In which you realize who my favorite Hollow Knight character is. 

A.K.A. Take the title literally. Sometimes. 

Also, reader won't be gender specific unless specified otherwise. 

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You first met this strange adventurer outside the Temple of the Black Egg where you valiantly stepped up and declared your presence to the pill bug...

...Is what you wished happened. 

The reality is you tripped and fell straight on your face. 

He didn't even notice you had come in until he heard a loud *thud* from behind him and turned around to look. 

He immediately rushed to your side, holding out a hand to help you back up. 

"Oh dear, are you alright?" He said with a slight accent that you couldn't place your finger on. His accent wasn't royal, like the palace. It wasn't creepy like the Deepnest folks, it wasn't condescending like the Colosseum fools. It was from somewhere out of Hallownest, you assumed. 

It seems as though you were staring at him, still trying to place his accent, cuz the poor guy looked slightly embarrassed at the intense gaze you were throwing his way. 

"Uh... Little bug? Do you need help?" He asked and if you could see his face you'd see a faint blush. 

A beat. 

"OH I AM SO SORRY," You took his outstretched hand as he gently pulled you back up. You quite hurriedly brushed off any dust that may have decided to hitch a ride on your clothes. Lost in thought and the rush of looking presentable you hadn't heard him start talking.

"...your name?" He threw a look your way, genuinely interested in knowing your name. 

"Huh? OH I'm (Y/N) from Dirtmouth. Well, for now that is. That's probably going to change once the infection hits," you chuckled a bit to yourself as he gave you a confused look. 

"The 'infection?' I assume that's whats being locked away in this Temple. I'd go in to investigate but it's currently, well, locked," he laughed as he looked back at the temple with a curious gaze. "Though, I suppose if someone ever opened it, I'd be the first to go inside. The adventure calls." 

"Indeed it does. Which is why you're here, I assume? You don't seem to be from these parts," you said.

"Astute observation," serious. Then, "Was it my tone? I swear I've been practicing!" 

You both laughed for a minute, basking in the lighthearted atmosphere in what would normally be a bleak situation. 

"Yes, I come from away. Not sure how far or why I'm here, but I am. So is the life of an adventurer," he sighed softly. "It's a nice life but sometimes I wish I could stop and smell the roses. All metaphorical of course." 

"Oh, I never caught your name."

"I suppose I never dropped it. Quirrel is what they call me. Ever since I was born," another moment of laughter was shared between the two of you. 

"Well, I guess I should head on my way," the pill bug, Quirrel, said. 

"I should as well, Elderbug wouldn't want me out too late with how some of the infected bugs can be," you replied. 

"Then it wouldn't be fair unless I walked you home. It would be dangerous for you to go unaccompanied if the bugs are as dangerous as you make them seem," Quirrel said with a slight joking tone. However, he did extend his hand to you. 

"I would appreciate that greatly. It wouldn't go out of your way, would it?" You asked out of genuine concern. 

"The adventuring way has no... Way!" He exclaimed and you both laughed yet again at his bravado nature. 

"Then I'll accept you walking me home. Thank you Quirrel," you said softly. 

"It is no problem at all my friend," he said. 

That word. Friend. You hadn't had one of those in a while. 

As Quirrel walked you back to Dirtmouth, you genuinely hoped to see him again. 

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The next time you saw him was in a place you'd never expect: The City of Tears. 

How either of you had gotten there in such little time had confounded the both of you.

However, this time, he wasn't alone. 

He was talking to a little bug that maybe reached his torso, your shoulder, height.  This little bug had a pair of horns on it's head? Mask? And a navy blue cloak which fit the little thing very well. This little bug also carried around a little nail. It was almost a comical sight, seeing this little one. 

Quirrel, being the one who could see you, spotted you and waved you over. 

"(Y/N)! I'd like you to meet my friend, Ghost!" Quirrel was quite animated in his greeting while 'Ghost' slowly turned around to look at you. 

They. Are. Adorable. 

Which lasted all of about 5 seconds before Ghost drew their nail on you. 

