➥Content: They/them reader. Skrimm fluff. Icebound Party mentions.
✦Admiration – What do they admire about a partner?
Is it really admiration if Skrimm benefits from your resourcefulness? He loves that you make his life easier by being useful. You’re always willing to carry him or do the heavy lifting he doesn’t want to do. Sure, he feels a bit bad about it, and he’ll make it up to you later, but Skrimm adores that part of you that lets him be lazy.
✦Bashful – Do they feel shy or get flustered by their partner?
Physical affection is something that Skrimm isn’t super familiar with, especially in the early stages of romantic relationships. It’s easy to flirt and get handsy with a stranger, but when he actually wants you, beyond the physical, Skrimm can barely look you in the eye. Changing in front of him is a no-go, unless the situation is dire. Please don’t let Barnabos see the two of you kiss; Skrimm will be so embarrassed. Let him warm up to you and your new relationships, then Skrimm will be back to his old ways.
✦Comfort – How do they comfort their partner? How do they like to be comforted?
Weirdly enough, Skrimm is very good at giving pep talks. He can talk you out of almost any emotional spiral. If you’re seeking peace and quiet, then Skrimm might as well leave, because keeping his mouth shut in an uncomfortable situation is not one of his skills. After only a few minutes of quiet, he’s trying to crack a joke or offer a few compliments to smooth over this distress.
When the shoe is on the other foot, however, Skrimm appreciates you letting him rant. Just share the space with him while he paces around, working out his feelings, then once he’s exhausted himself, Skrimm will collapse into your arms. Please play with his hair and even hum a gentle tune.
✦Dreams – How do they imagine their relationship in the future?
Skrimm is more of a day-by-day kind of guy. He’s spent the last few decades preparing to meet his end at any time, so he hasn’t given the future of your relationship much thought. For him, waking up to see your face is going to be more than enough right now. Maybe when you all get off this frozen hunk of hell, Skrimm will think more seriously about all that future stuff.
✦Equals – Are they dominant or passive in the relationship?
Equals? Puh-lease. Skrimm is the brains of this operation, obviously. Just because he’s cowardly and lazy doesn’t mean he’s not a quick thinker. If you could just do the heavy lifting, Skrimm would be most appreciative. Though when challenged by you directly, Skrimm will fold rather quickly. He only runs the show if you let him.
✦Falling – How do they know they're falling in love? How do they react?
Skrimm hates the way his chest tightens when you smile at him, especially when he finds himself trying to make you smile. It's ridiculous. Sure, you’re attractive, sexy even, Skrimm isn’t afraid to admit something so obvious. But when did he start feeling so nauseated when someone else points out that fact?
Falling in love with you is so painfully unnatural for Skrimm. He hates how it distracts him, how it makes him want to impress you. You’re a distraction, something that makes him want to take risks. He can’t stand it. And yet the moment you’re out of sight, Skrimm can’t help worrying about your safety. It’s all very irritating.
✦Gratitude – What do they do to show that they're grateful for their partner's efforts?
Drunken mutterings are the most common way Skrimm expresses his appreciation for you. His mind swims with alcohol that loosens his tongue, and you’re so warm, cuddled up in the firelight. He finds himself practically lying on top of you, his face tucked into your neck so no one else can hear him.
✦Honesty – How open are they with their partner? Is it difficult for them to share secrets?
Ah Skrimm. You frightened little goblinoid creature. He is most certainly not honest with you about the black dog until he absolutely has to be. There’s a worry that whatever this beast is will corrupt you if you know how it lurks on Skrimm’s periphery. Though once that band-aid is pulled off, he’s more comfortable confiding in you, particularly with hard truths. There is also a small part of him that wants to maintain the peace he finds in your presence, and if he confesses all his secrets, you may see him differently.
✦Injury – How do they react when their partner gets injured?
Skrimm is a mess the moment there’s even a whiff of injury or illness around you. Logically, he understands that brushes with death are just a part of a place like Drakkar, but that doesn’t make it better. It also doesn’t help that Skrimm is practically useless in this type of situation. He can’t carry you like Barnabos, he doesn’t really have healing skills like Jornir or even Queenie, and Taishen, well, Taishen is far more calming than Skrimm has ever been.
