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You were a skin-walker, and maybe it was that that got you in with him in the first place. The first few days, he'd snarl at you, and you'd just smile. It pissed him off immensely. Soon, he learned to live with it, but still didn't care much for you. You didn't talk much either, so that might've been another less annoying factor that he liked about you.
On one mission, though -- your first mission, mind you -- you and Hellboy had been partnered up. Of course, said Red did have a thing or two to say about that, but Manning remained adamant that time, and Red was forced to comply. When Abe had given due information, you both wasted no time in rushing into it. Hellboy, more so than you.It was a wendigo. A cannibal spirit that creeps into the hearts and the bodies of people and takes them over to feed on others."Heads up, kid. Found our target."Hellboy's words brought you back to reality, and to the realization that a tall and horrific looking creature with the head of a deer stood before you."Alright kid, you can stand down. I'll take it from here."You shook your head in protest and, before Hellboy could even think to say something else to you, the creature unleashed a most soul-quaking and deafening scream.You had already done into a thrush and disappeared. Hellboy sighed. Figures."Look what'cha did. Ya scared off my ward. It was their first mission, ya know. Huh...know what? I'm gonna give ya a chance -- one chance! -- to release that person in ya, and come here peacefully.Of course, the monster didn't take it, and instead opted for charging at him."Yeah that's what I thought," he muttered before meeting him head-on.He barely got a chance to shoot it, flying back from one swing of the wendigo's arm. Hellboy brushed it off easily and got up, going in again.This time, he managed to jump overhead the wendigo, landing on its shoulders and beating into its head with his right stone hand. He pulled his arm back for another hit, but it was caught in the wendigo's grasp.It pulled him down onto the ground, repeatedly lifting him up and slamming him down.Hellboy started to lose consciousness. Acutely aware of when he topped struggling, it stopped and squeezed Hellboy with both hands, making his back crack. It lifted him up higher, and lowered him into his mouth for a bite.Before the wendigo could take a chunk out of him, however, a large animal smashed into its legs. The wendigo stumbled forward. Said animal was a bear, large, furry, and angry. It continued to push into the wendigo's legs, slashing with its claws.It was soon toppled, but the bear wasn't finished. It pounced on the wendigo, four inch claws creating gashes in it's side.Hellboy, who'd been released in the fall, watched from the ground as the grizzly fought off the wendigo. His thoughts slowly came back to him, and he started getting up.Just in time, too. The wendigo managed an arm out and latched onto the bear's leg. A growl of surprise left the grizzly as it was suddenly dragged to the dirt and thrown into a nearby tree. The tree cracked, and the grizzly fell to the ground limply. There was no movement whatsoever now.With all respect for the grizzly who pretty much saved him(although he'd argue that he could've gotten out by himself),he was angered. A switch flipped and he wasted no time in firing his whole barrel.The wendigo was still alive, but just barely. Hellboy limped over to where it was crawling on the ground, looking down on it with a sneer. Blood poured out of every wound."Nighty-night, Munchies," he said as he slammed his gauntlet of a fist straight through the wendigo's head, effectively smashing it in.Right then, agent filed through the trees all around him. They knew he didn't like them crowding him, so only a few tended to him.Meanwhile, a whole group of them were at the grizzly bear, checking wounds and cleaning them and calling people in to help it.One agent kneeled in front of the bear and shined a light in both of it's eyes, "(Y/N). (Y/N), can you hear me? You did a good job, but we can't help you like this. Can you switch back for us, (Y/N?"You opened your eyes. You grunted softly before focusing on the change. Started groaning loudly as pain and weariness coursed through your being. Hellboy watched in horror(as did most of the agents there) as all the fur receded, and the kin stretched to the bones shifting underneath.Slowly, your cries sounded more and more human. You were now completely bare(get it?) and an agent rushed in to cover you in a blanket. You were then carried into the garbage truck, along with everything else, and taken back to the bureau.On the way there, Manning was giving Hellboy a good scolding over the walkies."You had a job! You were supposed to watch them!""No, my job is to hunt monsters and the supernatural! Not to babysit or mentor! And they ran off before I could do anything.""How could you let them get hurt?!""I had no idea it was the kid! You guys should've warned me of what they could do!""They gave us their files to read," Abe chimed in."Yeah, but of course, he didn't read them," Liz smirked at him. Manning continued screaming on the other end of the walkies, even when Hellboy shut it off."They're a skinwalker," Abe announced, "they take on the form of other creatures. Mainly animals, and mainly depicted as deer. At least, that's based in Navajo legend. They were found in Jersey, but born in Arizona on a reservation. They're (Y/A) years old, and haven't had a proper home in a very long time."Hellboy scoffed, "Yeah, well...we tend to welcome that kind of nobody."
