"Fine. Shoot them for all I care." Character A said breezily.

Character B held the gun flush against Character C's head. "Then I will."

There was the click of an empty gun chamber, and Character A suddenly lunged for them both, face twisted in agony. "No!"

Character B grinned like a snake. "How interesting."

Character A finds a lost dog, apparently abandoned and so they take it in. Weeks later, they're certain this is no ordinary animal; it breathes fire, listens to all Character A's commands, and kills every mouse and vole that crosses its path.

One day, Character A is walking their "dog" when a stranger stops and begins complimenting them on how well trained their familiar is.

"Familiar?" Character A repeats confusedly. "Oh, he's just my dog!"

"Oh, sweetie, you don't have to keep secrets around our kind; I spotted him right away!"

Character A bit Character B's finger, and they screamed in pain. Character A relished the taste of blood.

"I always knew you were a fighter," Character B gritted out. "I didn't know it was rebelling against me that would bring it out of you, though."

"When are mom and dad going to be home?"

"Tomorrow. Their plane was delayed tonight."

"You said that yesterday." Character A clasped their hands together, a nervous tick. "Character B, when are mom and dad going to be home?"

".....I don't know."

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: DCU (Comics) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Tim Drake & Jason Todd Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd Additional Tags: Fae Tim Drake, Human Jason Todd, Mythical Beings & Creatures, Magical Creatures, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, not heavy on lore just premise, Cottagecore, Comfort Food, Jason Todd is Not Red Hood, Tim Drake is Not Red Robin, no capes AU, POV Tim Drake, POV Jason Todd, POV Alternating, Non-Binary Tim Drake, Touch-Averse Tim Drake, Fae & Fairies Summary:

Wanting to get away from home for a while, Tim wanders the woodlands until he stumbles upon a human living in a little cottage. Said human is Jason, and he delights in sharing his bread with his new, weekly guest.

+ Prompt by @the-beauty-of-the-written-words

"Drink. Drink all of it."

Character A wrinkled their nose. "Um, no. It looks disgusting. Is that a crow's beak floating around in there?"

Character B blinked. "Is that not a regular part of one's cuisine?"

"Um, you know what, nevermind. I'll drink it. At least you're making an effort."

"Listen to me." Character A squeezed Character B's face between shaking palms. "Listen. It can't hurt you unless you're afraid of it. It feeds off of fear, otherwise it can't hurt you."

Character B nodded doggedly, but screamed when Character A stood up. "Don't leave!"

"I have to. Trust me, just don't be scared, and it can't-"

"But I'm always more scared when you're gone, Character A."

"What's that smell? Like...rotten fish guts."

"Well god," Character A muttered uncomfortably. "Don't pull any punches."

"What?"

"Mermaids molt every once in a while, dumbass. Sorry it doesn't smell like chocolate and roses."

Character A peered out over the abyss. "How far down does it go?"

Character B quietly came up behind them and rested a hand on their back, blood pumping with what they were about to do. "I expect you'll find out soon enough."

"Hm?" Character A hummed casually before Character B gave them a hard shove and sent them plummeting down.

Character A slowly turned around. "You."

Character B backed up with their hands raised. "Hey. No. Don't do that. Just because I'm the one that cursed your sibling a while ago doesn't mean I don't want to see them right again."

"Oh, yeah? You've have a change of heart?"

"Exactly. So put the sword down, please."

"Fine. Shoot them for all I care." Character A said breezily.

Character B held the gun flush against Character C's head. "Then I will."

There was the click of an empty gun chamber, and Character A suddenly lunged for them both, face twisted in agony. "No!"

Character B grinned like a snake. "How interesting."

Character A's hands tore frantically at the dirt. Character B pulled at their shoulder, teeth grit. "Character A, quit it! This helps nobody!"

"They're still down there!" Character A wailed. "I need-- I need to get them out--"

"Listen, we'll make a plan later! Right now, we might face the same fate if we don't get out of here!"

"You've enchanted me, is what I am claiming."

Character B stared down at Character A's outstretched hand. "You gotta be kidding me."

"I am not. I find myself taken with you."

"I haven't 'enchanted' anybody since Matt Barnes in the fourth grade. And even that ended horribly."

Character A let themselves be carried by the waves, floating on their back in the sea.

"I could get used to this."

"I couldn't." Character B huffed, holding onto a pool floatie like a cat in water. "Only you can get enthusiastic about being stranded on an island."

"I don't want you to be...confused about my intentions." Character A fidgeted. "It was never my intention to cause discord."

"I think you just broke up my family. Like, forever. You didn't mean to cause discord?"

"I just wanted to find the truth."

"So here I am. The last family you'll ever have after mom dies."

"I have no obligation to you." Character B said, trying to keep their voice even. "You think blood is enough to compel me to help you?"

"Maybe not the bond of blood. But what about love?"