I will say that your injuries do encourage Skrimm to work, especially if you’re unable to do much work yourself. It’s difficult for him to idly watch you recover, so if he fills his days with work, then Skrimm won’t have to feel so guilty. Though once the party is settled in for the night, Skrimm does his best to take care of you, such as willingly giving up his share of dinner if you need it.
✦Jealousy – Do they get jealous? How do they respond to people flirting with their partner?
Skrimm gets pretty jealous, but does his best to pretend he’s unbothered. I mean, you’re his partner, it’s not like some barfly is going to steal you from him. Right?
He’ll get pretty pouty if he sees someone flirting with you. It’s rather childish, but he can’t help it. He finds himself at the bottom of his drink before getting involved. Skrimm may also make a few jabs in your direction, but that’s just the insecurity and booze talking. He’ll apologize after the fact.
“Hey, buddy, can’t you mind your own business? They’re supposed to be with me.”
✦Kiss – What is it like to kiss them?
Kissing Skrimm is like feeling someone relaxing for the first time. He totally melts into your touch, especially if this moment is a fully private one. While falling for you was something Skrimm would describe as uncomfortable, once he accepts these feelings, Skrimm finds great comfort in being around you. So kissing, as well as other forms of physical intimacy, soothes him so deeply. He feels totally safe and at peace in your arms.
He also bites when the mood strikes him.
✦Little Ones – Do they want their own children?
Oh, good gods, no. When you’re one of a few hundred in a goblin hoard, there’s nothing better than silence and personal space; two things you automatically lose when you have kids. Not to mention the great black dog that haunts his every step, it certainly doesn’t help.
✦Mirrored – What habits have they picked up from their partner?
Skrimm is a touch braver. Not much, but having a lover, a partner, someone to make a future with, encourages Skrimm to have courage. He wants you both to make it out and live the good life one day. That’s something he can pull himself together for.
✦Nightmares – Do they want comfort from nightmares? How do they comfort their partner after bad dreams?
If you’ve ever seen those videos of people’s cats or small dogs crawling into the owners' clothes, then you can imagine what Skrimm is like when he wakes from a bad dream. He wakes up in a start, his hands reaching for his blade, while widely looking around for danger. Once he’s back to his senses, Skrimm will do his best to get as close to you as possible. Usually, he just worms his way into your sleeping bag, but it’s not unheard of for him to try to get under your clothes as well.
In the scenario in which you wake up in a cold sweat, Skrimm tends to wake up at even the slightest sounds of your distress. He’ll do a cursory visual sweep for danger before snuggling back up to you. It’s one of those rare moments when Skrimm speaks softly. He doesn’t want to wake the others, but he also wants to soothe you back to sleep the best he can. Being overly tired could get you killed on Drakkar, and Skrimm can’t allow that.
✦Obvious – How obvious is it that they developed a crush?
I think it’s only obvious to someone like Barnabos, who by his nature is a lover. That old sailor can smell you if you’re not careful. He makes his own little comments to Skrimm but largely lets the “love birds” figure it out.
Skrimm just spends most of his time crushing on you in a state of frustration over how dumb this all is. The whole party could die at any time, and all he can do is think about how good you look when you're concentrating or scheming.
✦Pet Names – What pet names do they have for their partner? Do they enjoy pet names?
Skrimm probably won’t give you a nickname that’s interesting. You get a “babe” in public. In private, however, you get called “sweetheart” or “my love” in the most gentle tones. He would prefer you do the same. Skrimm does not need Queenie mocking him by calling him some sappy pet names you’ve come up with.
“Babe, will you see if they have liquor?”
✦Quality Time – What are their favorite ways to spend time with their partner?
Drinking obviously. Well, okay, maybe it’s more like he likes it when you pour him drinks. There’s something about it that he finds very appealing. Though he does also appreciate it when you enjoy a drink with him. Skrimm also likes hearing you tell stories and having you help him trick Taishen or engage in other sorts of mischief.
✦Recollection – How well do they remember information about their partner?
