#torbek x reader

[curvydave]

hiya!! for the awesome pride thingy youre doing, may i request torbek and orange please? :3

(insert clip of torbek in the poetry contest saying t torbek has changedd his favourite colourrr to ooorangeee)

Absolutely!! <3 I'm assuming anyone reading Torbek fics has gotten to this point, but just in case, very light spoilers for EP 17 and EP 22. Very light. Enjoy! <3

Torbek is such a little spoon. Unfortunately his canisters impede his ability to really be held -- arguably more than his massive height does -- but if you'll allow him, he loves to rest his head on your chest and curl up in your arms. He is very much akin a giant dog who doesn't fully understand how big he is -- he'd probably spend the rest of his life in your lap if you weren't so adamant about "going to work," or "getting food," or "being a productive member of society." Whatever all of that means.

With him being so lanky, Torbek tends to run on the colder side… which makes cuddling a blessing for him, but with all of that fur, a bit torturous for yourself in the summer time. And once you've reached the point in your relationship where he feels safe enough to cuddle up as your little spoon, let me tell you, he gets whiny when you tell him that you need some room to breathe in the summer. You compromise by letting him rest his head on your thighs.

(No, he does not care if you're sweaty. If anything, it's a boon for him -- if you think he's more adamant about cuddling in the Summer, you're not imagining it. It's a thing for him. Sorry.)

Winter though… Oh, winter is divine. He takes the role of the fuzzy weighted blanket with pride -- with Torbek around, you will never, ever be cold.

He can be a big spoon if you want him to be -- this sweet bugbear would move mountains for you if you asked -- but truthfully, he's such a little spoon by nature that the thought hardly crosses your mind anymore. Besides, when he's curled up in your arms like this, it's so much easier to see his expressions as you dote on him. And Gods, he's just so… receptive. His smiles as you run your palm down his side; his sighs as you detangle his fur; the full-body shudders you give as you gently scratch hearts into the skin next to the machinery that adorns him… How could you not adore him?

He often daydreams about what it might feel like to feel your chest pressed against his back, unimpeded by the cruelty thrust upon him. But this feels like a slice of heaven all on its own: He dares not ask for more.

Blankets are a thing of the past nowadays -- such is the life, with this bugbear as a lover.

Be wary when he offers to be the big spoon, though… most of the time when he offers, its because you're feeling down, and he's trying to give you that same feeling of warmth that you always give to him. That's normal. It's natural. And his arms feel so right around you when you accept, so warm and safe. But if he offers out of the blue?

You can feel the difference. His claws never press into you, but you feel a little more aware of them. Or perhaps, a lot more aware. Its safety in the way a mouse might feel comfort when held betwixt the teeth of a lion.

Torbek never offers out of the blue. Someone else does, though.

Prompt: Orange - Warmth

Future orange requests might connect to different prompts! <3 Thank you for reading, and happy pride! <3

[curvydave]

PINK TORBEK

PINK TORBEK!!! <3 (Note: Same universe as "Quiet." Fun little connecting piece if you've read it, but still perfectly fine on its own. Enjoy!)

"Can Torbek help?"

Its a question you've heard perhaps a dozen times today -- the bugbear hasn't been more than a few steps behind you since you started your shift at the carnival, just waiting for the opportunity to lend a hand. His massive frame looms over you as you restock the shelves of the shoddy giftshop, still startlingly tall even as he hunches over himself.

You smile: "Sure, Torbek. Can you put these plushies up there for me?" You point to the top shelf, dusty and unused after months of neglect.

"Of course Torbek can!" His eyes light up immediately, reaching out to grab the stuffed animals from the box on the ground before lining them up on the highest shelf.

Frankly, there's no reason for them to be up that high -- you doubt anyone else in Agwe would even be able to reach them, and you know it's gonna be a pain to get them down if some kid decides that they do, indeed, want that plush of that… strange clown. You're not even sure why you carry those, especially after Gideon ki-- after the clown took an… extended vacation. You grimace, and return to your task of stocking the lower shelves with cuter, more palatable plushes. You give a fond squeeze to the raccoon and pug, nameless but undeniably adorable, before putting them on display.

You glance up again, and yeah, Torbek's definitely the only one who will be able to reach those. Still, with him being so hellbent on making your life easier today, you don't really have the heart to turn him down. And with the way he's nervously pushing them closer together and rearranging them, he's clearly trying his best. Couldn't hurt to give him something to do, especially if it makes him happy.

Still…

"Is Kremy not having you in the dunk tank today?"

He frowns, ears flattening against his skull. " No… ever since it broke, Mr. Kremy said Torbek should just pretend to fall in… but not too soon, and not too late. But Torbek doesn't know when that is!"

