Hollow City (A Hollow Knight OC AU)

Unexpected Roommate!

So... I have a new roommate...
Hooray.

Let me start from the beginning

~~~

Man, the past few days have been so dull. I don't really have any other friends besides Vezz, but he's working right now.
As I strolled through the streets of Hollow City, something caught my eye - a bizarre figure walking right down the middle of the road.

"What the fuck...?" I whispered to myself, squinting to get a better look. That's when I saw the huge delivery truck barreling down on the oblivious person. To my shock, instead of jumping out of the way, they pulled out their nail!

Before I knew what was happening, I had tackled him out of the way, his nail clattering against the concrete. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I yelled, breathless. "Who in their right mind pulls out their nail instead of jumping out of the way?!" I paused, realizing the strange bug-like creature wasn't even listening. "Hello? Hollownest to bug? Are you even listening to me?!"

"Not in the slightest," the vessel replied, standing and kneeling before me. "You saved my life, and for that I am eternally grateful." He rose again, piercing me with an intense stare. "However, you have no right to reprimand me like I am a child."

I scowled at his arrogant tone. "Well, maybe I wouldn't 'reprimand' you (who even uses that word) if you had some common fucking sense! What kind of psychopathic dumbass pulls out their nail at the sight of a truck coming at them head-on?!"

"A...'truck' is what that thing was?" He asked, his voice full of confusion.

"Y-yeah? You... don't know ehat a truck is?" I asked, studying him more closely. He definitely didn't seem like any of the residents of Hollow City. Almost... feral.

"No. Nothing even remotely like it," the vessel confirmed with a shake of his head.

"Huh..." I hesitated, having a thought. "Introduce yourself for me."

"Ah yes, of course." He bowed to me. "My name is Wyre, a former Pale Knight under the rule of the Pale King. A sworn protector and traveler of Hollownest."

I felt my eyes go wide at his proclamation. "The...Pale King died over a thousand years ago. Where are you from??"

Wyre froze, then started shaking his head vehemently. "Pardon me? A thousand...years? No, no. That...that can't be right."

"Wyre -" I tried to interject, but he cut me off.

"NO! YOU - you do not know what you are talking about!" he shouted, seeming more frantic by the second.

I held up my hands peacefully. "Wyre, look at it logically -"

"NO! Just..." He took a deep, steadying breath, clearly trying to regain his composure. "You are deeply mistaken," he stated firmly, although I could tell deep down he knew the truth.

The defiant light in his eyes dimmed, his shoulders slumping as the realization seemed to hit him. He appeared utterly confused and afraid. Despite his earlier hostility, I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy. I knew I needed to help him.

"Do you... have anywhere to stay?" I asked gently, offering my hand.

Wyre swatted my hand away, growling. "I do not need your sympathy. I was once a Pale Knight that traveled through the dangers of Hollownest for years. I do not need you or anyone el-"

"WATCH OUT DUMBASS!" I yelled, yanking him back as another vehicle went speeding by. This fucker couldn't last more than 10 minutes in the city, I thought. I noticed he only had three fingers and his arm was covered in scars. How much had this mysterious knight been through?

After extricating himself from my grip, Wyre fell silent. I spent the walk back to my apartment attempting to explain the concept of cars, trucks, and traffic laws, but he didn't seem to be listening. As we arrived, I gave him one last piece of information:

"This is Hollow City, Wyre. Welcome."

~~~

You are now up-to-speed.

~~~

As we walked to my apartment, Wyre was clearly curious of the new world around him. Probably because of all the technology. I remember learning a few things about the Pale King and Infection Era in school, and that the level of tech we have today wasn't even conceivable during that time.

Wyre kept getting weird stares from everyone we passed, but I guess it makes sense. He was extremely out of place here. Not only with his bizarre appearance, but he didn't have any clothes on underneath that tattered cloak of his - which I guess was normal over a thousand years ago.

Somehow, I had only just now noticed he had a very long tail. Strange.

We finally reached my apartment after what felt like an eternity of navigating the crowded city streets.

Holy shit. This guy is just... EXHAUSTING! It's taking all my energy just to keep him from getting himself killed!

"What...what is this place? Why have you brought me here?" Wyre questioned in a low growl as we entered.

I opened my mouth to explain, but his interest had already shifted elsewhere. The pale knight was frantically inspecting every aspect of my living room, running his hands along the walls, furniture, and decor with curiosity.

He looked equal parts awed and deeply unsettled by the mundane technology surrounding him, his tail swishing tentatively. I watched Wyre experimentally depress the buttons on the remote, then flinch when the TV blinked on, grabbing his nail defensively. This almost seemed like I was bringing a new pet home for the first time rather than a person.

Wait... what?

  ~~~

Wyre's POV:
As I ventured further into this vessel's strange dwelling, an unfamiliar feeling washed over me - a sense of security I had never known before.
I noticed what looked like a strange cushioned bench. I couldn't help but inspect it.

Oh.

...

Oh.

It's much softer than I expected.

Hesitantly, I lowered myself onto the inviting furniture. The soft fabric molded around me in a soothing embrace. I melted fully into the cushions, the rigors of my knightly life gradually dissipating.

I think... this is the first time I have ever felt... relaxed. Cocooned in unimaginable comfort, my eyes grew heavy. Within moments, I had surrendered to a deep, restful slumber...