forum “You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful... something not everybody knows how to love.”// No more people please // OcxOc

Started July 17, 2021 by @michael_rainer_eats_uranium group

tune

Pogo set a pot of water to boil, setting aside some coffee grounds and a filter for when the water was ready.

YESSSSSSSS GIVE ME THE BITTER BEAN JUICE, Kapnos yelled in excitement. Pure black coffee was the only thing they liked about the mortal world.

He snickered. It'll probably be ready by the time I'm done with breakfast. At least let me eat first.

He sat himself across from Ender, taking a gander at the toast before taking a bite out of it.

Huh. He'd never been someone to like jam, but something about it on toast wasn't half bad.

"You're a pretty good cook," he told Ender through a mouthful of toast. "You made me like jam, and nobody's done that before."

Ender smiled a little. “Thanks!” He began eating his own food. He was a little surprised how good it turned out. “I don’t really eat often… immortal stuff, y’know… but I’ve tried a lot of things out.”

"Oh, yeah, they're the same way," Pogo replied. "It's really odd to think about. I need to eat, or I'll die, but you guys eat as, like… a luxury."

The pot on the stove began to boil, and Pogo found himself faced with an empty plate of food. He must've been hungrier than he realized.

Coffee? Coffee now?

He sighed. "Hold on, Kapnos wants their coffee. I'll be right back."

The second they were able, Kapnos scrambled over to the stove and began brewing their coffee. They found a mug in one of the cupboards and poured the dark, warm beverage into it. Then they sat back at the table, flashing a wide grin at Ender.

"Oh, yeah, this is the life," they murmured, taking a swig from the mug. "You get to put up with me now, eyeball man. Al's a buy one get one free deal, and there's no return receipt."

“Alright….I’ll try not to lose my shit again…” Ender said it almost jokingly, but there was s hint of sadness behind it. He began washing the empty plates.

"Awh, he's still right here," Kapnos snickered, gesturing grandly at themselves — or, well, Pogo's body. They sat backwards in the chair, leaning their back against the table and crossing their legs over the back of the chair, nursing their mug.

"Hey, don't get too friendly with him, alright?" they told Ender, raising an eyebrow as they took a sip of their mug. "Even when I'm not the one in control, I still see what goes on."

They cackled to themselves. "Of course, this is all hypothetical. You don't seem like kind of person to—"

Kapnos, don't start. Remember what happened last time.

"Yeah, yeah," they muttered into their cup. "Just remember, eye boy," they continued, flashing a glare at Ender. "There's a third party here. Alessandro might be easily swayed, but I'm just tolerating you for the time being."

Alright, that's enough of that.

"Wait— wait, shit, I didn't mean to say—"

Pogo grimaced, shifting into a much more comfortable position on the chair.

"Sorry. I keep forgetting he's a bastard," he sighed. "Don't take what they're saying to heart. They're just trying to rile you up."

the kind of person to…. what?
Keep in mind, this man has no idea what sex is. He’s seen the word, but doesn’t exactly know what it entails. He doesn’t go out often.
“….alright….” he finished washing the dishes.
well, his attempts are working.
His cheerful attitude had faded a little after being reminded that Kapnos was there. The idea that the two of them would never truly have time alone bothered him a little, but he tried not to make it obvious. He knew Kapnos wasn’t going anywhere, so what could he really do about it?
Ender had dreamt of Pogo last night. They were on the roof of an apartment building, watching the sunset, hands laced together. Alone together. He deeply wanted to experience that with him someday.

Pogo stood from the table, retrieving Kapnos's mug and making his way over to the sink. His own mood had seemed to shift.

He set the mug in the sink, then turned to face Ender. He let out a sigh, then moved in and embraced him tightly.

"We'll make it work," he whispered. "They're going to give us a hard time, but we'll make it work."

His gaze rose to meet Ender's. "Did you, uh, have plans for the day..?"

Ender leaned into the embrace, cherishing the warmth. He couldn’t describe how much he loved being held.
We’ll work this out.
He shook his head. “I don’t usually have plans….do you?”

Pogo shook his head. "I'd be heading to work by this time, but, well.." he chuckled to himself. "I don't know if that's feasible."

He rested his hands on his hips, taking a gander at the bunker's surroundings.

"No chores? No errands? You just stay here?"

