[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots (18+)

[skinstealer]

Shifting - 2022
Ringor Mortis + B. Comorant, Punch Clock Animal/Universal Constants (Rein Era)
CW: Mentions of sexual abuse/sexual mutilation, ritual abuse mentions, severe gender and physical dysphoria, gender denial, some non-graphic sexual content
Chelsea gets caught.

---

It's quiet in the catacombs, the now-familiar tunnels of the Smiles' mind winding and tangled, soil and stone walls marred with occasional veins of flesh and claw marks. As unnerving as the mental realm is, visiting the Smiles in dreams, even long distance, had become regular for Bucket Judgment, and while they may have been physically apart between visits, the chance to meet again is something everyone involved jumped at the chance for.

The Judgment in question begins scoping around, keeping an eye out for familiar landmarks in hope of tracking down the room of a friendly face. As the tunnels turn and twist, voices can be heard- ones they were very familiar with, but....clearly unhappy.

BAZIL: -can't fucking believe you. 
BAZIL: Cannot fucking believe you- 
CHELSEA: Bazil- 
BAZIL: No, I don't want to hear it.

BUCKET: Chelsea? Bazil? 
 

The dog follows the echo, keeping a good pace. The voices stop, only for the sound of people approaching to take their place. As Bucket speeds along, they reach a clearing- Bazil storming in around the same time.

BAZIL: You picked a hell of a time to show up, Buck. Chelsea's really gone and done it now.
BUCKET: Pardon? Gone and done what exactly?
 

Before Bazil can reveal the object carried at his side, Chelsea bursts in and tries to take it away from him, the two grappling and snarling at each other. 

CHELSEA: I-It's nothing! 
CHELSEA: He's just- 
BAZIL: Fuck off! 
CHELSEA: -being ridiculous!
BUCKET: Please don't fight...
BAZIL: She touched my stuff! 
CHELSEA: Just- 
BAZIL: No! 
BAZIL: No, you don't get to try and good guy out of this one, you know what you did was messed up!
BUCKET: Could I get filled in further than this? 
BUCKET: What was touched?
CHELSEA: Don't- 
 

Bazil manages to wrangle away from the karacel, shoving her off with a warning zap. 

BAZIL: This.
 

In his hands is a leather harness Bucket had seen on many occasions to Bazil's room in the catacombs, complete with the piece of silicone the pockitt had spent months refining the shape and size of.

Realizing exactly what it is, the dog has to try hard not to blush. 

BUCKET: I'm certain there's a reason....
BAZIL: This is- this is my thing! 
BAZIL: My stuff! 
BAZIL: She saw it one time and I guess she's just been biding her time to snoop around- 
CHELSEA: Bazil-
BAZIL: And for fuck's sake, put it on! 
BAZIL: It's a complete intrusion of my privacy!
BUCKET: Chelsea? 
BUCKET: You have to have a explanation, no?
 

Chelsea's jaw snaps shut, her gaze settling far away from Bucket's. 

CHELSEA: ...
BUCKET: Ah..
 

The dog looks over at Bazil, the pockitt fuming. 

BUCKET: Caught wearing it?
BAZIL: Yes! 
CHELSEA: It was- 
CHELSEA: I was just trying-
BUCKET: For what reason? 
BUCKET: Couldn't you make your own?
CHELSEA: I couldn't! 
 

Chelsea grips her hands into fists, Bazil shutting up at the sudden outburst.

BUCKET: ...Talk to me about it.
CHELSEA: ...It's not important.
BUCKET: I think it is.
CHELSEA: It was just a stupid idea-
BAZIL: What, to take my stuff?
CHELSEA: No, to try it!
BUCKET: You could've asked me if you wanted to mess with something like that.
CHELSEA: It doesn't matter, I- 
 

She’s visibly struggling to keep herself together. 

CHELSEA: I didn't even like it, so there wasn't a point.
BUCKET: You can talk to me about it, I won't shame you..
CHELSEA: There's nothing to shame, aside from the fact that I did something pointless.
BUCKET: If you risked getting in trouble it can't be pointless.
 

Chelsea doesn't respond to that, Bazil crossing his arms after a few moments of silence. 

BAZIL: ...So you didn't just break in to fuck with me and my stuff.
CHELSEA: No! 
CHELSEA: I just...I couldn't make my own.
BAZIL: You tried, then?
CHELSEA: ....
BUCKET: Why haven't you ever brought it up before?
CHELSEA: I... 
 

