#lance (oc)

[billyshakesqueer]

Whoa look who actually went back and colored their old art

Guess it's a mystery

[mast3r-rainb0w]

[C] 'MY' Style: Lance (OC) by Mast3r-Rainb0w

A commission I made for a client via DeviantArt, featuring a young superhero knight original character/OC I had the pleasure of redesigning myself! Enjoy!

[reallymagicaltree]

July Prompts #7: Hand

TW: mentions of abuse/mistreatment of bitties, Rory being a bit of an asshole (for some good reason, but still an asshole)

Rory knew all about people. Specifically, the giants that decided to fuck around with magic, and make a bunch of pocket-sized people they could tote around like toys. He knew all about the expectations, the lies, the fear that had bled into anger. He knew just the right tricks to get a new "owner" to crack their kind shell and reveal the hatred beneath. He knew people were awful, and he knew how to make them show him. 

So what the fuck is up with this one? He thought, watching Arbor twitch in their sleep. They looked like a human up until you got to the head, and then it was pure wolf. To add to the oddities, they never spoke, and on the rare chance they made any noise, it was quiet, squeaky. They spoke with their hands, in a way Rory couldn't understand. At the very least, Lance understood, and was happy to murmur translations into Rory's ear. 

Rory had tried all of his tricks: disappearing had only led to a panicked search, and the saddest eyes he'd ever seen when he was eventually uncovered in a closet; hiding their things hadn't given them a moment of pause, and when Rory asked, they'd simply shrugged and told him (through Lance) that they lost things a lot. And then smiled, with all of their teeth. Though the second Rory's face twisted at seeing those sharp fangs, their lips had dropped and they'd looked away, as if they were the one uncomfortable with those teeth. 

A soft huff startled him from his thoughts, and Rory jumped upon finding two amber eyes watching him. 

Arbor tilted their head at him, ears pricked. Rory wished he had a better idea of what they were thinking; even with the emotions-sensing, they often felt like something he couldn't quite read. 

They shifted into a sitting position, legs crossed over themselves, and reached for a notepad. Rory watched warily as they scribbled, then turned it around: "What are you doing up?" He read, his eyes easily piercing the gloom.

Rory huffed, narrowing his eyes. "Keeping watch." He tried to shift to a more threatening position, but it was hard to be threatening when you were five inches tall and your boyfriend had thrown a wing over you haphazardly that now meant you were all but squished. "What about you?" He added suspiciously. 

Arbor's shoulders slowly rose and fell as they took a deep breath. "Nightmares. I don't sleep well after."

"Oh quit the—" Rory stopped as he finally wriggled freey from Lance. Lance twitched in his sleep, but didn't stir. "Quit the bullshit," he continued. "What're you really doing up?"

He tried not to feel bad when Arbor looked hurt. Their pen moved a little slower this time. "Why would I lie? I'm good to you, right?" 

"People are only good when they've got something to hide," Rory hissed. "Or when they're trying to get something out of me. So tell me which it is, so I can get the fuck out." Because a small part of him didn't want to leave until he was surethis was going to go south. Maybe because the hope in Lance's eyes that this carer would be better than his last was making Rory act stupid. 

With shaking hands, Arbor replied. "Neither. I swear, I want to help. All I wanted was company."

Rory scoffed. "Bullshit. No person your size is nice. You're all looking for something." 

Arbor shook their head. A soft noise that might have been a whine escaped. "I'm sorry. I'm being honest." After a few moments of hesitant scribbles, they held up the notepad again, ears flat against their head as they looked away. "Do you mind watching? I don't sleep well by myself. You can stay there. Just stay awake. So I'm not alone."

God, he hated the hope in their eyes. He hated how his heart tugged at the sight. Rory hated how much that looked like Lance when he heard they were being adopted. 

"Fine. But I've got my eye on you."

And this time, when they smiled, he managed to withhold his flinch. 

[reallymagicaltree]

The Bitties

So I made all three of the bitties I mentioned earlier. Rory and Lance each have a Pre-Arbor and a Post-Arbor adoption form, while Kiln is just Kiln.

Lance

Pre-Arbor, this would have been the outfit he wore normally (or what he was heavily encouraged to wear. I tried to loosely base it on DS Dream’s original outfit, since if a Dream bitty was supposed to wear anything that would probably make sense.

And Post-Arbor. Like I mentioned a while ago, he’s sort of corrupted? But not entirely? It wouldn’t take much time actually spent with a corrupt to turn him, but he can handle being around Rory fine with no big changes. The tentacles probably aren’t out 100% of the time, but might pop out when he’s stressed and/or upset. Also the tops of his wings are bald. That’s cold. He doesn’t like that.

