Heavy focus on family relationships but also X Steve. OC is intersex and nonbinary. ⚠️TW: trauma reactions to physical abuse and emotional neglect
I started on this story a long time ago but at least that means properly scheduled updates until it's...
Amity, Gus, Hunter, Josefin, Vee, and Willow were preparing to leave. "All right," Amity said. "Luz is at her mom's vet clinic putting tiny little bandages on "hedgehogs." So today, we're going into town to solve this code."
Gus pulled his hat over his ears. "Ears."
Vee help up a town map. "Routes."
"Snacks," Willow said, putting granola bars in her pockets, "check."
"Human disguise, check!" Hunter showed off his yellow outfit. "Eh?"
Josefin stared at their brother. "It that...?"
"Oh, that is a look." Willow took a picture of him.
Hunter walked between Gus and Vee, the former looking amazed. "According to Cosmic Frontier, this is what the modern human male wears."
Vee took the book from him. "This was written in the '90s about the year 2008."
Hunter smiled. "Oh, yeah. Can't wait for that New Year's party."
"And did you get to the last chapter?" Gus asked excited.
"O'Bailey is still hiding the fact that he's a Duplicant in hyperdisguise," Hunter said, "But Captain Avery is figuring it out."
Gus nodded. "I think he already knows but-"
"Ah, bup-bup-bup! No, no, no, no, no spoilers!" Josefin interupted. "I'm still four characters behind!"
"Hunter," Amity said, "I don't think the world is ready for the brave fashion choices of the year 2008. Please change."
Willow put a hand over Amity's mouth. "Don't listen to her!"
Vee took her human form. "Aw, geez, we're gonna miss the bus."
"Oh, it's okay!" Hunter said. "I'll catch up. There's a transport worm every half hour."
"Do you want me to stay behind with you?" Josefin asked.
"Nah," Hunter said. "Go ahead and have fun. I'll find you guys later."
"Alright," Josefin said as they left the house, Willow following soon after.
Willow sat beside Josefin on the bus as Gus, Amity, and Vee took an open seat a few rows ahead. "Hey, Jo? Can I talk to you?"
Josefin nodded. "Sure, Willow. Any time you need to."
"Well... it's about Hunter..."
"Oh?" Josefin asked.
"I think I like him. Like like-like him..."
Josefin chuckled. "Gonna be honest, I don't know that much about love."
"But you and Steve-"
"Haven't been together that long." I shrugged. "I don't know much about love but I do know it's worth a shot. Just be careful with him. My brother hasn't known much love in his life. He doesn't know how to recognize it. Not in others or himself. He's been through a lot in life as the Golden Guard... that 'heart of stone' is softer than he thinks it is."
Willow smiled. "Thank, Josefin."
~~~
"First stop," Amity said as they left the bus, "The Magic Circle."
The group was quickly being chased from the shop thanks to the chaos Gus and Amity caused.
The group cut across the park to the library with hopes that such a familiar building could offer assistance. Amity took the lead, having worked in the library at home for a time.
Josefin watched from a little ways off. They're arms were folded against their chest as they leaned against a pole.
"Just go ask," a girl urged her friend in a hushed tone.
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Josefin glanced over at the pair in time to see one push the other toward them. Jo raised an eyebrow at the girls, maybe 15 or 16, and waved their fingers lightly at them. The girls turned into a match set of giggling mess.
Josefin jumped at the sound of crashing. Amity had fallen. Josefin rushed to help her up. "You okay, Amity?"
Her face was red as Amity said, "Let's just get out of here."
Their next stop was the zoo. Josefin paid for their entry with the money card Camila had given them. Josefin found it far easier than counting out the currency of the human realm. The different shapes and sizes were hard to remember. A little bit of math was way easier.
Not long after the group entered, they spotted a living myth. A giraffe.
"Careful!" Josefin stopped the group with their arms outstretched. "I did a report on these guys. Six witches died during their removal!"
"There's a fence between us. What's the worse that could happen?" Gus bowed the the giraffe.
No response.
"Maybe they've become kinda domesticated since they came here?" Amity suggested.
"Maybe." Josefin said as they carefully pressed the group to leave the area.
Willow raised her camera and with a bright flash, took a picture of the creature. Surprised by the light, the giraffe opened its mouth to reveal a monstrous inside.
The group screamed as they rushed away towards one of the food vendors to regroup and decided what to do next.
"I don't blame our ancestors for banishing those guys," Gus said. "Yeesh."
Vee sighed. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but... I think I know where to go next."
