Chaotic Quartet

what does your heart look like?

iced over, out of the sun

Your heart is very lonely, isn’t it? Is your fortress of ice self-made? Are others afraid of you, or are you afraid of them? Are you afraid of hurting them, or of being hurt? Vulnerability and connection can be frightening, but that’s no reason to shy away from their light, to tuck yourself small into corners, to build up frigid walls to keep yourself from feeling. You will heal when you allow yourself to draw closer to the flames and thaw.

((MY GOD THIS IS BOOTHILL 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭))

tagged: @reesespieces-org

tagging: @intergalactic-singer @a-gilded-imprisonment @environmental-explorer @veritas-ratio-rp @sunday-halovian @hxroic-wxlls-fxrever

@emanator-of-nihility @intoendlessdreams @ancientforgcd @heart-of-roses-and-quartz @musefulness

And anyone else who wants to join

iced over, out of the sun

Your heart is very lonely, isn’t it? Is your fortress of ice self-made? Are others afraid of you, or are you afraid of them? Are you afraid of hurting them, or of being hurt? Vulnerability and connection can be frightening, but that’s no reason to shy away from their light, to tuck yourself small into corners, to build up frigid walls to keep yourself from feeling. You will heal when you allow yourself to draw closer to the flames and thaw.

((Ooc: Another reason why Boothill and Shilou could have gotten along if Shilou wasn't a Stoneheart,,,sobs))

@chxotic-dxcklings @bluetailed-butterfly @actorsmask

a cage with iron locks

You are an enigma. You take care to remain that way. You aim to keep people guessing; your motives are uncertain even to yourself. What is it you truly want? You’ll never know if you keep your heart locked away like that. You deserve to be known, truly and fully. Stop being afraid of what you might find if you open your heart up to self-reflection. Stop thinking that no one will love you the moment they understand you. You are more than the facade you put on.

a compass that doesn’t waver

You are someone who is certain of what you want. Maybe you always have been, or maybe you made a discovery that you haven’t been able to tear your eyes away from. Your heart is set and certain. You fight endlessly for your goals. Above all else, you know who you are and what you are trying to achieve. Just be careful not to tear yourself or others apart in pursuit of your ideals.

an open door, a burning hearth

Your chest is wide open, and your heart is a home. Others are welcomed in readily and asked to stay. You are comfort and love, everything you were never given but so desperately want to provide for others. You have built this welcoming hearth with your own two hands and won’t see anyone else left out in the cold. Be careful to not burn yourself out trying to keep everyone else warm.

a compass that doesn’t waver

You are someone who is certain of what you want. Maybe you always have been, or maybe you made a discovery that you haven’t been able to tear your eyes away from. Your heart is set and certain. You fight endlessly for your goals. Above all else, you know who you are and what you are trying to achieve. Just be careful not to tear yourself or others apart in pursuit of your ideals.

((mod talk: ahhh the ducklings, my babies! 😭 They need hugs... Again, the link to the quiz))

Tags: @veritas-ratio-rp @purple-cornucopia @a-gilded-imprisonment (no pressure of course!)

((mod talk again: yes I tagged my own side blog, what are you going to do about it? 🤔🤨))

"I didn't...I didn't mean to," Avana stammered, still panicked. "I didn't know it would happen." She swallowed thickly, trying to stay calm. "I don't know what happened."

Her hands shook slightly.

"Avana, sweetheart-" He gently grabbed her shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze to reel her back into the present. "Breathe with me, okay? Deep breath in and out."

Avana tried to focus on her breathing. She really did, but it was so hard. Her heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest.

"I killed her..." Avana whispered, voice haunted and low.

"...huh? Avana, dear-"

He sighed softly.

"Can I hug you? I just...I don't understand what's going on," He gently rubbed her shoulder. "And I need you to calm down so you can tell me. I won't be upset. I promise."

Avana flinched and let him hug her. More tears welled in her eyes and she struggled to muffle her sobs. She tried to calm down but she couldn't. Her chest hurts and she cried harder.

"I didn't mean to."

"It's alright," He soothed, holding her tight. "Whatever you did, whatever happened, it's alright. Take all the time you need to calm down."

Avana finally managed to calm down enough to tell him. During one of her classes, another girl had angered Avana by making jabs about Avana's biological family.

"I don't even know what happened next. I just got so angry and wanted her to just shut up and..." The next thing Avana knew she had heard laughter and the girl was dead.