"So… he's having you take a break?"

"Uh huh."

Ah, classic Kremy. How a broken dunk tank breaks even further, you'll never understand. Maybe it actually fixed itself, and that's the problem. You choose not to think about it… or why Torbek is even still at the carnival if his only attraction isn't working. Instead, you just pat his shoulder comfortingly, and smile a little to yourself at the way his tail wags in response.

"Bummer, bud."

"Yeah… but it's okay! Mr. Kremy said Torbek can still help fix the ferris wheel, so Torbek doesn't have to leave the carnival! Isn't that great?"

"Uh huh," you purse your lips, making a mental note to talk to Kremy about Torbek's wages again -- there goes your plan to avoid thinking about the gator's workplace violations. Friends or not, he's probably gonna fire you if you keep pressing the issue.

"That sure is great, Torbek. Glad things are working out for you."

He grins at your response, crooked teeth and fangs glinting in the light, before returning to his task. Although the second he turns his back, you feel your own face fall -- yeah, you're definitely going to have to talk to Kremy again. Poor guy.

"Say," you say, reaching down to grab another handful of stock, "do you want to hit that pizza place again after work? Same one as last week?"

He gasps, tail wagging furiously once again. "Really? Torbek would love to!"

He drags out his vowels in that very Torbek-esque way you've started to grow fond of over the past week. You haven't known him long, but he has a certain quality to him that makes him easy to like… kind of like a scruffy dog you find on the street. Ratty and strange, but still lovable in his own, unique way.

…Yeah, you could get used to seeing him happy like this.

Prompt: Pink - Crush

Future pink requests might connect to different prompts! <3 Thank you for reading, and happy pride! <3

[meliora-sonne]

I haven't been able to write for a while due to no internet, but I thought I should share the work I have published! It's a cute little Torbek x Reader ((o(^∇^)o))

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63718378

[curvydave]

hiii !! ive been reading your blog for these past few days and ive gotta say you’re writing is phenomenal !!!! its super in character, yet sounds distinctly like “you”

no but srsly the stuff you write is tooooo good, i kick my feet and giggle at some of the lines you write :3

anywho !! if its not too much trouble, may i request torbek or frost and how they might comfort reader ?? corny i know but theyre my favs lol, either one is fine and its ok if you can only write for one :)

have an amazing morning/day/afternoon/evening/whatever !!!!!!!

-🪷 anon

Thank you so much for the kind words!! This is genuinely one of the highest compliments I think I could receive -- I often feel like I sound too clinical, too rigid, in the way that I write, and I always wonder if that affects the emotion in what I'm trying to convey... so to hear that it still comes across well, while still being me is just... AUGH this is very kind of you, tysmmmm <3

Both Frost and Torbek below!!

Morning Frost:

His method of providing comfort is very cognizant of both your own agency, and what you need in a given moment. There's a part of him that wants to take your problems and offer solutions, but he knows that's very rarely as helpful as he'd like to believe. So instead, he lets you just… talk. He's quiet for the most part, save for a few interjections here and there to let you know that he's listening, but beyond that, you have the floor. You never feel like you're being judged, or ignored -- there's a feeling of understanding from him as he looks at you, nodding along quietly as you attempt to untangle the mass of feelings that weighs you down. He's patient in a way that quells your anxiety -- his slow movements and soft words conduct your nerves into a more ordered, less frayed rhythm. A lead by example sort of thing, even if you don't recognize it consciously.

If the setting allows, he'll bring you a nice, warm drink of some sort -- something he knows you like, that brings you comfort, that you can sip on while you talk. Just as a little extra something to keep you grounded.

In that same vein, while he won't directly initiate contact, he'll often leave his paw on the table while you talk, just slightly outstretched towards you with his palm to the sky. Its a quiet offer of connection -- never intruding, never pushing, but just… open. If you want more, he will happily provide; but if contact is too much, it never feels like you have to reject anything. It's the perfect balance.

Of course, if talking is too hard, (or if you just flat out don't want to, no judgement either way,) he completely understands. Would you like a distraction? Would you just like a presence? He will outright ask what you need, blunt man that he is. No matter your answer though, he will abide by it. Whether you just want to be held and let the final hours of the day dwindle away, or whether you want to go out and forget about it all, he'll do it with you. This is one of the few times where you can get him to do some sort of odd, out-of-his-character activity, without too many complaints.

