Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, the sound of pouring rain was a comfort for Clover.

This is not that time.

They ran, shoes that could barely hold together slapping the mud, like the adults did at the orphanage when someone was bad. ”At least the rain will wash away my tracks.” They think. The thought doesn’t comfort them as much as they hoped it would. If they found themself in the wrong place, they’d just be sent back. They don’t want to go back. Going back, especially now, would mean hell.

Clover had to stop, lungs burning as they coughed. Their feet hurt. Lots of things hurt, really. Taking a moment to get their breath back, they stop and actually look around their surroundings. They were in a town. Not their town. But the place around them looked… small. Small was good. Small meant they had less resources to find out who they were. If they don’t find out who they are, they won’t send them back.

Clover coughed again, hugging themselves as the cold really started setting in. It was barely the start of summer, yet the rain was mercilessly tearing their body heat from them. They needed shelter. They looked around, hoping for an empty dumpster or something along those lines. No luck, but they saw some paws dumping some cardboard boxes out from behind a door. They waited for the door to shut, then scurried over to the boxes. Yes, the rain would soak through them, but bad shelter was better than no shelter. They find a box that fits them and throw it over themself like a turtle shell. Clover curls up, trying to rest.

It would be okay. Everything would be okay.

—

When the weather said there would be rain today, Starlo did not think it meant something this intense. He sighed, opening up an umbrella and starting on the walk home. He took out his phone, texting the others he shared a home with.

“On my way home!”

He decided not to wait for a response, tucking his phone away and focusing on the sidewalk. He hummed to himself, nothing in particular, just something to fill the silence of pouring rain. Despite everything, Hearthome still managed to look so friendly even during pouring rain. There was activity within Dina’s, the poor overworked grocery employee was taking a nap, the shaking box-

Hold up.

Starlo stopped, looking at the shaking cardboard box that was sitting outside of the grocery store’s side door. Last time he checked, there was no cardboard box monsters living here. “Um, hello?” He spoke up, and the box froze. He could still see it lightly trembling, though. “Hey, you’re not in trouble, don’t worry. I’m just wondering what you’re hiding out here for.” He tried to reassure it. It doesn’t seem to work, the box scooting away from him. He could hear a quiet ‘ow’ from it, though. “You uh… you okay?” He scratched the back of his head. Man, he was bad at this whole thing. The box didn’t respond. “I um… just don’t think it’s the best idea for you to stay out here in the rain, y’know? It’s pretty brutal today. I mean, great for the greenhouse and all, but not great for you-”

Starlo found himself stopped as a little hand lifted up the cardboard box to look at him. It was… a human? Small yellow eyes watched him warily, and seemed like they were ready to throw the box back over themselves at any second.

Oh good lord, they were a child.

“H-Hey little buddy! What’re you doing all the way out here? Last time I checked, Hearthome was a town of just monsters… not that it’s a bad thing you’re human, of course!” Give Starlo the Worst at Talking to Children award because he really doesn’t know what he’s trying to do. The child just kept watching him.

“Well… I mean…” He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea. How would he even explain this to the others? Thinking about plans was Ceroba’s thing, and she is not here. “You could… come back to my house with me? Just to get ya out of the rain!” He suggested. He must’ve done something right, because the child seemed to relax a little, slightly less tense. “Yeah! I mean, it’s not even winter yet you’re shiverin’ like crazy! The least I can do is get ya dry.” Starlo suggested, holding a claw out.

—

Clover wasn’t sure what to think of this monster. They hadn’t ever really seen monsters outside of TV before, the orphanage was just for humans, but… he seemed nice. Part of them wanted to run, that kindness had to just be a facade, right? But the other part of them was just so cold. They just want a roof over their head that isn’t cardboard. So they take his claw and stand up, which seems to relieve him. He gently pulls them along the sidewalk, holding an umbrella with the other claw that wasn’t holding their hand. After a bit he spoke up. “I just realized, I never told ya my name! Name’s Starlo, how about you, little one?” He asked, looking down at them.

Clover bit the inside of their cheek. They know what they would normally answer, but… it’s not like he’d know, right? “…’s Clover.” They responded after a while. Starlo just smiled again. They’ve noticed it’s a common pattern with him. “Clover, huh? That’s a nice name. Don’t worry, I’ll get you some warm food when we get home. Ya look like you need it.”

…Warm food. Clover liked warm food. Maybe everything would be okay after all.

Chapter Text

Realistically, it didn’t take long for Starlo to return home. But unrealistically, it felt like an hour with how his mind raced. He kept glancing down at Clover, their small hand clasped around his claw so tightly he was almost concerned they would break his fingers. Why was a human so far out here? Where were their parents? It’d be fine, surely. He’d take them back home, keep them warm until their parents came looking. Yeah. Things would work great.

