Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

          There's a countdown happening on the radio, five minutes left before the bomb will fall. I don't know how I feel right now, I hate that so many people will die over this. Some new race of beings comes out of a mountain and we just launch a bomb. There were no attempts at communication, nothing beyond filming them for the public to see, and calling them Monsters. I mean, they did look terrifying, as fuck. The goat people had human-like hands, for fucks sake, that's scary. Not to mention all the 'Monsters' looked like they'd had real hard lives. Tattered clothes, covered in scars, squinting and sneering at the sun like it was going to hurt them if they didn't scare it first. That still doesn't mean it's fair to drop a nuclear bomb on them, and all the people around them.

          Four minutes. I've spent all morning gathering all my animals into the bunker's pasture section. It's only been a couple days since the people came out of the mountain, and I became a fucking skeleton, that was weird. I can't bring myself to care much, There's no one around to judge me. The animals were scared until I made them smell me, they calmed a bit after that. They still don't like it though, but they listen, that's what matters. My black cat, Sass (short for Sassafras) wasn't far from attacking me, he chilled out after a few hours of me acting normal. My dog, a great pyrenees named Camo (short for Chamomile) interestingly didn't give a shit from the start, weird dog, that one.

          Three minutes. I start closing the door, taking one more glance around. There's movement in the woods, people. They're yelling, waving their arms, running towards me. I feel fear strike through me, strangers can be a death sentence in times like this. There's six of them. Six against one doesn't bode well for me. I want to shut the door, keep myself and my animals alive, safe, away from potential danger. I don't want to sentence these people to death, either. Damn my natural kindness. They're closer now, I step just a bit out of my door's cover, making a show of putting my hand on the handgun on my hip. They stop at that, and quit stupidly yelling.

          Two minutes. They're not humans, they're skeletons, like me. I won't let that sway me.

          "Listen, I want to be able to help you, but I can't trust strangers right now, so scram!" I try to sound intimidating, I think it works.

          "Please, We Can't Be Left Out Here! I Promise We'll Behave! Please Help Us..." The tallest one pleads with a high pitched, scratchy voice, his spine doesn't look great, and I think he's squinting to see me. There's a chorus of agreeance from most of them. Two of them just nod, one more vigorously than the other.

          "I said, I can't trust strangers, so fuck off!" I truly want to help people, but I don't know if they'll just stab me in the back the second my guard is down. A white, upside down heart floats in front of one skeleton, the thickest one, with a hood. He's staring at me in a pointed way. When the others notice what he's doing, a matching white upside down heart appears in front of each of them.

          One minute. I need to close the door NOW.

          "I don't know what that means! I'm sorry!" I step behind the door and start closing it, but there's suddenly a huge boot in the way, and the thick, hooded skeleton is directly in front of me. His teeth look predatory, and his one, bulging eye light feels like it stares into my soul. I screech and fall back, down the stairs, and hit my head on the concrete wall. It's lights out immediately.

          When I come to, I'm propped up against something. When my eyes light up, there's a fucking skull in front of me, with claw-like scars over the left eye socket. I scream and try to scramble away, only to find skeletal arms almost encircling me. I whip my head around to the face of the arms. Jagged, stained, mishappen teeth, and eye sockets that just don't look right. Another scream rips through my non-existent throat, and I successfully shove my way out of the arms.

          "Wait, Please Stay Calm, I Promise We Mean You No Harm!" That voice is too much for these walls, it hurts my head more than it was already hurting. I need to find Camo. I'm a short ways into the bunker. I start sprinting towards the secondary door. These hallways are in a squiggly line, to keep as much concrete as possible between the inner sections and the outside. I make it to the secondary door, I can hear a few voices behind me, shouting. I slam into the door, quickly typing my passcode into the keypad, and scan my skeletal hand, a modification I was able to make. I thought it would make it nearly impossible for others to get in, however, shit. The door unlocks and I try to quickly throw myself behind it and close it, but a set of arms wrap around me and pull me back.

          "NO! LET ME GO! DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" Have I ever been this scared?

          "please... calm down." The voice behind me rumbles through the chest I'm pressed up against. I think there are tears slipping down my cheekbones, I wish there wasn't. I already look so weak, screaming like a caught rabbit. The secondary door is open, they can get in now, they'll ruin everything.

