Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Something happens to Droid's cybernetic half, and he collapses, his internal systems glitching out, ending up with him basically self-corrupting.

John's able to use his abilities to freeze his body, effectively putting him in stasis, but it still begs the question, what the fuck happened to cause it?

When Pezzy suggests entering Droid's cybernetic coding, much like you would in a VR game, to try and figure out the problem, everyone leaps to try and help their friend out.

But.

How do you explain to your friends that you are nothing like the person you've claimed to be all along?

====

Droid's a cyborg, made for fighting and clearing planets, specialising in the fact he doesn't make connections or emotions. Over time, his software starts to malfunction, and he begins to care for people closer to him. The higher ups are not impressed by this, forcefully reprogramming him multiple times, each time making him more and more like a machine. He's able to fight back however, something he's proud of.

Finally they've had enough. They take control, making him believe his friends are the enemy, tricking his cybernetic half into ruthlessly hunting down and killing them all.

Some of the people he then killed he fought against, some he assassinated. Each leaving a mark on him, mentally taking a toll.

When he's finished all the fighting, he's to be decommissioned and destroyed. He discovers this when he's being updated, accidentally overdownloading information. 

Aghast at this, he flees, stumbling across the one friend he'd failed to kill. They offer him a second chance, at a cost.

He eagerly accepts, leaping into the portal.

He's now in a void, stuck rewatching his memories, not initially feeling any guilt or sadness, only being quite selfish. This is because of his messed up coding.

His friends enter his memories here. Droid's just re-lived his life, and he's working on the programming to repair himself. He's nothing like the Droid they know.

He believes that having emotions again will make him weak. Vulnerable. 

Instead; his friends teach him how to be human, and slowly he feels himself changing.

When they disappear, he edits his own programming, to wipe the memories of his previous life, assuming the life of himself in this reality, a boy named ‘Jaime’ who was killed in an unfortunate accident. After duplicating the boy's memories, Droid finalises the wipe, only hesitating, because he doesn't want to forget about his new friends. The ones who taught him to be human.

As he walks around, he sees Pezzy again, but here, he's a lot younger. He realises that this must be where they actually meet.

Droid waves hello, getting Pezzy’s attention, and as he does, he wipes his memories.

“Sorry… You just.. You looked familiar… What's your name?” he says, as the shorter man laughs.

“I doubt it, I just moved in around here. My name? You can call me Pezzy.”

..

Back in the future, they're able to repair Droid, but unfortunately, he's stuck now.

He's got two conflicting personalities in his head. His life is a lie.

Chapter Text

Droid can hear them again.

They're not exactly… quiet, when it comes to helping with Puffer’s heat, or Pezzy’s heat. Same goes for Grizzy's rut.

It's odd, for him, per-say however.

The four of them had been their own little Pack, before joining this one. An alpha, a beta and two omegas. But when it came time for heats and ruts, Droid would often only find out, because he's overhearing noises.

It makes something strange settle in his chest. He knows it's probably just a whole, ‘heat of the moment’ type thing, but it does sting slightly to always be left out when it comes to… certain activities.

Do they even love him like he loves them?

The thought makes his heart lurch, and he has to shake his head. It's just himself overthinking again. It's fine.

Leaving the area near Puffer’s room, Droid wanders back towards the living room. Taking a seat on the couch next to John, Droid can feel the order's eyes linger on him for a second, before they're flitting away.

“Puffer's in heat.” Droid offers as an explanation.

John nods. “Okay… I thought? Uh. I thought you guys were like… together?”

Droid's biting his lip. “Yeah. We are.”

John tilts his head a little. “Then… No offence, why are you out here?”

Droid's throat closes up a little as he shrugs. “I don't… know…?” He says, voice fading out into a wheeze.

How do you explain that you've never been invited in during one of those activities? That he's just so used to it happening that he doesn't even bother anymore?

“I don't think they need me there…” he says quietly.

John stares at him, before frowning. “Would you like to talk about something else? I can smell you getting distressed.”

Droid nods. “Please…” He whispers.

John shuffles around a bit, before mentally picking a new subject. “Pulled any good pokemon cards recently?”

Droid's eyes light up a little more. “Oh! Yeah! Uh um…”

John's standing up, “Okay. Why don't you show me then?”

Droid seems taken aback. “You? You'd want to see them? I mean. Sure I… Okay!”

…..

John watches as Droid shows off his pokemon cards, something swirling in his chest.

It's almost like a kinship to him.

He watches the beta talk about how he nearly folded one of the cards, and how he keeps silencing himself, as if he thinks John will be bored of listening. John's quick to encourage him, but he can't help but feel saddened by how he's acting.

It's a little too familiar for him.

Where Droid has the other three, John has Smitty and Matt.

Smitty's such a possessive omega, and Matt's such a relaxed alpha, that the two are inseparable. Matt's in their pack, yes, but he's also a member of Soup's pack, so he's often heading off to stay with them, and Smitty's always going along with him.

Sometimes Yumi joins them.

John can't help but feel a little left out sometimes, not close enough with Soup to not feel like a burden if he tags along.

He loves Smitty and Matt, sure, but whenever Smitty's in heat, he doesn't like John being near, not liking the idea of another omega being near him. And whenever Matt's in rut, Smitty again gets possessive, so John lets him handle that too. It's okay… isn't it?

So seeing Droid, almost as if he's in the same situation as he is, feels like it's a little too close to home.

…

John would never tell, but he's been on suppressants for months now.

He tells himself he doesn't want Matt to need to deal with two omegas, but he also knows it's because he doesn't want to run the risk of being too needy, and making Smitty get into a huff with him.

It's easier to just ignore them all then.

…

His suppressants fail, but thankfully, his mates are out of town when it happens.

…

Droid knocks on his door a few weeks later.

John blinks, groaning a quiet; “you can come in.”

When Droid's nervous face pops into view, John does his best to sit up, trying not to seem out of the ordinary.

“What's wrong?”

Droid looks nervous as he shuts the door. “Pezzy’s gone into heat I.. I feel like.. I don't know. Out of place?” He mumbles, before he's looking at John. “Oh… You're going into heat too? I.. I'm sorry, I can go and ring Matt? Tell him to come back?”

John shakes his head. “Nah. It's. . It's okay. I don't want to like…” He sighs.

Droid goes to leave, “Okay, I'll just-”

“Can you stay?” John asks quietly, looking down.

“Huh?”

John sighs, his eyes tired; “Look man. I'm going to be real. I haven't had a heat in almost two years, and my partners haven't even questioned it. I don't really want to see them right now. Did you wanna watch a movie or something? I'd appreciate some company. I don't think this is a sexual heat, or anything, I'm just really… lonely.”

Droid nods slowly, shocked that someone wants his company, before perching on the edge of the nest.

John drags him in, his smaller body wrapping around Droid's, as he chitters happily. Droid relaxes into the hold as time passes.

…..

It's nice, being wanted, Droid decides.

John asking him to stay, especially during his heat makes him feel lighter. They spend most of it in his nest, snuggled up and watching movies or various tv shows.

He feels safe in John's nest, like he's a priority, instead of being leftovers.

And then, when John's heat is over, he just keeps coming back, not wanting it to be over.

Droid finds its easier to relax with the man, rather than deal with the pettiness of the others sometimes.

Chapter Text

Post apocalyptic 

Matt & Droid are betas, slightly shunned by the pack hierarchy.

John feels out of place as an alpha and wants to become a beta. The other two accept him easily.

Matt and Droid constantly sneak off to go have “fun”. Eventually they invite John to come with them. John realises just how much they do to keep the pack safe.

