Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

CRASH! CLATTER!

And the delicate sound of a pot rolling into place.

Ghost ambled about the living room, setting up what looked like a giant mess. They placed Bumble behind the pot, and adjusted one of its metal antenna.

The perfect bandmate.

They turned around and looked at the couch, raising both hands up.

There they had dragged both of their fathers, Ogrim and Mato, Hornet and Hollow to sit and watch them with undivided attention.

They signed, “Welcome to! The performance!” Before breaking into void giggles that warmed Mato’s heart right up.

“My name is Ghost…” They looked down for a moment, unknowing of what to use as a show name. 

“Is it not the Ghost Gossamer?” Ogrim supplied, and Ghost leapt, liking the sound of that cute little name.

“The Ghost Gossamer!” They finger-spelled, and flapped their hands, already too excited.

“I!” They pointed at themself, “Will be playing you a song I made up all by myself!”

“What’s it called?” Mato, too, encouraged this creative display.

Ghost put their fingers together, once more breaking eye contact to think. “...The wave of Shadow and Wires!”

“Ooo!” The chorus of praise shown verbally, with Hollow putting their arm up in amazement. It was a melodramatic name but it meant something to Ghost so they would watch. 

Ghost went behind their instrument pile, with a mini stage built out of vegetable boxes. They had strings on their nails that they had Hornet put on there and strummed cords with no sense of harmony or skill. But Mato was already giving them little claps, and it made Ogrim lean into him.

He looked at his face and he was simply beaming at his child’s creativity and joy. It made his heart so happy he couldn't help but give him a peck on the cheek and snuggle closer. Mato put his arm as far as he could around Ogrim’s back as Ghost simply danced around, strumming hard and jumping.

They ran around and grabbed Bumble and made their little arms hit the drums, dissonant crashing filling the air. It was frightfully loud but Ogrim and Mato stared at them with pure pride.

Hornet already had her ears subtly covered with silk, so she just watched in supportive indifference and Hollow had their head perpetually tilted as they tried to understand how this song was called what it is called. 

Mato kissed Ogrim on the horn, and thought for a moment. He looked at his beautiful child, so full of vibrant life, and his other children being such sweet siblings by simply being there, back to his lovely husband.

“Hey, Ogrim?” He spoke, as Ghost moved their hands higher to play the highest notes. Ogrim hummed, putting his claw on Mato’s hand. “Yeah?”

Mato smiled, while Ghost played on and on. “I think this might be my favorite song.”

Ogrim laughed, a soft tired thing after a long day. He touched horns with Mato, breathing a sigh. "I think it's mine as well." They both chuckled before sharing a long kiss on the mouth.

Hornet smiled at them and rolled her eyes. 

Ghost kicked their box stage and did a mini stage dive before raising their hands for praise. Ogrim and Mato had yet to cease their kiss but Hornet and Hollow still clapped and cheered.

Ghost didn't bow.

They ran full speed and leapt onto both of them and pulled apart their smooch. They both bubbled with laughter, Mato taking Ghost in his arms and tossing them with a gentle catch.

"Ah-ha! Oh-You did wonderful, my child! That song was immaculate! Bow for us, why don't you?" He gave them a gentle tickle on their stomach, so proud. 

Ghost had a blush on their face but did accept being lowered back to the ground where they grabbed Bumble.

Together, Bumble and Ghost bowed, getting a new wave of cheers. Claps were so loud, especially with Ogrim's claws against eachother. 

It made Ghost beam and jump more, hugging Bumble to their chest. That made Ogrim and Mato continue to cheer, just to keep them happy for longer.

Safe to say, the concert was a large success!

Chapter Text

The weather in the howling cliffs was mostly stagnant.

Varying levels of winds that sometimes mellowed or sometimes blew so hard the lights would be snuffed for days from the afterblow.

And rarely. Very very rarely.

Stored moisture from the caves mixed with the coldest winds in the dry season…and snow would fall.

Depending on how much dew lingered at the end of the season, the heavier the snowfall would be. 

So Ogrim looked outside and immediately turned to Mato. "Beloved, what is that?"

Mato was confused for a moment, looking at what Ogrim was looking at.

“Have you not been in a snowfall before? You’ve traveled this world much farther than I!” Mato was shocked to see this from Ogrim of all bugs.

“I’ve been around these parts, yes, but never long enough to see anything like this! Moisture that remains cold as it falls and clumps together on the floor. Oh, it reminds me of home but much less tangible!” He smiled, before walking outside.

The snow barely made it above the first gap in his leg armor but that didn't make much of a difference to him.

Mato called to him, but Ogrim just ran to the clearing, skidding and sliding around. 

“It’s so soft! Darling, look!” He laughed while Mato tried to catch up to him, pulling his cloak closer to his face. The wind billowed, blowing it around him. 

Ogrim spun around, the snow moving around him immaculately. All Mato could hear, however, was his fiancé's laughter.

All he saw was his beautiful face, helmet off so his fur got snow stuck on it. It was nowhere near as bright as his eyes.

It made him blink away watery eyes, because when it warms up, he was going to marry this bug.

He was marrying this bug, who he found so cute as he spun and laughed in the snow.

Ogrim gathered some snow in his claws and threw it in the air like a dungball but it just burst immediately and fell back down on it. He held his claws open and let it fall on him, giggling. 

He loved this so much, he wasn’t even that cold because of his tendency to run hot. 

He looked at Mato, who was staring like he hung the sky himself, and beamed. He held his claws out, reaching for him and Mato didn't hesitate to rush and take them.

They both squealed and laughed as they twirled about, making patterns in the snow. The art of play was not lost with age nor time. 

They made mounds of snow and rolled into them. They sampled it and found it to be quite refreshing.

"This would be so good if we sprinkled fruit and sugar on it!" Ogrim laughed, eating another bite.

"Ah, I try not to consume too much below the fresh layer. Who knows what could've been on it!" 

Ogrim hummed, eating more. "Won't stop me." Making Mato snort. 

"Ho…I love you." He breathed, and Ogrim just smiled. "I love you too, beloved." 

Mato looked at the sky and saw the snow was beginning to pick up.

He also noted Ogrim had a small tremble despite his ever-present warmth. He was coated in white snow, it fluffing on his armor giving it a sheen.

"I hate to rain on your parade, Ogrim, but I believe we should warm up inside now." He reached over and brushed the powdery wonder off of him.

Ogrim let out a gentle "awh…" before leaning in and giving him a gentle smooch. His kiss was warm as well. 

The two of them made their way home, hand in claw. Once inside, Mato struck a fire and immediately went after making the two of them some warm drinks.

"Remove your wet armor too, can't have my fiancé sitting in muck he's yet to approve of." Mato spoke while removing his wet cloak. Ogrim snickered, way ahead of him. He removed it all except his back shell and immediately snuggled in a blanket on the floor.

Mato whipped up some hot cocoa as Ogrim got completely comfortable. He put one glass in a mug, and the other in a bowl.

He handed Ogrim his bowl and got cozy right next to him. “For the cutest bug in the room.” Mato poked his cheek, making Ogrim chuckle.

The way his laughs never stopped coming made Mato so so happy. He couldn’t get enough.

“He already has his delightful drink, dear, don’t be coy!” This made Mato blush and hit him very gently with his shoulder. That made more laughter bubble around. 

“Ah, my beloved. That was the most fun adventure I’ve had in a moment.” He took a tentative sip of his hot drink, “Thank you, I’ve no regrets about this amazing time!”

Mato gave him a smile, happy he enjoyed the weather. They drank their drinks in warm content silence.

Until, when Ogrim was nearly done, he let out a light sneeze.

Mato put his arm around him and sighed. He hoped to whatever god could hear them that it’d warm up soon.

Before Ogrim’s adorable zealousness landed him with a cold.

Chapter Text

It was a typical sort of day in Dirtmouth.

Ogrim and Mato had been staying there for a few sleeps helping Sly sort heavy furniture, and had just enough extra time after to spend time with their children. 

Plenty of time to have fun, eat well, and see their children grow just a little more. 

One such instance came when Hornet approached Ogrim wrapped in a blue cloak with pain on her face. She didn't even bother to pin the cloak to herself right as she held her typical red cloak up to him. 

“The main seam…it’s breaking in a way I don’t have faith in myself to hem. Please, father, this is the last thing I have of my mother’s that I can call my own. Can you fix it?”

Ogrim blinked at her, and didn’t hesitate to take it in his claws, put one on her shoulder and tell her.

“Of course, my honeyed girl. I will fix it right away.”

Ogrim hugged her briefly, and she holed herself in her room until she could be presentable again in her comfort.

Ogrim waved her goodbye, and looked at the cloak with stinging eyes because he can’t sew-

So despite expressly wanting him to fix it, Ogrim took it to Mato. He was bending one of Bumble’s arms and cracking it back into place. He gave it a twist and it moved like normal.

He handed it back to Ghost with a smile, “Play safely now, little one.”

Ghost tossed Bumble in the air immediately, not catching it on descent. They scampered outside to play, leaving Mato sighing and laughing.

Ogrim tapped his love on the shoulder, and he showed him the cloak. “Hm?” Mato turned and took the cloak from him.

“Hornet’s? What’s the matter-?” He unfolded it and saw he could nearly fit his hand in the hole on the main seam going up towards the neckhole.

“She’s…very upset.” Ogrim said, sitting down next to him. He folded his claws in his lap and sighed, “She wanted me to fix it, but I can’t sew in the first place. Whenever stuff like this happened in the palace, she always came to me, but I always had to go to Dryya or Isma for help.”

He felt the fabric, and knew it was made with so much love and history for many sizes that Hornet would grow. 

Mato smoothed it out, and placed it on the table. It truly was the finest red fabric only found in Deepnest. This fabric probably couldn’t be found anymore.

“I know she has to know that you can’t sew. That’s an obvious fact. Not that I’d doubt your abilities! You just physically cannot.” He stood and went into the kitchen drawers, pulling out a sewing kit.

“Sly has taught me everything I’d need to know to fix this. Why wouldn’t she just come to me?”

Ogrim rubbed behind his head while Mato didn’t wait a moment to put the cloak in his lap, threading black thread onto the smallest needle.

“ Ah…I think she just…doesn’t want to bother anyone else. She comes to me because I’ve always come to her, perhaps? I don’t know.”

Mato hummed, already sewing. Needle through the sparkling red, mending what always breaks. “I think I understand. You’ve always been more of a father to her, perhaps you were truly her one and only at points.”

Ogrim nodded at that, always perturbed just a bit how fastly as a father figure he supplanted the king. “I just don't understand why she sees only me this way, she did love Dryya and Isma and could’ve gotten much faster results from them. Just as she would’ve going straight to you.” 

Mato thought on it, as he tried to make this new seam invisible with methods passed down to him. “No, I think I know exactly what it is. I’ve gone through it with Sly many times. It’s something that can hold any teen’s heart when their parents seem unavailable. I often forgot what I even needed in the first place waiting for his attention to be clear with everything else on his plate.” Mato pulled the string taught and kept at it.

“I guess I never had a moment where I had to worry about my parents potentially not having time for me, for any valid reason one would have.” Ogrim realized, while Mato performed an maneuver that tied the string on the inside.

Mato snorted, and said, “Well, I had the one, you had a whole three.” Ogrim looked down, fondly remembering the three of them.

This was a struggle he rarely had because at the very least his momma was always near. 

A stay at home mother with two partners and one child was far more available than a single father of three or two gods and one dearly departed queen.

It was always a tricky situation for them.

Ogrim watched Mato put the cloak on his hand to fluff it down, checking the hem to make sure nothing poked out. It held wonderfully, and it made him smile. 

“I just hope she’ll figure that she can come to me, and get it no matter how many times we need to tell her.” Mato smiled at him, “I’d love to be that to her, as her father. I’m very glad she comes to you, thanks for coming to me as well.”

He folded it and handed it to him. A special package for their special girl.

Ogrim felt it in his claws, and smiled. He quietly leaned down and shared a peck with Mato, who didn't let him leave it at that. He pulled him in for a longer one, making his head spin a bit.

Then he let him go to return it to their dearest daughter.

Ogrim knocked on Hornet’s door, and she immediately creaked it open as if she was sitting on the floor with her back to it.

“Here you are, honeyweb. Good as new.” He tried to hand it to her through the small sliver she allowed. 

Hornet scooped it up and closed the door without a word.

Ogrim let out a small yelp, but the startle didn't last long because Hornet immediately came out with the cloak on. The bright red framed her so much better than any other color could even dare.

She had remnants of tears painting her face, but it mattered little to her as she wrapped her arms around Ogrim’s stomach. 

“Thank you, father.”

Ogrim hesitated, feeling like he did very little to truly help her. Maybe being her communicator when things were tough was helping…

He kneeled and hugged her back. 

“Anything for you, princess. Anything at all.”

Chapter Text

If there was one thing Mato loved, it was the thrill of the hunt.

His walls were well decorated with skulls nearly as large as him from beasts that would wander near Hallownest. 

He knew not where they came from. He knew they knew not either. That's why he enjoyed the hunt.

Mato perched himself on a jagged cliff, waiting and watching for one. He had decided to wait for Ogrim before going after any larger game. 

Though, if one came to him first, he wouldn't mind indulging. He’d honestly yet to even tell Ogrim about his hobby killing these beasts. 

“What if he finds it dorkish? Or thinks me a brute?” He thought out loud to himself, tugging at his mask anxiously.

“Ohhh, definitely the first. An honorable knight like him must find shame in such hunting somehow. These lands are no-ones and I try to be at the top of nothing…I do waste nothing! I waste absolutely nothing, he’d appreciate that!”

Mato kept trying to justify it to himself, even if Ogrim would understand if Mato did it just to make jerky for months to save himself on daily hunting for a while.

He did this, pacing a bit, until he heard giggling in the distance. 

He peeked off the cliff's edge and saw Ogrim himself, walking through the uneven clearing towards his hut. He should descend and tell his friend he’s already out and about, but he simply…watched him walk. 

He…liked seeing him jog on so happily. Ogrim was walking, so giddy to see him, it made Mato blush but he denied it to even himself.

Ogrim tended to keep a set path, walking to Mato’s hut. The scenery was so plain, he rarely even took in his surroundings.

Mato knew Ogrim would tunnel vision walk straight to him, and that also made him ponder at times. Feelings were weird, no matter how one spins it.

Though, now, it causes him to startle when he notices bangs in the distance too.

Walking with massive legs, a waste beast glides along the rocks. It has Ogrim in its sights and Mato knows it by the look in its green hued eyes. 

Mato switched into pure habit, but with an added racing of his heart because of the will to protect Ogrim from a potential charge.

He grabbed his nail and readied it, it was at a good enough distance so if he descended he could kill it without Ogrim even turning-

“Oh Mato?!” Ogrim called from below, making Mato yelp. He ran to the cliff’s base and yelled for him to be sure he heard,

“Hello, my friend!!! I see your cloak, what are you doing up there! There must be better prey at the grave at this hour!!” 

The needle dropped, and the beast started rushing forward towards its quick moving target.

Mato had no time to think as the gangly monster tried to barrel into Ogrim. He gripped his nail and leapt off the cliff, cyclone slashing his way to a safe descent.

Dirt and dust coated the air as he landed in front of Ogrim with his arms out protectively.

It shocked Ogrim, who only now looked ahead, away from his friend. He widened his eyes at the beast.

It was as if a stick bug had grown to a concerning size and had feet that could stomp out any life in an instant. It had big horns, and all Mato knew was that if those horns had bone in them.

They’d look great on his wall.

He rushed forward, holding his nail behind him to get the best air resistance as he spun to the right.

He slashed its leg, making it shriek.

With this shriek, Mato tunnel-visioned as well. He used his nail to give himself leverage and started climbing the beast by its spindly leg.

It tried to run in circles to shake him off, but Mato was trained not to get disoriented by such things.

He ran through a specific mental checklist he had for these kinds of scenarios.

Locate the head. 

Locate potential heart cavities. 

If it seems too thick to go for the heart, locate the spine.

And Mato could tell, this beast had a very large spine. He needed to get up to the neck.

If he could paralyze and bring it to the ground, it’d be a very easy kill. Once at the base of the leg, it was almost routine. The beast kept spinning, so Mato drove his nail into its side to get it to cease.

It howled, trying to turn its long neck to bite Mato off.

When it came close, Mato simply pushed his nail in further to hold on with his entire arm so he could sock it in the nose.

It hurt his hand, but succeeded in disorienting the beast enough for Mato to get a better climbing grip. 

Eventually, despite the monster moving about, galloping,  doing whatever it could to shake Mato off, he made it to its back. He rushed up its spine, heart beating so fast as his path shook and swayed.

With a leap, Mato plunged his nail into the bottom of its neck. Blood oozed out, coating his hands as he pushed and wiggled it deeper.

“Come on- Come on, Come on-” He breathed, gritting his mandibles.

“SEVER IT, PARALYZE COME ON-” Mato started getting nervous as the beast just screeched for its life, running ahead, taking Mato with it.

He just kept moving the nail side to side, not caring how much vitriol he had to put into it, how much gore had to splash up his hands or how he may look in the moment. 

When the beast didn't stop, Mato had to conclude that he could not sever its movement this way.

His breathing quickened and he just screamed, "AUGH!” as he ripped his nail from deep within the beast, its deeper shell tissue came out and stained Mato’s nail and cloak.

Frustrated, Mato stepped forward, not missing the wound he created and once more plunged his nail into the beast's head.

Breaking the skull and killing it.

Instantly.

Mato held onto his nail, bracing himself as the beast crashed to the floor.

He swung off, removing his nail and making a rolling exit to the ground. His head only spun a bit as he swiftly got to his feet, the beast still sliding from its death. 

He breathed heavily, unable to catch it as he stared at it having its post-mortem movements.

He had to make sure it was dead, so he stepped forward and poked at it, cutting a few more places to see if the blood would slow or if it would curl up on its own.

He decided it was alright, and to just let it be. It was dead, he was certain.

Mato rubbed his mask, smearing what he now realized was bright blue blood onto his mask.

It was a very pretty color, but it did have dark chunks in it which was…odd. They squished on his hands, making him clap his hands together and observe it.

Fascinating.

He’d study this when he carves it up, that’s going to be-

“...Mato, are you alright?!” Ogrim screamed, making Mato immediately snap back into his new reality. He shares this land now.

Ogrim saw all of that.  

Ogrim ran up to him and checked him over for injuries, but Mato simply stepped back.

“Ah- I’m sorry! Oh, I’m alright, this is just- A mess, and I’ll clean it up!” He walked to the beast and knelt by its head, trying to figure out where to start.

“I do apologize you had to watch that, I’m sure, Agh, whoo-” Mato caught his breath a little more, “You’ve seen more impressive feats of strength, ignore this, I’ll clean this and meet you at home, again I’m sorry-”

Mato was alarmed when Ogrim knelt with him and had him look him in the eyes. “Nailmaster Mato, that was the coolest, bravest, most spectacular thing I’ve seen in ages.” 

Mato blinked, so confused. “I…what?” He flicked some of the oozing blood off of his hands, giving Ogrim such a look of perplexion.

Ogrim just laughed, gesturing to the beast causing a mess on the floor. “Look at this! This kill was all you! You scaled this thing like it was a stable wall and It didn't stop!”

He put his claw on Mato’s shoulder, and said, “This was impressive! I wish I could’ve helped but I was so shocked I could hardly move!” 

Ogrim breathed another sigh of pride, and asked Mato, “Why would you think I wouldn’t find your power to be admirable?” 

“Uhm…” Mato laughed to himself, realizing he doesn’t quite know how to…have friends.

“I just…didn’t want to…I dunno, have you think I was cruel to these beasts or lame for hunting them.” 

Ogrim gave him a blank stare. “Mato, this thing charged me the second I raised my voice to greet you. I do not blame you for hunting them. Your strength and grit is something I always strive to have.” 

He stood up, and put his claws on his hips. “So, Nailmaster Mato, hunter of the cliffs, Apex Predator of the wastes, my friend.” He put his claw back on his shoulder, emphasizing each word of praise.

Mato’s eyes glew in relief and joy at Ogrim recognizing him as a powerful person.

“What’s the first step in cleaning up this mess, and having us an amazing lunch?” 

That made Mato give him a joyous noise, and he started explaining how he skins and cleans the beasts for both hot meals and jerky, using the skin for decor and the bones as displays.

It made Ogrim happy. He loved seeing his friends do what they love.

For now and for then.

Chapter Text

The Old Stag was, after marriage, Ogrim’s closest dearest friend who still walked this land where he could see. 

Between woes, struggles, homelessness, fear, joy, pain and elation, this stag has always offered a comforting voice and a place for Ogrim to be safe.

He was nothing but kind to Ogrim, so Ogrim always offered the kindness back. Taking care of the stag, making sure he was fed and happy, treating him almost like the grandfather he never knew.

Ogrim loved his chats with him when riding to Dirtmouth or the City. It highlighted his day in ways he couldn’t describe. He wanted to protect this old bug from anything that could harm him.

However, Ogrim is no god, and cannot protect Stag from age.

Getting older just means one can be more…fragile…it means…

“Augh!-” Stag gasped harder than he meant to when skidding to a stop in the Dirtmouth station.

No matter how much pain, the stag never typically exclaimed that way.

“Ole Stag!?” Ogrim called in fear, leaping off as the stag knelt to the ground, breathing in a way to subdue pain.

“Oh oh-” He threw his box of rescued materials from the city onto the floor. He blinked back tears as the stag hissed to himself, putting his head down towards whatever was hurting.

His leg? Oh gods, what if it was something more? He needed medical attention, and Ogrim’s mind ran faster than his legs.

He did, in fact, move, but not without screaming as loud as he could, “Sly! Sly, father!! Father!” 

Stag looked up to try and stop him, but Ogrim was already rushing out of the station calling for help. So in defeat, he put his head back down to lick his wound.

Tears poured down Ogrim’s eyes as Elderbug stopped him, Sly was already out of his shop with a nail in hand gripped tightly.

“Oi! Oi what is it?! Who’s hurting-” Before Sly could strike an imaginary foe, he saw Elderbug holding Ogrim gently by the claws. 

Ogrim saw Sly, and broke free from the Elder’s kind grasp to run to his father-in-law.

“Father-hk-” He pointed towards the station, sniffing as hard as he could.

“The stag is injured, he needs help! Please-” He put his claws on Sly’s shoulder and gently but urgently pushed Sly towards the station.

“Whoa whoa, buster what’s going on?” 

The two of them went down there, Ogrim running up to the stag faster than Sly could process the situation. The stag had his head tucked into his body, keeping it close to his upper right leg.

“Sir Stag, are you feeling alright?” Sly asked, walking forward and tried to get a grasp as fast as he could.

The stag looked up, face obviously pained, but he still said, “As good as I can.”

That made Ogrim exclaim without meaning to, “I know you’re hurting!”

Sly shushed him, “Son, son, let’s move the emotions down a notch until we figure out what’s going on, alright? I know that's difficult, but loud does not help right now.”

That made Ogrim huff, and just stare in fear that nearly looked like anger. 

Stag knew. He knew it was care.

So he accepted help to comfort his friend.

“I felt something sharp of a pain, as if something shot up my leg. My theory is, one of my inner tendons…didn’t even go that fast, heh…” He put his right leg up on the ledge as much as he could, letting Sly look.

Sly hummed, “It’s swollen…though, dear, I’m no doctor.” He mostly told Ogrim. Ogrim crossed his claws, still afraid.

“Though, I can tell from mere looks, I diagnose you with old.” That, despite everything, made Stag give a small laugh.

“I get injuries like this all the time in my age. Mostly tenderness, and not tears, but I’m not out here running at top speed, now am I?” Sly smiled at Stag, but Ogrim’s emotions didn't let off.

“What can he do?” Ogrim sniped, and Sly just gave him another hush.

“Not much. Rest, mostly. I’ll bring down something cold for it, and we can find you something soft to rest on too. Maybe remove your boot to help. No rides until you can stand on your own.”

“Aw…I understand.” Stag sighed, knowing he probably just tore something. Sly gave him a pat while he slowly settled down into a better resting position. Leg out while the others were tucked in.

"I'll let everyone know what's going on. You get comfortable-" 

Before Sly could even finish his statement, the tears brimming in Ogrim's eyes burned him, making him rush out of the station again with a sob.

Sly looked so perplexed, not getting why Ogrim was so agitated. 