The karacel slumps, looking defeated more than anything. 

CHELSEA: ...I don't want to talk about this where monsters can get us.
BUCKET: Can we move this somewhere safer, then?
BAZIL: ...we didn't get too far from my room.
 

Chelsea startles at the sound of Bazil's tone, surprisingly...calmer, than he was before. 

BAZIL: I need to put this thing back anyway before someone else finds out and heckles me over it.
BUCKET: Good call, lead the way.
 

The pockitt starts down the tunnel he came from, Chelsea hesitating before trailing behind, keeping close to Bucket. Bucket tries to give Chelsea an assuring smile, something she was used to by now. However- she just shrinks a little at that, still avoiding their gaze.

The dog tilts their head in confusion, but keeps quiet the rest of the walk.

It doesn’t take long for the three of them to reach the door to Bazil's room, the resident in question opening the door and heading through. 

Inside is an environment just as familiar to Bucket as the rest of the mental world- a cage fighting ring with empty stands, the trio's footsteps echoing through the lonely, intimidating space.

Bazil approaches a trapdoor by the edge of the ring as Chelsea closes the door up behind them, the pockitt able to heave it open and start climbing down. 

BAZIL: Don't get too cozy, I just want to hear this out.
BUCKET: Likewise, this seems really important.
 

Chelsea clambers down the ladder after Bucket, the three of them awkwardly standing there before Bazil hops onto his bed and crosses his legs. 

BAZIL: So? You gonna talk?
CHELSEA: ...don't interrogate m-
BAZIL: Not trying to. 
BAZIL: Sorry.
BUCKET: Take your time.
 

She leans against the ladder and takes a deep, shuddering breath. 

CHELSEA: ...I didn't bring it up before because I don't even think there's anything "to" bring up. 
CHELSEA: It's just curiosity and bitterness at my situation, that's all.
BUCKET: There's nothing wrong with wanting to explore things.
CHELSEA: I'm not- I'm not like him, or you, or Derry, I just- 
CHELSEA: I'm just upset at people calling me things like woman and wife and girl because that's all cultist talk, that's what they always call me and I know they mean it in a way that makes me feel sick. 
CHELSEA: It's nothing more than that.
BUCKET:That's worth bringing up! You should...
CHELSEA: I guess, but that doesn't make it a thing. 
 

She pauses for a moment, looking down at her feet. 

CHELSEA: ...right?
BUCKET: Would that really be a problem? 
BUCKET: Neither of us are going to rip into you over it. 
CHELSEA: ....
BAZIL: They're right. 
BAZIL: I get pissy about you touching my shit, and I've got a right to that, but I...wouldn't fuck with you over this.
CHELSEA: I didn't even...I didn't even like the way the harness felt, though. 
CHELSEA: It felt wrong. 
CHELSEA: That must mean I'm just...broken, right? 
CHELSEA: That I don't like either option?
BUCKET: That doesn't mean anything's wrong, nor does it mean you're forced to be one or the other... what happened when you tried it?
CHELSEA: It just felt...heavy. 
CHELSEA: Like something that wasn't meant to be there, too awkward, not like a part of me at all.
BUCKET: Keep going.
CHELSEA: It just made me upset, honestly. 
CHELSEA: I...I thought maybe, I could put it on and it would come to me that yes, this is a way I want to be! 
CHELSEA: But...it didn't. 
CHELSEA: And now I'm even more confused.

BAZIL: So... 
 

Bazil rocks back and forth, thinking. 

BAZIL: What'd you have, then? 
CHELSEA: What would I have?
BAZIL: Yeah, if you could pick.
CHELSEA: ...nothing, I guess.
BUCKET: No idea how possible it is out there on a permanent level, but...in here I could make that happen for you.
 

Chelsea immediately looks up at them, her eyes shining for a brief moment. 

CHELSEA: You could?!
BUCKET: Illusionary magic becomes essentially the real thing in a place of mind.
CHELSEA: I guess you did give Derry clothes back then... 
BAZIL: They've done it for me before, too. 
 

Bazil clears his throat a bit, his turn to glance away. 

BAZIL: The, uh. 
BAZIL: Changing.
BUCKET: Mm.. As it turns out I'm essentially a reality bender in here.
 

Chelsea nods, thinking it over.

