more. Gria excused himself, confused at how this was possible.

He went off to gather more resources before he headed to the village. He saw Big B yet again, and his cheeks flushed at how many times he had seen him by himself. Gria’s a bit awkward around him, but Big B greets him with a smile each time. 

Big B: Are you sneaking up on me, G? Gria, giggling: Hello there, B. Whatcha up to? Big B: Trying to survive the first night, and maybe even you? Gria: Well, I don’t think a danger. Not to you. Big B: A danger to my heart, maybe?

Gria bit his lip and walked away. Big B laughed behind him, and he couldn’t fight back his smile. He looked at the ground and saw Martyn’s faint green name tag. He grinned and turned to Big B, “Wanna scare Martyn?”

They made their way down Martyn’s mining hole, carefully, and they tried not to giggle like a bunch of kids sneaking out in the middle of the night. Gria heard Martyn, talking to himself, and he approached him behind before shouting, “Hey Martyn!”

The three hang around together in the mining hole, chatting and bickering while hoping to find diamonds. Martyn succeeds and even gives them two diamonds each for a sword. The two were dumbfounded at this generosity, and Gria gave Martyn his golden apple in return.

Martyn: I just gave you guys diamonds because we’re buddies, c’mon. Gria: You know what, you can have my most prized golden apple. Martyn: Ooh, what’s this do? Gria: It gives you extra hearts when you eat it. Martyn: You’re giving me hearts? Way to make Big B a third wheel. Big B: Oh my god.

Gria exploded into laughter at this, and Big B shook his head but smiled at the situation.

After the sun had risen, he parted ways with the two and spent his time around the village and looking for a place to stay. He came across another nametag below the ground, and he thought it might’ve been Jimmy. He went down and surprised the man, only to find that it wasn’t Jimmy. 

When he heard Tango speak a while ago, he couldn’t figure out how it was possible. However, he did know of a game around an AI girlfriend who wouldn’t let you leave the house unless you said the right words. To think █████ could add such a feature, for AI to understand and speak back to you, all in a year is quite impressive and he would like to ask him more as soon as they finish playing. He didn’t listen carefully when Tango spoke earlier, and it might’ve been more robotic than he remembered. But now, as Ren screamed in surprise and spoke how Gria spooked the hell out of him, it sounded too much like a real person’s voice.

After mining a bit, Gria went out to the world and built a base at a lovely ravine area. Unfortunately, his resources weren’t enough to make it look pretty, and he suddenly missed the creative freedom he had while playing Hermitopia.

After being alone for so long. He made his way back to the village. Much to his surprise, so many people were there. At the side of the village, a group of characters in iron gear approached him. They excitedly called out his nametag, Grian, to greet him. Just like Ren and Tango’s voices, they all sounded so real. Too real. 

Martyn, Big B, Jimmy, Skizz, and Joel were nowhere to be seen. He was surrounded by characters from a game he spent countless hours playing. They talk and bicker like they are real people, and they sound like real people would. Gria would never be able to think of better voices for them. 

Among the four of them, one stood out the most. He had disheveled hair and a huge scar on his face that went down his neck. Despite having a cape and scarf covering most of his torso, Gria can’t pry his eyes off his huge, exposed right tit.

Completely distracted, something suddenly fell into his hands. It took him a while to process that this man held his hands and gave him flint and steel. Gria looked up, meeting the man’s eyes, and he had this devilish grin that made Gria’s knees weak. He turned his head higher and looked at the man’s nametag, “Scar Goodtimes”

Scar put his arm around Gria and made him face the village, and one of the houses were burning.

Scar: It was Grian! It was him who did it! 

Gria couldn’t move. He couldn’t process what was happening, and he couldn’t care less about how Tango and Etho were trying their best to put out the fire. The man beside him, probably more than 6 feet tall, is Scar Goodtimes. He’s way different from what he remembered, he had shorter hair and markings instead of actual scars, but when he spoke, Gria might’ve melted into the ground if the man didn’t have his arm around him.

Scar: Geez, Grian, what a rapscallion burning down villages.

Scar grinned at him and gave him a wink. It was as if Gria’s hardware crashed. Cleo, BDubs, and Impulse were all talking to him, even playing their jukebox for him, but his mind was filled with one thing and one thing only.

