Work Text:
Taph was content working at the HQ: they could still remember how they felt when first walking into the bustling building, orderly chaos and people moving in an ever-evolving system with no patterns yet a routine. Dusekkar would always enter the library at 11:30 before the lunch rush; Clockwork moved paperwork from the weekly admin meetings to the paper archives; Shedletsky and Brighteyes left for a duel every Tuesday noon, of which Taph never learnt the outcome. Over time, Taph memorised the routines of random people around them. They don’t mean it in a creepy way, but when lost in a bustling river of employees with no time for structure, Taph was comforted in the patterns of the current.
Taph was quite young when they were hired: younger than they should’ve been, but they grew with the job. Demolition came easy to them; blast radii, bomb specifics and modifications all made sense to them. The concepts caused so much confusion for others, taking longer to train protocols, but Taph found it straightforward- common logic. Mabye thats why they adjusted to their work easier than all of the older recruits.
Either way, while demolition was easy, they struggled with extensive paperwork and the constant social events the HQ would hold; ones which usually excluded demolitionists due to their constant workload and not enough people to sort it out (demolition was not a popular choice for new workers), but events such as the Christmas party were mandatory. “Excellent team building”. When they were younger, no one batted an eye if one demolitionist didn’t turn up, but due to their small recognition as the best demolitionist in Robloxia, more imaginary eyes expected them, more demolition recruits looking for the fabled Taph’s hooded figure.
They slipped out of the social hall as soon as the formal announcements were declared, retreating up, away from the noise. Hiding until the earliest time for Taph to leave without seeming rude. Their chosen hiding spot tonight? The balcony on the roof of the fourth floor.
Looking at the sparking lights of Robloxia below, Taph relaxed in the silence. When the cold nipped at their wingtips and nose, the world seemed dreamlike, grounding in the winter air. Taph felt on top of the world up here, no curious eyes trying to glance at the shadow under their hood or akward shuffling of people who don’t recognise the being in their signs. Just Taph and their thoughts of half-developed bomb sequences.
Taph didn’t expect the door to creak behind them- they spun, alarmed by the sound. The door had opened to reveal a figure outlined in the doorway, unrecognisable due to the lighting. A merciless pair of eyes glaring at the avian on the balcony, before narrowing as MrDoombringer stepped onto the balcony.
“Someone is hiding.”
Taph’s hands twitched into a response, they had no excuse ready before being caught off guard.
‘Needed to be away from the noise, sorry sir if I’m in the way, I can go back if needed-’
Doombringer watched intently at the signs shown by the shaky demolitionist who was shuffling towards the other pair of doors, expecting the answer before he even gave one.
“No need, I don’t blame you- I hate these stupid parties. Stay here”
Pausing, Taph watched mutely as the admin trod to the area beside them, one of the man’s hands gripping at the railing as he reached it. Taph mimicked the action, reclaiming their stretch of railing, out of reach of the other.
A quiet tension built between the two. A God and an avian tucked away from the social event, slightly apart in an awkward silence. A crack split the air between them, followed by the fizzing from a Bloxy cola in Doombringer’s hand. Taph glanced as the admin took a long swig from the can, before returning to his stance of moodily glaring down at the city below. He glanced back at Taph.
“I feel like I’ve seen you around, but I can’t remember where…”
He stared at the avian before they signed back.
‘Demolitionist. Might of seen me in demolition department, testing rooms or office.’
“Hm” was the only response Taph got from the looming figure beside him, before robotically grabbing a fresh Bloxy cola from seemingly thin air and chucking it at Taph who somehow caught the drink. They looked at the can then back at Doombringer.
“It’s not poisoned- you are tense despite the hour, could use the alcohol”
‘Im not tense’ Taph replied, head wings shielding their face while instantly forcing their shoulders down - realising how stiff they had been - before sipping the drink like the man beside them. The taste fizzled on their tounge, causing them to scrunch their face up, but the soothing aroma kept them calm through the weird sensation.
“Mind if I talk?”
Taph properly turned towards the man with the bucket hat, looking curiously at them. For the widely known and feared head of moderation, Doombringer was oddly laid back when talking- possibly from the alcohol (do Gods get drunk?). It was hard to imagine this was the same person who would show up on news shows to deliver some ominous information of recent ban waves.
‘Sure’ they signed, ‘I don’t mind listening’.
The night was lost to Doombringer ranting about anything and everything, his frustrations at the destabilising Robloxian moderation, his annoyance about Tarabyte breaking the coffee machine in the admin’s lounge, Shedletsky ‘cheating’ in their last duel. Taph mainly listened, offering opinions and input at any pauses in the conversation. For both, the winter air seemed to stop biting, their faces heating up while they both grinned, laughed even at the conversation between them, stretching into something more than comfortable. As the alcohol seeped into effect, Taph became less reserved, hands flapping about their old interests, eyes starting to gleam. Doombringer lost their glare, face reddening from something that wasn’t the cold. Leaning on each other as they talked, distance closing, mutual nudging burnt both despite the temperature. Both of them felt seen for the first time in a while.
-
They were interrupted by a clock striking the next day, causing Taph to flinch violently, Doombringer merely turned around slowly towards the door, then back to Taph. (clock strikes 12, midnight arise lol ok I’ll shut up now -author)
“Time went really quickly- where you going?”
Taph’s claws scrambled to grab the empty can by their foot, before hurrying towards the door, pausing one second to clumsily sign.
‘Sorry, time to go- nice chat mister Doombringer!’
Before he could open his mouth to ask the avian to wait, they were gone. Doombringer felt a sinking feeling in his chest, the night a little colder and darker without his companion, and rushed after the Demolitionist.
“Hey, wait- you haven’t even said your name?-“
The stairs flew past him, before a suddenly very sober Doombringer burst into the crowded atrium where the Christmas celebrations were in full swing, people chatting, partying and blocking his way. His eyes searched the room, darting from face to face, searching for the bird he was chatting to a mere five minutes ago.
He didn’t notice the small shadow slipping out the front door.
The admin searched for Taph, but got nothing out of the drunk robloxians around him. Some new determination had flickered into the admin, some fire he didn’t even understand himself. But Doombringer will find that avian- their name and who they were.
Who was the Demolitionist talking of struggles with a chord bending their hand wrong on the guitar; who was the being who decorated for Christmas even if they had no one to celebrate with; Who was the one who had ethereal wings in the city light, despite confessing to baking a particularly messy batch of brownies the day before?
The admin laid in bed the next morning, recounting the dream with someone who resembled a being he met through the fuzz of yesterday’s alcohol- an enchanting avian. Despite being unsure of who they were looking for, the God was now on a mission.
-
Despite Taph being a lightweight, they were glad they had not drunk enough Bloxy cola to give them a hangover. That ment they wouldn’t be stuck at home with a migraine, and could do some work- even if their memory of the last twelve hours was a bit blurry. Probably not that important. What Taph focused on was that today would have fewer people to slink around in the hallways, fewer people to make loud noises that made Taph flinch- most people would of used the party as an excuse to go all out on the alcohol, few worked the day after the Christmas party anyway.
Taph proved themselves right with their prediction of the lowered attendance at Roblox HQ. The odd update-dev moving hard-drives between hallways, one or two moderators chatting on the staircases, and according to the check in clipboard for the demolitionists, they were the only one in office today.