"Oh oh…Ogrim…" Stag said, concerned for his friend more than himself. "Mister Sly, please check on him. He's such a sensitive soul."

Stag looked to the door he knew he'd never go through. "He...scares easy for me, I've long presumed."

Sly waved his hands down, "You relax, I'll check on him. I will be right back." Sly moved to chase his son in law, wanting to ask why a simple injury got him so ruffled.

Sly stepped outside and heard Ogrim sobbing. He walked behind the station, and stopped at what he saw.

Mato was standing in front of Ogrim as he cried into his claws on the floor.

He was sobbing, “He’s hurt- I don’t want him to- he can’t get hurt- he’ll die from it- he’ll get an infection-” In between gasps of air and wheezes of panic. 

Sly watched Mato shush him, but a lot more gentle than he was in the moment. He knelt and put his hands on Ogrim’s claws, parting them with the kindness of one who understands the hurt in his soul.

Sly could hardly hear his voice. “Stag will be okay, we’ve talked of this.”

But he could hear Ogrim’s hiccups. “I can’t lose him to this.”

Sly felt a lot of pride, watching Mato comfort his lover. “I promise, we’ll make him as comfortable as we can.”

And he knew to back up and let the couple sort it out on their own, “Can…can- we please stay with him in there so we know if he needs something-”

Sly watched Mato kiss Ogrim on the head, scratching his cheek with two fingers. “Of course, more than of course. Let’s find him some stuff to get comfortable.”

He and Mato embraced on the floor, though Ogrim was still crying. “I want to help himmm-”

Mato hushed him more, rocking and kissing him over and over. Assuring him his friend would be just fine.

Sly watched, feeling so proud of the love Mato showed as he helped Ogrim stand. He wobbled as if woozy from emotions, so he just leaned onto Mato' shoulders.

He supported his weight well, and guided him back towards Sly's shop. 

"Oh, hello father." Mato said, supporting his dizzy husband. "I heard Stag is hurt, but fear not, I will help!"

He steadied Ogrim a little when his head bobbed. "Though it'd be wise if Ogrim got some water in him, then we’ll bring some to the stag as well! Can you get what he’d need immediately while I take care of Ogrim?”

Sly looked at Ogrim, and understood his pain in an instant. He, at times, forgets that his son-in-law lost so many people to a little thing growing out of control. 

He’d take it very seriously to help both of them.

“Of course, son. I’ll scrounge up some of our largest pillows and get blankets and cold packs for him.” 

Ogrim sniffed, trying to look towards the station but Mato just guided him away. “Sounds like a plan! Come on, Ogrim, water first. Water and breathing, okay?”

Sly heard Ogrim mutter a small, “Ohkay-” 

They’d all take care of each other, and it made Sly so proud.

Stag would be proud too, for Ogrim has someone to keep him from falling too deep into his own head. 

The love would always come back around.

Chapter Text

The cliffs weren't notorious for their heat.

If anything, they're a rather chilling place. The winds ever moving, pushing a cold air about. It's why Mato loves it to train and exercise.

He often spent his days rushing about, swinging his nail in practiced motions. He never had a problem staying cool in his heavy armor and fluffy cloak through all this movement.

The winds kept his temperature perfect.

Sadly, he noted a little too late one session: The winds weren’t very strong.

He hardly even noticed as he ran about, slashing his nail, hunting and doing everything he could to train his mind and body.

Once he grew tired, he did notice he was overly warm and out of breath. He didn’t know he could get that tired after not doing more than he usually does. 

He rubbed the side of his head as he walked home, wondering what it could be. Was it age? Surely not. Ogrim wasn’t this tired after exercise and he was older than him. 

Mato walked into his hut, and it was only warmer inside because of how he packed it. He physically could not deny it, he was struggling to face it.

He saw Ogrim cooking something, and gave him a fatigued smile. “Hello-”

Ogrim turned around and his eyes lit up at the sight of his husband. “Oh, dear! Hello!” He got up and gave him a tight hug, spinning him around.

Mato let out a small laugh but Ogrim could just tell his breathing was off.

He put him down and tilted his head, “Is something the matter?” 

Mato sucked in a deep breath, and knew he couldn’t hide this one with how addled his brain was. “I: am incredibly hot and I don’t know why.”

Blunt honesty came from his mouth and it made Ogrim immediately let him go. “Oh! Oh I can see it!”

His claws didn’t stay off his body for long, something Mato loved him for, to feel his neck. “You are but it’s not a fever. I can usually feel yours from there. Warm, but not sick.” 

Ogrim led him away from the food and sat him down.

His own bluntness came out, “Take off your clothes.”

This, despite it all, made Mato snort. Ogrim gave him a very gentle bap on the head, “Don’t think it that way, you silly!”

Mato huffed more laughter, removing his cloak, arm bands and heavy chestplate. Ogrim grabbed a small towel and dunked it in cold water.

He handed it to Mato and he immediately began rubbing it around his neck.

“The winds were…oddly low today. I need to be…more careful.” Mato said as he kept cleaning himself with it, removing sweat from his body before it irritated beneath his shell.

He kept taking deep breaths and hung his head. It made Ogrim very concerned.

So he took the food off the heat and extinguished the flame in an attempt to cool down the hut. It was just charred vengefly he was going to put on salads anyways, it was done.

“Had I not just cooked, I’d have pulled open the curtain for more airflow…Hm.” Ogrim looked around for any more options of immediate relief.

He spotted and grabbed a dry cloth from the floor and to the best of his ability used it to fan more air onto Mato.

“Thank you, dear.” 

Ogrim smiled, “We aren’t getting any younger, you are right about being careful. My baba told me their father went through similar things after simple tasks that grew strenuous in age.”

“We aren’t that old.” Mato chuckled, enjoying the air Ogrim was supplying him. It really did make him feel better. Oh, his light always knew what to do.

“We aren’t that young, either, hehe.” He put one claw around Mato, gave him a squeeze, and went back to fanning him with the cloth since he couldn't do it with a single one.

Mato leaned on him, and Ogrim allowed him to take the cloth to fan himself and he took the wet one to rub comfort along his neck.

“I got you, my love, I got you.”

They sat together in comfortable silence, before Ogrim told Mato what they’d have for lunch, and that when he felt well enough he’d make it for him swiftly.

“That sounds great. You always please, Ogrim.”

“I aim for it. In the future, I’d like for you to check the wind-speed to make sure you can train without straining yourself this way. For now, let’s get you some food and water, okay?”

Mato smiled, and definitely wanted the water first. He had to make a few changes to how he approaches his exercise and training, but if it made his husband happy to see him promote good health for himself.

He’d do it in a heartbeat!

Chapter Text

Mato didn’t know what being married was like.

He didn’t know many people who were married. His father never had any interest. His eldest brother married at a similar time he did.

He didn’t have many friends in his young and adult life.

His first friend in ages was the one he married: so little bits of married life surprised him.

One such surprise was walking into the living room of their children’s home and not seeing Ogrim making breakfast like he tended to.

“Hornet, where’s your father?” Mato asked his daughter while she sleepily stayed in bed with some crochet in hand.

“He told me to relax in bed because he’d call us out for food. He has not left as far as I’ve heard, and I hear that door very easily.”

So Ogrim did not leave, but he was nowhere to be found.

Mato thought for a moment, looking around the living area and the kitchen.

It took him but a moment before it dawned on him.

Ogrim was playing a childish game. One that two could play.

There was only a select amount of spaces he could hide!

Mato peeked around, looking in places where he obviously could not have been. In cabinets, behind the couch, on the ceiling. Places where he knew if Ogrim could see him he’d laugh.

Ogrim is, after all, a very laughy person. 

“Oh where oh where is my beautiful husband whom I love? Where could he have gone on such a gorgeous morning?” He called, a bit louder than he needed to.

“It doesn’t compare to him and the feeling of waking up to hold him!” He smiled, listening intently for him.

No response, not even a held-back burst. He knew he was in this house, he could sense it.

He peeked under the couch in the same humorous fashion and saw Ghost laying there. “Oh, my child, what are you doing??” Mato said, startled because they weren't even sleeping.

“Were you hiding too?” He asked as they crawled out and sat on the floor. They signed, “Sleepy. Sleepy games.” 

Mato gave their horns a little rub, smiling at them. “Oh, well, great job. You’ve not lost yet.”

He stood from his kneel to call, “I still have to find that sumptuous father of yours! Yes, I do, child!” He called to him, trying so hard to use flattery to his advantage in this game.

Ghost made no expression, but Mato did note where their eyes immediately locked after those words.

He looked at his child, and where they were pointing with their eyes. They could hear something he couldn't.

He looked towards the hallway closet and saw the door was ajar. “What’s that, Ghost? What are you looking at?”

He asked, knowing exactly what it was. Ghost stood as Mato approached. Mato grabbed the door and pulled it open.

“GHOST GAVE YOU AWAY!” Mato yelled as he saw Ogrim sitting in the closet.

He burst into laughter, holding his chest.”OHH HO HO AGH-” Ogrim giggled with gusto, curling into himself as Mato got onto the floor to hug him.

“How’d you hold back for so long??” Mato asked as Ogrim kept going.

Mato could drink that laugh and live for years with nothing else.

“It hurt- Ahhhahaha!! It hurt truly!” Ogrim said between breaths as he burst into new bouts of chuckles, tears ran down his face from it.

Mato laughed with him as Ghost crawled onto his side and held his arm. “You got him, little one! Ahhaha!”

This was the joy of marriage for Ogrim and Mato.

Little moments warm in their home, where they can bring each other to the edge of losing breath with their laughter. The cheer of each other. The delight of seeing their faces squint with happiness.

It gave them a buzz nothing else could hope to achieve.

They got up, breathy laughs still coughing up on the two of them. They stood shoulder to shoulder lovingly bumping against each other as they made their children pancakes and bacon for breakfast. 

Drinking laughter. It was Mato’s favorite thing to do. It was Ogrim’s favorite thing to supply.

It is their life. 

They are very glad to live it.

Chapter Text

As the candles burn empty, if Ogrim feels like it, he stays inside Mato’s hut to drift into sleep in his arms.

They pile pillows on the floor and cuddle close. Gentle sighs, full from a meal, tiredness justified by clean dishes piled high to dry.

Love bloomed as kisses clumsily fell from the two of their mouths onto various spots of each other's bodies.

Mato's arms. Ogrim's stomach. 

The crux of eachother's necks.  

They never had enough of exploring each other, learning something new or appreciating what they’ve known since their relationship began.

Ogrim would hold Mato’s hands, and Mato would hug his claws like a doll and feel them like a mighty weapon was laid in front of him.

Like he was holding an expensive piece of wood.

Like it was a luxury to behold.

He rubbed it, and kissed it, and Ogrim could not feel through years and years of callusing, growing and use. 

I don’t believe I taste that well. Ogrim would whisper, a gentle boom. 

I cannot fathom a greater delicacy than your taste, you’re better than you think. Mato would sigh, pulling himself into Ogrim’s hold.

Still feeling his claw, ever rubbing it and enjoying Ogrim’s texture.

It made Ogrim appreciate how Mato’s hands looked. His claws filed to perfection, always ready to comb it through his fur on the side of his head before leaning in for more kisses.

Ogrim’s heart was warm and light, as Mato kept kissing his claw. 

These claws are you and you are my favorite part of you. He’d mutter, and Ogrim would giggle.

Your hands are you and you bring me so much joy. Ogrim put their heads together as they laid back.

Sleep coated their eyes, but the smooches still came from both angles. Eventually they settled into a natural position, under the blankets, a settled spoon set of two.

Mato held his claw, still as if it a well-loved doll. Ogrim held his hand, as if it a relic of reality. 

Whispers of quiet nothings, murmurs of love to one another.

Breathing in the other, as they drifted away.

To wake, and do it again.

Chapter Text

They both knew they were never meant to be completely alone.

Ogrim stood amongst gods and kings and knights: forging unforgettable special bonds he'd hold in his heart forever.

He didn't think they'd leave him.

Alone in the dank darkness, just barely able to keep himself fed and delusionally hopeful.

Mato stood with his brothers and father: forging unforgettable lessons of wisdom and protection that he’d hold in his heart forever.

He didn’t think he’d leave them.

Alone in the cold breezes, just barely able to keep himself constantly occupied and neurotically determined.

Loneliness eventually found them both.

Hidden away in crevices of the world, high or low. 

Stewing in grandeurs of fixing perceived imperfections or saving the burning world.

All crumbling beneath them until life stripped them down to their sensitive cores and forced them to look inward.

That's where they sat now. 

Mato’s arm throbbed with pain, still healing from where a city’s sentry skewered him with a lance. Thoughts of that day filled his mind with anxiety that something was wrong with him, but there was nothing more he could physically do for it.

It was all in his head, and he knew his friend sitting near him was thinking the same as he watched him undress the wound he felt like he helped create.

He stared, wishing he could’ve put his grief aside for six seconds so they wouldn’t have to sit like this.

But what happened happened, and the wound looked disgusting.

“The paste isn’t setting right. It’s still moist and caked with blood on the inside. I need to put dressing on the inside and leave enough room to pull it out once my shell sets right…” Mato assessed as well as he could from his point of view.

He grabbed his fresh gauze and started unwinding it, hissing at his arms movement as he carefully folded it and packed it tight.

He shoved it into the side of his shell, tensing and biting the inside of his mouth. He went to grab fresh paste, and was startled when Ogrim began grabbing the medical supplies the best he could too. 

“Let me try to help you with the things you need to keep your arm straight for, please.” He asked, looking up at him with tired eyes. 

Mato blinked at him, and remembered for the fifth time that day that he was not talking to himself in that hut anymore.

Mato looked away, and nodded. “Yes, go ahead, my friend.” 

Ogrim smiled at him, and said, “I’ll be careful.”

So, Ogrim applied the paste with as steady a claw as he could. It was difficult because of the size of his appendages, but he saw Dryya in front of him.

He remembered when she would get hurt, needing her shell pasted back up, and he was the only one available while Hegemol tended to Ze’mer and Isma tended to the wounded civilians.

He forgot he could still do it for someone. He was not alone in that hut either.

So he gently stroked the brush along his shell, getting it between the nooks and crannies but leaving enough room for Mato to later pull out the wad that he intended to soak up the remaining blood.

“Is this all you needed, or do you need lifeblood smeared onto your top gauze?” Ogrim asked, and Mato shook his head.

He was tense with pain and Ogrim knew he wasn’t going to verbally express that. He was used to dealing with that alone and he continued to do so.

“...No…just…top gauze.” 

Ogrim nodded and grabbed the bigger gauze to wrap it back around Mato’s arm. He did it faster because he had plenty more practice doing that than using shell paste.

He tucked it into itself as best he could and Mato assisted at the end. He put his hand over the wound and huffed a deep breath. 

“Sling?” Ogrim asked, and Mato shook his head. “I think I’ll try a moment without it.”

“I’ll tie it just in case.” Ogrim said, moving to tie it in a way that Mato could slip right into.

Mato stared at Ogrim while he did that, and he thought of his old life. His father and brothers would do the same for him.

They’d fret about him or try and get him to do a little more than he felt he needed in a last ditch effort to make sure he wasn’t purposefully making himself less comfortable.

Maybe he did purposefully make himself uncomfortable, he wouldn’t know why.

Self-inflicted punishments for imperfection and flaws? He was in too much pain to think about it like that. 

He wouldn't want to punish himself, but when it happens he doesn't stop it. He allows it to happen and allows himself to hurt for it.

It was a cycle he never knew to end.

And when Ogrim handed him a small seed of lifeblood, he knew he saw it too. The two of them in the room, the absence of pain nearby but they both can see it's far from their reach.

Mato stared at it for a minute, and Ogrim stared back. 

They were both old. They were both so tired, and knew they were two sides of a lonely, lonely coin.

Mato ate the seed, and scooted closer to him as he tried to chew without tasting. Ogrim let him lean on him and closed his eyes.

Loneliness had eventually found them both. Hidden away in crevices of the world, high or low. But as one dug deeper, and one ascended higher.

They learned to take it one pain at a time, and how to lean on others again. Being lonely is frightening, but it's something they know they can’t avoid.

So when loneliness does return, and they know it will in different forms, they can quietly help each other. 

Together, tightly bonded.

To make it a little better.

Chapter Text

Mato loved Ogrim's eyes.

He could stare at them for eons, sleepy in his claws.

He loved the way they moved, expressed and crinkled when he laughed.

He'd reach up and scratch his cheek and Ogrim would close the one closest to him as he leaned into his touch. 

He held this pose, and gazed into his eyes with love in his. But his eyes were harder to pierce.

Sure reading his emotions was easy enough, everyone had to be at least someone accustomed to seeing emotions through their masks. Doesn't mean it isn't occasionally tricky, however.

Ogrim is never hard to read in this way. That was something Mato always loved about his eyes.

“Beloved?” Ogrim asked, sitting in that pose for a second.

“Oh, yes?” Mato asked, lowering his hand from his cheek.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Hauh-?

Ogrim smiled down at him as he held him dearly. “You’ve been quiet for the past two minutes looking at me and I do believe you aren’t asleep. I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

Mato blushed a bit, still appreciating his beautiful eyes. “Oh, I just…like seeing your face move. If that’s odd, I apologize-” 

Ogrim touched his forehead with his claw, and laughed. “You are not odd. I love that you love my small details as I adore yours.” 

Mato felt his claw against the top of his mask, and said, “But you can’t…see mine?”

Ogrim nodded, making Mato ask, “Why do you not…wear one? I’ve always wondered but always appreciated that you don't.”

He punctuated that by putting his hand on his cheek, running his fingers through his fur.

“Oh, no special reasons. It would never be clean and could suffocate me if I burrow and my home's foundation gets stuck underneath. I’d also have very poor vision in my burrow. My fur protects me as much as I need and I need no more.”

Mato hummed, and pinched his fur in his hands. “That’s completely fair. I was given my mask before I could even form a full memory and my brothers and I grew into it.” 

That made Ogrim think for a moment, before asking, “Would it be bold of me to ask to see underneath?”

Mato’s face grew immediately hot and he looked away, moving out of Ogrim’s claws.

“Oh, oh my love, I’m sorry if that was an offensive statement! I was merely curious but you don't-”

Mato put his hand on his mask and said, “Nobody’s ever wondered… ” It was a mutter mostly to himself, and he grew very warm at the thought.

He always had fears about his appearance being unappealing and hid it under his determination to achieve his goals until he forgot about that specific insecurity.

Would Ogrim find his face odd or unattractive?

Ogrim is a beautiful bug and has never covered his appearance for a moment, and Ogrim loved him. He assured himself.

Ogrim held out a claw in an attempt to comfort him, and Mato just shook his head.

“Let me…okay.” He stuck his fingers under his bandana and rotated it to untie it.

That unveiled a line and Mato spoke so quietly Ogrim had to silence his worried mind to hear him right.

“I’ve shown this to nobody other than my brothers and my father in emergencies…so please don’t think it odd.” 

Ogrim didn't get a chance to get a word in before Mato ran his fingers around that line and popped the mask off.

The first thing Ogrim noticed was that his cheeks were hued deeply with yellow, fading gorgeously into his dark navy shell.

His gaze traveled from that to his mouth, which showed he had very prominent lower mandibles that folded in a near overbite that just settled into a fang-like formation. 

And…

His eyes…

They were almost like his, but very tired and wide in concern. Porcelain white ovals staring at him with such intense a pause he knew not what to say.

Ogrim just stared into them until Mato blinked, and looked down. And Ogrim could tell that he did without him having to tilt his head in that cute minute way he would with the mask on.

“Ah- Oh, it’s odd, isn’t it? It’s different, let me just-” Mato moved to put it back on, but Ogrim just moved closer and put his claw on his bare cheek without even thinking.

Mato gasped, the shock in his eyes.

In his perfect eyes.

“You’re beautiful…” Ogrim said, and Mato just looked left and right like he could be saying that to literally anyone else.

“...and you always have been.” Ogrim breathed, tracing his claw down his arm to his hands and they held his mask together. 

They just stared into each other's unshielded eyes and saw the world.

The world blinked, and collided into the warmest of kisses before disconnecting and linking souls once more.

You’re beautiful.

Mato put his mask back on and beneath it, blinked a few small tears away.

You’re beautiful.

He clicked it back in comfortably, and rubbed under it to both adjust it and catch the tear before Ogrim could notice.

You’re beautiful…

Mato smiled at Ogrim, a motion he could still barely see but feel all the love inside. He hugged into him again, cuddling close.

“...thank you.”

“Always, my beloved.”

Chapter Text

Ogrim adored Mato with each and every fiber of his body but you can’t love and live with someone without having a few little things that annoy the crap out of you to no end.

It’s always things he can do very little about, but this one was something they both shared but Mato had in spades. No, every card in the deck!

“You’re so stubborn, you know?” Ogrim says, putting down the pile of ingredients Mato asked him to acquire.

Mato was hunched over the sink trying to scrub some very stuck-on grit off of a very old pan. He looked very determined and focused in this task.

“I’ve assumed you threw out that pan by now! We’ve scorched it so many times, my love!”

“I can fix it! It just needs another soak and more elbow grease. I’ll start this in a minute.” Mato gestured to the ingredients for dinner.

Ogrim crossed his claws, knowing Mato was about to spend the next twenty reapplying soap and eventually running that basin cold in the attempt.

Ogrim pretended to look over the ingredients, grabbed a tomato and said, “Dear, hold on, I forgot the tomatoes. I’ll run back to Dad’s shop and pick them up, okay?”

Mato removed his hand and shook it, glad he removed his gloves and cloak. “Alright dear.”

He didn't even look up from his task to see Ogrim’s small fib.

Ogrim left the little home and sighed, not rushing to Sly’s shop.

After a short walk, he was already back knocking on the wall of his father-in-law’s shop.

“I can see you, son.” Sly stated, making Ogrim chuckle. 

Ogrim bent, and made his way inside where he had to sit on the floor to fully fit. Such a very cozy store.

He sets down the tomato and sighs, making Sly shift his weight.

He adjusted something on his counter just to do something with his hands.

“What did he do?”

Ogrim waved his claws and just asked him in return, “How did you deal with that one being so stubborn for so long?!” That made Sly snort. 

He had to ask again, “What did he do??”

Ogrim sighed again, and explained, “We have this really old pan that we use to scorch vegetables for soup. Mato is insistent that he can scrub the dark gritty grossness off of it but all he does is scrub until his hand hurts and then leaves it to dry, cook with it again, and does it all over.”

Sly kept chuckling, and Ogrim just groaned as his giggles turned louder. “Oh that boy…He’s still going at it isn’t he?”

“YES.” Ogrim put his claws together towards Sly, who couldn't stop laughing until he had to take a breath to talk.

“Ohhh hoho ho…Okay okay, Mato’s stubbornness is a trait of his I’ve never been able to quell and it’s one I know little how to do. It’ll just come back stronger.” 

Sly picked up the tomato. rolling it around the palm of his hand.

“This child hated tomatoes for most of his young adolescence just because his siblings teased him about it. This child loves tomatoes, he just hated them out of spite from words.” 

Ogrim added, “This man won’t sleep if the winds make the roof window squeak. This man would rather climb up to fix it in the dead of night instead of covering his head with a pillow.”

“This child burned himself once on my soup pot when I stepped away to grab cups for our lunch. This child burned himself again thinking the metal would be less hot after I killed the flame.”

“This man complained about tripping over his pillows while stretching and warming up for his training. This man refuses to tidy them.”

“This child…”

“This man…”

Ogrim and Sly kept going back and forth, telling short story after short story of Mato’s acts of pure stubbornness until they were more humored by it rather than passively annoyed. 

It was amusing, and they loved him so much.

They chuckled to each other, Sly putting his hand on Ogrim’s claw. “Oh, Ogrim. Try not to lose patience with my poor boy. Even at his worst faults, you have to admire his tenacity.”

Ogrim sighed, giving Sly a smile. “Yes, father. It’s a little hard to not be exasperated at times. Worse than a Vengefly with food trapped under a rock, that one.”

Sly patted his claw, and handed him back the tomato. 

“Yes, indeed. I’d try either talking to him about the pan, or soaking it in water and soap before scrubbing with the cleanest grit you got, and then one more soak.”

Ogrim took his claw back, taking the tomato with faux-annoyance. “I take it back, you’re worse than him.”

Sly beamed again, laughing more. “Ohhh, it’s worth a shot!” 

“I doubt it!”

