Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I'm trying to feel comfortable enough writing for the qsmp fandom to try and post my own ideas, so I want to try out other people's ideas beforehand.

Keep in mind that I am only fluent in English so I will be best at characterising the English streamers, but I am willing to try my best with any character, the wiki exists for a reason after all.

Things I will do:

Ship fics

Family fics

Qprs (especially if you want me to write some Jaiden and Roier Qpr stuff)

Just plain platonic stuff

Angst

Fluff

AUs

Gender headcanons

Sexuality headcanons

Most other headcanons

Crossovers with hermitcraft, empires, and dsmp (although I was never very kept up with the lore), if you want a crossover with another piece of media feel free to ask, but chances that I will have engaged with the media are quite small, still, it's better to ask than not

Toxic relationships

Death (giving it a test run for now)

One sided romance towards Jaiden

Romance for the eggs as long as it isn't with eachother

Things I won't do:

Smut

Drugs (includes resis)

Apocalypse stuff

When making a request make sure to say if you want them to be a hybrid or not, or if you want them to be a specific hybrid, and if you want the eggs to be human, eggs, dragon hybrids, and if they can talk or not. If you fail to say something I will just write the characters as humans (with the obvious exceptions.) (And if I get a very specific idea for something that doesn't specify)

There are no limits to how many requests you ask, just try not to make it too many of they are all in the same comment.

You may ask for continuations of previous requests, but if you aren't the original commenter the request will be considered an au of that request.

Be as specific or as vague as you'd like, but being specific will give me the best way of making sure you get what you want.

Please do not request in French, as neither myself nor Little_Miika know much.

If you request while requests are closed, I will not do yours.

Request away!

Chapter Text

Give me time:

Fit/Phil

Fit and Phil talk about how Missa is missing, and Fit gives Phil the choice of a relationship.

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Colours of me:

Phil and many people

The colourzas end up the the island and end up meeting the residents.

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Movie night:

The Brazilians

It's in the title, the Brazilians have a family movie night

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Feeling sick (but not of you)

Pac/Mike (QPR)

Pac hides his sickness from Mike, and Mike finds out when it gets too bad.

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Borrow:

Kristen, the kids, and Forever

Kristen decides to check out the island, borrowing her husbands body to do so.

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All of us

Phil/Missa/Forever/Fit

Phil and his polycule being cute and being teased.

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Fall and Break:

Etoiles and Pomme

Etoiles falls of a roof and gets badly injured, Pomme is worried for her Papa.

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Made for eachother:

Slime/Mariana

They were made for eachother, fucked up unlovable child murderers, but still, made for eachother.

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Hold me close:

Phil/Fit

Phil and Fit cuddle while Fit tells Phil some needed words.

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Mistakes:

Cellbit/Roier

Cellbit wants to know who kidnapped his husband.

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Second chance:

Missa/Phil

Missa wants to finish his job and go back to his family, but instead of being welcomed back, he's sent divorce papers.

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Importance:

Richarlyson and Tazercraft

Richarlyson is feeling sick and unimportant, Tazercraft helps with both.

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Missing Missa

Chayanne and Missa

Chayanne misses his dad so much, so when he appears, although different, he can't help but be overjoyed

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Sweet

Etoiles and Phil, and Pomme

Etoiles wants to fight code monsters, bur forgots how much sugar is in golden apples.

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Wedding Bells:

Etoiles/Philza

They've hidden their relationship for so long, but now they just want to get married and show the island they love eachother

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Rescue:

Bad/Forever

Forever and Bad have been dating for a month, Bad goes missing for a week, Forever wants Bad to be safe.

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Etoiles suffers yet again:

Etoiles and Philza

Etoiles gets sick bur really wants to do a dungeon with Phil, so he tries to push through

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It's not jealousy (it can only be jealousy)

Bad/Forever, Forever/Maxo, Maxo/Pierre

Maxo didn't like the fact that Forever and Bad were dating, but he and Pierre were dating, so what could he do about it.

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Mistaken:

Etoiles and Maxo

The code was pretending to be Maxo, or at least that's what Etoiles thought.

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Skeppy?

Bad and The code monster

The code is learning, and it's learnt how to put everyone through the terror of watching Bad be friendly to what he thinks is his best friend.

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Remnants of family:

Juana and Gegg

Seeing a kid who looks suspiciously like your dad is strange, even stranger when you find out he was part of your dad

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We'll keep you safe

Bad and others

Bad wins presidency and has an assassination attempt on his life. He's lucky he had his friends.

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Daycare:

Slime and the kids

Slime loved the kids, so he didn't mind being their substitute.

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In love again:

Phil/Forever

Falling in love is difficult when you don't want to be rejected.

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Remember me (remember you):

Jaiden and the federation

Memories can be right in front of you, but sometimes it's for the best you don't remember them.

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Dependant:

Pac and Fit and Mike

Pac could be alone, Mike could be alone, so obviously he'd be able to. Except he can't.

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Chased:

Juana and Tilin

Juana and Tilin have their first encounter with the code monster.

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I'm back

Dan and Maxo and Trump

Trump comes back to life, and a few weeks later, Dan does as well. The TDM-Agente family spends the day together

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Early morning

Phil/Missa (QPR)

Missa and Phil miss eachother from their months apart and spend the morning cuddling.

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I'll only hurt you:

Roier/Cellbit

Cellbit awakes from a dream where he cannibalises Roier, and feels like he will do it 8n the future, Roier proves he won't

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Useless feelings

Forever, Phil, and Missa

Forever has feelings for Phil, but as long as Missa has him, they're useless

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Oops, I'm a cannibal

Cellbit and Foolish

Cellbit didn't mean to tell Foolish he was a cannibal, it just happened, luckily Foolish is Just Like That

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Family and Fear:

Cellbit and Tallulah

Tallulah and Cellbit are scared, but they have eachother.

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So kind:

Niki and Etoiles

Niki isn't used to kindness, and wants to know why the islanders are so kind, Etoiles offers an answer.

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Domestic

Maxo/Pierre

A relationship built from sex was bound to feel awkward when it came to romance, Maxo and Pierre talk about moving past it.

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Guilt:

Etoiles and Pomme

Baghera dies protecting Pomme, both Pomme and Etoiles feel guilty for it

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All mine

Roier/Cellbit (toxic)

Cellbit knew Roier was made for him, it's just such a shame that people keep getting in the way

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Safe

Phil and the eggs

The kids go missing, and this may or may not be connected to Phil's bird instincts saying he needs to protect them

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Dysphoria:

Slime/Mariana

Slime wears his binder for too long, Mariana doesn't like it

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Sick but at least you're here

Phil/Missa (QPR)

Phil gets sick, Missa takes care of him, both of them feel guilty, both of them care

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The secrecy of love

Forever/Bad

An anarchist and a president, can their love stay secret?

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Five month old father:

Tubbo and Chayanne

Something strange happened and Tubbo becomes an egg while Chayanne becomes human, Chayanne happily takes the role of a father and enjoys it a bit too much.

