Every little bunny has a habit that's funny (almost December catch-all)

[ojisankink]

Part A: lasting December 3 to 10

It's probably a shock to some, but Barnaby is in a pretty good mood. It's a little difficult for him not to be, though, after what happened last month.

And Barnaby being a mess when it comes to hiding his feelings means it's probably not too hard for others to figure out why. Mention a certain idiotic hero of an old man to him and watch his face turn a hundred shades of pink.

Right now, though, he's not thinking about Kotetsu. He's instead studying a certain door with a jack-o-lantern on it.

...Honestly, after the fiasco that was Halloween, he should be staying far away from anything with that symbol. But well, Halloween was Barnaby's birthday first, before he came here and that date went from being rather meaningless to plain nightmare-inducing. And he should probably investigate before someone else finds out the hard way if the room is dangerous. Retired hero or not, he can't abandon a chance to look out for the others in the castle.

Thankfully, he opens the door not to terrifying monsters or strings cutting through his limbs again. No, this is apparently just another dusty old room filled with... dusty old pieces of jewelry. There really is gold everywhere, isn't there?

He sneezes a few times as he walks further into the room, looking everything over. It all looks pretty normal, honestly. Just more necklaces and bracelets and brooches and rings.

In fact, there's a very nice silver one here that Barnaby can't help but pick up. It has a pink gem in the centre, one that glitters quite nicely despite the dim light and the dust. It's cute, really. Maybe it's a birthstone ring? In fact, isn't one of October's birthstones tourmaline?

...He doesn't really have any interest in that kind of thing, but he still feels this itch to at least try it on. Maybe he can look up the right birthstone in the library? It'd be harmless just to wear it that far...

Putting on the ring makes him feel... pretty strange. A bit lightheaded. A little twitchy. He's probably just spent too long inhaling all this dust, so he hurries out of the room, ignoring the itching in his ears...

A few minutes later, he finds the itching has gotten unbearable, spreading all the way to the top of his head, and he grumbles, reaching up to scratch... the long, furry ears that have now migrated to the top of his head.

There is now a grown-ass man standing in the middle of the hallway, screaming bloody murder as he clutches the fluffy rabbit ears on his head.

Part B: December 10 to 17

"Thith ith tho thtupid."

Barnaby is standing in the middle of the kitchen, now lisping through his slightly longer front teeth as he runs his hands under the water in the sink. His fingers are scrabbling for purchase on the ring still on his finger. Of course the stupid thing was too small for him. And now of course he can't get it off no matter what methods he tries. His ears twitch and his little cottonball of a tail (because of course this cursed castle couldn't stop the humiliation at ears) wiggles as he impatiently shifts on his feet.

"Why did I even wear thith..." he asks no one in particular, glaring furiously as air whistles between his teeth. God dammit.

Part C: December 17 until whatever point someone gets the ring off him



There is a very tiny little rabbit hopping around the castle hallways. He's probably so tiny it's hard to imagine him having the energy to do this much hopping, but apparently he is determined. He seems to be hoping to go somewhere, but with the way this castle works, it's hard to determine where.

Particularly observant castle-goers may notice that this bunny is very blonde and has some curly patches of fur. Maybe they will notice the ring stuck around his tail, though his tail is so fluffy it nearly obscures it from view.

Or maybe someone will walk past Barnaby's room and notice his usual clothes and glasses have been left in a heap on the floor. Either way, hopefully someone will figure out the connection before Barnaby gets too pissed off. Or before he accidentally comes across the aviary.

(alternate image except not really)

Comments

C please!

[itstheend]

Chara likes animals more than people. It's unequivocal fact that humans and monsters rank lower.

So when they notice the bunny, they change direction and come close, padding as quietly as they can, crouching down nearby. They're trying not to spook it, although the fact they're acting like a curious predator probably wouldn't help.

"Now where are you going?"

They slowly hold out a hand towards it. Maybe rabbits are like cats, and you have to let them come to you. Do rabbits even like being petted?

*If they do, can I have a try?

They'll think about it.

[ojisankink]

Oh god. Just the one person he was expecting to never ever have to see again.

Barnaby knows that Chara has no idea the rabbit is who it actually is, but that doesn’t mean he can just sit around and let them pet him.

