Chapter Text
Chosen groaned when he felt light taps on his face.
“Up!”
“Dark…what time is it?” Chosen mumbled, sitting up and putting Dark in his lap. “How long have you been out of your crib?”
Chosen listened for a moment, but the house was quiet.
“Up!” Dark repeated, waving his arms.
“I don’t know if anyone else is awake yet,” Chosen said with a yawn. “Are you hungry?”
Dark nodded, and Chosen slipped out of bed.
“Ok, let’s see what we have…” Chosen said, picking Dark up and opening the wooden chest at the foot of his bed. “How about you eat some bread with your letters?”
Dark stuck out his tongue.
“You like it,” Chosen said, pulling out a loaf of bread and the pouch of letters. “You’re just being stubborn.”
Dark growled as Chosen sat back on the bed and held out a letter.
“Alright,” he said. “Eat a few letters, then some bread.”
Dark shook his head and pushed the letters towards Chosen.
“You want me to eat first?”
Dark nodded.
“We’ll eat at the same time,” Chosen said. “How about that?”
Chosen gave Dark some letters and took a couple for himself.
Dark smiled and began eating.
“Did you sleep alright?"
Dark nodded and kept eating.
Chosen sighed and ate a couple letters slowly.
“Hey Chosen,” Vic said. “You been awake long?”
“No, not really,” Chosen sighed. “I want to go back to sleep though.”
“You can sleep in if you want,” Vic said. “Everyone else is still asleep and I haven’t seen Alan yet.”
“I might,” Chosen yawned. “Not sure if I could convince Dark though.”
“He sure bounced back from everything, didn’t he?” Vic said. “Guess it’s almost been a month. But still.”
“Yeah,” Chosen said, leaning back in bed and closing his eyes.
He felt a pat on his arm and looked to see Dark curling up next to him.
“You want to sleep in a little too?” Chosen asked.
Dark nodded and gave a big yawn.
"Alright,” Chosen said, rolling onto his side and closing his eyes.
"Have a good rest,” Chosen heard Vic say.
Chosen woke to Dark tugging on his arm.
“Purr!”
"What’s going on?” Chosen asked.
“Purr!” Dark said again, pointing to the door.
“Purple?” Chosen asked, sitting up quickly. “He’s here already?”
Dark slipped off the bed before crawling towards the door.
“Hold on,” Chosen exclaimed, leaping up and rushing over to sweep Dark into his arms. “Let’s wait for a bit…”
Dark struggled and growled, swiping his hands for the doorknob.
“You’d just blast the door down if we stayed in here, wouldn’t you?” Chosen asked, sighing in exasperation.
“Purr!!” Dark yelled, kicking his legs.
“Alright, alright, we’re going,” Chosen said, opening the door and slowly walking into the living room.
He stopped when he saw Green and Purple chatting with each other.
“Oh, Chosen!” Purple said, waving. “Uh…hi! How’s it going?”
“Better,” Chosen said, setting Dark on the floor. “Getting back to normal.”
"I'm glad!" Purple said.
"Where's everybody else?" Chosen wondered, glancing around.
"Red went to visit Endie, Webby and Skelly," Green said. "Yellow's working on some Redstone stuff and Blue and Orange are taking a nap."
Dark crawled over to Purple and sat, waving his arms.
“Hey, buddy!" Purple said, patting Dark with a smile.
"He missed you,” Chosen said.
”Really?” Purple asked.
“He probably would’ve blasted down the door if I hadn’t opened it,” Chosen said.
Purple knelt and picked Dark up, grinning as the little Stick giggled.
"I missed you guys too,” Purple said. “It was weird not being on the desktop for so long.”
"Thanks for coming over,” Green said, patting Purple's back. "It's really great to see you again."
Chosen shuffled his feet.
"So...uh...how have you been?" he asked.
"A lot better, thanks,” Purple said. "Still kinda tired, but not bad. King and I have been fixing up his house and my uncle's been helping too."
Green gestured towards the couch.
"Thanks," Purple said with a smile, walking over and sinking onto the couch. “I feel like taking a nap, honestly.”
"I can take Dark if you want to rest,” Green said, sitting next to Purple.
"I’m okay for now,” Purple said. “Maybe in a bit.”
Purple lifted Dark over his head and smiled.
“Having another growth spurt?" he asked with a smile.
Dark squirmed with a growl and Purple set him down.
”Bye bye,” Purple said as Dark climbed onto Green's lap and pulled on his hand.
"What, you don't want Purple picking you up anymore?” Green laughed, lifting Dark up. “Chosen said you missed him.”