Ogrim shook his head, smiling because he knew he’d use the advice. He turned to exit the shop, feelings of frustration eased with the banter.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw Mato in the doorway!

“Ogrim! I came to see if you had acquired the tomatoes? I set the pan to dry but you wanted to make sandwiches yes? We don’t need the pan for it!”

He put his finger to his mask, tapping it. “Unless you’d like it toasted?”

Ogrim blinked, before breaking into more chuckles, “I don’t! Need it toasted, dear. Don’t you scorch that pan more!”

“I can use one of Hornet’s! I just wanted to take another crack at ours!” Mato held out his hand, and Ogrim gave him his claw. “Let me toast it for you! I’m toasting it for you.”

Ogrim looked at Sly as Mato pulled him out. “Oh, my stubborn beloved. Let’s go eat toasted sandwiches. I’m sure the children are starved.”

“Oh, Ghost is rioting as we speak.”

Ogrim couldn’t help but let out a very loud snort, of course they were.

All of them, every single bug in this entire family even!

Stubborn to the highest of faults, but so so hard not to love.

Chapter Text

It started with laundry, as many things did. 

Mato was doing his usual routine, smelling his cloaks and enjoying the lingering scent of soap as he folded them up for the night.

It took him forever, which explained the snoring that was Mato’s ambient noise.

Ogrim was nearby, napping as he had no laundry to do. He had popped off his front shell and allowed himself to lay in a quite spinnable position if Mato had the whim to bother him.

His fluffy belly was out, and Mato couldn't want to finish and stick his face right into that beautiful…blue…fur…

Mato paused his smelling and folding and looked at his cloak within his hands.

Then he looked at his fiancé sleeping from afar.

Back to his cloak.

He wasn’t sure if he was seeing this correctly. Was he?

He approached his dozing darling and held the edge of the cloak above him. Then put it back down, over and over.

They were, maybe off by a hair, the same exact color.

The same blue hue that hugged his outside cooled Ogrim’s inside. 

“That’s…quite something-” Mato smiled, moving his hand to go to touch Ogrim’s face and startle him with his likely cold hand, when he spotted something else.

His red arm band that he knew matched his inner armor, was the same pinkish-red as Ogrim’s outer armor. He tilted his wrist so it gleamed in the light.

Until the colors were almost one.

He blinked, getting just a touch emotional. Perhaps this was how he was going to be until their wedding, but he was still flabbergasted there was to be one.

He chose a bug to marry and he never even noticed they don identical, yet inverted, colors.

Was it always meant to be? Was it fate’s design?

Or did they just both like these colors?

These colors, the red and blue, represented them wholeheartedly.

Mato presents the muted blue on the outside, trying to appear temperate and orderly; but his inner red swirls, bubbling with his repressed anger and impulsivity. 

Ogrim presents the dulled red, doing well to appear bold and fiery; but his rich inner blue hides a soul torn with regrets and bandaged sorrows.

The light and the rain. Tomatoes and a well placed drop of dew. Blood and sweat.

Red and Blue.

Mato blinked away a small tear, and put his hand on Ogrim’s pauldron. He proceeded to spin him once and flop onto him in a hug.

“WAUGH-” Ogrim startled awake, immediately embracing Mato in his claws as if protecting him from whatever ruffled him away from his slumber.

Mato giggled, as Ogrim squeezed him tight against his warm body. “Beloved, did you already-” Ogrim yawned, holding him dear. “Finish your laundry?”

“...Almost, I just decided to take a small break.” Mato quietly fibbed, still blinking away little tears of joy. 

“I’m going to sit up and see a pile the size of our child, am I not?” 

“Which one?” Mato's heart still soared at "our child" but he had to ask.

“Guess.”

Mato snorted at that, and Ogrim started trying to sit up despite his position making that difficult for him.

“No- No it's not that tall-” Mato tried to hold him down, which made Ogrim crash into the side of his face and blow kisses into his mask.

Mato scream-laughed, as they fumbled around each other's embraces. Mato kept his head on Ogrim’s chest, and adored the blue color as it matched the red.

The red and the blue, their lives forever together. Hot and cold, silky and rough, sharp and smooth. 

“You cannot get away from productivity by shoving your horns into my bosom, my love.”

A new color shows, the biggest of pale-yellow blushes hides beneath Mato’s mask.

“SHUSH-”

Chapter Text

It was late in the Howling Cliffs. Life rested, coasted on the chilled winds. 

Mato and Ogrim laid on the floor, hearts both in melancholic moods.

Mato's arm was still wrapped in a pained sling and Ogrim still cradled a broken Hallownest Seal onto his chest. 

Their thoughts were so loud. 

Ogrim was the one to verbalize them first.

"Mato, my friend?” His voice echoed in the quiet gusts blowing around the hut. 

“Yes?” Mato answered, knowing no sleep was to find him for a long time. 

“...what do you think happens…when we cease to be?” 

Mato thought about it for a moment, before bluntly asking, “You mean when we die?”

Ogrim just blinked, not moving from his position. His eyes hurt. 

He didn't think he had it in him to cry anymore.

They both kept their gazes locked to the ceiling, and Mato had to think about it long and hard.

“I’ve heard…tales of what might happen. Mostly the one we’ve all heard about the sea of soul.” 

Mato raised his hand, staring at it. He knew why Ogrim was asking this, knew his heart still burned with grief and he wanted the comfort of somehow knowing his friends are forever safe.

“...We cease to be, we return to a single point of origin, and be again. Becoming new soul into a new body into a new world.” 

He turned his head slightly, trying not to even move his torso or injured arm. Ogrim’s eyes looked pained, and his claw was over his heart as if it was beating too fast.

Was he even breathing enough?

Mato’s brow furrowed and he beamed with concern for his friend. “Well, also, we know- not how it truly looks or feels, yes, but we know being many as we split once more is…a worthy thing to look forward to? I’m...not making much sense, am I? That’s what I’ve heard, there’s likely more theories-”

Mato tried to babble and remain comfortingly neutral but his own tiredness seeped through like a sharp bubble. Ogrim took in his words, pain not leaving his face.

He closed his eyes, and his thoughts grew louder. 

He couldn’t keep them all quiet.

“I fear if none of that is true, we could wake up gone and face nothing.”

His voice was strained, and Mato could only turn his head in worry. “Nothing?”

Ogrim just stated one more time, “Nothing.”

I’m to die alone, and see nothing. Not a gleam of light, not a kind face, just an empty abyss I’ve condemned myself to.

A basin of darkness.

Ogrim was drowning in these thoughts, and Mato could tell by how tight his eyes were closed. And when Ogrim couldn't sit with it, he knew what he had to do. 

Mato, however, still startled when Ogrim rolled to stand and tried to leave the hut with a pained huff. 

Biting back a yelp from moving quickly, he got up too and snatched his claw into his free hand. 

He used Ogrim’s claw to pull himself into a kneel, and Ogrim just whipped around and looked at him with confused anguish in his eyes. 

Mato’s eyes had tears in them, but he blinked them away before taking a small gasp,

“Ogrim, my dear friend, if what waits for us at the end of life is nothing but a ocean of black, I promise I will personally find a way to bring a light with me and I will find you. I will find you, and I will hold this claw until we feel our way through it to your friends. I swear, deep in my heart, I swear. ”

Mato said all of that in a single breath, trying to catch it quickly after.

Ogrim looked left and right, stunned Mato would promise something like that. “But-but what if you can’t-”

“I will. I will.” Mato insisted, voice wounded but firm. “If I can’t, I will try. Hell, if I can’t! I’ll find you anyways!” He gripped tighter, standing up.

“Who needs the world bathed in light when it kills or blinds us anyways!” He held Ogrim’s claw up, trying to give him the most determined look he could.

“When it leaves us, when we’re lost in the dark and nothing guides us. We will guide ourselves. We’ll find what you need. Nothing will stop us.” 

Ogrim blinks, looking at his friend. He didn’t think anyone would feel this way for him.

He didn't understand.

He held his other claw up, holding Mato’s hands before putting his head down onto them. He fell onto his knees, as if going to pray so Mato just went with him.

Hissing, he gathered Ogrim into an exhausted hug. He cared not about any pulsing wound or breaks in his shell.

“I will stay with you as long as you’d like to linger. And then, will we see what happens next. Fading away, or not.”

Mato spoke like he was trying to convince Ogrim not to leave, or disappear, but Ogrim knew he wouldn’t. 

Ogrim didn’t have it in him to do so. 

So he let Mato hold him, the only word he spoke was a small “Sorry-” because Mato had to strain himself to comfort him. 

“Don’t you dare tell me you’re sorry.” Mato bit back, holding him tighter. “I’d take it a thousand times over for you.” 

Ogrim just nodded, and they stayed in each other’s embrace. 

In times like this, the world has never felt emptier. Orange threatened to break down their walls and defenses and take them.

They both knew it could shoot out and take their life at any moment. They would be alone. They would burn.

It was just the two of them, in a box at the top of the world.

With the endless expanse at all corners. 

Their hands and claws all they have to keep the other safe. From what they cannot see taking them where they don’t know where they will go.

Holding on tight was all they could do.

So they keep themselves low to the ground, and brace for impact they can’t know when it will come. 

Until they grow tired, and the fear ebbs from their hearts once more.

They will try to continue on, but the anxiety will rise, and peak, and fall into exhaustion before rising once more.

Their deaths above their heads, wading in the ocean of black. They can only sit on that floor.

And ponder.

And hope.

And stick together.

No matter what.

To never be alone.

Chapter Text

The dry season was in full force as a deep wind blew through Dirtmouth.

Standing outside even made Ogrim shiver with the chill. 

So the doors were tied shut, and the windows checked twice for any cold air seeping through. 

Sly blew on a small flame he gathered on a stick before nudging it into some kindling. “Thank you for starting the fire, father.” Mato said as he placed disassembled sandwich ingredients on the nearby table. 

“Gets me out of cutting up all the bread and meat, you can handle all of that noise.” Sly spoke without even looking at him, moving around the sticks and smokeless leaves until they all were engulfed in the flames.

“That feels so much better already.” Sly smiled, putting down the original stick to let it simmer.

He adjusted the kettle stand and put it in to brew. “Everyone pick their tea?” 

At the burning question, Ghost jumped over the couch, landing on it before stumbling back and falling down.

They held up a canister they had been gripping for the last ten or so minutes. 

“Yes Ghost, I know which one you always get.” Sly walked over to pinch the side of their mask. They waved him off “Warm! Warm hand! Gross!” 

Sly chuckled as they shoved the brew to him and scrambled to the edge of the couch, grabbing onto Bumble and pulling them up as if it would protect them from Grandpa’s warm hands. 

Mato laughed with Sly while opening jars of jams and spreads to put on their food. “Ogrim, Hornet, Hollow! Come get your lunch!” 

When that was made clear, Mato couldn't help but pick up on the noises of his husband and daughter’s giggling. 

He looked towards the door, and saw them walk out of Hornet’s room backwards.

Hornet was sitting on Ogrim’s shoulders, with him holding her legs taut.

They snickered until Ogrim got close to Mato, who just put his hand on his back and made it so he wouldn't drop the girl on him.

When they were clear, Hornet let herself drop for Mato to see her face upside down. “Lunch for two?” She asked, and Mato just beamed. 

“You painted your face!” He helped her down so she could properly show off what she and Ogrim had done.

Along cracks and scars there were flowers painted in temporary ink. The main crack along her left horn was transformed into a spiraling vine that moved into a web.

A very small weaverling hung from it, so small it looked like a dot on a thread. 

Ogrim turned around and part of the fluff on his fur was braided. “It’s a Deepnestian tradition that girls approaching young adulthood practice." He beamed as he put his claw around Hornet's shoulder.

"We decided it’d be too hard to figure out when Hornet was at the proper age to do her own so I helped her mix the ink and we made do!” He hugged her to his side, full of pride for his growing princess.

Hornet looked up at Mato, hoping, if not praying for approval. It was all he could see in her eyes.

“Oh, it’s beautiful! You did an exquisite job, little one!” Mato cupped her cheek and relished in her joy. It made his heart soar. 

“Thank you- thank you, I hadn’t thought about it in ages but when It popped into my head I just: couldn’t stop until I had it done!” Hornet glowed with joy as she made her way around to sit on the couch by the food and fire.

“Oh, we did Hollow too.” 

Hollow came around the corner, their myriad of cracks turned into a full bouquet of untamed flowers and ferns.

Without a word they placed down their cane and sat too. They seemed ready to eat rather than be a centre of attention.

“That’s adorable.” Sly said from afar, grabbing their tea for them as the kettle screamed. 

“Now now, everyone’s cute and everyone’s hungry, come, let us eat and be warm!” Mato nudged them all towards the food he had prepared.

Everyone started grabbing plates and preparing their sandwiches with whatever toppings they preferred. 

The fire roared as Sly poured the water into everyone’s cups. Each cup got the right amount of sugar. 

Each sandwich was made and each was cut in two, except for Ogrim’s so it’d still be easy to eat.

Mato looked around at his family enjoying their food. Even Sly was content even though he was eating pickles on bread with spicy jelly.

Hornet and Ogrim were laying against each other. Hornet’s spot on the couch abandoned for her father’s side nearest to the fire. She’d rather sit on her knees on the floor over the comfy couch if it meant she could be next to him. It made him so happy.

Hollow was eating with no difficulty and minimal shakiness, showing they were kept comfortable in Ogrim’s watch. He always did his best to keep them from experiencing pain if it could be avoided.

Ghost was sitting on the far side of the couch, looking as if they were trying to cool off their tea before just dunking in their sandwich and taking a bite. He noticed something about them and made his way in front of the couch to sit by him.

“Ghost, my little one?” He asked, and they just looked at him confused. “Why did you not get your face painted today?”

“We offered!” Hornet piped up, mouth still full. Mato gave her an easy motion, and looked to Ghost for the answer.

“Don’t touch my face. Not with random goop. The goop was warm. This is the warm I like.” They waved their sandwich segment and dunked it in the tea again.

It was a savory sandwich with a highly sweetened tea. Mato was in no spot to judge his child’s taste. 

“Well, as long as you don't feel excluded, it’s alright.” Mato turned towards the fire, and Ghost just stood up on the couch and jumped into Mato’s lap.

He was startled and was surprised neither their sandwich or tea spilled on him. They sat on him and put their tea on the coffee table.

“Lied.” They signed from above, “This is my favorite warm.” 

Mato let out a small “Awh…” and gave Ghost a small hug. Hollow gave a little void laugh because now they had the entire couch to themself.

They could turn and put their legs up without poking the littlest one.

They all ate and remained toasty near the fire. The scorching red flew around and kept them from even having to think about the chill of the outside.

All they all ever needed was around them, within arms reach. 

After everything they all went through, it was all they could ask for. Good food, better company, a stable house, health, security. 

Family.

It burned brighter than any fire could, in their hearts. It would never go out, no matter the downpour or intensity of the wind.

Strength begets more strength and keeps it going. 

That was the true essence of warmth.

Chapter Text

It was a late start to their morning.

Ogrim was still nursing his glass of water, blinking sleep out of his eyes.

“I don’t know what it was dear-” Ogrim talked to Mato as he puttered tiredly around the house, also late to wake.

“I think I overslept because I kept waking up in the night starving, but did not want to burrow out to search for a snack-”

Mato dug around the food bin and said, “That’s what happens when you don't eat enough at dinner trying to get out the door faster.” 

“You have a point, but the winds getting cold affects you greatly and the kids understand.” Ogrim tried to argue, but Mato just shook his head.

“That’s what the cloak is for, husband dearest.”

“Oh pish posh.” Ogrim wiggled his head incredulously, making Mato sigh.

He pulled out their saved slab of crawlid meat to be eaten today and put it on his cutting board.

“It’s true though! You need not put off your comfort for mine. I don't mind an extra second of chilliness if it means you get a full stomach for a proper rest!” He sliced the meat thin and got it in a cold pan.

He struck the flame and stirred it around, it started to sizzle and smell amazing swiftly.

Ogrim turned and watched him cook. He quietly observed Mato pull out ingredients to mix up their breakfast.

“Sly found some of these in the city, and I’ve smelled and shaken and held them in the light, I promise.” He held up a basket.

Inside, there were a few eggs and Ogrim’s eyes glew. “No.” 

“Yes!” Mato cracked a few into a bowl and placed the shells back in the basket to use for composting.

He held over the bowl and the eggs looked: normal. Aged, but normal.

He used a knife to whisk them up and poured them over the sizzling meat. “Ohhh ho ho-” Ogrim smiled, as they cooked insanely fast over the flame.

Mato stirred them quick, not having made eggs since the start of the infection.

“I wonder how these eggs remained, do you think more are being produced?” Ogrim couldn't help but wonder aloud.

“Possibly!” Mato smiled as he moved the food off of the heat and went to slice some bread. 

“That’s exciting news for this poor healing world. We can soon eat many eggs again.” Ogrim clapped his claws together as Mato plated it up all nice.

Simple meaty eggs on bread with a sprinkle of seasoning on top. He knelt and held it out to Ogrim like it was an offering for a monarch. 

“Oh you spoil me!” Ogrim couldn’t stop smiling as he picked it up and tried to take a bite.

A lot of the eggs fell off back onto the plate but Ogrim couldn't be happier. “This tastes like an old life, my love.” He said before he even finished chewing.

“Swallow, you silly.” Mato swatted at him, taking a bite of his own. “Oh that is good-” He couldn't help but blurt. 

Ogrim swatted him back, “Hypocrite!” 

The two of them chuckled, covering their mouths as they enjoyed their simple little meal. It was exactly what they needed!

Even if Ogrim just had to ask for another immediately.

Chapter Text

Ogrim loved this life he got to live.

It was one that blessed him with growth, healing, love and light.

He had a husband who loved him, a father-in-law who couldn’t get enough of his presence, and three beautiful children who scrambled to get into his embrace each time they visited.

He knew after all the hardship he faced…he had it good.

He just knew it took a bit of maintenance to keep it good.

That’s where his daughter comes in.

Little Hornet, his honeyweb, would always throw herself into fixing things because she was once the only one available to do so.

He was…busy, in the waterways at the worst of it all, so it's a guilt he carries always when she’s in a fixing frenzy.

It was always her way of coping when she could never find control or stability.

He could hear the scribbles of quill to paper coming from her room, so he knew one was afoot.

Ogrim gave her door a very gentle knock, hoping she'd allow him entry. The noise ceased for a moment before starting back up, "Ghost, bother me not! This is not for your eyes!"

Odd, but not unexpected, "It's me, dearest." 

The noise paused once more, before she called a quiet, “Enter, father.”

Ogrim worried at her tone, but stepped in and shut the door behind himself. Hornet was sitting at her desk, papers strewn on it and each of them were full of messy sketches.

“What’s this all for, princess?” 

She looked down at it without even greeting him. She ran her quill over the paper she was currently working on, looking at it with contempt.

Ogrim tried to peek at it before she crumpled it with her hand and smacked her head onto the desk as hard as she could.

“Oh!” Ogrim exclaimed at the thud, she was hiding in her arms, “Oh there’s no need for that, my love! Hornet!”

He moved closer to her and lifted her head to check for a crack or bruise as if she was a hatchling.

“Let’s not do that, okay?” He held her face in his claws, and she just grabbed one and moved it off of her.

“I…do not want to break the house.” She spoke very monotone, as if trying to hide her frustration with firmness. 

“Why do you think you’re going to break the house?” 

She gestured at her pages and Ogrim uncrumpled one. It was a bunch of sketches of a shelf-like contraption that jutted out from their largest window.

It was attached with hollow base boards as if it was to be a functional mini-clubhouse of sorts but it had X marks all over it. 

It was…Ghost-sized. 

“Ghost keeps having to pile pillows in front of the window if they want to sit by it. They like watching the wind, or waiting for something to happen for them to chase. I…wanted to make an improvement.” She tapped on the paper.

“Though, my plans are weak and my foolhardiness with this one will bust the wood paneling. Any weight put on it by anyone other than Ghost will tear it asunder if my calculations are correct.” 

Ogrim calculated it again in his head and nodded, “Yeah, it's too heavy, love. It’s nothing to hurt over, though.”

He sat down on the ground and grabbed a new piece of paper. “Do you want to make Ghost a window perch?”

“The most accessible one I can. They deserve a comfortable space to rest in a spot they like.” Hornet’s voice was terse with determination. “Plus it will keep them out from under Hollow’s feet when they sleep on the couch.”

Ogrim laughed, and dipped his claw into the ink. “I think I have some suggestions then. Let’s start with a new formula, and a bit more of a lightweight frame…”

Ogrim started sketching weight calculations like he was planning a fresh line of his burrow. Hornet was surprised at how quickly with his thick claw he could pen numbers.

She was also somehow shocked that his were correct. Correct and fast.

“You have the finer hand in sketching, my honeyweb. I believe going from the top and making a little basket rod would be nice for them. So they can have a little nook, a little hammock, and still be accessible on a low day and comfortable!” 

Hornet nodded, leaned close to him and started sketching what Ogrim described. It was coming together, and her chest felt less heavy with worry. It made Ogrim smile softly at her, putting his claw behind her back.

“Make sure it's not too tall, we can have support above it and keep Ghost’s area down low.” 

“Yeah, I’ll keep it to scale!”

“Good job, princess. I can't wait to build it with you.”

Hornet blinked, and couldn't help but smile just a bit.

---

Ghost had been napping at their grandfather’s shop for quite a while, so they were not privy to the noises of construction going on right by the window.

Nails in the wall, rods twisted together, blankets sewn into place. Shelves hung and stabilized with twists underneath. Wood painted Ghost’s favorite colors, black and this odd bluish-gray.

It looked like a thin shelf mixed with a bed mixed with a hammock, and Ghost would have to do a touch of careful climbing but below was a solid wooden platform covered in soft material and pillows.

If they were in a fade or begun to faint while climbing they would be safe.

Ogrim accounted for every issue in his math. Hornet was glad for it. She adjusted the hammock, pushing on the inside of it to make sure it was sturdy.

“It’s like a bowl that's the size of their body! They’ll love it.” She smiled, and Ogrim just hummed an agreement.

Ogrim was using his claws to hammer in a few flat boards so they can ladder their way up if they so please as well. He stood and gave the entire thing a tug. It stayed on the wall and no cracks adorned the wood.

“I think we’ve got it dear, any last additions?”

She took a step back and looked at it. It was very solid, didn't block the window from others, and served its purpose well.

Her posture lit up and she grabbed a chisel. On it, she scraped “Ghost’s Perch” onto it, and made a little “Ta-da” noise at it. 

“Perfect!” Ogrim gave her a little clap, and she could only flap her hand a little bit. She was so proud of herself and knew that Ogrim was proud of her too.

Before the two of them could even turn to start cleaning up their tools and spare parts, the sound of footsteps made themselves clear.

“That can’t be Ghost-” Ogrim stated, closing the case on their toolkit. The steps were far too heavy. The front door swung open, making Hornet clamor to stuff the spare wood in the hallway and be presentable.

“My love, please calm down-” Ogrim opened his claw and she moved to stand loosely in his embrace. 

“We’re home!” Mato stepped in, making Ogrim smile. “Oh welcome back, love! I forgot you were with Father as well!” 

Mato moved forward to give Ogrim a hug and kiss on the forehead. In turn, he gave Hornet a faint hug, the way that she liked it from him.

“I was just chatting with him about if he’d like to come for dinner, so I couldn't help but walk Ghost home. Come now, little one!”

Ghost walked in, cup of juice still in hand, rubbing sleep out of their eye. “Oh, an episode?” Ogrim asked, and Mato made a so-so hand gesture.

Ogrim looked at Hornet who was still trying to think of how to introduce her work to Ghost, so she stared at them in worry. 

They blinked, and processed that something about their home was different. They looked towards the window and saw the strange new thing.

The strange new thing that had their name on it.  

That made them drop the juice and it spilled everywhere, startling everybody. They rushed up to their perch and made their way to the climbing planks.

They pulled themself up, and Hornet could only exclaim “Whoa-whoa!” They didn't listen as they practically fell into the hammock, sitting criss-cross applesauce in it immediately.

They could reach and touch the window, tapping it in excitement. The window was so close to them!!

“Ghost!” Hornet called, making them look at her with a tilted head. “I wanted to explain what this was before you got onto it-” 

Ghost just moved and laid down, as if asking her to talk. She shook her head. “This is so you can sit and look out the window without having to make a fort each time. I know you’ll still make forts, but I figured you’d like the extra…vertical space?”