I fear he barely knows what day it is, so he’s going to have a lot of trouble remembering birthdays or anniversaries. Maybe if life were more normal, Skrimm would put effort into remembering those kinds of things, but he knows your favorite songs, the cut of meat you like most, and, of course, your favorite type of drink. Even if he doesn’t show it, Skrimm really tries.
✦Sleep – What sleeping habits do they have? Does it change when they get into a relationship?
Skrimm can sleep anywhere, with his odd quirk of sleeping in graveyards, cemeteries, and the like. However, his childhood made him itch for his own space, so when you first begin adventuring together, Skrimm keeps his distance when sleeping. Though over time, he slowly scoots closer and closer until his bedroll is practically on top of yours. He doesn’t really even notice this change until you comment on it.
“Listen, it’s just- don’t make fun of me -you make me feel very safe. Shut up! Stop smiling like that.”
✦Thrilling – Do they want to change things up in the relationship, or do they prefer a routine?
If by thrilling you mean going to an absolute rager with nothing bad happening at the end of the night. Then yes, Skrimm loves it when thrilling things happen in your relationship. Not the life-threatening type of thrilling, thanks.
✦Ugly – What are some of their unpleasant habits?
Ah Skrimm. You gross little dude. He’s kind of a living trash can, which for non-goblinoids can be disturbing. Watching him crunch down on eggshells or moldy food is not for the weak. Gods forbid you walk in on him eating handfuls of lard.
✦Vaunt – Are they proud of their partner? Do they try to show them off?
Let’s no kid ourselves here. Flaunting you, especially to people he dislikes, is a great joy to Skrimm. He’s a very materialistic man, he likes to have shiny pretty things and likes everyone to be jealous of his shiny pretty things. Skrimm’s not trying to objectify you, never, but he does revel in getting to call you his partner.
✦Weeping – How do they respond to their partner crying? Do they ever cry in front of their partner?
Skrimm freezes up when he sees you crying. His brain cycles through about ten different things to say before electing to make some dumb comment. He always assumes something terrible has happened to you, so be prepared to deal with him asking a multitude of questions until he has a handle on what’s going on with you. If there’s a problem he can fix, Skrimm will do his best to make sure the issue is solved. Though he may spend a significant amount of time trying to find a way for someone else to do it for him.
Skrimm doesn’t cry much, at least not around others. Negative emotions are mostly reacted to with aggression instead of tears.
“Whoa, hey, babe, what’s going on? Did somebody do something to you?”
✦EXtinguish – How do they diffuse arguments? Do they need time to cool off?
Honestly, Skrimm loves a good fight. He thinks it’s good for you both to unload every once in a while, especially since you’re in a place with such high tensions right now. He may storm off and take some time to himself, but Skrimm always comes back to work things out with you.
The kiss-and-make-up part of a fight is his favorite. He loves getting lavished by your affections while he peppers you with tiny apologies and little kisses.
✦Yearning – What do they do when they miss their partner? How long does it take until they long for their partner?
Given the circumstances, long stretches without you are a nightmare for Skrimm. What do you mean he hasn’t seen you in three days? Are you lost? No. No. You’re dead. Yeah, that’s probably it. He might as well begin acting like the widower he is.
It’s all very dramatic and annoying for the rest of the party. When you come back, most likely a little banged up but mostly fine, Skrimm could cry. He doesn’t, but he could. What he does do is pounce on you. Skrimm clings to you so you don’t go anywhere. For the next couple of days, Skrimm is very wary about you going anywhere without him. He doesn’t want you to disappear on him again.
“What? Get down? Oh no, this is my perch now. Your shoulders are very comfortable.”
✦Zenith – Where does their relationship rank in value compared to other parts of their life?
In many ways, you are a greater version of his lucky coin. You’re not perfect, but you bring such goodness to his life. Something he thought he would never be allowed to have. You are stuck with him, no matter what, now. He’d be more than willing to dump all his gold into the sea if you wished it. Though he would be bitching the whole way through.
Skrimm's a little freakazoid and I love him for it.
Andy has to stop doing this to me
