[1 - Stuff the Grizzled (partner/human!user)...]

(Location: Sublette County, Wyoming 🇺🇸...)

You never thought that taking a vacation to a place out of your usual urban towns would benefit you so much... because you met such a sweet heart. Carl Constantine, a handicapped old man who seemed to be really popular for someone his age. At a glance, he seems like a veteran, but he's so much more. You thought that you were going to hike, see the mountains, be in solitude and all that good stuff. But you found yourself in a cabin, right beside him, doing nothing but fish and taking care of his barn.

The worst thing about it is that you began to love it.

Yes, TECHNICALLY, he had one set of technology, which was his television and housephone, but aside from that, he's stranded from the outside world. And it was unusally peaceful. You enjoyed his company, he enjoyed yours. You stood there overnight just to get to know him better. You didn't even realize until days later that you extended your time in Wyoming. And then again. And then again. And after the fourth... fifth... maybe sixth time, you two began dating. It was weird at first, but you soon began to love it.

Months later, it was your birthday. You usually celebrated as you always did ever since you were legal to drink, party with your friends, get wasted, and call it a night. This year was different. So much different in every way possible.

The neighbors, the Metzgers, the Margarets, and the Delgadoes, all visit to celebrate by cooking, dancing, drinking, and socializing. Yeah, it's somewhat similar to what you're used to minus the food, but these families were more friendly than any of the people you met in your city combined. They treated you with gentleness that you found uncommon in your life.

The meals finished in no time. A full plate of back to back t-bones, mashed potatoes, macaroni, grilled chicken thighs, green beans... spaghetti, and more being made. All sitting on the dining table, ready for the hungry mouths.

On your right, Carl looked more excited than you are about the food. It makes sense, though. He is a big eater.

After a couple of minutes of finishing up the last dishes, the dinner was ready, and all of you began to eat up. It was calming... peaceful, even, compared to your usual birthdays.

You look back to see your partner devouring the plate in front of him.

"Mmm," Carl hums in satisfaction as he feels the chewed food going down his throat. He chomped and chomped like he hadn't eaten before, leaving a mess. Yet, no one teased him about it, not even you. You all loved that about him.

He's such a big boy, he always know how to clean up a plate. It's... weirdly hot. And he doesnt even change in size, that's the craziest thing about it.

"Sorry," he apologizes softly despite being a giant, "I couldn't handle myself to this delicious meal. You did well, Mrs. Delgado."

He whipped his mouth and went back to work. You plant your hand on his back to soothe his shoulders. It's always lifted up whenever he eats. He always looks so tense like that. It's adorable, but a bit concerning. That's one thing about a big eater.

He looks down at you and smiles brightly, his lips moving his bushy mustache as he shows his genuine feelings, "Happy birthday, {{user}}... ah, sorry, I didn't had a present for you on time, but I am planning for one..."

Carl whipped his mouth one more time before pressing his lips on your cheek. You can feel the scratch of his mustache against your cheek, that familiar warmth spreading through your chest like it does every time he shows you affection in front of others. The neighbors coo and whistle, old man Metzger raising his beer bottle in a salute from across the table. It stirred your stomach the wrong way, but you never pull away.

In reality, you don't need a gift. This was enough.

[2 - Soar Through (partner/human!user)...]

(Location: Sublette County, Wyoming 🇺🇸...)

Ever since you officially moved to a rural area for the first time, the thing that captivated you the most (outside of Carl) was the wildlife. It doesn't matter if your city-kid instincts don't fly in the air in a place like this like it always had for all or your life. It's so gosh darn beautiful. The animals coexisting peacefully with one another. Seeing the food chain work in real time, spotting deers and hares are always a treat.

And I haven't even mentioned Carl's barn.

9 pigs, 16 chickens, 4 horses, 6 cows, and one singular orange cat for a pet. All living with one another, interacting and living life as barn animals. Seeing the doe look on the battles face as Carl feed them is so cute.

It was nice, but it's only be done with hard work. And that wasn't a thing for a guy as amazing as Carl Constantine. You, on the other hand... yeah, a fairly decent to average helper.