Ghost felt the fabric that made up the sturdy little hammock and then looked at their sister. Her hands were covered in bits of thread and little specks of dried glue. She did so well and they didn't know how to move their fingers to express it.

So they stood in the hammock.

“Ghost, careful-” Hornet barely managed to say before they leapt off the hammock at her to hug her.

“DESIGN FLAW- FATHER DESIGN FLAW-” She caught them and they both fell to the floor. Even though it would give them such a talking-to later, Ghost gave Hornet a big squeeze. 

Mato couldn't help but laugh as Hornet pulled them off to place them back in the hammock. “Oh you two…” He backed up into Ogrim’s claws, and asked him, “Did you two spend all day building this?” 

Ogrim just smiled, watching Hornet wag her finger at Ghost as if they were a naughty maskfly nipping at her sandwich. “She was getting too lost in her head again. I figured I’d help refocus her.” 

Mato put his hand on his heart, sighing at him. “You’re lovely.” He peppered him with little kisses, happy he gave their daughter a good day.

It was spoken so plainly, but Ogrim couldn't help but blink away a small tear. “I try to be for her.”

They held each other, watching their children bicker and push each other over safety and boundaries.

“I really do try.”

---

The princess runs through the palace halls as if something is chasing her. Tears drip down her eyes as she climbs a pillar and hides on the rafters. 

Princess? 

Princess? 

A deep voice of a knight would call before anyone else. She remained hidden.

The knight made his way to the middle of the hall. He speaks to the air.

It was not your fault. I too have dropped many cups in this palace and I am still here.

It is cleaned now. You are not in trouble.

The princess yells at a lamp filled to the brim with lumaflies is far more important than stupid cups. 

...

Come down, Princess.

She was caught. She used some thread and lowered herself to the knights level, upside down.

He held his claws out, and let her place herself into them.

It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not be perfect.

She’d hide herself in the crux of his neck. She’d mutter that she has to try to be perfect, though. She is a gift and needs to act like it.

You’re always the best gift to me. You’re always what I want in a cute little box. 

You mean it?

Forever, honeyweb, forever.

Chapter Text

“What a session!” Ogrim beamed, as they walked back to their home.

“You did great, Mato. You told me you wanted to improve your swings and you delivered!” He walked backwards a bit, putting his claws behind his back.

Mato chuckled as he rubbed on his arm. “Oh, I try.” 

Ogrim spun back around and put his claw on Mato’s back. “Your attempts are fruitful. What would you like to eat to regain our loss of energy and calories?” 

Mato gripped one part of his arm, and simply stated, “Let’s see what fruits I have leftover from my last deep forage!” 

Ogrim hummed, and let him lead the way. “Would you like me to simmer it? Have some warmed fruit and crackers?” 

Mato entered the hut, with a shaky smile. “That’d be wonderful! I have some berries and an apple, that would do fine toasted.” He opened the bin, and bit a hiss under his mask.

He gathered the fruits into one arm and a skillet into another. There was little noises of discomfort all around, swiftly hidden.

Ogrim quietly took the fruits from him, and placed them onto Mato’s pan to set them aside. “Oh, we should slice the apple to share it.” Mato pointed out, and Ogrim nodded, “I was getting to that.”

He was observing the way Mato was holding himself. His shoulders, something Ogrim always noticed.

Mato carried so much weight on his shoulders, all the time.

Emotionally, physically, mentally, feelings just lingered there. 

They were unbelievably tense, but Ogrim knew Mato. He knew he couldn't point this out without being met with defense after defense. 

“Do you need anything, my friend?” He asked with a small tilt of his head.

Mato’s shoulders tensed more, and he tried to pretend like he wasn't clenching his fist.

“Oh, well…getting to our food would be nice.” He stated, and Ogrim just kept looking at him. It made him feel awkward.

Ogrim quietly put his claw onto Mato’s shoulder, and he could feel each inch of fear masked in a tall physique. 

Each anxiety about being seen as weak.

Each worry about feeling lowsome. 

Each bated breath that could be used asking for help.

That Mato doesn't use. 

Ogrim just ran his claw down Mato’s arm, and he hissed a bit and hid it in a confused noise. 

Ogrim gave him a knowing look, and Mato just sighed. 

“If you need first aid, all you need is to ask.” 

Mato looked down, and shrugged. “I’m simply a little sore, but it’s nothing I can’t handle by myself later.” 

“When I’m not here?” Ogrim’s look didn’t go away, and it made Mato more uncomfortable.

Mato gestured to the pan, “Can we just eat?”  

Ogrim tapped his forehead, “You don’t have to wait until I’m gone to care for yourself. I want you to grab your cold pack, fill it with fresh water and sit right there.” He pointed to it, and turned to get the fruit simmering.

Mato only heard the unsteady grasp of his kitchen knife and chopping while he turned. 

He fished the cold pack out of his bin and dumped the old water onto the floor to protect against any bacteria.

Fighting back another little hiss, he lifted the lid off one of his cold water reserves and dunked the bag in. It filled as his hut filled with the scent of toasted fruit.

He sat where instructed and Ogrim took the pack from him. He handed him a bowl of the fruit and the container of crackers. They were slightly stale but dipped in the fruit, it was a nice treat. 

Ogrim just put his straight into the bowl and sipped it. Mato was confused as he ate the snack and placed the cold pack onto Mato’s arm. Holding it up for him so he had both hands to enjoy his snack one cracker at a time. 

He didn't even look at him, or make a deal of it. He just held it there and ate, as if it was nothing at all. 

The pack was so cold, it soothed his sore muscles through his hard shell. It was just what he needed.

“Thank you…” Mato simply said, scooping some fruit onto one of the crackers.

“It’s my pleasure.” Ogrim gave Mato a bonk on the side of the head, and all he could do was smile at him. He didn’t know what that meant, after all.

A little kiss on the cheek, from friend to friend, right? 

Ogrim thought so, but the care went so much deeper. 

From feeding one another, icing their wounds, and holding their hearts in regard. 

It was their lot in life to care for everything as if it was bigger than themselves. Even through something so simple.

They were always happy to do it.

Chapter Text

The room smelled of dirty water and oil.

The entire house did.

It was hard to know if it’d ever be scrubbed out. 

Bandages were readjusted, gauze applied in bigger bulk. Ghost remained asleep during most of the ordeal.

The biggest issue: was the larger vessel.

Hollow had bled through again, and it was so difficult to manage.

Ogrim held their body up as Mato pressed the gauze in and spun it around their large torso.

It was so difficult to do because they felt so fragile.

It made the two of them so happy to place them down, tuck them in their blankets and beeline out of the room to wash up. 

Mato had made sure there was water boiled just to sterilize themselves if needed, especially when dealing with clean bandages.

He offered it to his dearest to use first, who was so silent. 

“Even though those shell-scabs keep breaking, it seems like it’s slowly starting to close on their torso, at least.” Mato spoke as Ogrim slathered his claws with soap.

Plunging his claws into the hot basin and watching the black rise into the warm bubbles. Even through the strong shell he could feel it burning as he began to scrub them clean.

It moved rapidly, splashing up and down as he sped up.

We can hope to see more progress in the coming weeks, getting them awake and sitting up is our biggest goal now.” Mato kept speaking as Ogrim tunnel-visioned on scrubbing.

“We can only grip onto the wisps of optimism now.” Mato looked away, fighting each urge to put his hands on his face while he waited his turn.

Ogrim was taking a lot longer than he typically does.

He just needed to get it off his claws. In his eyes, it was still there. Everything was.

Blood, ichor, dirt, remnants of his home, the rubble of the kingdom, pain and sacrifice of children he loved as his own.

It was staining him.

He needed it off.

Off of his claws.

Off of his chest.

Off of his heart.

It locked itself in, and he would never be clean.

It would haunt him, the afterimage of his child’s pain, for all of eternity. 

“...rim?” A void of a voice tried to reach him, and he couldn't feel how heavy his chest had gotten as the water burned him.

“-im!” It continued to call. He needed to be clean, he needed to keep them safe from him.

From any harm anything on him could do. From any harm he could do.

“Okay!” The voice spoke sharply as he tried to lean deeper into the water. Hands grabbed the side of his helmet and more blood smacked into his face, adding to what he sees now as panic.

“Ogrim!” Mato was making him look into his eyes, pulling him out of the water but he was contaminating him further, he would have to clean longer.

He tried to resist. He pulled against Mato, trying to fight to continue washing his claws.

“Ogrim, Ogrim stop. ”  Mato was trying to keep his voice down, not wanting to wake Hornet. 

“Let me finish-” He gasped, trying to grab water and put it on his face, but Mato kept a hold of him.

“Shh-shh-” Mato tried to shush him, moving with him as he pulled back towards the basin.

Keeping a hold on one side of his face, he dipped one hand in and rinsed it off before grabbing him again.

Half-washed blood dripped down, soaking his fur.

“Let me go-” Ogrim begged as he felt it. “Just for a moment-” Mato looked into his unfocused and pained eyes.

Tears ran down them but quickly faded into the wetness of his fur.

“Your claws are clean, Ogrim. They are clean.” Mato tried to assure him, and Ogrim just breathed, “I know, I know, but my face isn’t-” 

Mato noticed his hands and felt a pang of guilt for how he was handling this.

“I’m sorry, you just…aren’t yourself when you go off like that. Please, finish but stop burning yourself. That water is so hot you were clean two minutes ago-” He pulled off the helmet to help, and Ogrim immediately splashed some of the hot water into his face for a solid twenty seconds.

He grabbed a nearby towel and started drying as Mato went right after, washing his hands thoroughly.

He shook off the water back into the basin, allowing Ogrim to smother his face until he bent and took a deep breath. He removed the towel and handed it to Mato.

Mato let his helmet float in the water, slowly spinning about.

“I’m sorry.” Ogrim looked at his claws, their color altered temporarily from the heat.

“I just…cannot stand this much longer.” He looked away, not knowing what to do with his claws now.

“This pain is…bigger than myself, and I know not how I can heal it…It’s a pain no child should have to bear.” He blinked away more tears, and shook his head as more fell.

“Especially these ones. These ones…Oh, Mato these are my children-” Sobs racked him, and Mato could only put his arm around his back and lower them both to the floor.

“Ogrim…oh, Ogrim…I understand, I do. Ghost is my child, and I cannot stand to gaze at their pain…I know Hollow is the same to you…”

Ogrim tried to scrub the tears, but they kept falling, “I could have stopped this, Mato. I could have prevented all of this pain from dwelling for this long but I didn’t- oh if this gets worse-” He choked a wet gasp, allowing Mato to rub his back.

“You know as well as any that we couldn’t’ve known what happens in the world at all times, my dear. Please do not douse your heart in pain because of others.” He held his shoulders tight, rubbing his head against his.

“If we cannot hold each other together in these times, there won't be any to hold these children. We need to keep being strong, and if you can’t, I will. Because I know if I can’t, you will. Am I making sense?”

Ogrim sniffed, “No-” 

“I’ll keep trying to.” Mato breathed for him, “I’ll keep trying to.” 

A breath of silence, a gasp of emotional struggle.

“Will we have to keep being strong forever?”

“We do.”

“What will we do if they just can’t heal?”

“...We do.”

“...When will that happen?”

“...when we do.” 

Silence set in, and Ogrim just let himself cry. Sobbing now and then, letting Mato hold him close. 

Mato tried to keep his own tears from falling down, but a few snuck down and wetted the top of Ogrim’s head.

They were content to sit that way until they dried. Until they were to wipe the crustiness from the corners of their eyes and continue on. They knew very well that they must. 

They had too many wayward souls who needed their help right then. Each other, and the children they adore.

They had to keep trying, and if that means fighting tears and letting them be. So be it.

They would let it all fall for the ones they love. 

Chapter Text

It was a restless night, but not in a bad way…

“Grandpa!! Grandpa grandpa!!” Ghost ran in a circle around their grandfather, who gave them a chuckle.

“It’s almost ready, kiddo. Fruit takes time to peel!”

He pointed the small knife at them, “Unless you want to be a big kid and cut your own dang fruit.” 

Ghost looked at him as if he was joking, and Sly kept pointing it. They went to take it and he took it right back.

“Figured. Give me two more seconds.”

“Grandpa!!!”

The sound of blankets swooshing on the floor fluttered around, Hornet laughing at her sibling. “If they continue testing our grandfather they’re going to miss out on games.” 

Hollow put their hand to their mouth as if shocked that that could even be a possibility. 

Ogrim waved his claw down, “Pshaw, Princess. Like Ghost can be held back from the temptation of the games we are to play on this eve! They’re far too powerful.”

Mato came behind him and ruffled his exposed sleepy fluff. “Either that or too stubborn.” He sat next to him, joining in the blanket pile.

Ogrim smiled and gave him a kiss on the mouth, savoring it even if it was a quick casual thing. 

Hollow wagged their finger, getting attention to say “Not more powerful than Grandfather. A lot more…” They thought for a moment.

“...more stupid.” They teased, and jumped out of their shell when Sly said, “Nice hands, please, Hollow.” They put their hand to their chest, reeling from the surprise.

Ghost stood next to Sly, anger dark on their blank little face. 

They sat next to Hollow and shoved them, not even able to budge their bony knee. “Keep those hands nice too, Ghost.” Sly wagged his finger as he put down the tray of peeled and sliced fruit. 

Ghost pouted and grabbed a fruit to immediately eat as Hollow signed “Sorry…”

Mato laughed, waving his hand down, “Now, now, we all must be nice! It’s nearing bed-time after all! No need to go to bed angry or sad.” 

Ogrim held out his claws, “Why don’t we settle down with a game?” That made Ghost’s demeanor light up, they stood up and tapped their feet against the soft floor the blankets made for them.

“Tag?? Hide and Seek? Bumble Adventure-” They caught themself and ran off to snag their toy out of their room.

“I was thinking something a little more…sit down friendly so we can rest!” Ogrim called but they didn't hear in their excitement to grab their toy. 

“What if we play my old favorite game?” Hornet asked, and Ogrim tilted his head. “Princess, darling, it’s way too late to play “Hunter versus Crawlers” I’m afraid.”

Hornet waved her hands, blushing. “No no, that one was so squibbish- augh- I mean Challenge or Truths!”

Mato smiled at the thought, “Oh, I loved Challenge or Truth! I would play it with my brothers instead of going straight to bed, hehe."

Sly crossed his arms, "I was aware and each time you three played it it seemed you enjoyed challenging your brothers to eat gross things just to sample them yourself!" Sly poked his son in the stomach, making him grunt and try to awkwardly laugh it off.

Hollow asked as Ghost stumbled back to them with Bumble in their arms, “How do we play?”

Ghost held up Bumble in one hand and signed, “Play what!?” 

Hornet held up her hand, easing both of them. “It’s simple. We need a stick, or something that will spin on this blanket.” 

Ghost thought for a moment, and offered their doll. Hornet smiled, “Thank you. Let's see if it works.”

She placed Bumble down and spun it. She adjusted the blankets until it was taught and smooth enough to do so without it snagging.

She bent one of their antennas down and straightened the other. “There. That will work!” 

“Now, to play, we take turns in a circle spinning Bumble. Whoever it lands on we ask if they’d like a Challenge or a Truth. Challenges can be anything-”

“Anything safe. ” Ogrim interrupted, and Hornet nodded, “Yes, Father, anything safe! The truths are different. You can ask the person any question and they must answer- Oh Father, can we play with punishments?”

“Punishments?!” Ghost was immediately distressed! They knew they’d always get into trouble, but they didn't think this would do that!

“Shush, okay!” Ogrim waved his claws, and explained, “That's just Hornet’s way of saying there’s a consequence for refusing someone's challenge or question of truth. When we played it in the palace she’d always have us do a silly dance even though she would join along.”

Mato snickered as Hornet blushed, “I made my brothers do a backflip.”

Sly shook his head, still remembering the sobbing and crying. Nights he had to think if he had to rush one of them to urgent care.

He was glad when they finally wisened up.

“Let's do something everyone can do.” Sly suggested, “Something simple and fair.”

“I want to do a backflip!” Ghost signed, and Sly sighed, “Hollow cannot do a backflip. Neither can Ogrim.”

“I too can, father!”

“Not indoors. ”

“Oh.”

 Hollow hummed, and said, “Let’s…not do punishments. I don’t know what a good one would be.” 

“Fine…instead of punishments it’ll be a skip! Can we start now?” Hornet asked and she got a unanimous agreement. 

“I will go first!” Ghost beamed, reaching to give Bumble a spin. It landed on Sly. “Now ask me if I want a challenge or a truth.” 

“Challenge or truth?” Ghost signed excitedly, and Sly said, “Gimme a challenge, kid!” 

Ghost thought to themself for a moment, and clapped. “Do the teapot dance you told me about!”

That made Mato blush and snort. “Oh the teapot dance-”

Sly paused too, and simply said, “Skip.”

“WHAT?!” Hornet and Ogrim blurted, “Grandfather you can’t skip on the first challenge!! That’s pitiful!”

Ogrim put his claw on her shoulder. “What is the teapot dance anyway?”

“A silly showtune Mato did when he was five.” Sly said, not wanting to do that silly of a dance.

Ogrim blushed at the thought of his husband doing something so adorable when so small.

“Show us, show us, show us!” Ogrim and Hornet chanted together, effectively peer-pressuring Sly into sighing and standing.

He put his hands on his hips, and sang a little song. “I’m a little teapot, short and stout!”

He held up one hand, “This is my handle!” And wiggled the arm on his hip still. “This is my spout.” He had remembered Mato did it backwards, and knew Mato remembered by the flush still on his face.

“Ah, I don’t remember all the words-” He thought for a moment. “Warm me up, then tip me over and pour me out!” He bent forward, and Ogrim laughed as he sat again.

“Oh, I imagine that was so adorable when you were young, beloved!” Ogrim nudged Mato’s cheek, and Mato chuckled. Hornet was laughing too, and Ghost was satisfied with that performance.

They wanted to do it too, but were too excited to continue the game.

“It’s my turn, then, since I completed my challenge.”

Sly grabbed Bumble and the game continued into the night!

---

Challenges after challenges, truths after truths, it was shown that two people struggled with the game.

Hollow simply didn't understand what made a good challenge or truth and everyone was content to leave them be.

They asked simple challenges and easy questions. Favorite foods and mediocre shows of movement. It was a free round when they spun. 

But each time Mato spun the doll and it landed on Ogrim, he’d say the same thing.

“I challenge you to give me a kiss!” For several rounds, Ogrim would roll his eyes and place a kiss on his husband’s cheek much to the children’s annoyances. 

Hornet would like to see her fathers do spontaneous dares, Hollow was confused as to why he did it so much, and Ghost did not enjoy public displays of affection unless it was them doing it.

So the next time Bumble went to Ghost, Ghost tried to make it land on one of their fathers. It spun about and about, and landed on Ogrim. 

Ghost had a glint in their eyes as they asked, “Challenge or Truth?” And Ogrim picked, “Give me a challenge, my little shadow.” 

Just as planned! Ghost stated, “I challenge you to never ever kiss Dad again until I go to bed!”

Ogrim blinked, and looked at Mato. He had the most playful heartbroken look on his face!

Ogrim looked at their youngest, and smirked, “Oh well…I guess I’ll have to…”

Ghost mentally celebrated before Ogrim could finish his sentence. “...skip!” Ogrim points up, and Ghost smacks their hands on the floor saying, “WHAT?” 

Ogrim pulled Mato in for a barrage of smooches, and Ghost just waved their arms, “No!! No fair! Punish him!” 

Hornet waved her arm to Ghost too, “We aren’t playing with punishments, Ghost!”

“WE ARE NOW. GET HIM!” They stood and Hornet knew exactly what they were doing. The two of them mischievously stood and pounced on their fathers, knocking them both over.

They all gently wrestled, Mato and Ogrim acting like they couldn't easily overpower them in size. 

Sly fell backwards in laughter, and Hollow could only tilt their head.

The game ended with a bang, as the battle waged on with pillows and shouts that their fathers were silly.

In the end, it was a very fun night!

Chapter Text

The Winds blew gently for once in the cliffs. Ogrim and Mato held hands as they walked down the path they had worn into the stone to their garden. 

It was a simple thing, hidden from the vengflies and kept safe. All the tomatoes they could ever want. 

“Got the basket ready?” Ogrim asked as he let his dear go. Mato smiled and held up the basket, lined with cloth to protect their beloved crops.

“Amazing, shall we?” He gestured forward for his love, and Mato bowed back at his chivalry, “We shall!”

The two of them wandered around their garden, picking through it. It was all tomatoes, but that didn’t matter much to them.

It's what these lands allowed them to cultivate so it's what they sowed.

They had ripened a lot recently so Ogrim would parse the thick vines, and Mato would use his more nimble hands to grab the tomato and inspect it.

“That’s a mighty big one! Please tell me it survives!” Ogrim beamed as Mato gave it a twice over look. “Hmmm..” He inspected it for any black spots, signs of pests, the works.

He gave a smirk as he placed it into the basket, and Ogrim gave a cheer!

Mato blushed at his enthusiasm, chuckling into his hand about it. They both began bantering about the amount of soup they would create with it, as they picked up their pace. 

The tomatoes that were bright and healthy got their joyful laughter, and the ones that tiktiks tore apart for their own survival got a gentle sigh and a toss into the winds to be finished.

Either way, their fruits were enjoyed, after all.

The two of them amassed a fairly full basket of tomatoes, but Mato plucked a few green ones. 

“Why do you take them before they ripe, love?” 

Mato smiled, pointing up a finger. “You’ll see. I think I can make us something quite delectable with these.”

Ogrim gave Mato an excited clap, making more euphoria swim around Mato’s head at his cuteness.

After a double check, making sure all of the rotted tomatoes were cleared out and the vines were healthy. A sprinkle of water and a farewell was bid to their lovely garden.

---

Swiftly upon returning to the hut and washing the fruits, amazing smells began to wave through their home. 

Mato filled the bottom of his pan with oil, sliced the green tomato thin as can be and tossed them in to fry. 

They crisped up, but remained soft in the middle. It made Ogrim’s eyes sparkle to see something so neat crop up from their hands. 

“Fluff the rice?” Mato asked, and Ogrim ceased his loving stare to do as told. He mixed the rice with a spoon, using both claws as best as he could.

Mato took the spoon, dished it into two bowls. He piled some meat with sauce on top of it, and decorated it with the crispy tomatoes.

“Here you are.” Mato smiled at Ogrim’s happiness. “Thank you, my love!” He beamed as he took the bowl. Mato mixed his around with a smaller spoon, but Ogrim just poured it into his mouth.

He took one of the fried green tomatoes and ate it by itself, and made a deep squeal of glee.

“We made that?!” He asked Mato, and Mato chuckled, “Yes, we did!”  Ogrim pointed at it with his claw, “From a tiny seed we made that?” 

“That is how gardening works, Ogrim-” Mato started to say, but Ogrim simply scooted closer and put them shoulder to shoulder.

“It’s just fascinating to me, love.” He took another bite. “This part of Hallownest is bred to be barren but you showed up and took me in and made it a home.”  

He finished chewing, and gave Mato a kiss on the cheek. “You give everything you touch life and the fact that it continues to thrive despite it all…I love that about you.” 

Mato just blushed and looked down at his food. It was true, but it still made him a flustered mess to hear out of another person’s mouth.

“We made this life together. You make life worth cultivating to thrive.” Mato nudged his shoulder into his, and took a bite of the tomato. 

It was excellent, and so was his life in this little world of his.

Forever, it was all they needed.

Chapter Text

When Ogrim and Mato leave their home to visit their children in Dirtmouth, they do a few very specific things.

They tie down the door, barricading it from the elements.

They sort through their belongings, bringing things either to share with or give to their children.

They use up any perishables they do not intend to take with them.

Typically, they are very precise with the order in doing this. So nothing gets missed when they’re gone for two or three sleeps. 

All their belongings stay safe and nothing goes wrong.

They are, however, simply bugs. Mistakes happen.

“Oh why does it stink in here-” Blurted from Mato’s mouth the second they entered, tossing his basket of arts and crafts given to him by Ghost onto the bench. They clatter about, as Mato rushes in to investigate.

Ogrim was just barely in the door with their blankets as Mato searched. “Oh it's bad, ohhh what died, where did it die??”

Ogrim placed down the blankets and took a breath. “I can smell it but typically I can tell what died very quickly…are you sure it's dead or already decomposed or suffering?” 