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Confess

Missa/Phil

Missa needs help confessing to Phil, so he goes to Cellbit and Roier, he gets his confidence, and puts it to good use.

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Flowers

Missa/Phil

Missa is suffering from hanahaki but believes that Phil could never return his feelings

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Make out

Forever/Bad

Making out in the presidential office was thrilling, and they've never been caught before, but turns out they've been caught many times before.

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Deprecation:

Etoiles and Phil

Etoiles has always made jokes about himself, but he starts to believe himself, Phil offers some advice.

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Safety and devotion, ghosts and people

Phil, Etoiles, and Techno

Techno was devoted to protecting Phil, but now he's dead, and Phil is in trouble, so it is time to pass the torch to Etoiles, someone both Techno and Phil, and Techno knows he will protect and be devoted to Phil like he was.

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Together:

Forever/Bad and Baghera

Forever, Bad, and Baghera are all suffering, so a day together is needed.

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Meaningful

Etoiles, Tallulah, and Pomme

Tallulah got a flower meanings book, and is excited to show her knowledge on a trip to a flower field.

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Wolf

Forever, Cellbit, Bad, Baghera and Richarlyson

Forever was scared of being a wolf, but some random idiots who can't keep to themselves show him he doesn't have to be.

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Deaths husband, deaths representation

Phil and Cellbit

Phil only wants his wife to represent him, so he keeps turning down selecting an entity, little does he know, a certain room will peak his interest

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Changes:

Forever/Bad

Demons souls bind when they get married, Forever didn't know this.

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Rely:

Etoiles, Pac, and Fit

Etoiles is worried about his daughter, Pac and Fit are worried about Etoiles

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I am Gegg

Gegg (and slime) and others.

Phil wants Gegg gone again, Tallulah wants a sleepover with Gegg

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We're here for you:

Foolish and others

Foolish feels alone without most of his family, although family isn't always what is legally yours.

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Hurry Up

Fit/Pac + Tubbo, Mike and Phil.

Fit and Pac are into eachother, too bad everyone knows except them.

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If we have eachother

Etoiles and Others

Etoiles fails in his fight against the code, but he has Phil, and later his daughter to help him

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Beautiful

Antoine/Etoiles

Antoine doesn't like to show what's under his box, but if his boyfriend thinks he's beautiful, he can try to show.

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Emotions and Autism

Tubbo and others (plus slight tubbo/fred)

Tubbo has autism, and emotions are difficult because of that, and sometimes people don't realise how difficult it is. Luckily they're all his friends and apologies are said.

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Family and Questions

Tallulah and Kristen

Tallulah doesn't want to give up her new family for her old one, Kristen gives advice.

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Secret

Etoiles and Phil

Etoiles didn't want anyone knowing about Autism, but Phil happens to know a lot about Autism, and a lot about Etoiles

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What had been missing

Cellbit and Phil

Cellbit doesn't remember ever having a dad, but maybe Phil can fill that role?

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It hurts (being away from you)

Foolish/Vegetta

Foolish would do anything to get Vegetta back, even willingly engage in torture

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Family and the strangers who's blood we share

Tallulah and Wilbur

Tallulah wanted Wilbur here, but now that he appears on the island at a terrible time where her siblings are gone and she's already moved on, she doesn't know what to think anymore.

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Self love and his love

Etoiles/Antoine

Antoine is getting better at loving himself every day, and he wants to show his face to more people. Etoiles is excited that more people get to see the beauty of his boyfriend.

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Flighty conversations

Jaiden and Phil

Phil is jealous that Jaiden has her wings still, and asks some questions. He learns more than he expects and their bond has the chance to go deeper.

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Married life

Etoiles/Phil

Married life is off to a great start, Etoiles and Phil have a cute little conversation about it.

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Etoiles can never catch a break

Etoiles and Phil

Etoiles leaves the Nether after getting badly injured, Phil brings him to the order medical bay and spends time with him while healing.

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Not dead but trapped

Dan and (Trump)et

Dan had been lost in a labyrinth for months and thinks there will never be an end, but when he finds his son, everything becomes brighter.

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Bloody secrets

Phil/Missa

Missa has been hiding that he's a vampire for a long time, but when his hunger starts to grow, he can't help but be figured out by his husband.

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Isolation answered

Quackity and Etoiles

Quackity and Etoiles both grew up on the island, just completely separate worlds in it. They share these worlds and grow a friendship.

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Missing Info

Missa and Cellbit

Missa was used to surprises, but finding out Cellbit is his son was one he wished wasn't a surprise.

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Finding Phil

Phil/Missa (QPR)

Phil has gone missing, everyone knows this, so why does Missa keep saying he's right beside him?

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Admiration

Jaiden and Niki (Mistaken as Jaiden/Niki)

Niki feels strange things for Jaiden, and after hearing Tubbo assume a crush, Niki believes there's no other option that for it to be a crush. Turns out there were other options.

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New index chapter out!

Chapter Text

Coincidence:

Roier/Cellbit

Roier and Cellbit keep their relationship a secret, but that means others want to set them up with other people, luckily, they get their date eventually.

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Family and it's hope

Hope and her family

A little girl had run out of hope, but as her new family names her it, she believes that maybe there is hope in life.

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Family and the choices we make

Tallulah and her family

When you make so many choices, there are bound to be universe where you don't make them. What happens when you get to see one of those universes? A gift from her favourite almost grandpa makes that possible for Tallulah.

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Good for you

Foolish/Bad, previous Foolish/Vegetta

Foolish wants to be loyal to Vegetta, but when he finds out Bad has been courting him and he forgets to prepare for his heat, the next few months are full of confusion and realisations.

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They'll know

Missa/Phil

Missa is ready to start telling people he's a vampire, Phil is so proud of him.

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Hibernate

Fit and Mariana

Fit finds Mariana hibernating, and stays by her side until she's ready to go outside again.

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Coffee

Slime/Etoiles

Slime has worked at the coffee shop for a while, but when Etoiles moves close by and starts to visit, his whole life changes.

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Making it as family

Pierre and Pomme

Pierre seemingly has everything, but wants a kid, so he adopts Pomme. Pomme has a lot of issues that need to be resolved, but they'll slowly make their way through them as a family.

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Night time visit

Maxo and Trump(et)

Trumpet wants to know why his Mama hasn't visited him since he and Dan escaped the maze, so he sneaks out at night to find the answer.

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Touch

Cellbit/Roier

Cellbit hadn't been touched in a long time due to his reputation in Brazil, but when Roier cokes and places a simple hand on his shoulder, everything changes.

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Family and who we used to be

Cellbit and Cell

Tallulah liked transferring between worlds, and when they end up in a world where Cell is back, Cellbit doesn't know how to feel about himself.

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Vacation

Etoiles and Phil

Etoiles and Phil need a vacation, so they go on one.

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What was meant to be

Fit/Pac

When Pac wakes up sick, he doesn't expect the direction his life was heading to change as well, but if he has Fit by his side, he'll deal with it.

