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After sealing Cyber World’s dark fountain, you found yourself going back almost daily to visit a very special someone. No, not Ralsei.
There was just something about him that was so endearing and adorable. No, not Ralsei.
It was that little puppet. That poor puppet salesman... Hearing his backstory from the Addisons made your heart ache, and when you and the Fun Gang had tried in vain to free him of his binds, it only made you pity him more. You decided, instead of letting him be your strength, to recruit him instead.
And, of course, you had taken a liking to each other in no time at all. Of course, you kept this secret from your other party members at first, but it became pretty obvious when you offered to let him stay in your bedroom in Ralsei’s castle. You weren’t going to use it, anyway.
At least, that’s what you thought.
Being a student teacher meant it wasn’t suspicious when you showed up to school on a Saturday, so you thanked your lucky stars for that. Your current condition, however, got people concerned.
For the past couple of days, you’d been suffering from a particularly bothersome cold. And you were just about fed up with it. You’d been staying away from the Dark World to avoid spreading your illness to any inhabitants who lived there, but now you didn’t care. You were going there because you wanted to see him in your time of need.
You made your way through the portal, holding your breath as you fell, and stumbling when you landed.
Spamton was waiting by the entrance like always. He ran up to you and hugged your legs as you stepped out of the light.
You tried to talk to him, but could only bury your mouth into your sleeve to block the barrage of coughs.
He was immediately suspicious and looked up at you worriedly, “NE3D A [[Lozenge]]??”
“Sorry, Spam.. I just have a little cold right now.” You admitted, your voice sounding raspier than you wanted it to.
“[Audible Confusion]!? Y AREN’T U GETTING [Rest Easy Knowing Your]??” He grabbed your hand and started pulling you towards Ralsei’s Castle.
You smiled and went with him. This was exactly what you wanted.
In your room, Spamton quickly ushered you into bed and put a thermometer in your mouth. You didn’t really have time to question where it came from, since he took it out only seconds later.
“ONLY [[$98.99]]?” He puzzled aloud.
It looked like the old-fashioned glass and mercury thermometer was completely worn down and not reading the correct temperature at all.
“I told you, it’s just a cold. I’m not gonna have a fever.” You said through a hoarse voice.
“[[Talk To Your Doctor About]]!!” He said, “WHAT,S AILING YA?”
You coughed before speaking, “Well, I’m pretty stuffy, my throat hurts, and I have a cough.”
Spamton scratched his head, trying to think of possible ways to help. “[[Try These Three Easy Steps To]] [Got Clogged Sinuses?]” He muttered his thoughts aloud in the form of advertisement snippets. He was wracking his brain to think of a way to help while pacing around your room so much it was starting to make you anxious.
“Spam..h-hey.. Spamton..!” You tried to get his attention.
Thankfully, he stopped and returned to your bedside.
“Spam, I’ll be fine, sweetie. I just need some rest.” You tried to comfort him.
“HMM, COULD I INTEREST Y0U IN [[FriedPipis]] TO PUT BACK TH E [[Pep In Your Step~]]!!!!” He cheerily offered.
“Oh- Thanks, Spam, but I think I’m-MMPH!?” You were interrupted by Spamton shoving a pipis with grill marks into your mouth. Where he got it from, you had no idea.
You decided to humor him and chewed what was in your mouth. But as soon as you swallowed, he shoved more in.
“Mmf-!” You held up your hand to motion for him to stop.
Spamton just kept piling more fried pipis in your lap.
“MmF-!!” You managed to swallow, “Spamton, stop- Please, no more Pipis.” You laughed.
“HOW ‘BOUT This [[Guaranteed 100% Will Cure All Ailments]]???” Spamton pulled out some small bottles of essential oils from behind his back, “SELECT Y OUR [[Favorite]]!!!”
You chuckled, “Spam, I can’t smell right now.” You looked at the choices in his hands. Despite all the negative stigma and misinformation about essential oils, you still liked using them for their intended purpose; aromatherapy.
“OH. RIGHT.” He put away the bottles and scratched his cheek.
“I could use something hot to drink though.” You offered an idea.
Spamton then lit up. “OF COURSE!! [[We’ll Be Right Back After A Word From Our Sponsor]]!!”
He hurried out the door and was gone for about 30 minutes, during which you worried he got lost or stuck somewhere, or got pranked by Lancer. But just when you thought about getting up to go find him, he came back with a steaming cup of tea.
You blinked and sat up in bed as he handed it to you. For some reason, he seemed nervous and was watching you closely, fidgeting and tapping his fingers together. You swore you could see him blush, too.
You eyed him slightly before taking a careful sip. The tea was hot, yet cooling on your sore throat. The flavor was rich and sweet, and it left a honeyed aftertaste as it sat on your tongue. It was delicious!
+600 HP
You blinked in surprise. “Wow...what flavor is this?”