Mato looked at Ogrim and asked, “Does it…smell different??” 

“Oh, it most certainly does!”

“...Typically when I kill something its bones before I can smell much of anything-”

Ogrim chuckled, and waved his claws. “I know you above all others love the smell of freshly hunted blood!”

Mato knelt to open their food bin, and pointed at him. “Touche, that I do! But this is not fresh blood-”

The moment the lid of the food bin opened, Mato looked in and immediately clamped it shut.

“OH.”

“That’s it?”

“THAT IS IT-” Mato took a deep breath, steeling himself to open it again and remove what remained up top, mostly greens and their jars of pickles from Sly.

At the bottom sat a paper wrap, and Mato knew exactly what that was.

“Ohhhh dear, remember when we didn't have enough crawlid filets and me and Ghost had to split one?”

“...We left it behind, didn’t we?”

“That we did.”

Mato put his hand to his forehead, huffing a groan at having to pull it out to dispose of it properly.

Thankfully, he has a lovely lovely husband. Ogrim put his claw on his chest and moved him aside.

Mato put his hand over his mask as Ogrim opened the bin back up. “Yep, that’s spoiled meat alright. 

“Ohhhh, I’ll have to decontaminate the binnnnn!!” Mato whined, low. “And our vegetables may be ruined!”

He tried to speak again, but Ogrim pulled out the parcel and opened it slightly, releasing more of the rancid scent.

Mato stood and took a little step back, squeaking a little, “Oh-!” 

“I think it recently went, but I’m sure if I turn it over I’d see green. We killed this, what, three sleeps ago? Four?”

Mato just gave him a distressed look, not removing his hands from his mask to speak further as he didn’t want to disrespectfully gag. 

“Ah, correct. One moment, beloved!” Ogrim stood and hustled to get the bad carrion out of his love’s sight. 

He went outside, and decided to take it closer to the grave of the Great Mind before curiously opening it.

He did see that the underneath was very green, and that made so much sense with the scent. He fully opened it and placed it on the ground.

“Rest well, little crawler. I apologize that your full life and body was not able to be appreciated by us. I hope being appreciated by your fellow crawler will suffice and not count as a waste to your soul.” 

He gave the small bug that small prayer, took a few steps back and watched the filet be swooped up unceremoniously by a vengefly.

It didn't wait for long before tearing into it, not savoring a single flavor.

Ogrim chuckled, and made his way back to the hut to wash his claws.

Mato had already overturned the food bin and got some water boiling to sanitize it. 

“Oh good, I can wash up easily!” Ogrim scooped some of the fresh water with their metal washing can (mostly used for the garden) and rinsed off his claws. 

“Uh-huh-” Mato still made curt noises, due to the smell lingering.

He was sorting through their food and discarding any vegetables that would’ve been infused with germs into their compost to rot and turn into healthier bacteria.

“I’ll contact Sheo- to uh…oh love I’m so sorry for forgetting-” Mato's train of thought bounced in eight different directions, and Ogrim just shook his head.

“Don’t be, it takes two to forget anywho. We both could’ve checked the bin twice at any time.” He put both claws on Mato’s shoulders and kissed his head. “We’ll get this fixed up and it’ll be better than new, okay?” 

Mato took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay.” 

“Now, let me mix some cleaning solution into half of this hot water, and grind some of our herbs to make us a mint fresher for our air. It will surely mellow out to our usual favorite smells.”

“You first thing in the morning and the stony grit of my skeletons.” 

Ogrim blushed at that, using his claw to push some of his cheek fluff aside and bashfully itch his neck. Mato grinned, and continued sorting their poor spoiled food. 

Together they cleaned until the bin was deemed safe to once more store their produce and meat.

With little sighs and the smell of soap, the two men fixed the error with speed and love.

They promised to always check each other, help the other remember what they need most, and make sure they never have to deal with something like that again!

Chapter Text

Mato knew he could be…impatient at times when he wanted something.

That impatience got him thrown off a waste beast and severely wounded with a broken arm.

Ogrim took partial blame for it, for distracting him due to worry for his well being. Mato appreciated him warding off the beast and carrying him to help and safety. 

After stress and worrying about his possible (definite) concussion they all settled there was little they could do but wait for him to slowly heal.

He stayed in bed and let himself be cared for, begrudgingly. He couldn't move his arm and had to slowly build his grip strength back with a little ball Hornet made him.

He appreciated it, but with such little things to do, he found his hazy mind floating back to the day it happened.

His ears were ringing when he was thrown to the floor, because pain quickly engulfed all other senses, but he remembered one thing.

He looked at his husband at his side, the valiant knight who often worried too much about him. He supposed he gave him adequate reason.

This knight was a force he knew at points he could not comprehend, unstoppable. To his unmovable stubbornness it was shocking to him that Ogrim kept trying.

That Ogrim would do all he does for him.

“Ogrim, honey?” Mato muttered into his side, leaning into him.

Ogrim looked down, immediately rubbing the side of his head to ease his pressure. “Yes?” He asked quickly, knowing Mato’s pet names were a rarity to hear.

“...When I got hurt…did you… scream so loud the giant beast was scared away…?”

Ogrim looked off, thinking about it. “Well, seeing that beast did fill me with quite a bit of fear, especially seeing it toss you the way it did.”

He rubbed slower, making Mato lean in closer, not wanting him to stop. “I guess you could say I did what I felt would work without having to risk it trampling you.”

Mato looked at him, eyes glazed in fatigue and wonder. “You screamed so loud… It was so loud dust blew everywhere…”  

Ogrim chuckled at that. “Dear, that was just from me hitting the floor in an attempt to intimidate as I used to do.”

Mato blinked away some tears of love, and still spoke so softly in amazement. “You did that all the time…oh, that’s hot-”

Ogrim kissed the top of his head, trying to remain explanatory rather than getting flustered at Mato’s love.

“My knighthood demanded a lot out of me, love. Learning to scream that loud helped a lot, and I’m glad I could use it to help you.”

Mato hugged onto him, nuzzling into his side. “You’re so louddd, and amazing-”

“Oh, I try.” Ogrim cooed at him, trying to ease him into laying back. Mato kept trying to hug and squeeze, but the pain and exhaustion was too great.

“Rest love, you truly need it to calm your aching head.” Ogrim tried to say, but Mato just gripped his claw like it was a pillow.

“When we hunt next…you should scream like that, and…and it’ll explode crawlids.”

Ogrim chuckled again, “I don’t think that’s how it works.”

“Explode their tiny little hearts…easiest thing ever.” Mato breathed, head flopping down one of many pillows.

Ogrim let him go, and watched him slowly doze off. He slowly stood, trying not to let his weight shift the bed too much because he did not want to interrupt Mato’s descent into sleep.

He quietly made his way to the door, and the moment he opened it, Ghost marched in to take their place on the bed.

They crawled by their fathers feet, laid down and held a book to read. Ogrim looked at them, seeing if they were going to read the book, but they just sat in their fathers presence. 

“Stay comfortable, you two.”

Mato snorted a small snore, Ghost messed with the pages.

Ogrim left the room, and crossed their home to the kitchen. Sly had tossed together a bit of an emergency soup so Ogrim would not have to worry about cooking for a few days.

All he had to do was keep it fresh. 

He made himself a bowl of it for lunch, and sat on their couch. He blew on it, and thought about his husband’s words. 

Looking at his reflection, he could still hear himself. Bellowing at the top of his lungs, for life, for home, for liberty. 

In the battlefield, surrounded by pain and misery as greater beasts opposed his king and kingdom.

“I WILL NOT BOW!”

It stuck with him, and apparently his husband found this undying need to be big and loud in the face of adversity to appear confident…attractive. That made him blush as he took a sip of his soup.

His husband was hurt, and he was determined to make him better. Stick with him until he heals, being vocal about everything he needs to do to get there. 

That's what he liked, from what Ogrim could tell! So he’s happy to oblige, and will humor him by trying scream-warfare on their next simple hunt.

Mato was not to go on hunts for a while, so he may forget. But Ogrim will remember for his happiness. Because seeing Mato’s eyes sparkle when it works will make his day.

That’s all Ogrim would want.

Chapter Text

If there was anything Mato still enjoyed doing from time to time, it was curling up with a simple book. At his hut, he did not own many books. He did not think he owned any at all.

So he was always happy to sit at his child’s side, snuggled in bed with a book in hand as they pap the pages reading with him.

Ghost read silently while Mato read out loud. “The water splashed furiously as Vela expertly guided its home through the currents with a massive stick it tore from the earth.”

He rubbed the side of Ghost’s sleepy head, and continued, “It gritted its mandibles, a subtle noise drowning from its mouth. “I need to keep steady, or else I’ll never return to the village people in one piece!” It called to itself, hitting away debris of the white river.”

Mato chuckled, and said to Ghost. “You know, my brothers and I shared a copy of this book as children. Sheo would always get stuck at parts like these, losing focus while reading even the simple sentences.”

Ghost nodded, blearily, not truly caring as much as they figured they would. Mato rubbed above their horns, scooting them closer into an embrace. “I always loved this book, though. It was one of the few times I could show him how to do something instead of the other way around. It was nice, in a weird way.”

He skimmed past the pages, remembering sitting with his brother. Cheeks squished together as he sounded out “tsunami” for Sheo to try and pronounce. Nuzzling into him in excitement when he got it correct. 

“Vela stamped its foot down, fighting against the tsunami level waves that tried to threaten its home. Its home was not the water, or the buildings in the village, or the boat it paddled down the endless white river…”

Mato heard a few knocks, and saw Ogrim peek his head in. He smiled and used his head to wave him inside to sit by him.

Ogrim beamed back, and snuggled on the other side of Ghost, squeezing them both close. “What are you reading-” Mato shushed Ogrim as Ghost was nodding off.

“Oh…oh continue.” He said quietly as he rubbed his claw on Mato’s arm lovingly. 

He kissed Ogrim on the cheek, and kept reading. “Its home were the people it was striving to protect. To hold dear, to keep from being pulled under the dangerous water. It was all too familiar with fighting the current, but it knew not everyone was.”

Mato turned the page, and Ghost settled in, fully dozing. “It knew if the waves ever calmed, it would make sure the people knew. It cared for them all, and it would do anything to make sure they’re all safe. Even if it had to sacrifice something, it would do that with little hesitation.”

“Sounds like someone we know.” Ogrim chuckled, and Mato shrugged. “It’s an advanced childrens book, Ogrim. All characters can sound like that.” 

Ogrim nodded, “Counterpoint, you’re very sweet and giving and I love you.” 

Mato shook his head, trying not to laugh too. “You’re ridiculous.” 

“You are too, that's why you’re on the white river and I’m not.” 

Mato moved to turn the page, but saw Ghost was, in fact, completely asleep. 

“Ah. I guess I have to pause. I could so out-paddle you on a river, though.” He moved to settle Ghost down, tucking them into the blankets of the bed.

“Mato, I have oars for limbs and I can float in cases of emergencies a lot better than you can. I think you’ve met your match.”

Mato responded to that with a simple “Pbht-” at his dear, before moving to mark his and Ghost’s place in the book.

By folding the top corner of the page into itself, smoothing it down and shutting the book.

“...Beloved, why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“That maneuver with the book.”

Mato was confused, smacking the book into his palm as he moved to stand. “Mark my page?”

“By scarring the page near irreparably?” Ogrim raised an eyebrow, and Mato was caught off guard by Ogrim’s opinions on the care of his book.

“I’ve done it that way since I was a child! All of these pages already have that on there!”

Ogrim shook his head, and stated, “No wonder all your books get torn up so quickly-”

“Are those sparring words or are you just messing with me?”

“Would you like them to be?”

“Let’s go then, as to not wake up Ghost!” Mato stated, plopping the book on the edge of the bed to stand and rush outside. 

“I will teach you respect for literature!” Ogrim called after him, giving a playful chase. 

“I’ll respect my literature as much as I please!!” 

The two called after each other as Ghost snoozed away, dreaming of, too, being on the white river, floating to destiny. 

They supposed they had already met destiny. Destiny gave them a new purpose, a new home.

With two funny fathers who loved them very much.

Chapter Text

Phantom Pain.

The current bane of Hollow's existence. Next to the agonizing real-not-ghoulish pain in their legs and intact arm, of course. 

It was grueling to sit through, and grueling for their loved ones to watch.

For them to grip a fist and smash it into the floor when they think nobody can see them. Equalizing the sensation to try and find a smidgen of release!

It was torture in that gods-forsaken egg and it was torture in the kitchen as they tried to warm up some soup!

But all they could do was BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

All that action did was cause more pain to radiate up their arm and hug around their shoulders like a vice.

It also alerted their fathers. 

“Hollow? Is everything alright?” Ogrim peeked his head into the kitchen first, and saw them. Shaking on the floor over a small pot of soup barely simmering on a weak fire.

They were bent over and holding their fist firm into the floor. They lifted it again and smacked the floor again as if it would work.

It did as a plea for help.

“Oh Mato, come here!” Ogrim called, kneeling by Hollow to assess their state.

“What can I do, can you sign alright?” Hollow shook their head so subtly, holding up their now even more sore hand as it violently trembled.

Ogrim shushed them, having them put their arm back down. “Mato!”

Mato rushed in, concern etched in his face. “What’s going on? My hands were full of laundry- oh!” He saw both his child and husband on the floor, holding loosely onto each other. 

“Hollow cannot communicate right now, we need- Would you like us to do the routine? Bed or distraction?” 

Ogrim kicked himself for the last statement, but Hollow simply nodded.

Mato nodded, “Got it!” He turned back out of the kitchen to go into Hornet’s room. He retrieved a small capsule of lifeblood to hand to Ogrim. “Dear-”

Mato also kicked himself, opening it, “Right, right-” He held two capsules up to Hollow and they swiped it to eat it quickly. He put a gentle hand on Hollow’s back, kneeling next to Ogrim.

Hollow swallowed the lifeblood, and just hung their head wishing it would work automatically.

They took their hand to themself, and rubbed their missing arm at the long closed shoulder wound as they slowly curled inwards. 

“Hollow, nod up if you’d like to go to bed, side to side if you’d like a distraction.” Ogrim offered to amend his odd phrasing. They pondered for a moment, wishing the medicine would work quicker.

They eventually shook their head from side to side, and got their fathers thinking immediately.

“Distraction, distraction, distraction…well you probably don’t want to read that may require too much focus.” Ogrim pondered, and Hollow agreed with a curt nod.

“And both your siblings are with Father…so we can’t set up Ghost to be silly and entertain you…” Ogrim kept thinking, rubbing Hollow’s back so very gently.

Mato sat in thought as well, and then perked up when an idea fell into his mind. 

“I’ve got something we can do. I’ll be right back!” He said as he stood, leaving the house and making for the stag station. Ogrim was startled by how quick his husband stood and left!

He blinked and he was gone! He shook his head, feeling as if he should know better at this point to try and predict that man.

“Oh, Mato…” Ogrim smiled, as he continued to comfort Hollow. “Would you like me to set you up some pillows by the couch?” Hollow nodded, so Ogrim stood as well and got to work.

He gathered pillows from around the house, making sure not to touch Ghost’s emergency pillows, and piled them around the foot of the couch.

Then, the tricky part. Ogrim prepared himself to move Hollow from the kitchen to the living room, starting by putting out their barely started fire with a splash of water.

Now, to move an aching Hollow...

Ogrim wrapped his claw around Hollow's back, and offered the second for them to take in an attempt to stand.

They gripped his claw tight, and attempted to pull themself into a kneel. This did not pan out, under their strain they fell back onto their rear.

Their head flicked back in what would have been a yelp of pain, but no sound was to be heard. Just a wave of splintered soul washing through the air, startling Ogrim enough to let them recuperate.

Tears of void dripped to float away, absolutely breaking Ogrim's heart. 

“Here, allow me-” Ogrim slid his claw underneath Hollow’s aching legs and let them wrap their arm around his neck for further support.

With a “Hup!” Ogrim lifted Hollow into his claws and carried them to this pillow pile, ignoring their sharp fingers digging into his unprotected neck.

Slowly, at risk of sending more painful sparks around Hollow’s sensitive body, Ogrim lowered them onto the pillows.

He made sure their back was square against the foot of the sofa, supporting them in that position to rest. “Is this okay?” A small nod.

“Are you sure? Would you rather lay all the way down?” A small shake of no.

They slowly moved their fingers, and thought of pulling their arm in to sign but the movement of their shoulder made the entire area buzz with a pain that they yearned to smack with their other hand but that just made the pain worse!

They tensed up and hit themself on the chest without thinking, alarming Ogrim immensely. He gently put his claw onto Hollow's shoulder, yearning to truly comfort them.

“Oh my dear, my strong river, Mato will return swiftly with a distraction to help, I’m sure!”

After a while of sitting in the pain and warm comfort of their father’s words, Hollow heard the door open. Both of them saw Mato approach with arms full…of leaves. 

“...Mato. Why do you have...so many leaves?” Ogrim couldn't even comprehend what his idea was meant to be. 

Mato knelt in front of Hollow, catching his breath. “This is something- I used to do- as a boy-”

He set them down in Hollow’s lap, and all they could do was observe. Mato picked up a leaf and held it up where the trembling child could see.

“You can sort them by color, by shape, by left or rights, but I was always so immersed in the texture I would forget all about my woes.”

Ogrim grit his mandibles loosely and whispered to Mato, “Darling, I do not think a physical distraction is what they wish for-” 

Mato blinked, and realized what could be an issue, “Oh- Oh Hollow if you don’t wish to do this you do not need to strain- Oh, I’m sorry-”

Hollow lifted a hand, quieting both their father’s worries. They plucked up a leaf, and observed it as their pain continued to shake them.

They tossed it in front of them, and sifted through the pile slowly.

Ogrim and Mato watched as they slowly sorted the leaves…by size.

Small on their left, medium in front, and large on the right. Their breathing, once labored and difficult, slowly tapered into weary. 

They sat by them, helping them keep the piles from spilling over and making a mess. Mato told stories of his youth and how this was his distraction when life was boring or stressful.

He’d sit outside his greenpath home and sort leaves by the garden until Sly called him inside for dinner.

Ogrim could only chuckle and tell tales of how he did similar things, but instead of leaves he used stones.

He would create little holders in his burrow’s floor and sort them by irregular shape, and then bury them when done to do it again later. 

It led to many a scolding from his Baba when it would then create dry spots for them to fix, but it was a hard habit for him to crack.

“I guess we all enjoy fitting things into a place, however it needs to be.” Mato chuckled at Ogrim’s memory. Ogrim rubbed the back of his head, blushing a bit. “I guess we do!”

Hollow clapped their hand on the floor, and pointed at their work. They had not been listening to a word, focused deeply on sorting instead of the pain.

“Oh wow, that's great!” Ogrim beamed at them, clapping his claws together in pride. It seemed their pain still persisted, but it only vaguely clouded their mind instead of holding it in a vice.

They scratched at their phantom arm, moving their hand up to their shoulder to give it a rub. 

Mato moved to reinstate the distraction. “Do you want to try sorting them by color now?”

Hollow nodded, popping their fingers against their neck. “Don’t…don’t do that, it could worsen-” Mato started to say, but bringing up the pain could moot the point of distraction.

He silenced himself and helped Hollow pile the leaves back onto their lap.

They would sit with them as long as they needed, because both Ogrim and Mato wanted the best for their children.

Watching over them and bantering to each other was something they loved to do! They’d do it until the candle burns out if they could.

Cuddled close and comforting, it's their favorite state of mind.

Chapter Text

The husbands of the Howling Cliffs.

One of many titles that could be passed to the Knight and Nailmaster who housed in the desolate waste and made it into a home.

Husbands, warriors, fighters, survivors, all apt words to describe both bugs as they lived life with gusto.

If one was intimidated by their massive stature, they may not be able to realize one more that tends to encapsulate their minds.

The title of “Father” they wear like a badge of honor.

They both had stories of adopting their children and it was a wonderful coincidence that the children they adopted happened to be siblings.

So when they married their family got to form into a perfect little bushel.

When they weren't with their children they adopted from dangerous walks of life, they were observing the nature of their world. 

It took the bugs to a baldur’s nest in a cave connecting their world to the rest.

The edge of life in the world, back in its brooding season. 

---

“Any yet, beloved?”

“No, I don’t see. Can you tell?”

Ogrim sat next to Mato on their little cliff that gives them a full view of the creatures.

They sat with a snack in hand, a basket of cookies, Ogrim occasionally tossing out gracious amounts to them without making them privy to their presence. 

“No, but look, is that one the elder? Still gravid, I bet. I give it a few more sleeps.” Ogrim tried to gauge, but Mato rolled his eyes.

“I truly believe that's from you tossing down too many cookies. Baldurs don’t eat cookies.”

“My mother said she ate cookies ninety-nine percent of the time when brooding with me and I was healthy as a prize Piflip!” 

“Well, was your mother a Baldur?” Mato sassed back, and Ogrim just pushed him playfully.

“No, but they deserve a treat!” He tried to justify, and Mato just retorted, “Their eggs are coming out with sugar highs.” 

Ogrim pushed his bandanna down, and they both broke into chuckles. “Ho ho hoo- Okay okay, that could be true, I’ll slow down on the sweets with them.” He relented, and the two of them scooted closer to each other, continuing to enjoy their food.

They ate, cuddling close and watching the brooding Baldurs go about their lives. They spoke lightly about the babies, and Mato got a little quiet.

“Dear?”

“Hm…?”

“Something on your mind?”

Mato shook his head, a small smile on his face. “Oh…nothing large. Just thinking about those early years. My memories are so so fuzzy of my own. I’m surprised you remember so much about life when you were so young.”

“Well, I did have someone who could tell…” Ogrim blinked when he realized what he was saying “...me…about it, oh-”

Ogrim covered his claws as the rest of the sentence fell out of his mouth. “Sorry, dear, that was insensitive!”

“Bah! Not at all to me.” Mato gave his love a firm pat on the back.

“I understand that Sly would have very little stories of me as a baby, considering I was a bit of an older child when we met. It’s just a fascinating state of mind to me. Infancy. So small, so tenacious, so dependent but so resistant to the idea at times.”

Ogrim nodded, “I know I was so thrilled to grow up, pursue my dreams, but I never knew how much I’d miss those simpler days.”

“Agreed.” Mato nodded, “It must be odd, though.” Mato put a hand on his cheek, falling deeper into these thoughts.

“Yes?” Ogrim encouraged him to continue, giving him a short loving look. 

“To be the parent watching the children go through the end of infancy and grubhood…it makes me wonder. Does my father mourn not seeing it? Do I truly wish I got to see it too with our children as well?”

Ogrim hummed, and noted, “Well, the kids are still growing. We still get to see them grow up and blossom into eventual teenagers in Ghost’s case or eventual adults in Hornet’s and Hollow’s.”

Mato couldn't help but smile, “I cannot imagine Ghost as a teenager, don’t- do that.” He laughed a bit.

Ogrim laughed too, as Mato sighed with a small shake of his head. 

“I’m thrilled for all of those challenges but does your mind not drift in curiosity of the challenges or milestones that came before? Did you know Hornet before her first word? Did Ghost have someone to witness their first step? Did Hollow-”

Ogrim coughed, getting Mato to stop that sentence with a “Sorry, sorry…”

Ogrim gave him a pat on the back, and spoke, “I do think about it. I do think about how in a life I could have had my own little nursery, roll my own nest balls, and wait in anticipation for all of those challenges.” He picked up one of his cookies and bit into it.

“It’s a fun thought, but it never came to be, and I like how we are now. If I met you ten years earlier, maybe I’d have liked to face them with you, sure.” Ogrim leaned into Mato, and they embraced side to side.

“We’re not getting any younger, and we have three beautiful children. Our blood may not run in them but our hearts do, and we can imagine realities where more tiny feet chase dust through the house all we wish but we know who we are.”

Ogrim nuzzled into him, “Personally, I am very happy with the three, and I’m proud of how we conquered all the challenges we’ve faced so far, yeah?”

“...Yeah, you’re right dear.” Mato smiled, “Oh, but I do love those thoughts. I really do, but I agree. It warms my heart to imagine more of you, but so very tiny rolling all over the place at top speed getting stuck in the cookie jar. I am glad we adopted but come on…think about it!” He playfully pushed his head, teasing.

“I have told you that outcome on our wedding night, beloved.” Ogrim gave him a smirk of a look, and Mato raised both hands.