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Together at last

The eggs

The eggs just want to go somewhere they find safe when they were stressed, but found some long gone faces who wanted the same.

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The Sin Of Love

Slime/Mariana

Mariana is an angel, and a high ranking one at that, but when a demon named Slime comes into his life, his world begins to break down to let him in.

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A Life For Happiness

Phil and Missa

Missa wants his husband to be safe and happy, and makes a deal he shouldn't have.

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Help

Philza, Fit, and Tubbo

Phil was saved after he was kidnapped again, but was different, traumatised, and Fit and Tubbo try to find what happened during that kidnapping.

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Routine

Missa/Phil

Missa confessing and Phil rejecting was routine, but when a new person joins Missa's love life, everything changes.

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Tonight

Phil/Missa

When life moves forward and past people discovering Missa is a vampire, Phil and Missa have a nice date night together.

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Family and those we miss

The islanders

Purgatory was a way to get back the dead kids, and it feels ridiculously easy, turns out they can't escape without something bad happening

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Family and a hundred other things

Tallulah and others

Tallulah tries to sleep after purgatory but can't, and ends up breaking her orb more, this causes her to go through worlds with less control, and she realises that there are so many worlds that she could never think of

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Regret

Spreen/Fit

Spreen and Fit were happy mates, but Spreen makes several mistakes once Ramon comes into the picture, and he's left trying to get his mate back.

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Snow Day

Phil and many people

A sudden snow day appears, and Phil and his family have a snow day with the rest of the island.

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Mistakes Were Made

Fit/Forever (break up), Fit/Pac, Forever/Bad

When Fit and Forever start dating, Pac and Bad believe the only way to make things right (Make them date them) is to break them up, many mistakes are made by all parties.

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Needing You

Roier/Jaiden (QPR)

Roier feels like Jaiden doesn't need him anymore, Jaiden feels like they're falling apart, conversations are had

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Fine in the end

Etoiles/Foolish, Foolish/Vegetta (previous)

When Foolish is left alone pregnant when he finds out Vegetta cheated on him, Foolish begins to get along well with the new green, alpha neighbour

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Worlds

Tubbo, Pac and Fit

Tubbo believes that Quesadilla Island is a dream until he's shown its not.

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Til death not do us part

Missa/Phil

Missa dies in purgatory, but that won't stop him looking after his family.

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Young

Cellbit and Phil (plus Cellbit/Roier)

Cellbit comes back from purgatory and quickly becomes age regressed, Phil helps.

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Not His

Etoiles/Pac

Etoiles and Pac were secretly, yet happily, dating, but with everyone thinking Pac and Fit are dating, it's difficult to not be jealous.

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Again

Tubbo, Fit and Pac

Fit and Pac keep wondering what this parenting experience Tubbo keeps talking about is from, so, they ask Phil.

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Stimulous

Tubbo and Tallulah

Tubbo babysits Tallulah, but his work environment is no good for her.

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In My Own Skin

Phil/Missa

Missa realises she is genderfluid, but shes scared to tell her family.

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A Journey Progressing

Fit/Pac

Pac's pregnancy jouney includes telling people and a baby shower.

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Blindly loving

Pomme and Etoiles

Pomme is worried for her dad, and he ends up telling her about his issue.

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If we have a future

Dan and Maxo (Minor Dan/Maxo), past Maxo/Pierre

Purgatory turns out a lot different when there's a family that needs to stick together.

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A new perspective

Pac/Fit

Pac is an omega and Fit is an alpha, but when they switch, Fit learns new things.

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I am real (and you are not)

Quackity, Roier and Cellbit (Plus Roier/Cellbit)

Cellbit believes the split world is an illusion, Quackity and Roier go on a roadtrip so they don't lose someone they care about.

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Pinned interest

Tubbo and Sunny

Sunny has ADHD and a special interest in pin making, and now she wants to share her work with the island despite anxiety.

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Crush

Pomme and Etoiles

Pomme finds herself crushing on a girl from her book, and she feels unsure about it all. Luckily, Etoiles helps.

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One more day

Missa/Phil

It's the day of the dead, and the Minecraft-Sinfonia family gets to be together again for 24 hours.

Chapter Text

Father and daughter

Fit and Ramon

Ramon was a girl, and fears telling her father. Luckily, she quickly learns that Fit loves her no matter what.

Chapter Text

The Give Me Time universe:

Philza was given a choice by Fit, have things stay the same or be his partner, Phil doesn't know what choice to make.

Canon: Give Me Time

Non-Canon: Second Chance

----

Family and what that entails universe:

Tallulah sees Cellbit as more of a dad than Wilbur ever was, so she decides he's her dad now.

Canon: Family and Fear, Family and Questions, Family and the strangers who's blood we share, Family and it's hope, Family and the choices we make, Family and those we miss Non-Canon: Family and who we used to be

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Love and beauty

Antoine struggles with his face, and Etoiles just wants him to know that he is beautiful and he is loved.

Canon: Beautiful, Self love and his love

Non-canon:

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The Cucumber-Bird marriage:

Etoiles and Phil kept their relationship secret for a long time, but decide to announce it on their wedding day, cue the shenanigans of the consequences.

Canon: Wedding Bells

Non-canon: Married life

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Phil the father

Phil exudes dad energy, Cellbit uses this to get a long needed parent.

Canon: What had been missing

Non canon: Missing info, Young

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Copying Codes

The codes have an obsession with the Sinfonia-Minecraft family, and just want to insert themselves in to break the rest of the family members hearts.

Canon: Missing Missa, Finding Phil

Non-Canon:

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Vampireverse

Missa is a vampire, and very few people know, but that begins to change.

Canon: Bloody secrets, They'll know, Tonight

Non Canon:

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Mazeverse:

Dan and Trumpet were trapped in a maze after their 'deaths', but now they're out, and life is different, but it can be good.

Canon: Not dead but trapped, night time visit, If we have a future

Non-Canon:

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Tubbo 'Tism Tales:

Tubbo is autistic, and it leads to certain interactions.

Canon: Emotions and autism, Stimulous, Pinned interest

Non-Canon:

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Baby Fever

When Pac becomes pregnant, there's a lot for him and Fit to do

Canon: What was meant to be, A Journey Progressing

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Split worlds

The islanders lives are split in two. The one they were used to, and the one on the island. This split life is confusing, but soon they turn their lives back into one.

Canon: Worlds, I am real (and you are not)

----

Missa's memory

Missa died, but be will always be by his families side.

Canon: Til death not do us part, One more day

Chapter Text

"Phil, great to see you!"

The moon was high in the sky, he had put the kids away hours ago. He should have been put to bed hours ago, but it was nights like these that his nest felt far too empty. Whenever these nights happened he walked back and forth along the wall, happy to let the night air fill his mind with only the occasional words from the crows, so he was surprised when he heard Fit's voice from behind him.

"Fit, mate, it's late." He ignored his hypocrisy, but Fit didn't.

