Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nicky walked through the dense forest solemnly, rain poured down from the sky that towered over him, he sighed, he’d forgotten his parasol, his eyeliner would be wrecked…

Whatever. He thought to himself, as he picked up the pace, briskly rushing to his house amongst the emerald green forest. Whilst he walked. His mind wondered to his house, that he had inhabited for the past year or so, the place that he was in fact, walking too at that very moment.

He reflected upon it, originally, he had been looking for a place in the city, alike most people his age would, why? Cities are social, city’s have things to do, clubs, bars, scenes, everything is within a 20 minuet walk… oh, and an abundance of job opportunities…

But in the end, he knew that realistically, would never be able to afford a place in the city centre, and, when he saw this house for such a good price, it was impossible to decline the offer, besides, living in an isolated forest was weirdly calming for him, it was desolate, quiet, sexy.

Although, oddly enough, now that he thought about it, Mr Wire had never once called it ‘home’. Only ‘my house’ or ‘my place’. And, if he was honest with himself, it had never felt like home either, no matter how much he turned the heating up, there was always a cold draft lingering. No matter how loud the wind seemed to be outside, the house was always silent. And no matter how much he convinced himself otherwise- he always felt like he was being watched.

He cleared those thoughts out of his mind, his house was just drafty, and the material it was built from must’ve been decently soundproof, and the thing watching him?… well- he told himself he would work that out another day.

He fumbled around for the keys, pulling them out of his bag and unlocking the door. His house was a large wooden cabin, quite old, with 8 glass windows, all of which neatly had their places, with 2 on each side of the house.

Nicky twisted the old, rusty knob and rushed inside, slamming the door shut behind him, and immediately lighting a fire in the Victorian fireplace, he felt instantly warmer and dryer as he let the hot air rub over him.

Although, something tingled up his spine, a weird sort of creepy sensation… he shivered… another draft… he thought, likely from a window or a crack under a door, Nicky knew he would have to get one of those things people put under their doors to stop the draft, he imagined how he would get a nice sausage dog one, maybe in pink, or maybe yellow.

Either way, it distracted him from the fact that you could clearly see that his door didn’t have a gap, and was in fact sealed tightly against the floor and the wall while he made his tea, consisting of a cheese and onion crisp sandwich.

As Nicky opened his cupboard and pulled out one of his many crisp packets, he frowned a little as he looked at the cupboard door.

The once sleek, yet rustic wooden door, now had a small scratch at the corner. 3 small lines draping down, about a centimetre at least. Nicky furoughed his brows in confusion as he traces the scratches with his finger. Up. And down. Up. And down. And up-

He hastily retracted his finger, wincing in slight pain as he looked at it, crimson blood dripped down. Nicky plucked a small wooden splinter from his hand and flicked it into the bin- he quickly places a plaster on it, wrapping it around his finger, before resuming to making his sandwich.

It scared him slightly, as much as he’d like to, he didn’t own a pet, and he certainly didn’t make those marks. Nicky sighed anxiously as he bit into his beloved crisp sandwich, trying to convince himself it had always been there.

The crunching of the sandwich was the only sound filling the room. Nicky walked over to his bedroom, he tried to make it feel cozy, comfortable, he had cover the room in posters, he has shelves of books on his wall, and his bed was covered in fluffy blankets.

He grabbed his computer from his desk, finishing off his crisp sandwich as he made sure to shut the door, shutting it and making sure it was completely, fully shut.

Once satisfied that it was close, he put on his warmest pyjamas, and clambered into bed, snuggling under the sheets and opening up his laptop, checking his appointments for tomorrow, a new client… James- a loyal client… couple more newer clients… oh- and a group meeting too…

He eventually flicked to Netflix, watching a show for the best part of an hour before falling asleep.

Nicky slept peacefully, snoring as he slowly breathed, his chest rising and falling.