“ER- IT’S [[Your Own Flavor]]!!” He explained.
You had to process what he said for a minute and search your memory for that familiar phrase, then it clicked. “Oh! So this is... Spamton flavored?” You couldn’t help but smile.
The small puppet chuckled sheepishly and slicked his plastic digits through his gelled hair. “[[That’s Right!!]]”
“I love it~.” You smiled and took another sip.
Spamton let out a small sigh of relief and relaxed his shoulders. Seems like he was just worried about what you’d think of his flavor. He was so cute. He took your cup when you were done and came back with an extra blanket.
You asked Spamton to cuddle with you, and he happily obliged. He still smelled like the shampoo you gave him.
He crawled under the covers with you.
He wrapped his tiny arms around you and you draped an arm over him, stroking and running your fingers through his jet black hair.
“I…HOPE Y0u [Get Well Soon]…” He murmured. Strangely, he still sounded like he was yelling, but his voice’s volume was just lowered.
“Thanks, Spammy~” You cooed, pulling him close to your chest and nuzzling into his hair.
The puppet was silent for a moment, then he added, “I SURE WOULDN>t WANT THE S4ME THING TO [[Has This Ever Happened To You?]]”
You opened your eyes and glanced down at him worriedly. “What? What happened to you??”
“I… WHEN I LIVED IN THE [Garbage Can], NO BODY WAS 4ROUND TO [Help] ME WHEN I WAS .”
“Oh…” Your heart sank. You imagined Spamton all alone in his dumpster home with a fever and laying his head on that filthy pillow he used to have.
“How…does a puppet get sick anyways?” You reluctantly asked.
“OH THERE’S LOTS OF THINGS!! MALWARE, VIRUSES, AND ESPECIALLY TOO MUCH [[Hyperlink Blocked]]” He explained.
You gave him a squeeze and whined. “Poor thing... I promise I’ll be here to take care of you.”
“B-BUT I’M SUPP0SED TO B TAKING [[Tender Loving Care]] OF YOU!!1”
You couldn’t help giggling, “You are! Relationships are a two-way street y’know. Not everything has to be favors and deals.”
Spamton was silent for a long moment. He hadn’t considered the idea that you just wanted to help him for the sole purpose of making him happy.
You supposed it was in his nature as a Darkner, to want to make you happy and please you, a Lightner. You weren’t really sure how to feel about that; an entire race of people whose purpose is to make another race happy. It definitely didn’t sit right with you.
Somehow, you managed to fall asleep. Before you knew it, there was darkness all around you, except for two glints of yellow and pink. Somehow, you knew exactly where you were and what you were about to be up against.
“THIS’LL [[Hurt]] ME M0RE THAN IT>LL [[Killed]] YOU!!” He loomed over you while charging his arm cannon.
You covered your head and squeezed your eyes shut, bracing for impact.
You heard the echoing sound of the cannon being fired, only to jolt awake in your bed. Well- Your other bed. You had to take a moment to remember you were in the Dark World.
After letting out a breath and wiping the cold sweat from your brow, you remembered the little salesman sleeping next to you and looked down at him endearingly. Until you remembered your dream was about him.
Spamton NEO was something that had been plaguing your mind ever since you saw it. You weren’t sure if Spamton was in his right mind while inhabiting that mechanical suit. He seemed to have forgotten all the time you’d spent together before that, only regaining clarity after he’d been defeated.
And it wasn’t his normal self either... He seemed like he actually had some semblance of sanity. Only after you refused to take his Dealmakers, did he return to the “Spamton G. Spamton” you were familiar with.
You wondered if...it was entirely possible for him to assume NEO form again.
You shook your head and tried to rid yourself of these anxious thoughts, trying to focus on the salesman snoozing away next to you. You rolled over and spooned him, draping your arm over his comically small body and closing your eyes.
The next day you felt a bit better, but still sick. So Spamton took you for a walk around town to get you some fresh air.
“IT;S GREAT 2 GE T OUT LIKE THIS!!!!!” Spamton sighed after taking a big breath.
“Yeah, it is.” You smiled, walking hand-in-hand with him through Castle Town.
You looked up at the dark, starless sky with the heavy realization you’d have t0o leave soon and return to the Light World above.
“Hey, Spamton... I’m sorry, but I can’t stay much longer.”
“WHAT- WHY????” He looked hurt.
“If I stay down here too long, people are gonna wonder where I am.” You explained.
“OH.” Spamton frowned, “THEN. BEFOR E. YOU GO. LET ME [Take You Out] FOR SOME BREAKF4ST.”
You smiled and gave his little hand a squeeze. “Breakfast sounds nice.”
After going to the bakery and enjoying some tasty muffins, and afterwards, Spamton walked you to the exit. It was always sad to leave him, but you knew you’d be back the next day.