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Weeks after the incident, you'd already been feeling much better. You were still your quiet self, opting to put in your two cents when necessary. Much of your recovery time was spent wandering the halls or staying in your room, or even the library.
The first time you found yourself in there, you were overwhelmed by the mass of titles. Despite not knowing what any of them said or meant,
it was all so...enchanting. The room was lit dimly by soft glowing, natural light lamps, and the blue of the aquarium - a fancy word for a glass box with water, you found - was so vibrant to the library, that it was simply one of the most beautiful things you'd ever seen.Your fascinated trance wouldn't end just yet either, when that strange fish man, Abe - you were sure you'd heard him called that - had walked into the library. He'd stopped in place the moment he saw you, and turned back between you and the way he came with an explanation in his throat, butchered by the fluttery, shaky feelings he got at the sight of you.It was all just so cute, you couldn't help but think.So as he attempted to both greet you and say why he was there, you walked up with a small smile. Poor fish didn't know until you were right in front of him, and when he did all his words died on his tongue. All he could do was stare at you with his mouth opening and closing. You giggled.
He was gifted with some confidence from your giggle, and managed to ask."What's funny?"You pointed to him and opened and closed your mouth as he'd done, and gleefully said, "Like a fish!"Thus crushing any and all confidence Abe had had.Despite unknowingly destroying his ego, and at the same time insulting him, your interaction had been nothing if not pleasant and wonderful.
Upon discovering that you could not read, Abe offered to teach you, claiming that you absolutely had to know. And the rest of your time in the library had been spent with him finding some simpler books, which had proven not so hard once Abe found a collection of both children's books and English learner's books. He figured that once you'd learned some of the basics, the English Learner's might be of more use.You found it a great way to spend your time, listening to Abe talk and lecture, enjoying watching him. He was so animated with his voice, as stiff and rigid as he was, and he tried his best so as to help you understand.Abe himself was greatly pleased to have someone so willing to learn. Not many people - not that there were many people here to begin with - were so eager to stick around and listen to him drone on about something or other. Any fascination with him usually is dissolved as soon as he opens his mouth."Hey Abe, you seen (Y/N) anywhere? I wanna introduce them to the cat-- oh. There you are.""Red!" (Y/N) gleefully called out to the Cambion."Yeah yeah, hey kid. Abe borin' ya?""Borin'?""I'm actually teaching (Y/N) how to read and speak English. Their vocabulary is limited, but they pick info up very quickly."I'm fast learner!" you grinned.Abe nodded."Did ya teach them the word, 'cat?' I have a feeling they'll like that one a lot," Red said pridefully."Cat! Show me cat!""'Cats,' (Y/N)" Abe corrected. "Our dear Red has quite the collection of felines. Them and I, of course, have never mixed," he added a little solemnly."Yeah, he smells a little fishy to them, is all.""Cause you're fish!"Abe sighed as Red snickered."Yes, such is my plight," Abe sighed.(Y/N) followed Red out of the library, leaving Abe to himself. He tried not to feel bad, knowing how much they admired him. He continued to pick out books for (Y/N) to use when they had the chance.Suddenly, (Y/N)'s head poked in once more, delighted to see Abe where they left him."Abe! Back later, bye!" They shouted before they were gone again."Uh, yes, goodbye, (Y/N)..."Abe was cold-blooded by nature, but something about (Y/N) made him feel all warm inside. Weird.
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Abe had indeed taught (Y/N) how to read. It took a few months, and lots of patience, but (Y/N) took to it so well. Their language had improved a lot as well, which Abe took pride in.
Thinking Abe was somehow responsible for all the books (a fair assumption, since he was the only other one who read them), they constantly asked him for a new recommendation. In fact, the only thing that (Y/N) loved more than reading, probably was hanging out with Red.The two were almost inseparable. Wherever he went, they did.Red probably thought of (Y/N) as some sort of sibling, or new pet. He never verbally expressed it, but it was obvious he enjoyed their company. The skinwalker could often be found curled up next to the Cambion, basking in his warmth.Liz seemed to smile knowingly at him whenever Abe's eyes lingered on the two(particularly on (Y/N)).Abe was reading a book from the comfort of his tank - (Y/N) keeping him company while reading their own book and turning the page of his whenever he requested - when Red walked in."(Y/N), I got something to show ya, c'mon.""I'm reading with Abe," they opposed."This is way more interesting, trust me. You can read with ol' Blue later."That was all the convincing it took, and (Y/N) took off after the red devil.