“Welp, here we are!” Starlo led Clover up to the front door. “This is where I’m stayin’, with a couple old friends of mine. It gets a little crowded but it’s comfortable!” He opens the door, letting them step inside first before following, shaking the umbrella outside before shutting it. Clover looked around the home, and to Starlo it almost seemed like their eyes were sparkling. “I’m sure there’s someone home to get ya some food while you get dry-”

“Starlo! Hey! How was work to…day…”

Ah. Martlet was home. That would be the last chef Starlo would choose for a child. And she was also looking down at Clover right now. Clover looked back up at her. “So… is it ours?” She asked. Starlo sighed. Somehow he expected this response.

“No, Feathers. They were out in the rain and I figured we could keep ‘em under our roof until we find their parents.” He explained. Surely that won’t take THAT long, right? It won’t. Definitely. Martlet nodded in understanding. “Okay, okay! Got it! So… um, what do you want me to do? I could make some food but I only really know how to make, um, microwave ramen or something…” She ruffled her wings nervously, Starlo shaking his head. “Come on, we have to get the kid some actual food, we can’t be feeding them that, their parents would probably kill us-”

Starlo was interrupted by a small voice.

“I- I’ll eat anything.” Clover said, not meeting the eyes of the two. “Well… okay then! Feathers, you get that started, and I’ll take Clover to the bathroom to get dry.” Starlo was almost hesitant to accept this but Clover was already so quiet as it was. Might as well go along with what they say. Clover nodded and followed Starlo to the bathroom door right beside the stairs. “We really should get you out of those.” He pointed to their sopping wet clothes. “We don’t exactly have child-sized clothes, so I’ll go get a shirt from my dresser. I think a big enough shirt should work, right?” Starlo looked down at them, and they just shrugged. He took that as confirmation. “Towels are in the closet, you get dry and I’ll knock once I’ve got something for ya.” He headed up the stairs, not waiting for confirmation. Humans got sick if they were too cold for too long, after all!

—

Clover slowly pushed the bathroom door open, expecting a creak. To their surprise, it didn’t make a sound. A warm house, with nice enough doors they didn’t creak. It felt too good to be true.

…well, it WAS too good to be true. After all, Starlo had said they were just staying until they found their parents. What was Clover supposed to say? ‘I don’t actually have any, please let me stay because this is the only time I’ve ever looked forward to eating?’ Yeah, no thanks. Well, maybe they wouldn’t figure it out since Clover gave them a different name? The adults always called them the name they didn’t like anyways. Clover hopes so. Maybe they could stay here.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door, startling them for a moment before they remembered what Starlo said. They cracked open the door, seeing him holding a shirt that was definitely too big for them. “Here ya go, don’t forget to actually dry off!” He grinned, holding the shirt out for them. They took it and quickly shut the door again. Right, they had to get dry. Then they can eat. They can eat some warm food.

Clover wondered what microwave ramen tasted like. They wouldn’t have to wonder much longer.

—

Soon enough, Clover stepped out of the bathroom, all dry and a random shirt draped on them that went all the way down to their knees. They smelled something from the kitchen, and their stomach growled audibly. ‘Feathers’ laughed hearing it. (Was that actually the monster’s name? Clover only heard Starlo call her that, so they assumed so. Monsters were funny. Then again, maybe Clover was the funny one.) “You sound hungry! Well don’t worry, it’s pretty much ready!” A paper cup was set down on the table, and Clover climbed up onto the chair. The noodles were steaming, and they held a hand over it, just to feel the warmth. Feathers handed them a fork, and they happily took it, sticking it in the noodles and taking a bite. Starlo and Feathers watched them expectantly.

Clover started tearing up. The food was so warm. And it tasted so, so good. The two monsters panicked seeing Clover’s tears. “I-Is it too hot? Too salty? Too spicy?” Starlo asked, alarmed. Clover shook their head quickly, wiping their eyes. “‘S good, sorry.” They continued eating, much to the two’s relief. They all relaxed as Clover happily ate the food, and for a moment, all was peaceful and quiet.

Then the door started unlocking. Ah. Ceroba was home.

Chapter Text

The three looked to the door as it opened, Ceroba stepping through as she closed her umbrella. “My, it’s just pouring out there. I don’t recall the weather saying it would be so intense.” She sighed, running a paw through her hair, then stopped as she caught the eye of the third being at the table. She looked between the two monsters. “…So, which one of you’s idea was this-”

“Okay, hold on, listen-” Starlo interrupted, Ceroba rolling her eyes. “I should’ve known it’d be you.”

“Listen, the kid was by themself, I think they got lost, so we’re just gonna keep ‘em here until we find their parents! That’s it!” He explained, to which she nodded. “Mmm… do we know where they’re from?” She asked, to which he shook his head. “Not… really.” He sighed, and although it was the slightest change, Ceroba could’ve sworn she saw the child wince at the mention of where they’re from.

…Perhaps there’s more to this than Ceroba thought.

“Well, they look like a mess. I’ll get a bath started.” She looked at the child, giving them a reassuring smile. “Take your time eating. The bath won’t go anywhere.” The human nodded, and she went to the bathroom to get a nice warm bath started.

