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“If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love…”
~
This was pathetic. At least, the most pathetic Venomous has ever felt he was. Now, he was burying his face in his hands and sobbing incoherently… cob, he hoped Fink was playing her videos game loud enough to the point she couldn’t notice his current state.
“Boss! I beat it! I finally beat it!”
oh cob. Venomous wiped his tears on the sleeve of his lab coat and stood up as Fink waved her game console, jumping excitedly around her boss.
“a-ah, that’s great, Fink. Was that the final boss?”
“Nope, I’m almost there though! I’m about to enter the final sub-area!”
Fink licked her lips, plopping down on the floor as her fingers swiped away quickly. This rat was determined to beat her new video game.
“Now, Fink,” The professor lifted Fink’s chink up to meet his eye level, but her fingers just kept doing, and she was still able to meet all the marks, “If you wouldn’t mind… can I ask you a.. serious question?”
Fink glanced down to pause her video game, sensing Venomous’ serious tone. “Yes, Boss?”
Professor Venomous winced, squinting as he choked back the words he was going to ask his 6-11 year old minion.
“What would I have to do for you to leave me?”
Of course, he wasn’t going to tell her he had been crying over Boxman and K.O. for the past hours… that’d be stupid. But when he looked down to meet Fink’s adorable dialating pupils…
“Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! Oh, Boss, I love you!” The console fell to the ground as Fink bear-hugged her boss.
“You’re so… cool and funny, boss! I’m so lucky to be your minion.. you- you deserve better than a stupid ol’ rat like me! You saved my life, and I cannot thank you enough! If you hadn’t gone back for me…” she looked down, “I’d be k.o.’d.”
His eyes widened as she said that. “Oh Fink… you’re not stupid.. you- you’re the one who deserves better… I neglected you… I should have paid more attention to you and what you needed… you needed a father figure, and all I gave you were presents.”
The term “father figure” must have tugged at Fink’s heartstrings, as her tail shot up and Professor Venomous could see the tears forming in her eyes.
“..Fink, I- I want to make things right with you. With everyone I’ve met in the past few years. And I think it should start with the one of the most important people in my life. So, Fink… would you like a father figure?”
Fink sniffled, jumping into her professor’s arms, “Oh, yes! Yes! One hundred times yes!” Professor Venomous chuckled before letting said chuckle turn into a sob, “oh, I love you, Fink.”
“I love you more, Boss.”
~~~
“When I see the way you act
Wondering when I’m coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
Like you…”
~
The professor huffed, carrying three bags in one hand, four in the other. It felt like he had been on that shopping spree for hours…
“Daddy!”
Of course, Venomous could rely on good ol’ K.O. and Fink to make him feel better. K.O. had easily made up with his dad, which was a tearful surprise to Venomous.
“Daddy! What’d you bring home today? Got anything for me?” K.O. bounced on his heels innocently.
“Boss-dad! Wanna play some videos game? K.O. and I saved the easier levels for you!” Fink butted in, gesturing to the four-player console.
Professor Venomous chuckled, setting his bags down. “I did get you something, K.O.! It’s all in these bags… you too, Fink, c’mere. And yes, we can absolutely play the videos game. But only after we have dinner.”
K.O. and Fink both rummaged through their respective bags as Venomous searched for the dinner he ordered for the three of them.
“Wow, no way! A new set of POW cards! Thanks, Dad!” K.O. hugged the card set, squealing as she quickly opened up the packaging.
“Ooh, a new videos game! I’m gonna save this one for later, thanks, Boss-Dad!” Fink’s tail rapidly swished as she put away the chip.
Venomous couldn’t help but smile at the sight of K.O. and Fink being all giddy and excited. Not just with him… but with each other. This is what a family is supposed to look like, right? Only it’s missing… wait!
“Alright, who’s hungry?”
“I am! I am, dad!”
~~~
“I always thought I might be bad
Now, I’m sure that it’s true
Cause I think you’re so good
And I’m nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I’m so
Special.”
~
It happened again. How did Venomous always end up in this same place, and how did he always end up sobbing himself to death?
“Daddy?”
Thank Cob. He had K.O. to talk to. He didn’t quite know how he’d react if he didn’t.
“Are you… crying?”
