« 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴. »

𝚛𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗

i smiled to myself, rubbing my arms for warmth as i walked through the town. it was dark and gloomy, as usual. there was never a light to touch this place, and if there was, it would only be a torch or electricity from the huge castle.

i weaved through the town, finding myself standing outside the castle gate. yup, it still looks the same when i saw it before. cobwebs and torches outside. i rang the large bell that hung from the top, waiting while warming myself up. i waited... and waited.

then there it was. that familiar large figure that smelt of something unimaginable. it waddled over, using a large hand to slam the gate open. it looked at me with its dead eyes, scanning almost. i took down my cloak hood and beamed up at the almost 8ft tall monster.

"heya, mako!"

he let out a grunt of what i assume joy, leaning forward and wrapping his large arms around me. he squeezed tightly but stopped when i let out a soft cough. he used a singular hand to lift me up onto his shoulders, closing the gate behind him. i wrapped my legs ever so gently around his shoulder area so i didn't fall, keeping a hold of my bag.

mako opened the castles door and i sighed remembering this place. it was warm in here, somewhat cozy and comfortable to be in. looks like it's gotten a bit downhill though...

"god fuckin' dammit!"

there was already australian anger coming from the open laboratory just around the corner. mako looked up at me and i nodded, patting his head. he then waddled very quietly and carefully down the corridor and managed to sneak past the scientist.

we had gotten to the very familiar dining room, the largest room apart from the main area in the castle. mako picked me up by my collar gently and placed me down to sit on the table. he slightly bent his back and pointed to my bag which i clutched on to.

"yes?" i raised a brow.

he grunted and poked it.

"ah, it's some gifts." i smiled.

he leaned back and his mouth twitched, assuming that was a smile. i put the bag onto the table and opened it, carefully bringing out a very large flower crown i had made before getting here. i held it outward. mako looked down at it, his eyes scanning it and he picked it up and let out joyful grunts.

"mako! keep it down!" the scientist yelled angrily.

i patted mako's head and giggled softly.

"do you... like it?"

the monster let out another loud grunt in approval as he went to place it on his head. a rose fell off and the chain became incomplete without it. he looked at me in sadness and let his arms drop.

"nono it's okay! it's easy, here."

i dropped from the table and picked up the flower, pushing a chair (unfortunately very loudly) towards the giant being, and stepped onto it. i softly grabbed the flower crown and fixed it with no problem, then placed it upon his head. it took some adjustments, but it fit.

mako let out more approving noises, clapped and then leaned down to press his snout against my forehead. i giggled again until i heard very loud angry boots heading to our direction.

"mako, what did i-"

there he stood. hair even more messed up than usual, sleeves lazily rolled up and lab-coat opened. me and mako's heads turned at the same time, seeing him.

".. well crikey."

mako lift me up again, in more of a protective way.

"hello to you too, jamison." i replied slowly.

"fancy seein' you 'ere again." he replied back weakly, rubbing his head.

mako took small steps towards jamison, keeping me in his arms as we got closer. every step he tightened his grip.

"it's aight, mako. i ain't gonna do no 'arm." jamison chuckled.

the monster above me snarled lowly and cautiously dropped me in front. jamison didn't hesitate and leaped forward for a hug. i yelped and patted his back with a tiny giggle. this bear hug carried on for a good five minutes before i heard little sniffles next to my head.

".. jamie, you alright-?"

"i thought you weren't ever comin' back, mate!" he pulled away from the hug but kept his large ass hands on my shoulders, shaking them a little. "it's been a year, i thought you'd bloody died or somethin'!"

i blinked and cleared my throat. silence.

"i missed ya..."

"i can kinda tell." i let out a quiet 'heh' afterwards.

jamison lifted his goggles up to his forehead. his eyes were dark underneath and you could clearly see the explosion lines around where his goggles had been.

"jesus, jamie," i sighed.

"wot?" he replied with an eyebrow cocked.

"have you not slept?!"

"hmm... not since ya left, not really no." he smiled weakly.

i sighed again in annoyance.

"ah-ah, don't hit me with the 'sleep is more important!' here."

we both snorted. mako's snout nudged the back of my head. i turned and saw his head nod once towards jamison's stomach. it took me a second to figure out what he meant. i turned my head slowly and narrowed my eyes. jamison put his hands up and nervously giggled.

"i'm making dinner right this instant!" i bounced over to the kitchen.

when i left, jamison put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes at mako who just shrugged and somewhat smiled. jamison rolled his eyes and huffed, running a hand through his white hair. then saw the bag on the table.

"ay, whats this mate?"

he reached over to grab it and peered inside. his eyes sparkled. mako tilted his head and tried peering in before leaping away to the lab.

- a slight timeskip -

i left the kitchen with two plates stacked with food, with everything you could imagine, and set them onto the table. mako looked at me disappointedly. i giggled.

"yours is in the kitchen, honey." i smiled warmly at him.

without any warning, he had leapt up and ran to the kitchen. i snorted watching him, then turned my attention to jamison who was beaming so widely i thought his jaw was gonna drop off.

"dinner's on the table-"

"I LOVE YOU."

i jumped.

"jesus christ-"

i peeked at what he was doing. he was rummaging through the bag. i let out a small happy noise.

"i've always wanted one...!"

he pouted and held up the literal human heart in a box i had gotten him.

"ah, yeah, about that..."