Comfort does not come naturally to Griefer, protection does. When you have nightmares, maybe the only way he can protect you is through comfort.
WARNINGS: mentions of blood, gunshot wounds
this fic is also up on ao3
The soft ruffle of bedsheets pulls Griefer out of his sleeping state, the unfamiliar texture of the blankets making him wake up quickly. His eyes meet a ceiling he doesn't recognize, the soft whirr of an AC telling him he is nowhere near Turitopolis in terms of infrastructure. Something rolls over next to him, a soft grunt accompanying the sound of the bed creaking at the shifted weight.
Griefer tenses at the sight of your sleeping body. Your brow furrowed, with the corner of your lips pulled coarsely into a frown. The grip you have on the blankets is tight enough to nearly tear a hole in it.
Grimacing, he lays down next to you again, arm under his pillow as he watches you sleep.
His memory hasn't always been the best, but looking at you here next to him reminds him of why the both of you are even here in the first place. Right, Vermillion village- That punk and his crew in the dunes spot. He feels a slight bit of concern coat his mouth when he swallows.
You'd somehow managed to take a shotgun blast to the side and (barely) survived, telling Griefer through your blood-loss induced wooziness that you'd be fine and that you just needed to sleep at the inn. Griefer is not a doctor, but apparently you fought an ancient god or whatever and won, so he just took your word for it and carried you to the hotel.
Carefully, as not to disturb your sleep, he lifts the blanket wrapped around you to check your abdomen. Your shirt was shredded by the blast, but the wound itself had closed.
Griefer lets go of a breath he forgot he was holding, gently bringing the blanket back over you and returning his eyes to their task of staring up at the ceiling. You are such an idiot. You save people that don't deserve it and put yourself in danger all for some task that some Shedletsky guy is too much of a coward to do himself. You saved HIM, Griefer, of all people, from a fate of being stuck as a plant for eternity.
He mindlessly fidgets with the flower on his cheek.
The sensation of your arm reaching towards him snaps him out of his thoughts to look at you. There you are, still asleep and still frowning, grabbing him for dear life like he's the only thing that can save you from your nightmares. His chest swells— Either with pride or with embarrassment —at the thought of you needing him at all.
He puts his hand on your arm, awkwardly, in an attempt to comfort you. Immediately he cringes and pulls away though, his emotions literally blooming on his face when he realizes that you're trying to cuddle. Theres a small whimpering sound you make when you turn away from him, apparently your unconscious state realized he wasn't going to hold you. After a few cold moments and your lack of touch suddenly beginning to bother him, he rolls onto his side. Weighing his options.
He doesn't have to do this, but god you are so pathetic when you're having nightmares it's almost impossible not to pity you. He's only doing this so you don't roll off the bed and injure yourself further. Yeah. That's a good enough lie, Griefer.
Griefer hesitantly puts his arm around your waist, letting it fall loosely over you until he's 100% sure the plant shit on his body isn't suddenly made of poison ivy or something. He feels you relax under his arm, your hands no longer balled into fists around the covers, judging by the way he can now pull them over his body to get under them with you.
Heat rushes to his face as he pulls you a little closer to his chest, effectively spooning you like a highschool boyfriend snuggling his partner for the first time. He feels your breathing against him, feels the way your tension melts away when he tightens his arm around you. He feels the sigh of relief that escapes you when he finally allows himself to fully wrap himself around you, forming a safe cage of vines and venom that could beat the shit out of just about anything that could come and hurt you.
Griefer almost lets go of you again, embarrassed by this uncharacteristic act of affection he's giving to you. It feels wrong to be so... eeugh... lovey-dovey, But the moment his grip loosens on you, you shake. Uncontrollably.
A quick and quiet panic strikes him deep in the soul and he pulls you tight against him, burying his face into your hair. His thumb gently caresses the skin on your arm, willing your nightmares to end so he can stop his heart from fluttering in his chest like a butterfly. You relax again, a bit of relief entering his body now that you've calmed down again.
What kind of nightmare are you having that you need Him for comfort?
Whatever it is, he can't help the sense of fondness that overtakes him when you snuggle up against him a bit more, your hand finding its way into his. He breathes in the smell of your hair, forgets his previous feelings of embarrassment, and mumbles something against your head as he feels sleep tug at his consciousness.