“His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so hot. His voice is so—”

Something nudged Gria, and Scar was so close to his face that Gria thought he could be hallucinating. Scar whispered into his ear, asking for the flint and steel back, and he complied without a second thought. He gave him a grin before he ran off to the village. Etho and Tango followed suit in panic.

Gria finally breathed. He doesn’t know how this could be possible. He had organized an unofficial voice cast for Hermitopia before, but the chosen voice actor was so off the mark, and everyone else liked it but Gria. But now, Scar’s whisper loops in his head, and he would go to war just to argue that no actor can replicate the sound his ears had been blessed with.

While talking to Etho and Impulse, he saw the historical tree burn. Scar walked in stride and stood beside Gria, waiting for Etho to take notice. Gria and Scar share a mischievous smile as Etho runs to the burning tree. Scar watched the tree burn down, and Gria watched the fire illuminate his face.

Scar: Grian, want to take over the desert with me? Gria: Me? Scar: Yeah, you. Let’s make all the sand ours.

This marks the End of Prologue

Next > ACT ONE: STUCK IN THE DESERT

ENDING NOTES: Took a while to finish this one! supposedly there's more, but it was getting too long so I had to cut it here. The next update will be a bigger one, so it might take months before that is posted. I also plan to do more character design before moving forward with the actual life series events. If you've read this far, thank you for reading!

top ten ways of saying "i love you" without saying "i love you"

10. "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU EVEN IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO."

9. "you used corruption, believing in me? how beautiful."

8. "thank you for being a victim of my shallow emotions."

7. "tell me, you fool. if i continue to regress, will i get to ever meet you again?

6. "if all i can do as a human is to believe... my god. my universe..."

5. "for all that it's worth, i was telling the truth when i said i enjoyed working with you."

4. "if it's for your sake, i don't mind being locked in this eternal maze."

3. "under different circumstances, we could have been great rivals. or perhaps even friends."

2. "at last, we meet."

"it means i'm going to save you no matter what."

Okay okay I've got one I think will be fun!!

Spin this wheel of like 160ish fandoms of varying levels of popularity.

Extra points for telling me all about your thoughts in the tags :D

Select your champion

Little sketch because Pearl has the best energy this season

hiii <3 beloved mutual here to bother you for ask game: 16 for ethubs?

have you ever / you wouldn’t dare (x) (1277 words)

cw // suggestive (they make out lol)

------

The stars hang in the pitch colored sky outside, visible only through the small window in the cobblestone wall. Soft lantern light flickers across the room, illuminating the faces of the two men who rest there. Etho leans against the wall, one leg pulled up to his chest while the other splays into the room. His mask still covers the lower half of his face, but his mis-matched eyes reflect the small flames.

“So, Etho,” Bdubs breaks the silence. “How’re you likin’ Mindcrack so far?”

Etho’s gaze flickers over to the other man sitting across from him. Bdubs lounges against an ottoman, arm slung atop it as he smiles at the server newbie.

Technically, it's been a few weeks since Etho first showed up, but he’s definitely still settling in. Luckily for him, Bdubs has been more than happy to show him the ropes.

“It’s good,” Etho responds, his voice quiet.

This is the first time he and Bdubs have spent any downtime together, and Etho isn’t entirely sure what to do here. Bdubs had invited him over after a mining session ran late. Something about not really being ready to sleep-- which, after having almost been blown up by a creeper more than once, Etho was all too quick to agree with.

So here they are in Bdubs’ base, sitting on the floor because it was far easier than clearing off any proper seating.

“Good, good.” Etho can feel the prying nature of Bdubs’ eyes as he speaks. “Y’know, I don’t think I know much about you. You’re pretty quiet ‘n’ all.”

There it is.

Etho shrugs, folding his leg closer. “Not much to know, I guess,” he answers.

“Aww, now that’s just not true!” Bdubs tosses a hand in Etho’s direction. “There’s lots to you, I’m sure!”

A bit of heat crawls along the back of Etho’s neck at being put on the spot so directly.

“I’m… not sure I’d know where to start,” he laughs awkwardly.