Demolition sites fell at the ease of lifting a finger that day, Taph got through four decent sized buildings before they allowed their late lunch break- Taph found that fewer people would try and talk to them if they took a break at around 3pm- before returning reluctantly to the demolitionists’ offices for boring, dreaded paperwork.
Time passed between the first paragraph to the mountain of documents, the words morphing into each other, before the alarm signalling two hours of straight reading and writing blared through the cramped, silent office.
Stretching, taking care not to whack their wings on the wall behind them, Taph retreated out of the room and into the corridor between empty offices and the vacant demolitionist (and gear department) break room: the closest room to Taph with a kettle and tea bags.
Taph had just reached for the kettle when a large, gloved hand slammed onto their shoulder, a suprised noise drawn from the avian. Whipping around, the startled demolitionist was met with a looming horned shadow, stars dotted across his shoulders, Doombringer.
Doombringer wouldn’t usually be here, at this time he would usually be prepping for the weekly admin meeting, checking his own department’s productivity; not in a break room that was six floors down from the admin level. Unless Taph had messed up- did a mine break a non-flagged chunk? Was NPC code not properly archived and partially torn? Or some other protocol that Taph, despite checking everything, had messed up? Were they less efficient with their work to the point of being a liability? What could’ve they done to warrant the head of moderation in all of Robloxia to personally-
“You.”
Taph blinked before raising their hands.
‘Yes?’
Doombringer glanced at their wings before staring back at them, no readable expression on his face.
“You were the one who I was talking to yesterday on the rooftop, right?”
Oh right. That. Taph had not really thought over the interaction the previous night, thinking through the cloud of alcohol tended to end in more confusion. Sure, they may of taken a few sips of the Bloxy, and they knew they were a lightweight, but surely they weren’t drunk enough to say anything out of line?
‘Yes Mr Doombringer, I think we did talk yesterday. Sorry, Did I do something?’
A strange look flashed over the admin’s eyes at the formality, gone before Taph could notice. A beat of silence passed between the two, before the God spoke, voice low enough to challenge thunder.
“No, you just never told me your name.”
Taph stood still for a moment. The intimidating admin Doombringer, enforcer of justice across the platform, someone incredibly busy and important, cornered them because they hadn’t told him their name?
‘Sorry, My name is Taph. It was rude not to introduce myself, I’m sorry’
Taph shyed away from the glare of one of the scariest people in Robloxia, someone they felt that would obliterate them if they breathed wrong. How did he end up talking with this man a few short hours ago? How drunk were they?
“No- no inconvenience at all I assure you”, Doombringer pressed, “I wanted to know.”
The silence bled between them, Taph confused and slightly terrified of the thunderstorm personified in front of him.
“I enjoyed our chat last night, is there a chance of talking again sometime soon?”
Taph nodded, the only movement from Doombringer being the thrashing of a red bull-like tail.
The door of the break room flung open, Shedletsky barging in, scanning for the other deity before raising an eyebrow at the scene infront of him.
“I will notify you when I’m free, I will be seeing you, Taph”
Taph blinked as the other swept away from him, striding past the chicken hybrid- who was smirking as an investigator would when coming across scandal- then soon followed soon after, leaving a very confused Taph still processing what the fuck just happened.
-
“Doombringer, I thought you said random chatter was beneath you- now you’re cornering some employee who isn’t even in your department”
“None of your business chicken face”
“Damn, touched a nerve- someone’s sensitive. Well, secretive. We all saw you sneaking off last night, and now, what did you describe breaks as again, ‘just slacking off’? I’m starting to get curious…”
“Shut it”
-
Over the next week, Taph’s carefully built routine of solitude crumbled around them. Anywhere they went, a shadow followed - Doombringer turning up to random demolition sites miles away from the HQ. Sometimes, he just watched as Taph armed charges.
“Checking on site regulations” Doombringer muttered one instance on New Year’s Eve. Taph knew it wasn’t true, but would talking back to a god be a good idea? No. They kept quiet.
But Doombringer kept on appearing.
Again.
And again.
Sometimes he talked- some new shenanigans between the admins, almost all of which Taph found to start with a prank from Shedletsky.
Every now and then, Doombringer would ask questions- ones they always answered.
“How do you have the plan of the building if you only walked around it once?”
Taph walked backwards as they signed, careful not to drop the core they had in their hand.
‘Build-Beacon. Scans property and materials. No details, can’t detect certain materials’
They then turned, at their destination, priming the dull-coloured I-CAT bomb. They liked looking at the core, the occasional green pulses always evoked more emotion from the avian than any artwork.
“How would that thing bring down the concrete?”
Taph turned to the man standing directly behind them, the admin looking between the solid wall and the avian.
‘Its an ionising-compound and time bomb, I-CAT, two different explosive compositions in one, more destructive’
They turned slightly to look at the bomb themselves.
‘A bit messy. Unreliable, sometimes lags upon activation, sometimes instant’
“But is it safe?” Doombringer followed the thought, tail thrashing as he glanced distrustingly at the explosive.
‘Sometimes, usually safe as long as distance kept’
Taph retreated back to the safe zone, followed by the dark figure, as they checked over the floor plan once more. The I-CAT bomb radius would cover most of the building, with little shrapnel being predicted to break away- therefore less cleanup work. The southwestern corner won’t have coverage though, a small aquified potassium bomb would be effective there…
A water bottle was pressed into their hand. Taph looked up curiously, Doombringer staring intently at them.
“You haven’t had water for three hours. Drink it.”
Taph blinked, but obliged. They didn’t want to question the admin, but they felt like the gesture wasn’t something aligned with how ‘Doom’ usually acted.
They felt as if it would take too much effort to care: effort to try and make sense of the comfort it gave them. Those kinds of emotions were inefficient when working, or when trying to do anything really.
They went around the rest of the demolition as usual, paying no mind to the god following them like a cat with separation anxiety - not that Doombringer was a cat, he just reminded Taph of how a cat acts.
Doombringer kept following them until they re-entered to HQ, where he was promptly diverted by a very curious Shedletsky, Clockwork and Dusekkar (who looked like he was here against his will).
“Doombringer, where have you been? Clockwork went to your office to hand you the new modifications to the mod’s gear, and you’ve evaporated like Brighteyes when it’s my turn to cook! What could possibly-”
The sword master spotted Taph.
“Ooh, this is interesting”
The other deities noticed the small avian standing behind Doombringer, interests piqued. While Doombringer was coldly retorting to Clockwork’s and Shedletsky’s interrogations, Dusekkar floated over to the cornered avian, tapping them on the shoulder.
“There is one thing that you will find
Between the banter of their hive mind,
I say, use the conversation’s perk,
To flee and to retreat back to work.
Or, of course, to simply have a break
From what these three cause: a headache.”
After deciphering the riddle, Taph took the mage’s advice, scurrying back through the crowd of curious employees thay had gathered around the bickering admins, back to the safety of their office.
If Taph felt like they were being watched as they fled the atrium, they wouldn’t say, as they already knew whose onyx eyes were staring at their retreating figure.
-
Taph walked back into the building, posture unknowingly tense as they blended into the steady flow of people entering the HQ.
