Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She couldn’t do it anymore. She had to go. There was nobody to defend her. She packed her bags and she ran.

Heavy footfalls pounded the earth as she ran, mud squelching with her boots. She stopped to catch her breath and turned around. There was nobody. Nobody wanted her back and nobody was trying to catch her. She didn’t know which hurt worse.

After a few hours of work, she looked up and wiped her brow. It was midday although very hard to tell through the thick treetops of the mangrove forest she now lived in. “Wow this house is small,” she commented. Walking inside she began to place her few belongings down. She had some books, old journals, a crafting table, and a couple of stacks of wood she had from clearing a space for her home. She crafted a bed and immediately flopped down onto it sighing. Grabbing a journal she began to write.

xx/xx/xxxx I built my house today. It took a long time to clear all the trees but it looks nice. I got mud all over my clothes though. I wonder if anyone wonders where I am. Did anyone notice me being gone? Do I want them to see it? I shouldn’t worry about them. I’ll find friends here. I’m sure of it. -Great Witch Shelby

Putting away the journal she stood preparing to grab her axe from where it sat against the wall. A noise sounded from outside stopping her in her tracks.

“Hello?” Shelby said, peeking through the window. With no response to her question, she turned back for her axe, grabbed it, and then stepped outside. The sounds of the tree leaves shifting in the wind and the faint sound of water running down paths to the pond released the unintentional tenseness she had with a sigh.

“This is nice. I could get used to this,” she commented gazing around as she plotted her route. Swinging her axe once more, the tree fell with a deafening crack making the witch jump in place. “I never did quite like louder sounds did I?”

Placing the axe blade-first, into the dirt Shelby sat on the stump simply breathing. After chopping the tree into logs she returned inside grabbing her journal once again with plans to sketch designs for her dream wand. (She’d earn it eventually right?) Setting the notebook down she began to doze off with dreams of casting spells and meeting new friends. Those dreams began to shift however to failed spells and laughter from her classmates (Didn’t she run what was happening why were they here why was the air so suffocating somebody help) She shot up out of bed mind spinning, heart racing, heart pounding, breathing erratic and there in the dead of night alone and unable to sleep she wept.

Her sobs were interrupted by the faint sounds of croaking. Peering outside her window she came face to face with a small frog.

“Well, aren’t you just the cutest little frog in the world? Look at your big eyes and your lil round body awe!” she cooed excitedly tears drying on her face instantly.

Slipping on her shoes she crept outside. Slowly making her way to the frog outside her window, she cupped her hands and whistled. Softly of course as not to startle the frog. Slowly it turned and met her eyes. She’d already made up her mind

“You will be my new friend!” she exclaimed as it hopped into her hands. “There isn’t much for us to do out here in the swamp is there little guy? It’ll be fine as just me and you won’t it? I should probably name you, shouldn’t I? What should your name be?” she rambled into the night air “Your name should be Tortoise!” she yelled uncaring for whatever she may have disturbed. In response, the frog croaked happily shifting around in her hands.

The break of dawn felt unpleasant to Shelby to say the very least. She felt beyond tired and her mouth was dry. She couldn’t say she felt any regrets, however because of her new friend. It was only a matter of time before she would meet real humans though right? Humans who wouldn’t shun her for being weaker, less skilled at magic? They wouldn’t call her lesser than them for not being as great a witch as she claimed to be. She would make sure of it.

xx/xx/xxxx I befriended a frog overnight. He’s very adorable. I named him Tortoise. I think it’s very fitting. I’m vowing to try and make a friend either today or tomorrow so I’m not as lonely. Maybe I’ll even find myself a girlfriend. Wouldn’t that be nice journal? Just imagine lil ol me with a girlfriend. I bet she’d be strong and powerful and so amazing. She would be the nicest person ever and I bet she’d have a beautiful voice oh my goodness I’m gushing I should stop. Let’s hope nobody ever finds this journal. I would simply die of embarrassment. Until we speak again -Great Witch Shelby

Sitting up Shelby could just feel the blush currently staining her cheeks. Everything in that diary was from now on for her and her only if only to save herself from the embarrassment of someone seeing her ramble about a potential girlfriend.