"I didn't...I didn't mean to," Avana stammered, still panicked. "I didn't know it would happen." She swallowed thickly, trying to stay calm. "I don't know what happened."

Her hands shook slightly.

"Avana, sweetheart-" He gently grabbed her shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze to reel her back into the present. "Breathe with me, okay? Deep breath in and out."

Avana tried to focus on her breathing. She really did, but it was so hard. Her heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest.

"I killed her..." Avana whispered, voice haunted and low.

"...huh? Avana, dear-"

He sighed softly.

"Can I hug you? I just...I don't understand what's going on," He gently rubbed her shoulder. "And I need you to calm down so you can tell me. I won't be upset. I promise."

Avana flinched and let him hug her. More tears welled in her eyes and she struggled to muffle her sobs. She tried to calm down but she couldn't. Her chest hurts and she cried harder.

"I didn't mean to."

"I didn't...I didn't mean to," Avana stammered, still panicked. "I didn't know it would happen." She swallowed thickly, trying to stay calm. "I don't know what happened."

Her hands shook slightly.

"Avana, sweetheart-" He gently grabbed her shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze to reel her back into the present. "Breathe with me, okay? Deep breath in and out."

Avana tried to focus on her breathing. She really did, but it was so hard. Her heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest.

"I killed her..." Avana whispered, voice haunted and low.

"I didn't...I didn't mean to," Avana stammered, still panicked. "I didn't know it would happen." She swallowed thickly, trying to stay calm. "I don't know what happened."

Her hands shook slightly.

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

"D-don't-!"

Shilou swatted his arm at Jasper, and the tiniest lick of elemental flame burst from his hand, licking Jasper's arm just slightly, just for a moment.

"OW!" *Jasper dropped the meds and jumped back. His skin was red and irritated from the burn and pinch from Shilou's arm.*

"Jasper, are you okay?" *Rivera asked, eyes wide.*

Shilou's head snapped up, his eyes clearing just a bit. His eyes widened, fear and regret washing over his face.

"Oh- oh no, no no- J-Jasper-" He scooted forward a little, coming back to his senses for just a moment. "I- I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry, I-I'm sorry-"

He saw the pill bottle on the floor, gasping as he snatched it off the ground and fiddling with the lid. He quickly opened the bottle and downing a couple pills.

He set it down and scooted close to Jasper, hesitating as he held his hands above his arm.

"I-I'm so sorry, Jasper," He whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry- c-can I take a look?"

*Jasper winced and hesitantly nodded. He held out his arm.* "It's not your fault, Dad. I know you didn't mean it." *He glanced back at the others and frowned.*

"Dad, are you okay?" *Avana asked gently.*

"I-I'm..." He took in a deep breath, shaking as he gently held Jasper's arm. "I-It's getting better. I just..."

He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again, taking in a shaking breath. "I-I'm so, so sorry, Jasper..."

He carefully let go of his arm and stood up, his legs shaking.

"O-okay, okay, I-I need to bandage your arm...th- the burn doesn't look too bad, but..."

He glanced at Jasper's arm, more tears rolling down his cheeks. He shook his head again, "I...I can't believe I..."

"I can take care of it," *Rivera told him, already summoning the power given to her by the Abundance to heal Jasper's arm.*

"Dad, you should rest," *Avana murmured, looking at Shilou with concern.* "You look exhausted."

*Chase took the pill bottle and put it back.* "Let us help you. You've helped us plenty of times before. It's time we return the favor."

"O-oh- well, I-"

He tried to take a step forward, however faltered and nearly fell before catching himself. He took in a deep breath, looking at the ducklings with a small, exhausted smile.

"Ah...maybe you're right. I'll...go back to my room and rest. I..."

He opened his arms for a hug, blinking back tears.

"Thank you. So much. I- ...I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

*All four of them practically ran into him, hugging him tightly.*

"Don't apologize, Dad. It's not your fault," *Jasper murmured, smiling at him.*

*They helped him to his room to rest.*

"Do you want us to stay or do you want space?" *Chase asked, tilting his head. He knew none of them wanted to leave, but they would if Shilou wanted them to.*

"I-" He smiled a little and scooted over on the bed. "You can stay with me."

He smiled at them, laying down and already starting to drift off. "I...I love you four. Thank you so much."

"We love you too, Dad," *Avana grinned. The four of them surrounded Shilou and hugged him close.* "Please take care of yourself," *she whispered.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

"D-don't-!"

Shilou swatted his arm at Jasper, and the tiniest lick of elemental flame burst from his hand, licking Jasper's arm just slightly, just for a moment.