If you're going through a more long-term problem, or if he knows you're having a rough day in advance, he'll try to go out of his way to make the rest of the day a bit easier for you. If you're living somewhere more permanently, his go-to is usually cleaning up the house before you get home, and just generally making things more tidy. Cleaning is difficult when you're in a bad place, but it's strange how much a nice environment does for your mental. It won't solve the problem, but it's one less thing to worry about. If you're both in a more nomadic period of life (e.g Feywild shenanigans) he'll try to do the same, albeit on a smaller scale. Cleaning your weapons, mending clothes, that sort of thing. He can't fix everything, but he'll do what he can.

Things will get better -- they always do. If today isn't your day, then that's okay. We can try again tomorrow.

Torbek:

Torbek's method of comfort is one of great empathy. Seeing you down is nothing short of pure agony to him, but he knows that showing that would only make you feel worse -- so instead, he channels all of that anxious energy of his into being there for you. Just say the word, any word really, and he'll do it.

Want to talk about it? He will listen to anything and everything you have to say -- he doesn't have much in the way of solutions, but he's very engaged in what you have to say, and he has this way of making you feel seen. If its possible to "complain" about your problems, then you're in luck. He's a very expressive man, and he's not afraid to throw in his two cents about a situation -- because YES they WERE being mean to you, and no you're not crazy for thinking that!! You two are liable to amp each other up in this way, but it's actually quite cathartic. Sometimes you do just need a little validation for what you're feeling, and while it might not solve the problem at its core, its nice to know that its okay to feel the way that you do.

If you're going through something heavier though, he's still there. He'll quietly listen if you still want to talk, but he'll also ask if you want to be held, too. Any degree of contact, from sitting across the room from one another, to being pressed so close you can't tell where you begin and end -- any level, he'll oblige. Although admittedly, he's most likely to simply throw his arm around you, tuck his claws into his fist, and gently drag his knuckles against your upper arm as you work through your emotions. He's no stranger to suffering, and he never rushes you through whatever your process may be. As much as it hurt to see you in pain, he'll stick by your side for as long as it takes.

If you don't want to talk, that's okay, too. He'll wrack his brain for all of your favorite things, and just slowly start bringing them to you. Your favorite plushes, trinkets, and snacks all get brought over to you in increments, and you can just let the final hours of the day pass in peace. Its hard not to feel at least a little bit of comfort when you're surrounded by so many reminders of the good times, and good times to come. Some of the things he'll bring over seem strange -- a written receipt from some cafe you went to a year ago, an oddly-patterned rock, that sort of thing; but if you ask, he'll happily explain each and every one. He kept this receipt because you really liked the drink from there, and nobody else makes it, so he always wanted to remember where you got it from. This rock is from the first time the two of you went on an adventure together, just the two of you, and he tripped and fell into that little stream. Some of the items don't really have an explanation, though -- he just knows that he likes these kinds of feathers, and he hopes that maybe it'll help you, too.

And perhaps he's a little overbearing in this way -- if you tell him you need space, he'll understand. He'll still worry of course, but whatever you need, he'll do. But you have to admit, it's hard not to feel at least a little bit better when you know that someone is so genuinely rooting for you, and loves you so strongly.

Torbek is here for you! What can Torbek do to help?

[curvydave]

Truth

The weight of five years of pain was solved with a bandaid, and today, the bandaid was ripped off. Strange, how this hurts so much more. Or, in which Torbek experiences the weight of yet another betrayal, and you stay by his side when nobody else will.

Torbek/Reader, relationship is ambiguous. Hurt/Comfort, quick little 1.5k thing. Spoilers for episodes 55 & 56!!!!!

Exhausted. That's the only word you can think of as you sit back against the walls of Little Oak, and bask in the quiet and rhythmic sounds of your companions as they sleep. The booze got put down long ago, and the buzz has since faded into a pleasant warmth in your chest, but the cigar smoke still lingers in the air -- more familiar, more pleasant, than it was even a few years ago. You can't say you were ever a fan of it -- the image of smoke-filled bars and clubs is a pretty one, but in reality, best suited to the world of imagination. Although, perhaps its grown on you in recent years. Or maybe you're just happy to be alive to notice it, now.

The memory of the cage, the breath being slowly taken from your lungs as you suffocated amongst your companions, is unlikely to leave you any time soon.

Perhaps its ironic, to take comfort in the aromatic smoke, knowing that it too has the power to choke. But you choose not to think about it. You're alive, after all.

Your friends have all since succumbed to the call of sleep -- Hootsie, Frost, and Gricko all slumber nearby, the owlbear connecting the two as she splays out on her back like an overgrown puppy. A single roll to the right would probably crush the little goblin man sleeping there, but you've seen this scene enough to know that it's probably not worth being worried about. The small child who chose to stay behind -- Katya, you recall -- has been slowly eeking closer to the trio in her sleep, almost subconsciously seeking out the companionship. A quiet, asynchronous melody blooms in the enclosed space; quiet hoots from an owl bear and the barely-there purrs of a tabaxi underline the louder rhythm of soft breaths and exhausted snores, creating a scene that, despite the horrors of the day, feels peaceful.