John realises the two aren't off goofing around as everyone else suspects, but they're actually vigorously patrolling the borders. Droid's in his full wolf form, scenting out the zombies, and Matt's hands are steady as he takes out the zombies with a bow and arrow.

To his shock, Droid gets an injury, (just a cut from a trap, nothing life ending) and he prompts them to head back. Matt and Droid look at him like he's crazy.

“Why?”

“That would be a waste of resources… It would be better off saved for someone who actually… Matters.” Droid says quietly, hesitating on the last word.

“You guys matter just as much as anyone else in this pack!” John insists, as Matt and Droid silently make eye contact.

“Okay.” is all Matt says, as he wraps some leaves on the injury.

John's aghast by how… Accepting of this they are. The two really think they don't matter to the others.

Chapter Text

Zombie au

Droid; half zombie. He gets bitten, and loses some of his memories around the time of the incident. All he knows is he needs to find his friends! They're probably super worried about him!
Puffer; human. Used to be dating Droid, but then Droid got bit. They left before he turned, unable to witness it all. Now he's dating Smitty.
Matt; Human, immune. Matt, John and Smitty were a trio. Matt got attacked, and John jumped into help.
John; Half zombie. Got bit trying to help Matt, didn't realise Matt was immune at the time.
Smitty; Human. Saw Matt and John get bit so he fled, eventually meeting the other guys

Droid gets abandoned. The others believe him dead.

Matt and John get left by Smitty. They hear him scream / yell, so they assume he is dead and mourn him.

Smitty assumes the other two are dead.

Matt and John meet Droid, who's a little frightened, but he wins them over. Droid convinces them to come with him as he searches for his friends.

Down the line they catch up to the group. John and Matt realise Smitty left them to die. Droid realises Puffer’s moved on, which kinda fucks him up a little.

Pezzy and Grizzy are just there for the ride.

Chapter Text

Sometimes, Droid's a little slow. Sometimes he's a little late to the punchline. It's chill.

However, this time he doesn't feel like he's missed any important context, he's just confused by what they're saying.

He barged into the discord channel, because he saw no one was live, and the recording status wasn't set in the channel description. So he joined quickly, with a greeting that died instantly on his lips.

His friends were saying random number and letter combinations, and he was thoroughly confused, tilting his head.

“Guess.” Puffer says deadpan, a couple voices mumbling the weird combinations before one voice says something louder.

“I think C.” Matt says, as the others mumble in confirmation.

“Hmmm. You're close with that one Matt, but… 40B.” Puffer says, as Smitty and Matt start booing him.

“Get off the stage!” Smitty sneers.

“Oh, my name's Puffer and everything went right for me!” Matt said sarcastically, making Puffer laugh.

A cough silences everyone.

“Okay okay. Get this. 50F.” Grizzy says, and everyone just snorts, making Grizzy scowl. “Okay? Harsh…”

“Oh. My bad… Shit, I never would have guessed it…” Yumi says in an almost monotone voice.

“Well yeah, Griz, that's to be expected… Unlike me! I was a fucking 30E! I was supposed to be tiny! I got done dirty, man” Pezzy says back, voice coming out whiny.

“Damn. I got lucky.” John snorts, as Smitty and Matt start booing again.

“Shut your bitch ass up Mr 42A! We can't all be amazing and gifted like you.” Smitty shoots back, John blowing him a kiss.

“Sucks to suck.”

“Damn, that sounded kinda personal…” Pezzy snorts in amusement, as Matt pipes back up.

“Smitty and I used to like to share clothes and shit before my nonexistent growth spurt… We were cool like that… 42 and 44D… Those were the days… Then he had to grow faster than me…”

“I need to check, last I knew I was a 44C… I fucking forget though… Or I just didn't want to like.. Think about it.” Yumi shrugged, making a grimace.

“We're talking math results here?” Droid pipes up, confused, taking everyone off guard.

A couple of people choke, mostly laughter coming through the voice call.

“Oh, hello there Droid.” Matt smiles, waving.

“Jump-scare and a half… Sheesh, when did you get here?” Grizzy mumbles.

“Oh my god… no, not maths tests” Pezzy says, sounding almost tired.

“Don't worry about it man.” John says, wheezing a little, leaning over to catch his breath.

“What's up?” Puffer asks. “Normally you're not online this early? Something happen?”

“Does it have to do with why Oso looks all guilty back there?” Matt asks.

“Oh, you fucking know it!” Droid says, launching into a rant.

That's all it takes to make Droid forget at the time.

=======

“Guys, I'm taking a month off from streaming and recording. Got some big medical shit coming up. Its time!” Grizzy says casually, and everyone immediately congratulates him.

“Wow, you finally got a date?” Smitty gasps, as Grizzy smiles wide.

“Yep! I didn't want to say anything until there was no way it could be cancelled! Covid's doing a good job at that.” Grizzy mumbles, shaking his head.

“That's crazy lucky man! Congrats!” Pezzy cheers.

“It should have been ME! NOT HIM. IT'S NOT FAIR!” Yumi cries out, making people snort at him.

Droid's not sure why people are congratulating Grizzy on needing surgery, but he's feeling a little out of the loop now and he's kind of too scared to ask now.

“Uh, congrats man! Hope everything goes well?” He adds awkwardly, as Grizzy thanks everyone in the call.

……..

“How do I look?” Matt asks, as Droid looks at the camera.

John whistles as Puffer breathes in.

“Can you- Can you tell- I-?” Matt cuts himself off as Puffer seemingly studies the picture.

“I mean, that fit looks good on you man. I can really see that gym time shining through.” John smiles, Puffer nodding.

“Yeah Matt, you're totally fine, trust me. What's the occasion?” He smiles.

“Oh, nothing big… Just Smitty and I might be going on a kind of date thing..? We're not sure…” Matt mumbles, blushing.

John's eyes narrowed. “Couldn't wait till I got there, you had to beat me to the punch… Next time, I'm taking you both out…” he jokes, as Matt scoffs.

Droid just smiles at him. “You look fucking hot Matt! Go have a fucking great time with him, and remember, he's got more subs so he's gotta pay!”

“Real and true!” Puffer yells as Matt waves goodbye.

“See ya!”

…

“I'm thinking I might wear some dresses, thoughts?” John says, taking Droid off guard.

“Why?” Says Yumi, biting his lip.

“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Pezzy asks, voice cautious.

Smitty leans back. “John, I think you could pull the look off well, it's just a matter of, are you doing it because you want to, or do you feel forced?”

John snorts. “Ain't no one able to force me to do shit! Nah, I want to… I'm thinking of modding some, making them into like… Long shirt style?”

Pezzy nodded. “I can see it. Honestly, more power to you.”

…

It all comes to a head when finally Droid realises what's going on.

“Can someone do my injection for me? My hands are shaking like a bitch.” Pezzy pouts slightly.

“I got you.” Matt replies, walking over casually.

Droid is just flabbergasted. “We do drugs now?”

Smitty's staring at him like he's got a second head. “Yeah?”

John snorts. “I just…

“What?”

“I just realised… We never fucking told Droid…Like ever.”

The room seems to freeze.

Droids confused. “Tell me what?”

“Okay.. So…” John snorts again, breaking down into a fit of giggles.

“Dude…” Puffer shakes his head. “You're not gonna believe this…”

Droids getting nervous. “What?”

Yumi just sighs, ripping his shirt off. “Dude. I'm trans.”

Droid's eyes widen, as he tries not to look at the pair of boobs in a bra, right in front of him. “Uh okay.”