Rory

Pre-Arbor. The dumpster man himself, complete with shoes he might have made himself. They aren’t perfect but they’re better than nothing. Also Scars. Man’s been through some shit. Also also skinny as shit.

Also also also I’m sure that chain isn’t an old thing from a past owner he can’t get off, don’t worry about it.

And Post Arbor. He got some food and some proper clothes, and the safe space to be a smartass. Here he is shown telling someone he told them so.

Kiln, the Snake Lady

She lives/works at the bitty shelter where Rory and Lance went before they were adopted by Arbor. And by “works there” I mean the staff have more or less officially adopted her and she helps out in exchange for food/shelter.

Kiln was probably also a bitty from the streets, who was brought in and didn’t trust anyone. Now that she’s come to trust the staff here (after a long time. And a lot of biting), she tries to help other bitties see this is a safe place for them to stay until they find someone they trust. And if that person never comes? That’s fine, the shelter’s got plenty of space and bitties aren’t big, so they can fit a whole bunch. And they probably have some trusted foster people who are able to take the calmer bitties off-site if they get too crowded.

[reallymagicaltree]

I. Have realized.

Even if I can’t make size-accurate Rory and Lance, I can make refs for them via heroforge.

Also their Ink naga bitty friend who might live with Drift or might just hang around the shelter where they stayed before Arbor adopted them.

[reallymagicaltree]

April Prompts #28: Ramen

TW: mention of Lance's "training"

Guess who's back for another prompt fill? It's these guys!

The scientists taught Lance all about how to help his person stay healthy and happy. Sometimes it's helpful, and sometimes he sees a line in the sand and decides there's a wall.

"What are you eating?" Arbor twitched when the soft, polite voice startled them from their morning routine. They'd nearly forgotten their new housemates after the blur of adoption the day before. The fact that both of the bitties were so quiet when Arbor was getting ready certainly hadn't helped. 

Turning their head, Arbor saw Lance standing on the edge of the table, hands clasped neatly in front of him and wings folded behind. If they looked closely they could see a few feathers out of place, but other than that he looked very well put together for this early in the morning. 

Finally, they remembered he'd asked a question and moved to answer. "Ramen." They tilted the bowl slightly so he could see the thin noodles floating in chicken-flavored water. "It's good." Looking around, they frowned. "Where's Rory?"

Lance smiled amusedly. "He wanted to sleep in," then, looking at the ramen again, he hesitated. "I… think I've heard of this." His hands started to shuffle awkwardly. "I'm sorry, but… I've been told it isn't good for you." 

Arbor blinked. Sure, it probably wasn't the healthiest breakfast in the world, but they were running low on food and this was the only thing they'd found that looked appetizing at the moment. "It technically isn't the best, but it's better than nothing." They shrugged, twirling another bundle of noodles onto their fork and popping it into their mouth. "Have you ever tried ramen?"

The look Lance gave them was just short of horror. "Never," he said, "the scientists would have…" he licked his lips and looked away, wings shifting to curl slightly around himself. "It would have been bad."

Putting down their fork, Arbor turned their full attention to their new roommate. "Nothing bad will happen to you if you try it. Worst case scenario, you don't like it. I won't make you eat it." They lifted their lip in an attempt to smile, but when they saw Lance's body stiffen, eyes locking onto their sharp teeth, they let it drop. "Sorry." They stared at what was left of their ramen, unsure they'd have the heart to finish it.

"No, no," Lance waved his hands quickly. "I didn't mean to upset you. It's just— I've never seen someone like you, before you came to the shelter." He tilted his head, studying Arbor more intently now. "I… know you don't want to talk about it." He said finally, with a small smile. "But if you ever do… I'm here to listen."

The words felt genuine. Arbor could hear the sincerity. But they couldn't help but wonder if this was another thing Lance was 'trained' for. The research they'd done on Royals would certainly imply it. 

Instead of prying into that (they doubted they'd get anything even if they tried), they nodded. "I'll remember that."Glancing back at their bowl, they took a deep breath. "Do you want any? I don't know if I'll eat all of it."

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly take it." Lance waved his hands quickly. "That wouldn't be proper."

"I'm offering. You aren't taking it without permission."

Lance took another long look at the bowl, then shook his head. "No, thank you. I'll be alright." There was that smile again, the one that looked a little too practiced. "I'll… go see if Rory's up, shall I?" 