Everyone is asleep, safe and sound. Everyone except you, and…

Torbek mirrors your position, his back pressed against the wooden walls as much as his canisters will allow, with his knees pulled to his chin. He gazes over at Kremy and Gideon -- a duo spaced a bit away from the larger now-quartet, just as always -- with his brow furrowed in an unreadable, but undeniably troubled, expression. The bugbear's been dreadfully quiet ever since leaving Skabatha's realm, and you'd be lying if you said you didn't know why.

If anything, you're surprised he's still around.

You take in his expression for a few moments more -- his eyes stay trained on the gator, evidently deep in thought for a solid few minutes, before slowly roaming over the rest of your group. His hands mindlessly pick at the stray threads of his slacks, widening the scuffs and holes that litter them just a fraction more, before he finally looks over at you. The response is instant as he catches your gaze, his own eyes widening before his ears flatten against his skull, and he pointedly redirects his attention to the ground beneath him.

You take the queue and walk over to him, sitting down beside him.

"You doing okay?"

His ears perk up at your words, although not in joy. Just in… perhaps acknowledgement, that he's heard what you've said. It's a long while before he speaks again, scratching at the fabric of his pants for a few minutes more, before…

"…No." Torbek sighs, pressing his chin further into the arms crossed over his legs. His ears press back against his skull once again as his gaze returns to Kremy, eyes glazing over as he loses himself in thought. For as long as you've known Torbek, he's always given off the aura of loneliness. Even before he ever opened his mouth to state such a thing, really. But still, its almost like there was a resignation in that fact, and with it, a comfort -- an acceptance this it was simply how things were. But this is different. There's a sadness in the way he gazes, so absent yet distraught, that shows that this is far different from anything that's come before.

You follow his gaze yet again, and the memory of the gator making yet another deal flashes vividly through your mind -- a single four-letter word spoken without hesitation, ready to bargain with Torbek's life -- is far too familiar.

Its not loneliness. It's betrayal.

And its the second time its happened.

Grief twists at your heart, tearing at the muscle in a way that makes bile rise in your throat, and you have to tamp down the flush of anger that plucks at its strings before you speak again. There's this dark, swirling mass of thoughts that scream out in the recesses of your mind that cries out at the injustice of it all, that begs you to dig your heels into the earth to stop this whole quest until things have been righted. Until someone takes the time to understand, to feel, to talk -- all three of which have hardly even been attempted by anyone else, even your better-intentioned party members. But you know you can't do that -- its not the time, and its not the place. Its only then that you realize how tightly you've balled your hands, hidden beneath your coat -- joints creak as you loosen your grip, and anger melts into a soft, yet solemn, understanding.

"…I know."

Shoulders meet gently as you lean against him in a brief gesture that, admittedly, is equal parts comfort, and equal parts exhaustion. Its a gentle thing, but it seems to spark a reaction within him as he tenses. His breath stops, and you're just about to lean away out of fear of having overstepped, but its just then that he shudders, sighing as he presses more of his weight into you. And its not long before he's twisting into you, arms wrapping around your middle as you cradle him against your chest tightly. He dwarfs you, even held as tenderly as he is now. It would be almost comical if it weren't so heartbreaking a sight.

His breath catches again and again as he presses himself further into you, as though he could hide himself from the world if he were only a micrometer closer, and its only then that you realize he's stifling his own sobs. A room full of people that should be friends, people he considered family not more than a few hours ago, and yet it's still such an instant response to suffocate his pain, his agony, so as not to be heard. You press his head to your chest, sliding your free palm up and down his upper arm as you whisper quiet reassurances, and will your heart not to shatter under the weight of it all.

"Why did Kremy do that?" His voice is barely intelligible, quiet and unsteady with emotion, "Torbek thought we were friends."

And you both know the answer. You both know the answer, but you're so far into all of this that its impossible to actually bring the words to your tongue, impossible to voice aloud without all of this crashing down on the both of you. So instead, you just hold Torbek a fraction tighter, and press your lips to his temple as you try to steady your own breathing.

"I don't know, hun," you murmur quietly, "Friends don't treat friends that way."

It's all you can say. Its as close as you can get to the truth without burning the two of you alive, but you don't have it in you to lie. You can't. The shuddering breath Torbek takes in at your words lights a twinge of guilt within you, but he nods soon after, tightening his grip. A minute passes before his hold loosens suddenly, claws tapping against your lower back. He stiffens, hands flexing around the material of your shirt experimentally, before speaking.