Bdubs hums in thought for a moment before shifting, pulling his legs in so he can lean forward. “Well, how about this? We can play a game. I’ll ask questions, and you answer them.” The way his eyes catch the low light almost entrances Etho as Bdubs waits eagerly for his answer.

“Um… yeah, I guess. Sounds good.”

“Great!” Bdubs cheers, clapping his hands together.

. . .

The first string of questions are fairly easy to answer. Things about what he did before this, where he learned his redstone, how he knows some of the other server members. It’s after Bdubs declares that he’s done with the baby questions that things get a bit more revealing.

“You got a girlfriend? Boyfriend?”

Bdubs says it so casually that Etho almost misses it. Once it settles in his mind, however, he can feel the flush blossom across his face and he is endlessly grateful that he chose to keep the mask on.

“Uh. N-Nope.” He tears his gaze away to look at the carpet, idly plucking at a loose tuft of wool.

“Really? Someone as handsome as you?”

Etho’s blush intensifies-- he’s certain that in better lighting his ears would be visibly pink.

“Uhh… I mean. I’ve never-- erm. I’ve never had…” It’s stuttered and mumbled out, but the admission spills into the room.

“Wait.” Etho can feel Bdubs staring at him. “You’re tellin’ me you’ve never dated someone?”

Etho nods.

“Have you ever been on a date?”

Etho hesitates a moment before shaking his head. “Nope.”

Bdubs is quiet for a moment. Etho assumes he’s deciding what to ask next, though he’s definitely not expecting what does come out of Bdubs’ mouth.

“Have you ever been kissed?”

If spontaneous combustion could happen from embarrassment alone, Etho would be ashes on the rug. He stills entirely, frozen at the question, entirely unsure of how to answer. In fact, he’s unsure on why Bdubs would even want to know in the first place. Evidently Etho’s reaction alone is enough to answer for him, Bdubs’ wide smile catching in Etho’s periphery.

“You haven’t!”

Etho shakes his head again. “No. I haven’t.”

There’s more silence, Etho still refusing to look back at Bdubs. That is, until Bdubs is suddenly moving from his spot, crossing the room to kneel in front of where Etho sits. Etho looks at him, eyes wide in confusion.

“Uh… Bdubs? What are you doing?”

“You’ve never been kissed,” Bdubs states, as if that answers anything.

“R-Right…”

Etho stares up at the other man, watching the way Bdubs eyes flicker between Etho’s eyes and where his mouth is hidden by the mask.

“I’m fixing that.” Bdubs reaches a hand out to rest against Etho’s cheek, thumb waiting at the edge of Etho’s mask. “If that’s alright with you, sweetheart?”

The nickname sends a chill down Etho’s spine the way it does every time Bdubs says it. The shaky breath he takes keeps him from saying anything, so he nods instead. It’s all Bdubs needs to gently pull Etho’s mask down from his face, revealing it to the cool air. Bdubs’ eyes flit around Etho’s face-- taking in every detail they can. Etho’s sharp jawline. His soft lips. The scar that travels across his mouth like lightning.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” Bdubs breathes. His thumb finds Etho’s lower lip, tracing the scar down to his jaw with a touch so gentle it makes Etho want to melt.

It’s surprising to Etho the way he leans forward, seeking more of those tender brushes against his skin. It’s surprising to Etho the way Bdubs so easily guides his face closer with just his knuckle beneath Etho’s chin.

Bdubs leans closer, fully invading Etho’s space now, his free arm reaching to the side of Etho to balance Bdubs. And then… then…

Their lips meet, Bdubs’ on Etho’s, pressing gently together at first as though allowing Etho to test the waters. Etho’s breath hitches in his throat, and he can’t help how he presses himself further into the kiss. Bdubs’ lips are far softer than Etho had ever imagined-- not that he’d imagined them before, of course. It’s not like he’d lay awake at night trying desperately to push the thought of Bdubs’ mouth on his out of his mind.

The kiss breaks apart after another moment, though Bdubs doesn’t pull away. Neither does Etho. Their lips still brush against the other’s as Etho’s eyes flutter open to meet Bdubs’ gaze. There’s only a heartbeat where they seem to speak with only their eyes before Bdubs is sliding his hand to the back of Etho’s neck and pulling him back in, this time the kiss deeper. Hungrier.