She stood up and stretched as she planned out what the day’s breakfast would be. Perhaps she’d go simple and make some toast and later go fishing in the swamp for later food. “Tortoise where are you buddy?” she called. Less than a second later she felt a small weight on her shoulder and a slightly slimy face rubbing hers. Starting a fire inside of the furnace had to be the most difficult part, even with the magic she did naturally have. Finally, she was able to get a small flame going inside the small space. Placing the bread on top of the furnace she plotted how to go about making friends in this strange area. So far she hadn’t seen anybody. Surely that would change, wouldn’t it?

Chapter Text

Four heavy knocks on her door as she was finishing splitting toast with Tortoise were unexpected at the very least for her. She did not jump thank you very much and anyone who tells you she did would be an absolute liar. 

A muffled call could be heard from just beyond her door. Not that she had any idea what the person was saying. Swinging open the door, Shelby was met with the smiling face of a man that she could already tell was energetic. Too energetic for the time it was. How was anyone this awake. 

“Hi, yes, okay sir it is so early in the morning please calm down. It is too early for this. Who are you and how did you find this area?” 

“Hi there my name is Mythical J. Sausage, owner of Sanctuary, stripper of wood, and friend of many and I found this lovely little area on my way to collect some mud for a build of mine,” he says with a flourish of his hands.

“A build you said?” she says suddenly more interested in the conversation. “Could you tell me about it?”

Instantly his face lights up with a big grin and he begins to speak about a wondrous-sounding place full of vibrant colours and bursting with life. His face softens into a softer smile as he talks about a man named Eddie. She can tell that the two are close and love each other very much. Oh how she longs for that feeling, how she wishes someone else would feel the same way about her, that someone would hold her close and cherish her as if she were the most important thing in the world.

She’s suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when she feels a hand come to rest on her shoulder. She can register tears on her face but can’t begin to think of where they came from. The world begins to come back into focus after a few seconds and she hears a soft voice. It takes everything in her not to leave or cry again as she’s tucked into a shoulder. 

“I’m so sorry for this,” she begins with a sniffle “I didn’t mean to sour the mood I wasn’t intending to ruin your storytelling I hope you can forgive me.” 

“Oh don’t worry about that. I’d much rather make sure you feel better than continue to ramble as you cry,” Sausage says stroking her back.

She still can’t help but feel horrible at the thought of ruining someone else’s mood all because she couldn’t wrangle her own silly emotions.

Her thoughts did always get the best of her. She always managed to cry over the silliest of things. No matter how hard she tried she could never stop getting lost in her own head as her thoughts tormented her imagining things that would stay imaginary because who could ever love something as broken as she was? Who would ever want to love such a mess of a person? Someone so useless and insignificant in this world with so many better people?

Distantly she could feel her breathing speed up. She thought she heard a voice. There was so much happening. Everything was so loud. Her vision was blurred with tears but she saw a flash of blue. Wait. Blue? A blue she recognised. One from an old friend who dyed his hair blue ages ago on a whim and continued to do so. Then she felt the hands she’d missed so much gripping her shoulders firmly squeezing in a comforting way only he could achieve.

“Scott….is that you?” she asked in a nearly silent whisper as if she were telling a secret to him as she’d done so many times. Before life happened and they were separated. Blinking the tears out of her eyes she saw him giving the soft grin that was always reserved for her.

“Yep,” he began with the beginnings of tears in his own eyes, “It’s me Shelby. Do you want help getting up or do you have it under control?”

“I think I’ve got it,” she said with a wince. Her throat felt awful. She would need so much water. But first, she needed to do something important. Something she hadn’t been able to do in years. As soon as she was up she tackled Scott to the ground, eliciting a surprised giggle from the man.

Shelby hadn’t felt such comfort in a long time. She missed the warmth she felt talking with a friend. And then she remembered. 

“Oh my gods wait what happened to Sausage-” she looked around wildly searching for the man. 