          "Bring Her Over Here, We Can Try The Soul Thing You Did Earlier." What the hell does that mean?! The fucking beast of a skeleton that has a hold of me turns, dragging me with him. I think he's a head taller than me. I plant my feet on the ground just enough to launch up and slam my head into his chin. His hold is weakened for just long enough for me to make another attempt to achieve safety. Another one latches onto me, I can't help the sob that just barely escapes me. This time I'm tossed onto a shoulder, up high. I try to kick their face, they grab my legs. A skeleton is behind the one holding me, they grab both my hands with one. They're wearing mostly black, with gold and yellow accents, their hood is up, too. They have gold braces on their teeth, and their bright yellow eyes look like they hate this whole situation. At eye contact with me, they tug the hood further over their eyes.

          "Think You Can Hold Her Here?" Shit shit shit shit shit shit-

          "yeah, no problem." He sets my feet on the ground, and I try to fight to get away, but I find I can't move. There's a blue heart in front of my chest, it feels like it shouldn't be there. The panic taking over me is unreal, I feel like I'm going to pass out, I can't though, not until I'm further in the bunker. I have to get there. I have to protect my animals. I have to make sure we all make it. Make sure we all survive. We have to. Please. Please please please ple-

          "is she 'bout to explode?" -ase please please please pl-

          "need ta calm 'er" -ease please please please please please-

          "How?" -please please plea-

          "i can... do it." -se please please please please... please... please... pl...ease...

          "wow, that's a neat trick." My head still aches, but the panic is subsiding, I know I should still be scared though, so whatever is happening just clears my head.

          "Okay, Everyone Stand Over Here, Lets Get This Shit Over With." The skeletons start to group up in front of me. One with a gold tooth, a rusty red-orange sweater, and a black leather jacket missing half it's sleeves is holding a hand out towards me. Another, the thick one with his hood up, doesn't have his eye lit up. The tallest one with messed up teeth and spine guides the no-eye-light one to be with the rest, standing in front of me.

          "i really don't wanna do this shit." A skeleton in a large purple hoodie, with yellowed bones and a patch over one eye, pipes up. He's scratching at his neck, that can't be a good sign. Gosh damn I'm in danger, surely.

          "No One Fucking Asked You, This Is Hopefully Going To Help!" The one with claw marks over his left eye socket snaps at the purple hoodie one.

          "she clearly don't even know what this shit means, so what's the point. let's just get in there and settle in, the doors op-." That earns him a quick, hard smack on the back of his skull by the scarred one. I send a prayer up to the fucking universe that they don't ruin all my hard work.

          "YOU FUCKING DUMBASS, WE ARE NOT DOING THAT! NOW PUSH THAT SHIT SOUL OUT BEFORE I FORCE IT OUT MYSELF!" His voice is grating, and high but rough.

          "tch, fine, damn, keep your stupid shoulder pads on." A white upside down heart floats from his chest, more appear from the scarred one, the black and yellow hooded one, and the tallest one. The thick one's eye light returns, and I feel more in control of my own emotions, rather than a forced calm. He looks at me, like he's checking how much I'm panicking. I try to stay calm, it's not easy. Then his own upside down heart floats up. The gold-toothed one slowly lets his hand down, and I feel in control of my movements. The heart in front of me floats into my chest, I think it changed color before it actually sank in, but I was to busy looking at the skeletons. He watches me, too. I desperately want to sprint away, but I think he could just freeze me again, right? So what's the fucking point, I may as well see what the hell they're doing. Now there is a heart in front of each of them. They all look uncomfortable, and I have no idea what is happening. The scarred one speaks up, he seems to be the leader.

          "These Hearts You See In Front Of Us Are Our Souls. Since We Have Forced Our Way Into Your Home, It Is Only Fair That We At Least Prove To You That We Do Not Mean You Harm. Please Do Not Touch Them, Just Hover Over Each One In Order To Understand Our Intent." When I don't move, he seems to get more nervous. I assume I look like a wild animal, I can still feel the wetness on my cheekbones, and I'm almost crouched down with my hands and arms out in an odd way. I definitely feel like a trapped animal, one trying to figure out the best second to take off.

          The one in black and yellow steps forward very slowly. I almost feel like I can smell the nervousness pouring off of them. They would be the least intimidating if not for the sniper rifle I just noticed is strapped to their back, but since it doesn't leave their back, I try not to worry too much. They slowly approach, not making eye contact, though I can still see their eyes. They step close enough to gently reach for my hand. I rip it towards my chest and take a step back. All the skeletons flinch again, and the one stepping close, their... 'Soul' wavers between staying out and going back into their chest. They look at me then, making eye contact seems almost painful for them, they can barely keep it for more than a second.

          They're even slower stepping forward this time. I don't know why I allow it, they reach for my other hand, and I force it to not shoot for my chest like last time. Both our hands shake as the skeleton guides it gently to hover over their 'Soul.' It's odd, I don't know how to describe it. I just know he doesn't have any negative intentions towards me, as long as I have none towards him. Fair enough, I can get behind that. He brightens just a tiny bit, like he can feel that I agree to his terms.