Doombringer hadn’t supervised today, and they didn’t feel like they were constantly watched by analytical eyes as they had the last few weeks - they weren’t stressed because of that though. Today’s demolitions had gone well, except for one: a building’s construction plan omitted a secret room, unscanned by the build-beacon (it didn’t pick up on unapproved materials) which resulted in messed up implosion-resulted vectors, debris ending up where it’s not supposed to go. Taph’s cleanup for the shoddy construction of the illegally built room had given them time to become thoroughly disgruntled about the extra paperwork they would have to do.
They started walking towards the staircase, exhaustion quietly clinging to their bones before-
A hand on their shoulder.
“You are late.”
Taph turned, wings curled against their back - the previous subconscious tension increased tenfold, were they in trouble?
It was MrDoombringer, again.
Arguably, Taph thought that was worse than another deity- they couldn’t read Doombringer’s face, his emotions, or why he keeps showing up and pretending to care when he shouldn’t.
Taph could only blink, pretending that staring at the God didn’t send panic through their head. Did they act out of line while supervised one day? Did they fail some test they weren’t told they were taking?
“Why.”
Taph deflated slightly. They weren’t that behind were they? They just wanted to be done with the day.
‘Technical difficulties? Sorry, was I too unproductive?’
Doombringer just stared wordlessly before speaking again, his professional tone laced with something unnameable.
“You weren’t unproductive Taph, but you don’t have technical difficulties. What happened.”
‘Building infrastructure not properly recorded. I was unaware. Unplanned debris vectors, therefore longer cleanup. Behind schedule, sorry.’
“Don’t you use those scanner things, you mentioned them a few days ago?”
Taph was taken aback. He listened to them rambling about that? The Build-Beacon?
‘Doesn’t scan certain materials.’
“So a design flaw?”
‘Yes and no.’
“Did it put you at risk, did any debris hit you?”
Taph shuffled, moving their weight from one leg to the other as if leaning away from Doombringer.
‘No. missed.’
“But it could’ve hit you?”
‘Yes, it’s fine-‘
Doombringer moved his hand from Taph’s shoulder to their hands, preventing them from signing any more. To Taph, he seemed angry, shoulders squared, bordering threatening.
“Taph, you need to be more careful. One mistake could cause you serious injury.”
He took a step forward, advancing while Taph took a step back, backing towards the stairs. Employees were slowing down their pace, some even stopping and watching the conversation.
“If I find out one more demolition almost led to an accident or you are being a danger to yourself again…“
‘Sorry sir, won’t repeat.’
Taph’s posture shrunk on itself slightly, almost fearful as they took another step backwards to the stairs their eyes darted between the admin and the small crowd.
Doombringer meanwhile paused. Taph hadn’t addressed him as ‘Sir’ for the last week, he was glad the formality was gone. But it was back; Taph was back to their jumpy, alert behaviour - no longer relaxed.
“Doombringer.”
The admin turned. The crowd had parted slightly, unnecessarily as the robot walked forward.
Clockwork approached casually, StickMasterLuke watching deftly further back, both engaged in the interaction. He continued, a stern expression on his face.
“If you would, like, stop cornering the poor demolitionist and, you know, let them get back to work? That would be great thanks.”
Clockwork’s sarcastic seriousness dropped briefly, flashing a sympathetic smile to Taph before addressing Doombringer again.
“Don’t you have that overall safety report due tomorrow anyway?”
Doombringer’s frown remained plastered on his face, briefly glancing at Taph before stomping off towards the main corridors, bumping shoulders with Clockwork on the way. Clockwork didn’t seem at all phased at the agressive action, grinning before shooting Taph a wink and trailing after the star-furred admin. The dark under StickMasterLuke’s mask betrayed no reaction of the ordeal, marching after the two.
Taph scurried away as soon as Clockwork turned, desperate to escape the prying eyes around them. Gods, there were so many people watching, it was awful! They are behind work, people ogled at them while being scolded by an admin, and they’d yet to preen their wings - they were a mess.
Taph retreated to their workstation, working through the other department’s rush to return home, and ignoring the email that had popped up while working- from the title, it seemed like almost an apology.
They opened it the next day. Taph thought it was a bit out of character for Doombringer to apologise to them.
-
The icy winter air bit through Taph’s robes despite the ambiguous layers they wore. The sun had set hours ago, but Taph had to stay in office until late - another rookie demolitionist had gone home sick that day, leaving the ever reliable Taph to finish their work for them.
Taph slunk through the dark alleys of Robloxia, taking shortcuts directly to their apartment. Should they be walking through some shady alleyways where it wasn’t uncommon to stumble across something less than legal? Probably not. Does it mean getting back to their warm nest in their bedroom quicker? Yes, therefore worth the risk.
From where they were currently, it was a five minute walk behind buildings to where they lived- not long to go. It would take less time if they flew, but unfurling their wings in cold weather such as… what is that smell?
Distracted, Taph paused. An iron-like smell that made their stomach flip carried across the intersection before them. They carried on walking, slower and more cautiously, eyes wide for any movement.
“Oi, you”
Taph looked left down the crossing. A player in dark clothing marched up to them, an expression similar to disgust (or maybe anger) on their face.
“Yur’ the one who got rid of me’ mate’s house.”
Taph didn’t know what to say here. They got rid of a lot of accommodations in their work, that could be any building they destroyed, and if the ‘mate’ had been banned, even more likely so. The man had started shouting, still advancing on the frozen avian.
“He hadn’t been banned for a week, yet th’ house is already gone? You demolitionists have no right to get rid of it- you need to mind yur’ own business.”
Taph raised his hands, ready to sign an apology before-
Thwack
The man’s fist collided with their face- their wings flinched, eyes blinking wide with pain that burned as it blossomed over their face. Taph backed up a step, trying to create distance before the attacker lunged for their throat, hand wrapping around their neck and wrist as both fell to the ground. Pinned, Taph struggled, kicking and thrashing as their wings flapped, any attempt to free themselves, while the darkly dressed man tightened their grip on their neck.
“You ar’nt even sorry, too proud to apologise- how bout now? Still refusin to speak?”
Taph couldn’t breathe- they gasped for air, no chance to indicate that they have no voice. Their vision was blackening at the edges, head throbbing while they tugged at the man’s wrist with their free hand, trying to loosen his grip enough to just breathe.
They kicked at him, trying to push him off, but his knee pinned down their wing, weight grinding into hollow bones, the pain pricking tears into their eyes.
Suddenly, the weight lifted. The hand let go of their neck and wrist, they could breathe. Taph scurried back, away from the place where the attacker was just lifted into the air.
Someone stood behind the man, claws grasping his shirt collar as he were lifted with ease. He was chucked towards the alley wall in a blur of red and black, a sickening crack as they collided with the bricks. Before he had time to retaliate, Doombringer slammed the Banhammer into the Robloxian- their code dissolving before their eyes. By the time that the admin looked back towards Taph, the attacker was gone. Banned.
Large hands picked up Taph by the waist, lifting them with an unexpected gentleness that contrasted with the bloody fight seconds before. The avian was set down back onto their feet, rebalancing as Doombringer looked at them- concern in dark eyes that checked the Demolitionist for injuries.
“How dare he” the admin muttered as he crouched down to examine Taph more carefully, turning their bleeding face with one hand as another held the badly bruised wrist, before Taph tore their hands away to sign.
‘Its fine, only stings’
“That’s not the point, Taph” Doombringer snarled, his tone deadly enough for Taph to shut up.
“How far is your place from ‘ere?”
