(ahahah I made this with a female reader in mind but really a male or enby could work too if you replaced the pronouns. also part one of three heheheheheheveheheheh)

Too much. It was too much. There was fog everywhere, you could barely see, and deadly jellyfish were around just about every corner. But you had to keep moving. If you remained there for much longer, who knows what would find you? So on you went. But you weren't moving for long before you tripped, falling into the arms of another bug.

"Careful there! You could have fallen into an Ooma." Said the bug. He helped you back onto your feet, then you turned to see who caught you. He was a sweet looking bug, with large, curious eyes and a bandana around his head. You grinned.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I uh, I didn't mean to fall into you." You apologized, embarrassed. The bug seemed to smile.

"It's no problem, my friend! Those pesky things can be deadly, you know." He explained. You laughed.

"Tell me about it. I've been wandering this canyon for way too long."

"Have you? How come I've never seen you?"

"I'm not sure! I've never been in this specific area before, so I thought there might be something new."

"I suppose that would explain it. I've lived here all my life as a student to Monomon in her Archives."

"Sounds interesting!"

"Would you like to come see where I stay, so you're not wandering aimlessly anymore?" The bug asked. This question caused you to stop for a moment. You've never met this guy before, but something told you that he had good intentions. The widest smile took over your face.

"Would I? Is that even a question?" You asked. The bug looked confused.

"Erm, yes? I was-"

"It's just an expression, silly! Of course I would!" You laughed. Your new friend's face flushed in embarrassment.

"Oh, y-yes! Of course. Follow me!" He seemed to shake out his embarrassment before motioning for you to follow by holding out his hand. You took it without hesitation and the both of you began to run into the path beyond.

×××

You were sitting on the floor of the Archives' library, remembering the day you met Quirrel. What a chaotic time it was. If you hadn't found him, or he found you, who knows what you would be doing right now? No one, that's who. And you didn't want to find out.

"Ah, hello Y/N! Lost in your thoughts again?" Speak of the angel, there he is. Ever since you had met, Quirrel became your best friend. Although you had much in common, you also had many differences personality wise. You were very bubbly, while he was quieter and less outspoken. You were bold, not afraid to speak your mind, while he kept a lot of things to himself.

"Sort of, yeah. I finished sorting some files Mon gave me, which took for-e-ver." You sighed, a smile returning to your face. Quirrel grinned as well. You laid back onto the ground, putting your arms behind your head.

"I guess sometimes I feel like I should be doing something more, yknow?" You explained. Quirrel placed the books he was holding onto the ground and laid down next to you.

"But you are doing something. You're doing a lot, believe it or not. Monomon explained to me earlier how she felt like you were a big help around here, and how she's been getting a lot more done with the extra pair of hands. And, well... you've made me feel less lonely." You weren't looking at him, but you could almost feel Quirrel's face getting red. You smiled smugly. But then the smugness faded with the realization of his words. He doesn't lie. He truly meant what he said. You rolled over so you were laying on your side, facing him.

"Thank you, Quirrel. That really means a lot." Your smile was small, but it was 100% genuine. He turned to face you as well. You both were now lying down on the floor of the archives, your faces inches apart and his hand grazing yours. You sat like that for a while, neither of you moving as to ruin the moment. Quirrel's face was now bright red, and you could feel yours slowly turning pink. Before that could happen, you grabbed his hand and jumped up from the ground.

"Oh no Y/N not agai-" Quirrel stuttered, but you smiled mischievously and scooped him up into your arms, running towards Momomom's office while carrying him. His face got crazy flustered, as he used his hands to cover his face and said nothing.

"Momomom! We have a slacker over here!" You called, trying desperately to hold in your giggles.

"Oh, no! How terrible!" Monomon answered with fake horror. At that, you had to laugh. You arrived in her office and stopped running before you crashed into something, then placed Quirrel on his feet. He was no longer covering his face, but had one palm against his forehead in desperation and was shaking his head. You could tell he was enjoying this.

"This man right here placed a stack of books down... on the floor!" You shouted, raising one finger into the air as if you had uncovered the greatest mystery ever known. Monomon gasped.

"What ever shall we do to punish him?" Monomon couldn't keep a straight face either, so now you both were laughing.

"I-! I don't know!" You were now laughing so hard you could barely breathe. Monomon chuckled, then put one tentacle on your shoulder.

"I'll figure something out. Could you go and put away the books the fugitive left out?" She said softly. You nodded, still smiling but no longer laughing. You ran out back to the library to find the stack of books Quirrel had left on the ground. Once you found them, you looked at the spine and found where each of them were supposed to go. You thought back on Quirrel's words from earlier. Did you really make him feel less lonely? I mean, he had Monomon, and she was pretty fun. But you couldn't shake the feeling that he truly meant what he said.

"Ow." You stated as you dropped a book. The book didn't even touch you as it fell, yet you still said ow. You do this a lot, and every time Quirrel laughs, and it makes you feel good when he does.

Quirrel.

It's bad. He's the only thing you think about that makes you feel truly happy. You've never liked anyone before, let alone loved them. But you knew, deep down, that's how you felt about him. He was cute, funny, and a total doofus. He got flustered easily, and every time he did it made you laugh. You always feel like you can tell him whatever's on your mind without having to worry about him judging you. The worst thing is, you've known this for a long time. You just refuse to admit it. Ever since he brought you into the Archives, you knew that you liked him. But you weren't sure if he liked you back. All these thoughts in your mind were so forward, you knew you needed to get some fresh air. Or at least leave the dusty library.

"Ahh, home sweet room." You said, closing the door behind you. You didn't realize how tired you were. All those deep thoughts must have wore you out. You laid down on your bed, and before you knew it, you had drifted to sleep.

×××

"So. Did you tell her?" Monomon asked. Quirrel jerked his head up at her, eyes wide with confusion.

"How did you know?!" He asked, face turning all red again. Monomon chuckled.

"It's really easy to tell. Like, really easy." She explained. Quirrel's face fell.

"Oh. I, erm-"

"It's not a bad thing. You just need to tell her. I have a feeling that she might feel the same way." Monomon used one of her tentacles to lift Quirrel's chin up so he was looking at her. He nodded.

"I'm just not sure how. Plus, what if she rejects me? That could ruin our friendship, and I certainly don't want that." He responded. Monomon sighed.

"You know she'll remain your friend. Would she really get that awkward with you?" She asked. Quirrel shook his head.

"Every time I try to hint towards the fact that I like her, she never ignores it or leaves. This morning, there was something. I know it." He explained, slightly more confident than before.

"Then go. I need to write a letter to the King soon, and I don't need any rule-breakers in my office." Monomon teased. Quirrel rolled his eyes, although still smiling. He walked out of her office, quietly shutting the door behind him, and walked to his room, talking to himself.

"I can do this. I will. If I could only figure out how."