seren.writes

─ 18 .ᐟ she/her .ᐟ ─ multifandoms .ᐟ ─ ' all that i see is serendipity '

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𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 | 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

Dream of the Endless x Reader Summary: The mighty Dream Lord has fallen for another being, though this time they are not moral, nor are they as easily intimidated by him. Warnings: None yet, will likely go over themes within the series, general violence and angst (will refine soon) Word Count: 327

Sleep: something you had not had the privilege of having for a very long time. You used to beg for it, plead for the release from your daily struggles, but it was all for not. After a while, those sleepless nights became second-nature, and dreams little more than a fleeting memory as the years opened and closed their chapters in a taunting fashion.

Perhaps if you were able to find the cause, you often believed, then maybe this unnatural event would return back to normal. You might even see the man of your dreams once more.

He would plague your mind more often that you'd like to admit. An unmoving face with an equally displeased tone of voice to compliment it. You recalled a time when you tried to suggest he should perhaps be more gentle in his courting of you, to not be as unreadable as he was. He didn't take kindly to the supposed criticism.

He stalked your mind from the edges of your nightmares, bringing more discomfort to your sleep than he ever had before. A warning, you presumed. If he felt remorse, he certainly had a reserved way of showing it. Small as it was though, the feeling was there.

He truly tried to be more tender: from the contents of your subconscious mind, to his diligent raven that peered deep into your soul. His touch eventually became delicate, that is when he permitted himself to allow vulnerability to overcome him. However, he still had his pride, and he would not let himself fall too easily into the embrace of another. For he was an Endless, and you were not.

Now, you found yourself with over one hundred years of questions. He had disappeared without so much as a whisper of your name nor telling that he was safe. There were rumours he had abandoned his realm, leaving his creations to drift over time, some with more ill intent than others.

But why?

A/N: I have fallen back into my Sandman phase, and I genuinely forgot how wonderful the acting in this show was as well as the visual effects. I will say that I do not support Neil Gaiman in anyway, he is an awful man. The cast of Sandman is why I watch the show, they're all so talent and bring the characters to life so beautifully. (Plus Tom Sturridge is so fine.) I've been in a major writing burn-out so I wanted to try something a little new, so here it is!! Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it <33

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The Freelings at Christmas Warnings: None, simply merry scenarios Word Count: 625

Esther, with the new information of the supernatural, tries to reason that Santa is somehow real and/ or is an immortal creature himself. She'd be the type to set up a trap for Santa and his reindeer, just to prove she's right. She has a bit of trouble getting to sleep, she'd rather be opening her presents right now (and maybe try Ben's too if he annoyed her enough). While she fronts that watching Christmas films with her family is boring, she usually ends up subtly hinting all throughout the day that they need to do this new tradition. She's not above taking guest's belongings if they're scared off and gifting them to the others if she has no other ideas, it gets the job done in her mind.

Ben likes to help out Katherine when he can, he'd hate for her to be stressed during this time of year. He'd go out of his way to make Christmas dinner, organise decorations, and buy the family presents. Speaking of which, I think that because he pays such close attention to his family, his gifts are always thoughtful and special to each individual. Sometimes he gets too caught up in the holiday season himself, burning himself out around the special day, though it would be quickly reignited when he sees how happy his family is when they spend time together.

Abaddon, though he despises to admit it, likes the festive holidays. A deep-rooted part of his being, of the vessel, yearns for the connection and love of those around him. That being said he hardly gets any of the customs correct, at least by normal standards: he gifted Ben a dead finch after he overheard him asking about one, gave Esther a creature's heart for rituals, and Katherine got a lipstick which he later clarified was a brand he thought tasted nicer than her other ones. He means well, but he scurries away with any gifts he's given, appearing a few hours later with a vague thank you: 'Yes, these offerings will suffice, your loyalty is proving to be useful.'

Katherine is just trying her hardest around this time. There are frozen pipes, breezes from locked rooms, and other nonsense she can't be bothered dealing with. She usually threatens that if the kids, or Nathan to be honest, don't behave then they'll all get coal and wood logs for Christmas. However, no matter what they've done, she could never be angry at them for too long, her gifts are always good: she knows what Ben, Esther, and sometimes Abaddon like, so she just wants them all to have a good day, it's been stressful recently for them and she wants them to know she cares. She does make a traditional Christmas dinner and it's delicious, as is most of her cooking, and she appreciates it when Ben offers a helping hand.