"Can Torbek stay like this? With you?" His voice is quiet, barely audible to you even pressed this close. Said so softly, you almost wonder if you were meant to hear it at all. But still, you answer.

"Of course -- I'll be here for as long as you'll have me."

You know this won't be fixed in the morning. It probably won't be fixed tomorrow, or the day after, either. There's a million things you wish you could say to ease his pain, to make things better, to tell him for every friend he loves, that he's loved just as much in turn. You wish you could say all of those things.

But he's heard enough lies today.

And so, you keep the one full truth that you can give him, holding him close as night bleeds into dawn. The silence is only ever broken by quiet murmurs of things you want to do when you're free -- all of the wonderful sights you want to show him back home, all of the things you want to do with him. Quiet promises you intend to deliver upon, even if nobody else will. You're not sure who falls asleep first, or when: All you know is that when the dawn breaks, and sunlight filters through the cracks of the tree, is that you're still together.

And you'll stay like this, return to this, for as many nights as he wants.

[curvydave]

Quiet

Sorry for the late night post, but here's a quick little 1.8k thing that I started as a warm-up, and ended up turning into something fun -- forgot how much I love the OUAW gang :)

[IMPLIED SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 53]

Pre-OUAW, Torbek's POV. Torbek/Reader (platonic or romantic)

Torbek's resigned himself to working this next shift on an empty stomach, but thankfully, you arrive with food to share and just about the kindest offer Torbek's ever been given.

Or, in which you (metaphorically) adopt your stray bugbear of a coworker, and he experiences what it feels like to be treated like a normal person for once.

As the sun begins its final descent below the horizon, and having tasting nothing since it's first ascent in the East, Torbek makes a revelation that, in its frequency, he is entirely unsurprised by: He's hungry again.

Torbek sits up against the wall, watching as a smattering of patrons file in through the massive archway guarding the circus. He counts which ones go off to find food, making a mental note of who might be most likely to leave a scrap or two in the bins nearby. His second shift doesn't start for a few more hours, and he hopes to at least get a bite or two in before his work actually starts up again. The day shift is easy enough -- there's never enough patrons in the early hours to truly have to think about the motions of what he has to do. He just has to watch folks throw the ball, and give them a prize when they win. He's never seen anyone win at his booth, or any other one for that matter, so he's never actually gotten to hand anything over… but he's sure it'll happen someday.

The nights are difficult, though: they always are. And not just because of all the patrons. But still, it's better than being alone.

Unfortunately for Torbek, as dozens of families enter the park and file through the food stands, only a small few purchase anything at all tonight. And for those small handful of people, as they linger and toss away their wrappers, it's clear that luck truly isn't on his side tonight. Even at a distance, he can tell at least this much. Wrappers flutter into garbage cans, absent of tucked-away scraps, and plates are picked completely clean by the time they're discarded. So defeated is the bugbear, that he doesn't even move towards the bins to double check -- he doesn't want to get his hopes up.

That wicked voice in the back of his mind laughs at him, just as it always does--

"Desperate little mutt. They must think you're diseased, you mangy thing,"

--and Torbek thinks about stealing another sip from the bottle Kremy keeps in his liquor cabinet to make it go quiet. But he can't, not right now. And so he just stands there, waiting for a scrap of food that very likely will not come tonight.

He watches on and on, growing more defeated by the minute as he slowly slides down the wall, pulling his knees up to his chin. One hour goes by, and then two, and still, nothing. The scent of grease and sugar linger in the air as a temptation just barely out of reach, and he intentionally sighs to ignore the rumbling in his stomach as folks pass by with their own, full plates. Eventually it gets too difficult to keep staring at something he knows he can't have, and he instead lowers his gaze to the ground, watching them all walk away -- he'll check the cans later tonight, when his shift ends. Maybe luck will be better, by then.

But it's not much longer before one pair of shoes lands square in front of him, unmoving. Torbek looks up, prepared to move out of the person's way, only to be greeted by you. You're new around here -- a friend of Kremy's that got hired on recently as an extra performer in his act at the big top (from what he's overheard, anyways -- he's never seen the show, nor has Kremy told him any of this himself, but word gets around fast).

You shoot him a soft smile, and hand him a plate -- it's only then that he notices you have two -- before sitting down on the ground next to him. He blinks owlishly at it -- steam rises off of the freshly-reheated pizza, melted cheese dripping off the two slices and forming perfect, gooey puddles on the paper plate. He feels his stomach rumble again at the sight and savory scent, but despite the envy curling in him, Torbek is nothing if not a gentleman. He looks at it one last time, and then at you, simply waiting for you to take it back.