“He's not the only one.. You'll never fucking believe this.” John giggles, covering his mouth.

Droid just raised an eyebrow. “Who is it?”

Matt raised his hand. Droid's jaw dropping.

“What?”

Puffer and Pezzy also raised their hands. Droid's head whipped around as he saw everyone was raising their hands. Everyone bar himself.

“No. You're fucking capping.”

“We forgot to tell the one cis guy we're close with that we're all fucking trans.” John wheezes, as Droid's brain just freezes.

“WHAT?”

Pezzy juts his hips out, crossing his arms, before pulling his phone out. “Yeah, want proof? Sorry I got mine removed, but I think I got a picture…”

Droid's passed various photos, as he sits in shock, flabbergasted.

“What the fuck…”

Chapter Text

When Matt was younger, his parents honestly thought he would grow out of his naivety. Matt would fall hard and fast for anyone, who even kind of looked in his direction. 

Safe to say, his heart was just too big for him. He never let it get him down however. Besides, it's not like it was real love or anything.

Real love hurt.

Matt's first experience with realising how much love could fuck you up was Smitty, because of course it was.

His younger friend was funny, caring and amazing company, especially to and from school every day.

Matt didn't know he was in love with Smitty however, for a long time. He didn't realise the swirling in his stomach or the heat on his cheeks were signs of his feelings.

His body decided to give him a proper wake up call then. The next time he's on the phone with Smitty, he has to mute his mic for a tickle in his throat.

The journey of Matt starting to choke on more and more petals, his lungs being worn down over time.

Ends happy. Or not.

Smitty - Lilac (first love, youthful innocence)

John - Sunflowers (loyalty, adoration, haughtiness)

Puffer - daffodil ( ego, creativity, inspiration)

Droid - dandelion (overcoming hardship, happiness, youthfulness)

Pezzy - Marigold (affection, joy, misery)

Grizzy - Red tulip (anger, love, passion, power)

Yumi - Buttercups (childish, sarcasm, silly)

Chapter Text

John presents -

Pezzy's woken up by a poking on his thigh. Sleep quickly fleeing from him as he mumbles; “What the hell? If that's fucking Puffer trying to start shit again I'm going to-”

“U-um. N-no.” John's quiet stutter registers in his brain, making Pezzy relax a little. At least it's not Smitty or Droid looking to make him do something.

It's crazy how he has to mother all the people in this house, despite being almost the youngest. Crazy what empathy does to a mf…

Pezzy sits up, squinting into the darkness, making out the shape of John. “Hey, what's up?”

“I… I think I'm presenting.” He mumbles quietly, making Pezzy's eyes widen.

“Oh shit, that's great man….”

“I don't… I..” John bursts into tears, almost sitting on the ground, Pezzy pulling him up onto the bed. Touching the younger man's skin, Pezzy hisses at how warm it is. Oh.

John's presenting as an omega. In a house full of alphas.

He's scared.

“Hey, hey John. It's okay. You can relax. I'm not going to hurt you, and neither are they.” Pezzy soothes, making John sniffle.

“I… I don't want to be alone… but I don't want any of them neat me, I'm sorry.” He sobs, hands fisting into Pezzy's sheets.

Pezzy's eyes softened. “That's okay man. If it makes you feel better, you can nest in my bed. I know that's supposed to help omegas in heat.”

John whines. “I don't.. I don't know…”

Pezzy yawns, before laying back down. “How about we cuddle for now, and then in the morning we can sort out a nest, maybe tell the others?”

“I don't.. maybe we can tell Puffer or Smitty… I don't know..” John mumbles a little into Pezzy's chest, nuzzling him.

—--

Fighting

Pezzy watches the two alphas who are both almost in rut growl at each other with a sigh.

“He should spend it with me! I've known him longer!” Puffer snarls, forehead pressed to Smitty, who sneers back at him.

“Fuck you. Kryoz should help me, because my ruts are worse than yours.”

Behind Pezzy stands John, who's nervously watching his two closest friends try to fight over him.

“Maybe I should just-”

“No.” Pezzy interrupts him. “They're just trying to score points with each other. They don't need help. It's only two days.”

“But-”

Pezzy looks back over as Smitty slaps Puffer, groaning in annoyance.

“Seriously? You two are grown ass men, acting like this?”

Puffer’s eyes welled up with tears as he sniffled. “John, did you see how he hit me? That was so unfair!”

“S-Smitty, why did you hit Puffer?” John asks quietly, making Smitty scowl.

“Oh fuck off Puffer, I didn't even hit you that hard, stop acting like you've been shot.”

Puffer started having full body sobs, Pezzy crossing his arms.

“Smitty, go to your room.”

Smitty scowls again. “Fine. Fuck you.” he spits, stalking away.

The second Smitty leaves, Puffer’s tears stop instantly. “Okay, John, you can come with me now!”

John goes to move, Pezzy blocking him. “I don't think so, Puffer. I am not dealing with your gloating to Smitty for the next month, so you can go to your room too. John's going to be helping me cook, so we can bring something to you both later.”

Puffer’s happy expression soured, as he stalked away silently, a glare at Pezzy. John relaxed a little, placing his head on Pezzy's neck, scenting him.

“Thank you.” He mumbled, making Pezzy nuzzle him back.

“You're welcome.”

—-

Nesting.

Ever since presenting, John's found himself wanting to nest more often. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just most of the house being alphas, meant that it was hard to find someone who would want to indulge him for long.

Until he realised he could nest with Matt, the narcoleptic man usually slumbering in the living room.

John started slowly, over time, rearranging the blankets and cushions in the room, changing them too more of his liking. He had Droid ask him what he was doing once, and he'd mumbled his way through it, before the alpha had grown bored and left. Today was the day though, his pack nest was done!

Taking in Matt's sleeping form in the middle, snuggled up in his warm hoodie, John gently moved in. Curling up next to Matt, he could feel the warmth from the alpha, in his nest. Joy sprung to life in John's chest, making him smile a little, enjoying the way he could clearly smell the alpha.

He started letting out quiet purring noises as he shuffled closer. Matt's breathing pauses at the feeling of him touching the other, but his quiet snores start up again soon after. John continued to purr, enjoying how warm he felt. It was nice.

Chapter Text

Puffer loathed nesting. With a passion.

There was no other way to say it. No way to soften it.

He was an omega, yes, but he refused to nest. He didn't make one in his room, and barely set foot in the pack room's nest, preferring to sit on the couch nearby and watch.

It didn't mean Puffer hated being an Omega, no, he actually liked being an Omega! He enjoyed the feeling of being pampered, of being cared for. He likes being able to endure the more submissive and shy part of his personality every now and then, but nesting was a flat out no.

He knows his pack is confused. He knows that they talk about it behind his back. It doesn't really bother him. He's never offered an explanation, because they've never flat out asked.

“I'm an omega too.” Puffer said, scratching the back of his neck, Pezzy and Smitty turning to him with a smile.

“Really?” Droid asked, shocked. “I always pictured you as like.. an alpha man. That's a surprise!”

Puffer nodded. “Yeah, I was an early bloomer, surprisingly… it caught everyone off guard.”

Grizzy nods. “Well, I mean… that's a pretty even split in pack roles then. That's nice!”

…

“If you guys need clothes for your nests, remember you don't need to ask.” John reminds them at breakfast a few days later.

“Already raided you. You snooze, you lose.” Smitty chuckled, Pezzy elbowing him.

“Dude! John's being nice for once! Thanks man… Maybe Puffer and I will do that later.”

Puffer wrinkled his nose. “Why? Do you need someone to carry the stuff for you?”