Nathan loves to help out with deciding on presents for other people, though it doesn't really happen often as he can't keep a secret for his life, or death for that matter. He has a rather eccentric eye for decorations and tree ideas, and he's always willing to give feedback on how the others do-up the hotel. Ben tries to keep him out of the kitchen when he cooks: Nathan likes to, as we've seen, ask questions above the food, getting a tad invasive as he tries to deduce exactly what it tastes like. Heaven forbid if he finds out there's cinnamon involved. Regardless, the holidays mean his family is home more and he gets to spend time with his loved ones, something he secretly regrets not doing more of. This is his chance of catching up with them and experiencing a truly happy Christmas.

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!! I'm starting to get back into my writing groove, so this has been super helpful, and fun, to do! A little gift to my friend I suppose, I hope you like it very much, stinky.

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Katherine Freeling's stunted grief | A small imagine/ analysis Warnings: The process of grief, allusions to depression, death, repressed emotions, a lot of angst Word Count: 702

Katherine, until Nathan possibly finishes his business, will be forever stunted in her grief. I think her, and by extension the children, will never be able to process his death properly.

She had to learn her older brother, the person she's grown up with and loved, is now gone. There is no way to bring him back, there is no way to talk to him, there is no way to change what has happened. We see she's been angry with him, stuck on the past of his actions and habits, maybe clinging to denial he's gone, he's still annoying her after he's passed. Ben and Esther have to process grief of someone taken from them way too soon, they have to watch their mother fall into a dark place, they have to try and live without someone they loved.

Then, Katherine gets news her brother left something for her: a hotel. With her life as crumbling and chaotic as it is, this could be her way to honour her late brother, and new chance at life. She knows this will be hard for Ben and Esther, but she wants to do this, she has to, if not for them, for Nathan, the one she's let down the most. Though she's still in the early stages of her grief, she tries to repress them, ignore them, redirect them before she feels way too much. It's not like that email helped much anyway.

So, the family arrives in Midwich, a new chapter of their life is being written. Esther has taken it a lot harder than her brother, at least more obviously, she was just starting to get used to her life before another massive change. The hotel had more than a few surprises: there were ghosts, phantoms, creatures, whatever you wanted to call them. There was also a demon who had been clinging around the hotel, watching them extremely intently, as though evaluating them all.

Then, there he is. No, it can't be, he was cremated, he died, he left. But there is her brother, looking at her with a small smile. He's in front of her, she can see him. Relief. Finally, she feels so much lighter, he was never gone, this was all some big joke on her, one of Nathan's usual pranks on his little sister. Just a joke. Overcome with everything she runs to him, arms wide in acceptance.

Nothing.

There was no impact, no embrace, nothing. She looks back to him, searching desperately in his eyes for an answer. Had he moved out of the way? Was she being too much in one go? There's a pause before it finally clicks. He was one of them now: a ghost.

Life then slowly, but surely, resumes once more. Uncle Nathan is back! They get to live with him in the hotel and even get a new, very begrudging, family member they learn is called Abaddon. Life goes on, and sometimes it's like he was never gone.

Her brother, in some regards, is still very much alive. He can talk to them, he can sit with them when they eat finally. He jokes, he teases, he annoys, he comforts. Her brother didn't die: they just can't touch him, that's all.

So, I think until Nathan is able to complete whatever business he left on this earth, Katherine, Esther, Ben, and maybe even Abaddon will never be able to grieve him fully, because he's with them, literally. The kids even depend on him to fill in the role of a fatherly figure. It's a weird experience to begin to grieve for someone only for them to come back as a ghost: all that emotion they felt was almost for nothing.

But sometimes, in the back of her mind, Katherine knows all too well what will happen. She is going to have to relearn that her older brother is gone. There will be nothing to bring him back, and there will be nothing she can do. That thought alone is terrifying. So, as selfish as it is, she begs to any force or being that he can stay, just a little bit longer, because she never wants to feel that pain again.

A/N: Thank you for reading, I've just always thought of this when watching the show: how weird it must be to lose someone but then they're not actually gone, but you can't ever touch them and one day they could be gone again, this time for forever. My friend, who is a regular down here, thank you for the idea of her trying to hug him, it actually broke my heart to think about. I wonder if we'll ever see their reaction to him being a ghost in s2??

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Katherine Headcanons | Part 1 Warning: Brief mention of picking at skin, parental guilt, general angst Word Count: 548

With being the co-owner of a hotel, a single mother of two, and caregiver to a demon, she lives for the small moments of peace in her life where she can just relax for a moment. She tries to read when she can, but usually has a few mediative sessions in her room surrounded by her crystals with one of her old shows playing in the background.