‘Five minutes’
Doombringer didn’t move for a moment, staring into the other’s eyes before interlocking claws between their fingers, dragging them forward as he marched out the alley. The walk to Taph’s house passed in silence.
-
Sitting at their table, Taph outstretched and bared their wrist as the admin looked it over, the red bucket-helmet and a first aid kit from his inventory panel opened on a chair. The silence was loud between the two of them, before finally, Doombringer spoke.
“I can see the blood under your mask”
He reached forward, a clawed thumb hooking under the top of Taph’s mask, before pausing, waiting for a response.
“Mind if I?”
After the Demolitionist nodded, the other moved the mask down, seeing the other fully for the first time. Assessing the damage, Doombringer brought a hand to their face, cupping the other’s bleeding cheek tentatively as he grabbed the disinfectant, applied some to a cotton bud and started dabbing at the blood across Taph’s nose, causing a flinch before they settled down and endured the sting.
Doombringer’s face was inches from his, eyes narrowed in concentration. Each hot exhale caused Taph’s eyes to flutter, a contrast to the cool liquid on the cotton bud. At some point, they felt a pressure around their leg, like a snake coiling round- without moving their head from the divinity’s hand, they gazed at their leg, which was being ensnared by the God’s tail, wrapped around and tugging forward.
Oh fuck.
Taph felt a slight flush creep onto their face before they could stop it. They tilted their head away, trying to hide the sudden colour, before the admin huffed, readjusting their grip on their jaw and forcing the avian to meet his eyes again. Taph could only hope that Doombringer would mistake the blush for pain, or a bruise.
When the other deemed their wounds clean enough, they were released, instantly leaning back as far as possible with their leg being firmly gripped by the other’s tail. Doombringer’s attention shifted to Taph’s wings next, reaching a claw to touch them. Taph grabbed it before he could feel the feathers.
‘You’ve done a lot for me, I can do the wings myself’
Doombringer merely watched them intently, before resuming the action, running their hand through the soft secondary-coverts (the small feathers in the middle of the underside of the wing for u non bird nerds -author), causing Taph to shudder, the sudden stimulation in the sensitive appendage felt weird after being the only one to touch them for so long, like a fire seeping into the cartilage.
“But I want to.”
Taph could barely focus on Doombringer’s words as they trembled from his touch, attempting to shy away from it once more. The admin growled impatiently, frustrated, and stood up, slotting their hands under Taph’s armpits and lifting them up with the ease of lifting a cat, before winding through the furniture in the room to the nearby sofa, setting the avian in their lap and resuming the grooming.
They didn’t know what to do. Taph had just been manhandled and moved like a pet, before the admin of justice started preening them. Did he even know what preening ment to avians? Doing it established a close bond with the other- usually reserved for mates or close friends. He had to know, from how much time he spent with the chicken-based God, but at the same time he couldn’t know because he was preening them!
Their mind felt like putty from the soft touches to their wings
Taph’s eyes began to droop while they debated telling the other about the culture, but as they leaned forward into soft, starry fur, the fight against sleep won. They would probably wake up when the other finished anyway; it wasn’t like Taph didn’t like the claws gently running through their feathers, dislodging itchy broken feathers and realigning the skewed.
They sunk further into the warm, furry surface they rested on, mind an equivalent to sludge from the stimulation to their wings. Taph’s last thought before sleep overtook them was why the warm surface they rested on was moving slightly?
When Doombringer deemed his work good enough, they didn’t immediately move the avian sleeping on his chest, the other was peacefully resting their head on their mane - having some frankly well deserved sleep.
After a few minutes of enjoying the small bird’s rest, he gently lifted them up, cradling them as he found his way to their nest, setting them down and covering them with a nearby blanket. If he summoned a hot-waterbottle and tucked it to the other’s chest, that was for him to know. He had long known avian customs from Shedletsky, being a greater-piarie chicken - but maybe he needed another lesson on how to properly preen, as he was less experienced in the action than the meaning behind it.
He left the other’s apartment soon after, not before duping a copy of the others keys, just in case, and sending a DM to Sorcus to put Taph on leave, the avian would need recovery time. He could use the key to check in on them- to spend time with them. From meeting on a rooftop, Doombringer has to admit he had gotten more posessive, attached. He had no intention to let them go any time soon. It would be an uphill battle for sure with the cold, polite resistance the avian hid with, but he felt the reward - them - was worth it.
-
Taph entered the building, it wasn’t the first time that week, but it was the first day when Doombringer couldn’t force them home. Taph had tried to enter work the day after the attack- and two days after that- to get spotted by a horned, star speckled admin and teleported home with some protest, but Doombringer was set on making sure Taph got their full recovery time. When Doombringer went to their apartment after work, he wordlessly apologised with home-made soup and sometimes preening Taph, before restating that Taph was not to try and work the next day, much to their dismay.
They had entered their office, ready to get the locations for demolition that day when they noticed a yellow sticky-note on a mug of still steaming tea. A very recognisable scrawl on the paper, Taph picked it up with the drink.
‘Taph, don’t stretch yourself on these demolitions. Once done, please come to my office on the admin floor, I would like to talk. Enjoy the tea -Doombringer’
Their stupid bird-heart fluttered from the gesture, cupping the mug with one claw as Taph grabbed the site information from their desk, exiting the office. They took a sip of the tea before pausing.
One part sugar and a dash of milk.
How did Doombringer get their exact tea preference first try?
Taph blushed a bit at the attention the man gave them, but they would never admit it out loud.
-
Taph stood awkwardly in the elevator, a claw half outstretched, trying to decide how to do this. Most employees weren’t allowed on the admin floor without formal permission, but all they had was a note from Doombringer to “just come to his office”, they didn’t even know which one that was!
Plucking up courage, they pressed the button for the top floor, mind racing as the light flickered on. The elevator shuddered upwards before halting again, doors opening to reveal the robotic admin, Clockwork.
They casually stepped into the lift, hand reaching for the top floor button before pausing, realising the light was already on. The Valkyrie helm on their head moved with his curiosity as they turned to the only other occupant of the elevator.
“Well thats curious, most people don’t go up there- whats the special occasion, hmm?”
Taph merely diverted their eyes, suddenly appearing to find the floor more interesting than seconds before, not looking at Clockwork as they signed.
‘Doombringer gave a note asking to chat. Informal so not sure if allowed, sorry is that against protocol?’
Clockwork’s friendly smile only widened, cheery despite the avian’s clear nerves.
“Nahh, it’s fine as long as someone vouches you can come and go as you please in the admin lounge. Although I do have a question…” the motors in the robot’s arms whirred quietly as they crossed their arms,
“You don’t happen to know anything about Doom’s random adventures away from his beloved moderation, do you?”
Taph blinked, wings fluttering from guilt.
‘He’s been checking on me, got me tea this morning’
Clockwork seemed curious about that answer, eyebrow lifting with the warm smirk on his face widening.
“Well well well, didn’t think that Doom would ever-“
The elevator juddered to a stop, lights flickering. The doors didn’t open. Both occupants jumped, watching the door and expecting it to open.
“Uh.. that’s not supposed to happen…”
Clockwork shuffled to the control panel, looking at it before sliding a screwdriver from his pocket and removed screws from the metal plate, exposing the wires beneath. Between the hydraulics and the circuit board, a small slip of paper was tucked haphazardly- Clockwork picking it up and reading.