“I know, I know, It’s just a thought experiment.”

“And I love all of your thoughts, as I love all of you.”

Mato looked down at the brooding baldurs, and watched them snuggle close and get comfortable in their nests. To become parents again, a life they recreate over and over.

It was a nice thought, but Mato knows now not to bite off more than he can chew, for everyone's sake.

“I love you too. All of you.”

Chapter Text

The only noise in the hut was the slow drip of water.

Mato had hung the cleaned kettle to dry, its water slowly leaking into the dirtied basin water.

He looked at his reflection in the water, and felt his arm. Snug in a tight bandage after removing its sling.

It had been a while since he and Ogrim went on their journey of burying Ogrim’s dead, and a while since Mato suffered a large injury to it.

A sentry tossed their lance deep into his arm, and he used it to win the battle, apparently.

His brain went into such a state of hazy adrenaline, he could hardly remember the entire thing. But orange, orange had a way of sticking into the mind at times like these. 

He reminded himself he felt very awake, but his mind wandered.

It wandered, and he didn’t know what to say to himself about it.

He ripped that lance from his arm. He shoved it as deep as he could into a soldier's eyes.  

Was…was it too much? Did anger from his brothers justify such an act of force on someone lost to the plague of the world…? 

Mato couldn’t help but feel…like a bad person. But then he heard a voice from the one he’d do it all again for.

His best friend.

“Mato? Are you well?” 

Mato startled, and turned around to see Ogrim looking at him with concern in his eyes. “Oh, oh Ogrim, my friend, I thought you went burrow scouting…”

“I came back for a rest, and had a heavy feeling lingering in my heart.” He moved and sat with Mato in front of the dripping kettle. They watched the water trickle one drop at a time.

“You seem like your mind is weighed down with thought. I wonder if you’d wish to lighten it with me?”

Quiet lingered in the air, and it made Ogrim immediately feel awkward. “Ah…sorry, I didn’t mean to impose…If you don’t-”

Mato shook his head, “No no, ah, I’m sorry…It’s just…not easy to talk about. I don’t have many words.”

“Well…you can try in a few.”

Mato blinked, and looked at his reflection in the basin once more. "...Am I cruel...?" He spoke in such a small voice for a bug his size.

"What??" Ogrim almost gawked at what he said, and Mato just put his hand up to his face, feeling so embarrassed.

Mato covered his eyes with the palm of his hand, turning away. “Noo no no, forget I spoke, that slipped out, I shouldn’t-”

“Mato, you are not cruel! You’re one of the kindest people I’ve met-” At that, Mato let out a humorless laugh, still covering his eyes. 

“Kind people don’t do the things I’ve done-” Mato shook his head, pinching the bridge of his mask. 

“Like what??” Ogrim’s voice went hotter than he thought it would, and that made Mato wave his hand like the answer was truly obvious.

“It’s…-” He gestured to his arm, and Ogrim blinked, “Your arm? You’re cruel because you were injured?”

Mato’s frustration grew, and he couldn’t help but just blurt, “I’m cruel for blinding that sentry before bringing death upon them!”

Ogrim tapped the floor with his claw, trying to comprehend where Mato was coming from, “Mato, they were going to kill you first! In the heat of battle, death happens.”

Mato just turned his head, trying to focus on his reflection but just stared at the dark brim of the water.

“It’s perfectly natural to defend yourself when the infected attack, I’ve had many soldiers try to enter Isma’s grove- and I’ve had to watch them learn why they can’t- These cases are heart-breaking but you can’t beat yourself up for-”

Mato’s brow furrowed as Ogrim kept talking, trying so hard to filter his thoughts. “For doing the right thing for your health! It would have been so much worse if you didn’t!”

Mato growled and pushed the basin, sending a spark of pain up his arm that he took like a fresh new stab to the heart.

“I’M NOT UPSET THAT I KILLED THEM!!” He screamed at Ogrim, who jumped back in alarm at his friend’s outburst.

Mato breathed heavily, hot tears blinking in his eyes. 

“I’m upset. That I gave them no dignity-” Mato gripped his fist, and pointed it up, “I’ve disgraced the nailsage law and I can’t handle that!” He brought his fist down on the hard floor of his hut, making Ogrim’s eyes waver.

“Blind in death and dying slowly, not even to an art, just my thick head…” Mato closed his eyes, putting his hand over his mask to hide his fast-falling tears. “How can I not be cruel for that…?”

“Mato…” Ogrim watched his friend cry, not knowing how in the world he could try to make this better.

He really couldn’t, because if he’s learned anything in this journey of friendship so far, it's that you cannot change the past.

You can only live with what it teaches you.

“...I’m so sorry, and my heart aches knowing you’ve been burdening yourself with this pain for so long since we returned home.” Mato looked at Ogrim, a small peek through his tears. 

Merely because Ogrim did not say “returned to your home.” Simply…home.

This is home.

No words came from the nailmaster, but he didn’t tense as hard as Ogrim would’ve thought when he put a claw on his knee. 

“What you did in the city, it was…a manifestation of growing rage and resentment at the situation we were both in, I know that much. Control is a hard thing to maintain in moments like that, so-”

“But!” Mato tried to interrupt and his voice was wavering enough for Ogrim to hush him, “So, your soul may feel stained, and you may feel cruel, but it's nothing you cannot repent for, if you’d like.”

“R-repent?” Mato finally looked Ogrim back in the eye, blinking with his tears still dripping down.

Ogrim took his hands in his claws, a gentleness Mato felt he did not deserve. “If Nailsage Law was broken, then one can repent, can they not?” 

“Well, uh-”

“Then join me in prayer, and let the nail forgive your sins, is that how this works?”

“I uh…I can try.” Mato sniffed, letting Ogrim hold him dearly. They both closed their eyes and bowed their heads.

“Should I lead this prayer?” Ogrim asked softly, and Mato spoke just as quietly, “I’d like that…”

Ogrim took a deep breath, and began, “Oh, gods of the nail, hear us as we offer sincerest sympathies and ask for forgiveness. This nailmaster before you, in a moment of bravery and tension, strayed from your path.”

These words made Mato’s grip tighten, as he closed his eyes harder in pained shame. “While helping a poor soul in a moment of grief, he ended the life of another in a way that, while a spectacle, was harmful to himself and compromising to the other's soul leaving their body in a timely manner.”

Mato sniffed as he tried not to sob, hating hearing that come out of Ogrim’s mouth but he knew Ogrim would not censor it in prayer. It was just laying it out to let into the air. 

It was his sins.

“Please know, with the sharpness of your minds, oh gods of the nail, that this nailmaster is an amazing bug who works hard to claim his seat at your side. I am sure you will welcome him with open arms as he works to forgive himself and better himself with your many wisdoms.”

Mato almost opened his eyes at this, not expecting it. He sniffed more, not knowing what to think about it. 

“This nailmaster’s soul is one of explosive light, and when threatened it will zap and kill and it will do so beautifully, so look not at it with ignominy. Look at it with understanding, and look at it with grace. And please, look at it with kindness.”

Ogrim rubbed his claw back and forth, comforting Mato with the motions as their heads bowed closer together. 

“This soul saved the life of a knight who was lost without it, so no matter what sins it collects, or how cruel it makes it, please know it’s the sweetest one you could ever judge. Carry the wounded, and carry its shame, but blame not the soul pushed to a limit.” 

Their heads touched, and Ogrim could feel Mato’s silent sobs. “Amen.”

Once the prayer ended, Mato’s sobs gained a small amount of noise as they moved to hug. His tense shoulders shook and Ogrim could feel the pain radiating through the nailmaster as they embraced. He rocked him to and fro, allowing him to cry.

Once Mato’s sobs turned to small wheezes, Ogrim asked with a playful tone, “So, how’s my monster feeling now? A little better?”

Mato sighed, wiping his tears away. It was all he could do. 

“...yeah.”

Chapter Text

Going back to the City of tears was the hardest thing for Ogrim.

It was something he felt he needed to do, but it was the hardest thing.

He knew the bugs who survived the infection were trying to cling onto the idea of keeping the city intact, but they had a lot of needy and not a lot of the needed resources. 

So he and Sly would build crates of their excess and he would deliver it.

Mato would catch him by the claw on his way to Ole Stag, and press a long kiss onto his cheek.

“Be careful out there, I know how you get…” He’d always say, and Ogrim would respond the same way, “Go to the kids, I’ll be just fine.”

Mato would look at him with those deep caring eyes, kiss his cheek once more, and do as told.

Ogrim would just…wait, and have Mato join him.

But this is something he does alone, to not worry him.

Mostly because he knew how his love felt about the city, and its environment and its memories.

It was all much for the nailmaster as it was for the knight.

Overwhelming. 

Deafening.

Painful.

Leaving the knight to grip the box tight to his chest as he tried to quell his feelings so he could focus.

He needed to focus.

Focus on finding what you always come here for-

“My friend?” Ogrim heard, blinking sharply.

“Ah-!” He looked down and saw Ole Stag trying to look back at him, “Are you well?” He asked, concern seeping into his weary voice. 

Ogrim yelped, jumping off of the saddle to give the Stag’s face a hug. “Ah yes, yes I am perfectly fine my friend! Big journey ahead of me, that's all.”

“A delivery to the Safety Center is a big journey?” Stag gave Ogrim a knowing look, and received a headbonk of affection as an answer.

“Indeed!”

Stag sighed, and just told Ogrim something he’s heard a million times coming to this stag station.

“Be careful, dear one.”

Ogrim’s eyes shined with a hidden worry, and he gave him his biggest smile. “I will, I promise. I’ll be just fine.”

And with a wavering deep breath, Ogrim briskly walked into the rain holding the package tight.

It wasn’t a long walk from the Storeroom to the Safety Center. It was built not too far from the old Nail Forge.

Ogrim meandered around the path, peeking around corners as he towered above the dwindled population still bustling about with their umbrellas hung high.

He ducked his head and squeezed his way into the center, passing by cots that lined the area.

Bugs laid on them. Some slept, some rested, a few wept and all of them needed the help he was there to provide.

Ogrim was welcome in this place, being a knight and all, the people who ran it recognized him and he couldn’t be happier.

So he made his way to the back of the building, into a private area where the saints lived.

The bugs who still knew of medicine, who still cared enough to try to bring reform to the city.

“Mikoto? Anton? Jeremiah?” Ogrim called a few names and only one answered. A small bug of a woman opened an adjacent door and her eyes lit up at Ogrim’s presence.

“Oh, Great Knight!” The common beetle ran over and hugged Ogrim straight on, and he just had to laugh, “Penelope, where’s your brother? I thought you went back to the crossroads already?” 

“Ah, we had to switch places, Miah wanted to go…visit home first to, well…make sure it’s safe!” She let go and clapped her hands, but Ogrim could see the worry.

An older brother scouting ahead, likely wishing to find and bury any dead before his sister could see. 

It reminded him of his love. Just wanting it all to fall as softly as it can.

Penelope took a deep breath, and tapped his crate. “Well, never mind that! What’s this?” 

Ogrim let out a small “Oh!” Before placing it on the ground. “One of my father’s specialties! Six washed blankets, four containers of shell paste, a mess of bandages, and a bag of dried vegetables for stock!”

Penelope dug through it, beaming. “Oh and new cloaks!!! Thank you so, so so much, dear knight!” Ogrim blushed at being called that.

It was odd, nowadays.

He likes the praise, but he feels odd being a lone knight. 

“You’re very welcome, miss Penelope.” Ogrim gave her a bow, and looked left and right. “May I ask something?”

Penelope was already sorting the goodies, grabbing a quill to write “Vegetables” on the bag. She paused and gave him her full attention! “Oh, of course!”

“Have you seen a tall bug by the name of Ze’mer checking in around here? Or…Or any menderbugs at all?” 

Penelope thought for a minute, and shook her head. “The only menderbugs that have checked in here have been on business. A Mender Berri and a Mender Henri, I believe.” 

Ogrim’s heart dropped, and he looked down. “I see. Thank you, Penelope. You enjoy the care package, and I hope it helps you in your saintful journey to aid those in need here.”

He tried to make his leave, but Penelope stopped him, “Great Knight!” Ogrim halted, and was shocked when Penelope handed him one of the blankets.

“If you’re looking for a specific Mender, I saw a gaggle of them pass through the spire. Maybe you can catch a pair and inquire before they bury themselves in rebuilding statues!”

Ogrim’s eyes sparkled, this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “Oh, I’ll be sure to do that! Thank you!” He said with more heart in his voice, but looked at the blanket. 

“I can’t accept this, you-”

Penelope just grabbed his claws and held them back from giving it back to her. “You never know.” She spoke with a wisdom beyond her years, and went back to sorting the supplies.

“Have a great eve, Ogrim. Thank you again!” She smiled, letting the knight rush out the door.

Finding a lingering menderbug would be great! They gather so often but scatter so quickly: if anyone had any clue of a “Mender Hegemol” it’d be any of those menders!

He held the blanket tight to his chest as he briskly walked through the rain, trying his best not to slip but it kept beating down on him. 

He only slowed down to step over a puddle that looked quite deep, the spire looming over him.

This spot was a special spot, it's where he got Mato to finally open up to him and…where they promised to move forward together.

To not let the past weigh them down or hold them back.

Where he held Hegemol’s helmet heavy, like he held this blanket that was slowly getting more weight from the water.

He couldn’t linger on it though, he could see a Mender at the other end of the Spire’s entrance! Just a bit closer and a conversation and he’d-

He…heard a sob. 

He could see the Menderbug, standing there reading a stone. All he had to do was ignore it and go to them and have his answer.

One more bit of closure…

But, he looked towards the crying. He had to.

It was his duty.

He saw at the first elevator leading to the spire. It was broken, like the glass above their heads long swept away.

It had been replaced by a memorial of sorts, pink roses and white poppies bundled together for those who perished inside. 

A small, sickly looking bug was sobbing into their hands at the base, over a painting they had seemingly just placed there.

Water was leaking through the ceiling, steadily dripping down onto their fragile body.

As Ogrim approached, their cries turned into small coughs. They sniffed, and tried to wipe them and keep their eyes covered as if that would change anything. 

He looked at the painting they placed, and recognized it well as the Watcher.

Not being able to listen to the bug choke and cry, he fluffed out the blanket and gently draped it over them.

This started the bug into looking up at him, and he was startled too!

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn't mean to scare you!” The bug, dressed in a noble purple, just wiped their eyes again as if trying to make themselves presentable.

“It’s alright…I know why you’re here, and you need not gather yourself. This building deserves to be mourned and your tears may fall to ease your heart.”

He offered a claw, and the bug, without a word, let him adjust the blanket to dry them off as they continued to cry.

Eventually, they spoke, their words slurred with half-healed sickness. “I loved him- I loved him and he’s gone-” 

Ogrim nodded, and kept a grounding claw on them. “The world is unkind…” He tried to speak so softly, knowing they likely have a pounding headache.

“It’s unkind, but to love and lose is better than never loving at all, hm?”

The bug sniffed again, shaking their head. “I’d-rather keep loving-” They choked another breath, holding the blanket tightly.

Ogrim gave them a weary smile, “Hey, I didn’t say that wasn’t an option…Loving is something we will never really cease doing with our lost dear ones…I know they’ll forever keep loving you, that I’m certain.”

This got a small nod from the bug, making Ogrim smile a bit more with his eyes.

The two of them sat together in prayerful silence, until Ogrim realized time may be getting away from him.

He had to leave gracefully, and hoped they enjoyed his company.

“I’m very sorry for your loss, and I hope you find much healing and hope in the future.” He gave them a small side hug and went to stand, but they pulled him back down for a proper hug.

As much as their feeble hands could, at least.

“You…are an angel of a pure light…” They whispered to him, and tears blinked in his eyes faster than he could process that sentence.

“Thank you…” Ogrim went to find a name, but they gave it to him. “A-Ambrose.”

“Thank you, Ambrose.” Ogrim let them let go, and asked with sincerity, “Do you need any assistance getting home? Or?”

“I…stay at the center, but I-I think I’m to stay here a lil’ while longer…” Their words were still slurred, but a bit less as their tears lessened to small drops mixing with the water overhead. 

“Get back safe, alright? I’m sure your love will very much enjoy seeing it.”

This made Ambrose sniff again, but they nodded.

Ogrim took his leave, passing into the construction zone that was the eastern city. 

The menderbugs had long cleared out for a shift change…he’d have to wait to ask about Hegemol.

He could wait here, but as he passed over all the rebuilding, he thought of the little bug he just sat with.

He thought of his memories, and he thought of everything he’s been through.

All that he’s lost…and all that he’s gained.

And while wiping away a tear, he decided.

“Whatever you break: be an item, your armor, or if your body and psyche collapse within…I will help you, but I will certainly never judge you or force you into a shape you are not or should not be.” 

Hegemol…

“Be careful out there, I know how you get…”

Would want him to go home, and be with his husband. He’d want him safe. And sure, he’d love to see him, he’d love to find his closure. He wants it. 

So bad he wants.

But Ogrim knew when he needed Mato, and he knew when he needed to try and be him too.

When to stop, and help someone else cry. To pause the rain and let it filter before it flows.

Before it overflows on himself and causes irreparable pain. Before it sweeps him away and makes him disappear.

As he walks quickly to the stag station.

As he once stared into the abyss of the wastes.

As once did he stare…

Plus, Ogrim thought to himself as he caught himself at the entrance of the stag station.

As he couldn't stop himself from kneeling, breaking into sobs from all of his wants and all of his needs piling heavy on his heart…

He’d really, really, really like one of his beloved hugs.

Chapter Text

Ogrim knew the battlefield like an old friend.

He knew how to strategize professionally and how to inspire his other fighters to rally up and tackle the common foe. He knew how to give a pep-talk to a worried soldier to convince them to stare death in the face and rise above it.

All of those strategies left his brain when he looked at Ghost sit, covered in dirt, as they ate their dinner. 

Ghost…was a fun child. They had a distinct sense of humor that shined through even their worst of times. They were fast, quick-witted, and tenacious. Precocious even!

They were very…stubborn as well. 

Mato and Ogrim looked at each other, knowing they would show all of those qualities with what would come after dinner time.

There was no getting out of it, only getting through it without too much grief.

So, with a careful patience, Mato spoke as Ghost got to their last few bites. “Oh, baths after dinner.” 

Ghost immediately smacked their bowl down, looking at him incredulously. Mato just took another bite of his stew, not looking at them.

“Why??” They asked, and Hornet answered bluntly before either of their parents could, “Because you smell like a rancid crawlid.”

“Hornet-” Ogrim spoke quickly, and amended, “It is everyone’s bath day, isn’t it? So how about you go first, and then Hollow, and then Ghost has to go.”

“Play first!” Ghost demanded, and both parents knew exactly what was going to happen. “After we do our dishes, then of course we can play until it's your turn, Ghost.”

Ghost grabbed their dish and tried to run off with it. They also tried to grab Hollow’s but they weren’t even done!

They yanked back their bowl and just said, “Bath, stink.” Making Ghost’s void swish in annoyance. “No!” They waved, and Mato just pulled Ghost back, “Dish in the basin, come on now, let's be calm-”

Ghost put their bowl in the basin of water and gave it a few little swishes with their hand to loosely clean it before scampering off to grab their beloved Bumble.

They tugged Mato’s cloak and he chuckled. “You want to play Bumble Ball?” He asked and they nodded excitedly. “Ogrim, you got the dishes?”

“Only if you got table scrubbing.”

“Of course.”

The washroom’s door shut behind Hornet as their plans commenced. Ogrim and Mato cleaned around the kitchen, playing with Ghost in pauses between.

Mato bounced the ball back and forth with Ghost smacking it out of the air with Bumble. They then chased it, making Mato laugh.

Ogrim gave Ghost play ideas like making Bumble a shopkeeper and buying the ball, leading to Ghost pretending to haggle with Bumble with a fierceness he knew they best not show Sly.

The two husbands shared a glance as Hornet finished quickly, leaving the washroom in clean pajamas, gently rubbing her horn cracks with a towel.

Hollow went in straight after her, bell in hand in case pain in their head makes washing their horns hard. Or if they fell. 

Ghost kept playing, as dishes were stacked, and the table was scrubbed to a shine ready to be dirtied once more with breakfast.

The inevitable loomed. 

“Want to play a game to see which one has to pick this one up?”

“We do it together-"

“Yeah, but who picks this one up?”

“...Ohhh, deal.”

Mato and Ogrim proceeded to set up a laundry bin and sit by Ghost. “Whoever makes the basket gets to be the one to not pick it up.”

Mato smiled, and handed the ball to Ghost. “You can go first, my child.”

Ghost beamed, and made the toss. It missed completely, rolling back to Mato but he still gave a clap for their efforts. 

Mato picked it up and made a better effort, but the ball still missed. Ogrim had a glint in his eye. He picked up the ball, and made a perfect throw to see it go into the bin. 

Mato groaned while Ghost jumped up and gave Ogrim a hug. They signed in his arms “Good Job!!” 

Ogrim chuckled, but it was a short-lived joy as Hollow finished in the washroom, slowly shuffling out of the way to sit on the couch before their legs betrayed them for walking without their cane. 

“It’s time.” Ogrim smiled, and Mato sighed as he grabbed the child.

Ghost’s heart dropped because they knew what this meant. They started immediately wiggling in Mato’s strong arms as he carried them towards the washroom.

Ogrim followed behind to either catch them if they broke free or close the door behind them.

They smacked Mato’s arms, not hard enough to hurt but enough to give a small sting. “Ghost, you do this every time-” Mato couldn’t help but complain as the child tried to turn in his arms but his grip was too tight.

Ghost just shook their head, pushing away. 

Mato walked into the washroom, and Ogrim hurriedly shut the door. They were against locking it, but weren’t against making sure Ghost couldn't reach the handle. Which was most doors with a handle. 

Ghost hit Mato’s arm one more time, and they turned in his hold to set off a spell. A dark ball of void shot from their face into the tub.

It splashed in the water, sending it everywhere. 

Ghost’s tension lessened as that took so much energy just to do little to evade their fate. Ogrim grabbed the basin of warm water and topped off what Ghost spilled. 

“Nice try, kiddo. Valiant effort.” The tired Ghost was set down on the edge of the tub, anger still seeping around them as Mato removed their cloak.

He gave their horns a little rub, and said gently to them. “You like the hot water, right? We can sit in it as long as you please.”

Ghost rubbed their eyes, and signed sluggishly, “No water, on heart.” 

Mato looked at their chest and saw the spot where their shell was warped. Malformed. A large bulge (compared to the rest of their plates) sat, and Mato had always assumed it was their heart.

“I’ll be gentle, my little one.” Mato promised, rubbing his thumb over it.

Ogrim felt the water with his claw, and pressed it to Little Ghost’s shoulder. “Too hot?”

Ghost, feeling defeated, shook their head. “That’s great. Hop in, dearest.” Ghost crawled into the tub, and the water immediately covered their chest and Mato could tell it made them cringe.

He put his hand in the water and gently massaged the plates around their chest, and he could see them visibly relax. “Is that uncomfortable?” Mato asked, taking his hand away.

Ghost shook their head again, and the fathers let the child sit in the nice warm water to relax for a moment. 

Ghost leaned against the edge of the tub, swimming about and splashing the water as they adjusted. 

It wasn’t until Ogrim handed Mato a little box that Ghost got another burst of energy. Inside, Mato pulled out a brick of soap.

Breaking a bit off and placing it in a cloth, Mato rubbed it until suds formed in their little warm pool. 

“No!” They tried to sign, but Mato was too quick. He brought the rag down and oh so gently rubbed it around their face. Ghost smacked, using the water to push backwards in an attempt to flee as if the soap burned them.

“Ghost!” Mato called, as the child tried to leap out of the tub, sending a wave of water into Mato’s lap. 

That is why they close the door and have both of them present. Ogrim caught Ghost before they could have a nasty fall, holding them to his chest. “Shhh, little one. Shhhh.” Ogrim hushed them, sitting down by the tub.

“You cannot fight cleanliness forever, my darling shadow. I know it stings, I know. But we’d never hurt you if it wasn't for your benefit.” He comforted them, but they still wiggled in discomfort. He placed them back in the tub, grabbed the cooled bath kettle and poured it over their head to get the stinging soap off. 

“But-” Ghost tried to sign, breathing heavily as their poor little heart rolled in their aching chest, “But why…I saved the world- I killed the bad stuff-” They signed, so tired and wired. 