“He left a while ago because I told him I could handle getting you back to normal. He said he’ll visit in a few days with Katherine.”

The last sentence was spoken with an eyebrow wiggle which made her nervous. Really nervous actually. Why did he give her that look. Why is he grinning now. He definitely knows something she doesn’t but she isn’t afraid to force it out of him. In fact…

“Okay you know what time it is?” she began with a slow mischievous smile growing on her face. “It’s interrogation time mister. We need to catch up on just about everything. It’s been years since we’ve last spoken and you’ve obviously changed as have I. How about we play a little game of 20 questions?”

She saw the dread slowly crossing his features and instantly knew she would be having an enjoyable time. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t missed this. The closeness and comfort of her best friend. She was as much his rock as he was her’s and she couldn’t be more grateful. She looked back up hearing him speak softly, with a small smile and tears in his eyes.

“I really missed you yknow? I never meant to leave. It all just happened so quickly and I had no choice but now that we’re back together I’m never letting you go. I promise.” 

He stuck out his pinky and she connected hers to it. With a final hug, they prepared for a fun evening full of catching up and eating snacks.

Chapter Text

After probably the most useless argument over how the night should start, the two finally agreed on 20 questions, then junk food, staying up as late as they possibly could in Shelby’s bed.

“Right, okay, so who should start?” Shelby asked, silently praying he wouldn’t want to question her first.

“I suppose I should be questioned first,” he said with a shrug “It seems you have a lot of questions that you're dying to know the answers to.”

“Alright, let’s start easy. The first question for you is: What have you been up to these past few years? I don’t even remember how long it’s been…” she trailed off.

“Well, I rule an empire now, I used to go adventuring, and now I have cool trinkets from my travels. There were, uhm, issues, I guess you could say, with some of them, but it’s fine now.” he finishes saying that, and she can see his eyes drop to the floor as he begins muttering under his breath. Interesting.

“Okay, now ask me a question! Interrogate me, kind sir,” she says with a determined expression. There’s an emotion dancing in her eyes both nervous and ready for whatever comes.

“How did you end up here?” She doesn’t expect this question though. Not this early in the game. So much for working our way up in question intensity. Thanks, Scott.

Frowning, she tries to find a way to explain what happened. Where did it all go wrong?

“Things just kinda happened yknow? I don’t know when it went downhill, but I assume it was around after you left the academy. You remember Bertha, right?” she looks up to see him nod his confirmation. “After you left, Bertha left the Supreme position and seeing as she was the only one who prevented all of the disasters, her leaving made it all go to shit. People were rowdy and rude. Many other students left because all the other teachers weren’t the best. Some people decided I was the best to take their anger out on, so they did just that. I couldn’t take it any longer, so I left and didn’t look back, but hey look where it got me. I get to see my best friend of many years again, and that’s all that matters in the end." she finishes with a one-handed flourish careful to not tip her mug.

"Wow, that was. A lot. Quite a lot. I didn't think I missed so much. Right, okay gimme a question."

"What's up with your eye? It's cool and all but it seems…..off if you know what I mean." She sees him flinch and his face darkens and maybe she should ask this later when emotions aren't so complicated for both of them.

"Y'know what actually we'll circle back to that question later," Shelby says with a better question in mind. "Any crushes since you left?"

She knows she's successfully changed to mood when she sees a flush spread across his face and a small embarrassed grimace appear. There's definitely someone. Definitely. Perfect.

"Well I mean- There's not really anyone- It's nothing too important just uh nope nobody trust me," he finishes flushing steadily darker and beginning to fidget.

"You're absolutely terrible at lying I must say," she starts, with a pointed stare. "That was the least believable lie I've heard from you possibly ever and you've lied to me quite a few times. Don't think that I've forgotten-"

She gets cut off by him reaching across the small gap between them slapping a hand over her mouth.

"Do not continue that sentence Shelby Shubble or I'll stain your clothes with a multitude of dyes."

Smirking behind the hand she licked it and Scott immediately jumped back, wiping his hand off and shaking it furiously.

