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[wiseoldbartender]

Husk

Fuck off.

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

🔥 | NSFW

FROM: SUBJECT: FLINS Husk. I'm not sure I know how... FLINS Lottery Number, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth... ZEVRAN Were you, by chance, aware that your beloved... FLINS It is January 17th, 2025 CE FLINS January 10, 2026 CE FLINS January 3, 2026 CE FLINS December 27, 2025 CE FLINS December 20, 2025 CE ALASTOR Good day, old friend! FLINS December 13, 2025 CE FLINS December 06, 2025 CE SHROUD/HARU I was told you had a pest problem. FLINS November 29, 2025 CE ZEVRAN My dearest of furred friends! FLINS For the sake of convenience... FAMILY CHAT So we got a pig now. LAPIS I know you don't want a big fuss... EDWARD If you want to talk about it or... DIARMUID I heard what happened. CEREZA Knock knock, my little Sourpuss~ CAMILLA Say, Husk, you wouldn't happen to have any recommendations... LAPIS Father's Day SAMPO/LAPIS/JINWOO Husker Agapov. On the next night in... LAPIS Are you at your place right now? EUNIE how's this month's mission mildred

TO: SUBJECT: FLINS Y'know how you think shit can't possibly... ZEVRAN WEE WOO WEE WOO FLINS Okay Baby, I'm gonna need you to do me a solid... JUN Flins asked me to message you... JINWOO Jinwoo, get your ass here... SHROUD Whatever higher power is in control... FAM CHAT What does it mean when you dream DIARMUID So. Are we gonna talk about the thing. FAM CHAT Weird request. One of you needs to come... BLADE Got a sword from that sketchy shopkeeper. ELLIOT Hey, Elliot. Think shit's calmed down enough... DIARMUID Order came. At Jinwoo's place. LAPIS That FUCKING son of a BITCH HUA CHENG Shit's getting bad. LAPIS One of those flying boxes gave me a new phone EUNIE You might wanna stay away from your regular place for a while.

code by cawaii

Comments

[wiseoldbartender]

Trust me, Baby, I know you like my feathers plenty. You've made that very clear to me. I could see that from space.

[And uncomfy with his own form as Husk tends to be, it is... actually kinda nice to have someone so enamoured with it.

The thought of how close they came to Flins just... letting his flame go out forever hurts in a way he can't really describe. It feels like an icicle in his heart. What a loss to the whole world that would have been. And, perhaps a little selfishly, what a loss that would have been to him. ]

That would make it hard to keep track. You've got so much to live for here, Kyryll. And you do have me.

[ He almost types it there and then - the thing that's been sitting in his mind and heart for a good long time. At the last second, he decides not to, but goes for a ballpark statement of what he feels all the same.]

You've always had me.

[Well, this is an interesting revelation.]

Holy shit, no kidding? Like, blood related and everything? Are they on the app?

[lanternae]

Was it the fact that I made off with at least two or three of them?

[He still has them. He's treasuring those. But what comes next...well, Flins falls silent for a moment. Why was it that whenever he spoke with Husk regarding this topic, he felt as if he'd downed an entire bottle of firewater? This cat, knowing how to defrost him from the inside out, give him a warmth in his heart when snow fae were known to be so cold. He closes his eyes to collect himself, biting his lip, before he proceeds.]

I know. You came back to me, so that's what matters. And I will never venture down that path again.

[As for his newfound relative...]

It's a branch family bloodline, but it is from my own. I can tell. Her hair is close to the same shade as mine, and whenever I've been in her presence I feel...nostalgia.

Her name is Lauma. She works with the place that researches those fascinating little critters.

[wiseoldbartender]

Yeah, that did clue me in a little bit. That and all the fondling. Made you a little bit obvious in that one.

[Husk came back to him. Husk would always come back to him. He's never felt this way about anyone before. It's terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. More intoxicating than anything he could ever drink. He wants more of it, he wants to say the words that have been rolling around in his head since he knew the fae was back in town. But he's scared to, too. Because that would be making all of that absolutely real- and open up all the vulnerabilities that go with it. ]

Good, you better not. It'd break my fucking heart.

[ Again, saying it without saying it. Does he plan on dancing around it forever? Probably not. But it's safer doing it this way, he thinks. Maybe. ]

Hmmm. Lauma, huh? Doesn't ring a bell. But if she works for POKEGO, Jun'd know her, he's with those guys. Have you spoken to her yet? Like... does she know?

[lanternae]

That's good. I had no intention of being subtle about it.

[Both are currently dancing around this topic, and rightfully so. Husk had so much to work out. Forty two years coming to a conclusion before his very eyes and dealing with the feelings that came along with it, and Flins finding someone to hold onto him.

Time would surely wait for them.]

I've spoken to her once, when I had my issue with my phone. She seemed to understand Casimir's speech, and she helped me find the cord that was used to plug my phone in.