“I’ve killed a god too, my dear, but that doesn't mean I don’t need to bathe and it doesn't mean I get to skip my duties.” Ogrim rubbed their little head as Mato kept scrubbing around their body, trying to do it quickly despite him loving that sentence. It was a wild thing for him to imagine!

“We love you so much, Ghost, and your sacrifices will forever be adored and we will be in your debt for all of time. But we love you enough to make sure you don’t walk around smelling like an abandoned mineshaft with all the dirt you like to play in.”

Ghost whined with their hands, but Mato just kept going as quick as he could so he could free his child from the misery.

The water was eventually dirtied, and grew cold. The shivering Ghost was rinsed off with fresh warm water. Mato lifted them out of the basin and Ogrim wrapped them in a towel as if they were a little grub taken from a tiny bucket.

They looked at him with tired eyes as he gave them a little kiss on the head, “You disobedient little rascal, what will we ever do with you?”

Ghost wiggled a hand free and signed. “Snack...”

“I don’t think you’re awake enough for one anymore.” Ogrim chuckled, and Mato chimed in, “Haven’t earned one-” as he dried off his body from their splashing.

“That as well.” Ogrim nodded, and Ghost just buried their head into the towel as they were carried to bed.

Clean, begrudgingly.

Ghost was a fun child, they had a bold sense of humor and a strong personality. 

And as their fathers dried them off, and made sure their head-cracks were dry and clean as they chose their sleepwear, they knew.

“Snack? Snack? Snack snack snack-”

They would forever be very, very stubborn.

Chapter Text

Life is full of simple pleasures. Simple joys. Simple love.

It was what Mato appreciated the most as time seemed to blur in the endless wastes. 

One of those simple pleasures was that he now had a boyfriend.

Mato blinked awake and his first thought was "I have a boyfriend." He recalled that they had a talk about deeply loving the other and now he had a boyfriend.

He stared at the ceiling, mind buzzing with both anxious fear and euphoria. 

He wondered when he could ask for a kiss.

Simple joys. Simple pleasures. Simple bugs.

This couldn’t be simple, Mato thought so loudly as he sat up. Their first kiss,  it had to be special!

He was still flabbergasted that Ogrim reciprocates his feelings in the first place!

He racked his brain to try and figure out exactly what he could do. He had moments of fawn, sure, but he has never had a romantic relationship before.

He had been too focused on his family and his training. His brothers had more experience than him, so he tried to remember what he saw from them.

Though, Sheo was rather private with any boyfriends he had growing up. Rarely brought them home or even told Sly. Oro would wonder with Mato if they were even real.

The one that hailed from a different kingdom was definitely not real, but they could never be certain. They never did snoop around enough to find any of the letters he claimed to receive...

Oro’s experience didn't help him much either. He dated one moth before the tribe all but vanished a few seasons later.

The relationship didn’t even make it past a seasonal change before Oro stormed in and told them that his boyfriend called him a cringer for calling his dad a cringer.

That caused them to break up.

Sheo laughed while Mato was confused at why that would be a deal breaker since it was true. Oro didn’t talk about romance much after that.

So Mato was left staring ahead, trying to think of what in hell he was meant to do to make a first kiss special.

It had to be like the storybooks, just like he dreamed! Oh he could cry, he needs it to be so very dreamy!!

Thinking of his dreams made his mind run so quick, as he got his day started.

He dreamt of being with a knight.

He dreamt of spending a life together.

He dreamt of those kisses, ever sweet.

He dreamt of holding the knight dearly and letting him know that nothing can get through him to hurt his heart ever again.

He dreamt of an altar.

He dreamt of a ceremony.

He dreamt of a marriage-

Mato burst out laughing, blushing even though he was alone. Ohhh, a marriage! A marriage, Mato! He thought to himself, so tickled.

He would play these games as a child, and marry himself to his stuffed toys to become a king or a knight by proxy. He loves the idea, but he was grown.

He had to act it, and make sure Ogrim would want it to be. So he has to be good enough, and make it worth it. He wants him to retain these feelings after all!

So he tossed on his cloak and racked his brain as he put together a breakfast. What did the books do in acts of romance….

Bartleby made his love a feast of a picnic, leading them gently with their eyes tied closed with a blindfold.

“My love, where are we going?” They asked, giggling as their feet were guided over gilded stones.

“To the spot of our dreams, my dearest.”

Mato nodded, and knew what he was to do. He had a plan.

---

Ogrim excitedly walked into the hut, ready to have another steady day, as far as his heart could hope. “Hello, Mato!” He called, as per their routine. A bowl of water was placed into his claws, right on time.

“Welcome, Ogrim.” Mato smiled, watching his boyfriend chug the bowl of water immediately. 

“I have us a small outing planned, if you like.” He jumped right into it, and it made Ogrim stop to breathe a bit sooner.

“Ah- before hunting?”

“I think we’ve hunted enough to last us until late in the candle’s dripping.” Mato put his hands together, clasping them nervously.

Ogrim looked at him with those bright eyes and it took so much mental energy for Mato to not just kiss him now. To leap into his claws and pepper that adorable little face full of the bonkiest little kisses.

He had to refrain. He had to make it special.

Ogrim just smiled and finished his water, “I’d love to go on a fun outing with you! Though, I do have something to-” 

Mato waved, and pointed up in excitement, “We can do that in a moment, this is very very important!” He grabbed his little hunting basket, and Ogrim could tell it was heavily cleaned and full of something else.

“Alright…let’s go!” Ogrim beamed, putting his bowl down and letting Mato take his claw to lead him.

“My love, this is divine!” Bartleby's love beamed at the view. It was the brightest of city lights, as they dined on

a cliff above the hustle and bustle.

“I can’t believe you did all this for little ole me!”

“I’d move heaven and earth for you!”

Mato insisted he trust in him and close his eyes, so Ogrim walked blindly along the cliff’s rocky pathways with nothing but Mato’s hand to guide him.

Eventually, Mato grabbed him with both hands, giving him a tug as if he was walking backwards. “We’re here!”

His voice was adorably elated as he let go. “Keep those eyes shut for a moment!”

Ogrim chuckled as he heard the swooshing of a blanket, rocks moving and dishes clink together. He knew what was happening and he knew it was going to be oh so cute.

“Nooowwww, Open!”  Mato called, and Ogrim listened.

In front of him was a lovely picnic. It was just some tiktik sandwiches and some pre-brewed tea but it was so quaint, simple and made Ogrim put his claws to his mouth. 

He hadn't had a kind gesture like this in a lifetime. It made his eyes go misty as he smiled at Mato, “Oh, Mato! This is so nice!” He grinned as Mato offered his arm and he took it to be led to the comfortable blanket.

“These sandwiches have cooked tiktik mixed with a special sauce that I am blessed to still be able to make! And of course our favorite tea, but it's a little cold-” Mato rambled, placing one on Ogrim’s plate and pouring the tea into a bowl. 

“It’s splendid, Mato. I don’t mind a cold tea at times. It’s quite refreshing!” Ogrim took a bite of the sandwich, and blurted, “Oh that's so good-”

Don’t kiss him yet don’t kiss him yet don’t-

Mato just grinned at him, making his own plate. “I figured you’d deserve a little treat after everything. Call it a, uh-” Mato blushed, so Ogrim finished a sentence. “It’s a lovely date, indeed.”

DON’T KISS HIM YET-

“Yes, Yes a date! Our first date!” He felt so warm in his head, he had no idea how he was keeping himself reigned in, especially as Ogrim kept giving him little smiles.

Oh, this was their first date as well…Anxiety shot down Mato’s back as he thought of good ways to make it special.

“This uh- I picked this spot for a reason-” Mato started, and gestured his hand towards the cliff's edge. He picked up his plate, and held it close.

It was a lovely view of the faraway city of Dirtmouth, the lights barely glimmering in the distance. “A remarkable view!”

“It’ll get better.” Mato smiled, taking a bite as if it was going to instantaneously happen. It didn’t. They sat in silence eating as Mato waited for what he wanted to happen to actually happen.

It was taking his time.

By now in the book he remembered Bartleby whisked his love into his arms, kissed passionately and ran off to a happily ever after!

This was just…simple. 

Quiet.

It made him tense, and a bit upset. 

He stared off into the distance until Ogrim put down his plate, cleaned barring a few crumbs and took a sip of his tea.

He broke the silence with a “You know, Mato. This spot gets me thinking about something I found today.”

Mato blinked, and looked at Ogrim. He put down his tea and fiddled with his claws. “It was on my walk to you, actually. I had to pick it up.” 

Mato just…took in Ogrim as he talked. He looked at this bug every single time he opened his eyes but as he spoke he just processed him.

His body, his shape, his movements, his voice.

It was something he knew if he didn’t have it near, he’d be awash with uncertainty and sadness.

“I thought you’d like it.” He reached his claws into his armor and produced a medium size smooth shiny stone.

It was quite pretty, but its color blended in with most others. Its defining trait was the clear glaze it seemed to have compared to the rest.

“So this is my gift, to you, for being such an amazing bug and always helping me when I need it most….” He placed it in Mato’s hand, and he rubbed it with his thumb.

“And...I love you,” Ogrim said…and then placed a small kiss on his cheek. 

Mato’s eyes widened. That was their first kiss.

Tingly twinkling built behind his head, but he couldn't see it past the mass of love barreling him over with the simple gesture.

Tears quickly built behind his mask, and he gripped the stone as he curled into himself. “Ohh…” He tried not to sob. 

“Mato! Oh- Do you not like it? I’m sorry, it’s silly-” Ogrim tried to comfort him, scooting closer to try and make him look up to properly apologize.

Mato just slapped the rock down on the blanket, grabbed his head and pressed his own against Ogrim’s fluffy face in the hardest, longest kiss Ogrim’s experienced in his life. 

As they kissed, lumaflies migrated across the breadth of the view, illuminating their loving form with gentle pulses of blue.

They didn’t notice, eyes closed as they stayed locked in a tight hug. 

The long kiss ended, and turned into a small kiss, which turned into another small kiss, one after another peppered onto both of their foreheads.

Eventually, they opened their eyes and saw the light zipping away, but it didn't matter.

They didn’t need the beautiful view when, in both of their opinions, the bug in front of them was the best one to see.

Mato placed one more kiss on Ogrim’s head. 

“I am so deeply in love with you. I hope you will always feel the same…I…worry for that…” Mato said so softly, breath stolen by the romance. 

“Oh Mato…I’ve loved you for so long and I will love you for longer. I promise, I always will.”

Mato blinked more tears away and pressed more kisses onto his head, giggling with him the entire time. It was truly special in its own way.

"Oh, my love!"

Bartleby scooped his love up into his arms, carrying them away to their new home in the city. His love giggled in his arms, pressing kiss after kiss onto his mandibles and up his chin.

FIN

To close the page and open another…

Despite not being straight from a book, this first kiss and first date made Mato truly believe in a happily ever after. 

Thanks to one simple sweet gift that was Ogrim’s dear extraordinary heart.

Chapter Text

Ogrim and Mato noted one thing about their children’s little home. The inside was steadily getting homier, but the outside was…plain.

Barren.

They had all the fun in the world decorating the inside, the fathers wanted their children to have fun decorating the outside.

So they hatched a rather adorable plan!

“Kids! Come outside!” Ogrim called to the kids, startling one and waking the other two from a nap.

Hornet rushed outside, worried about what she was going to see. Ghost and Hollow rubbed sleep from their eyes.

The children saw their fathers standing there with a pile of stones and a bag of flower seeds by their sides. 

“What’s this??” Hornet was confused, but secretly thankful it wasn’t some disaster. Hollow and Ghost trudged out, still sleepy, but Ghost’s eyes brightened when they saw rocks.

They rushed to the rocks and immediately started grabbing them, a small one close to going in their little eyehole. 

“Nnnnot for eating-” Mato stated, taking it from them. Ghost pouted, crossing their arms before saying, “But for why!”

“Because Rocks are not food, little one!” Mato tried to state but they turned their head away. 

“These rocks are for a little project I thought we could all share a part in! I’d like to add a little garden to our home here, if you three would enjoy that.” Ogrim explained, hoping the eagerness would hold.

“Plants…for home?” Hollow signed slowly, leaning on their cane for support.

“Plants for home right outside your window!” Ogrim gestured, and Hollow wiggled their fingers in excitement.

“I take it you're interested?”

Hollow approached the stones, and sat next to them. Picked one up and waved it in glee.

Hornet smiled at her sibling’s mutual enjoyment of the rocks, and chuckled, “I guess I will join.”

Ogrim and Mato both beamed, and got to work.

---

Ghost adored digging a big clearing for many flowers and a few crops of vegetables with Ogrim’s help.

It was mostly Ogrim using his claws to do big sweeps and they used a shovel (plus hands!) to help smooth the edges. 

Hollow sorted seeds and picked out the spots as they shakily wrote labels on sticks. Their eyes beamed in pride as they finished up one for a small crop of carrots.

Hornet helped Mato carry the rocks, placing them around the clearing decoratively. She enjoyed rotating them until they fit perfectly.

“This looks good!” Ogrim put his claws on his sides, and Ghost copied by putting their very dirty hands on their hips. This made Mato chuckle, moving to dust Ghost’s side off. 

“Is it done?” Hornet asked, not believing something like this could be achieved with a single session of work. 

“Looking good doesn’t have to mean it's done. This garden can change and expand how we please, honeyweb.”

“Plus we need to actually plant the seeds.” Mato chimed in while attempting to dust Ghost off really quick.

Ghost raised their arms, too excited to actually make things bloom to properly clean up.

They rushed over to the seeds and grabbed a bag of them, hoisting it over their head…to immediately fall backwards and spilling them everywhere. 

“AH GHOST-” Everyone cried, rushing over to grab them and the seeds to continue the garden and make sure they were okay!

---

The children gathered and excitedly planted the seeds, letting Mato do the honors of giving them a gentle water. “Not too much, or else they’ll drown.”

“Only want that to happen sometimes.” Ghost chimed, and Mato gave them a very confused look. 

“Child-” Before Mato could ask if they understood what drowning meant, Hornet piped up, “Where’s Father? I thought he loved this part of the gardening process?”

Mato looked up, and they heard a distant thunk, dink! Thunk, dink!

The four of them stood and looked around the corner, seeing Ogrim place down a stone and smash it into the ground with his claw. It perfectly wedged into the dirt, and he scraped it to make sure it wasn’t jutting out too high.

He placed another stone down and repeated the process. “Father?” Hornet called, and Ogrim looked up from his task. “Oh, don’t mind me! I figure this would tie the whole design together!” He continued, and Mato smiled when he realized what his dear was doing.

“An adorable light grey path from the door to the garden! Leading us all to our prosperity, once it blooms!”

Ghost rushed over, and stood on one of the little rocks, admiring it. “Beautiful!” Ghost signed, touching the smooth stone. 

Ogrim smiled as Ghost started grabbing stones and trying to continue the path, and Ogrim allowed it. The path meandered and was not straight, but it led to the loveliest of gardens. 

Hollow tossed down the rest of the seeds and gave them a little clap with their leg, proud of their accomplishments as a family.

“I will say, it ties the outdoor aesthetic together.” Hornet smiled, admiring their hard work.

Ogrim smiled, and put down the last rock to cement the path as complete. “It brings our family together.”

As time goes forward, sprouts form in the homely little garden.

Weeds are plucked and trimmed to keep the flowers and produce alive, but the entire family admires the little wildflowers that grow beneath the grey stony tiles. 

Admire them, to let them grow ever higher!

Chapter Text

Greenpath was a lovely place to live, and a lovely place to visit.

It was lush, full of life and had such fertile soil that food was rarely an issue once the world's illness began to heal. 

However, it didn't make it the safest place to live either. From acid ponds to sliding boulders to giant predators who could bite the head off its prey after toying with it, it catered to the careful. 

If you aren't careful, you're dead. 

And it’s lucky to be big, because you’re harder to squish. The small must grow stronger and tenacious to compete.

Not impossible to become stronger than the big, but it takes so much time.

Not all creatures have that time.

“Think Sheo will like these tomatoes? They’re so green-” Ogrim fretted, turning them over in his basket as they walked the verdant paths.

“You like them when they’re cooked.” Mato spoke, stretching his arms to hold the back of his head.

“But…he doesn’t like cooked tomatoes in that way, only in soup. It’s like he doesn’t even want to eat these, they’re less ripe than the ones you cooked for me!”

“Please, Ogrim. Fret not with my brother’s opinions…” Mato sighed, moving to hug across his shoulders.

Ogrim sighed, snuggling into Mato’s side. “I just want to make your family happy,  you know that.” 

“You make me happy, and isn’t it you who tells me my happiness is all they’d need?” Ogrim gave him a little push, smiling, “Oh, you know what I mean.”

Mato chuckled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “If Sheo doesn't like the tomatoes he specifically asked us to pick, then I’ll beat him up, how’s that? Hm?”

“Stop ittt-” He laughed as Mato punched lightly on the thin spots of his armor to prove how eager he was to fight.

The two giggled in their playfulness, until a third noise joined their cacophony of joy with a melancholy squeak- squeak!

Ogrim halted his laughter in an instance, hearing it.

“Mato, stop-” Mato kept punching him, circling around him like the game was still on. Ogrim grabbed his hands and hushed him, “Listen, my love-” 

“Huh-?” Mato’s smile faded at his dearest’s renewed fretfulness. Ogrim handed him the basket, and took a big deep breath to get a big smell.

“Blood…” He muttered under his breath, scanning the green path before them for the cause of the noise and scent. 

He ran his claw over one large bush, and moved it. Shook his head, and kept moving forward with slow intent. 

“Ogrim, are you alright?” Mato approached and grabbed his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. “Something’s in danger.” 

That made Mato more alert as he helped in following the squeaks of pain. Bushes pulled open, brush cleared from corners, little crevices searched. 

Until Ogrim found its source. 

“Beloved, come here!” He called, getting Mato to rush to his side. He saw his dear looking forward with horror in his eyes and worry in his brow.

“What is it?...oh...” 

The two bugs saw a truly sad sight. A mosscreep with the lower half of its body caught under a rock, the pile having toppled over its sleeping form.

Its squeaked intensified when it heard their presence, the presence of predators who needed to eat the prey.

In any normal case, this would be an easy meal. A quick kill. Food on the plate. 

Ogrim knew he had to act.

“Mato, come grab its head and hold it steady while I move the rock! Now!” The basket of tomatoes was tossed down as Mato listened, loud and clear.

With gentle hands, he held the mosscreep by the fuzzy little head. “Good and secure!” He pressed down as Ogrim lifted the rock with his claws.

He shifted it and threw it away with a resounding thud! 

The mosscreep squeaked, and tried to kick its little legs to run free, but it was still being held by Mato. 

“Ohhh, oh little thing!” Ogrim knelt down and saw the thick green blood on the grass, shimmering with the light of Unn within it.

“Mato, this isn’t great- Oh its poor little leg!!” 

Mato looked at the scene, and hummed. “Try to lift its leg, tell me if it can kick it. I need to know if it can survive or if we need to have mercy.” 

Ogrim touched its leg as gingerly as he could, despite the blood running down it. It gave a swift kick and brought its little fangs down onto wherever it could.

“Ah! It nipped me! Ouch!” Mato moved his hands, and tried to keep a good hold. “It has movement!” Ogrim smiled a bit, despite his husband getting a nick.

“I have bandages and can pad it with a few leaves, just uhm-” Mato held the squirming squealing mosscreep tight, trying to not let it flee with the wound so severe. 

“Swap me places?”

“Oh yes! Come here, little thing!” Ogrim grabbed its head, letting Mato move to the things's backend, pulling bandages out of his cloak. 

He held the poor thing's leg straight, using a leaf to press against it as he wrapped the bandages around it. It should help keep its fragile shell straight.

As he worked, cleaning the little thing up, he heard Ogrim begin to speak to the mosscreep. He was surprised it wasn’t trying to nip him too, it just put its head down and whimpered.

“Oh, brave little bug, you’re doing so well. You are the strongest mosscreep in the entire kingdom, and you will come out of this a stronger bug, I promise it.”

The mosscreep just squeaked in tired pain, and Ogrim gently put his forehead against its little head as if he was comforting one of their children after a nightmare, “Oh shhh shh sh, we’re here, the hurting will be over soon, don’t you worry. You’ll be just fine, yes you will.” 

Mato smiled as he hushedly comforted the creature, securing the bandages with a gentle tug. 

“Okay, you can let it go. Let's see if it can walk.” Ogrim gently let it go, and stood up. “Try, little thing. Live for us!” 

Mato smiled, moving to hug Ogrim as the mosscreep gingerly stood. It gave a high-pitched squeak, and its tiny legs trembled because of its lingering pain.

It moved forward slowly, before disappearing into the bushes without another passing glance to the bugs who saved its life.

Mato wished he had some crackers with how it reminded him of another Mosscreep he’s seen in his life.

So docile, despite its fiery little nibbles.

“Oh, what joy!” Ogrim smiled as the bug wandered away, finding a new patch of foliage to bask in.

He turned and hugged Mato tightly, making Mato smile so wide as he hugged back. “I’m so pleased we got here in time.” Ogrim said as he gave Mato a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re darling and a gift to this world with your sweetness.” He stated, in his classic blunt manner. Ogrim blushed and laughed, giving Mato a coy little shove.

“I mean it!” Mato beamed as Ogrim picked up the basket of green tomatoes.

“Let’s get to your brother's house and wash the grass and poor things residual blood off your hands, shall we?”

“Indeed, mosscreep blood has quite the sap like texture- Did you know it’s actually one of few beings I’ve seen with protective blood?”

Ogrim linked his claw into Mato’s arm, and shook his head, “No, tell me all about it, love.”

“Well! Mosscreeps are one, their blood emits this tacky sap consistency which can stick together Vengefly jaws, dissuading them from being eaten in small sections! And-”

Ogrim prepared himself for a lovely lengthy listen.

---

They safely made it to Sheo’s house, carefully navigating around the delicately gardened spiked vines. They approached his curtained door, and Mato gave a knock on the side. 

“Brother, we’ve arrived!”

“Everyone’s decent!”

Mato and Ogrim came in at that, gladly respecting the boundary. Sheo extended his arms to his brother, and they shared a big hug.

“Oh, Mato! Ogrim, hello!” Nailsmith smiled, wiping his hands clean with a cloth as he stood to share a hug with Ogrim as well.

“Was the trip smooth for you both?” Sheo asked as he let Mato go. “More or less, we got you those very unripe tomatoes for you!” He handed Sheo the basket, making him beam.

“Oh! These are going to make a perfect still-life!”

“What's the plan for after the paint dries?”

Sheo grabbed one and gave it a squish, it was hard as a rock. “Oh, in a few sleeps, these will be just squishy enough to be put in a soup.”

“I see! Ogrim had the same idea.” Mato chuckled as he and Sheo watched Nailsmith and Ogrim begin to chatter about Nailsmith’s latest clay project.

“Huh, that’s neat.” Sheo nodded, and Mato noted his tone. “Though, something happened while we were heading here.”

“Oh, are you alright?” Sheo asked, looking at his brother one more time as if he missed an injury. He did see the green on his brother's fingers, but knew that did not belong to him.

“Ogrim went out of his way to spot and help an injured little mosscreep. Its leg was crushed under a rock and he was able to comfort it while we bandaged its injuries. It nipped me a bit.” Mato grabbed one of Sheo's paint water buckets to wash his hands, doing so swiftly.

Sheo put his hand to his mouth, shocked for the poor thing. “It was alright, yes?”

“Oh, just fine. Waddled off like it had a cracker in its mouth and no resounding attachments.”

That made Sheo snort, blushing a bit. “Ohhh stop it, Mossio lives on in all of the feisty little mosscreeps!” The brothers both laughed, Mato giving Sheo a sharp pat on the back. 

"Do that with a wet hand again and see what happens." That made both brothers laugh even more, Mato drying his hands on Sheo further.

Sheo’s laughter died down, and he looked down at the tomatoes. Then at his brother-in-law conversing with his love, and how much he cared for the mosscreep it seemed.

Sheo’s a simple man, with simple goals and an aloof complicated heart inside. He tries to be kind, but knows often that he could come off cold to those who don’t often deserve it just because of his straight-tracked nature. 

He thought about the hurt mosscreep getting immediate treatment and care, and figured Ogrim would do the same for him or anyone he ever loved.