Suddenly, he jolted awake, a pericing noise rung through his ears, the unmistakable sound of birds screeching. He looked around frantically, the bird song was like nothing Nicky had ever heard before, he covered his ears, the bird screeching louder and louder, he could clearly hear that it was coming from inside his house, he scrambled to the hoover in the corner, not really knowing why, but he assumed that a bird was running wild in his house, and a hoover seemed like a good weapon at the time.

He crept to his bedroom door, slowly, slowly… he took a deep breath before flinging the door open.

The bird noise stopped instantly, Nicky looked around, crouched down, hoover in hand as he looked around, his eyes panicky darting around the place, searching desperately for the phantom bird, creeping around his house until he had covered every room.

He frowned, a mix of bewilderment and fear at the prospect that there was no bird, and that it was either coming from outside or that he imagined it entirely.

He stood in the middle of the room, frozen in shock. Something was seriously up.

Chapter Text

Nicky awoke the next morning after that fateful night, he woke in a cold sweat, a peculiar sensation crept up his back, he looked in the mirror, he could see the bags under his eyes, they were purple, which was never really his colour, he knew that he had to cover it up immediately.

After having a shower and stuff, and 15 minuets or so of applying foundation, Nicky settled for a simple look with yellow glittery eyeshadow that shimmered when he looked directly into the bright sun,  and a bright cherry red lip, with electric neon pink blush and thick neon emerald green eyeliner, which he paired with a massive, furry, leapord print jacket, tight, irredesent golden skinny jeans and a a beautiful flowery blouse, despite the fact that it was winter. Nicky slipped on some furry leapord print socks to match with his jacket, and some crush velvet red heels to match with his lipstick, which he had also put glittery lip gloss over. He wrapped a flamingoesque feather boa round his neck, put on a few diamoned rings and a feathery blue hat on (which was also leapord print). Finally, he put on some black ebony diamon earings that drooped from his earlobes.

Nicky comsumed a bowl of ceral, now having forgotten about the events of the night before, he glugged it down like it was legit nothing he was so unusually hungry, he checked his watch, panic struck through his veins, he was going to be late at this rate, he rushed to the bookshelf next to his front door, he made an attempt to grab his housekeys but... they were nowhere to be found. He looked at the shelf, curoisly, he had sworn he had put them there before.

(nicky pov)

Oh shit! my keys. I thought as I began looking all over my house for them , I checked every cupboard, every shelf, I even checked down the radiator (as they had once got stuck down there before) I stood up and sighed, defeated, I knew I was going to be extremely late for my appointment, worst bit was that the person i was having said appointment with was a regualr- and I cant dissapoint my regulars, I have to keep my loyal customer base up! I sighed and furrowed my brows, as I began to scan my house again. But then, suddenly, the most peculiar thing occured. I heard a squarking, that very same screaming of birds I had heard last night, I froze in fear, my heart beating extremely.

(my pov)

Nicky slowly tured around, shaking in fear, In front of him, he could see a group of 4 cgi birds attacking a plain looking man in a shirt. There was blood everywhere. It strook fear right into nickys soul. The man had a coat hanger, and was whacking the birds as they attempted to gnaw at him. The sound haunted Nicky. EEEEGN ERGN EEEEEEG. the. birds screeched, Nicky covered his ears and ducked behind the sofa to keep safe, He shook in fear as the could hear the ugly squelching of blood.

Nicky stayed like that for who knows how long, only uncovering his ears when the sounds had stopped. He peeped his head around the sofa, expecting to see a pile of feathers and blood. But nothing. Nothing at all was out of the ordinary. His house was the same as it used to be. He slowly crept away from the sofa, standing up and cautiously looking around. Nothing. Nicky breathed a sigh of releif, and deciding it was best just not to question what had happened, he grabbed his pink fluffy parasol, and attemtped to open the door, before realising they keys dialema.

Nicky groaned, knowing he would have to search again, and potentially face well, whatever that was. But then, unexpectedly, Something caught Nickys eye. It was a glint of rusty gold on the bookslef. nicky grapsed the keys in his hand, practically cheering, as he unlocked the door and ran the fuck out of there.