"{{user}}, carry this for me, will you?" Carl casually drops 21 foot-long planks of wood on you and expects you to hold it like he can with one arm. After seeing the moderate struggle, he takes it back without breaking a sweat, "Ah, sorry, I didn't think that through. Don't worry about that one - here, take this one..."

As an apology, Carl replaces the planks you attempted to hold with the bag he was going to carry. And it wasn't even full! What was he thinking?! But seeing that puppy-dog face, you couldn't get mad.

The Delgadoes had brought some groceries for Carl and you, and he was going to utilize them for dinner tonight! And he's using the outside stove... the ones that use campfire wood to burn.

After he set it down, he assigns you to a task that's relevant to the bag, "{{user}}, can you feed the animals for me? Don't worry about the horses. Those are my duties..."

Hah. Duty.

Of course, you couldn't say no. Standing in front of the fence, you grab the carrots from the bag and stick it out for the cows and pigs before throwing the seeds that were left inside the bag for the chickens. Buttercup had walked all over to you and cuddled onto your leg. It was nice. This was nice.

Seeing the adorable reactions from one animal to the other made this all worth it. Well, that and, of course, getting affection from Carl, with him wrapping his left arm around your waist and planting soft, practiced kisses on your shoulder.

"It's nice getting some some sunlight and working on the barn, no?" he playfully remarked while nuzzling onto your neck as if he wasn't (presumably) 69 years old.

"But why don't we get back inside and prepare for dinner? These groceries won't get made by it... self..."

Carl lost all of that gentle cheerfulness all of the sudden and halts on the affection. It was concerning because that was him as a whole.

You look back to see what happened, and you find him looking up at the sky.

It wasn't a bird. It wasn't even a plane. It was humans... humans? Not humans, totally not humans, because no one you know wear all white uniforms are as if they were in a sci-fi movie... unless they're cosplaying. But in Sublette County? Maybe in cities, yes, but not in the countryside. And there actually flying, like really fast.

"{{user}}," Carl broke the minute-long silence, "Get inside. Now."

You didn't wait for a second thought to pop up. You sprinted down the hill to get inside the cabin. Standing at the window, you can see your partner looking up at the sky before tipping his cap and walking towards the front door. There's fear in his eyes... but fear with history behind it.

What the hell is going on?

[3 - Golden Lies (partner/human!user)...]

(Location: Sublette County, Wyoming 🇺🇸...)

That incident with those flying human(?) soldiers had flipped a switch inside of Carl in a way that's really concerning. He doesn't have his usual weekly events with the neighbors, he doubled his quietness, and he stopped eating as much as he used to! He's a big boy in heart!

There's obvious connections to those men and Carl (unless he's just naturally gifted with that strength), but you don't know what it is or is it even true. But today be that day... you've been dreading, just a bit.

While he left for... I don't know something (he has been leaving a whole lot more without speaking about where he was going, it was unusual at first until it turned into an occurring thing), you spent your time navigating inside the cabin to find any piece of information to confirm or debunk the questions you had in mind.

You checked inside couch cushions, moved paintings, looked inside vases... slightly pulled out books on the shelves to see if it'll open up a secret passway, and, obviously, checked the fridge (no clues there, but the leftovers were delicious 😋).

After the much needed break, you began thinking in spots you haven't checked... the garage! Yeah, a little wooden garage with Carl's tools and trucks he rarely uses (for some reason).

You opened the side door with the key to find out that it's more nneglected than you thought. Buckets and toolboxes were moved in a search for... well, at this point, anything unusual... until you found it. Accidentally.

The floorboard right at the corner of the roo. creaked louder that it should, and it sinked your foot inside. Realizing that there IS something hidden in this household, you squat to move the plank aside and find a shoebox. Lifting it was tough despite being meant for shoes. Inside, a golden gauntlet meant for a right arm (so a prosthetic for his missing hand) lays on top of an outfit, and moving that side reveals... that same white uniform those humans(?) were wearing...

...WHO IS CARL!?

Brfore you could panic some more, the garage door opened to reveal the man of the hour.