Hi again! I am literally TERRIFIED posting this lmao. I’ve always been extremely critical of my own writing, and now is no different. I feel like no matter what my writing won’t be up to par. I just hope my little drabble meets your standards and satisfies anyone who happens to come across this! Enjoy :)
Ao3 Link
Fic info: 2.2k words, Potential Demo 4 Spoilers, cussing, period comfort because I started my period and I fucking hate everything, player/reader is implied female because they start their period and i mentioned having a uterus twice but other than that I kept it androgynous, established relationship, fluff, I probably really sucked at this, we chillin with griefer in his crib (so original I know..)
You and Griefer had been officially dating for about a week and a half now, after he finally got the nerve to ask you out. You had no idea that your feelings had been reciprocated at the time, since you figured he still hated you after the whole tussle with the venomshank.
Regardless, though, you were happy. You’d never admit it to his face, but he was pretty attractive - and you really enjoyed getting to know him during the festival that Mayor Thaniyel had set up in honor of his son being cured.
At the time, Griefer had offered to let you hang out with him at his crib, and.. well, who were you to refuse? So you took him up on his offer recently.
You had a good amount of tix, and with all the fights you’d been through recently, you had more than enough to afford a small break and cover a hotel. And honestly? You were feeling a bit worse for wear. You deserved it, after everything that had happened.
Turns out, though, that the “worse for wear” feeling was really just your body trying to warn you of what was to come. You spent yesterday chilling with Griefer on his couch, playing games and chatting, and really enjoying yourself.
You woke up today, ready to do the same thing when you felt a dull pain in your gut, followed by a strange sense of dread. Now that you think about it, how long has it been since you were sent into the past? Three weeks? Maybe four?
And then it hit you. This would be your first period since the convention, and you were completely unprepared.
Quickly, you hurried to the bathroom. As you pulled down your pants to check, you saw a huge red stain had already spread across the fabric. Yep. You had already bled through your underwear and ruined your pants.
Tears welled up in your eyes as you wrapped toilet paper into a makeshift tampon - those were your favorite pair of sleep pants.
You rubbed at your eyes, trying to dry up your tears. Everything was going to be okay! Crying over a pair of pants was ridiculous, you said to yourself.
You walked out the door, shoddily dressed, jacket wrapped around your waist just in case as you went out to go and get supplies. You already knew this was going to be rough because you didn’t have your pain medication - naproxen and birth control that your physician had prescribed specifically for your cycles.
The dull throbbing intensified as you dragged yourself to the nearest convenience store, churning in your gut until it became a constant, sharp ache ringing across your bloated belly. A few tears pricked at your eyes but you quickly and frustratedly wiped them away. You couldn’t be caught crying in public over period pain, that would be way too embarrassing.
The convenience store had ibuprofen, which would only take a little bit of the edge off, but you bought it anyways. Unfortunately for you, they didn’t have any pads, or tampons for that matter. So you were forced to ask the clerk if he knew any place that sold them, and he got this poorly-masked disgusted look on his face before politely telling you that he didn’t. Bitch.
So then you went on a whim and searched around town, finally finding some after three stores and an hour of searching. At this point, the muggy rainforest heat was making you sweat your ass off, hair and clothes sticking uncomfortably to your skin.
The more the day dragged on, the more you wanted to scream at everyone. Finally reaching your inn room, the first thing you did was have a good cry before hopping into the shower, shedding your sweat-soaked clothes. You washed yourself up before quickly throwing on another outfit, sticking a pad on your underwear, and going out the door with your bottle of ibuprofen tucked safely in your pocket.
While on the way to Griefer’s crib, you cried once more in frustration - every minor convenience that occurred to you today, combined with the fact that you just happened to cross paths with a tree golem and were forced to fight it, piled on top of each other and made you so unbelievably and irrationally angry that you literally had to put yourself in a five minute time-out.
To put it simply, today was going just swimmingly.
Finally reaching the top, you knocked on the entrance to let Griefer know you had arrived. You saw the pause menu open on his game as he turned around. “Finally. What took so long?” He asked with a slightly annoyed tone to his voice, which only served to reignite that itch to punch a hole through the nearest wall, even though, reasonably speaking, he was just being himself and you should pay it no mind.
“Sorry.” You said softly as you approached. “I just had a rough start to my day.” You really hoped he didn’t notice your slightly puffy eyes as you took your place on the couch next to him.
You saw that he stared at you a bit longer than usual. He had this sort of unreadable expression on his face - not his usual smirk or glare, but something a little softer. What was up with that? You decided to just chalk it up to paranoia and hormones as you sat and watched him play.