Her resemblance was strikingly similar to my own, but it wasn't until I saw her in person that I could confirm it.

I haven't told her.

[wiseoldbartender]

I'd be kinda worried about you if you had - that'd be a terrible poker face, Babe.

[ Husk has so much damage that he's dragging around him like a broken, mangled thing. He's not wholly convinced he's right for anyone. That it's too much to ask for anyone to want to be with him - to put themselves through all the bullshit he's going to need to go through to be even halfway to the road of healing. He's not sure how fair that is to ask of anyone.

And so, he keeps dancing. Because it's safer. For both of them, as much as with each passing day, he wants to be less and less safe. ]

You mean when you flat out refused and STILL flat out refuse to learn how to plug the damn thing in? That issue?

[ The teasing is affectionate, though. After all, Husk is willingly going there every day to charge the damn thing up. Amongst other things, of course. If the charging of the phone happens to be paired with a roll in the hay, so be it. He's sure not complaining. ]

I bet that was an eye opener for you. Especially after so long.

...Do you want to tell her?

[ Let's start with the easy step first - what does Flins want from this? ]

[lanternae]

[It's something Flins has to grapple with as well. For as nonchalant as he is about the whole ordeal, he is conflicted. After so many years of not even looking in the direction of romance, here he finds himself. He'd thought it just wasn't in the cards for him. A part of him worried it'd be a whim, like when he initially joined the Lightkeepers, only to become devoted to the cause after.

But...no, he'd always had his eye on Husk in some way, didn't he.]

You're so much better at it than me. Therefore, I leave it to the expert.

[Husk's question does make him pause. In truth, he wasn't sure.]

I feel like she should know. It is her lineage after all. She has likely grown up feeling different from other people. It could provide some clarity.

I did say I didn't tell her, but I have given her gifts for the holiday addressed as 'from your cousin'. So she knows I am out there somewhere.

1/2

[wiseoldbartender]

[ Husk knows eventually, he's going to have to face the truth about all of this. That it's already too late to pull out of this nosedive he's very willingly put himself in. He's already a done deal, and deep down he knows this. And he knows, sooner rather than later, he's going to have to tell Flins this, too. Give over that vulnerable piece of his heart he doesn't like putting in harms way at any point. ]

Yeah, I told you once, and I'll tell you again, I don't think there can be such a thing as an "expert in plugging phones in". That's not a thing. Stop trying to make it a thing.

...That's good, though. It probably has been real fuckin' lonely for her. But it's also important how YOU feel. It'd be probably best if you both got together and talked about what you wanted out of this. If you wanted to be a family or something more distant? Whatever you're both comfortable with.

2/2

[wiseoldbartender]

[...Baby. No. Flins can't see it, but Husk is slowly putting a hand to his face. There is goes with his batshit fae logic again.]

Okay. But Sweetheart, and I need you to think really hard about this. Like, I need you to take a minute to remember that not everyone thinks like you do. In fact, the vast majority of people absolutely do not fucking do that.

Did you actually sign it with your fucking name? Or did you just put "your cousin" and hope she could Columbo her way around into knowing you meant:

1. That her "cousin" is you?
and
2. That you, her cousin, is living in the city?

Like. Did you give her an address? A phone number? Or, again, YOUR NAME????

[lanternae]

[What he wants...? He honestly didn't think about that. It just seemed right to tell her. It'd been far too long since he had anything like a blood relative of any kind. Even in his days serving the fae court his relatives were few. Did he seek kinship? Did SHE want that? He doesn't know.

His feelings are all over the place this month, even if he doesn't necessarily show it.

None of these questions come out in text, even to muse about them. Because he has behaviors to answer for.]

Should I have?

[YES FLINS. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. He's trying very hard to understand this, staring at the screen and thinking deeply.]

I had simply signed it as 'your cousin. I'm well aware that sudden family members can lead to...spooking the person. Therefore I'd simply thought I'd leave it ambiguous as to who the relative was.

Had I given her my address, knowing the location, she likely would've thought her life in danger.

[Decrepit Lighthouse on the Kaisou Shore sounds disastrous for a young lady to stop by.]

[wiseoldbartender]

[Husk figures this isn't a simple black and white thing - that it's complicated and messy. Because family usually is. But he also knows it's important for Flins to start thinking about this - especially if he's already reached out, in an insane way as it was. ]

Yeah, Kyryll. You should have had.

Because "your cousin" with nothing else, is sinister as fuck. Especially if she doesn't even know she has family. You could be anyone, could be a stalker or anything. And without a way to contact her? She'd just be wondering how the fuck you found her, and having no means to actually trace you to figure out if you're legit or a lunatic who somehow got her address.