"Bold coming from you, I can rely on Ramon deciding to sleep until noon, but your kids will be awake in the early morning." Phil shouldn't be surprised that Fit knows when Tallulah and Chayanne wake up, he's close to them, and the kids trust him. He remembers one time where Chayanne slipped up and called Fit pa.

Phil shook his head and smiled, "It's okay mate, I'll be fine, taking care of two kids has made me ready for anything no matter how little I sleep, almost like I'm a single dad at this point." He realised his tone dropping at the end, he thought maybe joking would help ease the marks the term was making on his brain, but he can only go so long before he can no longer deny the truth.

"This is about Missa, isn't it?" Fit didn't just know the kids well, it all stemmed from Fit knowing Phil well.

"Yeah." Phil didn't like how exhausted his voice sounded.

Fit moved towards the edge of the wall more and sat down, his legs hanging off the edge, he pet the stone next to him a times, "Wanna talk about it?"

Phil didn't respond to the question, just moved and sat down where the hand was seconds ago. The stole was cold from the night air, it was the first time he'd noticed it for the night, he'd forgone his coat when he started pacing the wall, he didn't mean to stay out this long. Fit moved closer, not minding sharing his body heat with Phil.

"Missa has been gone for a long time." He started.

"He has been."

"I know he loves Chayanne, but every day that passes without him to help, I just find it harder and harder to tell myself he wants to be in his life. To be in my life." Phil was never shy with how much he cared for Missa, he was his platonic husband for fucks sake. He told anyone who tried to make moves on him that he was taken, he designed his backpack to Missa's aesthetic, he wore his ring on his finger everyday that Missa had been gone and he wasn't even sure if Missa remembered he had a ring.

"Has he reached out at all?" Fit was aware that Wilbur sent Tallulah letters, maybe Missa at least sent Chayanne a few.

"No, not a message, or a letter, the crows haven't even told me anything, I'm really starting to lose hope here." Phil had to be strong for the kids, but they weren't here right now, and Phil was barely keeping himself from crying.

"Have you considered reaching out to him?" Fit tried to help.

"Of course I have," Phil shouldn't have said it so rudely, but why would Fit think he hadn't, he had tried to reach out so many times. "He just, hasn't answered at all."

Silence took the two for many moments. Phil was feeling better, it was nice to finally say something about how stressed he had been without Missa.

Fit ended up breaking the silence, and his words hurt, "Have you considered sending him divorce papers? That might get him responding."

Phil sighed, "It'll probably end in divorce, and even if he's not around, Chayanne and Tallulah are going through too much shit to know they've lost a parent."

"That doesn't mean they can't get another." Fit suggested.

Phil looked at him curiously, "What does that mean."

"I mean, I've accepted that Spreen's never coming back, so if the opportunity ever arose, I wouldn't say no to giving Ramon another parent."

While it could be that Fit was offering his own experience just to show it could happen, to Phil it felt like more of a proposition, so he decided to ask. "Are you asking me out?"

"Well, I wasn't, but I'm not one to lose an opportunity like this."

Phil gave an awkward smile, what was he supposed to say in a situation like this? There was no denying that Fit was an incredibly attractive man, and he was easily the person he trusted most other than Tallulah and Chayanne. But how could he throw away what he had been clinging onto for months. He knows all he'd have to do is loosen his grip and he would lose Missa, but from Fit's words, he knew he wouldn't have to cling onto what he was being offered to keep it this time. But still, he was tired, and even if he did choose Fit, he would still need time to get over Missa.

He still didn't even know if he wanted a romantic relationship at this time.

Phil gave the answer that made the most sense to him, "Give me a month, and I can tell you what's best for me."

Fit gave a kind smile. "I'll wait, and I'll take any answer you give."

Phil smiled back, maybe the answer was coming sooner to him than he thought, but he'll still take the month. He has to move past Missa, and he has to bring up the possibility of a step father to Chayanne, and depending on how long it takes Wil to get back, Tallulah as well.

Phil yawned, he would need to sleep soon if he wanted to not pass out midway through tomorrow. "It's been nice talking to you mate, but I should really get to bed."

Fit looked at the time on his comm, "Yeah, I should too."

The two got up and Phil was about to wave goodbye when he was taken into a hug, yeah, his choice was becoming more clear by the second.

"I'll see you soon, Phil."

Phil pulled away from the hug slightly, "Maybe we can meet up for the kids quests tomorrow."

"I'd like that."

The two pulled away finally, and went back to their beds. Phil found that sleep came far easier this time. He still felt as though his bed was empty, but instead of his husband, he found himself craving Fit's body slotting beside his own.

He felt guilty, but he knew he had time, he had a month to work through the guilt. But that also meant a month before he could call Fit his. This may be the longest month on the island for him. Maybe it will be for Fit as well.

At least the months afterwards would hopefully be some of the best.

Chapter Text

Pheo bounced the toddler who had introduced herself as Tallulah in his lap. Apparently one of his counterparts had this cutie as his granddaughter. Surely that means she's his granddaughter as well. But who cares, he's already named today a grandpa-granddaughter day.

"Papa," Tallulah giggled, Pheo found it so adorable that she called him Papa, he's not sure if she calls Phil Papa as well, but oh well, he'll happily be her Papa.

"Yes?"

"Your wings are so pretty!"

Pheo fluttered his fairy wings for her, delighted at her soft gasp and look of awe as they almost sparkled in the light.

"Can I touch them?" She whispered, as if she didn't want him to hear despite the question being aimed at him.

"Of course you can, be gentle though." She climbed up in his lap slightly, and he felt tiny hands rub carefully across the surface.

She giggled more, "I think you're my favorite Papa." He knew how easy it was to please toddlers, and knew that as soon as Phil or his counterparts son was in her sight, he'd lose that spot. Didn't mean he wouldn't treasure it while he had it.

----

Flynn was trying to figure out how this random pink house he found opened like it did when he saw too men walking over.

"Phil?"

He corrected them, "Flynn."

They stared at him for a few seconds before staring at eachother, seemingly speaking telepathically. They stared back at him and the one wearing blue spoke. "Well, hi, Flynn, I'm Pac, and this is Mike." The one with pink hair waved.

"It's nice to meet you," He turned back to the pink house, "Whoever made this is clever, I'd love it if you could perhaps tell me who made this? They deserve my praise."

Pac and Mike lit up at his words.

"Well you're looking right at them, this is our creation." Mike widened his arms as if to show him more of what he could already see.

Flynn's face lit up as well, "Please, tell me how you did this."

It was great to see other people who cared the same for redstone and mechanics as he did. He knew it certainly wasn't a rare trait, but sometimes it felt like it was.

Pac and Mike happily explained the mechanics behind the opening house, and gladly lead him around letting him see more of their creations, Flynn would surely stick with these two for as long as they had something to show him.

----

Phin regretted letting himself get caught by this strange man.

"Philza, you've seen Brunim yet you still tease me by dressing even more like him!? I thought you didn't like me seeing him in you, pick a side!"