"Ew ew ew ew ew Shelby you are disgusting! You don't even know where my hands have been. Oh, this is so gross you awful woman I cannot stand you!" He exclaimed with a disgusted grimace.

"As I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, don't think I've forgotten when you went and declared your love for that one guy in your stupidly complicated way and he didn't understand so you immediately jumped to say quote "I'm just kidding." And laughed in the most awkward way."

His only response was grumbling along with a swat to her head. Rude.

"You terrible awful woman, you're lucky I don't have any dirt on you yet. Although I bet as soon as you meet Katherine I'll be able to tease you."

Out of nowhere a small ping sounded. Then another. And another. And a few more.

"What is that noise!?"

"That's my comm it's probably nothing important but you wanna see what's happening?"

"Oh absolutely."

fWhip: Party at Trouble Town when?

SolidarityGaming: Never because Trouble Town isn't real

Smallishbeans: Anyone got any raw gold?

katherineeliz: I have some Joel

Pixlriffs: It is the middle of the night go to SLEEP

LDShadowLady: Sleepover in Animalia?

Smallishbeans: Yes

fWhip: Oh absolutely

katherineeliz: I can't say no to that

MythicalSausage: Can I bring Bubbles with me?

Smajor1995: I'm coming and I'm bringing a guest. This is not up for discussion. I'll see you in a bit.

LDShadowLady: Sausage you can bring Bubbles and Scott that's intimidating

"Right okay Shelby, follow me this is gonna be simultaneously fun and unbearable."

She looked at him with a questioning glance but took the hand he offered slowly rising.

"Are you about to kidnap me and put me around strangers and expect me to be social?"

"Oh absolutely yes I am glad you figured it out, let's go," he said, gripping her hand even tighter and pulling her out of the house.

She grumbled the entire time she was dragged. He dragged her to a nether portal? Why?

"I can hear your questions leaking from your small brain just so you're aware. We're at a portal because it takes ages to travel to other empires without elytra or nether travel now off you go into the portal I'll join in a sec."

And she was immediately shoved into the portal before she could retort. Dickhead.

The feeling of going through a nether portal never failed to disorient her. She shook her body trying to dispel the feeling of the unbearable heat wrapping around her.

"Boo." She shoved her elbow back without looking and felt it collide with his chest. He deserved it and she grinned as he groaned in pain.

"So first you lick me. Then you elbow me in the chest. What's next? You gonna start stealing my belongings?'

"Oh absolutely glad you figured it out let's go," she parroted remembering his earlier words.

Soon enough they reached a portal surrounded by amethyst and purple banners. It looked incredibly shiny with the glow of the portal reflecting off the crystals. The two stepped through into a small crowd of about 7 others and Shelby was met with the face of the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen.

Chapter Text

She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help herself. She was the prettiest woman she’d ever seen, with kind eyes and dark hair. She had sheep ears that could barely be made out, not standing out from the rest of her hair, looking soft to the touch. They flicked as she talked to a cat hybrid with pink hair talking animatedly, hands waving and tail swaying as she told a seemingly wild story. Suddenly the sheep woman turned towards the door, and Shelby could feel herself blush as she pretended to look around, refusing to let the woman see she was staring at her. She could hear a small snicker from her side, and she cut a glare sharply in that direction, not that it did much, but it was about the principle.

She glanced back over in the sheep woman’s direction and saw her walking in her direction. Shelby could feel herself subconsciously tense up, and her fingers twitched with the effort to not smooth down her clothes and hair in an attempt to look less travel ragged. Suddenly the woman was in front of her, and she could tell she was speaking, she shook her hands at her sides to snap herself out of her thoughts.

“I’m sorry, I got distracted, could you repeat what you said?” Shelby said nervously. She could feel herself beginning to sweat beneath her clothes, but she had to stay calm in front of the pretty lady. It was proving difficult, but she was trying, okay? She was trying. All she could think of was the words “pretty lady” echoing around in her head as she blushed more and more furiously.

“Did you just call me pretty?” the sheep woman said, and oh shit Shelby fucked up.

