Chapter Text
"Welcome back, Wendy!" Clayman got to his feet almost immediately, spreading his arms wide to greet them.
"Thank you!" Wendy beamed back at him.
Laplace smiled behind his mask, hardly minding the interruption. He'd been a little put out when he'd arrived only to find Wendy gone on a mission, after all. But now they'd returned.
As he watched on, it was clear Clayman had all but forgotten the presence of the other Moderate Harlequin Alliance members - Laplace himself, Tear, and Footman. He had pulled Wendy to him, with eyes only for them, a happy smile on his face. Wendy was flushed, smiling back at him. It was an adorable sight.
And no doubt about to be obliterated.
Laplace himself would have been content to watch his brother and his sibling-in-law coo and praise each other, jumping in at the best possible moment to tease them. Tear and Footman were not so subtle. Laplace could already feel his smile growing as he noted the two looking at each other. Clearly they had something in mind.
"I saw the beginning of your mission, but how did it go?"
"It went well, your plan was fool proof."
"Come now, a plan can only be as good as those executing it. I had no doubt you would succeed with flying colors."
"Without your clear and well thought out orders, I could never accomplish such a feat."
"Without you by my side, I couldn't dream of even trying."
"How cute!" Footman chimed in, laughing.
"Sickly sweet!" Tear added, flailing her hands, the excess fabric of her sleeves whipping around wildly.
"What? Oh." Clayman pouted at them, looking deflated at having his precious moment with Wendy interrupted. "Wendy and I were merely discussing the success of their mission, I hardly think that qualifies as sickly sweet."
Laplace snorted, earning him a quick glare from Clayman. Did he really have no idea how lovey dovey they were being? Laplace was quickly beginning to question the likelihood that the relationship had actually remained a secret. He knew Clayman well, but these sorts of tells were so blatant, he had a feeling others would be more than able to pick up on them. As much as he schemed and plotted, in many ways Clayman wore his emotions on his sleeve when it came to the people he cared about.
"Oooh Wendy," Tear hopped to her feet, gesticulating dramatically, "you're soooo cool!"
"I don't sound like that- " Clayman started to interject, but Footman interrupted.
"Waaa, thank you Cwayman!" Footman was on his feet as well, lifting one foot up cutely as he participated in Tear's impromptu imitations. "You are so STWONG and SMAWT! Kyaaaa!" He covered the mouth of his mask with his hands.
"How- how dare you-" Clayman was blushing an angry red. Wendy didn't fare much better, pressing their face into Clayman's chest. Their ears, Laplace was quick to note, were a furious red.
This type of teasing may not have been Laplace's style, but he was more than happy to enjoy the outcome. More specifically, to see Clayman and Wendy flustered out of their minds. He snickered to himself. Still, he was sure he'd find his moment to pounce.
"Fufufu!" Tear laughed, posing as Clayman often did with one hand on her forehead, the other at her waist.
"I don't laugh like that!" Clayman scowled. He was ignored.
"I am indeed vewy sexy and you should kiss me!"
"Oooh Cwayman!"
"Oooh Wendy!"
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!" Clayman yelled, finally snapping. "I- they- we do NOT sound like that! You two just don't get it!"
"Hm?" Tear tilted her head as if confused. "You don't?"
Clayman deflated a little.
"I thought it was on purpose." Footman added.
That was the final nail in the coffin. Clayman's expression dropped completely, his shoulders sagging, his arms wrapped around Wendy loosening. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it a few times, like a sad fish out of water.
Laplace couldn't contain his laughter anymore. He was doubled over, his cackling filling the entire room. Tear and Footman's giggles soon accompanied him. He could hardly breathe . That was comedic genius. Those two have been working on their comedy routine , he couldn't help but think as he wheezed.
"L-Laplace!" Clayman turned his gaze to Laplace. "Don't encourage them!"
"Ya should've seen yer face." Laplace managed to breathe out as he finally calmed his laughter. "You were devastated ." Looking at Wendy, he noticed something of interest, grinning behind his mask. "Wendy's been tryin' not to laugh, though."
Wendy gasped sharply, pressing their face harder into Clayman's chest. Their body shook a bit.
"What?! Why would- why would they- Wendy?!"
"S- I'm s-" Wendy's giggles were becoming audible, as Laplace, Tear, and Footman fell silent, leaning in to better hear. "It's f-funny-"
Clayman sighed, shaking his head. "If you think it's funny, then..." He sighed again.
"A, um, a little embarrassing, too, though." Wendy peeked at Tear and Footman, pouting a bit.
"Teehee~ ♥️ Couldn't resist." Tear said, flailing her hands a bit.
"...whatever." Clayman grumbled.
"Hohoho!" Footman let out a pleased laugh. "Though," his tone changed as he gestured with his hands, "do you act like that in front of others?"
"Naw, of course they don't," Laplace interrupted, lazily fixing Clayman with his gaze. "I mean, if they did that, rumors 'd spread faster than wildfire that the two of ya were romantically involved."
"Ah...um..." Clayman fidgeted, smiling nervously. "Well, I...I didn't suppose there was anything wrong with me praising Wendy for their accomplishments, you know..."
Wendy cleared their throat awkwardly, pointedly looking at the ceiling.
Bingo.
"For a Demon Lord, yer awfully easy to read." Laplace teased. "Heart on his sleeve." The other two nodded along seriously.
"I- well- I can't be blamed." Clayman said, expression serious. "Just look at them!" He gestured with one hand at Wendy, the other still resting on their lower back. "They're not only strong, but beautiful and intelligent! Anyone would be singing their praises."
"H-hey- I-" Wendy looked up at him with wide eyes, clutching at his shirt. Their cheeks were brilliantly flushed again. "W-wait a minute-"
"No, no, he's right, Wendy." Laplace's grin was huge behind his mask, and it showed in the way his eye was sparkling.
"It's true! You're super cute and adorable!" Tear jumped up and down for emphasis.
"Hoho, our imitation really wasn't so far off, was it?" Footman added.
Clayman glared at him, before softening as he turned to look at Wendy again.
"Fine. What can I say?" He sighed softly, stroking Wendy's cheek with a gloved finger, gentle smile on his face. "I'm smitten. I'm not ashamed of that."
"Clayman...m- me, too!" They wrapped their arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"Awwww." Tear and Footman cooed in unison.
Laplace giggled again at Wendy's obvious "squeak", before lifting up a plate of sweets and gesturing with it towards Wendy.
"Anyway, come get some treats and catch us up on everything." He said. "Enough sappy shit for now."
Wendy laughed, while Clayman pouted, and soon enough everyone was seated and eating and chatting.
These nights, Laplace thought to himself, were the ones that made everything worth it.