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“Don’t you dare.”
Bad had just told Skeppy that his hair is getting a little long and suggested that he needed a haircut. Skeppy, of course, was not a fan of that idea.
“But Skeppy-”
“No. You can’t. I won’t allow it.”
“It’s my hair. You aren’t the one that has to deal with it every day, you muffinhead!” Bad crossed his arms and looked forward.
At this, Skeppy pouted. “But.. you just look so pretty with it.”
Bad peeked at him out of the corner of his eye. He has a weak spot for Skeppy’s pout, and the other definitely knows it. Nevertheless, Bad didn’t relent; he just turned back forward and made his trademark ‘ mrrp ’ growl.
“And majestic. And handsome. And amazing. And I would be so so sad if you cut it.”
“AGHHH YOU’RE IMPOSSIBLE,” Bad threw his arms up as Skeppy fell over in laughter. The latter knows he won this argument.
Soon, the duo fell into a beat of silence. They were sitting outside of their mansion watching their son run and play with his friends. It was a peaceful day, and they didn’t have much else to do.
“I can’t believe he’s going to be 17 soon,” Skeppy started quietly. He pulled his legs up and rested his head on his knees.
“Yeah.. time sure does fly, huh?” Bad observed. Skeppy hummed in agreement.
“It’s just.. what do we do when he moves out and doesn’t need us anymore? Taking care of him is the main thing we do, our life will just seem.. empty.. when it’s just us.”
Bad looked at Skeppy, but their eyes didn’t meet.
“Do.. you really feel like that? Skeppy, he’ll always need us, just as we’ll always need him. He isn’t going to disappear in the middle of the night just like that! He’ll still be here, just sleeping a little further away. They’ll still be so much we can do when he moves out! I promise, Geppy, it won’t feel empty,” Bad spoke softly and reached over to lightly squeeze Skeppy’s hand.
“Ok..”
“Come on, let’s go start dinner for the kids,” Bad said before tugging Skeppy to the door.
A few days later, Bad began planning for Sapnap’s birthday party. He will be inviting a lot of his friends so Bad wants to make sure it’s perfect and a lot of fun to entertain the multitude of teens that will be present.
He wanted to ask Skeppy for help with themes because he was stuck between a few different options, but he couldn’t find the diamond anywhere.
“Skeppy, where the muffin are you,” Bad said under his breath. You really don’t think about how big the mansion really is until you’re trying to find something. He’s been looking for 5 minutes now.
As he turned the corner into a new room, Bad had to hold back his tongue because there stood Skeppy solemnly staring at the family photos decorating the fireplace mantel. He had his arms wrapped around himself as he looked between each memory frozen in time.
Skeppy sighed and turned around. As soon as he did so, he saw Bad and jumped several feet backward.
“GAH! JESUS BAD,” he shouted, pressing a hand to his heart. Bad had to suppress his laughter.
“I’m sorry, Treasure,” Bad said as he walked over to press a kiss to Skeppy’s hair before draping his arms around the smaller. “I have been looking for you everywhere! What were you doing in here?”
“Oh uh, I was just looking at the pictures. And thinking.”
“What were you thinking about?” Bad asked in a soft tone. Skeppy shifted in Bad’s hold.
“Um. I was just,” Skeppy started before mumbling, “I just miss my family.”
Bad could tell Skeppy was upset. He hugged the smaller tighter.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave them.”
“Oh Geppy,” Bad said, voice full of sympathy, “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Skeppy smiled grimly, “They were the ones that pushed me out when the kingdom was ambushed.”
“You know, you’ve never told me about that. Maybe it would be good for you to talk through it, and maybe I’ll know how to comfort you better. You don’t have to, of course. Just an idea,” Bad encouraged. The two of them have been married for years and Bad still doesn’t know about Skeppy’s life before the two met.
“You’re probably right. Ok, I’ll tell you.” Bad blinked in surprise. Skeppy had always refused to tell him in the past.
The duo made their way to the couch. They sat in silence for a moment as Bad looked at Skeppy expectantly. Skeppy stared at his lap before meeting Bad’s eyes.
“Remember when I told you I was the prince of the gemfolk?” Skeppy started. Bad hummed in confirmation.