You had declined his invitation to join the game, mostly because you didn’t feel like it, but also because you feel like you’d spike his controller if you got mad enough - which would probably happen, considering your emotional volatility at the moment - and spiking people’s controllers wasn’t nice.
The time you’d spent with Griefer was pleasant so far, laughing at his mistakes between casual conversation, talking about the game in general, and Griefer getting mad because you laughed at him. And even though your cramps were slowly getting worse, you were actually enjoying yourself and almost forgot about your little predicament. All it took was an adjustment of the way you sat so that you slumped backwards, and placing your arms between your knees and stomach so that they pressed in on your uterus, and all your problems were solved.
It was then, in the downtime of conversation between you and Griefer, that your body decided to throw you a curveball. A sharp, stabbing sensation, right in your nether regions. You jolted, breathing in a bit loudly from your nose as you all but scrambled to adjust your position so that you wouldn’t feel like there was a knife between your legs.
Griefer turned to look at you with this skeptical expression, and it took everything in you to not go skydiving out the window as you saw the pause menu open out of your peripheral vision.
“Okay dude, something is obviously wrong.” He asked, deadpanning at you. You opened your mouth to deny it, but he cut you off and folded his arms. “You think you can pull a fast one on me, but you’re not slick. I can see the way you wince and flinch when you think I’m not looking.”
You felt embarrassment and shame wash over you, even as you were trying to come up with a plausible explanation. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer. “I-” you forced out, already feeling the tears pooling in your eyes. “It’s nothing important.” You stated, feeling your throat tighten. Really? That was the best thing you could come up with?”
“Don’t give me that bullshit.” He said sternly. “You’re obviously in pain. Spit it out.”
“I’m.. um.. I started my cycle today. That’s why.” You said softly.
“You started your what?”
“My period.” You said, looking away as a fat tear rolled down your cheek, hoping he didn’t see you crying like a loser.
“Oh.” He said. The awkwardness was palpable.
Great, now you’ve ruined everything.
You just stared at Griefer’s paused game, acting like you weren’t crying at all. Anything so you wouldn’t have to meet his eyes.
“Is that why you had a bad morning?” He asked, his voice softer, having lost its edge.
“Not the only reason.”
“Want to talk about it?” He offered.
Your face crumpled at his small gesture of kindness, more tears streaming down your face. “..Yeah.” You said, trying not to let your voice waver.
“It’s just.. a lot of little things.” You started with a sniffle as you brought up your sleeve to dry your eyes. “Like, I didn’t know I was going to start, so I bled through overnight and woke up to find my favorite sleep pants ruined,” you started, your voice cracking dangerously.
“And then I realized I didn’t have any of my period products, so I had to go out and get some, and then this stupid store clerk looked so grossed out when I asked if he knew a place that sold pads, and I don’t have my medicine, and it’s really hot outside, so I had to go back to my hotel room to change a third time,” you were stopped by a hiccup, unable to control your crying at this point.
“I’ve been trudging through this stupid heat for at least an hour today while my gut feels like it’s been sliced open and my uterus tries to kill me and I swear I almost passed out at one point,”
You quickly paused to catch your breath, sniffling again. “-and to make matters worse I had to fight a damn tree golem on my way up, and I can’t stop crying over stupid shit like this.”
Griefer was silent for a moment. It was really unsettling, honestly, considering how much he spoke.
“Anything I can do to help?” He asked after a moment.
“Could you just let me cuddle up to you while you play your game?” You asked timidly. You didn’t really know why you craved physical affection, especially at a time like this.
Griefer was silent for what felt like forever, before looking away and patting the spot next to him. “..Fine. Cmere.”
You had learned by now that when he refused to look, he was probably flustered. And you had also learned not to point it out, lest you make him shut down.
You scooted over to sit next to him, leaning into his shoulder as he played. “..thanks.” You said. “For this. And thanks for not being completely grossed out.”
“I'm not some punk ass bitch like that cashier.” He said, returning to his usually cocky and abrasive self.
The next few minutes were spent happily watching Griefer play his game, and even though he was getting ridiculously mad over some tryhard, you still felt happy simply being able to cuddle up to him and bask in his body heat.
“You wanna watch some tv?” He asked suddenly. You looked up in surprise at the sudden question. “Sure, I don’t mind, but why?”
“I dunno. I just don’t feel like getting angry over a game right now.”
You shrugged. While it was completely plausible, you felt like he had an ulterior motive.
