Work Text:
The old trio were so happy to finally be back together again. After meeting up with Anne at the aquarium they all decided the first thing they should do was to catch up on each other’s lives while having dinner. Funny enough they had decided to eat at a nearby Thai restaurant, though not the one currently run by Anne’s parents. At the moment they were waiting for their food while talking about each other’s lives.
While Sasha was asking Marcy how she came up with her webcomic's magic system, Anne’s mind wandered for a moment thinking about how great this whole situation was. Her friends were back home and they were staying the weekend. Why had they not met up more frequently or kept in better touch throughout the years? Anne thought.
The first thing Anne thought about was the last day before Marcy left. Her mind played back the last time the 3 of them had seen each other before Marcy moved and the school year would end. She had brought them back to the playground that they usually frequented after having spent the whole day together. They sat at the picnic table they had played Creatures & Caverns many times before.
“Okay girls, there’s one last thing I wanted to do before we end today.” Sasha and Marcy both looked at Anne across the table with complete enthusiasm in their eyes. “Since Marcy’s moving tomorrow I want us to have a fresh start for our friendship!”
“Uhm what…how do we do that?” Sasha inquired of Anne. Though her and Marcy were both confused by what Anne just said.
“Well, I was thinking to really put the past behind us and look at each other as new people. We should each share something that we really want to get off our chests from before we went to Amphibia. You know, to really prove that our friendship is forever.”
The other two friends' faces dropped. Sasha’s expression showed a complete lack of enthusiasm while Marcy looked as though she was conflicted. Considering both of them had been responsible for major bumps in their friendship, neither wanted to speak up against the idea.
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt.” Marcy said meekly.
“I guess if you both think it’s a good idea.” Sasha added trying to seem nonchalant.
Anne was glad to hear their approval, though due to the aloof expression of Sasha and the nervousness of Marcy, Anne decided to take the initiative. “Thanks guys, I guess I’ll start then since I brought it up.”
Anne took a deep breath. "Okay. Marcy, I lied about being too sick to go to that con a year ago. Sasha, I was the one that accidentally spilled all that grape soda in the pool at your party that one time." She admitted with her eyes shut.
"Both Sasha and Marcy were genuinely surprised that Anne would confess to those actions. The shock quickly wore off as Sasha was the first to respond to the confession.
"You were the one that did that?" Sasha said with wide eyes and a clearly upset tone. "That ruined my favorite swimsuit not to mention I had to clean the pool after the party."
"You weren't sick! I could have totally beat the duos Boulevard Brawlers tourney at Playercon if I had a second player." Marcy chimed in with a downcast expression.
"I'm really sorry girls I really wanted to get that off my chest and I'll definitely make it up to you both," Anne said staring intently at her friends to show her conviction.
“No you don’t Boonchuy!” Spoke up Sasha surprising Anne. “I may have freaked out about it a second ago but that’s all behind us now.” For good measure, the blonde scooted closer to put an arm on Anne’s shoulder.
“Yeah Sasha’s right, we’ve grown past all that. Who cares about a………dumb video game tournament. Marcy added with her last few words sounding too painful to utter.
“Thanks you guys, I thought the same thing when I got the idea to do this and I guess you both proved that. I’m glad you both understand too.” Anne pulled Marcy in closer and put her arms around both friends for a hug.
“Alright Anne don’t get too sappy on us, besides it’s my turn next.” Sasha said while pulling away from the other two girls.
“Anne I told you to give me your shoes that one time because I thought you’d look cuter than me. Marcy, I hid you’re Creatures & Caverns book for a month so we wouldn’t have to play.” Sasha stated very matter-of-factly.
Besides the initial hurt each of the other two girls felt, they both got over it rather quickly. Why wouldn’t they after the heartfelt moment they had a few minutes ago.
Now both Anne and Sasha’s eyes fell on Marcy. The girl in question looked like a deer in headlights and was starting to shake.
“Uh Mar-Mar, you doing alright there? You know if you don’t want to you don’t need do this.” Anne said hoping it would ease the tension Marcy seemed to be feeling.
“Nope, no-ho-hooo. I need to get this of my chest, just give me a second.” Marcy interjected now sitting up straight and seeming more confident.
“Okay firstly, Sasha I used some of your make up once for my figurines.” She took a deep breath before continuing with her eyes closed. “And Anne……I kissed your dad.”