As Nicky walked through the woods, he began to question what partook, after all, how did his keys just reapear like that? he put it down to being half asleep, not being awake and somehow missing them. Nicky sighed, he knew he would be late, it was still early morning, and the sun had barely risen, but if he needed to drive to his clients place, without catching the traffic, he would've had to set off much earlier than now. He chcekced his phone clock, about to message his client to inform him of his lateness. But the weirdest thing ever happened.... he wasnt even late (according to the phone). Nicky was confusled, he had definately spent at least 30 minuets coveringhis ears, and 15 looking for keys. How was it still only quater to 6?!!!!! Nicky shivered, not because of the freezing welsh winter, but because of the various indecrepincies with time.

But he again, shook it off, after all, sometimes our senses of time are just naturally off, right? riiiiiiight?

After a few minuets of walking through the eerily gothic woods, Nicky reached the carpark outside of them, and hoped in his limited edition bugatti. It was a beautiful blue, it had 2 massive wheels on either side, and a small round body. It was smooth, it was sexy, it had been involved in 5 car accidents due to its design.

(timeskip)

after stopping at starbucks for a ghost pumpkin spice frappachino. Nicky literally pulled up at his clients house. It was a fairly large suburban house in a town called Brumely, Nicky rung the doorbell and waited outside, idly.

Within a few moments, he was greeted by parlour maid, Edna, whom he knew well by now.

"Ah, good morning Mr. Wire, Mr. Birling is waiting for you in the East wing bedroom." She said, as Nicky took a step inside, she lead him to said bedroom, opening the door for him. In the middle of the room stood Mr Birling, a Heavy-looking, rather portentous man in this middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in this speech. He was also a hard headed and practical man of business.

Who was cheating on his wife.

Edna closed the door, Nicky to stepped inside, addopting a more sultry tone.

"Well hello Arthur" he grined

"whats up my g nicky, wagwan" replied Mr Birling, a man who, while seeming like a hard headed and practical man of business, was actually an aspiring soundcloud wrapper.

"not much" replied Nicky as he threw his hat onto the floor, aproaching mr birling "you?" he asked, Caressing mr birlings cheek

"still same old same old, sleeping round with Goole and Gerarld Croft and literally everyone else yknow"

"you sly dog!" grinned Nicky "wanna shag now?" he asked, fluttering his eyelashes

"yeah lets" Replied Mr Birling,as they literally took their clothes off and began to frickle fracklle

"damn nicky your legit so hot like-" moanedth mr birling

"ikr" beamed Nicky, as they literally shagged deviously

It was going great, until they heard the doorbell ring

"thats weird, im not expecting anyone..." murmured mr birling, while shagging Nicky

They stopped for a moment, listening in, their faces dropped when they heard the voice of Mrs Birling

"shit! shes back early" muttered Mr Birling, getting off Nicky immediately.

They instantly got dressed, then stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do next.

'Edna! where is my husband!" she demanded, screeching at Edna

They looked at each other in fear, Mr Birling would loose his knighthood if this got out. Nicky gasped, having an idea, he opened the window, getting out onto the ledge and jumping. It was only a short jump, he landed on the ground safely, looking up at Mr Brling.

"thank you nikcy! best welsh prostitute ever!"

Nicky grinned as Mr Birling hastily chucked some cash at him 200quid plus 100 quid tip. not bad. Nicky thought to himslef as he hoped into his bugatti, driving away, he was about 5 minuets away when he realised a terirble truth.

He forgot his parosol.

He then heard a distant scream

"ARTHUR WHOS PARASOL IS THIS- IF YOUVE BEEN SEEING THAT NICKY FELLOW AGAIN...."

Nicky grinned, driving off, when this happened for the first time he thought he would loose a valuble customer.

But now he knew that would just make them crawl back for more, they all do, love the scandal, these type.

And "Scandal", was Nickys second name. Quote that in your GCSE exam.