"OW!" *Jasper dropped the meds and jumped back. His skin was red and irritated from the burn and pinch from Shilou's arm.*

"Jasper, are you okay?" *Rivera asked, eyes wide.*

Shilou's head snapped up, his eyes clearing just a bit. His eyes widened, fear and regret washing over his face.

"Oh- oh no, no no- J-Jasper-" He scooted forward a little, coming back to his senses for just a moment. "I- I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry, I-I'm sorry-"

He saw the pill bottle on the floor, gasping as he snatched it off the ground and fiddling with the lid. He quickly opened the bottle and downing a couple pills.

He set it down and scooted close to Jasper, hesitating as he held his hands above his arm.

"I-I'm so sorry, Jasper," He whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry- c-can I take a look?"

*Jasper winced and hesitantly nodded. He held out his arm.* "It's not your fault, Dad. I know you didn't mean it." *He glanced back at the others and frowned.*

"Dad, are you okay?" *Avana asked gently.*

"I-I'm..." He took in a deep breath, shaking as he gently held Jasper's arm. "I-It's getting better. I just..."

He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again, taking in a shaking breath. "I-I'm so, so sorry, Jasper..."

He carefully let go of his arm and stood up, his legs shaking.

"O-okay, okay, I-I need to bandage your arm...th- the burn doesn't look too bad, but..."

He glanced at Jasper's arm, more tears rolling down his cheeks. He shook his head again, "I...I can't believe I..."

"I can take care of it," *Rivera told him, already summoning the power given to her by the Abundance to heal Jasper's arm.*

"Dad, you should rest," *Avana murmured, looking at Shilou with concern.* "You look exhausted."

*Chase took the pill bottle and put it back.* "Let us help you. You've helped us plenty of times before. It's time we return the favor."

"O-oh- well, I-"

He tried to take a step forward, however faltered and nearly fell before catching himself. He took in a deep breath, looking at the ducklings with a small, exhausted smile.

"Ah...maybe you're right. I'll...go back to my room and rest. I..."

He opened his arms for a hug, blinking back tears.

"Thank you. So much. I- ...I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

*All four of them practically ran into him, hugging him tightly.*

"Don't apologize, Dad. It's not your fault," *Jasper murmured, smiling at him.*

*They helped him to his room to rest.*

"Do you want us to stay or do you want space?" *Chase asked, tilting his head. He knew none of them wanted to leave, but they would if Shilou wanted them to.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

"D-don't-!"

Shilou swatted his arm at Jasper, and the tiniest lick of elemental flame burst from his hand, licking Jasper's arm just slightly, just for a moment.

"OW!" *Jasper dropped the meds and jumped back. His skin was red and irritated from the burn and pinch from Shilou's arm.*

"Jasper, are you okay?" *Rivera asked, eyes wide.*

Shilou's head snapped up, his eyes clearing just a bit. His eyes widened, fear and regret washing over his face.

"Oh- oh no, no no- J-Jasper-" He scooted forward a little, coming back to his senses for just a moment. "I- I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry, I-I'm sorry-"

He saw the pill bottle on the floor, gasping as he snatched it off the ground and fiddling with the lid. He quickly opened the bottle and downing a couple pills.

He set it down and scooted close to Jasper, hesitating as he held his hands above his arm.

"I-I'm so sorry, Jasper," He whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry- c-can I take a look?"

*Jasper winced and hesitantly nodded. He held out his arm.* "It's not your fault, Dad. I know you didn't mean it." *He glanced back at the others and frowned.*

"Dad, are you okay?" *Avana asked gently.*

"I-I'm..." He took in a deep breath, shaking as he gently held Jasper's arm. "I-It's getting better. I just..."

He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again, taking in a shaking breath. "I-I'm so, so sorry, Jasper..."

He carefully let go of his arm and stood up, his legs shaking.

"O-okay, okay, I-I need to bandage your arm...th- the burn doesn't look too bad, but..."

He glanced at Jasper's arm, more tears rolling down his cheeks. He shook his head again, "I...I can't believe I..."

"I can take care of it," *Rivera told him, already summoning the power given to her by the Abundance to heal Jasper's arm.*

"Dad, you should rest," *Avana murmured, looking at Shilou with concern.* "You look exhausted."

*Chase took the pill bottle and put it back.* "Let us help you. You've helped us plenty of times before. It's time we return the favor."

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

"D-don't-!"