Pezzy raised an eyebrow. “No? I just thought.. like… don't you wanna grab some stuff?”

Puffer sipped his coffee, shaking his head. “Nah, I'm good. I don't nest.”

Smitty and Pezzy turn to each other, then turn back to Puffer. Smitty asks. “Like… because you're not in heat, or….?”

Puffer places his empty mug in the sink, pausing as he goes to leave. “No.. like. Ever.”

…

Puffer's okay with it. He's more than okay with it.

It doesn't mean everyone else is however.

Pezzy and Smitty notice it a lot sooner than anyone else. Maybe because they're both always looking to bring people in to cuddle in their own nests, they're then taken aback by how they never see Puffer doing the same.

“Has he ever asked anyone to nest?” Smitty asks Matt, who thinks before shrugging.

“He's never asked me, but I can't tell you for anyone else. I mean-”

..

“-like, it's Puffer, you know? I don't really expect him to ask.” Droid says, Pezzy frowning into his chest.

“I know… just… it makes my inner omega sad, to see someone be neglecting their omegan side like that…”

Puffer is asked to come to Droid's room one day, the beta asking if he wouldn't mind helping him check something on his stream layout. Puffer goes, pausing when he enters.

“What's that?” he asks, pointing to Droids bed, the beta going red.

“Oh that? It's Uh.. nothing just… My nest.” he mumbles the last bit.

Puffer freezes, wrinkling his nose at the sight of a nest, before turning back to Droid, who's biting his lip nervously.

“I just! It makes me feel better sometimes! Please don't make fun of me…” He says quietly, seeing Puffer's look of disgust.

Puffer blinks. “Oh, I won't… sorry, I was just… studying it.. It looks very… Uh… nice… so what do you need help with?”

Droid seems to cheer up a little, but he does seem like he's waiting for Puffer to turn around and start teasing him. He's tense, and Puffer now feels guilty, but he couldn't help it and…

Puffer leaves Droid's room quickly when he's done, going back to his own room and shutting the door.

Whatever. He needs to do some work. He ain't got time for these feelings.

…

It's not like he's never been invited to nest either. Pezzy had asked him point blankly, day two of them all moving in.

“Wanna come cuddle with me and Smitty in my nest?” Pezzy had asked, Puffer just shaking his head vigorously.

“Uh… no thanks… I'm not very big on touch.. sorry.”

Pezzy looked disappointed, but accepted it, going off to find someone else.

He'd hoped his pack would at least accept that, but it seems now it had become some sort of game, to try and see who's nest would be the one that finally makes him crack.

Smitty covers his eyes with his hands, leading him around. Puffer sighs, going along with whatever the youngest omega is doing.

“I have a surprise for you!” He claims Puffer just rolling his covered eyes.

“Okay man. Whatever you say… Better be good…” He grumbles, reluctantly following.

They walk around some more, before he's pushed slightly, and the hands are removed.

Puffer blinks, as his vision returns, slipping his glasses back on.

Oh.

It's Smitty's nest. Pezzy’s already inside.

“We wanted to have an omega cuddle session, but we knew you would say no, so we had to figure out a way to get you in here.” Pezzy chirps.

Puffers eyes narrowed. “So you tricked me?”

Smitty nods. “Might as well get in now bud, there's no escape.”

Puffer looks at the nest, looks at Pezzy and then looks at Smitty.

“Not happening.” He says bluntly, trying to ignore the scent of sour milk and deflated soft drink hitting him in the nose.

He needs to leave. Now. Before he gets pulled in.

“Puffer. Please! We need this!" Pezzy whines, grabbing at Puffer’s wrist.

Puffer turns and snarls at Pezzy, which immediately makes him drop the limb.

Puffer's hackles are up as he wordlessly leaves. He locks his door and doesn't come out until the next day.

……

Another angle is explored.

“Maybe he's just embarrassed and doesn't know how to make one?” Smitty suggests, making Pezzy nod.

The two of them get to work.

By the time it's done, it looks really nice! They've succeeded in turning Puffer’s bed into a lovely nest!

“He's 100% gonna nest with us now!” Smitty purrs as Pezzy nods.

…

Puffer gets home some time later, and the two can't help but excitedly lead him to his room.

They open the door, and Puffer’s whole body tenses up, as Pezzy and Smitty talk about how he now has the ‘nicest nest in the whole house!’

They go over to the nest, looking back at Puffer, who is busy trying to process what's even happened here.

His mouth opens and closes for a few seconds, before he then closes his eyes, turning away slightly.

“Get out..” he says quietly, Pezzy and Smitty not really hearing him.

“What?” Smitty says, leaning forward.

Puffer's hands clench into fists. “I said. GET OUT. NOW. BOTH OF YOU.”

Pezzy and Smitty both leap to their feet, dashing out of the room. Pezzy turns back, to see Puffer ripping the blankets off his bed, and his heart clenches sadly. All of that effort… That nice nest… Gone.

….

“You really should apologise to Pezzy and Smitty.”

Puffer looks over at Grizzy, as he sighs. “I know.”

Yumi leans forward a little. “So are you going to?”

Puffer shrugs. “Maybe? Why? They shouldn't have been in my room. Like I'm sorry I scared them, but they shouldn't have fucking done that.”
Grizzy pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know that. They know that now. They think you hate them now though.”

Puffer snickered. “Really? That's a little dramatic. Is it near their heat or something..?”

Yumi's eyes flick to Grizzy, as he backs away from the table. “Look man. I'm on your side, I agree that they're being a little… dramatic… but Uh… I also wanna keep the peace…”

Grizzy turns back to Puffer. “Please apologise to them, so they can apologise to you. Okay? You know they were just worried about you. You know it was from a place of caring.”

Puffer groans dramatically as he rolls his eyes. “Fineeee.. If I have to..”

..

So Puffer apologised… but there was still so much tension you could cut it with a knife.

He'd completely barred entry to his room to the other two omegas, snapping and growling when they attempted to enter.

That then led to the two sulking anytime it happened, and the rest of the pack was walking on eggshells.

Of course, it's his room, Puffer has the right to pick who can enter and who can't, but when he was constantly excluding the same two people, it didn't take a genius to figure out why.

…

(It gets less detailed here)

A fight starts up down the line, words said and thrown about.

“I don't get it man, If you fuckign hate being an Omega that much, like what are you doing?”

“I just-

“it's not gonna kill you to nest! It's a pack bonding thing! Do you even wanna be part of the pack?”

..

Puffer gets really upset after the argument, unable to explain exactly why he's so opposed to nesting.

He tries to go in the pack nest, which results in failure. He has a massive panic attack. Grizzy finds him & Droid overhears the tragic backstory.

…

Puffer explains when he was a pup, his whole family would nest together every night. It was a one bed, and it was really cosy. Perfection almost.

But… Something went wrong. Bad people came. There was lots of yelling from outside. His parents told him to just go to sleep, to ignore it all. It would be fine in the morning.

He wakes up in the nest, his parents bodies covering him to hide him, blood everywhere. He's not strong enough to move them, so he's stuck there for a full day until his big sister comes home and helps him get out.

Everytime he goes into a nest, he has a flashback, and he thinks he's going to wake up and everyone's gonna be fucking dead.

Grizzy is shocked, as Puffer quickly rushes past him, holding back tears.

…

Droid comes by a few days later, sheepishly explaining that he overheard the conversation.

Puffer's about to close the door. Droid says he wants to try helping Puffer. That he has an idea as to something they could try.

Droid works with Puffer, figuring out his triggers, before he suggests they could try making something like a nest, but it's going to be different enough to not trigger him.