"Ah, it’s ok,” Purple laughed. “Babies love changing their minds. So, he’s still a growler, huh?"
"And a biter," Green said. "We're trying to teach him not to bite at least."
Chosen chuckled.
"What is it?" Green asked.
"You just seem more comfortable around Dark than you used to be,” Chosen said.
"I guess I am,” Green said, setting Dark on the couch. “It kinda is just like Yellow said…we’ve all gotten into a routine.”
"You didn’t used to like holding him though,” Chosen said. “And he did punch you once.”
"He did?” Purple asked, giving Green a worried look.
"He was just hungry or something,” Green said with a shrug. “It didn't actually hurt that much. He was just a...well, he was even more of a baby back then."
Dark reached up and grabbed Purple’s arm.
"Hmm?” Purple asked with a grin. “Are we not paying enough attention to you on your own terms?"
Dark smiled.
“So, you still like biting everything,” Purple said. “I did too, sometimes. It’s good you’re learning not to, especially if you’re going to go to school."
“School?" Chosen asked. “Babies go to school?"
"Preschool," Purple said, standing and lifting Dark above his head. "They usually go starting when they're three, so Dark's too little to go right now."
Dark giggled when Purple gently tossed him into the air.
"Glad he doesn't have to go right now," Chosen said.
"Oh, yeah, don't worry!" Purple said quickly, sitting back down with Dark in his lap. "You have time to think about it. But if you need to know anything, I could help with that too."
"I'm still thinking about the doctor's appointment," Chosen said with a frustrated huff.
"...Sorry," Purple said. "I didn't mean to stress you out."
"I'm not stressed out," Chosen said.
Dark looked at Purple, then at Chosen.
"It's okay, Dark," Chosen said. "We're just talking about weird Stick stuff."
"Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up," Purple said, looking down.
"I know taking him to the doctor is important,” Chosen said with a frown, "even if I don't like the sound of it."
"He could see the doctor I had as a kid," Purple said. "At least, if you're comfortable with that."
"I just don't know if school would be safe for Dark," Chosen sighed. "There aren't exactly any other red Hollowheads out there."
"Skoo?” Dark asked, tipping his head.
"That’s a good point I guess…” Purple murmured. “Maybe homeschool would be better?"
"Skoo!!” Dark exclaimed, waving his arms.
"No, not now,” Chosen said, sitting next to Green on the couch.
"Nah?" Dark asked while crawling over Green to sit in Chosen's lap.
"You're too little," Chosen said, patting Dark's head. "Purple's right. We don't have to worry about school."
"Skoo!" Dark repeated, smiling.
"Should we tell him what it is?" Green asked. "Or is he just repeating it because it sounds fun?"
"Probably,” Purple said.
"Hey Dark," Chosen said, "why don’t we get some lunch?”
Dark tipped his head, then nodded.
"Hungy!" he said, pointing towards the kitchen.
"Good timing," Green said. "Did you want something to eat, Purple?"
“Sure,” Purple said. “But I want to help.”
"Nah, you're our guest today," Green told him. "What do you feel like?"
"Mmm...whatever you guys eat," Purple said.
"Letters?" Chosen asked with a little smirk.
"Well...maybe not that," Purple laughed.
"I don't eat those anyway," Green said, opening one of the cupboards.
“Dark will probably try and share his letters with you,” Chosen said. “But you don’t have to eat them.”
"Aww,” Purple said. “That’s so sweet.”
"I want him to eat some bread,” Chosen said. “He doesn’t like it as much as letters though.”
Dark stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry.
"Oh, two can play at that game,” Purple laughed, blowing a raspberry back, causing Dark to squeal with laughter.
Chosen picked Dark up and walked into the kitchen, putting him in his highchair and shaking some letters out onto the tray.
Green set three bowls of soup and three loaves of bread at the table, then sat down next to Purple.
"Thanks, Green!” Purple said.
“Okay, Dark,” Chosen said, breaking a piece of bread off and putting it in front of Dark. “Try that to start with.”
Chosen dipped the bread in his soup and took a bite while Dark watched him.
"Here, you can try it too,” Chosen said, dipping the piece of bread into the soup and holding it out.
Dark stared at the bread for a moment, then grabbed and sniffed it before putting it in his mouth.
"You’ve had soup before,” Chosen said. “It’s good, remember?”
Dark chewed slowly, and his eyes widened.
"Warn me if you're gonna spit it out,” Chosen said, leaning back a bit.
Dark suddenly reached out for Chosen.
"Muh!” he exclaimed. “Muh!”
Chosen shook his head as he dipped another piece of bread in the soup and gave it to Dark.