          He then steps aside, and the scarred one steps near me, also slowly. He's less nervous, and as my hand hovers over his Soul, I can feel why. His job is to protect these skeletons, and they will be safe here, so he'll do anything necessary. I think there's a hint of an offer, to also be under his protection. I assume he can feel my questioning, because it's like he sends out a feeling of kinship. He thinks we are alike. I don't understand, but he doesn't want to hurt me, that's enough for me right now.

          The thick hooded one with only one eye light walks towards me, his slowness feels much more like stalking than the other two. I feel a light touch from my left, where the scarred one went, it sends a calming feeling through me. He doesn't want any violence here, he won't allow it. The approaching one's Soul feels more... damaged? I don't pry, I think I could, but it isn't what this interaction is about. He could feel my refusal to pry, and feels thankful for it. His head tilts, and his eye light gets a tiny bit bigger. I can feel him pry into me, I would say I mind, but it's cautious. It feels like a fellow scared creature searching for somewhere to be safe, asking if my burrow is a refuge. He seems to think it is. He just wants safety, that's all, I can provide that. He lets out something akin to a... purr? Well that's weird as hell, but whatever. He chuckles, and walks off to the left.

          The tallest one, possibly the creepiest one, is gentle stepping forward, like he knows he's terrifying to look at. I try not to appear scared, and just focus on his Soul. It feels damaged, too, in a different, more literal way. It's as though it should be ruined, should be far beyond repair. Yet, it simultaneously feels like the most selfless thing in existence. He looks like a creature of Native American folklore, a wendigo, but his soul is warm, so I'm less worried. At this understanding, of sorts, I feel him allow more of himself to be accessed. I look up to him for confirmation, he's less scary now. I don't think more searching is needed. It looks like he kind of attempts to smile, but it looks painful. I've noticed that as a skeleton, I can't really smile, it's more about the eye lights getting brighter, positive body language helps though. I think he actually attempted to smile, poor dork, that's unnecessary, he doesn't need to make a real smile at me. A tiny blush shows up on his face, he doesn't feel offended at my thoughts, he feels happy at them, really. He steps to the left as well, him and the thick one with one eye light seem close.

          Gold Tooth is next to walk up, he's slow, but it doesn't look as cautious, he seems overconfident. I dislike overconfident men, a blush erupts on his cheekbones the second my hand starts hovering, and we can feel each other. Ah, it's all fake, that does make me feel a bit better, I just hope he doesn't keep up such a stupid act. Judging by his face, he may not. He tries to poke into my Soul, I allow it while I search his. He feels... sad, searching for a purpose. Something about it reminds me of my sweet Camo. He tilts his head at me, it's like he's found something he likes in his poking through my soul. I feel something like what the scarred one expressed, but it's in a different direction. Rather than 'we are alike' it's more 'I am like that, and you are like this.' I don't understand it myself. Doesn't look like he cares though, because he pulls his poking back. I pull back a bit, too, there's no negative intent, so nothing to worry about. He heads to the right, with the yellow one.

          Last one is the purple one, he seems especially unhappy with all this and his not-careful-at-all steps don't make me feel particularly comfortable. The scarred one steps between us, though, and gives Purple Hoodie a look, I assume. It's several seconds before he steps just barely aside, just enough to allow the Soul hovering interaction to commence. He keeps an eye on it all, thankfully. The first thing I can feel from the Soul is something harsh. He's not loyal to this group, his loyalty is elsewhere, only to one person. I don't want him here, but opening the door isn't an option, it'll be a fucking while before that'll be safe. He doesn't want to be here, he at the very least doesn't want me here. The willingness to take me out scares me, but the scarred one hovers his hand as well, staring down Purple Hoodie. I feel the demand for peace, and a slight pull, like a mother hen trying to lightly drag a chick under her with just the tip of her wing. There's a willingness there to make damn sure Purple Hoodie doesn't do any harm. I try to put trust there, but one person can't be everywhere at all times. My hand gets lightly pushed by the gloved hand also hovering, so I move it back a bit. They stare at each other for nearly another minute. Then the gloved hand brings my hand back over, and the willingness to cause problems isn't nearly as prevalent. Purple Hoodie scratches at his neck bones again though, so I'm not very reassured at all.

          "You Do Not Leave My Sight, Am I Understood?" The scarred one is glaring, and practically speaking through his teeth.

          "you gotta sleep, man." Smug ass bastard. He glares at me for that one, fair.

