It's time for pairing that puts the 'fun' in dysfunctional. This is a collection of short stories and one-shots centered around the daily life and (mis)adventures of Lotus and Rurik, otherwise known as the FellPoth/Lurik ship.
All stories are separ...
Chapter Warnings: Gun violence, character death, swearing
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*BANG*
Pain streaked across Rurik's left cheek as he pulled Lotus down into a crouch with him, wrapping his arms protectively around his partner while using the bulk of his body to shield them from the woman.
*BANG*
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Both skeletons flinched as another shot went off, followed by a thud and screaming. Someone called for an ambulance, but Rurik had more pressing concerns; concerns such as the silent, trembling body in his grasp.
Fearing the worst had happened, he frantically whispered, "Lotus?! Lotus, are you hurt?! Say something, dammit! Oh stars, please-"
"I-I'm...," Lotus stuttered, taking a gulp of air and looking up with a quivering red eye light. "I'm alright... j-just...! Your face!" he gasped; his fear was completely forgotten as he reached up to the mark running across Rurik's left cheek. Before he could actually touch it though, he withdrew his hand; his eye light darted around as if only now realizing their surroundings.
Worry morphed into anger as Lotus pulled himself from his companion's grip to glare over their shoulder toward the shooter. While Rurik wanted to tell him the get down in case the danger was still present, he knew it was ultimately useless since his partner had always been notorious for being a little spitfire when their temper flared.
He did, however, turn around at the look of shock on Lotus's face; it seemed the woman had already been dealt with, having been shot by another officer shortly after opening fire. Wiping the streak of marrow from his cheek, Rurik stood and sighed, "Come on, we're done here. Let's get these stupid bands off already; I think it's starting to wear a hole in my arm."
Wrapping an arm around his companion's shoulder, Rurik flagged down the bailiff so the man could escort them to get their bands removed and collect his confiscated possessions. He smiled at the way Lotus relaxed into his side, letting him lead the way.
---
"Ridiculous! All that bullshit because some nimrod didn't check their suspects properly! A waste of time, money, and resources-," Lotus ranted from his seat on Rurik's lap; the skeleton listened half-heartedly, his thoughts wandering. The whole reason he had been suspected in the first place was due to the security camera recording him shortly before the murder in combination with the cloth left behind at the scene containing a marrow stain they matched to him; his best guess was that it fell out of his pocket when he pulled out his wallet
His acquittal was a combination of Lotus's testimony and, stupidly enough, the realization that there were fingerprints at the crime scene. Since Rurik was a skeleton lacking skin, it was impossible for him to leave prints; it was a case of biased officers jumping to conclusions and arresting the first possible suspect they had.
Lotus's voice drifted back through, "... don't know how you can be so calm, I'm livid right now! I should-"
Rurik was secretly glad Lotus had found something to distract him from his own thoughts; that Flucker guy had done a number on his psyche, managing to dig up some pretty dark thoughts trapped within his mind and making him question his self-worth once again. Luckily, some well-placed affection and words, along with getting angry over that shitshow of a trial on his boyfriend's behalf, beat back the inner demons and allowed him to relax... mostly.
"Why aren't you saying anything?! You should be-" Lotus paused, his sockets creasing as he hesitantly questioned his partner's silence, "...Rurik?"
Rurik chuckled lowly as he held Lotus close, feeling lightheaded from the day's events and what could have happened. How lucky could he get? Some crazy bitch had shot at his partner... and not only missed her target, but only managed to nick him on the cheek! He was so... so lucky...
The skeleton tightened his grip, producing a small squeak from the smaller. Rurik curled up in a ball around them, nuzzling his uninjured cheek against their hooded skull as he whispered, "How close did I come to almost losing you again? How close?" Tears flowed freely down his face and onto his partner's hood, and he did nothing to stop them. Now that they were behind closed doors, they were allowed to properly express themselves without the judgment of the world... and after the day he had, the emotional release was needed.
Lotus lifted his arms up, snaking them around Rurik's neck to pull the distressed monster into a hug; pressing into their chest and closing his sockets, he hummed, "You didn't lose me, and you never will. From the day we met, you've always found a way to save me; before, now, and always."
Pulling back a bit from the hug, a single eye light met Rurik's starry ones. Lotus smiled as he stated, "I meant it when I said I trust you with my life."
Rurik stared in disbelief before snorting, "Stars, you sound so damn cheesy!"
The smaller blushed, averting his gaze and pouting with a grumbled, "Shut up..."
As the evening wore on and Lotus fell asleep in his lap, Rurik settled into a more comfortable position. Tracing his finger idly over the smaller's collar bone, he reveled in their presence, slowly drifting off to the sound of steady breathing and the feeling of warmth resting against his chest as a peaceful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. They were happy, they were healthy... and most importantly, they were safe.