"You didn't want bread earlier,” Chosen said as Dark shoved the bread into his mouth. “What changed?”
“Maybe he's really hungry,” Green said. "Or the soup helped."
"My dad told me I didn’t always like eating,” Purple said, “but that when friends came over, I’d eat just fine.”
"Wonder why," Chosen said, giving Dark more bread when he banged his hands on the table.
"Not sure, really," Purple said. "But one reason could be that when their friends came over, the routine changed."
"So maybe you were cranky because you were bored?" Chosen asked.
"Maybe!" Purple said. "My dad always tried to keep mealtimes consistent for me. When their friends came over, I might've figured out schedules got more relaxed."
"Or more exciting?" Green asked.
"Maybe, yeah!" Purple agreed. "That could've been it. We usually watched TV, and some of them might even have fed me."
Purple thought for a moment, his arms crossed.
"Actually...my uncle fed me whenever he'd come visit," he said with a faint smile. "I kinda still remember that...I think I was maybe three or something. He knew how to make everything more fun...even if my dad didn't really like that we got food everywhere."
"You remember that far back?" Chosen asked.
"Sort of," Purple said. "It's mostly fuzzy."
"That's sweet though," Green said.
"Heh, yeah," Purple chuckled. "It's been nice hanging out with Azure again."
"Lah!" Dark exclaimed suddenly.
"What?" Chosen asked.
"Lah!" Dark repeated, banging his hands on the table.
"I don't know what that is," Chosen said, shaking his head.
"Lah trr!" Dark growled.
"Letter?" Purple asked, and Dark clapped.
"Ohh," Chosen sighed, taking the pouch out and getting some letters.
"Hey, I have an idea," Purple said with a grin. "Put a couple of them in the soup."
"Why?" Chosen asked.
"You ever heard of alphabet soup?" Purple asked.
"No, not really," Chosen said.
"It's soup with letters in it," Purple explained. "He might like it."
Chosen hesitated, then dropped a couple letters in the soup.
"What do you think, Dark?" he asked, pushing the bowl over.
"Uh, maybe don't let him eat it on his own," Purple said, raising a hand. "He'll get really messy."
Chosen pulled the bowl back and stirred the soup.
"You want to try some, Dark?" Chosen asked, scooping up a letter and holding the spoon out.
Dark stared at the spoon for a moment before opening his mouth.
"Alright," Chosen said, feeding him the spoonful. "You like it?"
Dark was quiet for a moment before beaming and reaching out with both hands.
"Looks like a yes!" Purple said.
"Wait...Sticks like you actually do eat letters?" Chosen asked, frowning.
"It's pasta shaped like letters, not typed letters," Purple said, smiling a little. "So, yeah, technically we eat letters sometimes."
"Muh!" Dark exclaimed.
Chosen gave him another bite of soup.
"I'll bring a couple cans over sometime," Purple said.
"You have some?" Chosen asked.
"No, but I'd buy some."
"You don't have to do that," Chosen told him with a shake of his head.
"It's okay!" Purple said. "I think Dark would like it. You could try it too."
"I can't pay you back," Chosen protested. "I don't have money."
"Oh, don't worry!" Purple said. "It's not that expensive."
His eyes widened suddenly.
"I can't believe I forgot," he gasped. "I'm paying for your and Dark's checkups, and everyone else's, too."
Chosen stared.
"Whoa, really?" Green asked, eyes widening. "Won't that be a lot?"
"Not really," Purple said. "Stick City's healthcare is pretty good."
"I still won't be able to pay you back," Chosen protested.
"Yeah, me either," Green mumbled. "None of us have money."
"It's alright, you two," Purple said. "You really don't have to. All of you need checkups, especially after everything that happened."
Chosen glared down at the table.
"Alright," Purple said, folding his arms. "If you really feel like paying me back, then you could help me babysit sometimes."
Chosen and Green stared at each other for a moment.
"Babysit who?" Green asked.
"Mango has some new neighbors," Purple explained. "They have a baby, so I've been babysitting for them."
"For the past month?" Green asked, and Purple nodded. "No wonder you're still tired."
"I know, but it's okay," Purple said, waving a hand. "My doctor said I was fine thanks to the healing potions, but that I needed lots of rest."
"Have you been getting enough rest?" Green asked.
"Mmhm!" Purple said. "Thanks for worrying. I'm doing well."
"That's good," Green said, his shoulders slumping. "But babysitting is really hard work. I want to come help too."
"That'd be nice," Purple said with a smile. "The more the merrier. I'll ask Silver and Chartreuse if it's okay with them. They'd probably invite you all over for dinner."
Chosen bit his lip.