CHELSEA: I just...want people to stop calling me feminine terms, and I don't want anything people can screw, or hurt, or cut up...
BUCKET: That's something we can do, at least in the safety of this place.
CHELSEA: But...I don't want to change my name! 
CHELSEA: I don't- 
CHELSEA: I mean, I wouldn't be opposed to stop being called "she", but I don't know what I'd fill it in with...
BUCKET: Other options not particularly clicking or...?
CHELSEA: ...I haven't tried.
BUCKET: Now's as good a time as any.
CHELSEA: I-
 

Bazil cuts in, trying something.

BAZIL: Chelsea's, uh....they're my....ffffffriend? 
 

Chelsea just gives him a look. 

BAZIL: Look! 
BAZIL: I don't actually know how to sum up our relationship! 
BAZIL: We're just testing shit anyway!
CHELSEA: Well...that doesn't work in any case, feels better but still off.
BUCKET: I propose this then. Some more experimentation.
 

Bucket turns to face Bazil, a light smile on their face. 

BUCKET: What do you think we should do about Chelsea? 
BUCKET: How can we help him out here?
 

Chelsea's ears perk up, Bazil noticing immediately. 

BAZIL: Well, we could try terms for him out, see what he likes being called and shit.
BUCKET: We could ask him how he feels on it. 
 

The dog turns over to Chelsea with a bit of a smirk.

CHELSEA: I, uh... 
 

He swallows. 

CHELSEA: ...maybe that one's good.
BUCKET: Think so?
CHELSEA: It feels....better.
CHELSEA: Actually good, even. 
CHELSEA: Still would rather have nothing than Bazil's setup, though…
BAZIL: If it means you'll stop stealing my shit, I can endorse it.
BUCKET: Like I said, I can make it happen in here at the very least.
BAZIL: In that case... 
 

Bazil hops off of his bed, gently slinging his harness underneath it. 

BAZIL: You get my room for half an hour. 
BAZIL: No mess.
CHELSEA: Wait, really?
BAZIL: I'm not making you walk back through monster hell, you'd probably just get too nervous to do it after. 
BAZIL: Gotta strike while the iron's hot, or however it goes.
BUCKET: Are you certain?
BAZIL: Yeah, yeah. 
BAZIL: Take the offer before I change my mind. 
 

He waves a hand at the two of them before starting up the ladder, leaving them to it.

 

Bucket turns toward Chelsea, their expression soft. 

BUCKET: How would you like to do this?
CHELSEA: Well, I...uh... 
 

He slowly makes his way over to the bed, sitting on the edge. 

CHELSEA: I guess we should do the actual transformation first...you need me to take stuff off?
BUCKET: If you'd be okay with that.
 

Chelsea nods, undoing his pants and shuffling them off. He hesitates for a minute before following suit with underwear, feeling extremely self conscious that he was about to be focused on. 

CHELSEA: How's this work?
BUCKET: Close your eyes and give me your hand.
 

He shuts his eyes and held his palm out for them, his arm shaking just enough to be noticed. The dog rubs his hand in a gentle and assuring way, keeping their voice soft. 

BUCKET: You'll be okay...
CHELSEA: What if I don't like it? 
CHELSEA: And there's just, no option for me...
BUCKET: We can keep looking… but for now, I'm going to lead your hand. 
BUCKET: Is that okay?
 

Chelsea nods, trying to steady his nerves. Bucket pulls the karacel’s hand down low, up until it makes contact. Something immediately changes, a warm feeling spreading over him…

CHELSEA: ...did you do it already?
BUCKET: Mmhmm. 
BUCKET: Take a look.
 

He opens one eye slowly, and then the other. All there was was a smooth patch of fur, a gentle rub with his fingers revealing no orifices or protrusions. Just...nothing. 

CHELSEA: It's...soft.
BUCKET: How do you feel?
CHELSEA: I wasn't expecting it to happen so quick, so a little anxious still...but... 
 

Chelsea keeps moving his hand over himself, getting a feel for it. 

CHELSEA: Freeing, somehow.
BUCKET: It's a matter of simple redirection, a magic trick in a world where it's just as real.
CHELSEA: ...could you hold me, while I feel this out?
BUCKET: Absolutely, how do you want me to take care of you?
 

He makes room on the bed for Bucket to shuffle in. 

CHELSEA: Just...let me sit in your lap. 
CHELSEA: I just want to feel you keeping me steady.
 

Bucket scoots next to him, giving him a kiss between the ears.

BUCKET: Go for it, I'm with you all the way.
 