"You're Torbek, right?" You ask, biting into a slice from the first plate.

"Uh-huh," he says dumbly. This is the first time anyone has called him by his name in a long while -- called him by his actual name, and not some rough guess of it. It's a nice sound, and it gives him the confidence to confirm your own name with you, albeit with a little less of a question in the inflection. He's thankful when you just smile and nod, and don't ask him how he knows.

"That's me, yeah. You usually this early to your shift?" You ask, taking another bite.

He tilts his head. "Torbek only got off his first one a few hours ago, but Torbek doesn't have anything better to do."

Your brows raise, and you scoff. "Jesus. Can't imagine working this mess for that long. Hope the overtime treats you well, man." You're just about to take another bite of your food when you stop, shooting him a glance. You motion at the plate in his hands, grease now pooling in the depression where plate meets ridged edge. "…aren't you hungry?"

Torbek makes a noise of confusion, before… "Is this… for Torbek?"

"…Yeah? You seemed hungry. Has Kremy not paid you yet?"

His eyes light up, first at the confirmation that this is for him, and then at the prospect of actually getting paid. He doesn't waste a second in devouring the two slices -- they're gone in literal seconds, and while part of him wishes he had taken longer to actually savor them, the feeling of real food in his stomach and not just scraps, is nothing short of heaven. If you're offput by the ravenous display, you don't show it -- instead, continuing to eat your food at your own leisurely pace… even as he takes a chunk out of the paper plate itself. The oil is delicious.

"Mr. Kremy paid you in real money? That's amazing!" He spits out the paper chunk, suddenly deciding that actually, it doesn't taste as good as he thought. But then he regrets it almost immediately, and takes another bite of the plate -- he finds that this piece is much better. He swallows, and then devours the rest of the plate before continuing on.

"That must mean the carnival is finally doing better!" His eyes light up, pulling his knees closer to his chest in excitement. "People must really love the show!"

He looks towards the big top, tail wagging furiously behind him. Now he really hopes he'll get to see it someday -- if your addition to the cast was good enough to bring in enough people to get paid, it must be the best show in all of Avantris. He's so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he doesn't catch the look of absolute bewilderment cross your features, or the flash of anger that follows after.

"Uh, yeah…" you start, and Torbek looks back at you eagerly. "What was he paying you with? When the carnival wasn't… doing well?"

Torbek roots around in his pocket, grasping a dozen or so "IOUs." The older ones have numbers written in graphite -- now so old and smudged that he can hardly tell what they say, and remembering what he's owed is far too strenuous a task. The newer ones are absent of numbers at all, and the newest of them are simply "kept in the books," as Mr. Kremy says. It makes sense -- why waste money by giving out paper? He's okay without having to carry around all the extra sheets, anyways. He smiles, handing them over to you for you to thumb through.

"Sorry, Torbek forgot that you haven't worked here that long. But Mr. Kremy gave us these, for when the carnival started doing better! Torbek is so excited for his first real paycheck!"

"Yeah… when does he usually "pay" you guys, anyways?"

He hums in contemplation. "Torbek doesn't remember anymore… Mr. Kremy stopped giving Torbek these a while ago, because they were too expensive. But Torbek's sure it'll be any day now!"

"Yeah, for sure." You give him a strange sort of smile as you hand back the papers, and just when he tucks them away, you hand him your other slice. "Take it, I ate earlier. I've gotta get to the big top soon, anyways." You rise from your sitting position, dusting off your pants as you stretch your legs. He feels his heart sink a little as you get up, wondering absently if he said something wrong again, before you assuage his fears with one last question: "You know, there's a restaurant down the way I've been wanting to try, if you want to come with after the park closes tonight -- my treat."

Torbek lights up again, and against his usual instincts, he tries to believe you're not tricking him. "Really? Torbek would love that!" He beams, and he finds himself stupidly fond of the way you smile back at him.

"Good, good. See you later, Torbek." And with that, you're shooting him a wave and heading off towards the big top. He watches you go with a silly, ecstatic grin -- one that doesn't fade for the rest of the night. The pizza slice is just as good as the first two you gave him, and this time he tries to take it a little slower -- and he does, as much as a bugbear really can. He doesn't think about how uncharacteristically quiet the voice in the back of his head has been since your conversation started, instead, just indulging in the moment and eagerly counting down the seconds until the park closes. For once, he's excited to end a shift.

