Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wilbur stared down at his arm, watching as words started to appear, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Funny it happened on the day I’m supposed to start my new job.

Finally the letter appeared, and he frowned.

What kind of name is Wiggog Ywrath?

Wilbur thought, staring down at the newly appeared name on his arm. It sounded like something someone would make up, but here it was on his arm.

I guess I’ll find out when I meet him.

He sighed, rolling down his sleeve, deciding it wasn’t worth having people asking questions about it.

***

“This is Wiggog Ywrath.”

Wilbur froze at the name, staring at the screen, out of all the places he expected to hear his soulmate's name he hadn’t expected to hear it in a brief about an eldritch god they were expected to stop. He rubbed his arm, staring at the image of an octopus like creature.

Maybe its mistake, he doesn’t have to be the one they’re talking about?

But who else would be named Wiggog Ywrath? 

Nobody can know, if anyone asks, my soulmate died soon after I met them, that should end any questions about that, with any luck, I should be able to avoid meeting him at all.

But given his luck so far, it seemed unlikely. He gazed at the art, wondering who in the hell he’d  pissed off that he’d gotten an eldritch god as a soulmate.

He is kind of hot though. Nope, nope, nope, nope, those are the bad thoughts. The Cthulu look a like isn’t hot, he’s dangerous.

***

10 years later.

“Wilbur!”

Wilbur turned around  to find the colonel coming over, a handsome young man following beside him.

“How can I help you sir?”

He smiled.

“This is John, I want you to show him the ropes.”

“I’d be happy to name is Wilbur Cross.”

He extended a hand to John, John taking it and shaking it. He examined him, he was about ten years younger than him, and had an eager expression on his face.

“John Macnamara sir.”

“Come one I’ll give ya the tour.”

***

Wilbur frowned, readjusting John’s posture.

“Now try it.”

John pulled the trigger, this time landing a direct shot.

“See I told ya that ya could get the hang of it. Good job”

He grinned, slapping John’s back, seeing that John’s face had reddened.

“Everything okay?”

John shook his head.

“Fine, it’s just hot.”

Wilbur frowned.

“Alright, let’s take a break, we don’t want you to get overheated.”

He watched as John left, trying to ignore the fluttering in his chest, that had started when he’d seen John blushing.

He’s your mentee, and probably has a soulmate too, a normal one unlike your own. He doesn’t deserve to get drawn into your nonsense. 

***

Well that felt good, glad that PEIP has showers, especially having to walk in the storm.

He sighed, reaching up to dry his hair, only just now seeing John standing there, his eyes wide, his face red. Wilbur froze.

Did he see anything? 

“John, is everything okay?”

He asked reaching a hand out.

“Ah-sorry I have somewhere to be.”

John turned around, leaving the bathroom.

Oh god, did he notice my soulmate markings? I didn’t think anyone would be in this early, why didn’t you cover it up?

***

John had been avoiding him recently, and Wilbur was starting to really worry.

He hasn’t told anyone about the name on my wrist if he saw anything at all. But if he didn't, why has he been avoiding me? 

He needed to talk to John about this, to see what had gone wrong. It couldn’t go on, John would barely look at him, and it made his heart ache.

“Xander! Have you seen John?”

Xander looked uncomfortable.

“Last I heard he was at the gym, why are you looking for him?”

Wiley shrugged, not entirely sure he wanted to tell him the full truth.

“I want to run through a new drill with him.”

He turned around, heading to the gym, pausing at the door, staring at John who’d been lifting weights, his muscles flexing as he raised it.

Stop staring, he’s  probably not into you.

“John.”

John startled, looking up at him, before quickly looking away.

“How can I help you sir?”

Wilbur sat down on the bench, clasping his hands together.

“John, we need to talk, you’ve been avoiding me, and I’d like to know why, I’m not mad, I’d just like to know if I did anything wrong.”

John hesitated.

“I’ve just been really busy at the moment, I’m sorry.”

It had to be more then that.