—

Clover was surprised by how kind the fox lady was. They wouldn’t ever say it, but out of the monsters they’ve seen here so far, she felt the most intimidating. Yet her first act was to… get them a bath? Were all monsters so kind? Has Clover been missing out on this all along? They shake the thought away and finish their food, looking at the blue bird monster. “T-Thank you, Miss Feathers. It was very tasty.” They quietly say, nodding respectfully. “Oh, of course, Clover! Just, um… no need for the miss, and my name is Martlet.”

Oh. Her name wasn’t Feathers.

Clover hurried off to the bathroom, mainly out of embarrassment at such a mistake. They heard Starlo laughing, and to their surprise, it didn’t sound mocking. They opened the bathroom door to see the fox lady running a bath, sticking her paw in. She looked over, and gave them a smile. “Right on time. It’s a good temperature.” She stood up, gesturing to a couple bottles on the side. “Here is the shampoo, conditioner, and some body wash. It’s mostly products for monsters, so I can’t be sure how effective it all will be, but it should do for now. Do you need anything else?” She asked, to which Clover shook their head. “Alright then. I’ll leave you to it. Take your time.” She left them alone in the bathroom, and they looked at the bath. Sticking a hand in, it indeed felt nice and warm. This… was nice. They hope it stays like this a little longer.

—

Clover doesn’t know how long, but they spent a while in the warm bath, scrubbing dirt and grime off of them. But eventually the water cooled and they knew they had to get out. So reluctantly they got out, dried off, and put the big shirt back on. Their hair was still kind of a mess, though. They tried to comb it with their fingers, but just ended up tugging on painful knots. Ow. They stopped trying to tame the beast, and left the bathroom for the second time that day. The fox lady was on the couch, and was holding a… brush? “Did you have a nice bath, Clover?” She asked, and Clover assumed she got their name from Starlo or Martlet. They nodded, and she seemed reassured. “Good, good. I noticed your hair is quite the mess, so I figured maybe getting clean would make it easier to work through. If you want me to.” She offered, lifting up the brush in her lap. They pondered for a moment before nodding, walking over and getting lifted up onto her lap.

The fox lady was nice and gentle, combing through Clover’s beast of knots. Sometimes it hurt, but she gave them a gentle pat and a soothing hum if they whimpered. It was nice. Eventually there were no more knots, and Clover was surprised at how soft their hair was. “There we go.” The fox lady set the brush to the side, then picked up something else. A red ribbon with a little bell attached. “Here. You can put your hair up with this. It’s a little long, so it’d help keep it from getting as tangled.” She tied it up, the bell giving a little ring once she finished. “There. Now, I’ll go get a blanket so you can rest on the couch, okay?” She stood up, and Clover laid back on the couch, facing up to the ceiling. They didn’t want to sleep yet.

They wanted to savor this a little longer.

Chapter Text

Clover, in fact, did not fall asleep. They stayed staring up at the ceiling, with a spare pillow and blanket that Ceroba (they learned was the fox lady’s name) lent them. Quite frankly, it wouldn’t be hard to sleep. They were tired, the couch was quite comfortable, and they felt fed for the first time in a while. But they just didn’t want to sleep. Not yet. They didn’t want the nice monsters to find out they weren’t from anywhere near here- they don’t even know how far they ran. The rain had stopped a few hours ago, but even the silence couldn’t lull Clover to sleep.

It was quiet enough that they heard the door opening for the third time that day. On instinct, they didn’t move. Was this some kind of robber? Don’t those guys usually break windows? Before Clover could spiral further they heard the new monster start… monologuing to himself?

“Hm, they mentioned a small human was staying over for the night… I’ll be quiet then, I don't want to wake them up.” The voice mumbled, (male? It sounded male, but Clover wasn’t one to assume.) and out of the corner of their eye they could see the shape of a purple monster with horns and pointed ears- a vampire, maybe? But this one didn’t talk like the vampires in the movies! The vampire looked over and saw Clover looked over at him. “Oh! Hello, did I wake you?” He asked, seemingly embarrassed at the thought. Clover shook their head. “Can’t sleep.” They replied, to which the vampire calmed down. “I… I see. Well, my name is Dalv, it’s nice to meet you…?”

“Clover.”

“Clover. I hope your stay has been comfortable, it can be a little cramped with four monsters living here.” Dalv smiled apologetically. Clover decided not to say how this was the comfiest house they’ve ever been in. “It’s fine. I like it here.” They fidgeted with the edge of the blanket on them. “Ah! That’s good, at least your stay won’t be unpleasant. Well then, I’ll leave you be. Bedtime is fairly important for monsters that aren’t nocturnal, so I assume it’s the same with humans…?”

Yeah. It was. Clover watched him go, and went back to staring up at the ceiling. It was silent once again, for a while, but then… music? It sounded like a piano, maybe. They weren’t too familiar with instruments. The sound helped their thoughts calm down, and their eyes grew heavy.

Clover fell asleep in what would soon be their new home.