After agreeing on a show and settling in with some snacks, you took your places back on the couch. As the intro started, you felt an arm snaking around your waist, and as you looked up, Griefer was trying his damndest to keep a poker face while staring straight ahead at the screen
You couldn’t help but giggle. His attention snapped to you.
“If you want to hug me, just say that.” You said with a smile.
He stared at you for a moment. Then, before you react, he leaned down and pressed a quick peck to your lips.
Taking advantage of your shock, he wrapped his arm all the way around your waist, pulling you into him so that your head rested on his chest, his hand placed over your lower stomach and pressing in. Immediately, you melted into him.
Griefer scoffed. “Don’t get any ideas, idiot. I saw you pressing into your stomach earlier and figured it would help.”
“It does.” You said. His hand was surprisingly warm, like the rest of his body, a nice little bonus.
“..I also heard this would help.” Griefer said, pulling out a chocolate bar. Immediately, your eyes lit up, gingery taking the candy from him.
“You’re the best, you know that?” You asked.
“Duh.” He said with his stupid, signature grin. Before he could continue, you looked up and gave him a kiss on the lips, too.
Now, it was Griefer’s turn to be stunned.
“I love you. I’m very lucky to have someone that cares.” You said, smiling as you laid your head back onto his chest turned back to the tv, unwrapping the chocolate bar.
You took a big bite, just in time to feel Griefer’s other hand reach up to pet the top of your head. “…I love you too.” He said quietly, likely embarrassed to admit it.
“What? I didn’t quite hear you.” You said with a teasing lilt to your voice, despite your mouth being filled with chocolate.
“Just shut the fuck up and watch the damn tv.” He said, which only served to make you laugh.
Finn McCool: You know, I never considered you for a rival.
Player: I never considered you at all.
Finn McCool: ...Now that's just hurtful.
Player: Did you miss me?
Griefer: No. 😎
Player: Take off your sunglasses.
Griefer: T^T
Calypso: What do you five have to say to yourselves?
Cutlass Pirate:
Flintlock Pirate:
Player: ...Oops?
Mysterious Figure: I was stalking you.
Mysterious Figure: I STRONGLY believe you need therapy.
Azuri: I hope you two have a good explanation for this.
Cassie: We have three, actually.
Player: Pick your favorite.
Slinger: How do you miss TWICE!?
Slinger: What the fuck am I paying you for.
Rocketman: ...You don't pay me.
Slinger: NOW YOU KNOW WHY!?!
Mayor Thanyiel: Take your meds.
Griefer: Fuck no.
*Mayor Thanyiel covers pill in cheese*
Mayor Thanyiel: Hey, I got some cheese for you.
Griefer: ...I want cheese.
Player: Hate when I'm playing "make believe" with little kids and I shoot them with a laser, and they say "actually I went back in time so it doesn't count." tf you talking about. You just casually rip open a hole in the space-time continuum? That's irresponsible as shit pal.
Rocketman: Knight, make that "Ante Up" useful.
Rocketman: Counting on you, pal.
Knight: ...
Rocketman: Err, Knigh-
Knight: Shut it...
Rocketman: Yes sir.
Arg'il: Y O U ' R E T O O L A T E, C A S S I E. I A M N O W, F O R K L I F T C E R T I F I E D!!!!!!!!!
(Arg'il gets crushed by a bunch of boxes.)
Red: Brooo, I get high on weeeed.
Griefer: Bruh, you're like 6 years old or something.
Red: Actually I'm 12 and almost 13.
Red: Owned.
Telamon: Dead men tell no tales? Wrong. Your honor, as a necromancer, I literally summon my first witness: The Victim!
(The Victim is resurrected)
Robur: How to put a baby(Cassie) down.
Robur: EDIT: I MEANT HOW TO PUT HER TO SLEEP.
Dr Sophie: I've made a robot that screams!
Robot: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Cruel King: ...Why?
Dr Sophie:
Dr Sophie: Hmmm...
Kyoko: I just realized something. 6:00 AM isn't a place, it is an emotion.
Calypso: Kyoko, 6:00 AM isn't a place. At all.
Kyoko: That's because it's an emotion.
*Talking about Azuri*
Rocketman: She's so scary...
Baller: She's bad as hell!
*everyone looks at Baller*
Baller: Dude, I'm literally right, stop.
Calypso: Do you live in Australia?
Player: Crikey.
Calypso: No, if you did, you would NOT say "crikey".
Player: Um, Steve Irwinnnn.
Calypso: Steve Irwin what???
Player: I'm speaking Australian, vegimite.
Calypso: AUSTRALIAN IS NOT A LANGUAGE.