For Anne and Sasha time stopped and they could only stare at Marcy with wide open mouths. The silence persisted until Anne shook her head wildly snapping her back to reality. She followed up with a deep inhale and subsequent exhale.
Anne looked blankly at the gamer girl sitting straight across from her. "Dude, please tell me you're joking and you didn't just say you kissed my dad."
Marcy's eyes darted from the questioning Anne and silent Sasha sitting beside her. All while twiddling her thumbs thinking of a response. "Eh duh, gotcha guys! there's no WAY I would do something like that, not in a million years...okay yeah I did."
The black haired girl resolved to attempt to justify herself before anyone could say anything else. "Okay so what happened was we had just won a 4 hour raid on the Frost Palisade in Vagabondia Chronicles. It was spur of the moment since we were both super happy so I kissed him.” She paused for a quick breath before continuing. “After that we agreed I needed to pack up my laptop and leave. So long story short, that’s why I never went to your house to play games with your dad anymore.”
Anne continued staring after hearing that whole dump of information before lifting her hands in the air and erupting at Marcy, "what the HECK man, not cool! Why would you do that!?!"
Marcy shrunk in her seat and could only face the floor as Anne berated her. She leaned her head towards Sasha shoulder as she spoke. “I’m sorry Anne. It’s my favorite game and no one else plays with me or knows enough about it to talk about it with me. We were having such a great time so I guess that’s why I did it.”
Sasha tried to pat Marcy on the back, hoping that’d prevent her from breaking out into tears. It was the most the Blonde was willing to do as she dared not to speak.
As silence once again took over the park, only being interrupted by faint sniffles, Anne could clearly see the sad state of Marcy. Looking at her friend like that broke her heart and made her realize how hypocritical she was being. She suggested this confession idea in the first place and now this was the result. Anne needed to make it clear how she felt.
The Thia girl cleared her throat which brought back Sasha, and more importantly Marcy’s attention.
“Marcy, I’m not……mad. I was upset, still a little creeped out, but I think I understand why it happened and you did say it was only that one time.” Anne stopped to put her hand on Marcy’s shoulder. “I appreciate that you were honest with me. but yeah still super weirded out, not mad.”
Marcy wiped her nose before meeting Anne's gaze. "Thanks Anne I really needed to tell you it happened and that was for sure only ONE time."
"Still friends?" Anne said as she reached out her arms to Marcy.
"Still friends." Replied Marcy accepting the hug.
Sasha stood up from her seat as well and gave a small applause at her reconciled friends. Emboldened by the cheerful atmosphere, and noticing the distinct lack of attention on her, the Blonde decided to speak up.
"Way to go you two! I did not think this was going to go well but this was actually a really good suggestion Anne." Sasha praised with an exaggerated smile.
Anne beamed at the compliment. "Thanks Sash!" and stood tall with confidence. "There isn't anything in this or any other world that could split us apart and I wanted to prove that again before Marcy leaves."
"Well you definitely convinced us! Not that there was ever any doubt right? "Sasha asked while laughing off the question.
Sasha cleared her throat before getting to what she actually wanted to say. "Since we can be so open and honest with each other, there's something else I wanted both of you to know. Especially Anne." she said with a downcast expression yet maintaining a confident tone.
Marcy, at Sasha's side, was completely invested in what the Blonde teen had to say and somewhat glad that the attention had been diverted from her confession moments ago.
Anne had been taken aback by the possibility of a new confession from her other friend. Her mind zipping through the possibilities of how severe it was if she was just sharing it now. Regardless, the Thai teen tried not spook her friend out of the honesty they were trying to show.
"Wow Sasha, we're glad you're feeling comfortable enough to share... whatever it is you need to say. We’re ready whenever you are girlfriend!" She said trying to lighten the mood and bracing herself for whatever comes.
"You girls are the best!" Sasha let out a breath and closed her eyes before continuing. "What I really want to say to you both is that I'm bisexual."
Anne hadn't been expecting that at all, her friend's sexuality wasn't really something she saw as a big deal, but if Sasha thought it was important she would treat that with respect. "Sasha, I'm so glad you'd feel comfortable sharing something like that with us. I hope you know that we support-"
"Oh and also I kissed your mom." Sasha added rather nonchalantly while looking over her nails.