          "Rus Or Colt Will Watch Over You While I Rest, Isn't That Right?"

          "no prob, boss." I only hear one voice, I think from Gold Tooth, but a sideways glance shows that the black and yellow one was nodding along seriously.

          "tch, traitors." Purple Hoodie doesn't look particularly happy about this development.

          "we don't exactly want ya ta fuck up a good thing, here." Gold Tooth sounds like he's sneering.

          "we don't even know if this place is any good!" Purple is pissed now.

          "anythin's better than out there." Gold Tooth jerks his head towards the directions of the primary door.

          "fuckin whatever, i'll play nice, jackasses." I really hate this purple guy's attitude, but at least he doesn't feel so violence prone, now. Another glare is thrown my way, I refuse to react. His Soul fades back into his chest, was the fading a good or bad sign, the rest looked more solid the whole time.

          "Alright, I'm Sorry We Have Shoved Our Way Into Your Home, Madam." Madam? It sounds old, but I won't say no to a little respect from this scarred guy. "I Promise To Make Sure We All Prove Ourselves To Be Helpful Here. May We See The Recesses Of Your Lovely Home?" He's tucked one arm behind his back, the other makes a sweeping motion towards the secondary door.

          "I mean, I guess?" I shrug. "It's not particularly lovely, just meant to keep me alive and sane. But yeah, let's go figure out how to live together for the next long while." I sound almost as tired as I feel. Gosh I hope this doesn't all go to shit.

Chapter Text

          I lead the group of skeletons through the secondary doorway.

          "Before we go further, did you close the primary door properly?" If not, then fuck, because I don't know how long I was out.

          "Yes, We Did." The scarred one reassures me.

          "You heard the click and the beep?" I want to be sure.

          "Yes Madam, I Was Very Sure To Not Impair Your Home In Any Way, Besides Regrettably Bringing This Idiot In Here." Scar glares at Purple Hoodie, who just rolls his eyes.

          "Okay, good. We should probably still strip and wash just to be sure." I close the secondary door, hearing the click and beep of safety.

          "oh, you move fast." Gold Tooth gives me a cocky smirk. I'm so used to thinking in my head I forgot that terms like that are not always used in nuclear apocalypse survival speak. My face lights up with a blush.

          "No! Separately! We will be separate! Fucking shit dude." Quickly turning to the decontamination area, I try to calm my blush. I hear a whispered argument, likely Scar giving Gold Tooth a quick talking to, if my judgment of their personalities so far is to be trusted. The group is quick to follow when I don't wait for their conversation to finish.

          I take us to a room with ten miniature bathrooms, each one with it's own lockable door.

          "When I had this place built, I put numbers on the inside and outside of the stalls. This way, when we go in to... to strip and wash, we can call out to the next stall that it's their turn to go put their clothing in that bin." I gesture towards a large bin against one wall. "Once we are all washed and clothed, there are clean temporary clothes in the cabinets in each stall, I'll press this button here." I point to the button next to the entranceway. "This will put the clothes through a several weeks long, but gentle, cleaning process. Any possessions you just have to keep, set them in that box next to the bin. They will go through a similar process, but without anything that could harm them. I'm afraid it's all a little too advanced for me to be able to really understand, I had a bunch of scientists build things like this for me." Man they could talk, attempted to explain everything to me, I didn't catch a single word. "Any questions?"

          Scar lightly raises his hand, with a leather glove on it. "Do we put clothing that cannot be washed in the typical way in the bin or the box?"

          "Good question, the box. The bin will use cleaning solutions that are safe on normal clothes, but not things like leather." I gesture towards most of his outfit at the mention of leather. "Any other questions?" No one pipes up. "Alrighty, everyone in a stall. It's easier if we go down the line, that way as we call out for the next stall to go, there's a smaller chance of confusion." Everyone picked a stall, I went into stall one, so I could start the order, hopefully clear any confusion. I take my clothes off, I was prepared for the situation, so I have nothing in my pockets. I open my door and quickly put my clothes in the bin, my boots in the box. The click-clack of my skeletal, bare feet on the tiled floor feels shameful. Once back in the stall, door safely locked, I speak out.

          "Stall two, your turn!" The door opens, seems like they get the gist, so I quickly focus on washing, ignoring the calls of the rest of the stalls. I think there's something funny on the back of my skull, a scrape maybe, probably from hitting my head on a concrete wall. I'm lucky it ended up only being a scrape. There are seven of us total, so I only have to listen for stall seven to be called. Once I'm washed up I step out of the shower part of the stall.