He didn't know who Brunim was, but he assumed he looked like him and his counterparts.

"I dress like this normally." He had an edge to his voice that Phil never did, but maybe Brunim did, he didn't know anything about this man that he mistook the man he was mistaking him for.

The man stared at him in silence for a moment, seemingly finally taking in the bat wings on his back. "You're not Philza, are you?"

"Took you long enough."

The man looked shocked, "Is there just a society of Brunim lookalikes?"

Phin glared, "I'm not a Brunim lookalike, I'm a Colourza, I'm Phin."

The man looked wary for a few moments before lighting up, "I'm Forever, you don't happen to be married to Missa like Phil is, right?"

Phin knew he should be wary of his words, but he wanted to see where this would go. "No, I didn't realise Phil was married to a Missa."

Forever had an ecstatic look on his face, but Phin didn't have much time to look at his face as he was quickly smothered into his chest. "Oh Phin, you may just be the next love of my life."

Phin didn't encounter many situations in life that made him scared, but his brain told him that now was one of those times that he should absolutely be scared.

----

Frey tried to look everywhere but the man in front of him, but he kept moving. Made sense, considering it looked as though he had no eyes, even he himself was not sure be had eyes, being able to see didn't seem to anchor on the existence of eyes.

"Hello? Are you able to speak? I'm Bad." Frey knew Bad was one of Phil's friends, he didn't like meeting Phil's friends.

"Hi."

The man's eyes squinted in happiness, "Oh, so you can speak!"

Frey then stopped talking and responded with a nod.

"Whats your name? This is my son, Dapper." He motioned to a small child he hadn't noticed before. He waved.

"Frey." It was best he kept his replies short.

"You're new around here, aren't you? Would you like a tour, Dapper decided he wanted to go all around the island today, so it wouldn't be too difficult to do a tour."

Frey cocked his head before nodding. If Phil trusted him, maybe he can as well, and it was better than stumbling around and being forced to talk to more people.

----

Phil woke up to tiny slaps on his arm. God, his entire body hurt, he can't remember doing anything that would leave his body sore yesterday, and he doubts the tiny slaps would be at all capable hurting him. Right, the slaps.

Phil opened his eyes to see Chayanne slapping his arm like his life depending on it.

"Chayanne?" He grumbled, curious as to what his son was doing. It wasn't often that his son woke up before him. He looked at the clock, and saw it was well past noon. He bolted out of bed, "How did it get so late!?" He screeched.

Chayanne put his hands on his hips and stared up at Phil, "You were awake earlier, but there were so many of you, like four, but when I checked, you were still asleep!" He moved his hands into the air for emphasis. "The others left, pinky took Tallulah with him, but I stayed here, but you were taking too long, so I slapped you."

Other hims? Pinky? THEY TOOK TALLULAH?

"The colourzas!" Phil shouted, picking up Chayanne and bolting to try and find the colourzas and Tallulah.

"Dad!?"

There was no time to explain, he didn't even know how to explain there were many other versions of himself to a child, but he'd figure it out along the way. Right now, he had to get rid of them.

Chapter Text

Cellbit: Roier is gonna be away for the night, who wants a movie night at my castle?

Forever: Me

Pac: Me and Mike are coming

Cellbit: Does Mike suddenly not have a phone

Mike: Isn't it just easier for one of us to respond?

Cellbit: True

Felps: I'm down

Felps: What time should we be over there?

Cellbit: 6pm should do

Cellbit: Don't be late

----

The Brazilians were setting up for movie night. The original plan was to drop Richarlyson off at Bad's but he managed to convince them that it was a good idea for him to join movie night. Their original gripe was that the movies wouldn't be suitable for someone who was only a few months old, but Richarlyson was quick to rebuttle that nothing on this island was suitable for someone who was only a few months old, so that argument died quickly. Felps knew that Richarlyson could fall asleep during the movies so he did Richarlysons hair for the night and was putting his hair in his bonnet while they watched Forever make popcorn.

"Popcorn!" Richarlyson cheered as Forever dumped bags of popcorn into bowls for the six of them.

"Isn't that a bit much?" Felps asked.

"I'd rather have too much than not enough." Forever answered. While the popcorn conversation had been happening, Pac, Mike, and Cellbit were having trouble manuevering themselves on the couch.

"Your prosthetic is digging right into my calf, it's horrible." Cellbit complained as he tried to move, but it felt like Pac was purposefully shoving his prosthetic onto his skin.

"If you didn't want to have to deal with my prosthetic, you shouldn't have eaten my leg." Pac rebutted. Mike snorted at his words, almost pushing Pac off the couch from Mike's position trapped between him and the back of the couch.

"First rule of the night, no talk of cannibalism." Felps decreed. Forever placed the bowls of popcorn on the coffee table before pushing Cellbit onto the floor and taking his spot. As he fell on the floor he let out a 'Mrow!', much to the laughter of the others. They poked fun at how they suspect he has got to secretly be a cat hybrid. Cellbit was rightfully upset at this, and went off about how he was being disrespected in his own home. Forever just laughed again and put his own bowl of popcorn in his lap. Felps grabbed his and sat next to Forever, a place that had been free since Cellbit was on the couch. Richarlyson felt bad for Cellbit and decided to sit next to him on the floor. Cellbit thanked him and distributed the rest of the bowls between himself, Richarlyson, and Pac and Mike, who were now in a position that didn't trap Mike or risk Pac falling off, one where Mike was resting with his head on Pac's chest.

"What movie should we start with?" Cellbit logged onto the islands streaming service. Since the opening of the movie theatre, the federation noticed their desire to watch movies, and created a streaming service with whatever movies they could think of. They suspect that they made their own to not risk them getting contact with the outside world.

"I'm in the mood for horror." Mike stated.

"What about Mud Zombies?" Pac suggested.

The group agreed and started with it. This was Richarlysons first ever horror movie so they were surprised at how well he handled it.

"I'm surprised Pai Cellbit didn't hiss like a cat at anything." Richarlyson teased.

"Rule number 2," Cellbit slightly shouted as he exited the movie once it was over, "No calling me a cat." He then flicked Richarlyson's nose, smiling at the way his nose scrunched up and his eyes closed.

"How many rules will we end up with by the nights over?" Forever asked, throwing a piece of popcorn at Cellbit's head.

"My guess is four," Mike guessed as he tried to get a piece of popcorn without looking, not noticing Pac moving the bowl so he missed everytime.

"Alright, next movie, any suggestions?" Felps grabbed the remote from Cellbits hand.

"Willy Wonka!" Richarlyson shouted.

Forever laughed, "The boy has spoken."

The night passed by quickly, they watched a variety of movies, even watching a Spanish movie that Roier had suggested to Cellbit a few days earlier, leading to more teasing.

"Rule number 3, no more teasing me about my husband," Cellbit had said, and that caused complaints about how he got to make so many rules. He in turn said it was his castle, he could do what he wanted.