Chapter Text

Nicky stretched his arms, feeling relieved as he walked into his almost comfortable wooden cabin once again, he quickly fixed himself a salt and vinegar crisp sandwich, being hungry, as he hadnt eaten since breakfast, and the ebony nighttime sky was beginning to creep in, Nicky could see the moon from where he was standing, which he saluted, obviously. He kicked off his heels, and practically flopped onto his comfortable yet old leather sofa, feeling like he could finally relax as he bit into the crunchy, salty perfection, which was, after all, the only thing he could cook. It had been an extremely sucessful day, afterall.

He didnt particularly know how, but he had managed 3 customers that day. Which was amazing for him, as he not only had now made roughly 900 pounds in one day- but now he could spend time to relax, knowing that he had nothing booked for the next week (January being the month where he is least in bussiness, for obvious, resolution related reasons).

Feeling that eerie draft again, Nicky shivered, almost instantly rushing over to the fireplace, and hastily chucking some wood and kindling onto it, before lighting the thing, all while his sandwhich was crammed in his mouth. Nicky paused for a moment, as the beautiful red and orange embers flickeered in his eyes, illuminating the space around him. Nicky put his hands in front of the fire, expecting a warm rush of comfort, but there was none. Only a strange sensation of emptiness, as he looked to the fire to provide him warmth, which it was failing to do, despite the fact that it looked completely fine.

Nicky shurgged it off. And popped on the tv, trying to get comfy on the sofa, about to watch the one show, no doubt, however, almost foreshadowingly, the news flicked on instead. On the news, images of sheer devistation, birds falling from the sky violently, as if they were falling angels, the words of the newsreader blared over the horrific footage.

"This morning flocks of seaguls and crows were found dead in downtown Cardiff on highway 101, the crows and seagals also caused an accident on highway 101, near the 1st street exit. Authorites are investigating the cause of their death."

Nicky flicked the tv off immediately, feeling physically ill, putting the sandwich aside, unable to eat, feeling so ill. How could such an awful thing happen to the skycreatures, he muttered something under his breath about how horrible it all was, and how he prayed to the great moth that they were prospering in the skyland.

Nicky sat back down, feeling incredibly moved, he attempted to ground himself, but it was almost like no grounding could be done, it was abnormal as, he never usually felt this moved when some birds died, or a butterfly, or a moth, or... anything for that matter. He was a;ways sad- but- he was never... this sad... no, something was definately off.... Perhaps it had just been a hard day- maybe it was something to do with the birds and their continuous noises. Maybe it was a combination of those things.

Suddenly, Nicky felt a great pain in his arm, he instantly whipped his head around to look for the source of this, his eyes widening as he searched, he picked up a small, red, plastic lego brick, shaking in fear. It was like someone had thrown it at him, out of absolutely nowhere. Nicky fluttered his eyelashes in sheer confusion as he inspected the brick, which had seeminly come out of nowhere.

He panicked. Were the birds back?! he curled himself up into a small ball and listened out for the noise, the dreaded EEEEEK ENEGRRRR EGGGGGGH. But it never arrived, the tension built up inside of him, he eventually built up the courage to open his eyes slightly.

Immediately being greeted with the biggest, loudest bang he had heard in his life, he immediately witnessed an eagle explode into peices in from of him, dark red blood everywhere, fire, burning, birds exploding everywhere. And standing over it all, was the man with the coathanger, wearing a sternly neutral look on his face. The man glared at him, dramatically as Nicky closed his eyes tightly in fear, praying for it to be over, covering his ears until the explosions stopped.

A few minuets later, the noise dulled and dulled and dulled until Nicky slowly opened his eyes, uncovering his ears. He was confused, looking arround the room, everything was... normal... nothing was on fire, Nicky looked around, distressed and suspicious. He calmed his breathing, closing his eyes momentarily, before fluttering them open, in front of him, to his shock, he saw the man. Standing, with the blank expression, Nicky  huddled at the back of the sofa in fear, the man stood there momentarily, before splitting in half, a random look explosion appearing.

