Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The weaver princess groaned as she woke up, hands twitching as consciousness returned to her. Eyes fluttered open under her mask, looking around at the environment, a frown developing as she realized she and, hopefully, Lace were still in the dark, damp, and toxic passages of the Abyss, next to the void ocean even. She didn't feel ill though, so, perhaps she hadn't been unconscious for that long. Looking behind herself, she'd find the thankfully un-void tainted form of Lace laying there. Though she'd soon sit up, glancing about at her surroundings before she'd start...giggling.

Though it wasn't like the last time Hornet had heard it, all smug, mirthful, and condescending. It was joyless, ironic, or perhaps even preventive. A way to appear aloof and uncaring to stop the tears from spilling...if a silk spun being like Lace was even capable of crying. Or perhaps this ironic laughter was her way of showing grief?

After a few moments of pondering the exact meaning of her sudden companion's actions Hornet would shake her head, grabbing her needle and standing up, walking over and grabbing Lace's hand to help pull the other up.

"We need to get out of here quickly, this place is toxic to all and I no longer have my bloom. You were coated in the void however, controlled by it even, how are you feeling?" The weaver asked, prompting Lace to take a moment to focus and assess her condition for speaking up.

"I feel... perfectly fine, oddly enough li...I mean...Hornet."

That answer was not what Hornet expected...though if she hadn't imagined what she saw in the void ocean, perhaps Ghost had also had a hand in Lace's swift recovery, somehow.

"Good, then you can help me get the two of us back to the diving bell." Hornet replied aptly, Lace rolling her eyes as she reached down to pick up her golden pin.

"Some knight you are. And here I was hoping you'd carry me to the surface with those big strong arms of yours." The fencer would remark with a wistful sigh, promoting a scoff from Hornet as she started to walk the path back to the bell.

"You could've lied and said you'd need help. Also, the Abyss is under the Deep Docks, we'd be burned alive if I tried to carry you all the way back." The weaver retorted back, prompting a more genuine giggle that Hornet would be loathe to admit earned a smile, thankful the other couldn't see.

Between the two masterful fighters and the weaver's own mastery of silk and tools, they made it to the diving bell without much hassle. Stepping inside, Hornet would walk up to the intercom connected to the surface, wrapping a hand around it and pressing a button with her clawed thumb.

"Ballow, are you still there? The void drenched silk appears to be gone at last, and the quakes have stopped as well. I also have...an additional passenger here. It's a long story but she's not a native to this dark pit. As there's only one seat in the diving bell, would it be possible for us both to ride inside?" The spider would explain before taking her claw off the button. A few seconds would pass before the intercom would come to life to deliver Ballow's answer.

"How could...Whatever, technically speaking you both could fit in the bell no problem, especially if you're of a similar size. Though unless you're inclined to getting tumbled around, I'd recommend sharing the seat. Might be a touch embarrassing, and uncomfortable, but it's the safest way to get both of you up here. Unless you think one of you can survive down there waiting for the bell to go up and then back down." Ballow would explain, Hornet sighing at the choices offered.

Share diving bell seat?

Or

One at a time?

Chapter Text

The weaver princess sighed, dragging a hand down her mask as she made her choice. Yes, it was safest for them to both ride in the bell at the same time, but she just knew Lace was going to say something about it. She'd press the button down once more to give Ballow her answer.

"Very well. Give us a few moments to get seated and then you can begin bringing the bell up." Came Hornet's simple reply before she'd turn around, sitting down on the diving bell's seat before crossing her arms as she glared at Lace, who already had that familiar mischievous look about her. 

"Say anything about us getting intimate or whatever and I'll rip off your head." The princess would hiss, the fencer just giggling in return as she sauntered over and turned around before sitting right down on Hornet's lap, for which Hornet was somewhat grateful. They were still closer then she'd like, but at least this way Lace couldn't reach back enough for her hands to wander. Not that long after the two were seated, the belts built into the seat would pop out and lock into place with the sockets on the bottom of the seat, securing the two bugs in place before the bell began it's ascension back up to the deep docks.

"So, spider, what are your plans now that you've managed to save Pharloom? You planning on leaving us all behind to return home to those dusty ruins you call a kingdom?" Lace would question, earning a brow raise from Hornet. Was Lace purposely avoiding making the sort of comment Hornet warned her about, or just being nosy? Still, the question was innocent enough.

"We are...uncertain, truth be told. We'll need some time to think about it. I think for now, we should focus on rest and relaxation after our ordeal. We can think of the future once we are recovered enough to make the trip."

Lace would hum lightly herself, pondering her own answer. "Truth be told, I think I'll stick with you if that is allowed. I haven't exactly garnered the greatest reputation among the locals for my defense of my mother and the citadel. Of course, I can get going once we reach the surface if that's what you desire."

Hornet promptly shook her head at that statement, though soon vocalized her response as she realized Lace wasn't looking behind herself. "No, you can remain. I didn't dive into the void just to leave you to walk out into the wastes and get torn apart by some beast...Not to mention I'm probably the only bug that can help maintain your form, with my soulsilk."

Lace blinked a few times at that, seemingly just realizing that without her mother, only Hornet's unique abilities could keep her sustained now. "Ahh, that is...a fair point."

The two bugs sat in silence for a long while after that, Hornet normally being a bug of few words while Lace was still grappling with the fact she was now intrinsically linked to the other whether she liked it or not.

Lace was the one to break the silence this time, turning so she could look at Hornet as properly as she could as they spoke.

"If you don't mind me asking, where are you intending to go for this 'rest and 'relaxation?' The silkspun being would ask, Hornet bringing a clawed hand to her chin as she thought of their options.

They could head right for Hornet's bellhome. It'd certainly give them privacy, and she was sure Bellhart could have some food and drink for them to purchase...though the bellhome only had one bed. They could also run into Shakra, if she hadn't moved on already. There was the Halfway Home in Greymoor. Not quite as private as the bellhome, but not quite as raucous as Fleatopia either. Fleatopia would offer the least amount of privacy, and would surely be throwing a party to celebrate Hornet's victory. But Seth might be there as well, and Hornet would be liar if she said the fleabrew they made wasn't one of the best things she'd drunk in a long while. They certainly knew their craft. Not to mention they weren't natives either, so they might not share the same opinion of Lace as the average pilgrim might.

Bellhome

or

Halfway Home

or

Fleatopia?