Members of the group started to pass out as the night went on. Mike had fallen asleep half way through their second horror film and Pac was asleep by the end of it. Felps had passed out in the one afterwards. They watched two more movies and as Richarlyson was going to ask what the third one was he saw that Cellbit and Forever had fallen asleep.

Richarlyson thought it was so great to see his dads sleeping on the couch together (minus Cellbit, who was leaning against the couch.) He wanted to save this moment. He grabbed his camera and took a picture of his dads, before getting a great idea and taking Cellbit's comm off the coffee table and taking a picture on there as well. He sent it to Roier, who was confused at first as to who took the picture, but Richarlyson cleared up who was messaging him and Roier got upset that he'll use Cellbit's comm to text people but he won't use his. He said the picture was adorable but Richarlyson better get to sleep.

He put the comm back where he found it. He could go to his own bed, but his dads were here, and he wanted to be with them. He got up onto the couch and was about to take his prosthetic off before he noticed Pac still had his on, so he crawled over and moved Mike as much as he could as a toddler and someone who was trying to keep him asleep so he could remove Pac's prosthetic for him. He always told Richarlyson it was best to remove prosthetics before bed, and often helped him remove his own, so it was funny that the tables had turned tonight. Once it was off he placed it on the ground and removed his own, placing it next to his dads. He crawled over to where Felps was half laying on Forever and snuggled against his chest.

He decided movie nights were his favourite nights, especially if they could all end like this one.

Chapter Text

When Pac woke up, he felt like death. Everything spun around him, his throat was dryer than a desert, and his entire body screaming in pain. It felt like he'd gotten into a boxing match and had been pummelled for an hour. He could blame some of the assaulting pain and discomfort on the fact that he had decided to work himself to the bone the day before and had barely drank any water. Actually, working himself to the bone could probably explain why he got sick in the first place. It's okay, he could just spend the day in bed, trying to recover, and then he could get back to work like it was something that never happened. His comm pinged and he pulled himself up to check, he felt like he was going to throw up.

It was from Mike. He was asking Pac to come down to work on something. His vision started to blur, so he couldn't quite read what he was supposed to be working on, at least Mike sent the co-ordinates, which he could make out. He knew he really shouldn't do anything today, but this was Mike. He didn't want to say no to Mike, and even then, he didn't know how to say no. Mike would ask why and he'd have to explain it to him. Mike knew almost everything about him, the two of them were sometimes thought of as one being, but one thing Pac could never bring himself to tell Mike was when he was sick. He didn't want to worry Mike. When Pac got sick, he always got really sick, and not in the snotty, sneezing kind of way, it was always the way that left him delirious and feeling as though he was about to die, he knew Mike would feel horrible about him being sick. Even if other people saw them as one person, the idea of Mike worrying whenever he was sick, making neither of them able to do anything, felt strangely like it was crossing the line of the two being the same person.

He struggled to message back, and hit send hoping he only made a typo or two. He pulled himself out of bed more and had to steady his spinning head as he moved to the edge of the bed to put on his prosthetic. This had always been one of the most difficult parts of the sick days, his hands would shake and it was a struggle to move what was left of his leg into place. He managed to put it on, and braced himself to get up. He pulled himself up and stumbled, covering his mouth in case he threw up. He got dressed, not even bothering trying to put on his body suit, it was strange to feel his stomach bare, usually he either wore his crop tops on top of his body suit or he wore something that covered is stomach. Hopefully Mike wouldn't notice the decision to do neither. He pushed himself to get ready to leave, he couldn't turn back now. He was sure the first hour of the day would be the worse, he could push past it.

He got some water for the day, trying to take a few sips before he left, but each sip felt as though it pushed down on his gag reflex. He suddenly wasn't so sure about how far he'd make it today.

He warped to somewhere close to the co-ordinates, and tried to walk carefully to his destination. He saw Mike in the distance and waved to him, not shouting so he wouldn't hurt his throat even further. Mike shouted back at him and closed the distance between them into a hug.

"Ready to get building?" He asked.

Pac tried to make sure his voice showed no signs of a hurt throat, "Of course I am."

The two got to work, despite being explicitly told, Pac still couldn't quite figure out what the two of them were building. Still, he felt like he was doing pretty well. Sometimes the dizziness became worse, and his brother ached again, and it felt like his legs were breaking away from underneath him, but he was sure Mike had no idea what he did to himself yesterday, and the sickness that was pulling him down. Sometimes he felt bad that he was keeping this from Mike, but it was best for the both of them. Better for Mike to not know that he had been lying about his wellbeing for years. Better for Pac to not worry his other half.

He tried to take sips of water throughout the day, but it sat in his stomach and made itself far too known, making him feel bile rest at the back of his throat. He was hoping the day would be over soon and he could get back to laying in bed and trying to eat enough despite never having enough energy.

"What should we have for dinner?"

Pac forgot that he always had dinner with Mike. He'd just have to push through for longer.

"I don't know, what would you want?" He couldn't think about anything other than building right now, switching thoughts hurt. He took his eyes off his feet for a few seconds to see what he was working with again and tripped over his feet, causing his brain to not hang on to Mike's answer. At least he's pretty sure he spoke, he certainly heard his voice.

He felt Mike kneel next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Pac took a few seconds to make sense of Mike's words, "Yeah, yeah, just tripped."

Mike looked at him for a few seconds, before helping pull him up and replying, "Tell me if somethings wrong, okay?"

Pac nodded, "Yeah, I will." He wouldn't. He wasn't.

Pac stumbled through building for another ten minutes, but he noticed how Mike stood closer than before at all times. He needed Mike to stop worrying.

"I'm just going to go over there for a second, okay?" Mike pointed over to where he has originally been working. He should, Pac was feeling on edge with Mike right beside him. He could figure out Pac was lying.

Once Mike was walking away, he relaxed, which was a bad idea, as he stumbled. He needed to get a grip. He kept going and placing more blocks. His head felt heavier, and the world tilted more. He couldn't keep this up if he paused, so he pushed through. Now Mike was suspecting something, so he couldn't take any chances to get caught. He had to keep working even if his throat was getting dryer and his steps felt floaty and like lead at the same time, even as he could barely see in front of him and his head was on fire.

He tried to move. He really did. His ears rung and every other noise stopped. Every other sense stopped. He may have imagined the slight pressure of a hand on his shoulder, but he couldn't think about it before his thoughts stopped and everything went black.

----

When he came to, he felt his sheets around him. How did he get here? Was everything just a dream?

"Why didn't you tell me something was wrong?" It wasn't a dream, Mike was right here.

He opened his eyes, Mike was leaning over the edge of the bed, his expression mixed between worry and anger.

Pac went to speak, but his throat was so dry, he began to cough violently. Mike grabbed water out of his inventory, offering it to Pac. When his coughing calmed down he drank what he could. The two waited for a few moments before Pac tried to speak again. "I didn't want to worry you."

