A/n: I'll be incorporating shorter stories into this book because I have a tenancy to make every story serious and I want to add some more fluff/angst without all the storytelling.

I ALSO KNOW IO DOESN'T ACCEPT THE STUFFED TOY GIFT, BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS A CUTE IDEA!

Hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!!

~✨Celestial✨~

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While out searching for blood beads alongside Louis, (Y/n) gasped when she spotted an object in her peripheral vision. She dashed over once the Lost were dealt with and examined what caught her eye. It was a plushie resembling a white tiger. She noticed its white fur was splotchy with dirt as she picked it up and examined it. Besides the dirt, the stuffed animal was in good condition. The seams were intact and the tiger still had its plastic eyes and nose.

With a wide smile, (Y/n) added the plushie to her inventory. "Io definitely will love this one."

"How many does that make?" Louis asked, knowing his companion had developed a habit of searching for stuffed animals for Io.

"Um..." The (e/c)-eyed girl mumbled, trying to figure how many plushies she's given to Io since they met a few months ago. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. Maybe the tenth? Or the fifteenth?"

"You rather give than receive," the sable-haired boy commented. "I do appreciate the books you bring me. It gives me more to read in my spare time."

"You're welcome, Louis," (Y/n) smiled. "It's amazing what you can find out here. I also find joy in giving you and the others gifts."

"Speaking of gifts..." Louis mumbled, remembering the girl had given Yakumo something before they left. "What did you give Yakumo recently?"

"Some aged brandy I came across a few days ago while exploring with Io. She mentioned how Yakumo spends most of his free time at the bar. Thought it would make a perfect gift for him."

The crimson-eyed boy sighed, shaking his head. "It would be best to refrain from giving him anymore liquor for the time being. He was drinking it straight from the bottle late last night."

"Then I better speak with Shang and see if I can find something that'll keep Yakumo's hands off alcohol for a little while." (Y/n) held the white tiger plush in one hand and her bayonet rifle in the other. "Let's visit Shang before heading back to base."

Louis nodded. "Lead the way, (Y/n)."

Once safely back at home base, (Y/n) found Yakumo and gave him the bugarally doll Shang had exchanged with her. She was hesitant since it was a doll, but her nerves washed away when she saw the excitement on his face. He thanked her as he accepted her present with a wide smile. Now all that was left to do was give Io her gift.

(Y/n), with the white tiger plush in her arms, searched for Io and found her sitting on her bed. Numerous of lit candles surrounded her as she seemed to be lost in thought. The dim light radiating from the candles bounced off her pale skin and (Y/n) could see she was having difficulty staying awake.

Smiling from ear-to-ear, the (h/c)-haired girl sauntered over while hiding the plushie behind her back. She walked up the small flight of stairs, the soles of her shoes echoing off the stone and announcing her presence to Io. Blinking tiredly, the snowy-haired girl lifted her head and looked over at (Y/n). A faint smile blossomed on her face. "You're back."

(Y/n) stood directly in front of Io, her hands remaining behind her back. "It's almost midnight, Io. You didn't have to stay up and wait for me. I can tell you're trying to stay awake."

Io shook her head. "I...wanted to wait for you, (Y/n). Is it strange how I wish to wait for you to return?"

The revenant shook her head with a smile. "It's not strange, but you do need your sleep. I would hate for you to lose sleep because of me."

The ivory-haired girl noticed (Y/n) was holding something behind her back and changed the subject. "What did you discover today?"

(Y/n)'s smile widened as a faint blush tinted her cheeks. "Something I know you'll love!" She unveiled her discovery, holding the white tiger plushie between her and Io. "It's another plushie! I don't remember seeing a white tiger in your collection and thought you'd love it!"

Io's golden eyes glimmered in astonishment and endearment as she stared into the plushie's plastic blue eyes. She lifted a hand and poked its plastic nose, her smile growing. Carefully, she accepted the gift from (Y/n). Not minding the dirt one bit, she hugged the white tiger against her chest. "Thank you, (Y/n). These stuffed creatures have brought a warm sensation to me. What could it possibly be?"

"You're experiencing joy. The plushies make you happy," the revenant explained. (Y/n) knew Io wasn't familiar with emotions and how they worked, but she was glad to help her experience the ones that filled her with warmth. When she gave Io her first plushie, she was shocked when she smiled. It was the first time she'd smile. Now, she smiled almost every day and it made her smile, too. Her cheeks were still slightly red as she cleared her throat and reverted the subject back to Io's stuffed animal collection. "Let's add it to your collection!"

Io nodded and stood up. They walked around the couch to the other side and gazed at the large collection of plushies. Io placed the white tiger next to a bear, which was a little bigger, and offered a closed-eye smile as she stepped back. Now the entire couch was taken over by stuffed animals, meaning the girls would have to start placing them somewhere else where there's enough room.

Yakumo was walking by and blinked a couple of times when seeing the army of plushies. "Whoa, okay." He walked up the stairs and stood next to (Y/n), eyes glued to the collection on the sofa. "This is kinda getting out of hand. You both are gonna fill this place up with stuffed animals at this rate."

"Could we?" Io asked innocently, not detecting the sarcasm in Yakumo's tone.

The redhead met the girl's golden gaze, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't sure how to respond. "Uh..."

"Oh, wow!" A voice gasped. The trio turned and saw Mia admiring the stuffed animals. "They're all so adorable!"

"See?" (Y/n) gestures to Mia with a smirk. "Mia loves them, too! Even Murasame confessed she loved them a few days ago. You're outnumbered, Yakumo."

"H-Hey, that's only five votes! What about the others?" He crossed his arms with a raised brow.

"Then let's ask the other," she retorts, grinning as if she already won.

They called the others who hadn't voted over and received their thoughts on the plushie army. Coco and Davis favored the collection because they believed it brought a somewhat level of normality and they enjoyed seeing items that survived the Great Collapse. Louis wasn't for nor against the collection, ending the voting session. The plushies would stay. Everyone expect for Yakumo, Io, and (Y/n) left.

Yakumo sighed in defeat. "Guess I lost this time. You plan on bringing back any more, (Y/n)?"

The girl shrugged. "Depends. I might find another one tomorrow. I've a knack for finding things. How do you think I was able to find that aged brandy for you?"

"Gotta admit, it was a good bottle."

(Y/n)'s brows furrowed in disapproval. "You already drank all of it?"

"No, but it's the best drink I've had in a long while." He clapped his hand against her back. "Hope you find some more soon." He walked away, heading for the hot spring.

"Hey, Io," (Y/n) called out to the girl beside her. "Wanna be my partner tomorrow? We could search for more interesting things. We might even find something that catches your eye more than stuffed animals."

Io nodded her head with a faint hum. She smiled up at (Y/n) and thanked her again before returning to her bed and falling asleep.