If she has time, she loves to sketch the scenery outside the hotel: the animals, the waterfall, the cliffs, the occasional creature lurking around. It grounds her and allows her to focus on the here and now.

There have been times when she feels as though she hasn't been around her kids enough so she tries to make up for it: she lets Ben paint her nails while Esther picks the colours, he just has a lot more attention to detail and patience when it comes to actually painting them. However, she watches a few true crime documentaries with Esther, though she makes sure they're tame enough.

On the topic of her nails, Katherine has always had a habit of picking at her skin, which Ben took a note of. When he shyly offered to paint them, she was more than happy to let him, she's always encouraged him to be more creative and embrace himself.

Something that always sticks with her, even though she never really talks about it, is that 'Dad Ben' existed. Her thirteen-year-old son is now playing dad for his little sister. He's already become a caretaker, which she's never really forgiven herself for. She once caught him with his old man makeup goofing around with Esther; she did laugh at his thoughtfulness but couldn't stop herself from breaking down into tears. How could she let that go?

Her children are her priority, always and no matter what. She's out shopping and sees something that she thinks they'd like? Bought. A monster gets into the hotel? She's already standing in front of them all with nothing but sheer instinct to defend herself.

She loves Esther, how intelligent and adventurous her little girl is, but there is sometimes a little voice in her head that makes her worry about how the world will react to the girl who is unapologetically loud and slightly obnoxious.

On the topic of Esther, she found out that Katherine had an alternative phase as a teen, something that her Uncle Nathan has brought up a few times to tease and Esther begs for her to dress up, or at the very least do a similar makeup style to how she used to look. There was only one occasion that Katherine gave in, which Esther was very pleased with herself about.

Katherine sometimes asks Ben for help with outfits: she knows he notices lots of details and it means he gets to be proud his mother liked a choice he made just for her. She hopes it makes him feel more included in things, no matter how small.

Despite everything that has happened to her, Katherine Freeling is a woman who will not give up. Not on her children, not on her hotel, not on her brother, and most of all not on herself. She's made it this far, so why not keep going?

A/N: Well this was way more angsty than I thought it would be omg. For her next part (which I will do at some point), I'll try to make it more light ig?? Anyways, I love love love Katherine, she's my wife, trust me. Thank you for reading, and thank you to my very dear friend for once again helping me with ideas, you're the best!! <3

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The Freelings at Halloween Warnings: None, simply silly scenarios Word Count: 349

Esther loves to dress up scary, it's one of her favourite holidays and it gives her am excuse to use her knowledge on the supernatural and general morbid topics to make her costume as accurate as possible: it's quite unnerving. She always terrorises other trick-or-treaters and threatens them to give her their sweets. During their walk about she manages to ditch Ben and does her own thing, much to his distress. Also, Esther has a habit of taking as many sweets from the 'take one' dishes as she can.

Ben attempts to do a couples costume with Annabelle, holding her clothes Infront of her while Katherine takes a photo. He tries to keep tabs on Esther and be responsible with how many sweets he gets from each house. Once he's been abandoned, he gets lost a few times on his way home and almost has a heart attack walking past props in people's gardens. He probably goes as a character or a basic costume like a cowboy.

Abaddon has never understood Halloween: he thinks weird spirits have emerged each year in exchange for sugary food and mischief. He watches people from the shadows and bushes to understand more about the holiday and if he should be wary of the creatures around the streets. Could probably get away with being a trick-or-treater as is.

Katherine has thought about opening the hotel as a one-off haunted experience to get some extra money, though the ghosts were rather offended at her notions that all they were good for was cheap holiday tricks: as Nathan said, most ghosts don't celebrate halloween. She is more than happy to help with her children's costumes, it's nice to see them both so excited about something.

Nathan is an exception to his aforementioned rule: he loves seeing Esther and Ben dressed up, it makes him feel like he's still a part of their lives. He'll give them suggestions of what to wear and the best places to go for good sweets and chocolate. He also likes to spook Katherine occasionally, old habits die hard, you could say.

A/N: Happy Halloween!! I wanted to make something fun for myself and my friend (I see you), I hope you enjoyed reading!! <33

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Abaddon Headcanons | Part 2 Implied Parental Figure Reader Warnings: Brief mention of unattached limbs, biting, general Abaddon things Word Count: 675 Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Doesn't understand humour or analogies, as Katherine has stated, and as such takes everything literally. You still remember when something 'cost an arm and a leg' only to find Abaddon trying to detach said limbs for you. It'd be sweet if it wasn't concerning.