[ So basically the exact thing Flins was trying to avoid. But this is Flins. Unlike Husk, he's never been human - he doesn't think like one. Luckily, he has Husk to step in and fill in the gaps needed. ]

Look. If you wanna speak to her, how about I help you write her a letter? You can explain who you are, tell her you're open to speak if she wants. That you ain't expecting anything, and you know that this shit takes time to figure out.

You can suggest to meet in a neutral spot. Somewhere public, like a cafe or a park or somethin'. Somewhere she'd feel safe. And I can be there for you, to help you out. If you want it.

[lanternae]

[It takes a bit for Flins to respond, mulling over those words as he lets it sink in. Had his actions really resulted in so much suspicion? He supposes he could split hairs on the situation, but..]

I see. [A pause.] That is not good at all. It was not my intention to make her fear for her life.

[His job as Lightkeeper came with its fair share of duties. He naturally had no issue with any of them when he was properly motivated. However... Sometimes, pretending to be human was the hardest job of all.]

I will be sure to write her a full letter. I should have no issue composing it but...perhaps you should proofread it. Just in case.

I will also put a small bit of fae magic into the paper. That way, I will know if she disposes of it or tosses it into the fire.

Should that happen, I will cease contact completely. Should she want to meet up, it would...probably be for the best if you were there. She has seen my face, but I do not exactly give off the air of comfort.

[wiseoldbartender]

I know it wouldn't be, Darlin'. It's okay. It's easy fixed, don't worry about it.

[ Because if nothing else, Husk was willing to go to bat and appeal to her for Flins' behalf. If it really came to that, he'd defend this idiot fae's actions with everything he had. Because he knows who Flins is, he's pretty damn confident in that at this point. ]

I'll proofread it for you, ain't no problem with that - and that's a good idea. Least that way you know for sure one way or the other.

[ Awwww, Husk can't help but smile, huffing softly. ]

Of course I'll be there for you, Kyryll. I'll... translate for you. And vouch for you - so she knows you ain't a crazy person or anything.

...Well, you are a crazy person, but not the kind she's probably afraid of. Harmless, endearing crazy, not stabby crazy.

[lanternae]

I suppose this really is the difference between Fae and Human. I used to think we came from the same common ancestor back in the day. But the older I get the more I realize just how different we truly are.

That said, thank you. It's good to know I haven't squandered my chance. Most likely.

[Husk's comments do make him chuckle behind the feed. Already his heart feels lighter about it.]

I sincerely doubt any fae is sane at their core. The old ones even less so. It is what you signed up for, though.

I hope she responds. I cannot even remember the faces of my old relatives. That must've been at least a thousand years ago.

[wiseoldbartender]

We might still have had that. But time's got a way of changing things, give it enough time and given how long you guys live for? Yeah, change was inevitable.

Anytime. I'm sure this can be fixed. You're not completely up shit creek yet.

[ Good. Then his aim has been achieved! Feel better, idiot!]

Oh, believe me, I know. But this is what I signed up for, and I don't regret it for a second. I'd sign up for it countless times over again.

Yeah? Well, hopefully she will and you'll get to make a new connection, yeah?

[lanternae]

[...]

And I'm the one you accuse of saying things like they're so simple... Hypocrisy at its finest.

[It's all Flins can say as he stares at those words, knowing what each one of them means separately but seeing them all together just...warms something in him. Why did Husk always do that? Snow Fae were known to be frigid, and yet...]

Perhaps you're right.

[He'd never admit his anticipation for if she agrees to it, but knowing Husk, he can probably glean that from his curt reply.]

[wiseoldbartender]

Never said I wasn't a hypocrite, Babe. You know what YOU signed up for, too.

[ Truth be told, it was easy to say around Flins. Once Husk got over his initial panic that those feelings were caught and caught good, once he'd accepted them for what they are. Well, being honest with them was a lot easier.

Though he can see that a mile away. Flins is definitely nervous about it. Understandable, really. When you think you've lost all your family and now you find there's one there. Still hale and hearty and very much alive.]

I know I'm right. And if in some unlikely scenario that I'm not? We'll commiserate - you can have a couple shots of vodka, and I'll let you tell me one of your real old and long stories so you can feel better. How about that?

[lanternae]

That I do. Happily, I might add. I would make the same choice if given again.

[Equally so. Even if these feelings are new to him, the idea of choosing anything but the path he took is now unheard of. ...Maybe he wouldn't be bedded in the upper floor of a torturous turkey's abode, but details.]

Thank you. I will prepare a play-by-play of my daily functions as a Ratnik just for the occasion should it come to pass.

[All the excitement of watching paint dry.]

[wiseoldbartender]

I would, too. You're stuck with me.

[Admittedly, they could have picked a better place to finally let all those feelings boil over. The dolls will haunt him forever. But it is what it is. ]

Ooof. Already regretting that offer, but I'll stand by it. Here's hoping we won't need to use it.