hellowowowowowowo

it is currently 4:30am for me, just finished studying, bouta perish in bed, but first i might as well grant myself the satisfaction of releasing a little preview of the tamitario inception au (1) bc INSTANT GRATIFICATION YESSSSSS (2) to lyk that dw, i'm still working on it, it's just really long, and school's also keeping me busy, so ngl this might not be out until mid/late May when i'm finally on break 🤠

b u t for now habe the first 600ish words 🤲 hope u enjoy and also that i didn't accidentally spoil too much, i'm trying to be bicc brain abt this, tho make what theories & speculations you will.

taggies though not all characters show up here sorry and thank you for your patience twins101 CityOfFragments Pleasenobodynoticeme FugosTherapyBill my bad if any characterization is weird! i'm trying my best 🥴 and i mean we all came from BaH guys it's kinda hard to measure up to that ykyk 😩

last but not least THANK U to skiddynoddlez who listened to all my lamenting, brainrotting, theorizing, plotting, & more — would NOT be here w/o their help (i still owe them a little stavuinn sth, but that's for another day 🤝)

that was lengthy i didn't mean to make this an a/n whoopsies 😦

w e l l not to stall any longer, have fun reading 🌟

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"There'd better be a really good reason I'm answering this call right now."

"What, not even the usual 'ey up'?"

"... Don't ever say that with your American accent again, Ontario."

Ontario laughs the warning off. He's never really perceived Evelyn as threatening anyway. (Besides, isn't being inconveniently woken up just an occupational hazard for them?) "Aw, but I just wanted to help you feel a little less homesick."

"You failed," Evelyn deadpans, but Ontario can sense it's in a teasing manner. That's reassuring — it means they're still on good terms. "But lucky for you, since I do happen to be home right now, I'll hear the phrase often enough to forget this offense."

"You're in the UK? On a job?"

"On a break, darling," Evelyn corrects him proudly, but it's not long before realization hits her. "Oh, fuck."

Ontario chuckles.

"Ontario, no."

"Just hear me out."

"I promised my parents I'd help out on the farm!"

"Well, anyone can help out on a farm, but I don't know a lot of people who can build like Evelyn Ross."

There's hesitation from the other side. Ontario suppresses a smile; he has to remind himself he hasn't gotten a definite answer yet. "That... that sounds like a you problem."

"Except it's not, because I happen to have an Evelyn Ross right here," he replies firmly. "Look, Evelyn. You know I wouldn't hit you up for just anything. This is a big one. And it's by no means easy — which is exactly why I need my best Architect." He thinks for a moment before continuing. "And, though I know you will help me out of the goodness of your heart... I'm just saying — the pay is really good."

A long pause. And then, much to Ontario's relief (although he had an inkling he could count on their friendship), a chuckle. "For God's sake, Ontario. Alright then. Any idea yet who we'll be working with?"

"A little. I'm still recruiting."

"... Who?"

"Wouldn't wanna jinx it," Ontario replies vaguely, before changing the subject. "Extractor and Chemist are still open if you have any suggestions."

"Send me the details of the job, and I'll let you know if any of my contacts fit the bill," Evelyn says. There is a lull, and Ontario hopes that's the end of that — but of course, Evelyn is far from dumb. "You have a Forger in mind, then."

"I do." His taxi finally slows to a stop, dropping Ontario off in front of a small house. Evelyn's silence is making him impatient. (Ontario thinks the unease is stemming from something else.)

"I respect your decision," she finally says.

Ontario scoffs before he can stop himself. "There's nothing to respect. I'm simply recruiting whoever I think is best for the job. Living costs in America are only rising, you know."

"Right."

"Right," Ontario echoes. He feels guilty for being so evasive, but... it's not like she won't find out sooner or later. "Well, if there's nothing else...."

"Not from me. Text me the job details as soon as you get the chance, alright?"

They exchange a few goodbyes, before Evelyn hangs up. Despite his earlier reasoning, Ontario heaves a sigh. Does she know— no, she definitely does. That's a stupid question to ask. What he really should be asking, what he wants to ask despite hating that he even cares at all — what does she think? What's her judgment of him now? Would it have been better for him to just tell her straight out? Or tell her nothing at all and join her in her surprise at the big reveal? Ontario reaches into his left pocket and palms the crystal that has come to always be there. The sharp edge grazes his fingers almost right away. Nausea twists his stomach. This is reality.

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