Chapter Text
The sound of laughter surrounded Toaster’s condo, the whole server aimlessly lounged on their plush couch, the soft material digging comfortably into their skin as the atmosphere was lulling them into a potential slumber.
Xyx was having none of that.
It was time to spice things up a bit, potentially metaphorically or in a literal sense. He rose up from his previous position, rising in a manner similar to his feline companion. “ Now, everyone, since we are all gathered here and know each other quite well…”
“ If two years is what you call ‘quite well’ then sure.”
“Now, now my fellow FFXIV enjoyer, though I appreciate your sarcasm, it’s time to liven up this room with a game of Truth or Dare.” His face was decorated with an all too familiar smirk, gaining a few sighs and groans throughout the room. Though the prospect of potential silly dares or revealing truths sounded interesting, the act of getting up seemed like too much of a chore.
“ And whoever chooses the most dares gets to babysit Cat next time.”
Everyone in the room began to form a circle on the plush ivory carpet, the aspect of caring for the cutest being in this earthly realm seemed to awaken everyone’s snoozing soul. Thoughts of petting their majesty, Cat, was truly an honour and privilege. With a dramatic sigh, xyx draped his tall frame over the comforter, muscular limbs dangling as his hand made its way to his forehead.
“Woe is me! My own friends are betraying me for my cat, however shall I live!” With the most dramatic performance they have ever seen, they chuckled at their friends' antics, though they anticipated such a reaction, he never failed to make them smile.
“ Don’t worry dearest xyx. I promise to spend time with you once I win this game.” Y/n’s grin rivalled his own, a silent agreement or perhaps a quiet moment of solidarity was formed between the two.
“ Yea doll? I will be sure to make it worth your while, after all,” slowly his fingers traced their chin, bringing them ever close to his visage as he gazed at their eyes with an unfamiliar look, “ It would be a shame for you to be left all by your lonesome don’t you agree?” His tone dropped a few octaves, a pleasant shiver made its way into their system. They feared their beating heart would betray their thoughts as each pulse seemed to quicken the longer they held one another’s gaze.
Before they could form a reply, the brunette hastily made his way onto the floor, sitting beside his tall companion, Toasty.
“Now then let’s begin shall we?” Before any reply could be heard, June raised their hand up, an urgent matter perhaps, thus they now had the floor all to themself.
“ Before we start, shouldn't we stock up on food and drinks? I mean we will be here for a while.”
Hums of agreement echoed throughout the room, though, now they had to choose two unlucky souls who would bear the burden of providing the necessary nourishment needed for their continuous session.
With silent murmurs of discussion filling the room, debating on who would be the quickest and most efficient duo, it was decided upon Quest and Y/n.
…….
As they walked beneath the pale glaring lights of the gas station, the only location willing to serve the ravenous group, the two picked out bags of chips and sweets, enough sugar to fuel a kindergarten for a week.
“ It’s been a while since I had this much sugar, I truly applaud Toaster for his sweet tooth, practically no one can match it.” His blue eyes were always filled with fondness when he spoke about his friends, the people he truly treasured most swelled his heart with joy.
Though the one beside him made his steady gaze wander and his stomach riddled with butterflies, his heart swelled immensely with such affection he himself couldn’t fathom.
Y/n chuckled at his words, reminded of their companion’s enormous appetite for sugary treats, though, their massive sugar intake surely didn’t make them as energetic as one would expect them to be, such a revelation was truly amusing,
“ Oh! Remember how Lady and Xyx were convinced they could eat more sugar than him and then he proceeded to beat them, their stomachs were aching-” As their eyes and mind were focused on Quest, they failed to notice the stand before them, thus knocking over the complex pyramid of crackers, toppling the perfect shape into a boxy mess.
A hand grabbed their waist firmly, and though it brought them into a tight embrace, the hand’s lock was safe and comforting, reassuring them of their safety with a gentle yet tight squeeze.
“ Are you alright angel? Did you hurt yourself?” His worried blue orbs scanned their frame, inspecting each part of their body with an anxious gaze.
“I’m alright don’t worry, though with you keeping me safe I don’t think I have to worry at all.” A sly smirk entered his vision, though their chest heaved with emotion and undeciphered feelings, their tone remained teasing.
“ Thank you, my knight.” “ Oh! No problem angel, wait no, Y/n! Sorry.”
The two remained embraced for a moment too long, as though afraid to leave each other’s sight. With each passing second, both inched closer and closer, with a passionate hope of something more, the passage of a threshold familiar to their relationship, and into uncharted waters.
“ I’m sorry Sir but could you and your friend move? Someone has to clean these boxes, which happens to be me.” They grumbled beneath their breath, cursing the day they stepped foot into this establishment, murmurs of ‘I’m not paid enough for this’ could be heard.
The two jumped out of the tight embrace, hands pressed against their own bodies as though they were afraid to touch one another for the second time. “I’m so sorry we were just-”
“ Please just go checkout.”
Quickly and quietly they made their way to the cashier, not a word was exchanged between them, not a sound was made till they entered the condo, the silence grew uncomfortable and tense, unspoken feelings plagued their thoughts, they feared to even mention the close proximity they stood minutes ago.
“ Took you guys long enough, we were about to make a bet on whether we would notice any stray collars and messy strands poking out.” The group chuckled at nightowl's comment, though two chuckles were as forced as they could be, attempting to mask the prior events from their mind.
…..