Etho’s brows furrow as he lifts his hands to grasp desperately at Bdubs’ shirt, pulling him closer as he presses himself into the kiss.

It’s not long before Bdubs is straddling Etho’s lap as he kisses him with fervor. Etho gasps softly as Bdubs drags his teeth over Etho’s bottom lip before darting his tongue between Etho’s lips. Etho’s mouth opens just enough for Bdubs to trace the inside of Etho’s mouth with his tongue, prompting a soft whimper from the man below him.

The next few minutes are spent lost in the bliss of one another, until the pair is breathless and forced to come up for air. Etho’s lips tingle with the electricity of Bdubs’ affections, his eyes hooded as he looks up at the man still straddling him.

Bdubs laughs softly, leaning forward to plant a quick kiss to Etho’s forehead.

“I think you can say you’ve been kissed now, ay, Etho?”

Etho smiles back, a quiet chuckle bubbling in his chest.

“Yeah. I’d say I have.”

the idea of isekai time loops is rlly good ive just decided

-

Martyn jerks awake, scream caught in his throat. He wobbles terribly in his hammock, then falls to the floor, gasping for breath.

Somewhere to his left, someone barks a startled laugh. “Woah, man,” Skizz says, voice a little shaky from the scare. “You good?”

“Yeah,” Martyn breathes, then gulps in air. “Yeah,” he repeats, steadier this time. “Sorry, dude. Nightmare, I guess.”

“Oh- I woulda’ woken you up if I’d known you were having a nightmare. You seemed like you needed the rest, so I figured I’d let you sleep in.” Skizz rubs at the back of his neck. “We’re late right now, actually.”

Martyn blinks. “For what?”

“The engagement party!” Skizz says. “For Prince Bdubs and his Majesty! Etho came in earlier to grab us, but I stayed back.”

“For me.”

“For you!” Skizz grins, and Martyn raises a brow. “No, really! I wasn’t slacking, I mean it!” A beat. “…It doesn’t matter. Let’s go get ready.”

-

Suiting up in armour is second nature enough that Martyn doesn’t really have to think about it. Thank whatever deities are up there for that, because Martyn needs to think.

Because, well, he’s back to the beginning of the game again, apparently. And it means all his work has failed.

On the other hand, it’s good that he’s back, because his last memory before an option box appeared before his eyes was Ren’s dead body in his arms.

His fingers freeze on a buckle at the thought.

Can he go through it again? Can he get Ren to love him again? Can he do that?

The idea is terrifying. That Ren might not even allow him to approach, and he’ll learn that Ren has died again and he won’t be able to do anything about it and-

“Suited up, dude?”

Martyn blinks. Turns to look at Skizz.

“Oh. Yeah! Yeah, lead the way.”

Skizz gives him a strange look, but starts out the door anyway. “Come on, man, let’s find Etho.”

-

Martyn didn’t manage to work up the nerve to speak to Cleo- not after what she’d done to take the Prince’s hand. He barely restrained himself from cussing her out, or crying.

He finished talking to her and then left as quickly as he could. He managed to bump into Scar again, and he was fine- cordial.

The moment he leaves the ballroom is a moment of relief.

And then he speaks:

“Knight? Have you seen the Prince?”

Ren.

“No,” Martyn says, voice shaky. “No, apologies, Mi’lord.”

And what a strange way to speak to him, after months of him being Ren, and familiar, and- and his.

“Ah… He’s later than I thought he would be,” Ren muses. “I suppose I still can’t go into the ballroom like this.”

“Or,” Martyn says before he can stop himself. “You don’t have to go into the ballroom at all.”

Too blunt, Martyn thinks. Too much- he doesn’t know you.

“Excuse me?” Ren asks, ears flicking up in surprise.

No where to go except forward, Martyn decides.

“The prince doesn’t… love you. He has half a dozen other suitors, and it’s going to break you to try to keep him.”

“I’m not- what are you implying?”