She stuttered and stumbled through her words, slowly growing more embarrassed by the second. She suddenly felt a comforting squeeze and could clear her mind. "I'm so sorry, I just- You're like- I just think- You're really pretty. Sorry if I made things awkward, but... yeah! Hi, you look nice, okay, I'm done talking now!" Shelby stuttered, tilting her head downwards to hide her face with her hair and bringing her hands towards her chest to wring.

“That’s adorable. You’re adorable. I like you. What’s your name? I’m Katherine, nice to meet you!” the shee- Katherine said, holding out a hand, and, wow if she didn’t have the prettiest voice ever-

“Right- uh hi uh my name is Shelby, Great Witch of the Evermoore nice to meet you too,” she said, reaching to grab Katherine’s.

The two shook hands but Katherine didn't let go and began to drag Shelby farther into the room where everyone else was. She began to point everyone out explaining their exports and empires. Shelby wasn't focusing on her words more than content to stare at her like a lovesick fool. Which she was. She was a lovesick fool. She wasn't afraid to accept it Katherine was pretty with a pretty voice sue her.

She focused back to hear Katherine say they would be playing games later as well as telling stories. She couldn't prevent the smile from growing on her face if she wanted to. She loved telling stories this was gonna be amazing. The group sat in a circle chattering quietly to their neighbours. With a slow steadying breath, Shelby spoke up.

“I’d like to start with a story I have if that’s okay?”

“Yes go right ahead don’t be nervous!” the cat-hybrid whose name she learned was Lizzie said brightly.

“Right, so it all started in a group chat. One of the great things about group chats is that nobody lets you get away with spelling errors. School had ended early that day so me and a “friend”,” she turns her head slightly to catch her brother’s eyes. He gives a small nod and she continues. “We were walking home together. It was insanely hot outside but one of the first things we noticed was a random chair in a parking lot. One of us took a picture because it’s a literal chair in a parking lot what else do you do? When we sent the message almost immediately our other friend said something along the lines of “When they said ‘take a seat’ I didn’t think that was what they meant”. It’s hot outside and both of us refuse to deal with puns while trying to not die of heat exhaustion so we tell him to shut up. The problem is there was a typo so instead of saying ‘shut’ it said ‘ahut’. Another friend joins the conversation by laughing and it all goes downhill. The texts which are being sent in all caps are highlighting every single error,”

She pauses to take a breath, winded from speaking so much. Then she continues.

“It carried over into yet another group chat where some of the same people were but also some others and it becomes forever immortalised as a way to tick off this friend which I must say is a mission success from us,”

“Are we allowed to know who this friend is maybe? Is it anyone we could meet I’d love to meet them,” Katherine chimes in.

“It is a person you can meet actually,” she begins with a devilish grin “Because he’s right next to me trying to pretend he isn’t here because he’s embarrassed,” she says with a small grunt as she almost effortlessly pulls her brother to his feet. She can swear she hears a whistle as she does it and can’t help but preen slightly it was no small feat at this point in their lives.

“Oh so what it’s my fault I made one, singular, tiny spelling error and Joe and Honor thought it was that funny? My screen was dark and hot and laggy I couldn’t help it,” he muttered crossing his arms and showing the beginnings of a pout.

“Oh knock it off you big baby I’m sure you have something funny you can tell about me,” Shelby says shoving him lightly in his side.

“I really missed this closeness. This feeling of belonging. I missed being able to tease my idiotic little brother in front of others and I know he misses it too. This might be the happiest I’ve been in a while and I’m not afraid to admit it…” Shelby thinks to herself before sitting down once more and joining back into the night’s activities.

If she somehow finds a place next to her brother and crush that’s for her and her only to recognise. It was cold in the other areas that’s all…

Chapter Text

Okay, so admittedly maybe sleeping on the floor wasn’t the best choice for Shelby with her tendency to experience back pain and stiffness, especially when waking up, but she got to sleep next to her crush, so was it really all that bad? She stretched. It was, in fact, that bad she thought to herself wincing as she bit back a particularly nasty curse.