At least they’re being cautious as they bend down to hold out a hand. The rabbit slowly hops backward, ears up straight and eyes narrowed in warning. He’s probably fast enough to get away despite being so small, right?

fwuh, I forgot they can't speak, just pretend they signed that sentence up there.

[itstheend]

Oh. Looks like part one, 'do not scare the animal', is already a failure. Given Chara's nature, this is more a disappointment than a surprise. They're a scary thing.

*Shh, shh. It's okay.

They carefully settle down onto their haunches, deliberately telegraphing their movements and not moving even an inch further forward. They slowly rotate their hand until the palm faces upwards, fingertips curling in just a bit. Look, they're not going to hurt you.

They... try. For a smile that looks nice, that looks just like the pictures of happy people in photos, that looks reassuring instead of unsettling or false. It. Um. Doesn't go so well.

No worries!

[ojisankink]

They seem to be trying to make him feel safe. They’re sitting down and waiting for him to come to them, and smiling… they’re doing everything that would make a normal rabbit feel safe, but Barnaby isn’t a normal rabbit.

How frustrating. He really doesn’t want to associate with Chara anymore than he has to, but they’re honestly just a child, and he feels a bit bad to disappoint them. Maybe it’d be fine just to let them pet him once or twice? It’ll only take a second and it’ll be over, right?

He hops forward slowly and carefully, very gently touching his head to the outstretched hand. There, see? He doesn’t hate you. Can you let him leave now?

[itstheend]

To be honest, if he'd decided to leave prior they wouldn't have stopped him. At the very least, a rabbit could disappear much faster than a small child could catch them.

Chara's smile does soften a little at the edges as the rabbit comes over; not completely melting into what they were going for but getting as close as they ever do. They carefully, oh so carefully, complete the initiated pet like Barnaby is made of thinnest eggshell; they've never petted a rabbit before, they want to be sure. Slowly, gently, they brush a thumb across his head.

*My turn!

Be careful.

*Yes mum.

That was a tin of worm-thoughts they're just going to shelve. Chara's body language changes subtely as control is switched over to the other occupant of the body. Frisk, too, smiles (albiet more naturally) and tries to pet the bun, now-black eyes lidded.

[ojisankink]

A bunny could very easily get away from a small child. Barnaby really is finding himself less and less sure by the second why he’s doing this. Kotetsu must be making him soft.

But at least they’re smiling a little easier, so Barnaby does take some satisfaction in actually seeing Chara smile normally. He knows by now that’s a rarity. At the same time, the gentle petting is very nice as well, and he feels his ears lower as he bumps his nose against their palm. Stupid rabbit instincts. Why does he enjoy this so much?

And then something changes, and Barnaby finds his relaxed pleasure replaced with suspicion. That’s… definitely not the way he’d expect Chara to act, even if they were happy. They’re petting him differently now too.

Of course, trying to even say anything about that only results in a squeak, so Barnaby decides to stop trying very quickly.

[itstheend]

!

Chara's mouth forms an O before a silent 'sorry!' Frisk has interpreted the squeak and the chance in posture as accidentally hurting the bun, which is not what they wanted at all! They immediately remove their hand a little away, Chara's brow furrowing in their sudden worry and concern as they crouch down further to check them over, chewing a lip.

They sign at the bun, even though they know there is a 0% chance of being understood, but it's pure habit anyway. They keep their movements slow, so as not to startle.

[Are you okay?]

A for now

[lostinmyway]

Grune is just on her way to...where is it again? Hmm....

Well, she's on a little walk when she sees Barnaby step into the hallway with--oh my!

She giggles. What adorable ears!

About to compliment him, she sees him reach up to scratch his ears, freeze...and start to scream.

She blinks, then hurries forward. "Barnaby?"

What's the matter?

[ojisankink]

Grune is at least always a good sight to see, and Barnaby quickly stops screaming when he spots her, although he does look quite panicked.

“I-I… sorry, I don’t know what’s happening! Why are my ears…?”

He helplessly gestures at the things twitching on top of his head.

“How do I make it stop?”

[lostinmyway]

"Make it stop?"

Grune reaches for his hand to hold--but at the same time, she can't quite help also stretching a hand up toward his ears.