To start with, this nest will be on the floor. The height difference immediately makes it feel different from his past.

Next, Droid suggests using things that wouldn't normally be used in a nest. Basically, things that won't trigger his memories. They figure out that too many scents, too many soft textures trigger his panic attacks.

..

“Okay. I got some of these!” Droid says, holding up some foam puzzle pieces. “Okay, before you comment, one, it doesn't hold scents very well, and two, it's decently soft! I once had a friend sleep on these puppies for a solid year! I mean, he did have scoliosis… but anyway. Why don't you place these around where you like, maybe get a feel for it instinct wise?”

Puffer looked over at Droid. “You're not going to leave unless I try it, are you?”

“Nope!” he smiles.

Puffer dramatically sighs, before standing up and taking a square of foam from him.

Looking around his room, he studies it, before settling on next to his bed, but on the side furthest from the door. Kneeling on the carpet, he slowly starts placing the squares down, getting a feel for the size and shape. When he's done, he looks over at Droid, surprised to see him holding something else.

“Okay. So your brains like triggered by soft blankets and sheets… Stuff like that, so…” he holds up the teal fabric. “I found a heap of bath towels and bought them! Take a feel of this texture! It's completely unlike anything we've ever nested with!” He said, passing the towels over, as Puffer paused.

Droid was right. The towels were slightly less soft than blankets, but still soft enough for him to be comfy on. Placing it down on the foam, didn't immediately make him panic either. It worked.

“For the edges of the nest, I was thinking we can roll some of these towels up, trust me, I got a fucking heap of them!” Droid smiles, passing some more towels to Puffer, who nods, not really paying attention, more focused on building his nest.

After a little while, Puffer stands up, taking a few steps back. He narrows his eyes, looking at it, before nodding to himself, pride welling up in his chest.

Droid then places something on the desk. “Okay, this is more of a suggestion. Scent blocker here, so if you invite anyone in, you don't run the risk of their scent sticking to the nest, and building up.”

Puffer blinks, feeling strangely shy suddenly at how much help Droid's been. “Okay… That.. I… Yeah that sounds okay.”

Droid smiles. “Anyway. I'll leave you to it. Give you some time to try it out.”

“Thank you.” Puffer says, voice so quiet that Droid almost misses it.

Droid smiles. “Hey. I love you man. Don't forget that.”

…

Over time, he gets used to it, but he's still not good with other people being next to him in the nest while he sleeps, so Droid says they don't need to do that. They can work up to it.

..

Unfortunately, Pezzy walks in that night, seeing Puffer sleeping in his nest, curling up next to him in excitement, happy to see Puffer is nesting.

Puffer wakes up, having a panic attack, which results in the whole house finding out about his trauma. Pezzy and Smitty apologise for pushing him, Puffer apologises too.

….

Puffer bit his lip, looking over at Smitty and Pezzy, looking back at Droid.

“They don't have to come in your nest Puffer… You're not comfortable with that yet… How about we three stay in your bed, and you stay in your nest, and then you can get used to the scents being nearby, but not in your face?” Droid suggests, as Puffer thinks it over.

Slowly nodding, Puffer motions for the three to come in.

“You're not going to come into my nest?” he asks, as all three shake their heads.

“I won't.. I'm so sorry again…” Pezzy whispers, as Puffer nuzzles his neck.

“It's okay… You didn't know..” Puffer mumbles, before yawning a little.

…

John lifted his head up, seeing the door open to the pack nest room.

Puffer stood in the doorway, biting his lip nervously, holding a bath towel in his arms, as he approached the rest of his sleeping pack.

Puffer made eye contact with John, jumping a little, before John spoke quietly.

“If you want to be on the edge, come over here. It's warmer, plus the scents are stronger near the door side, because how often we all come and go in this room.” he explained, before dropping his head gently back down onto Yumi's chest.

He smiled a little as he heard Puffer's feet carefully move around to the suggested area, John's eyes watching as Puffer placed the towel down on one of the nest edges, before curling up on top of it. John had to stay quiet, as he realised the pillow Puffer was using was actually one of Grizzy’s thighs, but Puffer’s breathing soon evened out, as he drifted off to sleep.

“Stop moving…” Yumi groaned quietly, as John rolled his eyes.

“Fuck you too…”

Chapter Text

Bear shifter - Grizzy, Rectrixx,

Wolf shifter - Puffer, Smii7y, John

Cat shifter - Yumi, Eli, Pezzy

Fox shifter - Matt

Cat / wolf hybrid - Droid

Droid lives in a shifter pack. He's the last of his friends group to have earned his role (guard, hunter, tracker etc.)

All of his friends get promoted to the role with the most respect. Warrior.

Currently he's still considered a pup by the pack, because he keeps being passed over for promotion. The only thing he bothers applying for is warrior. Nothing else is worth it. If he can't be with his friends.

Even Grizzy, who's younger than him got promoted!

Droid doesn't understand why.

Sure, he's a little clumsy… and he hasn't shifted yet, but some other people haven't shifted yet! He doesn't want to be treated like a child anymore.

It goes deeper.

His friends don't want him to get hurt. Because Droid's not able to shift, they're discouraging the elders from promoting him in secret. They think it's too dangerous for him.

Droid over time gets his confidence shattered piece by piece. He becomes insecure in his abilities.

He finally shifts for the first time! A hybrid wolf and Cat fusion. He's got a lot to learn, so he dives into his training he's remotivated now.

He meets Matt. He learns Matt was kicked out of his pack because they didn't trust fox hybrids. Matt offers to help train with Droid.

Matt sees Droid shift.

“Oh…” Matt's voice trailed off. Droid looked over at him, shifting back.

“Is something wrong?”

Matt doesn't meet his gaze. “You know… you know they're probably never going to give you a promotion to warrior now, right?”

Droids heart dropped. “What? Why?”

Matt sighed, looking away. “They.. they're old fashioned. You're a hybrid. A result of a union of two different shifters… you'll be lucky to be promoted to camp guard….”

Droid looks distraught, before looking determined. “It's okay. I'll prove my worth! Then they have to let me be a warrior!”

Matt looks doubtful, but helps him train.

..

Droid applies every moon to become a warrior. People much younger than him get accepted.

His friends ask why he doesn't just settle for something else? Least he wouldn't be treated like a kid anymore…

Droid's hurt. Do they not want him to be a warrior?

(They're all worried he'll get hurt.)

Droid changes after that. He keeps training with Matt. He stops applying for promotion though.

He starts going out and doing warrior jobs before the warriors can. They get there and find it done.

He starts feeling happy about it. It's working! He's like a secret warrior.

He convinces Matt to join. Matt's accepted by the pack faster than Droid.

Matt gets promoted.

Droid gets knocked back again. The elders tell him they're sick of him wasting their time. They tell him to go help the healers.

Droids pissed off. His friends (not Matt) are relieved Droid won't be in any danger.

Droid complains to his friends, who all try to say it's not that bad. That he has a purpose now.

Droid breaks down.

He realises the whole pack thinks he's a joke. His friends think he's weak.

He leaves in the dead of night. Matt follows, because he didn't really care that much.

…

Droid finds a new pack. He challenges the head warrior, off rip. The elders are so shocked by this, that even though he loses, he makes it close enough that he and Matt are accepted as warriors immediately. The new pack doesn't care he's a hybrid, seeing it as a good thing.

His other friends worry about him, thinking he's dead

Droid rises up the ranks.

One fo his friends comes to the new pack to ask for help. Droid's an adviser to the elders now. They're shocked, but Droid doesn't react.