“Well when I was 17, my parents were in a frenzy trying to prepare me to take over the kingdom when I turned 18. Because of that being their main priority, for whatever reason they’d neglected their other responsibilities. I don’t really know what happened, I can just assume they put everything on hold. We had trading agreements with other civilizations, maybe they accidentally broke a pact or something.
“Soon afterward, our kingdom was attacked. Everyone was urged to escape but because jewels are stubborn and protective, most stayed to fight. I didn’t have a choice in the matter though, because as the only heir, I was forced to leave and save myself. I wasn’t allowed to stay and help my people.
“I regretted leaving for a long time. I haven’t seen another jewel since. I honestly think I may be the last one left, and I shouldn’t be. The captain is supposed to go down with his ship and yet here I am. Honestly, if it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be.”
“Oh, Geppy. I’m so sorry,” Bad blinked back tears. He was really sensitive when it came to the people he loved, and hearing the pain in Skeppy’s voice as he had to relive the memory struck his heart directly.
“I’m sorry I never told you. I didn’t even go in-depth, and it’s still really hard for me to talk about,” Skeppy said softly as he glanced at Bad.
“You were never obligated to tell me anything. I’m super proud of you, though. I see how much it hurts. I love you,” Bad said, his voice full of nothing but love. He pulled the diamond into a tight hug.
“I love you too, Bad. But, yeah, that’s why I’ve been acting a little.. off.. recently. I’m so scared that Sapnap is going to forget about us when he moves out and starts his own life. Sometimes I forget about my family.. It’s been so long. I’m just scared Sap is going to get caught up in whatever happens with him that he forgets that we’re here for him,” Skeppy said quietly. As he says it aloud, he realizes that they’ve had this conversation before and how ridiculous it sounds. Sapnap is never going to forget about them, and he knows it.
Bad knows Skeppy knows that too. He doesn’t say anything in response, opting to pull the other in another tight hug and leave a kiss embedded in his hair.
At that moment, Bad told himself he was going to find something to help Skeppy come to terms with what happened. It might take a few days or a few years, but he will help his love.
Not wanting to get up, the two spent the rest of the day cuddling and sharing light kisses.
Bad heaved as he threw his pickaxe over his shoulder and down on the stone in front of him with such great force that the stone cracked in one hit. Mining was always a good way to relieve stress from a long day, he believed.
This mining trip was one he’d been putting off for a while. They were running dangerously low on materials, so it was important that he pushed himself to go. So far, it has proved to be successful. His backpack is full of valuable ores and supplies that they’ve needed.
He quickly stored away the few lumps of coal he’d just picked out of the wall before swiftly turning around the corner of the cave. All of the cave systems around here were unfamiliar territory to him. He was pretty far from home, as he had to be. All of the caves near his house had long since been drained.
When he held out his torch, a wave of disappointment fell over him. It was a dead end. As he turned to head back the way he came from, the torchlight reflected on something in the corner. Thinking it was an ore he missed, he walked over to it.
Laying on the ground before he was a large and oddly shaped diamond. He had never seen one outside of the stone before. Just as he was about to pick it up to look at it more closely, it moved. So slightly, it could’ve been taken as a trick of the light.
“What?” Bad mumbled under his breath.
At the sound of his voice, the diamond jumped up. Bad gasped as it did so, and it looked at him. The little diamond was a creature with nothing but a face and legs. Its eyes stared up at Bad, and the latter could recognize the fear they held.
“Hey, no, wait!” Bad said with his voice low in an attempt to not frighten it any further, “It’s ok! I’m not going to hurt you.”
The little diamond stamped its foot before backing further into the cave wall. Bad’s eyes went wide when he recognized that action. It’s the same that Skeppy had when they first met. Skeppy was in his golem form and hadn’t been keen on talking, opting instead for aggressive body language in an attempt to scare Bad off.
This was a gemfolk. And a young one, too, it seemed.
“Shh.. it’s ok! Really. I want to help you!” Thinking back to his and Skeppy’s first meeting, Bad had gained the jewel’s trust pretty quickly with food.