She made her way through the room with the little light from the windows and crept out the door as silently as she could. Taking a few moments to breathe in the fresh morning air, she let her mind wander. Her mind immediately stuck on the moment she’d seen Katherine and how she looked with her beautiful pink dress barely concealing well-defined muscles. Shelby could distantly feel her face warm as she thought about the aura of confidence Katherine seemed to have and the way her face looked up close with such a delicate softness to it and the way her hands felt when Shelby accidentally brushed them together as she tried to sleep. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice a person walking up to her until she felt a hand land delicately on her shoulder.

“It’s a bit early to be awake, isn’t it?” Katherine whispered from beside her.

“Oh- I mean- uh yes it- it is but I’m just kinda accustomed to waking up early I suppose? The Academy was very- let’s just say they really disliked people waking up any later than seven in the morning,” Shelby muttered remembering all too well what she went through waking up late. She shuddered lightly in an attempt to brush off the phantom feeling of cold water dumped on her.

“Are you okay? That seemed to be a not-so-pleasant memory. Would you like to talk about it? I would certainly dislike somebody as beautiful as you to feel bad. It would feel almost cruel to leave you in such a state,” Katherine chuckled lightly, giving Shelby’s shoulder a soft squeeze.

“Did- did you just call me beautiful I- I’m certainly not I mean I’ve just woken up and my clothes are filthy and I’m a mess both physically and mentally certainly you don’t mean it,” Shelby stammered eyes darting around wildly as she struggled to string coherent thoughts together.

“I did! You’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever had the chance to lay eyes on and certainly one of the sweetest. I have no idea how anybody could treat you in any way that isn’t kind and comforting. You deserve all of the praise in the world and the treatment that only the wealthiest of people get. You are sunshine in human form, how could anybody treat you unkindly?”

Shelby’s brain was most certainly melted by then. She was sure that her face was a brighter red than it had ever been and she felt nearly dizzy from the praise and adoration she’d craved ever since she was little. Never before had she felt so comforted. Never before had she felt so loved. She’d never felt so wanted in her life and admittedly it didn't sound nice the longer she thought about it but she firmly refused to spiral in the presence of such a pretty woman.

“I’m absolutely sure that I am not as wonderful as you think I am. I mean I- I’ve talked down to people before and been unkind to people with authority who were only trying to help-” She was cut off by a hand grabbing her firmly but definitely not painfully. She brought her eyes up to meet Katherine’s and the steely grey of them was set with such determination but despite that, she felt no fear.

“Okay I’m going to be completely and totally honest with you so please believe me. When I say these things I’m not lying to you and I will swear it on my crown on my kingdom if need be because you are truly such a wonderful person. I have never met someone as kind and caring and beautiful as you. We haven’t even known each other for a day but I would give up everything I own if only to get you to understand that you deserve all of the kindness you give others. I can tell that your love for others runs deep. I can tell that you mean every word you say and even if you were mean to people in authority it wouldn’t change a single feeling I feel about you because I know there is more to you than that. I would give you the world if I could but I can’t so please just take my word. I would never lie about such a thing and especially not to you I promise ,” Katherine pleaded, near tears by the time she’d finished. She walked fully in front of Shelby to grasp both of her hands and hold her gaze, lower lip trembling in a futile attempt to drive away the small sob threatening to escape her.

“I have no idea what to say- I’ve never had somebody pour their heart out to me about me just ever. I know we’ve only just met but you have been so kind even if most of your words have been flirty towards me I can tell now that it’s more than something done for fun. It’s got a deeper meaning than just for laughs or mocking. You mean every word don’t you?” Shelby asked in a whisper, too afraid to shatter the moment that had been created. All of her insecurities were laid out in six simple words. She dared not breathe, too afraid of the possibility of a negative response.

“I mean it. I promise I swear on everything I own that I mean it,”

That was all it took and Shelby launched herself at Katherine holding onto her tightly breathing in her wonderful scent of flowers and rain as they both broke down into happy tears. They landed softly in the grass, uncaring of the morning dew soaking into their clothes.