Nicky screamed in terror, despite the fact that no one could hear him scream this deep in the forrest. The mess of blood and 2 halves of the man on the floor, seemingly evaporated seconds later.

Nicky’s breath hitched, knowing he had had enough, he immediately dashed out of his house, hyperventilating, he ran so far until he was completely alone in the middle of nowhere. The darkness surrounded and consumed him as he ran away, like the darkness of the Lonelness of the forrest home constantly ate up his soul and nawed at it.

Nicky sat underneath a tall, unforgiving tree, crying, and lamenting his life choices. Nicky didn’t know how long he was there for. Minuets? Hours? Meet seconds?

all he knew, was the familiar voice, that eventually greeted him

”brother Nicky? Art thine not coming to the temple on this eve?”

Chapter Text

Nicky turned around immediately, trying to retain his compsture as he nodded. He knew the voice all to well, the face matched the voice, the unmistakable green owl he knew as duo was hovering in front of him

”Yes Lord Duo- I was on my way” he said, breathily

”Good. I was simply taking a short stroll” he replied “is everything quite alright?, you seem… distressed…” he queried, raising an eyebrow

“well…. In all honesty, Lord Duo…” he sighed, getting up from under the tree “my mind is… troubled”

”troubled? How so? Walk with me, good Nicholas” Said Duo, motioning for Nicky to stand next to him, the mention of  Nicky’s full name made him flinch, he hadn’t heard the use of his full name in… a long time… Duo being the only one who still used it. Yet Nicky still filnched. Every. Single. Time.

Nicky began to walk with Duo, the eerily quiet woods provided nice company, and the moon shon down in them.

”Lord Duo…. I have been seeing… peculiar things… and hearing them, too. And… I believe my house has been possessed by spirits…” I uttered

Duo gasped, looking at him, shocked

”what makes you think this?”

“I’ve been… seeing birds, hearing birds… and this man…” Nicky said, visibly shook, “the past couple of days… I’ve been seeing explosions, birds exploding into blood… I was even struck by a Lego brick… I- I’m so scared Duo…”

Duo pondered for a moment,

”have you considered this to be a sign from the great moth?” He lamented, Nicky raising an eyebrow quizzically

”I suppose not… I never thought the great moth would approach someone in such a… intimidating way…” he whsiperled, under his breath

”well, the great moth can be confusing in such ways…. Perhaps this is a sigh than he wants you to act… perhaps he wants you to act…”

”on what?”

”funding my business affairs.” Said Duo, sterenely

”Lord Duo, I apologise, but I do not have the money-“ Explained Nicky, desperately , before being cut off

”that is NOT an excuse for your disobedience. As the head of this branch of the Mothman quartet, you must listen to what I say. That ks not up for debate, I am your senior” he said, angrily

”well- well- what are you even going to use the money for?” Mumbled Nicky, cautiously

“None of your business.” Snapped Duo, before regaining his composture “… what I mean is that… you must trust me…”

“i know, I know” sighed Nicky, as the continued along the forest pathway, the looming sky only getting darker and darker above them. It was a starless night. The deep black sky was dull and glow-less. Other than two large, red glowing dots at the highest point of the sky. Nicky and Duo were compelled to look up to it as they walked, while they changed the subject to various members of the intensive religion, how each others days had been, and other meaningless small talk.

They continued like this until they stopped outside a grand, gothic building, a cathedral like structure that was painted completely black, illuminated by red flames all around. Nicky and Duo stood outside, breathless, looking up at the structure.

”it looks amazing, doesn’t it, wonderful” murmured Nicky, under his breath

”mhm” replied Duo “just remember that, how beautiful the temple is whenever these birds appear, think about the temple, and me, and give me cash to launde- *ehem* use for mothman purposes”

Nicky nodded, faking a smile

”well, thanks Duo, that’s really given me peice of mind” he lied, feeling as though perhaps there was in fact, a different reason he was seeing birds everywhere, as much as he tried to convince himself otherwise, the feeling knawed at his stomach, he watched Duo walk inside the temple, Nicky looked at his feet, before following him inside to the temple, which was covered head to toe in imagies and statues of mothman, there was a red glow in the air, and the room was already occupied with the other members.