Shilou swatted his arm at Jasper, and the tiniest lick of elemental flame burst from his hand, licking Jasper's arm just slightly, just for a moment.

"OW!" *Jasper dropped the meds and jumped back. His skin was red and irritated from the burn and pinch from Shilou's arm.*

"Jasper, are you okay?" *Rivera asked, eyes wide.*

Shilou's head snapped up, his eyes clearing just a bit. His eyes widened, fear and regret washing over his face.

"Oh- oh no, no no- J-Jasper-" He scooted forward a little, coming back to his senses for just a moment. "I- I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry, I-I'm sorry-"

He saw the pill bottle on the floor, gasping as he snatched it off the ground and fiddling with the lid. He quickly opened the bottle and downing a couple pills.

He set it down and scooted close to Jasper, hesitating as he held his hands above his arm.

"I-I'm so sorry, Jasper," He whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry- c-can I take a look?"

*Jasper winced and hesitantly nodded. He held out his arm.* "It's not your fault, Dad. I know you didn't mean it." *He glanced back at the others and frowned.*

"Dad, are you okay?" *Avana asked gently.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

"D-don't-!"

Shilou swatted his arm at Jasper, and the tiniest lick of elemental flame burst from his hand, licking Jasper's arm just slightly, just for a moment.

"OW!" *Jasper dropped the meds and jumped back. His skin was red and irritated from the burn and pinch from Shilou's arm.*

"Jasper, are you okay?" *Rivera asked, eyes wide.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

"C-can't- can't- h-hard to- breathe-" He mumbled, his head snapping up upon hearing Jasper's voice. Tears rolled down his cheeks, panting harshly. "D-don't- I- I-I'm sorry-"

He scooted further away, his back hitting the wall, looking at the ducklings as if he'd burned them. What was left of his makeup ran down his face, mumbling apologies as he curled into a fetal position against the wall.

*Jasper cautiously approached him with the meds.* "Dad, please," *he murmured soothingly,* "you need to take these. Please, breathe. Breathe with me."

*The others watched as Jasper took deep breaths and moved closer.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

He gasped and flinched away, scooting away slightly. He looked as if he'd burned Avana, curling further into himself.

"N-no, no no-!" He shook his head, his hands grabbing at the sides of his head. "It's not real, it's in my head- s'not real, not real-"

His fingers tightened in his hair, mumbling to himself over and over. Tears brimmed his eyes, his breaths short and shallow.

"Dad, it's real," *Avana said softly, hiding the hurt in her eyes at being pushed away.* "We're real."

*Rivera tried to move closer.* "You're going to hurt yourself. Please, just focus on us."

*Jasper and Chase kept looking for the medicine.* "Found it!" *Jasper called running out with the orange bottle of pills.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

"I-It's normally on my bedside t-table, but-"

He sank down to the floor, hugging his chest.

"I-I can't- hard to breathe-" He heaved, curling in on himself. "It's not real, it's not real-"

"I'll go grab it," *Jasper told him.* "Chase, come on. Help me look."

"Right." *Chase nodded.*

*Avana got close enough to hug him.* "Dad, it's okay. You're at home. You're with us. Your kids." *Rivera smiled softly in agreement.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*

He let out a sigh of relief as he heard their voices, however his face went pale after they ran up the stairs to find him.

"I-I-" He took a step back on shaking legs, firmly shaking his head. "I-It's all in my head, it's just in my head-"

He took in a deep, shaking breath as he tried to keep himself upright, "I can't- hallucinations," He stammered again. "I-I can't find my medicine-"

"Where do you usually keep it?" *Jasper asked, keeping a level head. Plus, they usually kept their medical supplies in all the same areas. Chase nodded. He had his hearing aid supplies in the same areas.*

"What's wrong?" *Rivera took a careful step forward.* "Dad?"

*Avana hesitated and wanted to help. She didn't like seeing her dads upset. She carefully approached him.*

The sound of a door slamming open echoed upstairs, and Shilou's shaking voice rang through the house.

"A-Avana? Rivera?" He stammered, his voice breaking. "Chase-? Jasper? Is anyone still home...?"

"Dad?" *Avana called hesitantly.* "Are you okay?" *She shared worried glances with the other ducklings.*

"We're coming up!" *Chase shouted, following Jasper up the stairs, while keeping an eye on Avana in case she tripped and fell...again.*

*Rivera got prepared to heal any wounds if she needed to. None of them had seen Shilou hallucinate before and weren't prepared.*