“I’m not implying anything, mi’lord,” Martyn says, steadying himself and staring Ren right in the eyes. “I’m saying exactly what I mean. You won’t like how it goes, to keep trying to chase after him if he tries to leave you.”

“Is that a threat?”

Ren’s jaw is clenched. His hands are hidden under his cloak. He’s ready to fight.

Martyn forces himself to relax. “No,” he says, soft. “Not a threat. It’s… a warning, I guess. I’ve seen how he acts. I’ve seen how- how you act. And I really do wish for you to be happy. And I don’t think he can do that for you.”

I think I can, rests under his tongue.

Martyn is slow as he holds his hand out. Ren doesn’t seem to even notice, as he places his own hand on top.

“I recognize that this is overstepping my station but… Whatever you choose, I would be willing to stand behind you. This was my advice, but if you continue to go after him, I could- I would help you. I pledge to keep you safe.”

As safe as I can.

Ren, dead in his arms. A box that asks him if he wants to start over. Waking up at the start of it, again.

It’s habitual - he’s done this to Ren, all the time, so it’s easy. He presses his lips to the back of Ren’s hand, then pulls back. “Thank you for the audience, Ren.”

Martyn turns and opens the door back to the ballroom and leaves.

(He doesn’t realize his slip up until ten minutes later, and hopes he hasn’t fucked his chance up terribly by being too familiar with the king.)

-

Ren sucks in a slow breath, cheeks red and warm in the darkness of the halls.

He feels like he’s burning.

He thinks he could get used to it.

The kiss is hot on the back of his gloved hand, and he rubs a thumb over it, tail wagging slowly behind him.

He didn’t trust it, at first. He doesn’t know if he should, even now.

But he does. Someone who knew his name, who used his name, who cared enough to press a kiss to his hand, when everyone else would avoid touching him like he was death.

Ren considers the knight’s words.

He could have been trying to flirt himself into royalty.

… Ren isn’t sure he would stop him if he kept trying.

(How could he not fall in love with him, every single time?)

IM GOING TO LOSE MY FUCKIJG MIND HELLO?????????????

THIS IS SO COOL. THIS IS SO SO SO COOL. OHH YOU UNDERSTOOD TJE ASSIGNMENT PERFECTLY FANTASTIC PERCECT MARKS EXTRA CREDIT

ohh there’s so many fun details in this. “i don’t think he can do that for you” (i think i can) is going to make me insane. i feel insane. that last line is going to make me cry actually. ohhh man. oh this is lovely. i absolutely adore this. i am reeling also thank you so much for writing this and sending it to me

So I've been rewatching Third Life from Martyn's perspective and not even in the first session Martyn essentially institutes the beginning of essentially everything major in all seasons of the Life Series from the instigator of curses and creator of storylines, Martyn has been the intiator for all of them. He has never been more essential to the history of the Life Series lore wise then his involvement in Third Life.

Not even in the first five minutes of the Life Series, Martyn already foreshadows the Canary Curse that haunted Jimmy until Secret Life. at 2:58 of his Third Life: The Movie, Martyn gives BigB the role of his canary with BigB stating "I'm with you in spirit" moments prior. Elluding to Jimmy's endeavour to stay and comfort those subsequent fallen after his final demise and Grian's task and Secret Life that brought him back in the astral realm.

Besides the alluding to the Canary Curse, Martyn's ability to replicate and emulate sounds from the natural enviornments and mobs as a Listener allowed him to travel across the boundaries of the world meeting and scaring people from his imitation of creeper sizziling. Which lead him to meet Ren and establishing Renchantyn as their official spokesperson. Proclaiming enchanting for those who needed in the village where majority of the participants were gathering. Spoking them with his creeper noises as the night drew nearer. Yet after all this and their "guards were down" Grian did a little prank that would change the course of the series. Resulting in Scar's demise of the whole season and kickstarting Desertduo and the fued between Dogwarts and the Desert Alliance.

To quote Mumbo, "Cross-season beef" is an understatement to the relationship between Scar and Grian all because of Martyn and his Listener superstitions and powers.

___

Pt 34

was having a minor crisis but this appeared in my head and it was so stupid it just snapped me right out of it

Finally now that the comic is fully public on comicfury, I get to share it with all of you here, too <3

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