Player: It can be if you try hard enough!
Calypso: This is where I watched Trotter die, Jerry.
Subspace: Guys, there is something stuck in my throat.
Medkit: Die.
Subspace: No longer stuck, fuck you I was lying anyways.
Biograft: CREATOR FAKING THEIR DEATH TO EXPOSE TRAITORS OF BLACKROCK IN HIS FIELD OF ENGINEERING(APRIL 2026 COLORISED)
Shuriken: Me inhaling pure Neon into my body by sucking it out of an "open" sign at a store.
Shuriken: HHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Slingshot: What the fuck.
Shuriken: I felt like I was pretty clear.
Broker: Kids are just like "ppptppptppthhptpppthh" until one day they'll like "oh shit I can think" and it's all gone downhill from there.
Medkit: The greatest mistake anyone made was letting me develop sentience.
Banhammer: Per capita is so confusing, just call it per guy.
Rocket: You're just dumb.
Banhammer: I could reduce you to photons.
Windforce: Remember to be funny today, big guy.
Banhammer: I failed you sensei.
Windforce: As usual.
Coil: Hey there cutie.
Rocket: Hey, sorry I'm not interested.
Coil: Damn, can I try again.
Rocket: Give it a year.
*one year passes*
Coil: Hey.
Coil: Sorry if I'm 2 minutes late.
Rocket: No.
Coil: Damn.
Coil: Only God can judge me.
Windforce: Ahem.
Skateboard: Shut the fuck up I'm trying to sleep.
Coil: I'm not saying anything.
Coil: Do you hear the dog.
Skateboard: Yeah, I thought you were barking.
Coil: Why the fuck would I be barking, dumbass.
Skateboard: I don't know.
Zuka, to Traffic: Text me when you are home.
*20 hours later*
Zuka: Are you fucking homeless?
Zuka: kys.
Illumina: ?
Zuka: Rocket told me it. It means "kill yourself".
Shuriken: There's a family of geckos living in the bathroom.
Slingshot: No pets are allowed in the building.
Slingshot: Also rent is due tomorrow.
Firebrand: If you had to choose, would you rather lose an arm or a leg?
Darkheart: A leg. Need both arms to fish.
Firebrand: My son just said he needs both arms to hug his mortal wife, so thanks.
Darkheart: Sounds like he's never been fishing.
Skateboard: Ohhhh.
Skateboard: I have a mommy kink.
Vinestaff: So I'm supposed to act like your mom?
Skateboard: Yesssss.
Vinestaff: Boy if you don't get your ass down these stairs and wash these damn dishes.
Skateboard: ._.
Broker: I was stalking you.
Broker: I strongly believe you need therapy.
Hyperlaser: Any way to deal with crushing, existential dread?
Hyperlaser: Asking for a friend.
Hyperlaser: A friend who looks and acts exactly like me.
Boombox: They're talking about me!
Doomsekkar: HER????
Doomsekkar: YOU'RE STILL TRYING TO USE HER?????
Doomsekkar: HAHAHAHAHAH! THIS IS HILARIOUS!
Doomsekkar: DO YOU THINK SHE CAN HEAR YOU NOW, MUTTERING HER NAME????
Doomsekkar: WHAT'S SHE GONNA DO? MAKE ME AN ICE CREAM????
*something happens*
Doomsekkar: ...HEY DID IT GET COLDER IN HERE OR IS IT JUST ME?
Slingshot: Shuri? What's that green stuff near your mouth?
Slingshot: ...2 minutes in jail and you've already resorted to eating moss.
Medkit: Gentlemen, this is a bucket.
Rocket: Dear Gods...
Medkit: There's more.
Rocket: No.
Medkit: It contains the dying wish of everyone here.
Medkit: You did collect the papers, right Sword?
Sword: You bet!
Medkit: Alright, the first one is... Sword with a bucket of chickens.
Medkit: There is something radiating off of it...
Rocket: Those are stink lines.
Medkit: Another one is me having intercourse with the Crossroads Tower... The Crossroads Tower having intercourse with me, the Crossroads Tower getting hit by a car and there's stink lines coming out of it-
Medkit: DID ANYONE ELSE BUT SWORD PUT SOMETHING INTO THE BUCKET!?
*silence*
Medkit: Great, this was a fantastic waste of my time.
Rocket: You did not read mine!
Medkit: Does it say you want the bucket.
Rocket: Yes!
*Medkit hands the bucket to Rocket and starts leaving.*