“Really, Shedletsky? Rigging the elevator to trap the next admin trying to get to their office? Can you believe this guy?”
He sighed once more while turning to Taph, looking apologetic.
“I’m sorry you’ve gotten trapped by Shed’s little pranks, I will pop a message to the other admins to get us out but there may be a bit of a wait. You okay?”
Taph’s wings poofed defensively, twinges of stress making them flap in the small space. They hugged their arms trying to comfort themselves, but nodded to the admin either way.
Clockwork merely blinked before lowering themselves to the ground, sitting on the floor in an attempt to get comfortable. Taph mimicked the action, leaning against the opposite corner from Clockwork and the door.
“Soooo… uh… how’s your day been?”
Taph looked up to the robot, who was awkwardly glancing between Taph and the door.
‘Okay, not much paperwork but someone spilt water on the seats in the demolitionist’s common room. No one could sit on it.’ Taph signed slowly, thinking of the incident and the mild frustration in having to sit in one of the non-avian friendly chairs, which gave their wings’ cramps.
“Yeah, incidents happen” Clockwork replied casually.
“Demolition department though, eh? Between you and me-” they leaned forward as if telling a secret,
“The gear sector are halfway through developing a magnet-based bomb to help take down buildings supported with steel or iron… Thats if it didn’t keep on frying its own frame. The thing destabilises itself too easily, bends the wires to disconnect when activated”
Taph nodded along, calming slightly at the technical conversation. If the admin was so casual about being trapped in a small elevator, then they would be too.
‘Subsidising polymer wire coverings with something that bends the magnetic field might stop the magnetic core bending wires out of shape’
“Great idea! Someone knows their bombs, I can see why Doom’s fond of you” they exclaimed, lighting up with the input. Taph tensed at the name of the other admin.
“I will make sure to suggest that to the engineers in charge of the project, maybe we should cross the gear sector with some demolitionists, y’know, since you’re the explosive experts and the two departments share a break room”
He talked fondly over the idea, opening a notes section in their admin panel to jot both ideas down before turning back to the avian.
“Say, whats your name?”
‘Taph’
“Nice to meet you Taph!”
Time passed as the two talked gear designs, sharing ideas and problems, and admin shenanigans including some funny moments including Doombringer when he first joined. Clockwork was Doombringer’s best friend, the two got on well and naturally had lots of funny stories such as Doombringer’s mane getting stuck when Legoseed slammed a door too quickly, pulling out a tuft of hair and causing the horned man to sulk around the meetings the rest of the day.
Taph pointed out that’s how Doombringer usually was, at which Clockwork laughed.
Taph warmed up after a bit too, voicing ideas of a biomechanical bomb as there were no Hears of they currently. They had already thought out the process: an almost fungi-like chain reaction that interacts with local particles until the initial energy exhausts, where the reaction would end. Clockwork then proceeded to convince Taph to switch from demolition to design in the Gear department for several minutes.
“You have a real talent with explosives and theoretical engineering” he had said.
Taph didn’t know how to react.
Around ten minutes passed before the elevator shuddered again, before continuing to rise. The admin and demolitionist both jumped to their feet, eager to escape the uncomfortably cramped box. The elevator stopped and opened the doors to Brighteyes, who looked at the two of them before speaking.
“Sorry it took me so long, I only saw the message once I had finished a marketing concept. Clockwork, you might want to take a look at the wire breadboard before the end of the day, I might of fried it”
“Thats ok, I have time” Clockwork turned to Taph, “you know where you’re going?”
Taph shook their head, processing the comfortable lounge they had just stepped into. The space had evidence that it was lived in, more like a living room where teenagers could mess around in rather than the common room of the most powerful beings in Robloxia.
“Uh, I didn’t know anyone had a meeting with any admin for the rest of the day?” Brighteyes questioned, eyes switching between Clockwork and Taph.
“Not with me” Clockwork replied, an evil grin forming over their metallic face, “Doombringer is having an ‘informal meeting’ with Taph here”
Brighteyes ‘ooh’ed while the confused Taph blinked- do the admins know something they didn’t about Doombringers’s sudden interest with them?
“Follow me” Clockwork instructed them before turning right into a corridor with oak doors adorned with plaques of the admin and title that inhabited it. Some doors were open, such as Builderman’s which showed a large whiteboard with notes and a desk, while others such as StickmasterLuke had little customisations and notices on their doors.
Clockwork took the to the door with the label ‘Doombringer, head of moderation’, and kicked open the door before striding straight in, despite Doombringer’s sound of annoyance at his door being kicked- standing up with the intrusion.
“You have a visitor, Doom” Clockwork announced as Taph quietly slipped in. Something in Doombringer’s eyes shifted when he spotted Taph. The two admins locked eyes again, a frown forming on Doombringer’s face while a smug look haunted Clockwork’s features. The robot broke the tension.
“Well imma leave you two to it, when you’re ready to leave Taph the elevator should work just fine- Doom we are going to have a chat after this- have fun!”
He left, closing the heavy door with a soft thunk, while Doombringer looked slightly confused.
“What happened to the elevator?”
‘Broke down- Clockwork found out it was a prank from Shedletsky’
Doombringer sighed with the words, a tired patience threaded with the exhale before continuing.
“Sorry that you got caught in all the admin scraps, take a seat, we are just going to discuss some things- did you like the tea I left?”
Taph nodded as they sat down, Doombringer returning to his seat behind the desk. The admin muttered ‘good to know’ under his breath, jotting down a few notes on scrap paper lying on his desk before continuing.
“As we both know, you were attacked a week ago on the basis of your work”
Taph tensed at the statement. Doombringer seemed to notice, leaning over his desk slightly.
“No need to tense, it wasn’t your fault. However, this is the third attack on the demolitionists this week, one at a site with a few of your coworkers, and another when a newer demolitionist was on the way home.”
Taph nodded, shoulders still tense despite his efforts to relax them.
“We- the other admins and I- are going to put out a few public statements, along with improved moderation guidelines against the discrimination. But as that’s moving slower than expected, you are not authorised to walk home unaccompanied. A notice went out today on the demolition’s board, that you are all either to go home via private transport or in groups. However, due to your recognition as our best demolitionist, you are more of a target, and we are aware that you walk from an area that isn’t covered by transport, and none of your coworkers live nearby. So… I’ve offered to walk you home myself.”
Taph blinked, dazed by the avalanche of information. Doombringer looked at them as if expecting a response, but Taph didn’t know what to say, so they just nodded.
Doombringer seemed pleased with the reaction, a small smile on his mouth- his gaze didn’t break until he blinked, continuing.
“I tend to work a little later than when you clock out, so if you can just come to my office whenever you are ready to go home, that would be more convenient. You fine with that?”
Taph didn’t know why he was asking that. Of course they would be fine with it, they’d already agreed hadn’t they? They nodded for the fourth time.
Doombringer rolled his chair back, opening a desk drawer and taking out a black and red keycard.
“Here” he continued, handing it over, “this will let you in my office in case I’m in the mod department. Just… don’t touch any of my documents once you are in here, alright?”
Taph took the card from Doombringer, noting the small hole in the dip left corner. It was perfectly designed to attach to their keychain, with their house keys and the small charm of a snowy owl feather. They immediately took a spare clip from their belt, hooked the card onto it and attached it to the keychain, securely on the left side of their belt under the demolition cloak.