"You okay, Chosen?" Purple asked.
"Just still not sure about talking to other Sticks," he said with a little shrug. "How old is their baby?"
"About a year old," Purple said. "She's just started learning how to walk."
"Do you think I should bring Dark over when we babysit?" Chosen asked, tapping his feet nervously.
Purple's eyes brightened.
"I'll ask them, but I think they'd be happy if you brought him over!" he said excitedly. "They're the only family in the neighborhood with a baby, so they've been worried about her not having friends."
"They could be playmates," Green said. "It'll be good for Dark to learn how to play with other Sticks."
"I know," Chosen said, giving Dark the last of the soup. "We'll really have to make sure he won't bite."
"We're not going over to their house today," Purple said. "I'll talk to them and let you know what they think."
"Thanks," Chosen said with a nod.
"I won't just drag you through the portal either," Purple added. "If they say yes and you're okay with it, we'll make plans."
Purple winced a bit.
"What?" Chosen asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Well...Dark has to be vaccinated first," Purple said.
Chosen sighed and leaned back.
"That means I should be too," he said. "I wanted to see what the clinic's like first anyway."
Purple pulled out his phone.
"You want me to schedule you a checkup?" he asked.
"Sure," Chosen said. "Then I'll know what Dark will go through."
"Ok, I'll help you with it," Purple said. "You could see my doctor if you want. He's a really good doctor, but you can still decide for yourself."
Chosen nodded and got up, walking around the table to look at Purple's phone.
"Here he is," Purple said, pointing at a blue-violet Stick wearing brown glasses. "Dr. Violet."
Purple scrolled down the page.
"And here's the doctor I had when I was a baby," he said, pointing at a light teal Stick. "Dr. Mint."
"How do you make an appointment?" Chosen asked, narrowing his eyes at the phone.
"Choo!" Dark yelled, waving his arms.
"I'm coming," Chosen said, hurrying over to pick Dark up.
"We can schedule an appointment over the phone," Purple said. "We need to get everyone registered as new patients using the forms. We can print them at the library, and you can all fill them out. Then we'll take them with us to the clinic."
"Forms?" Chosen asked, walking back to look over Purple's shoulder again.
"You have to fill them out with your names, dates of birth, medical history, things like that," Purple said.
Chosen shook his head.
"I don't know if I can fill all of that out," he said.
"I'll just start with printing the forms," Purple said. "I'll explain them to everyone later."
Dark yawned and hugged Chosen around the neck.
"Not too tight," Chosen said, patting his back. "You sleepy?"
"Uh-huh," Dark murmured.
"Be right back," Chosen said. "And uh...thanks, Purple."
"No problem!" Purple chimed, going back to his phone.
"Hey, Green?" Chosen asked.
"Yeah?"
"Does Alan's computer get viruses a lot?"
"No, not really," Green answered. "There was just...well...that one time...that I know of. And you took care of it."
"You fought a computer virus?" Purple asked, looking up at Chosen with wide eyes. "Where'd it come from?"
Chosen glanced at Dark and saw he was already falling asleep.
"...I'll tell you later," Chosen said.
"Oh, ah...okay..." Purple said, quickly going back to his phone.
Chosen let out a heavy sigh as he shut his bedroom door.
"You good?" Vic asked. "This is kind of a lot to handle all at once."
"It'll get better...probably," Chosen grumbled, slipping a disc into the jukebox. "I want Dark to be able to play without having to worry about going to the doctor."
"He'll be alright," Vic said.
"I'll make sure," Chosen said. "It'll be scarier for Dark than it is for me."
"He understands a lot more than he used to," Vic said. "Plus, you'll be there with him if he gets scared."
Chosen began rocking Dark slowly.
"If I don't like how any of it looks," he said, "I can just fly out of there."
"I'll make sure the doors are open."
Chosen tried to hold back a laugh as Dark yawned and closed his eyes.
"Purple said he'd pay for the checkups," Chosen said, giving Dark his pacifier.
"That's nice of him," Vic said. "And it's nice of me to make sure he doesn't also have to pay for property damage."
Dark's head drooped and he curled up in Chosen's arms with a long sigh.
"Have a good nap," Chosen said softly.
Dark's yellow blanket floated up from the crib and draped over the sleeping Stick.
"Thanks, Vic," Chosen said quietly, rising onto his tiptoes and lowering Dark into the crib.
"Yup. Now you can go and learn about fascinating medical forms. I'll stay here and finish my book."
"Have fun," Chosen said, smiling. "Tell me about it later."
Chosen tucked the blanket around Dark and put another disc into the jukebox as Subwoofer Lullaby came to an end.