The rest of the night is just as magical, as you two talk the night away over food, and then in the streets as you linger outside of your apartment. It's nearly four in the morning when you part ways, and he knows he'll be tired in the morning, but that's alright -- because for the first night in what feels like a lifetime, Torbek feels alive. He has a friend, a real one. And the voice is so, so quiet. It's like he's a real person.

He receives a paycheck of 10 copper pieces the very next day, with a handful of vouchers for free food tucked inside the same envelope. Less than 1/100th of a normal person's daily wage, but it's more than Torbek's ever gotten, and he couldn't be happier. Especially when you meet up with him again that same night, and every night after, until it becomes a routine. The voice never goes away fully, and it's still takes damn-near every opportunity mock and belittle him.

But when you're around, it's silent. Its the most beautiful quiet he's ever known, and he indulges in the melodic tones of your voice as you laugh and chat the nights away.

Its never gone, though.

It's always there.

Its just quiet.

[th1s-cr1tt3r-1s-unkn0wn]

Yo there needs to be more Torbek x reader fanfics on here like we need more of the adorable Bugbear

[committingcrimes-2047]

What I think it would be like to cuddle with the OUAW lads!!! (+ Hootsie!)

This is all coming from someone who's only at like episode 5/6 💔 I just really love these little goobers. Also, all of these are written weirdly because I'm literally just writing whatever thought pops into my head, so different characters with have different situations and things like that, so please bare with me!!!

With Kremy, about half of your cuddles end up with Gideon aswell. They're a package deal, and you know it. Now, he won't ask for cuddles, you have to be the one to initiate it. He also isn't a massive fan of PDA, but he won't object if you want to cuddle up to him in the day. After all, he gets to show off his amazing partner and smugly stare back at any jealous onlookers. He won't deny that he very much enjoys the jealousy that radiates off of people and monsters alike when they see him with his amazing partners. He definitely comes up behind you and hugs your waist with his head over your shoulder, so he can watch what you're doing. Once he puts his arms around you though, he often decides that he's had enough of other people and that's when you can sneak in a few cuddles.

He would lie on his back and hold you while you rest your head on his chest and he definitely wouldn't be complaining if you ran your fingers over his scales while you both got comfortable. It is a DREAM to cuddle up to him in summer, he might wrap himself around you just so you can be a bit more comfortable in the heat. He also wraps his tail around you. When all three of you cuddle, you two rest on either side of Gideon. He's your guys favourite pillow! (This is totally not an idea that I borrowed from the-unexpected-council, go check them out if you like OUAW x reader content because they are FIRE!!!) But when you are separated by Gideon, and you had your hand up on his chest, Kremy would hold yours. You basically trap Gideon under your arms and all three of you couldn't be happier.

Though, Kremy definitely has a skin(scale?)-care routine. He probably sleeps with some sort of face cream or face mask on. He would be thrilled if you both did your skincare together, it's something special for you both to do... even though it would end up with you both laying like mummies try not to mess up your skin. Gideon would not be impressed if you were all going to bed together, like you usually do.

Gideon is one of the BEST cuddlers in the group (totally not biased or anything...) and he absolutely loves physical affection, PDA, cuddling- he LOVES it. He will show off you and Kremy, he doesn't care that he's openly showing off. When he's ready for bed, he will just pick you up and walk off. He will only pick up Kremy if he is over-working himself and stressed out... or if he just wants to mess with him. He would definitely pick you and Kremy up, sling you both over his shoulders and grin as you both laugh. He might do a couple spins though, just to hear you both cackle.

When you're going to bed, if you want to, he will let you pick out some sleeping clothes. This is mainly in winter, since he wouldn't wear that much to bed in the warmer seasons. He would laugh if you pick out the cake chad shirt, he would put it on though... and probably flex for you. He doesn't care too much about what he wears, as long as he's comfortable. But, he's occasionally going to want to pick what YOU wear, be warned.

Once you're in bed, you're in bed and you arent getting up till he is. He has an almost iron grip on you if you cuddle up just in his arms, he has tried to fix this but he just loves you so much- even in his sleep. You could probably wiggle out with Kremys help, but if he's not there you're gonna be stuck. Like I said earlier, when you all go to bed together, he lays in the middle while you and Kremy lay on either side of him. He will get a little huffy if you cuddle up to Kremy, while he's there too but he gets over it once you go back to your place at his side.

Once the cold season comes around, he's more then happy to absolutely smother you two in cuddles. If you were stuck outside, camping in the cold or snow, he would become stressed and protective of both you and Kremy. Not that he isn't already protective, he IS a bodyguard after all but he almost always near you two- just to be sure that the cold won't cause you harm. He definitely keeps you two close, especially when you're going to bed. The idea of waking up and having lost one or both of you to the cold absolutely terrifies him so he ends up over-heating the tent. But, once you're all awake and realise what's going on, you both give him comfort and you're all able to sleep again.