They looked up to see the god watching intently, before closing his eyes and continuing.
“Unless you have any work left, you can stay here until I finish my work for the day”
Taph nodded for the fifth time, standing up out of the wooden chair and moving to one of three padded seats in the corner. They sat down, leaning against the wall before properly looking around.
Doombringer’s office was smart, oak with red and black highlights. A cream-coloured carpet covered the expanse of the room except the area near the window, which was wooden. A bookshelf on the wall opposite Doom’s desk sat with a range of stories and biographies, with some history texts all in leatherbacks. The corner Taph claimed had a small wooden table- the same type as the wooden panelling on the walls- and three softer cushioned chairs, all coloured to fit the rooms scheme.
Doombringer was absorbed in his writing, glancing at his computer every few minutes, searching virtual documents and player logs before sketching on the notepad in black ink. His desk was a neat array containing his monitor, an office phone, paper documentation, a nameplate, several stationary items and some trinkets Taph could not see past the admin’s figure, still looming over his work.
Taph slowly relaxed in the seat, leaning against the padded back of the chair while their wings shielded themselves. They wondered if the other admin rooms had the same layout, or if it was adjusted for each admins preference. They certainly couldn’t see Brighteyes or Dusekkar work in somewhere that looked like it was some mafia-villain-authoritarian-dictator hideout. Not that Doombringer was any of those things, even if his style fitted the vibe.
Taph continued to look down at their hands, thinking. They hadn’t expected for a single chat when they were drunk to escalate into an admin becoming a constant presence in their life. Christmas had passed, the new year crept by Robloxia faster than anticipated, yet within the few weeks since that cold, early-winter night, Doombringer had slotted into their life as something Taph was unaware they were missing.
Were they friends? The line seemed crossed despite the short time frame. The admin had actually crossed many lines in Taph’s life that next to no people had even been near.
He’d seen their face, touched their wings, protected them, accompanied them, made them tea without being asked. He knew patterns in Taph’s life they never paid attention to, too focused on not disturbing anyone else’s.
Since Doombringer had been in their routine, other admins had noticed them. Dusekkar would smile at them in the halls, floating slightly above the ground. Shedletsky would say over-enthusiastic hello’s, sometimes picking them out in the atrium and telling some of the worst jokes Taph has ever heard to try and get a laugh out of them- too bad the closest thing they could do to laughing is exhale air as if they were amused- but the effort was nice. Other employees would watch them, trying to identify how they had suddenly gained the admins’ favours.
The intrusion into their life wasn’t bad, they think. The feeling of more eyes recognising the faceless identity they had maintained for so long was something they hated… but did they really hate it?
They got left out a lot, sure, and often ignored or forgotten, but they grew with that silence: they preferred the space to breathe, to just exist without people trying to climb the walls they had. No pity, no drowning in emotions that others smother you with. Taph never knew if it was apathy or stoicism. Did that matter?
But now someone had walked through their walls as if they didn’t exist. Someone had started to spot them in those crowded rooms, sought them out. The admin spent time with them, followed them around without suffocating them. It scared Taph, the casualness of how Doombringer fit into their life as something invasive- external. And with him, more eyes of people Taph was used to being ignored by.
They had known those walls were not built without a sacrifice on their social life. They couldn’t identify what others were; friend, foe, something else. Having to learn this was the alien part, the unfamiliar. There was no protocol on how to adjust rules you never knew would change.
Taph blinked as the door opened once more. A man with an orange hard hat wandered into the office, grey jacket that was worn, well loved, but didn’t look like it could keep the cold out for much longer.
“Here” Builderman stated, handing out a section of an admin panel with phrases and terms Taph was too tired to understand. “The panel should be able to stay stable under more pressure now, and won’t ignore random priority pings.”
The director of Robloxia looked over to the corner Taph was tucked away in, observing (👀 trend lol -author) them before inclining his head in acknowledgment.
“This the Demolitionist you’ve mentioned, Doom?”
Doombringer didn’t look up from the new panel, simply stating:
“Yes, thats Taph, they have permission to stay in my office until they can be escorted home, I don’t want any more attacks on valuable members of Robloxia”
Builderman raised an eyebrow, but didn’t continue the question, satisfied with the answer.
“Well, I won’t hold you up” he replied, leaving the room with one last glance at both of the space’s occupants.
Taph was stunned at Doombringer’s words. ‘Valuable member of Robloxia?’ They had never been described like that before- ‘thats Taph?’ Specifying their name, rather than just settling with ‘that demolitionist.’ Taph was probably looking too much into the matter, but they weren’t aware to the extent Doombringer saw them- how he thought of them.
Their wing poofed out slightly at the thought, feathers on end, before the avian flattened them, embarrassed at their sudden fluttering. They were just introduced, nothing special- something close a ghost. The introduction ment nothing… even if it was to the creator of reality and life in Roblox.
“Hey, Taph?”
They looked up, Doombringer looming over them They didn’t notice when he moved over to them, too deep in their own mind.
“You okay? You zoned out there, anything bothering you?”
Taph considered the words, before replying for the first time that hour.
‘Just thinking about life. Nothing bad I think. Ready to go home’
Doombringer nodded, offering his hand to help them up. Taph took it, small claws in the palm of his hand before practically being lifted up.
“Time to go, eh?”
-
From the two arriving at their door to Doombringer sitting at Taph’s table the second time that month, Taph forgot how they got there. Currently boiling their favorite soup recipe then dishing the food out for two, grabbing two bread rolls and putting them on a plate to share, they wandered to the table, joining the admin.
More silence stretched between the two, both eating the soup, spoons clinking against bowls. Taph still felt funny without their mask on, too exposed, but the feeling was more muted; dwindling. Taph got used to having their hood and mask down around him- whether that was good or not they weren’t sure yet.
Doombringer finished the meal first.
“Good soup” he stated simply. Taph looked up.
The god slowly blinked, relaxed. His tail flicked gracefully while Taph finished their portion.
They both simply sat there, a table between them, merely sharing the company. Taph got up, taking both bowls and the now empty plate between them.
They put the crookery down in the sink, reaching for the tap to start washing before a large claw gently caught their hand. The hand then moved to his back, between the wings, curling around their waist at the same time as the admin’s other hand claiming the other side of his abdomen, lifting them up like a small child.
The world spun from there, Taph somehow ending up sitting on Doombringer’s lap, facing the TV. Doombringer used their admin panel to flick through programs with an ease that Taph never achieved with the remote control.
Warm breath tickled the top of their head, but they didn’t move, both because of the starry mane that Taph laid on made them feel like they were leaning on a cloud, but also because of the arm prison they were locked in. Taph doubted they would be freed from the bear hug Doombringer trapped them in any time soon.
Doombringer settled on a documentary of Robloxian Myths: names that were seen in textbooks and stories- truth intertwined with interpretation and imagination.
Taph remembered a news interview with some older admins, Dusekkar, Telamon (before they became Shedletsky) and Builderman themselves. The interview asked on what facts could the Gods confirm on the myths, but two replied about something along the lines of ‘whatever the public can imagine’. Telamon merely walked away then.
The screen blared tales of Gods rivalling the admins, mystical artifacts, magic fused with code resulting in unimaginable power in one object.