On their way out, Red nearly bumped into Liz."Hey Liz, I'm gonna show (Y/N) that thing I showed you earlier, see ya.""Uh, ok."Liz smiled at then as they ran out, and strolled up to Abe's tank to lean on it."So...those two. Best buds, now, huh?""It seems they have a lot to bond over. Both are creatures deemed evil by society with no home to speak of. Not to mention they both like cats.""And you like (Y/N).""Am I obvious?""No, I'm just perceptive. Hard to tell what your thinking behind those big eyes when you're not verbally laying it out for everyone else.""I don't know if I'm hoping (Y/N) had noticed.""Chances are they didn't."Abe looked at the book he had been reading, not actually reading it.Liz raised a brow at Abe "So, you're not at all bothered by the fact that they've been following him around like a lost puppy since day one?"Abe looked back at Liz, and although it didn't show well on his face, it had a sense of sass to it, "And you're not upset by your boyfriend allowing it so easily?""Red thinks of (Y/N) like a sibling at this point. I think you know that.""Yes. He's very plain, despite his lack of verbalizing." Abe motioned to the book before him, and Liz obliged him by turning the page."While I'm not opposed to them spending time together, seeing as (Y/N) is their own person and should be allowed whatever freedom is granted, I won't deny that it is a disappointment that I'm more second-rate to them."Liz's brow raised, "Is that what you think?""I'm simply (Y/N)'s teacher and occasional reading partner. I don't think they think of me for much more.""Okay, pumping the breaks on this train before it ventures into self-deprecation. I know for a fact that you mean more than that to (Y/N). Sure they follow Red all over the place, but I know they spend most of their time here because this is where Red always checks. Red constantly has to distract (Y/N) with fun things when they hang out cause ever since you started teaching them how to read, all they talk about are things you taught them. And the reason they don't ever cuddle with you instead of Red is cause they get nervous and worry you won't like it.Abe blinked."I wouldn't dislike is (Y/N) felt the need to embrace me.""I know, Abe. Don't worry about how (Y/N) feels about you. It's pretty clear they admire you way too much for you to be second rate."As Abe was struck with an epiphany, he and Liz were interrupted with Red and (Y/N)'s return."Abe! Abe! Cookie Dough had babies!""Cookie Dough? Ah, is that the one you were saying was gaining weight?""Turns out she just had a couple buns in the oven," Red chuckled."Ah, well, it's a good thing it was nothing too concerning. I thought all your cats were fixed, though?""Cookie's new. She must've been pregnant before we got her."Abe nodded once, "I see."Liz grabbed Red's arm and started pulling him out of the library."I wanna see the kittens again, Red. (Y/N), why don't you stay here and keep Blue company?"(Y/N) nodded. As the others left, they went back to the book they left behind and sat down by Abe's tank.Abe studied them for a second, admiring their features."...(Y/N). We are. Well, we're close, aren't we?"(Y/N) hummed in approval, not looking away from their book."I was wondering how you felt about me. I have grown to care for you a lot these past few months. I look forward to our time together as well.""Me too, I love you, Abe."There was nothing that could've prepared Abe for those specific words. He hadn't even expected them, and was frozen in shock for a full minute."You...you love me?"(Y/N) finally looked at Abe, closing their book, and nodded."But you love Red, too, right?"
Surely, they must mean love in the platonic sense.
(Y/N) looked mildly confused with the questioning, but smiled still.
"Yes, but not like I love Abe."Abe pushed away from the glass. Using the tube connected to his tank, he exited and donned his gear for land use. He approached (Y/N) hastily, not thinking about getting the carpet wet."S-say again?""I love you more, Abe."Abe shakily reached out a webbed hand. (Y/N) saw his ungloved hand and took it, looking confident as Abe took in the entirety of their feelings for him.Despite (Y/N)'s unfaltering, Abe felt their anxiety almost as strongly as the love. (Y/N) was worried about telling him, even though they said it so boldly. To think Abe had that effect on them."Do you...love me?"Abe looked into (Y/N)'s eyes and adored their color. He rubbed his thumb along the skin of their hand, subconsciously admiring the feel of it."I do love you too, (Y/N)."Relief immediately drowned out the doubt and worry in (Y/N) and Abe felt his legs turn to jelly at the sudden rush of it. (Y/N) caught him and gently led him to sit on the floor with them.(Y/N) leaned in and touched their forehead to his, closing their eyes and smiling.______ "Knew that little sucker had a thing for (Y/N). Dunno why he didn't just tell them.""Just stop interrupting them for now. Let them work it out," Liz scolded."'Kay, okay. Sick of talking 'bout this schoolyard romance crud anyways."