(If someone wrote a little fanfic about this, I totally wouldn't fall inlove with them or anything...)

Frost isn't necessarily a cuddler, not that he doesn't enjoy it! He's just not used to it, you know? You'd have to get him used to it, but once he is used to it... every opportunity to cuddle is taken. If you were in a colder environment, it doesnt matter if you can handle the cold or not, he wraps you in his robe, especially if you are alot smaller than him. It has a very earthy smell, maybe a little minty aswell.

I believe his personal favourite form of cuddling would be when he's reading and you're in sit lap, curled up into his fuzzy chest. He won't mind you end up taking a nap or if you decide to pet his fur, he just likes having you with him. If you have explored the OUAW x reader tag, then you have probably seen this headcannon hundreds of times but he absolutely purs. It's not like loud pur, so it's not super noticeable. I think he would do it without thinking, kind of like when you hum when you do something. If you do that, he definitely loves it.

As for sleeping positions, I think Frost would like god ol fashioned spooning. He would be the big spoon, so that he gets to sleepily groom you. He probably also likes to rub his face on your head and neck aswell, the way cats do when they are rubbing up all on you. If you pet him while you guys are cuddling, he is most definitely going to fall asleep. BUT, I think he always tries to fall asleep after you. He would like to see you're sleeping face, at peace and without worry.

If you have trouble sleeping (me too king, me too 💔), he has solutions for you! Now. The obivous choice is just using magic to help you sleep, but there are many other options! He would love to read to you! Not only does he get to read, he gets to help you sleep! Or he could give you back or head scratches, gently running his claws over your skin (not enough to cut you, don't worry).

If you're cuddling with Gricko, you're cuddling with Hootsie too, they're a package deal too! I believe Gricko would either lay on top of you or your right up next to you. I think he would like to listen to your heartbeat, he would find it calming. He would lay on your chest, he doesn't mind if you wrap your arms around him like an oversized teddy-bear or if you sleep like a starfish. Hootsie will either lay right up next to you, on your legs or just on the end of the bed. On rare occasions she will take your spot on the bed and you and Gricko will have to lay around her because you can't wake her up! She's a growing girl, she needs all the energy she can get!

If he came back to camp or wherever you were all staying and found you asleep, with Hootsie cuddled up in your arms, he would be ready to propose on the spot. You would wake up to both Gricko AND Hootise curled up in arms and wrapped in an oversized blanket. It wouldn't surprise me if you fell asleep alone and ended up with the two of them curled up to you, they just love you so much!!!

At night, when you're all ready for bed- if you have hair/hair long enough to, he would braid it for you so it doesn't get all messed up in your sleep. If you had a skincare routine, he would also help you with that if he could. Though, you might wanna keep Hootsie away from all the nice smelling face creams. Maybe you should try to dry your face off too, you might wake up and find the owl bear licking your face. If you don't, you won't have any face cream left and she will have a tummy ache, and you don't want that!

Torbek is definitely a cuddler. He's so unbelievably touch starved, he definitely takes advantage of any touch he can get. Though, cuddling with him would probably be a little... strange, due to his height and lanky limbs. He would completely wrap himself around you, and completely envelop you in his fur. To anyone else, it would look like the bugbear was just curled up and hugging himself. But they're wrong! He has his wonderful partner with him!!! If you were laying down together, he'd have to lay on his side because... you know, the canisters on his back. Again, he probably wraps himself around you...

Unless. He likes to feel protected, so no matter his or your height, he's gonna try and curl into you. He wants to be spooned!!! You would both lay on your sides, Torbeks head either in the crook of your neck or jammed into your chest with your arms wrapped around his neck and legs around his torso. He would try to bring his legs up aswell, as much as he can atleast so he can tangle them with yours. His arms would definitely be around you, that's for sure. Kind of like a face-to-face embrace.

Though... if you decide to cuddle with Torbek, you might wanna make sure he takes a bath first. Not only is he a stinky guy, it's probably really hard to keep all the fur clean when you are living with the crew- lord knows they get into chaos every three seconds. You could help him though!!! He would probably ask you to help him anyway, not only is it an excuse to be close to you but he gets to get your hands all over him AND he gets clean!!! Three in one! He would be so soft when dry and clean... and also he might become way too fluffy- like a cat after they're blow dried.

I hope you enjoyed!!! This took me a few days to get out, my motivation has been really off and on and it's been so annoying but I finally managed to get this done so I can move onto something else. Thank fuck😭