“Then why don’t you look at me? If I’ve done something to hurt you, I want to make up for it.”

John shook his head violently.

“That’s not why.”

Wilbur grabbed his hands, John tensing.

“Then what is it?”

John hesitated, looking away from him.

“I-I’m in love with you. I know it’s not appropriate, your my mentor, and an older then me, I’ve tried to ignore those feelings, but it’s getting harder and harder to ignore it.”

Wilbur froze, still processing this, he’d never expected- never dared hope that John would  share his feelings. John stood up, pulling his hands away.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Wilbur reached out grabbing his arm, aware that he could he could be messing up his own career, but he was tired of being mostly alone, tired of his own feelings, and at least he would have a connection with someone who wasn’t an eldritch god.

“John wait.”

John paused, looking down at him as he stood up.

“It’s not just you, I know it would be harder for us, but I love you too, so if you’ll have me, I’d like to try it.”

John hesitated, Wilbur held his breath, hoping that even if he wasn’t okay with this, he hoped that they would stay friends.

“I-I want to as well.”

Wilbur smiled, relaxing and pulling John in close, as John gave him a light kiss on his lips.

***

Wilbur grinned, tracing a hand along the markings on John’s arm.

“So what do you do if you’ll ever meet your soulmate? Leave me?”

John shrugged.

“I don’t know, maybe they’ll be okay with dating both of us, or you’ll find a soulmate. What about you?”

Wilburs grin dropped at the reminder, he shouldn’t have brought it up, he should have known John would have asked about it. One hand instinctively drifted to his own marking, despite knowing they were already hidden.

I’m pretty sure if we ever encounter him we should run screaming 

“I think it’s highly unlikely we’ll ever meet him.”

Come to think of it, I don’t even know if I should call him, him, he’s an eldritch god beyond our comprehension.

“But if we do, I’d hope we could stay together.”

He leaned down, kissing John again.

***

Wiggly rarely checked his  arm for new marks, sure he’d check it every few years but it wasn’t as obsessively as Pokey did. Most of his brothers didn’t, Tinky just had whatever new Spankoffski was in that generation, and Blinky just knew when his had appeared. And he certainly wasn’t as bad some of his his brothers when it came to his soulmates.

“Tinky, will you pwease shut up about your Teddy Bear? We get it, he managed to fall into your domain to go back in time, we don’t need to hear it for the THOUSANDTH time!”

Tinky rolled his eyes.

“Your just bitter because you haven’t had a soulmate since Willabella.”

Blinky giggled.

“Not anymore.”

He turned to Blinky, crossing his tentacles.

“What do you mean?” 

Blinky shrugged.

“Check your arm.”

Annoyed, he shifted back to his human walking away not caring that he heard Tinky starting to talk about his “Teddy Bear,” as be rolled up his jacket sleeve, tracing a finger along the name.

Oh Wiley, I’m going to have lots of  fun with you.

But first he needed to find him.

*** 

Wiggly stepped into the office, examining Wiley, he was handsome, even with a frown on his face as he worked over the paperwork.

It’s a shame he works for PEIP, but I  can fix that.

He was about to introduce himself when a young man entered, and Wiley looked up smiling.

“John! What brings you into my office?”

John approached him, and Wiggly felt a flare of jealousy as he saw the soft way Wiley looked at him.

“Wilbur, are you aware what time it is? You need to get some sleep.”

Hmm, Wilbur that’s different what it says on my wrist, but I know he’s mine.

Wilbur laughed as he stood up.

“All right, all right, I’m going to bed.”

He gave John a quick kiss, and Wigglys jealousy and rage mixed together as he glared at John.

Oh I’m going to DESTROY you.

***

“Brother what are you doing?”

Webby asked as Wiggly reappeared in the black, his grin dropping from his face.

“Nothing Webby!”

He spat, glaring at her.

“Really? Because it looks like your trying to corrupt another soulmate.”

Wiggly shrugged.

“So? He’s mine, he belongs to me, and with the portal being built I can finally keep him forever.”