With that in mind, Bad eyed the diamond to make sure it wasn’t going to run off as he pulled his backpack to his side. He quickly rummaged through it and pulled out one of Skeppy’s treats he usually keeps on him. It’s a crystal-encased apple. The crystal is supposed to be a frequent part of a jewel’s diet, he’d learned, and he’s certain this little one hasn’t had it recently if at all.
He held the treat out to the baby and it gingerly inched closer to him. Once it was close enough, it grabbed the treat and scurried back. Quickly, the apple was devoured and the diamond was trying to knock over Bad’s bag for more.
“You were so hungry, poor baby! Are you alone down here?” The creature stopped what it was doing to look up at him. He pawed at the ground softly. Bad guessed he was too young to talk.
“Ok, I can’t just leave you here by yourself. I have more food at home, but you have to come with me,” Bad told the gem softly. He slowly reached for the jewel and picked it up.
Immediately, the diamond squirmed and breathed heavily from freight before calming down. Bad soothingly rubbed the top of its head as he traversed the cave, looking for the exit.
The journey home was a long one, but Bad’s wings made it feel much shorter. When he took off, the gem was startled and it quickly looked around before hiding its face in Bad’s chest. Bad cooed before hugging it closer.
Soon enough, the steady beats of Bad’s wings put the baby back to sleep. Instead of sleeping in its golem form like when Bad discovered him, a wash of magic spread over the small being. When the light disappeared, Bad’s breath caught in his throat.
The little gem looks exactly like a baby Skeppy. It—or rather he—had beautiful brown skin and dark, floofy hair. Bad can only assume his eyes are wide and warm too.
The closer Bad looked, the more grateful that he found the child. He had scrapes all over, and his hair was matted with dirt and other things. He wouldn’t have survived if he hadn’t gotten help. The poor baby is exhausted.
Once they were back at the mansion, Bad threw his bag on the ground before heading upstairs with the slumbering child still in his arms. He needed a bath and food quickly. Luckily, Skeppy was out with Ant and Velvet, and Sapnap was staying with friends that night, so Bad has plenty of time to take care of the diamond and come up with an explanation.
While moving as steadily as he could as to not disturb the baby from getting as much sleep as possible, Bad gathered all he needed and drew a bath. When the tub had a bit of water—not too much!—Bad checked the temperature so the little diamond didn’t get burnt. When he deemed the water good, he added soap to make it bubbly before gently shaking the gem awake.
When the jewel blinked the sleep away, Bad’s heart melted. He did have Skeppy’s eyes.
Bad undressed the baby and set him down in the bubbles. The gem’s attention was soon fully on them, and Bad had fun playing with the child and the bubbles. He didn’t know just how much he missed this. He loved making bubble beards with Sapnap when he was a baby.
After a not-so-quick bathtime, Bad dried the gem off and changed him into some of Sapnap’s keepsake baby clothes they had stored away.
“Ready for food, little diamond?” Bad asked with a grin. The jewel giggled and clapped his hands, matching the smile that Bad gave him.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, silly gem,” Bad laughed as he scooped the small companion up.
When he offered the gem food, Bad made sure not to give him very much. Even when he was finished and whined for more, Bad held back. It can make someone very sick if they go a while without eating and then congest a lot all at once. So he decided they’ll work up to bigger portions. Baby steps for the baby diamond.
Bad did give him a cookie though.
“Oh, Skeppy’s gonna be so shocked when he sees you, little diamond,” Bad spoke to himself, watching the gem play with some toys he found in the storage room. “I wonder if you’re related to him? You two look identical. Maybe some of Skeppy’s relatives survived the ambush as he did.”
Skeppy was going to be home any minute now. The sun was starting to set and Bad was starting to get anxious. He really hopes that Skeppy will be okay with this. It’s probably just Bad’s anxiety taking over because Skeppy was fine with taking Sapnap in, and this one is a gemfolk like he is.
Yeah, Skeppy won’t have a problem with the baby.
Right?
Bad’s thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, and Skeppy called a greeting for Bad. There isn’t any time left for overthinking, this is it. The little gem looked up at the sound of the unfamiliar voice.
“In here, Treasure!”
Before Skeppy entered the room, Bad picked the little diamond up and stood there waiting. When Skeppy finally came in, the smile he wore quickly faded for a look of shock when his eyes landed on the child in Bad’s arms.
