Chapter Text
“Oh god,” Goodbid groans, spinning on his heels as he scans the entire food court. “Where did she go?”
Goodbid had stupidly decided to go to the mall with Friday and their friends. They were supposed to be shopping for a birthday gift for Mercury, but his eight-year-old has suddenly vanished from his side.
“Why am I getting deja vu?” Glib mumbles as he puts a hand on Emmy’s shoulder, pulling him closer as he anxiously wrings his hands and smoothes his black jacket, shrugging when Goodbid flashes him a confused look. “But I’m sure she’s fine, she wanders off all the time, mustache.” Glib looks for S.G. for backup, but they are rhythmically running their hands through their hair, eyes wide, unseeing, and worried as they stare out into the large food court.
“Dad,” Emmy whispers, tugging on Glib’s coat. “I see her.” He nods into the crowd, eyes intently focused on the white-haired girl.
“Bless you, Emerald!” Goodbid exclaims as he sprints to the other side of the massive food court, not paying attention to who Friday is chatting to. “Friday!” he cries as he scoops her up, crushing her against his chest in a bear hug. “You can’t keep wanderin’ off like that! You’re gonna get kidnapped, child!”
“But I didn’t wander off,” Friday’s muffled voice says.
“Like hell, you didn’t!” Goodbid scolds, “What do you call this then?”
“I think I know how this one goes,” a familiar New Zealand accent says with a bashful smile. “I think my line is ‘sorry, mate, I was just keeping her safe until security came.’” From behind a dumbfounded Goodbid, Glib, and S.G. laugh. He flashes Goodbid that smile that almost makes him forget why he was upset. Almost. “I’m Mercury by the way.”
“Mercury, what in the hell are you doin’ here?” Goodbid says through a slack jaw.
“That’s not how this goes!” Mercury teases as he takes a sip of his drink. He wipes his mouth on his sleeve before he speaks again, “Well, I was enjoying my lunch when this little girl-” he ruffles her hair to which she squeals, “came bounding up to me, and who am I to say no to this cute little face?”
“I saw Pa and wanted to say hi!” Friday explains as she wiggles her way out of her father’s arms.
“Friday, you didn’t say anything! You just disappeared!” Goodbid explains exasperatedly.
“Again,” Glib tacks on, sipping his bright red drink.
Goodbid nods before turning to Mercury. “Why didn’t you tell me you were gonna be at the mall?”
Mercury shrugs. “I was just gonna eat lunch and then return to work.”
“You should stay with us!” Friday interjects happily.
“Now Friday, we shouldn’t keep your Pa from his work,” Goodbid says gently as he places a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
Mercury glances at his watch before shrugging. “Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do.”
“What about your work?” S.G. asks.
“Nothing dire, mostly busy work.”
“Stay with us! Stay with us!” Friday begins to chant, Emmy joining in not long after.
“And you’re sure it won’t put you behind?” Goodbid asks, already giving into his precious child’s demands.
“It’ll be fine, John.” Mercury stands up and presses a kiss to Goodbid’s cheek. “Besides I want to spend time with my husband.” He links their hands together, his gold and green wedding band catching in the light.
“Fine, as long as we aren’t inconveniencing you,” Goodbid -the absolute softy who is well aware of it, damn it!- giggles as he melts like butter in the sun.
As they begin walking off, S.G. begins to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Mercury asks, leaning over Goodbid to look at them.
“Friday was right again.”
Mercury and Goodbid share a confused look before looking back to S.G. for an explanation.
“Two years ago Friday demanded that Mercury stays with us because he was going to be your husband.” S.G. laughs before adding, “And she was right!”
Friday, who is holding onto Mercury’s hand giggles. “I’m always right,” she says in an innocent yet all-knowing tone.
“Well, Blondie, what do you think will happen next?” Glib asks jokingly as he saunters behind her.
Friday is quiet for a moment as she and Emmy whisper to each other before the little girl confidently says, “Uncle Glib is going to get a really big and strong husband who works like daddy and Pibling S.G. will get a pink-haired magic friend!”
“What?!”