He leans back against Bucket's chest, getting comfortable as he takes a shaky breath. 

CHELSEA: I'm here with you, I'm safe. 
CHELSEA: You're helping me through it...
 

Bucket wraps their arms around his waist, holding him close. 

BUCKET: It's all going to be okay…
 

He lets himself slouch against them as he moves his hand back to feel, trying not to miss anywhere. 

CHELSEA: It's completely smooth...but still kind of sensitive?
BUCKET: Is that okay, or do you need me to change it further?
CHELSEA: No, that's fine...I just...don't want the pressure of needing to get off anymore, if that makes any sense? 
 

He can't help but blush, speaking so candidly. 

CHELSEA: It's a lot of things, but that's one of them...
BUCKET: Do you still want to feel something out of it?
CHELSEA: Maybe, yeah...I like being cozy and intimate with you, I just don't want to feel a need for it, you know? 
CHELSEA: Something I can engage with whenever I'm actually ready for it.
BUCKET: Would it be okay if I touched it?
CHELSEA: Yeah...go slow. 
 

Chelsea moves his hand out of the way, the dog placing their hand down lightly, just enough to get a sense of texture. It’s soft and very gently squishy, just a bit warm to the touch. 

CHELSEA: Ahh...it's kind of nice, you can put a little more pressure down...
BUCKET: Are you certain?
CHELSEA: We're trying things out, right?
BUCKET: Of course, I just worry of your comfort but…
 

Chelsea lets out a shaky exhale as his partner goes further, sinking further into their lap. 

CHELSEA: It's good...
BUCKET: It's really soft…
CHELSEA: Weird to think any part of me is, really.
BUCKET: It's nice though, I think. 
BUCKET: Feel good on your end?
CHELSEA: A lot better than what I had before...when we're close with each other like this, cuddling has always been what I like the most, and this feels...like that's the main way to interact with it. 
CHELSEA: No worries about penetration, or getting off, or getting hurt in some way...no need to finish, just...there for sensation. 
CHELSEA: It's safe.
BUCKET: It's kind of cute too...
CHELSEA: You think so?
BUCKET: Mm... I like it quite a bit I think.
CHELSEA: Do you think it suits me? 
CHELSEA: And...using he, too?
BUCKET: Perfectly.
CHELSEA: I'm sorry I didn't say anything, I just...I know that you're transgender yourself and I worried that- it's stupid, but I thought you and Bazil might tell me that what bothers me doesn't count, or make sense.
BUCKET: I'd never, and I don't think Bazil would either.
CHELSEA: Yeah...as much grief as we give each other, he's never been shitty to any of us about that kind of thing.
BUCKET: He's really not bad once he opens up.
CHELSEA: He did give us his own room for this... 
 

He leans back to nuzzle against the dog's neck, purring just under his breath. 

CHELSEA: ...speaking of, try feeling a bit more. 
CHELSEA: I want to see how strong the sensations can get, but go slow.
 

Chelsea startles slightly as Bucket obliges, melting into their touch.

BUCKET: Like this?
CHELSEA: Y-yeah... 
 

He fluffs up at the extra stimulation, pushing very gently into their hand.

BUCKET: So cute...
CHELSEA: T-try using he for me again...
BUCKET: I absolutely adore him...
CHELSEA: More.
BUCKET: He really means a lot to me..
CHELSEA: God, I love the way that feels...
BUCKET: Tell me about it.
CHELSEA: I thought... 
 

He can't help but take a deep breath, visibly starting to choke up. 

CHELSEA: I thought I wouldn't need this...
 

Bucket pulls him in for a hug, nice and warm.

BUCKET: It's okay...
 

He sniffles into the dog's neck, wrapping his arms around. 

CHELSEA: Thank you...
BUCKET: You needed this, I'm glad I could do that for you...
CHELSEA: It's...hard, because I know I can't actually do anything about this, not in real life. 
CHELSEA: The cultists are still going to call me a woman, Spit will still call me her wife, and I'll get abused in ways that make me feel sick about my body all over again...
BUCKET: If we ever make it out of this, we'll do anything and everything to help you out.
CHELSEA: I don't want to get my hopes up for that...
BUCKET: I still want to try.
CHELSEA: ...and you'll change me like this any time you come over? 
CHELSEA: Even in person?
BUCKET: Absolutely.
CHELSEA: ...I love you, Bucket.
BUCKET: Just giving you my best, always.