Webby glared at him.

“I know what you do with your soulmates. Also he’s a human, he isn't yours.”

Wiggly snorted.

“He's my soulmate, of course he’s mine.”

Webby crossed her arms.

“I’m not going to allow this, I’m going to help him.”

In an instant Wiggly was next to her, rage in his eyes.

“Touch Wilbur and I’ll go after Lex, see how you’d like it, having one of your favowites stolen.”

Webby matched his, determined not to show any sign of worry.

“You wouldn’t dare, besides Lex is a smart girl, she wouldn’t fall for you.”

Wiggly laughed.

“Wouldn’t I? Besides I don’t even have to influence Lex, her mother is so full of anger, so try me.”

***

“So-.”

John asked, leaning into his side.

“Am I ever going to meet your family?”

Wilbur laughed.

“Oh god no.”

He immediately regretted it as he saw a flicker of hurt in John’s eyes.

“Oh, it’s not about you, it’s the fact that there’s a reason I joined the military the moment I graduated highschool.”

***

“Wilbur, have you ever thought about the future? About us?”

John asked, Wilbur didn’t answer at first, mulling the question over at first, feeling like he didn’t want to answer it so quickly.

“I’m probably going to be retiring in the next ten years, if we’re still together by the end of it, I’d like to openly date.”

He hoped it’d mean he’d have no contact with Wiggog, that he could build a life with John with no more worries about him by the end of it.

****

Wilbur grinned.

“A gift, for your promotion.”

John opened it, wondering what it was, finding a nice looking watch.

“I know how much you care about time.”

Wilbur glanced around and lowered his voice, despite them being  alone in his office.

“I have a matching one, I know we can’t be openly together, but a way we can be connected.”

***

Wilbur laughed.

“I definitely agree with you that soulmates aren’t the end all be all.”

John found himself relaxing, smiling at those words.

“In fact, since you told me about your secret, I’ll tell you mine.”

Wilbur said, tracing his hand along the band around his wrist.

“The reason I cover it up isn’t because I lost them or something, it’s because i managed to track them down when I was younger, and they’re an awful person, I haven’t seen them since.”

Wiggly glowered at John as he leaned in a little to close to Wilbur, not close enough to obviously romantic to those who didn’t notice, but it was clear to him.

Stay away from him.

He could just make John suffer an unfortunate accident, it would make it easier for him to convince Wilbur to join him, but he wanted to see John’s heartbreak when he betrayed him, it would teach him not to touch what wasn’t his. He could however fuck with him. He grinned as John tripped over his suddenly untied shoes, unfortunately managing to catch himself before he fell on his face.

***

PEIP was building a portal to the Black and White, and Wilbur found himself drawn to it, like something was calling to him. One night, when his coworkers were gone, he found himself in the empty portal room, with no memory of how he got there. He shook his head, trying to clear the fuzzy feeling in it.

It’s not even fully operational yet, what am I going to do when it is?

He knew that they’d ask him to go into the portal, and he didn’t know what he was going to do when that happened.

You could just have someone else do it,

And yet he couldn’t do that, he couldn’t willingly let someone go on a highly dangerous mission, knowing that he was supposed to go on it, couldn’t deal with them not returning He turned away from the portal, trying to ignore the pulling feeling in  his stomach.

Maybe it’ll be good to enter the portal, he’s the only thing you can be open with, the only one you don’t have to hide things from, even John doesn’t know about the true name on your arm.

No! He didn’t have to join Wigog to be fulfilled, he was happy here with John, plenty of people lived long  happy lives without ever meeting their soulmates. Still that didn’t change the longing that had been building ever since PEIP had started building that portal. 

***

Wiley stared at the glowing portal, anticipation building in his stomach, wondering what the hell he was going to do if he encountered Wigog.

Oh god, what if I like the eldritch god too much. I already found the image hot, imagine what it’s going to be like in person, with the one I’m fated for.

Another problem he’d have to deal with if he encountered Wiggog. He placed the helmet on his head, taking a deep breath.