Nicky walked forwards, and sat on one of the uncomfortable chairs (that had pictures of mothman on). The group formed a circle, looking around at each other, acknowledging each others presences, and deciding to begin.

Duo stood in the circle, and took in everyone’s eyes, staring at him, then, almost instantly, the roof of the temple opened up, revealing the two glowing red spots in the sky.

Everyone looked up momentarily, before simultaneously bursting into song. Addicted to stubs by weird al echoed through the temple, the red dots in the sky glowed ferociously as the chorus began

”might as well face it youre addicted to spuds”

”might as well face it youre addicted to spuds”

the song danced into the sky, as soon as it began, it was over, and everyone held a collective sigh, knowing they had pleased the mothly being.

Nicky was the first to leave, he couldn’t take the feeling in his stomach, he didn’t know if he could go home, he feared the birds and the man would return to haunt him. His breath constantly hitched as he walked, trying to convince himself of Duos perspective, his mind was racing, his thoughts wild, and he hadn’t even gotten two steps from the temple when-

He felt a string hand grab his shoulder.

Nicky gasped, immediately whipping his head around to see-

Chapter Text

He flinched.

Chapter Text

Right in front of him, stood a 6 foot tall cloaked individual. Nicky squinted his eyes, his nerves going insane- all he could see was a… snout?

“Nicholas” greeted the individual in question, greeting him, intimidatingly

Nicky fliched at the use of the name but gulped down his fear

“Yes, sir?” He mumbled, trying to keep it together

“Nicholas, do not be alarmed, but i have been studying you for the past few weeks and I-"

That was enough to make Nicky shiver

"CREEP! IM GETTING DUO" he declared as he marched back inside, before his shoulder was grabbed by the pig-man, causing Nicky to sieze up

"I know your house is haunted." he said calmly and clearly, sending chills down Nickys spine as they stared at each other, blankly

...

"and I know how to help."

"really?" gasped Nicky, desperately

"yes, really" he replied, taking a step forward

At that moment Nicky dropped to his knees, beggng for advice "please! please! I cannot return to my home with this fear..."

The tears in Nickys eyes glistened, the pig-dude could tell he meant everything he was saying. he sighed.

"you didnt hear this from me. but at 3am, you need to go outside your abode and chant the name..." he looked around, almost worried that someone would overhear "Danny Robins 3 times"

"w- w- what?" questioned Nicky as he forrowed his brows and fluttered his eyelashes simaltanueously

The man-pig looked around, panickedly as the air became more noticably tense

"No time to explain, i must leave. Just trust me on this." He growled before dashing deep into the forrests as Nicky looked in his direction worredly, all he could hear was the rustling of branches as the pig-man decdnded into the moonlit forrests.

Nicky stood there, shook, he checked his watch.

2:30 am

He gulped dramatically, shivering in the desolate cold of the forrest at night, thoughts racing around his conventially attractive head.

Nicky feared that this may be his only chance to escapae the hell that was the cabin- but on the other hand- he remembered how from a young age, his grandmother would instruct him not to trust strangers, especially when i came to matters of life and death such as this.

Distraught, Nicky ran, not knowing where he was going, parctically screaming outloud, the air hit his face quickly and it was cold, it was all so cold.

Eventually, he catapulted himself into a tree by accident.

As the sharp pain hit his forehead, Nicky looked up, the moon light shon upon him, he knew mothman was looking down. Everything was conpletely silent, Nicky furrowed his brows, trying to decide what to do. he took in a deep gulp of the beautiful clean air and looked up into the sky, he stood, dizzy from the collision, as he began to take off his hat

then his dress

then his jewlery

then his makeup

then his shoes

then his socks

then his underwear

"DANNY ROBINS DANNY ROBINS DANNY ROBINS."