[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 

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Two Flowers - 2020
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas/Corazones related.
CW: None
A fiend and a knight acknowledge their growing feelings for each other. 

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Arabis and Zinnia were settled down by a small campfire in the middle of a natural clearing deep in the woods. The two sat comfortably in silence, with Zinnia regularly glancing over at the tall spider-like fiend. 

Arabis: If you have something on your mind you can spill it.

Zinnia: Right, might I ask you for a favor?

Arabis: Hmm?

Zinnia: May I lean on your shoulder? Feeling tired.

Arabis: You’ve been doing that quite a bit.

Zinnia: Have I now?

Arabis: Yes and it somewhat confuses me.

Zinnia: If you would like me to stop I can.

Arabis: It’s not that, you’re fine and I do not mind it-

Zinnia immediately rests their head on Arabis’ shoulder. 

Zinnia: Thank you, continue. 

Arabis sighs. 

Arabis: I don’t understand you getting this comfortable about me.

Zinnia: Do you seriously want me to back off? I really can.

Arabis: I find it rather suspicious. Why? 

Zinnia: It’s hard to say, but I feel like I can let down my guard around you.
 
Arabis: Around a monstrous creature like myself? 

Zinnia: Mmhmm.

Arabis: One that’s dreaded by those who pass through the woods I live in? Who’s kind is seen as an omen of bad things to happen by most?

Zinnia: Yes.

Arabis: One who towers over you and could poison you in your sleep with a single bite?

Zinnia: You’ve had many opportunities to do it and yet you haven’t. Plus I beat you in a fight already. 

The spider rolled his eyes. 

Arabis: I suppose you have. I don’t understand how frankly. Or why you didn’t slay me on the spot after.

Zinnia: You seemed more scared than anything. I wasn’t going to kill someone who fought in self defense.

Arabis: I assumed you were an assassin like many other knights who came before you. 

Zinnia: And you are justified for thinking so, I imagine this is a regular issue for you.

Arabis: It’s frustrating…. but not as frustrating as trying to figure you out.

Zinnia scooted up while resting on Arabis’ shoulder.

Zinnia: I’m sure you will. You’re a bit of an enigma to me too.

Arabis: Why would that be?

Zinnia: You’re a hermit and yet you go out of your way to dress well, and speak elegantly, and well….

Arabis: Are you surprised that a monster like myself is capable of all that?

Zinnia: No. It’s just not common for someone who actively chooses to live alone.

Arabis: I did not choose to live distant from others, I simply do so because going into town alone will make the paranoid and superstitious people whip out the torches and muskets. 

Zinnia: It’s a real shame. I’m sure that if they got to know you they’d warm up fast.

Arabis: I don’t need their praise or their company.

Zinnia: Yet you don’t seem to mind mine too much.

Arabis: You’re different. You aren’t afraid of me for reasons I cannot comprehend. You insist on being close and eating in the same room. I don’t think I get you.

Zinnia: I’m just a humble dog. 

Arabis: Yes. A strange one. 

Zinnia: If you’d really like to know though I can tell you. 

Arabis: I would like to hear a reason yes. 

Zinnia: I just find your company incredibly pleasant. 

Arabis: Is that all?

Zinnia: And you’re pretty. 

Arabis: Do not jest at my expense. 

Zinnia: I’m not.

Arabis: Pretty. 

Zinnia: Yes? I meant that. You’re quite the looker.

Arabis: No. Why are you playing this cruel game?

Zinnia’s ears flopped down.

Zinnia: There’s no game…

Arabis: The only reason anyone would say something like that is to toy with my emotions. 

Zinnia: I swear to you I don’t want to hurt you, I adore your company.

Arabis: No.

Zinnia: Enough that I perhaps was hoping you’d stick around after my quest is over.

Arabis: ….. 

Zinnia: You do not have to of course.

Arabis: ……

Zinnia: I went and made it all weird didn’t I? I’m sorry… I can stop now. 

Arabis: … 

Zinnia: Please don’t be mad at me.

Arabis: I’m not angry at you, I’m processing things, so please give me a moment to get my thoughts together into something cohesive. 

Zinnia: Alright.

Arabis sat quietly with his thoughts for a good while before finally coming up with a response.

Arabis: I just want full confirmation. Your statements were all genuine.  Not a single one was made as a joke.

Zinnia: Yes! I mean… yes. 

Arabis: Not one.

Zinnia: Ningun, not a single line. 

Arabis: You really like me. 

Zinnia nodded. 

Arabis: You are such a strange knight. Hold out your hand for a moment. 

Zinnia: Of course.

They held out their hand. Arabis reached out and grabbed it. Zinnia’s ears perked up immediately. 

Arabis: Have you thought about this? 

Zinnia: It’s kept me up a couple of nights frankly.

Arabis: It excites you to hold hands with an ancient monster who could poison you with a kiss?

Zinnia: I would take the risk for you, but only if you would like to. 

Arabis: Mm. I suppose I’m willing to give this a shot.

Zinnia: What exactly?

Arabis: Being… close like this to someone else. It’s not something I imagined possible for me so please be patient. I will need time and I will make mistakes. 

Zinnia: You’re willing to-

Arabis: Yes. I’d like to take things slowly though, I’m not familiar with any of this.

Zinnia: of course.

Arabis: Truth be told, I found myself getting butterflies anytime you’ve been willing to make contact with me.

Zinnia: Really?

Arabis: Mm. Even more so the time we were forced to share the one bed available at the Inn. You know you hugged me in your sleep?

Zinnia: Ah… I’m quite sorry about that.

Arabis: It’s fine. I guess I just wonder if you would like to try that arrangement again. It’d be good for my health frankly, I’m cold blooded and we’re getting close to being up north. 

Zinnia: Will you be okay?

Arabis: Maybe. My kind hibernates when our temperatures are too low but with the help of a brave mammal willing to hold me the entire time it might be possible. 

Zinnia: I will carry you if I must.

Arabis: Mm. On a side note it’s kind of late.

Zinnia: If you need to rest you can.

Arabis: Will you come with me? You may hold me if you’d like.

Zinnia: Of course.

Arabis: Just give me a little longer to process this and we’ll head off.

Zinnia: Take your time. 

The dog went back to leaning on the spider’s shoulder. This time Arabis put his hand through Zinnia’s hair and stroked to help them get comfortable.

Both of them slept very comfortably that night.