He could see that Mike was struggling to keep his composure. "You didn't want to worry me? Was seeing you just freeze up and pass out as soon as I touch you not supposed to be worrying!?" He let his emotions slip up on his last words. He deserved it.

Pac clenched the bed sheets in his hands, "I wasn't supposed to pass out."

Mike let his hands fly into the air, "Of course you weren't supposed to fucking pass out, you were supposed to be at home!"

Pac didn't want to look at Mike anymore. Mike didn't mention his aversion of gaze. "I couldn't stay home, you said to meet up with you."

"You could have told me! I wouldn't have been upset if you just said you were sick!" Mike's words were harsh, but they became softer, "Don't you trust me?"

Pac felt tears well in his eyes, Mike wasn't the only one who felt like shit when Pac felt like shit. "I do, I trust you more than anyone in the world, but I don't want to see you worried because I'm sick."

"I'd rather be worried that you're sick than worried that you've gotten a concussion from passing out." His words became harsher again, but there was still remnants of his worry in his voice, and even more so with his words.

"I know you, you'll be useless until I get better, I'd rather one of us be useless than both of us." Pac stopped beating around the bush and just came out with why he hid it.

Mike grabbed Pac's hand in his own. "I wouldn't be useless, I'd be making sure you're okay."

Pac squeezed his hand with as much as his sick body would give him. "I know you'd take care of me, but you should be able to do your own thing when I'm sick, not staying tied up with me."

Mike gently grabbed Pac's chin with the hand not holding Pac's, leading his face to look at him, "I'd rather be with you than do anything else, I'm going to stay tied up with you forever, we've already been through this." They had. Shortly after they escaped prison, they had talked about it. Talked about how they feel as thought their lives were forever intertwined in ways that normal friendships didn't intertwine. They had promised to be eachothers that night, not in a way that could be described with romance, except for the single word they decided to steal to explain how they felt, 'Soulmates.' Mike was right, they were soulmates and lying because he didn't want him to be tied up with him was just stupid. They chose to be tied up with eachother.

Pac used his other hand to pull Mike down and hold him to his chest, "I'm sorry Mike, I wasn't thinking, I shouldn't have hid it from you for all this time."

Mike laid his head against Pac's chest despite the awkward and likely uncomfortable position he was put in. "How long have you been hiding you being sick from me?" He said softly.

"This sickness or all of my sickness?" Pac asked.

"All of it."

"Too long."

Pac held Mike against his chest, and everything felt right for once. He still felt pain and discomfort from his sickness, but the warmth in his heart made him feel better, even if it was just temporary. He knew he shouldn't have hid it from Mike, but at this point he couldn't do anything about it. He was glad that Mike didn't react too badly at him hiding his sickness. Pac fell back asleep with Mike laying on his chest.

----

When Pac woke up again he was greeted by Mike by his side again, he had moved a chair to be beside the bed and was holding some soup.

"You need to eat." It's true, he hadn't eaten all day. Mike had ended up feeding him the soup, no words exchanged between them. Pac loved these domestic moments between them, he loved almost every moment between them, but that didn't mean he couldn't have his favourites.

"Promise you'll tell me when you're sick from now on." Mike said as Pac finished the soup, putting the now empty bowl into his inventory.

"I promise," Pac said without hesitation. He made a silent promise to himself to never keep a lie like that secret from Mike again.

"And don't try and shoo me away, I'm staying by your side until you get better." Mike added.

Pac smiled at him and held his hand again, his limbs felt heavy but he'll do anything it takes to be touching Mike. "I won't," he looked at where their hands were joined. "And thank you, for not being too angry."

Mike laughed, "I was angry, I was just trying my best not to yell at a sick person."

Pac laughed back, "I was still expecting you to be much angrier."

"Just know that I come from a well meaning place, I don't like knowing you were suffering and I had no idea." Mike squeezed Pac's hand.

Pac's throat started to hurt again so he just nodded.

Mike stayed true to his word for the first day, he stayed by Pac's side the entire time, helping him drink and eat when he needed it. When the day ended, Mike crawled into bed beside Pac, even when Pac was worried he might get him sick. Mike told him that it was fine, it's not like Pac sneezes when he's sick. Pac wanted to argue back, but feeling Mike in his arms made him forget any argument. They fell asleep tangled in eachothers arms.

The next day Richarlyson visited to ask them to help him with his quests, but decided he'd just ask another of his dads to help after seeing Pac's state. Pac was happy to have Richarlyson for the hour before he left, but staying by Mike's side solely just had a certain magic to it. The other Brazilians texted their groupchat when they found out about Pac's sickness with worried responses, and asked if there was anything they should help with. Mike texted them that he had it all under control a bit too quickly. Pac teased that Mike was using the opportunity to have him all to himself, to which Mike played with Pac's hair and told him he didn't need the opportunity, he could always ask Pac to have him all to himself and he'd get him. They slept cuddled up again, and Pac used the little strength he regained to hold Mike tighter.

The next day was full of messages from the other islanders, Mike had answered the first few for him but they decided to just send a message into the global chat that everything was fine. Despite the fact that Pac was regaining strength, and the world wasn't as blurry anymore, Mike still insisted on doing everything for him, so he could recover easier. Pac almost hoped his sickness would go on longer, just for these moments.

When Pac awoke the next day, he felt amazing. He pulled himself up in bed and put on his prosthetic, he got dressed again, it was the first time wearing something other than pyjamas in days. He was ready to get back to building with Mike and experience fresh air again. He was taken back from his thoughts by loud coughing. He looked back at Mike, who was still laying in bed, and saw that he looked horrible. Mike, despite saying he'd be fine, had contracted Pac's illness.

Pac smiled at Mike's sick state in sympathy, it was going to be a while before they got back to building, but as long as they had eachothers company, they could manage.

Chapter Text

Kristin felt soft sheets and her husbands feathered wings surrounding her, but Phil wasn't visiting her. She was doing more of the visiting, using her husbands body to do so. Her husbands wings fluttered when she got up, getting used to them again. She remembers when she first borrowed her husbands body, his wings would not agree with her. But now she was more experienced with them, and she could almost fly with them, although from what she's heard, her husbands wings had been clipped, and they would take a while to fix themselves up. Such a shame, she meant for her husband to be able to fly whenever when she gifted them to him.

She got out of his nest and got dressed, taking longer than she should have to get to a stage where her husband was not naked. Can you blame her? She hasn't seen him in a long time. She remembers what the crows told her, Phil had another child, and was currently in possession of Wilbur's as well. With her husbands body, she took on his days responsibilities, and if that meant taking care of her husbands son and their grandchild, than she was more than happy to do so.

Kristin made her way down to where she had heard they rested, happy to find out that despite her taking control of her husband's body, the doors recognised her as Phil. Chayanne and Tallulah, what adorable names. A young kid with blonde hair and black angel wings, similar to a crows, laid in one bed, she knew this one was Chayanne, he looked so similar to Phil, but he did have a few facial features that told her of her husbands platonic husband, Missa she believes his name was. The toddler who laid in the other bed was a carbon copy of Wilbur, with the exception of being a toddler and a girl. Little Tallulah, her first grand kid.