          "stall seven, your turn!" I get out the tie-on clothing, meant to fit at least most body types, and tie it all on. Then I grab the shoes and slip them on. The floor is set to start cleaning itself when any shower comes on, something about the tiny grates, and some kind of solution that isn't good for foot skin. Although, we don't have to worry about damage to foot skin. I brush my teeth as well, I hope the rest of them do, too. Just incase. Now I just gotta wait a bit longer for stall seven to get done putting their clothes and items in the bin and box. I wait a good bit longer than necessary just to be sure. I think there are only a couple showers still running, so I step out. Scar also steps out, it's likely he waited for me to show how I wanted things done, he seems respectful like that. He's toweling something off in his arms.

          "This Place Seems Much Too Large For Just One Person, If You Don't Mind My Prying." Scar's voice is a bit loud, and scratchy, and rough, but so far it's one of the two most respectful ones, the other being the tallest skeleton with messed up teeth and spine. A cat's head pops up from the towel bundle. It's white fur wet from it's impromptu bath, the blue eyes stare at me. There's a pet bag meant to be worn on a person's back in the box, so I assume it was in there.

          "I didn't build it just for me, it's meant for the possibility of a small community. Incase I met people like me, or people came along after me and they needed somewhere safe to set up." I had hoped my family would follow me, they didn't, because they hated that I married some old geezer to get the money for the bunker. The cat doesn't stop staring at me, so I avoid it's eyes instead.

          The tallest one steps out of his own stall, the tie-on clothes are quite short on him, a hint of confusion peaks through his voice. "You Say This Is Meant For People Like You, But You Did Not Allow Us In When We Were In Need Of Safety?" He sounds so questioning, it's not an accusation, he's just curious, just wants answers.

          "Just because we are all skeletons doesn't mean I am like you. I don't know any of you. Strangers were running towards my bunker, yelling and acting a bit erratic. Strangers are dangerous in situations like this." I know I'm coming off a bit defensive, but I have things to protect here. I'm still not happy they forced their way in, regardless of whether or not they mean harm. Although I understand why they did, I likely would have done the same in their place. Hell, if I had something to protect, like Scar does, I would shoot someone in the face for a bunker like this.

          "Ah, My Apologies. Usually Skeletons Tend To Naturally Trust Each Other. I Had Assumed, For No Reason, That All Skeletons Would Be Like That. I Forgot That You Likely Do Not Share Such Instinctual Behaviors." There's a blush on the tall one's face again, it's a bit green, but most of the actual coloring is faint. Gold Tooth's blush was much more saturated, a dark orange, almost red. I agree that since I am not exactly like them, not born or raised a skeleton, I probably don't share such things. Will that prove to be a good or bad thing?

          "That's interesting, I hope you won't mind me asking questions about things like that." It would be good to learn, if not about me, then at least about them.

          "Yes! That Sounds Like A Lot Of Fun!" As much as he seems very sweet, his voice makes me wince. It's too high pitched in these walls, I don't think he notices.

          "We Should Do Introductions On The Way To Wherever You Wish To Take Us Next." Scar is definitely one to take control, I don't mind as long as he isn't stupid, even if this is my bunker.

          "Sounds good to me." I keep a pleasant hint in my voice, it'll likely be needed to keep peace here, better get used to using it.

          "yeah, let's go see the rest of this stupid hunk of metal you've shoved into the ground, here." Purple Hoodie stepped out of his stall, his eyepatch is still on his eye (you know what, if he dies, whatever), and he seems intent on walking towards me. Gold Tooth is out of his stall so quick and quiet I barely notice until he's subtly pulled Purple Hoodie back and away from me. He stands between me and the purple menace, taking on a relaxed stance. Problem is, he hasn't tied on a shirt yet, and I think he rushed out without properly drying. Bones should not look so good, even with water dripping between a few ribs, but I also haven't had any... indulgence, in a long while. I have to avert my eyes, and think about something else. I don't want to start out our living arrangements by demanding there be rules on their clothes, but come on man.

          "judgin by the bin n' box things cleanin our clothes n' shit, i'd say this place'll probably be pretty advanced." Gold Tooth is right, this place is advanced enough that I have no idea how most of it works, not that saying that means much at all. In fact, I'm not convinced some of it isn't stuff the government wouldn't be too happy about a civilian having. I think the scientists I had help make it saw it as a project opportunity to actually do something cool, for someone who wouldn't get them in trouble.

          Yellow Jacket is next out of their stall, I still haven't heard them talk, so I don't know if they're a boy or girl. They seem a bit young, maybe they just have that nervousness that makes them seem younger. They're quick to nearly tuck themself between Gold Tooth and me, they don't touch my arm like they do his. The last one is the thick one, he didn't talk much either, his voice was deep as hell though.