But Taph wasn’t paying attention. Taph had closed their eyes five minutes ago, relaxing into the soft fur of Doombringer. The admin wasn’t paying attention to any information blared by the screen either, instead his eyes gazed down on the little avian curled up on his chest.
He supposed he got what he wanted. Them. They had been vulnerable with him, protected, trusting. His hand explored through the other’s feathers, lingering near the small area between torso and wing. Shedletsky had reminded him - with a knowing smirk - of the less than innocent implications of preening that area. He wasn’t there yet.
The two hadn’t named what they had between them. Friends? More? Doombringer wanted more. He wanted so much. He was close to having everything he wanted, all right in his arms. But he was going to savour it - the time spent with each other; the experiences; memories. Doombringer can be patient, even if what he felt was slipping into something deeper, more intimate. With them.
-
The arrangement the two of them had worked out - sometimes Doombringer would stay a bit after he walked them home, watching a movie, while Taph had started buying food for two. Both were comfortable. Content.
Some stress had seeped through, though. A large ban wave had to be approved in short notice after a new GUI had reached the more secretive markets. More hackers being reckless, endangering Robloxians. Some were caught in the act, banned immediately by mods, or by Doombringer himself when numbers were more unbalanced. Other exploiters were banned from reports, account details recorded by eye witnesses. Less messy, more paperwork.
Taph had observed this from the shadows, in their small corner of Doombringer’s office, watching the admin huff over papers, his tail flicking in annoyance. Sometimes Doombringer wasn’t even in his office when they arrived, keycard beeping in acceptance to them entering the empty room. But throughout the strain in the mornings, Taph regularly entered their office greeted by a small note from the God and a cup of warm tea. Every time, Taph blushed.
Nights got later, Doombringer stayed in office until late. He brought more blankets, cushions, quilts folded neatly by Taph’s corner for them- an apology of sort. Taph had picked up the other message too: Doombringer had invited them to start a nest, somewhere to rest while he worked.
At first, some admins raised eyebrows, Shedletsky often popping in and verbally jabbing at the admin’s softening to the demolitionist. The sword-fighting God retreated just as a soft tennis ball was spawned out of the void and launched at the spot he just occupied.
But over the weeks, all the admins adjusted to the change. Clockwork had been warm to the small avian, even putting in requests for extra tea bags in the Admin lounge for Taph to use. Dusekkar had left various books as additions to Doombringer’s collection for Taph to read at their own leisure after learning they were a bit of a bookworm. StickMasterLuke would ask about their day. Shedletsky started including Taph in his pranks, but also changed his traps to not affect the smaller bird’s wings. Brighteyes cancelled her husband out by starting to warn Taph when she saw them about the most recent jest. Tarabyte, ReeseMcBlox and Sorcus all started greeting them in the corridors.
Even Builderman had changed, pinging Taph in notices or forms for the Admin Hub, going as far as registering Taph as permitted on the admin floor.
All these deities seemed to want Taph included. They were treated as one of their own, not just some irrelevant temporary contractor: whatever the admins’ conclusion was to Taph’s presence seemed permanent. They didn’t know what to do with that information.
Taph was sitting on a recently acquired bean bag in their nesting corner of the room, a cup of tea cradled in their talons- it was tolerable to touch but had burnt their tongue when they tasted it. They sat with their hood and mask down: all the admins were already aware that Doombringer was in-field today and therefore none were going to enter his office; Taph wouldn’t be seen.
Their wings curled slightly around themselves, a small, warm dome in which Taph didn’t think, merely existed. It was peaceful, more peaceful than the demolitionist had felt in a long time.
They realised now that they had lost themselves to the job- since sinking into the shadows of Roblox HQ, they hadn’t been more than a machine made of flesh, only exploding structures and games, paperwork then going home to their house and sleeping. An endless loop that they were content in. But they weren’t happy. They were surviving the cold routine as a norm: no change. No people to unpredictably pull them from the monotonous schedule they had once used as a shield, but had turned into a hindrance.
But now? They were happy. Not brainlessly repeating the same dance every day- they were relaxed, appreciating the rest from rehearsing a song they had followed for so long.
They blinked slowly. They were really lucky to have someone like Doombringer. Something more than a friend: not sure what, but definitely more.
Thinking of the devil, the admin entered the room, eyes immediately flicking to the corner claimed by the Demolitionist who had put down the tea to sign.
‘Hello Doom’
Taph wasn’t sure when they stopped signing the admin’s full name, probably when they spent too much time around the other Gods, phasing into the nickname.
The man himself had nodded at the greeting, setting down his hammer at the door, a smart black box on the desk before wandering over to the avian. He stood still for a second before kneeling, and eventually softening into the avian’s embrase, breath tickling the pinned avian’s neck while the God’s arms curled round their waist.
Taph moved their own arms to lay soothingly on the other’s back, reciprocating the hug before slowly taking the helmet off Doombringer’s head, removing the bucket before reclaiming the warm fur his arms had rested in, claws spread throughout the silky mane.
They both lay, absorbing each others warmth. The two had been more touchy, more hugs, sometimes falling asleep in each other’s arms. Neither bothered putting a name to what the connection between them was.
Doombringer eventually sighed before muttering.
“I’ve got something for you Taph”
He rose from the others arms, crouching while the other sat up properly. Doombringer reached to the black box on his desk before offering it to Taph, who wordlessly took it.
They opened the box to find a soft black scarf folded neatly. They looked up.
Without the helmet, Doombringer’s eyes were clearly visible. Slightly nervous, glancing between Taph and the scarf.
“Heard that there would be snow in March. Thought you would like it.”
Taph didn’t bother signing, instead opting to lean forward and hug the other, burying their face In the God’s maned chest. The other’s neck felt extremely warm.
The other seemed to relax, grateful that the avian liked the gift.
When the two exited the HQ, Taph had the scarf wrapped snugly round their neck.
-
Taph stood by the bookshelf, searching for the book they abandoned yesterday while Doombringer glared at paperwork like it personally offended him. But the room felt tense- Taph felt eyes on them, and turned to see the Admin’s head snap down, pretending to still be focused on the paper. Taph smiled at the attempt, before bringing up their hands to sign.
‘You ok? I saw you looking’
Doombringer just looked at them, expression unreadable before getting up and walking over to them. Taph waited for him to reach them.
Doombringer pushed them back towards the wall.
Taph, confused, looked at him. The admin buried his face by their neck, his warm body pressing Taph’s against the wall, their wings extending slightly to get more comfortable. They were only pushed further into the wall.
Taph tensed slightly. Doombringer would often want hugs, resting in each other’s embrace, or simply pick the other up and hold them gently. But this was different, less innocent and with a tension they’d never felt before.
‘Doom?’
The God shifted so they could see the avian’s eyes, but didn’t release them from the wall-prison. They looked into each other’s eyes, Black and star speckled into purple.
“You okay with me…” He leaned his head closer to Taph’s.
Taph blinked, but Doombringer indulged anyway, patience snapping. Their lips collided, eyes closing as Taph’s head was pushed back into the wall. The two pressed into each other, atmosphere electric as the room seemed to get warmer. Taph’s head spun- their nerves going haywire with the feeling of starry fur between their fingers, chapped lips against their own. This was new… different. And they were intoxicated by it.
Doombringer at one point trailed his claws down to Taph’s thighs, picking them up and holding them, suspended off the ground by the weight of the other pressing them into the wall and being lifted by the admin. He used the leverage to have them straddle his hips, legs tangling round his abdomen while he pinned them to the wall.