"Whoa whoa whoa Ghost! They're friendly, no need to draw your weapon. (Y/N) won't hurt anyone," Quirrel tried to pacify his short friend which managed to work. Ghost withdrew their nail and gave you a once-over. Deciding you were not an enemy, they gently nodded at you before going to sit at a bench. 

"Phew," Quirrel quite audibly sighed in relief. "I know you rarely see non-hostile bugs my friend but you are an awful judge of character." 

Ghost didn't make a noise but gave Quirrel a very pointed look. 

"I know, but not everything is out to kill you." 

Ghost gave Quirrel another look which made the older bug laugh. 

"Don't give me the whole 'At-this-point-the-sun-itself-could-come-kill-me' speech again. I know it's possible but come on, Ghost! Do they look like they could hurt anyone?"

Shrug. 

Quirrel had followed Ghost to the bench, choosing to stand beside it. He motioned for you to follow as well. 

"Well, (Y/N), you've met Ghost. Ghost, (Y/N). Next time be a bit nicer to my friends?" That was definitely directed toward Ghost. 

Shrug. 

At this point, you had a few questions. 

"How did you two meet?" You asked. Both Quirrel and Ghost looked at each other, probably deciding who gets to tell you. I guess it was Quirrels turn to explain things. 

Quirrel told you that the day after meeting you at the Temple of the Black Egg, Ghost had wandered their way into that room and attempted to strike up a conversation with him. They talked for a few hours and got to know each other quite well. Their dynamic was quite a spectacle: Quirrel would maybe say something that isn't the way Ghost would remember it and Ghost would try and correct them with wild gestures. Then Quirrel would try to keep going but Ghost would once again butt in and correct him. 

It was cute. Almost like watching two brothers. Two... Brothers. 

That's not how you see Quirrel, is it? 

You like him. A small, fleeting crush. You wouldn't be upset seeing him with someone else, but you wouldn't mind being with him. Right?

...

Nope, you'd definitely be upset seeing him with someone else. 

Watching him joke and laugh with Ghost reminded you of a dad with his son. 

Wait wait wait wait wait WHAT-

Nope nuh-uh that is NOT how to be thinking (Y/N) you JUST met the guy and sure he'd be a great dad someday and you'd love to be there with him but YOU JUST MET A FEW DAYS AGO and yeah crushes can form in that time but he probably doesn't even like you back and-

"(Y/N), are you okay? You've kinda been... staring off into space. Is everything alright?" Quirrel asked, very concerned. He thought you'd suddenly gotten sick or were scared and needed to sit down. 

"Oh no I'm alright just... A bit confused I guess," you answered honestly. 

"A Geo for your thoughts? I don't mind lending an ear," Ghost nodded gently in agreement. 

"Oh, well..." Being dishonest was never in you. You didn't like hiding. 

"I guess I'm regretting my adventure," you said honestly. 

"Why is that my friend?" Quirrel motioned for you to sit down on the bench and you did. Ghost sat in front of you while Quirrel sat by your side. 

"I... I miss Dirtmouth. Not this Dirtmouth, but the Dirtmouth before the infection. Before all of this happened. Before every bug in Hallownest was scared. I... I miss my old friends. My old home. I miss smiling and laughing and playing every day, without a care, free to be... Happy."

That's a word you miss. Happy. When were you last *truly* happy? 

That's right. The first time you met Quirrel. That was when you were truly happy. 

Happy to have a friend, to have someone who understands, someone who knows your pain.

Happy to be in love. 

You were crying, sure. But for the first time in forever, they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of joy. 

"But," you continued. "I'm happy. For the first time in a long time, I feel free. Not bound to anyone or any stupid rules. I can wander, see the sights, enjoy Hallownest in its beauty. Sure, it gets lonely, but that's where I have you, Quirrel. Seeing you has made me a lot happier. It's a relief to finally have someone who understands, y'know?" You giggled and Quirrel smiled. He did know, and he was quite glad you felt the same way. 

"I know how you feel my friend, as does Ghost," Ghost gave a little nod in agreement. 

Well, now you have a new traveling buddy to look forward to running in to. 

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The next time you ran into someone, it actually wasn't Quirrel. 

It was Ghost, making their way out of the Stag Station in the Queens Gardens. 