"WHAT!" Anne fell back to her seat reeling from the whiplash she just experienced.
The calm and cool act Sasha had been displaying crumbled as soon as she heard Anne's loud shriek. "Okay I'm sorry, I know it's super uncool, but it only happened ONE time." she said quickly.
Anne stared at Sasha and only raised an eyebrow signaling for her to continue.
Sasha took a deep breath. "It happened after you went to return a library book while we were hanging out at your house. Your mom let me help her cook which I hadn't ever done with either of my parents. Plus shes like really tough, she cracked open a coconut by hitting it against the counter and she can take trays out of the oven without mittens." Sasha paused for a moment realizing she was getting off track. "Anyway, she thanked me for the help, she hugged me, and I gave her a quick kiss. She laughed it off, I went home embarrassed, and we never spoke about it again."
Marcy had remained a quiet observer considering she had been the center of attention a few moments ago. She could see Anne blank expression hadn't changed at all through Sasha's confession so she thought it was time to get involved. "Welp, I appreciate you taking some of the heat off me Sasha." Marcy started fidgeting with her hair noticing both her friend's eyes on her but continued. "We've been through a lot together and Anne was willing to put what I did past her. We're friends no matter what, right?" She ended by putting an arm around Sasha.
"Soooo are we good Anne?" Sasha asked with a bit of uncertainty.
Anne was currently thinking back to all the things the three girls went through in Amphibia. All the challenges and hardships they'd overcome regarding their friendship. Considering all that, She still wasn't sure whether she'd rather go through that a SECOND time or deal with this whole mess of a situation. One thing was for sure, she had had enough of everyone for today.
Anne got up from her seat and approached her two friends. Before they could say anything she gave them a hug and pulled away to address the both of them. "I'm gonna go home girls. I'll deal-I mean... talk with you guys later."
The Thai teen promptly grabbed her things and left her friends at the park. Neither of them said a word to her or each other but were glad it at least seemed like Anne was willing to get over it.
After having to replay that whole ordeal from ten years ago, Anne felt a shiver run down her spine. Even though the whole situation was weird, they'd all gotten past that like they did with everything else. She should really stop thinking about the past and cherish the time she has with her friends now. She thought she should also probably say something since she wasn't sure how long she'd been quietly reminiscing.
"So girls, what do you both want to do since you're staying the weekend?" Anne asked, getting the attention of her two friends.
Sasha was the first to speak up. “Oh we gotta go rock climbing. I got into it recently with some of my other friends and we’re all going!” She said pointing a finger at both her friends.
“Ooo I’ve never done rock climbing before! I don’t usually do a lot of outdoor activities, but I gotta raise my strength stats somehow.” Marcy had an expression of realization before adding to her thought. “Could we do that around noon? The new Vagabondia Chronicles expansion came out and Mr.B and I were going to check out the new questlines.”
“Yeah that shouldn’t be a problem.” Sasha said waving off Marcy’s concern.
“Wait, Mr.B? You mean my dad? You guys still play that game together?” Anne said, puzzled.
“Definitely, we still occasionally get online together. Now that we can connect right beside each other there shouldn’t be any lag allowing for maximum co-op capabilities!” Marcy finished with a wide grin, completely oblivious to Anne’s perplexed face.
“That reminds me Anne, I told your mom we’d go shopping at the mall and go to the spa.” Sasha added
“Hold on, since when have talked to my mom?” Anne questioned.
“I’ve always had her number remember? We text every now and then, so since I’m here we might as well get together. Plus the spa had a two person special.” Sasha ended with a grin.
“So doing our own things in the morning and rock climbing in the afternoon. That sound good Anne?” Marcy summarized.
Anne was hit with a bad case of deja vu. Her eye twitched still in disbelief of what she just heard. Her friends keep in contact with her parents about as much as they do with her and discuss it like it was the most normal thing ever?
Anne got up from her table and excused herself saying she needed to get some fresh air.
Sasha and Marcy weren’t sure why but let their friend go all the same. Not two minutes after Anne left both girls could hear an ear shattering scream from the aforementioned girl. Something that they knew signified a lot of frustration and rage from her. They both winced, knowing immediately the reason for the outburst.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have mentioned our plans with her parents so casually?” Marcy suggested meekly.
“You think?” Sasha replied with an immense amount of sarcasm.