Droid offers to help, and the elders accept. 

Droid and Matt go back to help his old pack. The elders laugh when they see only him arrive. His old friends circle around, and Droid is polite but distant.

They ask if he needs any help. Droid refuses.

Chapter Text

Okay, first off to start with, the guys and some info about them / what they look like.

Smitty (names) - Milkkit, Milkpaw, Milkmane -
Clanborn

Role: Co leader of Frogclan

Born in a clan, menace to society. He's the younger Sibling to Owlstar, (then Owltooth) and his other Sibling Shykit was taken to another clan for some prophetic mousedung.

He's quite loud and opinionated, very impulsive. He's the one who decides to leave the clan when one of his best friends gets injured the day before they're all going to be apprenticed… he fails to tell his other friend however, abandoning him.

They meet Fish, who is super hyped to meet them, and Prince, (a snobby housecat)

They come back like a year later, much to the shock of everyone. Milkkits older brother is deputy now. They finally become warriors, seeing Owlstar become leader. Milkmane is getting antsy from clan life, and they plan to leave again to see their outside friends again. Matt comes with them, not wanting to be left behind again.

This time Fish introduces them to Grr and Dog

Milkmane gets his outsider friends to come spend spring with the clan under Owlstar, they have fun, leaving.

Eventually he returns, Owlstar is dead, the new leader is bad news. Milkmane proposes making their group into their own clan.

He returns to his og clan to visit Owlstar's grave eventually.

Qpp with Matt & Icecricket

Kryoz (names) - kittypet, Crykit, Cricketpaw, Crickettail, Icecricket

Kittypet origin. He was born in a hoarder situation, found very sickly and was also quite anxiety filled hence the name Crykit.

Role: healer of Frogclan

Originally a very sickly kit, he struggled in his adoptive clan. He felt intense pressure from the clan elders due to his kittypet heritage. They already don't respect his pronouns and the final straw is when he injures himself he becomes so worried they're gonna exile him that when his best friend suggests they leave, he's already out the door.

While they're gone, he starts calling himself Cricket, coming out as nonbinary, and learns to get control of his anxiety, becoming more relaxed, making jokes to cope with his problems. He's very empathetic, but to mask it he unintentionally comes off as a bit of a dick.

After they leave their birth clan to form their own clan, he changes his name completely to Icetail, sometimes going by just Ice or Cricket wanting a new start.

He still wears a pink bow he got as a kittypet. He's smart enough to put it on, and take it off. He keeps moss under it, in the event of an emergency injury / needing water.

Matt - Snowkit, Snowpaw, Snowdust, Matt
Clan born. Born into the same clan as Milkmane.
Role: Frogclan scout

He was Milkkit’s other bestie, but when Milkkit impulsively left in the middle of the night with Crykit, he didn't know what to do.

He was then apprenticed alone, to a mentor who resented him and also blamed him for the missing kits. He was constantly patrolling or hunting or cleaning ( it was hard work doing a full clans jobs by himself. ) The elders and his mentor took their anger out on him, resulting in him losing an ear during battle training, getting numerous scars during his apprenticeship. He's too scared to speak up about it however.

When Milkpaw and Cricketpaw return, he's torn. He feels hurt because his friends left without him, angry that they're having a normal apprenticeship, but he's also happy they're both safe and okay.

When they up and leave again, he secretly follows, because he doesn't want to be left behind anymore. Milkmane is surprised, but he's adamant he's coming with them. They're happy to introduce him to their ragtag bunch of friends.

He eventually picks the name Matt in Frogclan because that's what he likes to sleep on, and he says he's trying to break free from their original toxic society.

Puffer - Fish, Fishwind
Kittypet origin -
Role: Coleader and founder of Frogclan.

His father was a clan cat, so he always dreamed of going out and joining a clan. His little brother got lucky, (Pandah) but then his owners got way more overprotective, limiting his ability to try and join a clan. As he grew older, he was finally let outdoors more, where he met Prince and the other cats around.

He meets Cricket and Milk and originally doesn't believe they're clan cats. They're way too small! He laughs it off, but keeps running into them, being impress they’re still alive.

He watches them practise their hunting and battle moves, asking them to teach him, which they do happily.

Eventually Milk and Cricket leave, Fish being shocked and hurt by this. He chooses to start roaming more, looking for something to have a purpose. They're gone for a few moons, before they return with a new cat.

They all become friends, and he goes back to see the clan for himself, when they all leave they decide to make their own.

He's very proud of himself, his ego often getting himself into trouble. He likes to act aloof, and uncaring, but he's very protective of his friends.

He gets 5 lives at the Moon grove after an injury, thus leaving him with 4

Grizzy - Cub, Grr, Bear.

Escaped Kittypet / Rouge origin

Role: Frogclan muscle

Bear is a massive Maine Coon x Manx cross-breed. He's almost the size of a small/medium sized dog… people aren't fully convinced that he's not a dog.

He doesn't fuck with clan names or anything of that sort, he's just Grr, but the others make jokes of him being a small bear secretly. He adopts the name after a while. He's covered in mottled scars so he looks scary, but he is a massive gentle giant, loving to cuddle his friends and eat snacks instead.

He does not like humans, hostile to almost all of them on sight. He came from a puppy/kitty mill breeder place using animals for genetic testing, only managing to escape after fighting his way out, living alone for a while before he started chilling near Fish’s garden, annoying the other cat by sleeping on his fence constantly.

He has a permanent limp, a result of an injury he got when escaping.

The youngest, but you wouldn't know it.

Pezzy - Prince, ‘Spoiledpaws’, Fizzypelt
Role - Frogclan forager.

Kittypet origin: he was a pure-bred siamese cat, who was spoiled for so much of his life that when his owners got arrested for many various crimes and he ended up on the street he was out of his depths.

He met Fish and Grr when he was still a kittypet. He was very snobbish, looking down on the others who would pass by him, making remarks about how they looked.

He would still copy their hunting and battle moves in secret though.

Then he's suddenly on the streets and out of his depths and miserable.

He's cold, he's wet, he's hungry and his paws have mud on them! This is so fucked up.

Grrr finds him, bringing him over to stay where Cricket and Milk hang out. He's so horrified by clan life, but he's got nowhere else to go.

He was so used to getting everything given to him on a platter, he didn't know how to work for anything. There was a lot of tension with him and the clan for a while, until he finally learned to pull his weight, slowly getting proud of when he would achieve things. When he finally manages to bring down a rabbit by himself, he's super happy and everyone is showering him with praise. He realises he likes living like this.

He picks his name from something he remembered from his owner's house.

He wears his collar because he likes it. He's also a tiny bit of a snob still.

Droid - Pup, Dog, Wolfeyes
Loner Origin
Role: Frogclan forager and fighter.

Abandoned by his mother on a doorstep at a few days old, he was found by a Labrador, and taken in and raised with her two puppies. She called him Dog, so he felt more connected to his family. He grew to be decently large and strong, roughhousing with his brother and sister, still loved unconditionally by his adoptive mother. He still believes he's a dog for a very long time.

Meeting the cats, they're confused by his behaviour, eventually he learns he's a cat, but he's only grateful to his mother, not angry in anyway. He can speak to dogs.

He joins the clan, picking the name Wolfeyes, because it's like a brave dog in his eyes. He still goes to visit his adoptive mother every week, bringing her some rabbit legs as a treat.

He loves his friends, and is too eager to prove himself, often jumping in too quickly. He handles his problems more doglike then cat like.