You were sitting at the bench, looking outside the window, watching all the Alubras fly by, listening to the admittedly calming music coming from the speaker. 

Ghost, you learned, was a silent walker. So you were very surprised when Ghost just kinda appeared by your side on the bench. 

"Oh, it's good to see it's you, Ghost. I haven't had company in quite some time. I was starting to get a bit lonely," worried too but you weren't gonna say that yet. Ghost nodded a bit in acknowledgement. 

They still seemed to be shy around you however were starting to open up a bit. You saw them take out a map briefly. While watching the map, you saw them gently draw in where they've been. 

You saw places you've never even HEARD of. The Hive? The Abyss? 

"You must be quite the adventurer, huh?" They nodded again, closing their map and just sitting there. 

"Travelings hard," another nod. "Makes me wonder if it's all worth it. If the goal is really worth reaching." 

Ghost looked confused, then a bit angry at this. They looked at you and pointed. 

"Me? What am I adventuring for? Well... I don't know. Maybe I just needed to get away from Dirtmouth. Maybe I want to find something. Myself, maybe. Who knows," you just kinda shrugged. Ghost didn't like that answer however they chose to let it go. They know what it feels like to not know their purpose. It's a hollowing feeling. 

Ghost didn't realize they'd zoned out for a bit until they heard you humming a small tune. 

It was nice. A calming, gentle song. A song they'd never heard before now. Before they knew it, they were drifting off to sleep. 

You were honoured to know that they were comfortable enough to fall asleep by your side. 

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The next time you saw Quirrel was at the Blue Lake. He was sitting there, looking out across the water. He didn't notice you until you had taken your place right beside him. 

"Ah, hello my friend. It has been a while since I've last seen you," you chose to stay quiet, letting him talk seeing as it seemed like there was something he needed to say. 

"A beautiful view, is it not? A good place to sit and rest. I finally feel my age catching up to me. It's... Calming, serene, peaceful. It seems a nice place to end an adventure." You didn't catch on to the hidden meaning behind his words. 

"Ah, no matter. Come and sit with me for a while, my friend." You weren't intending to leave. 

You noticed something about Quirrel. The mask he was wearing was gone. 

"Quirrel, where did your mask go?" You asked, genuine curiosity taking over. 

"I... It's a very complicated story but I found my purpose. My goal in life has been fulfilled. Now I can live my last moments here in peace," he said a bit sadly. 

"But... What if the adventure doesn't have to end?" He perked up at your words. "What if... There's more to an adventure than just being done with it?" 

"Well, that sure would put a new perspective on it. Thanks (Y/N), but I am getting older. There's not much more adventure left in me," he said sorrowfully. 

"Then make an adventure of your every day. Find adventure in the little things, like reading a book, or making food, or singing a song.  That's how life becomes truly enjoyable. It's not just the big things, but the little things too," you said, looking at him gently. He looks back at you and softly smiles. 

"Those words do mean a lot, (Y/N). Y'know, for a wordsmith like yourself, you sure are clumsy," he laughed as you stumbled a bit. He remembered the day you first met. You had tripped over yourself on accident. It was comical. "Some would say you'd fallen for me." 

And there's the punchline. 

You blushed and sputtered through a sentence as he laughed. 

"QUIRREL THIS IS NOT FUNNY I-"

"It's fine, I feel the same way," he said calmly but with a hint of mirth. 

"I- you what?" You asked, quite surprised that he returned the sentiment. 

"Yes, my dear. At first I found your company enjoyable, then I started missing you when you were gone. I was sad when I didn't find you wandering around and found myself praying for our next encounter. Your melodic voice would put me at ease and knowing you were well filled me with relief. Seeing you here, well, it isn't just fate, I think," you could tell by his tone that he means every word. For you, that was what made it all worth it. 

You chose not to say a word. You just rested your head on his shoulder. Relaxing, calming, soothing. Peace. 

Peace of heart, peace of mind. Finally, peace. 

Looking out over the Blue Lake, you and Quirrel had finally found your shared purpose. To love and be loved. 

And to think, it all started cuz gravity gave you a vibe check. 

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Chapter 1 is done! Requests are still very open!