They focused on preparing the snacks, assuring not one piece slipped onto the polished kitchen tiles. Though a few had managed to slip onto the marble counter, they quickly found a home within the confines of their mouth within seconds. Not a trace of the crime was left.
Pale pink hair filled their vision, hands bringing out more bowls, aiding them on their quest to provide nourishment for their friends.
“Thank you for your help Toasty, it was getting a bit lonely snacking on these all by myself.”
He chuckled at their comment, “ I sure hope we won’t have to make another trip to the store because some raccoon decided to feast earlier than others.”
“Hey!,” lightly they smacked his shoulder, earning a smile in return, “ I will have you know the one who provides the snacks gets a right to eat first.”
He raised his brow, laughing lightly at their attempt at an excuse, his shoulders relaxed, his hands mindlessly inching closer to theirs. He truly hadn’t thought of touching them, though, his body couldn’t help but gravitate towards them, as though a force pulled him to them, drawing in his gaze and attention fully towards his companion. His friend. His…
Why didn’t these words feel right? He felt confused, though his mind gestured towards a platonic word, aimed with friendly affection, his heart felt otherwise… Oh no.
“ Hey Toaster! Are you there?” Their waving hand broke his trance, a rosy blush climbing its way onto his pale cheeks. His mind frantically searched for an answer, an excuse for his staring, wait he was staring for a while! No! Panic mode had, unfortunately, activated.
“ I-I, uh, yes?”
If humans had a smaller version of themselves in their minds, it would surely be smacking its face continuously. Slowly he felt a hand brush a strand behind his ear, tucking in the stray pink hair that had once masked his face.
Such a gesture suddenly felt so intimate, so forbidden, so unfamiliar. Though they had done this before, aiding him with his hair malfunctions and issues, this light graze of their fingers upon his cheekbone brought his hairs to a stand. A shiver responding to this foreign touch was felt throughout his body.
“ Sorry, you had a stray hair, I imagine it blocked your view,” slowly they placed numerous bowls into their arms, hoping and praying they wouldn’t fall, “ Well then let’s go feed the other raccoons huh?” Fearing his voice would crack, his head nodding frantically, indicating a yes to their question.
…..
Somehow, to no one’s surprise, nightowl and oniontheif managed to get into another senseless argument about… something. No one was quite sure what prompted their squabbling, all they knew was that it was best if the two separated for a few moments, a necessary peace for a successful game.
As the Toaster and Y/n made their way into the living, they spotted a fuming nightowl jumping out of his seat and making his way onto the terrace, aiming to run from his headstrong opponent, daring not to even think of his name, even the slightest mention could set him off.
Everyone slowly tried to negotiate an agreement for the two, hoping to form an answer to satisfy them both, perhaps they could manage not to further anger one another. Though, they all knew that at this current moment they had to speak with anyone but each other.
As June slowly, went to speak to nightowl, Y/n placed their hand on their shoulder, easing their friend’s mind with a small offering of a gentle smile and pat.
“ Don’t worry I will talk to him, I think oniontheif might need as many potential therapists as he can get, especially considering his current anger.”
Slowly they glanced towards him and proven right, the man was practically fuming, spouting rant after rant sprinkled with cuss words to solidify his fury.
“Yea I think so too…”
…..
As they pushed the terrace door, allowing them access to the spectacular view of the night lights of the busy city. Though the time told a different story, the noises and glowing orbs spoke of the city's high energy, as though it itself consumed the sugary treats they purchased not long ago.
“ Hey owl, I brought you some candy and company? Unless you prefer to be alone, which is totally fine I can-” “ No! I mean no, it’s alright I… I appreciate you being here with me cutie.”
Patting the soft cushion of the couch, they slowly sat beside him, bringing him into a tight embrace, trying to halt his worries and aid his struggles. As he placed his head on their shoulder, a sigh escaped his lips as he took in their warmth and comfort. Attempting to savour their perfume combined with the softness of their skin, fearing they would leave him should his hold loosen even for a bit.
“ Cutie, I-I’m sorry could we stay like this for a bit? I don’t feel quite like talking.”
Tracing circles among other shapes along his back, they hummed in agreement, their hands continued stroking his back, hoping to ease each worry forming in his mind.
The lights decorated their bodies, and the sounds of the city were drowned by each other's warm breaths. He further snuggled into them, each touch felt so comforting, it felt like home. They felt at home. A place of shelter, safety and comfort. Somewhere where he was accepted, where each of his flaws was overlooked by the shine of his virtues.
No one felt quite like this, though June came close to providing this feeling, it wasn’t quite like them. Y/n felt so different and so, warm.
God his stomach fluttered too much.
…..
“Alright then, now that everything is settled, we have snacks, a truce formed between two opposing forces,” Owl and oniontheif glared at one another from a distance, “ we can truly begin this game, may the best win!”
Everyone cheered at Xyx’s words, excited by the prospect of the promised award, babysitting Cat. Lady pulled out her phone excitedly, ready to spice up the evening with a thrilling dare. “ I call dibs on making the first dare!” Her excited shout echoed throughout the condo, earning a few scoldings and shouts in return.
As she spun the wheel on her phone, she anticipated the arrow's target, her target. Each second felt too long, and all feared for their sanity and dignity, till finally, it stopped. A cheerful sound came from the phone, displaying her prey proudly on the screen.
Y/n.
“Oh fuck.” “Oh fuck indeed my friend! Don’t worry, I promise to be gentle. Now then,” With an enthusiastic clap, she began to announce their fate, “ I dare you to kiss…