“I go out to gather things…. but that’s pretty much it. The only chore I really have is keeping this place clean.” He put away the freshly cleaned dishes.

Pogo seated himself back at the table, resting his chin in his palm thoughtfully.

"Well… maybe we could go and do that together. Or we could take a walk, explore the woods. Or I could meet your neighbors."

He shrugged. "You have any ideas? You know this place better than I do."

“Hmm… I think you’d like Mothman, he’s a cool guy. And he could probably fly us out of the woods, if there’s something you want to do in the city…” Ender started getting ready to head out, grabbing his satchel.

"The city.. you'd go there?"

Hah! Eye boy wouldn't last five minutes, Kapnos snickered.

"Well, it's up to you," Pogo insisted, getting up and taking his satchel from where it rested on the couch before following Ender. "There'd certainly be a lot to do, but it might be too much. You changing into your true form would probably, uh… cause issues."

“….I wanna see what it’s like….and…..if I think I might change, i could hide somewhere…..Mothman told me there are a lot of places to hide in the city…..” He crawled out of the bunker and started walking.
“Hey dad? I’ve got someone for you to meet!” He shouted into the trees.

A few seconds later, there was a loud fluttering of wings, and Mothman appeared on the ground in front of them. He was about 10 feet tall, with a massive wingspan. He was fuzzy, and his antennae looked similar to feathers. His large red eyes reflected the sunlight. He let out a few clicking noises, and tilted his head to the side in curiosity.

Ender hugged Mothman gently. “How’re you doing, Dad?” Ender smiled a little.

“Eh, pretty good. How ‘bout you? And who’s this kid?” Mothman’s voice was raspy, and had a faint West Virginian accent.

“I’m doing good! This is Pogo, my……….my……” Ender tried to figure out what exactly they were.

Pogo stared at the towering, winged cryptid standing before him, suddenly feeling a little dry in the mouth.

Oh, shit, eye boy wasn't kidding when he said he knew Mothman, Kapnos cackled. Yeah, that's the real deal, right before you! Hope you don't mess things up.

"U-Uhm… well," Pogo began uneasily, not sure what would be the right word to use himself. "I-I guess we're, uh… boyfriends? Dating. I-In a relationship, I guess."

Mothman nodded. ”Cool.” He reached an arm over to Pogo, ruffling his hair. ”Ya don’t gotta be so nervous, kid, I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m just glad En met someone.” He leaned in and whispered. ”Be careful with him, alright? He’s….fragile.”

Ender had picked up a squished Coke can, and was observing it closely.

Pogo flinched at the touch, but managed to relax when he realized Mothman had no intention to be threatening.

"Y-Yeah, I'll do my best," he replied, his voice cracking a bit.

Fragile? Understatement of the century, Kapnos snickered.

Oh, shut it.

"It's— uhm… nice to finally meet you, Sir."

Sir? That's what you're gonna call him?

Mothman laughed a little. ”You can just call me Mothman, no need for formalities.” Mothman took a good look at Pogo. ”I see you’ve got another voice in that noggin, hm?” He chuckled. ”I can see heat. You’ve got a person hangin’ around in ya. Looks kinda like a double outline.”
Ender was far more interested in the can than the conversation that was happening.

Pogo sighed, nodding slowly. "It's… a long story. They like to give me a hard time."

Oh, so that's how you're gonna introduce me to the Big Man? Sheesh.

"Ender's told me a lot about you. You really know your way around this place?"

Mothman nodded. ”Inside and out. I’ve lived here my whole life. And I can fly, so that comes in handy.” He laughed a little. ”Ender! Careful with that! Cans can be real sharp if they’re beat up like that!”
Ender dropped the can.

Pogo blinked.

"Ender told me he's been with you his whole life, too. Does it, uh.. bother you, to be seen by a human? The voice in my head — can't use their name — told me cryptids typically don't engage with people."

Mothman shrugged. “Eh, doesn’t really bother me. I try to stay out of the way, but if someone wanders in, I don’t mind.”

Pogo breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, I won't try to hold you up too much. Are you ready to go, Ender?"

Ender nodded.
”So, where to?” Mothman shook his wings, getting them ready for flight.

"I, uh, live in the city that's almost just outside these woods," Pogo replied. "I dunno if you've seen it. It's got a pretty big clock tower."