It was admirable.

Sheo found Ogrim admirable. 

“Hey, Ogrim.” Sheo called, carrying the basket to him. Ogrim hummed, looking up, “Yes?” 

Sheo gave Ogrim a pat on the shoulder, and held up the basket of tomatoes. “I think it’d be fun for us to do a portrait doodle before I start my still life. Would you like that?”

Ogrim’s eyes shined and he looked back and forth like he was asked to join Sheo in an epic journey. “I’d love that!” 

Sheo smiled, and grabbed a tomato, tossed it in the air just to catch it. “Sit. This will be fun.” 

Ogrim clammored to sit on their art stand, one that Nailsmith often sat (or slept) on. Sheo placed a tomato in between his horns and it balanced perfectly. 

“Meant to be!” Mato poked fun, sitting next to Sheo’s easel as he set it up in portrait alignment. “A good mix of hues.” Nailsmith agreed, the green on the blue on the red.

“This will make a very sweet little piece, indeed.” Sheo grabbed his sketching tool and began. 

Ogrim looked at the three of them chatting and laughing as his likeness was slowly put on the canvas, trying very hard to not move in his happiness.

He loved his new family so much, his heart could overflow. He’ll always and forever look out for everyone who needs his heroic heart.

Always.

Chapter Text

It’s been several sleeps since Ogrim and Mato joined their relationship into that of a union.

A beautiful wedding with beautiful people.

Healing people.

Loving people.

A moment to last a lifetime.

Ogrim woke up on the third sleep, and sat up with puffy eyes. He shook Mato awake, whispering to him.

Delicate whispers.

Hurried, hushed whispers.

“I’ve forgotten something important-”

So with his love holding his claw so tight, Ogrim shivers as his love walks with him to the stag station.

It was time to make a crucial visit.

Ogrim felt the lovely little flower crown his children had made for him, a wedding gift.

He wore it to comfort himself as the two of them walked through the station. 

To the Resting Grounds.

They walked a path together, a path they hadn’t walked in what felt like a lifetime.

“Here we are. Are you sure you’re ready?” Mato asked Ogrim, hugging him close and pressing his forehead to his.

“I’m…yes. I’m sure.”

They approached a large helmet, a nail stuck in front of it with delicate care. “...Hello, my friends.” Ogrim started, moving to sit on the floor in front of it. Mato took a seat nearby, but gave Ogrim space to feel. 

It was just him, his friend’s helmet, and the nail one left behind.

If spirits surrounded him, held his claws, hugged him, cheered in joy that he was visiting…he wouldn’t know.

He could hope.

“I miss you all greatly, daily even, do I think of the times we’ve spent together.” He rubbed his chest, taking a deep breath.

“I hope you four are doing well, no matter where you are, and uhm, oh…” He put his claw to his forehead, feeling it as it started to ache.

It makes the crown on his head crinkle crinkle, gently in the cool breeze. “This…this shouldn't be hard to talk about- it's one of the greatest things that have ever happened to me but…”

Ogrim wiped his eyes, sniffing. “Oh, to have you four here in that moment. The thought of not being able to have you anywhere but my heart…hurts. It truly does.”

He sat in these thoughts for a minute, before switching to a bittersweet smile. “But, the time I’ve had in these moments, you four must hear.” Ogrim’s shiny eyes gleamed in pride as the tears still dripped down.

“I was wedded recently. Wedded! Me!” He tapped his chest, as if it was difficult to believe anyone would. “My husband is one I’d adore to properly introduce you to. An adorable nailmaster by the name of Mato. Very renowned, and giving.”

He held his claws close, a small blush coming across his face. “He…saved me, after I lost you four. He really did. And I am lucky to call him a love I’ll carry for a lifetime.”

He put his claws down, not sure what to do with them. “The wedding was at this little quaint Stag Station in Greenpath! Isma, you’d adore it, it was full of thick and loving vegetation. Made for a lovely backdrop for us to gain our blessings.”

He laughed, and pointed forward. “Dryya, my flower, oh you’d adore our blessings. Our little Hornet is still a spitfire and has grown into a beautiful young woman, and dear Hollow, timid at times but fierce when they need to be. Then we have beloved Ghost, found by Mato wandering the wastes on a journey: they have your chaotic but kind deep inside likeness.”

He clapped a bit, remembering, “Oh and Hegemol, you’d love my new father-in-law, he’s a riot. An old fly with a big heart and I am greatly honored to be a part of his family as well, I know you and him would bond over knick-knacks and metal-working appreciation.”

Ogrim tapped his chin, chuckling a bit. “Though, you might find his frugal methods funny. He’d give you a major talking-to for how you’d slice your apples and waste the core, he taught me how you can use the core! Such a good cook!” 

He thought more, finding more things to tell them about his new life, “Ze’mer, I should tell you about my love’s brothers! There’s Sheo, an artist who lives in the greenery as well, so he’s always painting lovely flowers and scenery I’m sure you’d adore! And Oro, an ornery at times fellow but one with a gentle spot deep in his heart. I’ve seen the flower gifted to him, I know its significance and he’s kept it alive. That’s saying something.”

Tears watered the ground again, as Ogrim thought about it all and where he was sitting.

“Gods, it’s all thanks to Mato. I hope you all adore him as much as I do, because I cannot imagine a life where I see the things I’ve seen and still have a shred of hope left if it weren’t for him. In eternal kindness, love, and gratitude, he’s been with me as I figured out what was left for me. I found out it was…mostly memories."

"Ruins of what I once knew. Finding ways to respect, repent and rebuild, it’s been easier with someone so gracious at my side. Endlessly bright and loving, he is my new light: I hope you four would give me that blessing."

"As I hope all of my loved ones will, Mama, Momma and Baba, Isma, Dryya, Hegemol, Ze’mer, I wish all of you could be here with us and share this love because I am so very lucky to get to be here.” 

He wiped his eyes, and looked at Mato. His love had tears in his eyes as well, a blush on his face. “Because he is the greatest bug I’ve ever met, and I will always be happy if I get to be in his world.” 

Mato smiled, and moved to give Ogrim a big hug. They held each other tight, both crying over the simple grave. Ogrim may miss his friends dearly, but he loves the new life he’s gotten to join and create. 

“I miss them, Mato. I miss them so much, I wanted them to be there, I wanted them…”

“Shhhh…I know. I know. I wish they could’ve come, I wish as well.” 

The two cried there until they couldn’t anymore, and when they pulled away, Ogrim had an idea. 

He took the crown off of his head, and placed it down on the dirt in front of Hegemol’s helmet. “My friends, it’s about our time to leave. I wish you rest and I wish you safety.”

Ogrim sniffed, feeling the leaves on it with care. The memory of Hornet placing it on his head was so very fresh.

“I hope Hornet will forgive me.” He said, as he shakily stood. Mato stood as well, supporting him by the crook of his claw. “I’d not worry. She knows crowns like that decay.”

They held each other close, walking back to the stag, leaving the crown and past with the tears of joy and remorse.

And over time.

He’s grown so much, bellflower. I’m so very proud of him. He has proper shelter and people who love him…

The shadows of the past.

Of course he has, and the young ones have too! I can just imagine Hornet’s keeping him straight, if anything, blackthorn.

Linger together.

I’m just glad he’s looking healthy, eating well. His new family sounds like a riot. I’d rather have a frugal father-in-law than nothing!

And remember how to bloom.

Aahh…and he’s surrounded by gentle souls. Le’mer deserves that safety, nao, naoh…that love. Nym’love will protect as his family supports…

The crown joins the dirt, and slowly climbs around the standing nail.

Flowers bloom beautifully around the entire grave. If time and conditions serve it well. 

Life will find a way to stay, even there.

Chapter Text

The kids were hungry.

Ogrim only knew because of Ghost rapidly punching him in the hip with their itty hands.

“Daaaaddddd!!!” They signed over and over before patting themselves on the chest. “HUNGRY.” They stamped their little foot, making Ogrim giggle.

“Easy, easy little one.” He walked around the kitchen, grabbing pots and pans. “Dinner will be soon.”

Ghost put their hands down, storming off to pout in the meantime. Mato passed them, and hummed, “What is for dinner, my love?”

Ogrim placed down the pot, turned to him with a grin, and simply said, “Guess.”

“Oh? What?”

“Guess! I won’t start until you guess.”

Mato chuckled, pausing to think. “Well, we had sandwiches yesterday and had no leftovers. So it cannot be leftovers.”

He snapped his fingers, and went to go look in the cabinets. “Ah ah, that's cheating! You just have to guess!” 

Mato groaned, “No fair!”

“Yes, fair!

Mato tapped his chin, and sat down. “Okay, fine. Let’s see…Soup?” Ogrim chuckled, and shook his head, “Not enough water’s come in yet for soup and tea.” 

“Ah right, Dry season. What about Stew?”

“That requires just near the same amount of water, my love.”

“Right-”

Mato sat down and kept thinking, supplying answers left and right. Tik-Tik Salad? No. Crawlid filets and rice? No. Maybe something meatless, Pickled greens and rice! 

No, no and no!

Ogrim giggled at Mato’s various guesses, loving each and every wrong answer. He decided to give him a few hints, taking out vegetables to be chopped.

Onions, peppers, tomatoes. A full little spread.

“Something indulgent?” Mato smiled, and Ogrim just gave him a small nod. “Curry! It has to be my father’s curry.” Mato was so proud of that guess, but was shot through the heart when Ogrim shook his head.

“Dice these.” Ogrim simply asked, nudging the veggies closer to him.

Mato picked up the knife and started dicing the vegetables., giving him a look of mock-offense. “How is it not curry? That sounds so good!”

“It does, but your father does not put these peppers in his curry.”

“Gah, maybe sometimes?”

“No.”

Mato groaned, and kept thinking. As the bug thought, Ghost tugged on his cloak. He looked down and they signed again, “Hungry! Dinner! When!” 

Mato looked up at his husband, shoving aside the chopped veggies. “Your child is starving, Ogrim." He gestured, barely even at Ghost.

"Whittling away because of your sick games.” Mato jokingly pointed the knife at him, making him look at him with that silly look on his face.

“They will, if their father cannot guess.”  

“You’re cruel!”

“You’re running out of time! Save your child! What’s for dinner!” Ogrim started chuckling as Mato stabbed the cutting board, knife sticking up perfectly.

“How am I to know when a million things could be made with these veggies?” Ogrim kept laughing at Mato’s performative anger, as Ghost kept signing “hungry” in big motions.

“I guess you have a million guesses!!” Ogrim wheezed, making Mato grab him to wrassle a bit.

As they play-fought, dinner progress going nowhere, Ghost simply sat to pout.

They were so hungry, regretting forgetting to eat their snack in favor of extra play time. They were practically starving! And the candle was already burning low!

They were half-tempted to sneak off to Sly’s house for tik-tik nuggies and rice. 

Before they could even process this plan, they felt a familiar small hand rub their head. 

“Now, what’s got us on the floor this time?” The voice made them leap up in excitement!

It was Sly!

Oh, they know Sly will feed them! They gestured at their brawling fathers, who just kept giggling in eachothers arms. 

“What’s going on?”

Ogrim smiled, squeezing Mato tight, zipping his lips. Mato looked down and saw his father, “Ogrim refuses to cook until I figure out what’s for dinner tonight! I am trying to defend our children’s need to eat against his games of villainy! Stop him!”

Sly blinked, and looked back and forth at Ogrim and the pot. 

“Oh, we discussed this earlier with him and I. It’s chili. We’re having chili, right?”

The entire kitchen erupted in both screams of victory and laughter.

Ogrim admitted his defeat, and the four of them bustled in the kitchen to make a nice large pot of chili, making sure to keep the meat separate for Sly’s health. 

Bowls lined the table, and food was dished in the pot. Everyone sat together, and relished the warm dish.

It made Ghost smile.

The silliness it took to make it was worth it, they guessed.

Chapter Text

It was a difficult ask. It really was, for Oro.

To ask for someone to help him pack his things and wrap them to be pulled away. Away from the kingdom’s edge.

Away from the cage he built for himself.

He was glad to find a place to go after everything, but putting all his things in a small wagon was…going to be tricky. 

So he decided that Ogrim would be a good person to ask: someone good at taking a large amount of something, and making it into a nice compact space. 

And if he invited Ogrim…he invited Mato.

Mato’s never seen his home and frankly he didn’t want him to!

Not because it was dirty or anything, but because it was-

“Sad.” Was the first word that blurted out of Mato’s mouth upon entering his home.

It earned him a shove from his lover.

“What? I tell the truth.” Mato squawked, rubbing his arm as if the shove truly harmed him.

“Well, the truth can hurt.” Ogrim retorted, knowing that it didn't.

“No, your shove hurts, the truth stings-” Mato said, matter-of-factly. Ogrim grabbed his arm and gave his hand a kiss, but then shoved him again. 

“Thank you, I predict I would not have been as kind.” Oro gave Ogrim the smallest of smiles. Ogrim put a claw on his chest and bowed slightly to Oro,

“My pleasure.”

Mato shook his head, not understanding why they were shoving him for the truth, but he could always shove back later.

There was a job to get done. 

“Is this really a three person job?” Mato asked, as he picked up one of Oro’s blankets and started folding it to place in his dresser.

“Half of this stuff looks like it floated down the city’s exit pipe-” He mumbled, and Oro simply stated, “I invited your knightly partner. You invited yourself.”

Ogrim was already on task, pushing Oro’s few furniture pieces to the middle of the hut. Adjusting things minutely, making sure it would all wrap together in a bundle nicely to be hauled. 

“Then, if I am so irksome, I will take my seat and wait for you two to finish.” Mato walked to the side and parked himself on the floor.

Oro came up to him and waggled a finger. “Oi, no no! You came, so you will help.” He stood straight and held his hands behind his back, giving Mato a very familiar look despite the many many years.

A look he once gave them in their youths.

“What would father say, hm? When I next visit and tell him of his dear youngest son’s impish behavior?”

Mato looked at him with wide eyes, and then glared. “You wouldn’t!”

Oro leaned down, and spoke ever so softly. “Oh, I would.” 

Mato shook his head and threw it back in annoyance before standing, “Fine! If we’re going to be petty, I’ll cave!” 

Mato walked over to Ogrim and he simply gave him a smile. He handed him a rope, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Tie this for me, beloved.”

“At once.” Mato smiled, and Oro just coughed, “Soft-” and coughed once more.

“I will end you with a pebble!” Mato snapped at him, making both Oro and Ogrim laugh. Ogrim's was his joyous bubbly thing that Mato adored, but Oro's was whispy, torn. 

Rusty.

Mato watched his love laugh, and seeing his brother laugh after so long of simply: not?

It made him smile. 

“Okay okay, enough playing around. We've house to move.” Mato tied the bundle, and got a sharp pat on the back from his love for it.

---

Once everything was bundled up, there was the pressing issue of dragging it all. Oro insisted it was fine to do so, since they wrapped it all up in blankets and the entirety of his home could fit into one big blanket bundle anyways.

Ogrim wrapped the rope around his claws and started dragging as Oro and Mato pushed. 

“This isn’t terrible, not worse than when we were kids.” Oro mused as they got it out of his door. “Well yeah, we were all the size of Ghost pulling a family of four’s home. We had so many books and pots and pans-”

Oro looked down, pushing a bit harder, “Yeah…that’s true.” Oro may not have that much, but he did have quite a bit he wanted to keep safe.

So as they made their way to the cliffs, they made sure the blankets would protect them from the on coming ash storm. 

“Breathe gently, brothers.” Oro spoke to both of them, making Ogrim’s heart flutter, “I need not either of you choke on the kingdom’s decay, at least on my watch.”

Mato almost laughed, “Then father would be the one getting after you.” He tried to joke, and Oro simply replied in seriousness, “No no, I think he’d just grieve.”

Ogrim tugged the cargo a little quicker, getting them off of that topic swiftly. The brothers startled, and got back to pushing with gentle apologies.

They carefully guided Oro’s livelihood above the pits of acrid water, and made it to the other side of the Fool’s Fall without his items being destroyed by a poor soul. 

One did fall right in front of Ogrim to the pits below, however, but merely caused him to scream and rush forward. Oro was just glad it didn't strike anything. 

Mato, however, was very insistent on getting to the other side as quickly as possible now that their guide booked it ahead.

Oro and Mato got the items to the other side, just under a clearing that would take Oro a minute to climb and secure another rope.

At least it was safe from the ash raining down.

Ogrim was taking deep breaths beneath it, still very startled. Mato immediately wrapped an arm around him, “Are you okay?” Mato asked him, softly.

Ogrim huffed a big one, and blew it out slow. “Yes- yes just swiftly overwhelmed. You two were right about that, it’s mortifying to see bugs doing such things to themselves.”

Ogrim uncomfortably itched under his shoulder pauldron, “I’ve led the front lines in many gruesome battles, but the sight never gets easier, you know!”

Mato patted his back while Oro simply looked away, “I know, I know.” Despite the morbid topic, Ogrim just kept itching at his pauldron.

“There’s…there’s ash stuck in there and it's bothersome-”

From death and corpses to a pebble of molt stuck in his armor, that made both brothers blink at the tonal whiplash.

“Oh- oh here, dear stand still-” Mato tried to grab Ogrim’s pauldron and pull, not aided by Ogrim shuffling and tugging away.

“When’s the last time you took this off properly?” Mato griped, at its difficulty to remove. 

“A minute! I tend to wash around it sometimes-”

“Ogrim-” Mato simply sighed, trying to pry it open. Mato felt a tap on his side, and Oro offered his hands.

“Oh…Oh okay-” Mato let his brother in, and Oro used his full hands instead of just his fingers to grip the pauldron.

He yanked it hard and it came all the way off with a loud crrrack! 

“Aaaahhh!!” Ogrim gasped, rubbing his shoulder. Mato panicked a bit, immediately coming back in to check on his shoulder.

“Did that hurt-” 

“No no, it feels fantastic-” Ogrim groaned, finally getting to scratch the area. Oro smiled, and leaned over the edge to tap the pauldron to get the ash out.

“These things are supposed to…detach, aren't they? It came off in a big hunk.” Oro asked as Ogrim slid it back on.

“Oh yes, they are, but I haven't been able to make them do it in ages, it feels . Even Isma struggled to pry them apart.”

“I can imagine.” Oro gave Ogrim a pat on the shoulder, “I get so much ash and soot stuck in my boots, look-” Oro took off his boot, something Mato has frankly never seen him do outside of home. He tapped it on the floor and a big pile of ash came out. 

“Oh ho ho ho!” Ogrim laughed, and gave Oro a playful shove which Mato definitely has never seen him receive well outside of his brothers, “You were walking on that for a while!”

Despite Mato’s worries, Oro simply chuckled and put his boot back on. “It’s uncomfortable and gets everywhere, I understand. I hope this new place fairs better for each crack and crevice.”

Mato looked between his brother and his lover and felt…comfort. He was happy Oro and Ogrim got along so well.

“We best start scaling this wall before Ogrim has to pick sand out of the back of our masks.” Mato smiled at the two of them, making Oro roll his eyes.

“Yes, yes, let’s go.”

The three of them gathered all of their reservations and all of Oro’s belongings once more and set back off to Oro’s new home.

Ready for anything, and ready to be far, far away from anything that causes that much discomfort!

With their new family and slowly strengthening bonds in tow, they’d trudge on to the new horizon.

Chapter Text

It was late in their little Dirtmouth home.

Dishes washed, kids entertained to sleepy silence, mugs piping hot with tea. It was almost time for Ogrim and Mato to crawl off to their little cot and snooze. 

Mato, however, was very good at holding his tea in one hand and finding a distraction with the other.

He sipped gingerly on his mug as he swept the floor of their room, gathering dust into the corner.

“Beloved, I thought you already finished sweeping?”

“Ah, missed a spot.” Mato shrugged, continuing around with the old straw broom. Mato nursed his tea, making his way around the room with it.

Once all the dust was on one side of the room, he smiled at it. “Good…now let me gather it up-” Mato went to set his tea down, much to Ogrim’s chagrin.

“Let dust be dust and come rest, my love.” Ogrim tried to persuade Mato with a gentle whack to their blanket they were meant to share.

“You know I cannot rest without the task being completed. I will simply think of it the entire time I sleep.”

Ogrim could’ve rolled his eyes, but chose not to, and simply smiled. “I understand, but please do not pick up task after task just because you aren’t tired yet.”

Mato snickered, “I make no promises.”

Ogrim groaned a bit, watching his partner clean around the room while he devised a truly wicked plan to get him to rest.

He had it down pat.

Mato was dusting off his cloak before putting it in their closet instead of tossed on the floor when he heard Ogrim give a gentle sniff.

He turned around and looked at him, and saw him lying on his side in a cute little pose. One claw wiping at his eye while the other supported his head.

“Ah, well, I was hoping I’d be joined by the handsomest bug in the world soon, but alas. I will turn and rest on my own accord. Cold without the softest arms, waiting for the sleep I find with my darling husband’s beautiful body warming my own-” He blinked rapidly at Mato, as if clearing the tears from his eyes.

Mato, in-fact, did roll his eyes. “Ogrim, no. None of that, you know it softens my heart.”

He put his cloak away and shut the closet door, crossing his arms at his husband. “That phrasing, you truly think you can bat those pretty eyes and give a gentle whine and I’ll turn to putty in your claws?”

Ogrim lowered his playful posture, worried just a touch that he may have upset him with his phrasing, “Well, uh…Will you?” He hoped he didn’t, and leaned in.

Mato crossed his arms tighter, and sighed, “A little.” 

Ogrim snorted a small laugh, and extended a claw. “Oh my beauty, my sturdy steadfast stubborn sweetheart of a bug, come rest with me! Come to my claws!” 

Mato sighed, and sat down on the cot, immediately being scooped into Ogrim’s embrace. “So warm! So soft! So luscious and absolutely gorgeous may I add!” Ogrim kept peppering Mato with words of kindness, cuddling him closer and punctuating each with a kiss.

Eventually it made Mato laugh, a blush warming his face. “You flatter me! You really do, but I’m still not tired-” Mato chuckled, laying on his side in Ogrim’s claws.

“That’s alright, just being here with you makes it worth it. More time for me to try and get you to swoon.” 

“Ohhh you want me to swoon , do you?” Mato grinned at him, and Ogrim just blushed in return.

Mato pulled out of his claws, creaked the bed by turning to face away from him, and put the back of his hand to his forehead.

“Oh, my darling husband, your words take my breath! Ah!” He dramatically pushed himself backwards and fell with all of his body weight onto Ogrim’s chest and partially his head.

Ogrim merely wheezed breathy chuckles, deep from within. He used his claws to playfully smack Mato on the side as the bug merely pushed further into him, getting comfortable as if Ogrim was an oddly shaped pillow.

“Aaaandd faint-” Mato went limp as if he was a stellar actor, with a smirk on his face as Ogrim hugged onto him. He pulled him closer and merely kissed Mato on the neck.

“Just what I wanted-” He heard from his husband’s breathless voice, and it made Mato laugh more, sliding off him to cuddle into him again. “Cause you like wrestling before bed?”

Ogrim held him tight, as if pulling him to stay that close. “Because I like you.”

Mato smiled, and touched their heads together as he gently sighed. “That’s what I like to hear…”

Chapter Text

Wake up.

Stretch.

Tidy around.

Listen to important joints crackle with effort.

Drink Water.

Leave home to meet at the hunting grounds.

That was the start of both Mato and Ogrim’s habitual routine. Swift or slowly with the aches of their age, they did it with joy.

Always wondering what the new dawn could bring.

They cleaned themselves up, and made for the outer cliffs to meet with one another! The steps were worn, and paths of desire marked the way to their hearts.

To their world.

To their one and their only.

To love.

Hand meeting claw.

Gentle kisses marked by gentle bonks on the forehead.

Hunting.

Cleaning.

Gathering.

Cooking.

All in a similar order. 

Mato would toss Ogrim a taste of the dish and he’d catch it.

Ogrim would take his bowl when Mato’s finished and wash it.

It’s been seven sleeps? Plan to visit the children.

It’s time to sleep? Settle into wondering if Ogrim should stay and snuggle or go back to his burrow to rehydrate.

Habits meet habits meet routine meet stubborn needs for completion. 

Hand meets claw.

Kiss meets forehead.

Bodies meet comforting embrace.

Laughter meets gentle snoring.

Gentle snoring meets peaceful dreaming.

Wake up.

Stretch.

Tidy around...