          "Brother? Are You Okay In There?" The tallest one goes over to the stall still in use. Is it just them that are brothers? Are Gold Tooth and Yellow Jacket brothers? They seem close.

          "......hm?......" Just a quiet, blissful sounding hum of a question can be heard.

          "I Know The Hot Water Feels Nice, But We Have Other Things To Do. I'm Sure You Can Experience The Hot Water Again Later. Right?" The tallest one looks at me with the question, his voice gets so small at the end.

          "Absolutely. You'll all be given you're own rooms, with their own bathrooms. With nice hot water." If they're all like this, happy about hot water, I imagine it'll be easy to keep them happy here, maybe excluding Purple Hoodie.

          "See! But We Must Make Haste. We Have More Things To See In This Wonderful Lady's Home." He doesn't mean anything by it, but I can't help the nausea that hits my stomach as I remember I'm going to show a group of six strangers my home. The place I spent so long trying to make perfect. The place I spent my first few years as a young woman sleeping with an old man for. The place I spent years being pretty and perfect and nearly hairless and quiet and poised and doll-like for. The place built to protect not just me, but Camo and Sass as well. The place I had hoped to share with my family, or whatever friends I could make as the years went by. Instead I'm nearly thirty, stuck in my home with six strangers, one of which clearly wants my home for himself.

          "ya okay?" I look up to Gold Tooth, he looks concerned.

          "Yes, of course, why wouldn't I be? I'm fine." I glance at his chest before I remember he's shirtless, and have to whip my head in the other direction again. Jackass.

          "i don't mind ya lookin at me, ya'know." There's a retching noise from Purple Hoodie at Gold Tooth's cheesy words. My face is bright as hell again. Luckily the thick one is done in his stall. Unluckily, he seems to have forgotten to tie on clothes. I turn around in record time, he's just bones, but I don't want to be rude.

          "I Should Have Reminded You About The Clothes, My Mistake." I assume the thick one has memory problems, and his brother takes care of him, that's so sweet.

          "....m'sorry......" Awwwww, poor dear sounds so disappointed in himself. I move to bite at my hangnails, but I don't have any, damnit.

          "It Is Not Your Fault." Scar is the one to reassure him, he seems a good leader.

          "That Is Correct, It Is Not, And I Am Sure The Lady Is Not Angry With You." I know the last bit was a bit directed at me.

          "I am not upset at all, just trying to give a little privacy, take all the time you need." I hear a little commotion, and I think I hear the smack of bone on bone. "What, the fuck, was that?" I sound quite a bit incredulous.

          "nothin' fer ya to worry 'bout swee- uh, miss." Gold Tooth, he sounds lower than he should. He's taller than me, but it sounds like his head is about at my shoulders. Yellow Jacket appears in front of me, looking a bit nervous. Did he really just do jazz hands? Ah, he's distracting me. That can't be good.

          I turn with my hand shielding my eyes from where the brothers are, but I have to move it to see the whole scene. It doesn't matter since the thick one already has pants on, good enough. Gold Tooth has Purple Hoodie in an almost-squatted headlock, neither looks happy, and Scar is standing over them with the deepest scowl I've ever seen on a person. The whole situation is especially odd, because skeletons don't actually have expressions, it's all about vibes. So Scar's scowl is insanely impressive. One may have to be in the room to truly understand.

          A deep sigh escapes me. This is going to be a difficult while. I need to brush up on my How to Survive the Nuclear Apocalypse book, figure out exactly when I can toss him out on his ass, even if the rest leave with him. Well, them leaving will only be a shame if we all get along. Although, community makes or breaks survival eventually, so if we get along then them leaving would be more of a problem than a shame.

          I'm tired as hell, and I think it's only, like, lunchtime, if my stomach is to be trusted.

Chapter Text

          I walk out of the decontamination room, pressing the button on my way out. I still wait next to the doorway, I'm not about to let them get lost with NO knowledge of the layout. When they finally come out, now all fully clothed, I notice something I hadn't before in the commotion. The thick one has a huge chunk of his skull missing, no wonder he clearly has trouble with things. I stare a bit longer than what would be socially acceptable, and a light blush appears on his cheekbones. His blush isn't saturated either, but it doesn't match his huge red eye light, it's a pale light blue.

          "Shall We Continue?" Scar nods his head towards the hallway that leads to the main area.

          "Yes, let's do that. Is anyone else hungry, I made a huge pot of chicken noodle soup just yesterday. I'm sure it'll feed us at least for lunch." There's a purr coming from someone, I'm guessing the one missing a chunk of his skull, he seems the most... instinctual.