“We’ll see you on the other side, Colonel.”

He gave John a smile.

“I will.”

He turned back to the portal, stepping into it.

Chapter Text

He blinked his eyes slowly adjusting to the sudden black, looking around for any signs of the lords, feeling tense, the feeling that something was calling to him growing stronger, he tried to ignore it, tried to ignore the worry that he was going exactly where that call was coming from.

“What do you see Colonel?”

A voice crackled over the communicator.

“Nothing so far.”

He glanced around, feeling tense, waiting for anyone to show up.

“Keep go-.”

The communicator suddenly cut out, and Wilbur frowned, reaching out to touch his helmet. Suddenly the scene shifted, instead of a completely black area, he found himself in a large green throne room, with a man in all green lounging in the throne.

“So you're Wilbur.”

Wiggly grinned, and Wilbur tensed as Wigog stood up, approaching him, leaning in close.

“I am Wigog Ywrath.”

He shivered, trying to stop himself from blushing. Why couldn’t he control his body? He’d met plenty of enemies that he’d found hot before and his body hadn’t reacted this way.

“I know.”

He said, taking a step back, his heart pounding, wanting to get away from him, wishing the effect on his body would go away, he wanted to look behind him, to see if the portal was still up, but he didn’t want to turn his back to the god. Wigog grinned.

“Of course you do.”

He took a risk, glancing back, his stomach sinking when he saw the portal had closed.

Damnit.

He took another step back, maybe he could at least escape him if he could get away. Wigog leaned in, his breath hitting Wilbur’s face.

“Your mine, even if you try to deny it, even if you try to run, we’ll always be connected.”

Wilbur blushed, hating the way those words made his body react.

“I’ll never be yours.”

Wigog laughed, placing a hand on his cheek, Wilburs head leaning into it.

“Your body betways what you really want.”

Wilbur took a step back his heartbeat accelerating.

“I’d never join you!”

He spat out, trying to ignore the part of his brain that wanted to return to Wiggog, wanted to be touched by him again.

“And what would happen if you return? Living your life a lie, scared of what would happen if that name on your wrist was exposed? They could never trust you, and how would John react?”

Wilbur bristled at this.

“John would never betray me.”

Wiggog’s grin turned sharp, something quick and thin lashing out grabbing him by the neck, picking him up, a tentacle wrapping around it. Wilbur squirmed, scared, and to his horror, slightly turned on.

“Oh really? Let’s test that theory out shall we?”

Another tentacle reached out, touching his head, and it exploded with pain.

John pushed him away, hurt and betrayal in his eyes. John pointing his gun at him, John agreeing to send him to an asylum.

He clutched his head, more images flooding more of what felt like memories but couldn’t have, he never lived them, but they felt so real, a scream building in his head, as he felt Wiggly let him go, Wilbur collapsing onto the ground, his body twitching, tears falling down his face.

“And what would happen if your coworkers found out?”

More images, more betrayals, more pain. Finally he opened his eyes, a feeling of numbness settling on him, and looking up at Wiggly. Wiggly grinned, stretching out his hand.

“Join me, it’s where you belong, and you know it, and wouldn’t it be better to be with someone who won’t betray you?”

What was the point of fighting this? His soul had been irrevocably tied to Wiggly, he’d been doomed from the start, he should have known that when he stepped into the portal. Wilbur closed his eyes, giving in.

“I’ll do it, I’ll join you.”

He opened them, taking Wigglys hand, his expression turning triumphant, Wiggly pulling off his helmet and pulling him up into a kiss. Wilbur instinctively wrapping his arms around Wiggly, deepening the kiss. It felt different from kissing John, somehow feeling more right, like he was made for this.

“Don’t think about your ex while kissing me.”

He blinked in surprise as he heard Wigglys voice in his head.

“Our connection allows me to communicate with you.”

Finally he pulled away, Wilbur panting, as Wiggly slowly started to remove the rest of his armor, before kissing him again.