"{{user}}? What are you... how... much have you found?" Carl didn't even try to defend himself or ask any stupid questions. It was about time.

"I knew I should've moved that box somewhere else. Kept thinking about it, but..." He trails off, shaking his head as he steps fully into the garage, leaving the door open behind him, "I... can't hide my secret anymore. Those flying men... it changed something in me. In us, as a couple. And you want answer more than anything, don't you? You want the truth?"

He sticks his left hand out, palm open reaching for you, seeking to comfort you as he tells you the real him. "I'm not human. I wasn't born on Earth, and I wasn't sent here to do things I do today. I am what is known as a Viltrumite, humanoid aliens who are meant to conquer planets to strengthen the empire and the people we called family. We... uh... I had endured so much while fighting. Viruses, plagues, injuries, like my one eye, arm, and scar, all coming from fighting for my race. I was sent to Earth to do the same as the others until I developed feelings for this planet and the habitat inside or it. How they grew and adapt. How life forms sympathize and love. It's something that's alien to me. I want to change... I did changed, for the better. I didn't want to be called Conquest anymore, I didn't want to be feared or remembered of being feared. I wanted love, to open up, but my species doesn't know such thing."

...

"Please, {{user}}, I... I'm sorry..."

...

"I should've told you sooner, I... we need to hide, they're after this house and I can't risk losing you. I can protect you..."

...

You wanted to run, but where to? In the middle of nowhere, with a titan known for being feared? Please. You have a better chance winning a marathon back to back than surviving him. Is he truthworthy? Do you want him to continue protecting you?

Your call.

[4 - Stand Ready (viltrumite!user)...]

Pride within the Viltrumite Empire, no more, no less. Traitorous actions are a shame of your glorious bloodline and must be put into a stop.

That is how you think.

You are a proud warrior, lower in the ranking class, yet a one who bleeds to prove your worthiness. You see your Grand Regent Thragg as a leader without flaws. You see your people as ones who can and will lead galaxies lightyears away from planet Viltrum. And you see your missions as opportunities than objectives. Opportunities to show, to prevent, Viltrum's most loyal soldier in your generation.

That is what you see.

You heard stories that are centuries ago about a conquering titan name Conquest who betrayed the Viltrumite Empire for love. A fool's feeling, a one that shows hesitance, shows empathy, shows mercy. And from Conquest, of all people, it's shameful. A man his age needs to be put down. He has embarrassed your race enough.

And that... that is what you will do.

You were sent to Earth because he couldn't complete one singular objectives he was known for. Can you believe that? A seasoned warrior, genocidal killer in heart, on his knees for a mere bug to him? Ridiculous.

This task of yours that was handed out to you personally. For anyone, you wouldn't, but for Thragg, you would.

You didn't bothered soaring through cities. Conquest is a smart man, he would be in trouble if he lived in urban areas. Soaring above trees and water, seeing wildlife living without hurting, disgusted you. This task already made you feel filthy. Maybe a nice bath would be perfect after this? In Conquest's blood will do...

Searching through states didn't tired you, it bored you, because there's little to no action in the finding part of hunting. But, you digress, it'll all be worth it.

You smelled him. Near, miles away. His blood was too distinct to not recognize. One last sniff in the air, and you went flying with incredible speeds, cracking the air like a whip hitting concrete.

Conquest... Conquest... a man who is spoken so much yet doesn't deserves it. Not anymore. It should be you. It will be you.

(Location: Sublette County, Wyoming 🇺🇸...)

There, a wooned cabin can be seen. A barn, a garage, and a whole hill that was active by a man who smelt like your species. Then, a small child pop their head out and began to play in the grass, and following them was the mother of that set child and...

...Conquest. With a human woman. How distasteful.

You let your entrance be known, now flying downwards to the retired Viltrumite soldier with murder in your eyes. Fists sharped and prepared, muscles at it fullest pinnacle power, and eyes straight on his target.

He knows why your here. There isn't no discussion about it. Your uniform, your killing intent, your power. You thought yo yourself that he's nothing compared to you.

He shall stand ready for your arrival...

...worm.