          "That Sounds Wonderful, I Myself Quite Enjoy Cooking, And Consider Myself Rather Good At It." Ah shit, I hate cooking, so the things I make are literally just to fuel me.

          "yer food's always too hot fer Colt n' Cree." Gold Tooth chuckles at his own words. I hear a 'blech' sound, I assume from Colt or Cree.

          "Well, if they like bland food then my cooking will be perfect for us." I accidentally let a little insecurity sneak into my voice. "The only seasonings I really use are salt and garlic, which I use in a 'by the bowl' basis. Though, I do keep a variety of spices in the cabinet, just incase." Yellow Jacket pops up to my left, looking excited, still without eye contact.

          "Colt Will Likely Prefer Your Cooking, In That Case." Scar can barely stifle his laugh into a cough. A few laughs follow. So Yellow Jacket must be Colt, good to know.

          "That's great! Speaking of 'Colt,' what are your names?" I look over at Scar, to my right. I can still notice Colt shaking a hand out to the side, I assume excited for bland food.

          "Ah, Yes. I Am Edge." That makes a lot of sense for him. "That One Is Rus." I look almost directly behind me, and Gold Tooth looks up with a small wave and smirk. "Those Two Are Cree And Bear." He gestures up at the tallest one, then a bit lower at the thick one. "That Over There Is Slim." He points at Purple Hoodie. "And I Assume You've Already Pieced Together That This Is Colt." Edge gives Colt a light pat on the head, which they attempt to swat away gently.

          So, Edge (Scar) is the leader, with claw scars over his left eye socket, his eye lights are a bright red. Rus (Gold Tooth) has a gold tooth (duh), with dark orange, almost red, eye lights. Cree is the tallest, despite his messed up spine, he has jagged teeth, and odd looking eye lights, I can't tell the color. Bear is the thickest, with a hole in his skull, and a bulging red eye light. Slim (Purple Hoodie) is the asshole with yellowed bones, purple eye lights, a cracked tooth, and a patch over over one eye socket. If that patch has any radiation on it he may end up further damaging the eye, why the hell should I care, he isn't one of my people. Colt (Yellow Jacket) is the one with yellow eye lights, and gold braces, who might end up liking my food.

          "Very nice to meet you all, you can call me Dandy." After so many years of my name being whispered in my ear by an old man for half an hour once a week (we had a schedule), I have been looking for a different name. I settled on Dandelion, to match Camo and Sass's herb names, and because of my eye lights being a mix of mostly-yellow and a hint of green. Yes, it's silly, but Dandy is a cute nickname, I like it. I didn't bother changing my name until now, since it would be a pain legally, and now no one would recognize me, it just works.

          "...I... like it..." Bear seems to speak slowly, that shouldn't prove to be a problem.

          "Thank you!" It's a little annoying having to look up every time I speak to someone, I assume I'll get used to it. Slim scratches at his neck again, that's seriously starting to worry me.

          We reach the main room, a large communal living room. A conversation pit, with a large coffee table, and a variety of seating with more tables set along the walls. The flooring here is hard wood, easier to clean, and the walls are bright colors, but the lighting is warm and a bit dim. There are multiple bookshelves bursting with books on a variety of topics and genres. There is a large archway in the center of each of the three walls, with two normal entrances on each side of each of them. There's also a normal entrance on each side of the 'exit doorway' we are currently in.

          "The left archway goes to the kitchen and food storage. The center archway goes to the garden and pasture area, that and the kitchen have their own hallway to connect them. It's a bit longer than going through the living area, but then you won't bump into anyone. The right archway goes to the training yard, weapon storage, and main storage. The six smaller entrances on those three walls are bedrooms. There's only six, but they each have multiple beds, two floors, and a bathroom. I thought about having a bathroom on each bedroom floor, but that seemed like too much. There are two more on this wall we are at, but those are smaller, and meant more for incase of problem people or if guarding posts become necessary. Those two are one floor, two beds, one bathroom each. There's also closets full of clothes and extra bedding, soaps in the bathrooms, everything should be nearly perfect, really. Dining table is in the kitchen area, so lets head there now, and pick out rooms after." I only take a few steps before I hear Sass.

          "Brrrrow"

          He runs in like a gremlin after hearing my voice, then arches up at the sight of us. I take a few more steps away from the group and squat down.