***
Wiggly grinned tracing a finger along his arm.

“So you’ve seen my true form already, what do you think about it?”

Wilbur hesitated, feeling a blush forming, wondering if he should admit it.

He’s your soulmate, you can tell him.

“I um quite like that form I-uh think it’s hot.”

Wigglys grin turned wolfish.

“Well I can sho-.”

Wiggly frowned, and in an instant he was up again, his clothes on, his hair less messy.

“I have to go, I’ll be back.”

With that Wiggly disappeared, Wilbur sat up, figuring he’d get some clothes on.

“So your the human that’s arrived.”

Wilbur jumped, turning around and covering his crotch, wishing that he had Wigglys ability to magically put his clothes on. In front of him was a glowing white orb.

Whyyy?

“And you must be Webby. What do you want?”

The light floated closer.

“Im here to help you, get you out of here.”

He resisted the urge to cross his arms, reminding himself that he was naked.

You're about an hour or two late.

Who was he kidding? She was years late.

“I don’t need your help, I’m quite happy to serve my lord.”

Webby floated closer.

“You don’t understand I’ve seen what they do to their soulmates, I don’t want them to destroy another. Let me return you to where you belong”

He shook his head, taking a step back.

“I’m where I belong, leave.”

“You don’t-.”

“Webby, he said no, now leave.”

He relaxed as Wiggly reappeared, glaring Webby.

Fine.

Webby sighed, disappearing. Wilbur turning to Wiggly.

“Interesting family.”

Wiggly didn’t respond , pushing him against the wall and roughly kissing him.

“Now let me show you what I can do with my other form.”

***

Wilbur passed out after around round seven, after taking several of Wigglys tentacles in both his holes. He opened his eyes, his body aching. It wasn’t just from Wigglys activities with him, his body felt like it had changed, and his body was hurting because of it.

How long was I out?

“About six hours by earthly time.”

He opened his eyes, finding Wiggly looking down at him.

“You look pretty sleeping.”

He blushed.

“Thank you.”

He looked down, examining his body, discovering that he’d grown a tentacle when he’d been asleep, reaching up to touch his head, where it was also aching, he discovered that they had little nubs at his forehead.

“What happened?”

He asked, still feeling groggy.

“Your bodies adapting and changing to the new environment, and what I’ve given to you.”

Weird, but cool.

He on the tentacle, watching fascinated as it began to twitch and move a little. Wiggly wrapped his tentacles around him.

“It looks good on you.”

Wilbur blushed.

“Thank you.”

Wiggly pushed him to the ground, and Wilbur relaxed, spreading his legs open.

***
Wilbur opened his eyes finding the scenery changed from the usual emptiness to a small restaurant, with a Wiggly sitting there in a nice suit, he looked down, finding himself in a similar suit.

“What’s this?”

Wiggly shrugged.

“Humans that are dating go out on dates at westurants, I thought I’d take you out. I pulled this from your memories”

Wilbur blinked in surprise, he wasn’t expecting this, it was so different from what they’d been doing so far. He gazed around, discovering that it had been taking from his memories, it was from his dinner out of basic, to celebrate finally being out of his home and being done with basic. He’d always planned on going back there with John when they had the time, but he’d never been able to find the time.

“Haven’t been here in years, I always wanted to go back.”

Wiggly grinned.

“I know.”

Food appeared on his side of the table, Wilbur was surprised to find that he was hungry, picking it up, and starting to eat.

“So tell me about yourself.”

Again Wilbur was thrown off, he wasn’t expecting this.

“I haven’t had contact with my family in years, I am an only child, which is probably a good thing, they never really cared that much about me, I joined the military and after a mission gone wrong, I was recruited to PEIP, though I had an interest in the supernatural before that.”

He took a drink, blushing.

“It actually partially started because of you, the name Wiggog Ywrath sounded like something straight out of the Cthulu mythos.”

Wiggly leaned in close.

“I’m glad I helped inspire you, if indirectly.”

Wilbur felt his blush deepen.

“Since we’re sharing and sharing is caring.”