With the little power he has left, as seen with the plant he wilts, he is able to perform small acts of magic and curses, though it can be quite draining for the vessel he's in, so he tries to refrain from overexerting himself.

He uses latin rather casually, sometimes opting for it when saying less-than-savoury things about someone he dislikes or if you've made him do a chore he doesn't want to do. He's rather knowledgeable on ancient or dead languages.

Once he trusts you enough, or forms a mutual allegiance as he puts it, you've noticed he's got into the habit of following you around. You have pretty one-sided conversations as he trails behind you, responding in short answers: "Now Jessica's acting up again, I just need some peace every once in a while." "Indeed." "Don't get me started on our latest guest, I swear- they're asking to annoy me." "I see..."

He has a bad habit of losing a body part and not really caring, he just leaves it wherever he lost it and carries on his way. Sometimes he pushes it towards you asking that you attach it back to him, and other times you'll happen across said limb. You wonder if he'd be able to regrow it if left long enough, then again you'd rather not find out.

Has selectively bad memory. He can easily recall his days tormenting humanity millennia ago, yet can't remember when you asked him to do an errand around the hotel. Give him a to-do list and sticker rewards however and suddenly he's more than equipped for the task. "I shall do what you request, in exchange for the red star that sticks to things."

On the topic of his rewards, you've managed to peek into the vents only to find them lined with the different types of stickers you bought to keep him busy: scented, coloured, animals, you name it. At least you have your answer as to what he does with them.

After his last outing in town with you, you thought it would be best to put him in a child's harness: for the safety of himself and those around him. He tried to scratch his way out of it but eventually gave up after so many failed attempts.

There's been a few times while shopping you've had to let go of him to deal with something else and he just disappears. You're surprised you haven't had a heart attack from how much stress he caused when you went looking for him. Eventually, you found him watching you from outside the window, harness somehow still intact.

He can be easily entertained: for instance you've taught him how to do hand-clapping games, which has frustrated him when he messes up, cursing his hands for betraying him before demanding you both do it again. A bit of a perfectionist.

If you're spending time with him and someone begins talking to you, he ends up standing awkwardly waiting for you to finish your chat, as if his stares alone can stop it. He will insert himself into the conversation to gain your attention again.

He has a tendency to grab onto you if you walk too fast for him, his nails dig into your hand or back. If you try to pull him away, he starts holding on tighter, which is borderline painful considering he hates having his nails trimmed.

Abaddon doesn't like new people, he barely gets through his days when guests visit. Much like if he was a wild animal, you've had to try and convince guests he doesn't bite and just leave him be. Much to your dismay, there've been a few occasions people have cursing and covered in teeth marks leaving without paying. You tried at least.

A/N: Omg, thank you for the mini blow-up I had with my previous Abaddon post, I'm really happy people love him as much as I do, he's the best little guy out there, so thank you for reading. I couldn't help but write more, and thank you to my friend for helping me again! <33

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Abaddon Headcanons | Part 1 Implied Parental Figure Reader Warnings: Brief mention of dead animals/ bones, general Abaddon things Word Count: 666 Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

He's a messy eater, food all over him, doesn't know how to hold utensils properly, and will threaten that if he doesn't get the dinner he demands, chaos will be brought unto the hotel (which is just a tantrum).

On occasion, if left out of the hotel long enough, will resort to attempting to hunt animals or just eating rocks. No one knows why, he just does his own thing.

Brings you dead animals, bones, and other small trinkets. Has also given you clothes that are not yours, but he claims they were 'an offering from the unworthy visitors'. That led to a very awkward apology to a hotel guest.

Speaking of trinkets, he has gifted you bone necklaces he made, sometimes they have dark clumps on them but you'd prefer not to think too hard about where he got them.

You'd also happen to find warding sigils carved into pieces of wood or drawn on little sticky pads in your pockets or bags, though he's extremely adamant they weren't him and if they were it's only because he needs you alive to do his bidding.

You've woken up a few times to Abaddon staring at you, just standing there in silence. Sometimes he's trying to put a penny in your mouth; other times he's just lurking in the darkness.

Likes to climb around the hotel, as seen when he scales the mantle, Abaddon just needs to see everyone, knowing where people are and if there are any enemies he needs to rid off. Plus it makes him feel tall.

He's not scared of moths per se, he just genuinely believes they're all servants to The Moth Man, and as such they cannot be trusted and has a kill-on-sight situation. Not a fan to say the least.