          "Sassy, it's me, come on baby!" He cautiously steps towards me, sniffing my outstretched hand. Then he shoves his face against it and starts purring and climbing into my arms. "He's been needing to sniff me before he can recognize that it's me, since I look so different now." I stand and make kissing noises at him, I can't really kiss him, but he still loves shoving his head into my jaw. I continue walking past the dining area to the kitchen area, going about doing things one handed, like I'm used to. I open the fridge door, squat down to hold the huge pot against my hip, and move it to the stove. The upside to being a skeleton is that my bones are easy to tuck things into, once I got used to it, didn't take long.

          "May I Help?" Cree looks nervous, a little extra hunched, and tapping his pointer fingers together.

          "Of course! It would honestly be especially helpful if you set the table for me." I gesture with my head to the cat in my arms while turning on the stove. "Dishes will be in those cabinets there, and silverware is in the drawers just below them."

          "Alright!" He seems happy to have a job to do, I'll have to keep that in mind. I feel a tap on my shoulder, and turn to see Colt looking a bit nervous.

          "Do you need something?" He shakes his head. "Did you want to help, too?" He nods brightly at this. "Sounds good! Uh, drinks will need to be served, does that sound okay?" His shakes his hand erratically, I assume this is a positive action, because his eye lights also go bright, and he trots to the fridge. Most likely taking stock of what's in there. There should be a couple liters of soda, a pitcher of tea, a couple jars of recently processed sheep milk, and some water I like to keep cold. I figured some normal beverages would help ween people (and myself) into the bunker life, so there's a little soda in storage, not much.

          I stand at the stove, lightly swaying and humming to keep myself entertained. Occasionally I can hear a bit of talking happening while Cree and Colt set the table and the rest of them get situated, I don't pay attention though. When I feel another tap on my shoulder, I turn to see Colt again.

          "Yes?" I question gently. He's holding a cup, and gestures with it towards me. He wants my drink preference, after I tell him, he goes to get it ready. Once the sweet kitchen helpers have everything set up, and the soup is nice and hot. I turn off the stove and grab a couple pot holders, going and placing them in the center of the table. They have left a chair in-between Edge and Rus, I assume that's where they want me, so I set Sass in my seat, like I normally do. He seems to stare at Rus for a bit, before noticing the pretty kitty in Edge's arms, and leaning forward to sweetly sniff her nose. I go back to the kitchen, grab the pot, and bring it into the dining area. Rus is quick to get up and snatch it, carefully, from me and set it on the pot holders.

          "Thank you." I pick up Sass and sit back down with him in my lap.

          "if i'dda known it was such'a big pot i woulda got it from the start." He gives a sweet look, this guys gonna set my face on fire eventually.

          "It's not that big, I can handle it."

          "tha's wha' she said." I roll my eyes at Slim's words. If anyone else had said it, I may have giggled, but I don't like him. He's sat on the other side of Edge, at the end of the table, so he receives his punishment in the form of a quick smack.

          "Thank You For The Food, Miss Dandy! May I Begin Serving." Cree pipes up from his seat, directly across from me.

          "Oh would you? That would be wonderful!" He stands and picks up his brother's bowl, and begins going down the line, grabbing bowls and putting a good bit of food in each one. "I'm sorry my table manners, well all my manners actually, they're all just terrible. I'm not particularly social, especially in recent years." Bear is staring into his food and lightly trembling. I reach and lightly tap Cree, gesturing to his brother questioningly.

          "He Is Being Polite, And Waiting For Others To Begin Eating Before He Does." I don't need or want him to be polite, I want him to eat, but it's not my place to make such demands. He isn't my brother, he's Cree's. He isn't under my protection, he's under Edge's. I go to chew on my hangnails, but I don't have any. So I pick at my finger bones, instead.

          "she jus' said she don't got good manners. 'm sure she won' mind if he starts eatin before everyone else does." Rus is cautious with his words, but I'm quick to take the opportunity.

          "I absolutely don't mind in the slightest if he eats now. We're here to eat, that's what's important, everything else is just extra, in my opinion." I feel nervous, like I'm playing with fire, I think I'm just being fed by Rus's nerves.

          Bear stares at me intently, his eye light is wavering. Then it drifts to Edge, who gives a light nod, with gentle eyes. Last, it drifts to Cree, who attempts another smile, and also gives a nod. Bear hardly wastes another second before shoving a hand in his bowl, scooping out noodles and a chunk of chicken to be shoved quickly into his oddly gaping maw. I force myself to not make any sound, and quickly fix my face to show none of the surprise and amusement I feel. If we were closer, if they understood I mean no harm by it, I would have busted out laughing. Not AT him, just the hands-in-the-bowl-shoving-food-into-his-face thing. However, someone so quick to do something like this likely has some form of trauma shaping their actions, so I doubt anyone else would see the humor in the situation.

          ... I hate that my sense of humor makes me feel like a terrible person.