Sensing that this was as far as they would get in the conversation, Arbor nodded, waving him off. The bitty took no time in flapping his wings, taking off and flying off in the direction of the bedroom. 

[perryisle]

I JUST MADE SOME BULLLLSHITTTT!!!!!

[reallymagicaltree]

April Prompts #19: Snap

TW: Nightmare sequence, mention of decapitation (non-lethal)

Arbor and Lance having a little chat. Probably a few weeks to three months after the bitties moved in.

Arbor could feel the restraints tying their limbs to the table. They felt the rough hands of the scientists on their tiny neck. Something was touching their neck, their head, and their head felt… weird. Not canine. Something else. 

A strangled whimper escaped their lips— they could talk?— and a bright light shone in front of their eyes, blinding them. 

They couldn't see the knife until it had sliced into their throat. And by then it was too late to scream. 

Eyes snapping open, Arbor discovered they were restrained. A panicked gasp escaped them as they thrashed, their memories catching up to them just as their body pushed off the bed. 

Laying on the floor, gasping for air, still tangled in blankets, Arbor tried to remember how to breathe. Fear and sweat-scent burned their nostrils, but they forced themselves to inhale. Their ears twitched quickly this way and that, drawing the familiar sounds of their home: the gentle music playing from their phone, the faint chirping of bugs, the peaceful breathing of the bitties across the room. 

Well, one of them was peaceful and where Arbor expected them to be at least. 

"Are you alright?" Lance's voice was usually quiet, but Arbor felt like even their ears had to strain to hear him. "That sounded like it hurt." His golden wings were glowing faintly in the starlit room as he peered down from their nightstand. He must have flown there from his bed when he heard them fall. 

Sucking in a deep breath, Arbor lifted their hands to sign. "I'm fine. Go to sleep."

Lance did not go to sleep. He jumped down from the nightstand, lightly flapping his wings to land in their lap as Arbor sat up carefully. "Did you have a bad dream?" He asked, scanning their face. His hands clasped carefully in front of him, but the bristling feathers on his wings betrayed his unease. 

It was still shocking to Arbor that someone so small could look at their face without fear, even though both the bitties had managed it since they'd moved in with Arbor. Many humans their size and larger were unnerved by the sharp teeth and odd expressions of a creature that should have been human, but these creatures they could have killed with ease were so calm, so patient, with them. 

Arbor's hands moved slowly through the signs. "Same as always. Go back to sleep, Rory will wake up without you."

"Not until you tell me what's going on." Lance planted his feet, wings lifting slightly as if that made him bigger, more intimidating. How far he'd come from the timid thing hiding in his husband's shadow, Arbor thought approvingly. As annoying as it was being fussed over, they appreciated his progress. "And don't say 'nothing,' because I can feel your stress." 

A grimace crossed Arbor's face when he said that; they made efforts to avoid stressing the bitties, and it was clear their plan to dodge the questions wasn't going to work. "I dreamed about the lab again." They said simply. 

The look on Lance's face shifted, and his wings relaxed. "I'm sorry," he murmured, settling on their lap and gently patting their leg. "I could try to settle your mind—"

He'd barely started the suggestion before Arbor frantically shook their head. "I can't let you do that. Your power is not mine to use."

"You're right," Lance conceded, nodding slowly. His hand continued a gentle back and forth, comforting pressure on their leg. "It's mine. And I want to help you." He smiled thinly. "If you'll allow it?"

Realizing they'd get nowhere with this, Arbor took a deep breath, and nodded. "Fine. Not much though. Save it for Rory."

Lance chuckled, but closed his eyes. A sensation started under his hand, slowly spreading throughout Arbor's body. Like a wave washing over them, carrying away with it all the stress of the dream. 

The tension fell from Arbor's shoulders, and they sighed deeply. "Now. Bed. Before Rory wakes up and gets mad."

A roll of Lance's eyes as he stood, spreading his wings. "He'd be moody if we woke him to save his own hide." As he spoke, he flapped his wings, taking off quickly. His flight was a little wobbly (weary from the late hour? something to contact their doctor over? Arbor hoped it wasn't the latter), but his steps were steady as he wandered back to bed and burrowed under the covers. 

Arbor carefully pulled themselves into bed and arranged the blankets again in a makeshift nest, piled around them. Their limbs curled under them in the manner closest to how their brain told them they should rest. With Lance's magic still running lightly through their system, most of their fears from the nightmare had been greatly lessened. 

It still took them a while to properly fall asleep again.