Others -

Smitty's older brother is Vanoss (Owlstar) + His sibling that was taken was Mikasacus (Meekeyes)

Yumi - Strawberry - the weird daylight warrior who loves to start fights.

Eli - Rice - daylight warrior

Rectrixx - Frostbear - daylight warrior

—-----
General Lore;

Moon Grove -

A Grove on the edge of the forest, various coloured stones are found here. To commune with the stars, you sleep under a large mushroom in the middle of the field.

Clans;

Birchclan - (Owlstar, Redacted, Darkstar, Gorgestar, Pandastar)

Flintclan - idk who leads this yet

Corvidclan - Boarstar Crowstar

Meadowclan - Dampstar

Eggclan - Ratstar

Frogclan - Milkstar & Fishstar

Frogclan was founded by Fish, and is led by Fishwind (Fishstar) and Milkmane (Milkstar)

They made it a clan, and it's based in an old two leg house, near the edge of the forest, bordering Flintclan and Birchclan.

They didn't have an official leader (or any respect until Flintclan attacked them, trying to drive them out before leafbare, needing the food.)

Fizzypelt runs to ask Boarstar for help, surprisingly, they do.

They manage to drive Flintclan back, but Fishwind is gravely injured. Crowwing suggests trying the Moon Grove, because he's heard rumours of them granting lives and saving leaders.

Milkmane and Icecricket take him there.

They enter Starclan's realm.

Fishwind expresses concern at being the sole leader. He doesn't know anything about clans, life, or how to lead.

Milkmane asks starclan if they can share leadership. Like when a leader returns their lives, the next gets given the remainder.

Starclan is outraged! Well they pretend to be.

Owlstar steps forward. He smiles at Milkmane, saying he always knew his brother was meant for something larger. He says he's happy to try this out, and some other cats step forward, including the founders of both Birchclan and Corvidclan

List of lives as follows

Fish gets five lives, including the one to revive him.

Corvidstar (founder of Corvidclan) gives him a life
Roseheart (their first medicine cat)
Moosepelt (Moo)
Shadowstep (Marcel)
Lastly, his mother, Sunlight, gives him a life, this is the one that revives him.

Milk gets lives from;

Owlstar (Vanoss)
His mother - Creamtail
Meekeyes (other brother) (Mikasacus)
Birchstar - Founder of Birchclan

Chapter Text

Do you ever feel like you would go to unreasonable lengths to make sure your friends were safe and happy? Now, we're not talking like… making excuses or covering a shift… We're talking like… taking someone's bad fate and then making it your own, just to protect them.

Pushing your friend out of the way of a moving car, and being struck by it yourself.

Taking a bullet for them, type of sacrifice.

Or even suffering alone because you both love the same person, but you know they would be better with them… because otherwise they would be the one alone and miserable and that's one of the worst outcomes.

Puffer knows all too well what that's like, no matter what he'd say to the others. He's lived it almost-nevermind.

Anyway….

Yeah Puffer knew about all of that.

About four years….

Ahem. Some years ago, after a Pax party of all things, Puffer and Matt had retreated from the loud music and alcohol, going back to their shared hotel room, still decently buzzed and giggly. The two men had both jumped onto Matt's bed, making jokes about all the people they'd met that day, about who was hooking up with who at the party and the like.

Puffer had casually mentioned the fact he had seen Smitty making out with a girl that he didn't know the name of, and it was like Matt's brain had then stopped working, his mood souring. He had frozen, a single strangled; “Oh?” Coming out, catching the taller man off guard.

“Yooo, you good homie?” Puffer had asked, suddenly concerned at how Matt was now staring intensely at the ground, a frown on his face.

“I think I'm in love with Smitty.” Matt had just blurted out, dropping the truth bomb on Puffer, who shot off the bed, standing still with his mouth open.

“HUH?” Puffer had said, pointing at the slightly drunk man, who then looked up at Puffer and nodded in confirmation.

“Yeahhh... But it's not like it matters….right?” Matt had then said with a shrug, laying back, putting his head on the pillow.

Puffer shook his head quickly. “Of course it does??? Man. I'm so sorry. I wouldn’t have said anything about that if I knew.”

Matt shook his head, explaining; “No, no, no! It's all cool man. It's not the first time i've seen him do this, and it probably won't be the last. One time in college I walked in on him with his girlfriend making out on my own bed! Now that one kinda hurt a little bit more than this one.. I mean, I didn't see this one!”

“Still I mean… What are we gonna do about it? Oooh… we could plan a nice dinner and you could ask him-” Puffer gets interrupted by Matt, shutting him down quickly, sitting up.

“We are going to do nothing. Okay? If I thought there was a chance… maybe I would go along with it.. but Smitty has never, ever even shown a sign of being into men. I asked him in college and he swore up and down he was straight. It's not happening, Puffer.” Matt sighed, laying back down onto Puffer's pillows.

“I mean.. sometimes people can realise they're gay later in life…?” Puffer shrugged, voice trailing off as Matt just stared at him, deadpan.

“Yeah, and I'm realising I want to shove a fist in your ass if you keep talking about this…. Please. For me Puffer. Drop this subject. And also… Please don't tell anyone? I'm not ready to um.. come out..” Matt said, holding himself, rocking a little.

Puffer's eyes softened, going to sit next to Matt, wrapping an arm around him. “I-I’m sorry. I didn't mean to push you, man. I just wanna see you happy, you know?”

Matt sighed, rubbing his eyes a bit. “Yeah, I know. I'll… I'll move on one day. I'll be okay. Thanks for being a good friend man… I appreciate it… do you mind if we cuddle a little bit… I'm feeling kinda… I don't know. I feel a little off.. I guess.”

Puffer nodded, stepping off the bed, going to get changed. “Okay, but you gotta take those jeans off and get ready for bed first. No shoes either. Come on.”

Matt smiled, sliding off the bed. “Ooooh Puffer, didn't realise you swung that wayyy. Already making me strip down. I see you...”

Puffer snorted, throwing his removed shirt at Matt playfully. “Fuck you I take it back. Sleep on the floor for all I care.”

Puffer checked his phone, seeing a message from Matt. It was late out, he was honestly about to sleep soon, but he was curious so he opened it to read;

[Matt]: if I see 1 more message from Smit, saying how much he loves his girlfriend ima be on the news… in a bad way…

Puffer blinked, re-reading the message and sighing a little before replying.

[Puffer🐡]: I'm about to sleep, did u wanna sleep call or something?

[Matt]: please

Puffer laid down on his bed, pulling the covers over as the phone rang. He picked up, being greeted by a glum Matt.

“What if I just killed myself? Surely it would fix these stupid fucking feelings… oh hey Puffer. Um. Sorry, I was trying to get it all out before you joined…” he said sheepishly

Puffer just hummed. “If venting makes you feel better Matt, you don't have to stop man. You can let it out okay? I'm here for you.”

“But then I feel kinda bad.. I don't wanna be like… that guy, who's always so needy and shit.” Matt said, shuffling around on the other end.

“It's okay, I promise. I like helping you man. You're one of my best friends okay? I'm here for you when you're not doing well, and I know you would do the same okay?” Puffer said, placing his phone on his pillow. He heard Matt stop moving around, before the other tentatively asked; “You sure?”

Puffer nodded, before remembering Matt couldn't see him. “I promise Matt. Go ahead okay?”

Matt sighed, proceeding to rant about how Smitty wouldn't stop talking about his new girlfriend. Apparently the girl had given Matt a dirty look or something, and Matt didn't wanna bring it up to Smitty, for fear of coming across as jealous.

“But you are jealous.” Puffer deadpanned, reminding him.