"Don't you want your ears to look like this? They're very cute."

Was it an accident?

[ojisankink]

“No! No, I really don’t. That’s not normal! Besides, what if the rest of me transforms as well?”

If he turns into a flat-out bunny, he’ll face all sorts of trouble… and besides, Kotetsu would never let him live it down.

[lostinmyway]

She thinks about that for a moment. "Well, then...I'll look after you. I promise."

And then she pets one of his bunny ears. It's so soft!

[ojisankink]

“I don’t want anyone to have to look after me…” He is getting tired of being made so helpless in this cursed castle…

But he doesn’t have more time to complain when she suddenly touches one of his ears. It twitches along with the rest of him in surprise, and he lets out a squeak… that turns into a rather pleased sigh. Why does that feel so nice?

C~

[collectyourfriends]

Needles loves this place!

So many things to eat, so many things to take for herself, so many places to explore! Frisk might tell her to stay nearby, but they only mean it as a strong suggestion, so she doesn't worry when she goes somewhere without their scent.

Needles is chasing a shiny silver-and-sapphire ring in a zagging run down a hall when she finds the bunny.

"Rrr?" (Hello?)

She stops and stares. What's that?

[ojisankink]

Another ring clattering down the hallway definitely gets Barnaby’s attention, and the… porcupine creature chasing after it even more so. Was that someone else who got transformed? He really should have made sure to give more warnings before he was left nearly mute…

He has been staring at the creature for some time when she notices him, and his fur puffs up a bit in embarrassment and nerves. Wait… it’s talking to him?

Carefully, after some consideration, he hops closer and tries to find the ability to speak. It comes out as a quiet little squeak, but Needles may in fact hear him respond.

“Hello? Can you understand me?”

[collectyourfriends]

She saw a Buneary once! But he doesn't really look like one of those. What? What is? What is that? Very tiny thing that looks like it might fight, all poofed up, but it's not a very impressive poofing, so she's not bothered.

The tiny thing talks! She winds her way nearer, which looks like weird zig-zaggy hops in turn, and barks back.

Hello! Hello little thing!

[ojisankink]

He definitely doesn’t look like a Buneary. And definitely doesn’t look impressive. He knows he’s probably failing despite his best efforts in that regard.

But at least he can apparently talk. He sighs in relief, hoping the animal will be a decent way to find help.

Hello! Thank god you can hear me. I’m a human that’s been transformed and I need help… Though he isn’t sure what kind of help could be offered.

[collectyourfriends]

Needles is good at impressive poofing. She's named what she is for a reason!

A human? What? She chitters a laugh. That's so strange--

Abruptly, Needles zags away to pluck the ring in her teeth.

This doesn't seem to affect her communication. I do not know how to help that. Trainer won't either.

[ojisankink]

I know it’s strange. There was this weird room with jewelry, and I got a ring stuck on my finger. Over the course of a few days, I was left like this. If I knew where the ring was now…

No, he doesn’t seem to realize the ring stuck on his puffball of a tail, but it’s rather hard to see.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu has had quite enough of the sound of Barnaby screaming, thank you. Or perhaps, to be more precise, he's had quite enough of this awful castle making his boyfriend scream. Especially like that.

It's luck that he happens to be on the same floor at the time, or maybe it's this awful castle showing just a bit of mercy. Either way, he hears it from several hallways away, and the sound has him off and running like a shot towards Barnaby's location, calling for him all the while. "Bunny! What's happening? What's going on?!"

He stumbles to a stop around the corner, and there's Barnaby halfway down the hall and standing in front of an open door. Kotetsu recovers his balance, albeit with some difficulty, and hastens over to him. "I'm here! I'm here, what happened!"

[ojisankink]

Barnaby is quite tired of having to scream, honestly. One month of a normal body was not nearly enough time for him, even if fuzzy ears are better than puppet strings. Besides, who knows if it will stop at that? What if he transforms fully again?

He is very much not prepared for the possibility of not being in control of his normal, human body, and it makes his breath quicken and his chest go tight, deaf to Kotetsu’s calls and footsteps until he’s right beside him.

Barnaby jerks his head up, and the sight of Kotetsu only gives him some relief as he clutches the fur on his head.