At some point, the kiss turned more desperate. They parted for air, Taph gasping as they felt as if their lungs were empty, breathless. Doombringer waited for the other to regain their breath before stealing it again, mouths colliding as he pressed fangs slightly into Taph’s bottom lip, causing a soundless gasp which he took advantage of, starting to explore the others mouth.
Taph’s headwings haloed around their heads as their larger wings fluttered slightly from the intensity. Eventually, Doombringer pulled away, hooking one arm underneath them properly to hold them up while their other hand crept up their spine, reaching between the wings before resting his hand under the crook of their wing-
They gasped; shuddering at the contact with the sensitive area. Doombringer rubbed the spot while watching Taph squirm at the contact. Taph saw briefly the mischievous glint in his eye.
He knows! Doombringer knows what touching there does to avians, he knows what it means. He knew what every touch to my wings ment between us! Does that mean he-
“I’ve needed this for so long” the God confessed with their mouth against the other’s neck, as the other whined at the feather-light tease of the sensitive area under their wings.
“I’ve been so patient- do you know you’ve been driving me mad?”
He watched intently as the avian’s wings fluttered as they shivered, kissing their neck in all the right places. Taph’s head was spinning, overwhelmed by the touches which stopped suddenly. They looked at Doombringer, whining from the sudden halt in the feeling.
“I need you, Taph” Doombringer looked serious, hungry. “Tell me to stop at any point. Tell me you don’t want this, to back off, I won’t pressure you if not.”
Taph blinked, before nodding.
“Good, I’ve wanted to loose control for weeks.”
The admin opened a panel behind the others back, teleporting them somewhere which could only be the God’s chambers. Taph was set on the bed, back against the cool sheets before the other took both their wrists, pinning them above their head with one clawed hand while he straddled the small avian’s hips.
They kissed, Doombringer pushing against Taph, expressing everything left unsaid since they met. The talons not restraining the other’s wrists carried on rubbing the back of Taph’s wings, causing them to arch their back. Their neck wasn’t spared either, Doombringer broke the kiss to nip sharp teeth at sensitive spots until he pushed the other’s robes and shirt away, trailing to the avians collarbone, and biting.
The avian gasped silently, nerves on fire at the two sensations, the tortuous touches on their wings and the tang of the other sucking at their skin, marking a hickey that would last for weeks. Doombringer’s tail curled round one of their legs, tightening posessively.
Doombringer didn’t stop. They both were caught in a fire of pleasure and words buried- feelings dismissed for too long. Robes pushed out the way, belts unbuckled, shirts torn off. Both yearned. The night was long for both of them.
-
Doombringer opened his eyes, glancing down at the uncovered bird sleeping on his bare chest. The small avian was curled beside him, spooned with one of his arms gripped around their waist, while they used his bicep as a pillow. Both legs and tail were entangled impossibly and their head wings draped artistically over their face, shielding it from his view.
He smiled, happy at the sight. Taph was here in his arms. Safe. The endeavours of the night before were proven by the little marks and bruises dotted on the other’s naked chest, breasts and neck, ones which would not go away any time soon. Marks from him.
Doombringer pulled Taph further into their chest, tucking his chin on top of their head. He sighed happily- they were here with him. He had wanted to tell them how he felt for a long while- how he felt since he first noticed them on that moonlit balcony.
He had tracked them down, kindled a friendship which lines blurred enough to border the romance he wanted. He had wanted so badly- wanted to know them, wanted to share time together, wanted cuddles and hugs and possibly more… intimate actions… but overall he had always wanted them.
Doombringer always got what they wanted.
He decided that he probably shouldn’t leave for work- they needed him to clear up, they couldn’t walk after the night, leading them to carrying them around while he cared for their spent body. He would stay by their side- and he wouldn’t rather be anywhere else but by them.
-
Builderman walked into the admin’s lounge, confused at the small crowd of admins arguing animatedly around the table.
“What’s going on, why isn’t anyone working?”
Shedletsky turned to the CEO, grinning.
“Doom hasn’t clocked in yet. He is officially late to work.”
Builderman physically froze. In all the time as head of the world he created, Doombringer had never been late to work.
“What.”
“That’s what I said” Clockwork chimed in, “I’ve sent messages but he hasn’t responded. We are all trying to figure out why he is late.”
“I sent some too” added Sorcus “I was left on read.”
“Damn” Shedletsky laughed. “So he is alive. There goes Luke’s theory of being assassinated in his sleep”
“Well at least he is alright,” Builderman nodded. “But why would he be late- he’s never late!”
“That’s what we’re all betting on” Brighteyes sighed. “Shed reckons he’s tripped over his own tail and can’t get up, Clockwork and I reckon he’s sick, Tarabyte reckons he got kidnapped and is being forced to bake cupcakes and-“
“I think I know, why our colleague doesn’t show”
Dusekkar suddenly spoke, all heads turning to the mage.
“The head of Moderation may be late-
But not confined, not cornered by fate.
The God changed priorities, past deemed ‘right’
When set off with orchids ‘to the night.
He is not in strife, hath not danger nor stress,
Even if our worries get put to the test.
Silence, served to us, or blessed other.
Who knows? Not our business, what happens in covers.”
Everyone stayed silent before Shedletsky finally asked:
“Matt, what in the banlands does any of that mean?”
Everyone burst out laughing while Dusekkar merely raised an eyebrow, fire still flickering from a quiet yellow to a smug orange, beaming across the room.
“Wait” Brighteyes interjected, “changed priorities? Orchids? Covers- Is that… wait- WAIT NO WAY” her jaw dropped, realising.
“What, what did the poem mean?” Tarabyte immediately begged, others joining in trying to get an answer. Brighteyes merely smirked, glancing at Dusekkar.
“I’m not telling- y’all, figure it out yourselves!”
The admins swarmed her, attempting to bribe an answer from her until-
“GUYS” Clockwork shouted over the chaos. “I GOT A REPLY”
“What did he say?”
“Let me see!”
“Hey-“
Clockwork transferred the message panel onto the larger screen on the wall, showing the messages, as the pantheon of admins scrabbled to see.
Clockwork> Dude Wru ur gunna be late!!!
> Hello, Ur officially late????
>Doom U alive???
>Doombringer> Hello
“HES ALIVE NOOO-“
“Shedletsky shut the eff up and stop blocking the screen”
“Quiet I’m typing!”
>Clockwork > Where r u?
>Doombringer> Tell others I’m not coming in 2day
“What.. why”
Dusekkar looked at Brighteyes,
“Thou may ask what we both think”
Brighteyes rolled her eyes before giggling, asking:
“Clockwork, ask if Taph can still walk”
The lounge went very quiet.
“Doombringer didn’t… no fucking way…”
Shock was reflected on everyone’s face, even Builderman, who was so shocked he even forgot to lecture about the ‘no swear policy’. Everyone was invested now. The few seconds it took for Clockwork to type a message out felt like years in the lounge.
>Clockwork > Doombringer.
>Doombringer> what
>Clockwork> Is Taph with you?
>Did you acc do what I think you did?
The typing bubble for Doombringer appeared, dissapeared, appeared again before a message popped through- every admin was holding their breath.
>Doombringer> No comment.
Chaos erupted.