(A soft remake of the second chapter in this book. Same thing, fluff.)
In the rhythmic cadence of Hunter's routine, he embarked on yet another perilous odyssey. This journey unfolded amidst the menacing presence of lizards and regal vultures. Armed with a pair of spears and a resolute objective, Hunter charted a specific course. His trajectory led him through sprawling farm arrays, ascending to sky islands, and finally arriving at the towering Chimney Canopy, where a formidable obstacle awaited him—the perilous wall guarding the gateway to the metropolis, resonating with an enigmatic echo.
As Hunter confronted the looming challenge, he drew a deep breath, retrieving his spears from the shelter floor. One spear gracefully adorned his back, while he tightly gripped the other in his paw. Sliding down the opening, descending, and embarking on a meticulous ascent, he traversed poles, ledges, and narrow passages, navigating a daunting metal structure with the awareness that a single misstep could spell his untimely demise.
After what felt like an eternity of climbing, Hunter reached a captivating area teeming with batflies. Although meager in sustenance, they would serve as a meager start to satiating his hunger. Hunter skillfully threw his spear, impaling a couple of airborne critters. Leaping up, he deftly retrieved the spear, extracting the batflies for a hasty but satisfying feast.
Exhaling, Hunter continued his ascent, encountering a white lizard lying in ambush. With a swift and forceful thrust, the creature met its demise, and Hunter feasted on his conquest, leaving a crimson stain in his wake. Satiated, he pressed on, navigating from pole to pole as raindrops began to fall, their soft sounds heralding an impending deluge. Determined to find shelter, Hunter quickened his pace, darting through the elements in search of refuge.
As the rain intensified, Hunter's relief came in the form of a closed space with another pole to climb. Eagerly ascending, he discovered a shelter, allowing him to catch his breath. However, his respite was abruptly interrupted when a maroon slugcat, scarred and bedraggled, barged through the closing doors, lightly colliding with Hunter.
In the confined space, the two slugcats locked eyes, tension filling the air. Minutes passed in silence before Hunter, attempting to break the ice, introduced himself. The maroon slugcat, named Artificer, responded with a cold stare and reluctance to engage in conversation. Despite Hunter's attempts to lighten the mood, Artificer remained guarded, revealing her name only after persistent prodding.
Acknowledging the need for rest, the two settled on opposite sides of the shelter. While Hunter enjoyed a peaceful slumber, Artificer exhibited signs of distress, emitting hisses and incomprehensible noises.
As the storm outside raged on, the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain against the shelter's metallic exterior provided a soothing backdrop. Hunter, still groggy from his earlier nap, noticed Artificer's subtle tremors and anxious movements. Concern etched across his face, he decided to offer more than just a comforting presence.
Gently, Hunter extended his tail, wrapping it protectively around Artificer's body. The warmth of his gesture seemed to resonate with her, prompting a brief tensing before she surrendered to the embrace. Hunter pulled her close, providing a shield against the tempest both outside and within.
Artificer, her earlier agitation now replaced by a quiet vulnerability, nestled into Hunter's side. The rhythmic rise and fall of their breaths soon synchronized, creating an unspoken connection between them. In that small shelter amidst the rain-soaked turmoil, the boundaries that initially separated them dissolved.
Hunter, his initial concern transforming into a genuine sense of care, stroked Artificer's fur gently, offering reassurance in the silence of their shared space. The ambient hum of the storm became a distant melody, drowned out by the intimacy of the moment.
As they lay there, each breath resonated with a newfound understanding—an unspoken pact forged in the crucible of their individual struggles. The storm outside might have raged on, but within the confines of that shelter, a quiet calm prevailed, one born from the unexpected connection between two wanderers in the vast expanse of their world. The cuddling continued, an anchor in the storm.
Wrapped in the cocoon of their shared warmth, Hunter could feel Artificer's gradual relaxation against him. As the minutes ticked by, her trembling subsided, replaced by a subtle surrender to the tranquility of their closeness. The storm's symphony outside became a distant lullaby, drowned out by the rhythmic cadence of their breathing.
Hunter continued to stroke Artificer's fur with a delicate touch, an unspoken language of comfort exchanged between them. In the dim light of the shelter, the scars on Artificer's face seemed to soften, and the weight of the world lifted momentarily from her shoulders.
The ambient glow of the shelter cast a gentle radiance, revealing the shared vulnerability that lingered in the silence. Each shared breath became a bridge, connecting their separate journeys into a shared narrative. The transition from wary strangers to intertwined souls happened in the quietude of that confined space.
Embraced by the rhythmic pulse of the storm, Hunter and Artificer found solace not just from the elements but also in the unexpected companionship that had blossomed. Their cuddling became more than just a physical closeness; it was a testament to the healing power of shared vulnerabilities and the quiet strength that arises when two solitary paths converge into a momentary haven amidst the chaos of their world.
(There, a small revamp, more cuddling, hope this was better, still suck at writing lol.)
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Rain-World Oneshots
FanficI dunno, felt bored, decided to make a book, send in requests for stories or something, take your pick, I'll write it, purely because I'm bored I don't know man.