Wiggly spat out the last word.

“I have four brothers and a stupid bitch of a sister, all of whom I have varying levels of disdain for, and believe me the feeling is mutual, and I don’t have any parents.”

“Might be for the best given how shitty my parents are.”

“Now if only I was lacking some siblings.”

It would make things easier for him and PE-no he didn’t want to think about them now, not when he was actively betraying them, not when he betrayed John.

“I guess that’s something that we share, shitty family.”

Wiggly laughed

***

Wilbur looked up as Wiggly stood up, frowning, his body changing into a different form, one that looked younger than him.

“What’s happening?”

He stretched out.

“I’m being summoned, I’ll be right back, don’t move.”

Wilbur grinned.

“I won’t.”

He laid back, staring up at the-would you call it sky? A ceiling? Wondering how long it would take. Unwillingly his thoughts drifted back to PEIP, wondering what they were doing. Guilt flared up, both at the fact that he was now betraying PEIP, and that he was thinking of PEIP while actively betraying it, and thinking of it when he was working with Wiggly.

Maybe I can convince Wiggly to let me do some spy work with PEIP, I can see how everyone is, and maybe get a proper goodbye.

“Hello!”

A bright yellow man appeared in front of him.

“Um hello?”

He said, raising hand at, judging by the goats horns growing out the man’s head must be T’noy Karaxis feeling incredibly awkward.

“You must be Wigglys new plaything, you know you look like my Teddy Bear, I wonder if you're related!”

Wilbur took a step back, feeling nervous, despite the cheeriness in T’noys tone, something about him felt dangerous.

“Maybe, I’ve met a few Ted’s in my life, it’s a common enough name.”

The man’s grin spread, to the point that it was too wide to be human.

“You know if you are related to him, you could have been close to becoming mine and not Wigglys I get a Spankoffski every generation.”

“That’s nice.”

Wilbur said weakly, glancing around, wondering when Wiggly would be back. T’noy reappeared next to him, wrapping an arm around him and Wilbur tried hard not to flinch.

“You know, I could find a spot for you in my toy box if you want.”

Nope nope nop. That did not sound good, he opened his mouth to respond when-.

“T’noy fucking Karaxis! What are you doing with MY soulmate?”

He relaxed at Wigglys shout. T’noy giggled.

“Gotta go, just remember, the offers still open.”

With that he disappeared, Wilbur relaxed as Wiggly reappeared, wrapping a tentacle around him.

“How did it go?”

He desperately wanted to stop thinking about T’noy, at least this would provide some distraction.

“Great! I have a new fwiendy wend he’s the mayor!”

“Sounds interesting.”

Wiggly settled down next to him.

“It is, I’m going to have lots of funsie wunsie with him!”

***
Wilbur gasped as Wiggly pulled out of him sitting up and wincing.

You’d think after all this time my body would be used to this.

It had gotten less sore as time went at least. He felt Wiggly wrap one of his tentacles around him, sucking marks into his neck, and hesitated, he seemed to be in a good mood, so maybe it was a good time to bring it up.

“My lord, I was wondering if I could go out and do some work for you?”

Wiggly paused.

“Now why would you want to do that?”

“I want to work for you, I want to feel useful.”

Wiggly stayed silent for a long moment, and in that time period, Wilbur was afraid he’d say no. Then he felt him smirk against his neck, and let go of him.

“Are you sure? You can always stay with me..”

Wilbur nodded.

“I’m sure, I need work to do..”

“Alright, I want you to go back to PEIP as a spy for me.”

Wilbur froze, still processing the order. Wiggly laughed.

“What? Don’t tell me your having second thoughts?”

He shook his head, there was no place for hesitation now, not after what hed agreed to do already.

“I’ll do it.”

Wiggly pulled away, and he slowly got to his feet, as he waved his hand, a portal appearing before him, and finding that he had the suit that he’d worn into the portal.

“I’ll see you later then.”

He took a deep breath, stepping into the portal, his vision going black.