“Kotetsu! Kotetsu, I don’t… I don’t know what happened, I, I was just, something’s changing again!” He gestures helplessly at the rabbit ears twitching at the sound of their heightened voices.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu takes hold of Barnaby's shoulders in a vain attempt to help him stop shaking like a leaf. He looks at Barnaby's face, tries to swallow down his panic enough to gauge what Barnaby is saying.

Then his gaze is drawn as though by a winch up where Barnaby is indicating. And his eyes go wide.

"W-What the...?"

He's not seeing what he thinks he's seeing, is he?

...there's only one way he can confirm one way or the other. Kotetsu reaches up to run his fingers very, very carefully over those long, fluffy ears. "When did this happen? Are you okay? Do they hurt? Did..."

At which point he trails away, just a little distracted by how very, very soft Barnaby's new ears are. "...they're really nice, though."

[ojisankink]

Okay. Okay, Kotetsu is here, Kotetsu is holding him, and those are two good things that Barnaby can focus on. He keeps his eyes on Kotetsu, his shuddering just a little less violent, knowing that at least his partner is around to help him figure this all out… whatever this is.

It’s confusing, to be sure, and embarrassing, and Barnaby tries to ignore Kotetsu’s flabbergasted expression and focus on answering those questions.

“It happened just now, after leaving that room. I feel fine otherwise, and they don’t hurt besides being mildly itchy and tingly aaaaannnnnd…”

And now he’s completely forgotten what else he was going to say, as Kotetsu suddenly has a hand on each of his new ears, and the careful movement of his fingers soothes the tingling just a bit and most definitely soothes Barnaby’s frayed nerves. It just… feels so nice, just someone brushing through his curls but all the more noticeable and warm…

Barnaby feels heat rise up his neck as he tries to pull away.

“They’re… rather sensitive.”

[oldmantiger]

It takes Kotetsu a second to realize that Barnaby is trying to pull away. At first, he's just plain too entranced by how soft the fur is. But then he blinks, coming back to himself, and releases Barnaby to step back. At least Barnaby isn't the only one blushing, now, as Kotetsu realizes fully just what he'd gotten so wrapped up in doing. He was just. Petting his boyfriend's rabbit ears. What even is his life.

And why are they so adorable?

"I can tell," he answers, laughing a little shakily. But then his expression softens, and he can't help but add: "They're cute, too." A huge part of the reason he enjoys brushing his fingers through Barnaby's curls is seeing him melt with happiness. And if these are even more sensitive? Kotetsu really, really wants to keep petting them and see what happens...

...focus, damn it. Focus.

"It's just the ears so far, right? You haven't sprouted a tail, or anything?" He gives Barnaby a once-over, checking for anything else out of place. And because Kotetsu does occasionally have a good eye for detail when the situation calls for it, he happens to notice one new thing on Barnaby that doesn't have fur on it.

"...what's that?" he asks, pointing at the ring.

[ojisankink]

Thankfully, Kotetsu doesn’t keep petting Barnaby long enough for him to do something completely idiotic or completely forget about the situation. Still, Barnaby knows he won’t stop blushing for a while, the fuzzy warm feeling lingering quite a bit and trying to distract him from the fact that Kotetsu was actually petting his rabbit ears, which used to be human and had terribly mutated.

“C-Cute?” It’s not possible for him to blush more, so instead he just groans and puts a hand to his forehead. “I certainly find them more irritating than cute, and besides, that’s not the issue here!” The issue is something that should be dealt with before he lets Kotetsu find a nice quiet corner with a comfy chair and let the two of them cuddle and just keep touching those cute little twitchy ears…

“No, no tail, as far as I can tell. Nothing else really feels out of the ordinary…” Besides his reaction to his ears being touched, obviously, but he’s not going to draw attention to that.

What can be noticed is the ring, which Barnaby looks down at as if surprised by its presence.

“Oh… Right, I almost forgot about that. When I was in that room, I found this ring, and I couldn’t help but try it on… I was just going to take it to the library to do some research…”

…But now that he says that, he notices both how foolish the idea was and how probable it is the ring has something to do with this. Narrowing his eyes, he attempts to tug the ring off, but it seems to have gotten stuck.