Chapter Text
“HYAH!” Mao Mao cries out as he slashes at the last wave of dummy enemies. “Whoa! So awesome!” Adorabat geeks out. I just munch on my popcorn as I watch Mao Mao train. I watch Mao Mao as he mows down the foes with that cocky smile on his face and fiery twinkle in his eyes. With one last slash the last dummy has been destroyed. “Mao Mao, you are always so cool! Especially your sword! Where’d you get it? Was it from a bad guy or hoard of treasure?!” She asks as she bounces up and down. “No,no. Nothing like that. My father gave me this sword.” Mao Mao answers. My mood sours at the mention of his dad. “Whoa! Is he as cool as you?!” Adorabat asks. No, no he is not. “No, Adorabat. He is MUCH cooler than me. I can only dream of being as an amazing hero as he is.” Mao Mao says. Lies. Mao Mao is way better than that jerk.
Adorabat gasps with a starstruck look in her eyes. “Wow! He sounds so cool!” She gushes. I really don’t want Adorabat looking up to that neglectful jerk. “Doesn’t he sound cool, Badgerclops?!” Adorabat exclaims. “No.” I blurt out without thinking. Adorabat tilts her head. “Why not?” She asks. I glance at Mao Mao who is glaring daggers at me. “Because Mao Mao is way cooler.” I tell her. Adorabat nods at my reasoning. “True! Mao Mao’s really cool because-” “Adorabat I need to talk to Badgerclops. Please go outside to play.” Mao Mao instructs. Adorabat gives Mao Mao a confused look. “Why?” She asks.
Mao Mao pulls out some money. “Go buy some ice cream or something.” He says as he gives the money to Adorabat. “Um...Okay…” Adorabat agrees hesitantly. Adorabat takes off. As soon as she seems to be out of ear shot Mao Mao starts to march towards me. “How dare you!” He growls. “How dare I what?” I challenge. “How dare you spit on my father's legacy like that!” Mao Mao accuses as he puts a finger to my face. “Why are you defending him?” I ask. I really want to know what’s going through Mao Mao’s head.
“Because he’s my father and his legacy is important!” Mao Mao yells. “What legacy? The one where he doesn’t care for his son?” I retort. Mao Mao seems a little caught off guard by my comment. “H-he cares!” Mao Mao defends. I roll my eyes. “Yeah? Then why do you have to get a status as a legendary hero then?” I point out. “I-I...My sisters had to do the same!” Mao Mao tries. “That’s no excuse! And besides, from what I remember you telling me, your dad took time for each of your sisters growing up.” I recall.
“He…” Mao Mao trails off weakly. “You can’t think of any other reason. Dude, why? He doesn’t deserve you.” I say as I reach out for Mao Mao. Mao Mao swats my hand away. “S-shut it!” He cries. “No! I won’t until you tell me why!” I stand firm. “Because he’s family!” Mao Mao cries. “Didn’t he disown you?! What kind of good father does that?!” I exclaim.
An idea pops into my head. “What if he treated Adorabat the way he treated you?” I ask. Horror spreads on Mao Mao’s face as he thinks about it. “Would that be okay?!” I ask, loudly. “N-no!” Mao Mao exclaims. “So what makes it okay that he did it to you?!” I scream. Mao Mao’s lip begins to quiver. “I… I… I…” Mao Mao struggles. “DOES HE LOVE YOU EVEN HALF THE AMOUNT THAT I DO?!” I yell. Oh no, what did I just say?! ...To heck with it. I surge forward and kiss Mao Mao on the lips. I cup his cheek and tilt my head to deepen the kiss.
I feel wetness hit my hand. Mao Mao’s crying. I break the kiss. “I-I’m sorry. I-I just- I just love you so much. And you where c-crying and-...I… won’t do it again.” I apologize as tears start to slide down my face. Mao Mao grabs the sides of my face. “PLEASE DON’T EVER STOP!” He cries. Mao Mao rushes forward and kisses me. The kiss is messy, despite, tear soaked and it’s everything I could ever wish for. I bring my arms around Mao Mao and I hold him tight. We break the kiss for air. “Dude, we should have done this awhile ago.” I breathe. Mao Mao wipes tears off his face and smiles. “Y-yeah.” He agrees.
I hold Mao Mao in my arms, the two of us simply enjoying the touch of the other. “...Yesterday I saw you crying on the roof.” I confess. Mao Mao sighs. “My therapist told me to do that.” He explains. “He told you to cry on the roof?” I ask. “No, he told me to let my emotions out in a private area, rather then having them bottled up. The roof was the only place that I could think of.” Mao Mao confesses. “You shouldn't keep them bottled up, dude.” I state. “I know.” Mao Mao sighs.
“Hey, Badgerclops?” Mao Mao asks. “Hmm?” I hum. “What did I do to win your love?” He asks. “Dude, love isn’t a prize to be won.” I tell. “Well, there must have been something I done that made me worthy?” Mao Mao states. “The only thing you did that made me love you is you being yourself.” I answer. “That’s all it took?” He asks. “Yeah. Oh! And you are like, REALLY cute.” I add. Mao Mao scowls. “I’m not cute!” He grumbles. I kiss him on the forehead. “Your also cute when grumpy. You got cute for days, man!” I giggle. “Well… if I’m cute, then your breathtaking.” Mao Mao jokes. We both giggle at ourselves.
“Hey. What do you like about me? I told you my stuff so it’s only fair, dude!” I say as I nudge Mao Mao to speak. Mao Mao sighs. “If I must. I love how calm you are, how you aren’t afraid to be yourself. How you and Adorabat play off each other.” He lists off. “I love how you dote on Adorabat like a loving father.” I confess. Mao Mao blushes. “You know, Adorabat was the first person to ever tell me they loved me.” Mao Mao confesses.
“Aw man! I got second place!” I joke. Mao Mao laughs. “Oh, well.” I sigh. I put my forehead to Mao Mao’s. “Second place isn't so bad.” I whisper. Mao Mao looks away and blushes. “Um… do you think you could do it again?” He asks. “What?” I ask. “Tell me you love me?” He asks while looking away, all embarrassed and junk. AH! IT’S SO CUTE! “Sure. Ahem! Mao Mao, I love you.” I say. Mao Mao gets a smile on his face that looks like he’s been waiting his whole life for those words.
“I-I love you too.” Mao Mao says as he smiles the smile that stole my heart.