“…no, K.O.” He denied the tears clearly falling from his face, “We’re here, K.O. Your mom’s probably waiting outside. You should go.”
That’s what Professor Venomous wanted to believe. He wanted to believe that he could handle himself without K.O. That K.O. was better off spending the night with Carol than himself. But K.O. saw right through that.
“Are you scared, daddy?”
That was a darn good question. “Of course not, K.O. Come on, your mom’s waiting for you.” Venomous started to worry. Carol might’ve scolded him if K.O. came home any minute later.
“Daddy… if you were given the chance to go back… to see Boxman again… would you still..-“ That question didn’t need finishing. The two were fully aware of that.
“…of course, K.O.” There was a noticable crack in Professor Venomous’ voice when he answered. He turned around, looking at his naive son. “I— please, K.O. Your mom’s been waiting.”
K.O. unbuckled, jumping towards Venomous to give him a hug. “Daddy… can you at least walk me home?”
And with K.O.’s cute little face, how could Venomous say no?
~~~
“If I could be begin to do
Something that does right by you
I could do about anything
I could even learn how love…”
~
“Mommy!” K.O. looked ecstatic to see his mom, jumping up and down at the sight of her.
Carol smothered K.O. with love, but when she looked up, she couldn’t believe it when…
“Oh. Hey.” Still blunt as the first time he met her… well, again.
“Heya, Sparks.” Venomous gave a wink, to Carol’s unamusement, “Uh- Ca-Carol, right?”
Carol seemed surprised in the complete change of Venomous’ tone, from obnoxious to nervous. She gave a silent nod, still glaring at the professor.
“Listen, Carol. I think we need to talk.” Venomous was completely aware of it. And he wished he had realized it sooner.
Carol glanced at Venomous, then to K.O. “K.O., why don’t you go inside and play?”
The small boy obeyed, giving Venomous a small salute as he walked in.
“Spar- Carol, I just want to say- I’m sorry. I know nobody’s a big fan of lip service, but I never should have run away from you. From home. I didn’t realize how good I had it. You and K.O. are Cob’s greatest gifts. Even if you don’t wish to forgive me, I just couldn’t stand to keep that gap in our relationship.”
And the worst part was, Carol’s glare wasn’t dry cold anymore. He thought she was gonna retaliate. Maybe kick him out, ban K.O from ever seeing him.
But she did none of that.
“Well… I’m surprised you even came at all.”
Her smile was warm and welcoming. Venomous looked at her like he hadn’t seen her in years.
And with that, Venomous couldn’t help but wrap his arms around his ex-girlfriend.
“You should come in.”
~~~
“When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
Like you.”
~
“…and then he destroyed the cruise ship! Can you believe that?” Professor Venomous somehow felt himself opening up to Carol of all people! It was strange, but pleasant.
“…You miss him, don’t you?”
Carol smudged her finger on the chocolate cake she and Venomous had been working on for hours now. So long K.O, had fallen asleep on the couch.
“..yeah, he’s just- so funny, and charming, and charismatic and-“ Venomous rambled, “Oh, I haven’t even told you about the time he-“
Carol grinned, “Boxy’s good for you, Venomous. He makes you happy, and you really seem to like him. Here, give this to him. He’ll love it.” Carol wrote the words “I’M SORRY” in the pink frosting she was holding, and slid the cake to Venomous.
“Oh! Thanks, Carol. It really means a lot to me that you let me in even after everything I put you through.” Venomous’ gaze was soft.
“Of course. You’re not off the hook yet though. We still have a lot to talk about.” Both laughed.
~~~
“Love me, like you…”
~
“This is it, Boss-Dad! He’s gonna love you!” Fink encouraged Venomous, as he adjusted his scarf.
He breathed in, watching as Fink scurried away back to the car. He knocked and…
Oh cob he was already scared.
When Boxman opened that door… oh cob he couldn’t help but admire him.., he’s so dreamy and-
Ahem. Do this one thing right, Venomous.
“I’m sorry.” He put his head down, lifting up the cake towards Boxman’s face.
And he should have slapped him. So hard. He should have done every horrible thing he could have done.
But Boxman was too pure for that.
Instead, all the kind soul said. All that he did was say four bittersweet words.
“Here we go again.”