Most of the time, if you call for him he appears: usually out of nowhere or he's suddenly by your side looking up with an expectant expression and a complaint you interrupted his plans.

Will drop random bits of his past to you and is incredibly blunt about it. He can be descriptive at times too, you wonder how much is true or if he's trying to sound tough, it could be both.

A past time of his is drawing, mainly because you try to encourage the demon to do something other than acts of violence. On a rare occasion, a drawing of you both is silently gifted before he scurries away (which beats the ones where you're on fire).

Much like with how he burns his sigil onto food containers, you've woken up a few times to find a scribbled ink version on your wrists or arms, though you've brought it up a few times, he gets rather defensive about it. You assume it's a good thing.

Abaddon has a sweet tooth, possibly because of the vessel he possesses, he will usually demand for the more sugar-based cereals, like his beloved Froot Loops, as opposed to actual healthy choices. Has also broken several cabinets to get into your snacks.

Additionally, he's become a menace once he's given ice cream. First time he had a bite he thought you tricked him because of the brain freeze but once he liked the taste he was a bit in awe of how good it was. Needless to say you can't have it around him or it will be stolen immediately: "I want the ice cream belonging to Ben and Jerry."

Despite what he says about his lack of sleep, he can't seem to pry himself away when you offer for him to sit with you while reading on a night. He denies ever falling asleep against you, that would make him seem vulnerable.

He also won't admit that it's nice when you carry him around and spend time with him. He'll seek you out every once in a while, not making eye contact as he climbs onto your legs and sits deathly still. Finally, he has someone who cares for him.

A/N: I love him so much, I feel like a proud mother whenever he gets screentime, he's such a funny little guy. Thank you to my friend who got me into Haunted Hotel and helping with a few ideas! <33

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Another Goodbye Mipha x Reader Summary: Seeing a loved one isn't the same anymore, but it still counts Warnings: Mourning, death, mentions of impact of death, guilt, slight unrequited love, general angst Word Count: 661

It is another stormy evening, the unrelenting winds fill up my lungs and steal the warmth from right within me. I remember every day that I come back to this place, to try and retrieve the solace so bitterly snatched from me. This time is just like the countless journeys before, my feet drag in the mud, weighed down from thick rain clinging to my clothes and the exhaustion weighing on my shoulders as she comes into view.

I exhale, briefly noting how my breath plumes for a moment, clouding my vision before I can finally see her clearly. They managed to carve her so well, capturing every detail that made her so beautiful, it’s as if she’s really watching over me, over her people, and I suppose she is in a way, wherever she is now. But, it’s not the same, a living being should not be condemned to live on as stone, no matter how lovely it may look.

As I bow my head, my teeth find the inside of my cheek as I desperately try to hold back the flood of emotions that I fear will come out. I always recall how compassionate she was, as though she lacked the normal desire to preserve one’s self before others, or how she always seemed to know exactly what to say in times of great need. It was so natural for her to just be nice. Something that I miss dearly now: Why wasn’t it me? Why should I get to live on while her family and people suffer the consequences?

“I just wanted to say hello again. It’s hard without you, you know. Sometimes I get so frustrated with you, that you didn’t survive, that you left me– left Hyrule behind. It’s unfair, though, I know that much, you never asked for such a fate, it was no way to die. I just wish that you could have fought for just a little while longer, I know you had it in you, so why didn’t you? Maybe you were tired, having all that weight poured upon you so quickly, but you managed for so long. I know you never meant to die, of course you didn’t, but…”

I look up to her, she looks so peaceful in the soft light, I hope she’s at peace. I’m not even sure why I’m truly upset at something I’ve acknowledged she couldn’t control, but it’s just this cycle now. Sometimes I’m desperately searching for answers, a way to see her one more time; other times I simply lie in the grass, almost letting myself get drowned in the sorrow and rain. But it would be an injustice to her if I did let that happen. I cared for her, so purely and honestly, that I’ve started to promise myself that I’ll live on for her, even if every part of me can’t bear to.

“I’m sorry for saying that, I just miss you. If you can hear me, or Hylia forbid you can see me, then I want you to know that nothing was your fault, I don’t blame you, I don’t hate you: I just want you to come back to me, but I know that’s not possible.” I pause, regaining myself as I try to string my words together, “I love you so much, and I know that your heart belonged to another, that’s fine, I think it makes this more bittersweet. We were both too late to say what we wanted, weren't we?”