“What..?”
“Hi, Geppy,” Bad greeted quietly.
When the little gem saw Skeppy, he hid his face in Bad’s chest and instinctively transformed into his golem form once again. Bad shifted his hold a little to keep him stable.
Skeppy looked floored.
“Where? What? How did you.. find a baby gemfolk?” Skeppy was astonished. He ran a hand through his hair and met Bad’s eyes before tearing up. Turns out he’s not the last gem after all.
He stepped closer to Bad and ran his hand gently along the baby’s head. The little diamond turned to look at him, and slowly, he transformed back into his human form.
“And.. it looks just like me,” Skeppy said softly, “Hi, little guy.”
Bad smiled at Skeppy interacting with the baby, joy and love shining in his eyes.
At Least he's taking it better this time than when he first met Sapnap.
The three of them ended up finding themselves on the couch. Bad explained where and how he found the little diamond while Skeppy listened and played with the baby. The gem was amazed at the crystal shapes Skeppy was able to make appear in thin air, and each time he giggled and clapped before reaching for whatever was created.
“Bad this is literally the Sapnap situation all over again. What is it with you and finding abandoned kids?” Skeppy laughed.
“I guess it’s my life’s purpose. To give these kids a good life.” Bad smiled.
“Aw, Badboy.. this is why I love you.”
“Because I take kids?”
“Because you’re the kindest soul on this planet. And don’t say that again, it makes you sound like a kidnapper.” Skeppy laughed.
Bad grumbled.
“So what should he call him?” Bad asked, gesturing to the baby who was now asleep in Skeppy’s arms.
“How about Skeppy Jr?” Skeppy joked. He didn’t mean it, he just wanted to tease Bad, because he thought surely Bad would be jealous that one of our kids is named after me and not him .
“Hmm.. I like it! I think that’s really cute,” Bad grinned softly and brushed a bit of the little diamond’s hair out of his face.
“Bad, I was joking-”
“I don’t care, I think it’s perfect. Plus he can have nicknames too,” Bad argued.
Skeppy sighed but smiled anyway. “Skeppy Jr it is then.”
The duo decided to leave Jr napping on the couch while they got Sapnap’s old baby stuff out.
“Good thing you kept putting off getting rid of all of this,” Skeppy teased.
“I wasn’t putting it off! I just.. didn’t want to let go of the memories.” Bad crossed his arms and glared at Skeppy.
“Uh huh.”
“Yeah.”
It didn’t take long for them to pull out most of the things they’d need for their little diamond. They picked out a spare room they had near theirs and put the little toddler bed and other furniture items in it. They’d have to get the rest of the things Jr will need tomorrow.
“Oh,” Skeppy started after they finished setting up the room for the night.
“What is it?”
“How are we going to explain this whole thing to Sapnap?”
“Uh.. well he is 17. He’ll understand that this situation is identical to how we took him in,” Bad explained.
“Yeah, you’re right. But oh my god, his face, when he finds out, will be so good!” Skeppy laughed.
“Oh he’s going to be so dumbfounded,” Bad laughed along, “He goes to stay with a friend for one night, and all of a sudden he’s a big brother.”
The two continued to tease and laugh together with no worry in the world. Turns out, a new baby was just what they needed to feel like they were living the old days again.
And Jr was the perfect thing to help Skeppy cope with leaving his kingdom behind. Although he isn't hundreds to thousands of people, the little diamond is still a gemfolk that Skeppy can pass their history down to and raise as his little heir. Skeppy is a prince no longer; now he's the king with a little prince of his own to mentor.
Sapnap came home the next morning, and when he entered the mansion, he was met with the sound of music and laughter coming from the kitchen.
When he went in, he was met by a sight he was not expecting. Bad was by the stovetop cooking breakfast and Skeppy was spinning around with a baby in his arms. The baby looked identical to Skeppy, and Sapnap was so very confused.
“Oh hey, Sap! Welcome Home!” Bad greeted.
“Hey.. um. Where..?” Sapnap trailed off but vaguely gestured to the scene in front of him.
“Sapnap,” Skeppy started, “meet your little brother!”
“My what now.”