Chapter Text
Sapnap eyed Punz as the blonde hesitated to enter the laundry room, while the Caregiver folded some laundry. He could tell by his mannerism that the boy wasn’t regressed.
“What do you want, Luke?”, Sapnap asked, putting a folded shirt down on a pile of George’s clothes. “You look like you want to tell me something, so speak.” Punz sighed as he hopped up onto the dryer.
“I have a big favor to ask”, he replied. “It’s a huge one, so I don’t expect you to say yes.” Sapnap nodded slowly.
“Go on”, he urged, folding some more clothes, while still looking at the blonde. Punz took another big breath in.
“Could I go hang out with some friends this Friday night?”, Punz asked, his legs swinging anxiously. Sapnap tilted his head, a look of confusion on his face.
“That was a big favor?”, he replied. “Of course you can go hang out with your friends. I would never keep you from hanging out with your friends.”
“Really?”, Punz asked, his eyes wide. Sapnap nodded slowly. “Thank you!”
“Luke, why would you think I wouldn’t let you hang out with your friends?“, Sapnap asked. Punz shrugged.
“Didn’t know if there were any rules about that sort of thing now”, he replied. Sapnap shook his head.
“We discussed all the rules a while ago”, the ravenette said. “No surprises.” Punz nodded and hopped off of the dryer. “Luke?” Punz looked over at him. “Can you take these up to George’s room, please, and thank you.” Punz nodded again and took the neatly folded pile of clothes upstairs.
--
When Friday came around, Punz didn’t feel fuzzy at all, which Sapnap saw as a good sign. If Punz didn’t feel fuzzy by the afternoon, it was a sign that he wouldn’t regress that night, Sapnap hoped.
“You’re feeling okay, right?”, Sapnap asked, leaning against Punz’s doorframe. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending you out with your friends if you feel even a little bit fuzzy.” Punz looked up at Sapnap after he got done tying his shoes.
“I feel fine, Nick”, the blonde said, getting up onto his feet. “My friend said he’s going to be picking me up in a few.” Sapnap nodded. Punz pushed past him and went downstairs. Dream was on the couch, supervising the Littles as they were watching cartoons. “I’m heading out.” Dream looked up.
“Stay safe out there”, Dream replied. “Boys, do you want to say goodbye to Punzo?” George tore his attention away from the cartoons and got up, making his way over to Punz, and wrapping his arms around him tightly.
“Punzo be back?”, Georgie asked. Punz nodded. “..’kay.” George waddled back over to the tv and sat down. Karl got up and went over to Punz.
“Bye-bye, ‘unzo”, he said. “Miss you..” Punz smiled softly as Karl went back over to George. Punz hugged Sapnap tightly before leaving to get into his friend’s truck.
--
“Daddy”, Karl asked, pulling on Sapnap’s sleeve lightly. “Where ‘unzo?”
“He’s out with his friends, honey”, Sapnap replied. “Now, can you brush your teeth, please? We still need to get your pajamas on.” Karl frowned as Sapnap put toothpaste on his toothbrush.
“Bu’ ‘m ‘unzo’s f’end”, he whispered, picking up the brush and brushing his teeth. After Karl was done, Sapnap walked him to his room to get his pajamas on and into bed. Karl curled himself into a ball under the covers as tears filled his eyes.
“Oh, buddy”, Sapnap said. “Punzo loves you, you know that, baby boy.” Karl bit his bottom lip hard, in hopes of not crying. Sapnap sighed softly. “I’ll be right back, okay?” Karl nodded as Sapnap went into the hall and into George’s room. “Hey, buddy.”
“Hi, Sappy”, George whispered. Sapnap crouched down beside George.
“Honey, would you mind sleeping with Karl in his bed?”, he asked. “He’s feeling really sad.” George rubbed his eyes.
“S’eepova?”, he replied. “Yeah!” Sapnap nodded.
“Okay, get your stuff”, he said, getting back up to his feet. George rolled out of his bed and grabbed his blanket and pillow, following Sapnap into Karl’s room. Once he got everything set up for the two Littles, Sapnap went downstairs, sitting next to Dream at the kitchen counter.
A couple minutes later, Sapnap’s phone rang with a number showing up on his screen that he’s never seen before. Sapnap got off of the stool and went into the living room, then answered it.
“Hello?”, Sapnap asked. He could hear a soft sniffling on the other end, Sapnap asked again, “Hello?”
“Nick”, Punz whispered. “I need help. Please.”
“Where are you, Luke?”, Sapnap asked, his voice sounding slightly harsher than he meant it to sound.
“I-I’m in jail”, Punz stuttered. “Please don’t be mad at me, I’ll tell you everything when you get here, okay? Just please come bail me out.”
“I can do that”, Sapnap said slowly. “I will be there as soon as I can, Luke. Be safe, okay?” Punz nodded, even though he knew Sapnap couldn’t see him. The ravenette quickly hung up and got out his wallet, grabbing whatever amount of money he thought he would need to bail his friend out.
--
“You were arrested for trespassing?!”, Sapnap shouted once he and Punz were back in Sapnap’s car. “What the hell is that, man?!” Punz decided to stay quiet, deciding that it was a better option than trying to defend himself. “I allowed you to go hang out with some friends and you get arrested for trespassing on government property?! You’re nuts!” Punz looked down and pulled his jacket over his hands. Sapnap sighed angrily and started the car.
--
“Get up to your room, now!”, Sapnap shouted, but not too loudly. “You’re grounded.” Punz bit his lip in an effort not to cry.
“I’m sorry..”, Punz whispered. “I’ll pay you back-”
“Do I smell alcohol?”, Sapnap questioned, cutting Punz off. “Have you been drinking tonight?!” Punz scratched the back of his neck guiltily. “Luke, I made the alcohol rule to keep you safe! If you pull that shit again, I’m going to have to kick you out.” Tears welled up in Punz’s eyes before he ran upstairs to his room.