I kneel down, placing a lone blue nightshade by the plinth of her statue, remembering her affinity for the native flowers around her home before I speak one more time, “Please wait for me, I know I don’t have a right to ask for that now, but please wait. I hope you’re not too upset with me, I just… It’s hard not having you around anymore, Mipha. But until then, this will just be another goodbye.”

A/N: Mipha is my main comfort character for BoTW (and in general-) and I just love her so much, so what better way than to write some angst about her? I think she was so pretty, I miss her!! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and thank you for taking time out of your day for reading!! <3

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Just Like You Chell x Reader Summary: You finally realise you're not the only one. Warnings: None Word Count: 792

"Congratulations, you actually finished the Aperture Training and Aperture Demonstration Zone chambers. So easy a child could do it, really, they were made for children. Well done."

Every day, every trial, it was her voice. You knew she always watched you too, through those cameras trained on you no matter where you moved, through the Sentries that fired endless rounds of bullets at you. It made you sick. Nothing around you was organic anymore instead metal and programmed, cold and unforgiving. The only thing left there was you. You and your dwindling fire you called hope, that one day, somehow, you’d be able to leave this so-called Enrichment Centre and return home. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad at how many trials you’ve endured, and how much you’ve survived all for the sake of escapism.

Even now, long since your first run of this place, human stubbornness is sometimes a wonderful thing. Some chambers are overgrown, long since abandoned from when you vaguely recall going through them however long ago; others are newer and more complex, even if they do show considerable signs of wear in places. Though, you can’t help but notice the apparent lack of that voice. There are no comments thrown your way as you move through this unnatural environment, trying to regain your past skills since you’ve recently woken up. You’d think it would be peaceful, not having to worry over something actively trying to kill you in the name of science, but if anything it’s isolating. You’re alone again.

One trial in particular sets you on edge: there’s more noise than usual, and it's not the usual aching and groaning of metal, but rather something familiar. Another portal gun, footsteps, doors opening. It couldn’t be. There was no one else. With a new found curiosity, or desperation, moving through the facilities seemed like nothing now, that fire within you suddenly rekindled and stronger than ever. You just had to know that somehow you’ll be able to say you’re not alone. Gradually, the activity became more distinct, and strenuously forcing your way past a faulty door you look around, gripped with anticipation.

There. There she is, looking back at you with a seemingly blank expression, though it’s her wide eyes that give her away slightly. The world seems to slow down finally, a weight growing in your throat as you begin to step closer to the woman, overwhelming emotions taking their toll all at once. She doesn’t say anything when you’re finally a few feet away, you realise you haven’t spoken either, it doesn’t feel right somehow, what words could even come close to describing this experience?

At long last you finally have something good to hold onto. Another human after being alone for so long.

You’re like her, she thinks, you’re just like her.

Initially, despite this miracle gifted in the form of the person at her side, she can’t seem to let her walls down, they keep her safe in this place, it wouldn’t be wise to break them down just because she’s not alone now.

Something could happen to you, or you could turn on her, maybe you’d even escape before she could, leaving her behind without another thought. She can’t risk getting hurt.

So, she forces herself to keep her usual blank exterior, to only act for herself first then help you after, and to stay silent in the face of your efforts.

But you persisted, despite her harsh guardedness. While she hates to admit it, you were a nice change of pace. So often has she been hunted down by metallic machinery, and for so long has she violently craved to be able to have a companion.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she contemplates, if she just caved into the softer, vulnerable side to her, that just wanted to be loved.

She even catches herself growing more fond of you in the little time you’ve known each other, you’re everything she’s not, and it would break her to lose something so good in her life. You’ve only got each other, after all. You’re friends now.

Now you can expect the woman, who you've come to know as Chell, to be more receptive to you, actually acknowledging you. Be it from subtle smiles when you talk to her, or touching your shoulder as comfort when you begin to doubt your survival.

Once GLaDOS is back online, no thanks to that somewhat dim core, she is more evidently split in her behaviour: there’s her usual impassive demeanour when either of those maniacs are around you both, and there’s the raw, broken, side she allows you to know and tend to.

The cake was a lie. But she promises that escaping isn't.

A/N: Thank you if you've made it this far!! I've had a few little writing thing in my drafts for months, and I've always wanted to do something with them. I didn't really know what to call this, it didn't seem to fit headcanons or a oneshot, so I just went with short. I have more fics waiting to be written, and if you'd like to, let me know what you thought!! This is the first thing I've ever written publicly, so I really hope you enjoyed, thank you again!! <3