“Yeah. I know.” Matt sighed, face muffled into his pillow now.

Puffer falls asleep a little bit later. He dreams of Matt finding someone who loves him for him. The figure looks familiar, but Puffer can't figure it out, dreamscape too blurry, mind too confused, thoughts too hazy.

He wakes up, memories of the dream flitting away like skittish animals. He forgets about it quickly.

They were all having fun teasing John about the voice that had called him ‘babe’ until the voice, by some cruel twist of fate, turned out to be Smitty. Puffer had sat there, wide eyed, listening to the two men gush about getting together. When Puffer heard it was via Matt's video, of all things, he immediately shot a text over, praying Matt was doing okay from the news.

Maybe Matt got over-?

Who was he trying to fool? That was bullshit and Puffer knew it.

He sat there anxiously, leg bouncing up and down as he waited for Matt to reply. He thought he heard Matt make a slightly strangled noise at first… Before he can question it, Matt's quickly making up some weak excuse and fleeing the call. Puffer could smell the bullshit from where he was seated. He felt his phone vibrate in his hand, looking down at the new message.

[Matt]: he deserves to be happy. I'm glad I could help him with that, yk?

Puffer frowned, trying to think of a response, tuning the others in the call out, when a second message came through.

[Matt]: Sometimes I just wonder like… when will it be my turn…?

Puffer’s heart panged in sympathy, frowning down at his phone as he tapped out a reply to Matt.

[Puffer🐡]: it's gonna be okay Matt. Go take a shower and get ready for bed. I'll call you soon and we can sleep-call again.

[Matt]: okay. Thanks Puff.

Puffer sighed again, leaning back in his chair, phone in one hand, the other brushing through his hair. This whole situation was so fucked up. How could Smitty not tell? After all this time? Seriously?

The fact Matt always seemed so squeamish whenever Smitty talked about his love life? The fact Matt would make up obviously bogus reasons to leave suddenly when he was talking about it? Surely Smitty couldn't be that fucking dumb? The guy was super smart!

Puffer didn't want to believe that Smitty was doing it deliberately though. Smitty wasn't a monster, he wouldn't just… do that to his best friend right?

Puffer doesn't know anymore, after everything.

Puffer laid down in bed, listening to Matt's slightly muffled breathing. Matt had finally fallen asleep after crying his eyes out for a good hour, exhausting himself.

The fact was, Matt couldn't bring himself to resent Smitty's partner for once, due to the fact John was also one of his good friends.

It seemed Matt now felt even more guilty for his feelings. He kept reiterating over and over, how happy he was that two of his good friends were now happy, and he really didn't mind that it was at the cost of his own happiness.

Puffer falls asleep.

His eyes flutter back open again, heart jolting in fondness, seeing Matt peacefully sleeping in his own lap, hands linked loosely.

He feels happy that Matt is finally relaxed. His heart stutters for a little bit, content.

Puffer then feels himself start falling in his dream, heart racing at 100 miles per hour, jerking awake, scrambling around.

He hears Matt's quiet snoring in the background still when he wakes up, the dream already fading from his memory…

Wait, that's just the last story again... Ummmm…

Puffer clenched his fists as he slowly watched his friends permanently leave their server. Sighing, he unclenched his hands, instead pushing his chair away from the desk in something akin to pure frustration.

He didn't bother reading the final messages, certain he already knew what they would contain. Vitriol and hate from a mistake that then spewed from a fight. A fight that turned into a horrible tragedy, with results that can not be taken back…

Not unless you're him.

He'd honestly tried so fucking hard this time.. Apparently, it's not hard enough.

It had been good for so long, and then suddenly it had all crumbled into shit in the space of a couple weeks. A fight taken too seriously, words that could never be taken back uttered and suddenly Puffer's sitting all alone, once again, emotions raging through his brain.

“He's dead and it's your fucking fault!”

“MY FAULT? IF ANYTHING, IT'S YOUR FAULT!”

“Okay, seriously? How is it my fault? Explain that to me-.”

“Guys, it was an accident!” Puffer weakly argues, voices all turning on him.

“Of course you'd say that Puffer! You didn't have to go back home without him!”

“Yelling isn't going to bring him back though!”

“Neither is your shit apologies. You're just so fucking stupid, aren't you? I thought it was an act for the cameras, but now, I know it really fucking isn't!”

“Nothing! Nothing is fucking gonna bring him back! Leave me the fuck alone… I'm not fucking stupid.”

“What he said… honestly, I never want to see any of you again.”

“Fine by me! Why would I wanna be near a murderer?”

“Oh kill yo-”

Puffer leaves the call as it devolves into grief stricken name calling and hateful words.

He somehow always seems to end up alone…. Maybe he's not as good at this as he had hoped.

Turning away from his computer, he doesn't bother shutting it down. There's no need for him to even bother, it's not like he's going to use it again. Not this time. He's really going to do it again. One final time.

What if it goes even worse though? What if even more of them die?

Matt wouldn't want them to all fight like this though…

Puffer reaches for a scratched up chain around his neck, shaking hands unclasping it as he opens the locket. There's a very tiny picture of the seven of them inside, and he gently strokes it with his thumb, a small smile gently flickering to the surface before it fades just as quickly. Looking over to the other side of the locket, at the watch, he bites his lip.

Is this really, truly, unrecoverable? Maybe he could try to-

Man that's still too far back… Where were we?

Ah yes. Here…

“What is it you wanted to tell me that couldn't wait? I was about to go cook dinner, man.” Puffer says casually, not actually angry at Matt, still messing with him.

“I'm sorry, but food can fucking wait. This is the best fucking day of my life!” Matt practically squeals through the phone. Puffer jolts at how loud he is, pulling the phone back slightly.

“Matt, calm down, you don't need to yell at me through the phone. I already have shitty eyes, I don't need shitty ears as well.” Puffer grumbles, before bringing the phone closer again.

“Sorry, Sorry Puffer. I just. Smitty confessed his feelings for me! We had such a nice date! I'm just… how did I get so fucking lucky? I have two boyfriends who love me! I just had to tell you, because you've been there for me since the start!” Matt says, voice getting higher and higher.

“Did you just squeal like a teenage girl?” Puffer deadpans, trying his best to ignore his mind spiralling.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP.” Matt yells, Puffer moving the phone away slightly again.

“Hahah. I'm joking man… Uh. Wow. That's a development I didn't see coming… I'm happy for you Matt.” Puffer says honestly, because he is happy for Matt, but he's also a little hurt.

“Thank you Puffer, that means so much to me coming from you. You were there for me during the worst bits…. Honestly, I owe you my life.” Matt says, voice wobbling slightly, Puffer's eyes softening.

“I… Wow. All I've ever wanted is for my friends to be happy. I'm not the best at doing it, but I really did try my hardest.” Puffer admits, voice coming out quieter than normal.

“I know Puffer. I love you man.. I'm sorry. I'll let you get back to your dinner.” Matt says, unaware of how much Puffer's heart starts beating at those words.

“.....I love you too Matt. When I've got more time, you need to talk in more detail about everything, okay?” Puffer replies in a controlled tone, Matt perking up on the other end.

“Really? I would love to!” he chirps happily.

“Mhm.. Really. Anyway, have a goodnight.” Puffer says, a small smile on his face.

“Byee.” Matt says loudly.

[Beep]

Puffer's smile drops as he looks at the ended call on his phone.

“I'm such a fucking idiot…” Puffer scoffs.

….

“They're all happy.. That's all that matters.” he whispers to himself.

Ah yes.. that's where we left off. Now, let's continue, shall we?