"Chayanne, Tallulah, it's time to wake up." It always felt strange to hear her own voice come from her husbands body.

Tallulah shifted in her bed, before opening her eyes and staring at Kristin. "Morning Papa." That was another thing the crows told her, while Wilbur was away, Phil had taken the role of Tallulah's father. She must not have realised that the voice coming from Phil's body was not his own.

"Morning Tallulah." Tallulah jumped up at her voice, getting up and jumping into Chayanne's bed, waking him up.

"Chayanne, someone's pretending to be Papa." Her voice was full of fear. Kristin felt horrible. She knew the terrors of this island, had given four of the kids their limbo, but seeing it for herself, on the kids who were alive, the kids who were part of her family, made her (husband's) heart clench.

Chayanne held Tallulah tight, "Who are you!"

Kristin kneeled beside the bed the two were on, her breath hitching when she saw them hold eachother tighter. "I don't know if Phil has told you this, but he has a wife, and that wife sometimes borrows his body to see people he cares about, like you two."

The two stared at her for many moments, and Chayanne loosened his grip on Tallulah, removing an arm from around her to point at Kristin. "Mama?"

Kristin smiled, she hadn't expected to be Chayanne's Mama, but she'd happily take the role. "Yes, I'm Mama."

Tallulah pulled away from her brother/uncles arms slowly. She seemed less scared of her than she was before, as she gave her a shy smile. The fear was still there, but that was expected. "Will you take care of us today, Abuelita?"

Kristin was so happy that the two recognised her as family so quickly. "Yes, get ready." The kids got dressed, and Kristin may have chuckled slightly at how attached to his floaty Chayanne was.

Kristin figured out how to open the quest menu, and was delighted to find that the first quest was to eat a food starting with A. She had heard of the avocado toast problem so there was no difficulty in getting the food. Chayanne ate it happily and Tallulah picked at it while mumbling, but ending up finishing it in the end.

Despite being further down on the list, having a dance competition caught her eye, so she decided that that's what they were going to do. Giggles filled the air as dances happened, and after ten minutes of endless dancing, Kristin and Chayanne came to the conclusion that Tallulah won.

Kristin realises that the next one was clean the children, she probably should have had them do that first, but she was new to the whole quests. She ushered them into a tub, trying to explain to Chayanne that he couldn't bring his floaty into the tub. Tallulah giggled, "Sorry Abuelita, he doesn't do this with Papa, it's just today." Kristin laughed back and got to cleaning them. She was ready to have to chase two naked children around once she got them out, she had the experience since Wilbur wasn't the easiest kid to take care of when he was younger, but they patiently let her dry them off and dressed themselves again without complaint.

She checked the next quest, seeing it was to check the museum. She had heard about the museum, and was excited to see what it held. She was excited when they were off the wall, a beautiful place that her husband had stylised, but there was a whole island for her to see. And the museum was as beautiful as she expected. So many paintings of the kids, and the islanders, and she was particularly fond of a gorgeous piece drawn of Phil. The two kids talked about the islanders in the paintings, giving basic knowledge of who they were and what they were doing in the paintings. Kristin would have to make sure to borrow her husbands body more just so she could view the museum. And visit the kids too, of course.

Once they'd viewed the paintings, she looked at the last quest. Take the eggs on a sleepover. This meant she'd get to meet at least one other islander and their kid. She was about to ask the kids who they'd like to have a sleepover with, but she saw a man enter the museum with his kid. Maybe his kid would like a sleepover.

"Hello? Excuse me?" She walked towards the man, who looked at her shocked.

"Philza? You sound... really different." The man stated.

"That's because I'm not Philza, I'm Kristin, Goddess of Death." She stated back.

He stared at her with a look of confusion, glancing down at his kid, who looked like he'd already accepted the situation. "How, and why, are you in Philza's body?"

Kristin happily explained, "He's my husband, and as I'm usually trapped in the world between life and death, I have to borrow his body if I want to visit the alive world."

The man looked at her shocked, "He's married to two people?! And he still doesn't date me!?"

Those words were all it took to realise who this was. "Ah, you must be Forever, I've heard about you," she leaned down to talk to his kid, "And you must be Richarlyson."

The boy nodded and she got back up to talk to Forever again. "Philza has told you about me?"

"Well, it's more like Phil told the crows, and then the crows told me, I've been wondering if you'd ever win him over."

"Wait, you want me to date your husband?"

Kristin laughed, "Of course, it would do him good to get a romantic relationship in the alive realm, I've been telling him this for a while, but he never does, I thought that maybe that had changed with Missa, but it didn't."

Forever was silent for a few moments before speaking, "So you're completely okay with me trying to date your husband?"

"Absolutely."

Forever was ecstatic at this news. Kristin felt hands tugging at Phil's clothes, and she remembered what she was supposed to be talking about.

"Ah, right, would it be okay if Chayanne and Tallulah have a sleepover with Richarlyson?"

Forever smiled wide, "Of course! It would probably be best if we take Richarlyson to Phil's."

Kristin enjoyed Forever's company. She'd have to vouch for him the next time she sent a crow to talk to Phil, even if she knew he'd reject the suggestion. The kids certainly were. As they played with Richarlyson, they'd make noises of complaint whenever Forever's feelings were brought up. Kristen found it hilarious.

Eventually the group ate dinner and it was time to put the kids to bed, Kristin told the kids a story of one of the limbos she had given their siblings, although she didn't dare say that. The kids fell asleep and Kristen was left talking to Forever.

"I'll come by tomorrow to pick Richarlyson up." Forever stated, sitting across from Kristin.

Kristin was about to say that would be a good idea, but she felt something tickling her (Phil's) brain. She was reminded that this body did not belong to her, and Phil would want to regain control soon. "You should tell that to Phil, he's getting restless without conciousness."

Forever cocked his head, "He's still there?"

Kristin nodded, "He doesn't know anything that's happening, he's just taking residence in a part of his brain, he can tell times passing, but other than that he's pretty clueless."

"He'll be pretty confused when he sees me here then, and knowing that there's a sleepover happening." Forever gave a wide smile again.

Kristin had an idea. "Want to make him even more confused?"

Forever looked at her strangely, "What are you thinking?"

Kristin got up from where she sat and moved across, positioning herself in Forever's lap.

"Oh." Was all he said, despite knowing it was Kristin, he still was trying to hide his excitement at Phil being in his lap.

"I'll let Phil take control from here, bye." She closed her eyes and when she next opened them, she was back in her own body. She wondered what Phil did when he awoke in the man who obsessed over hims lap. She loved causing trouble for her husband.

But she didn't quite enjoy leaving people hurt, so when the crows told her he had awoken and had punched Forever in the face out of fear, she made the promise to go back soon and apologize. And see the kids. And see the museum. Yeah, Phil was going to have to get used to her borrowing his body a lot more often.

Chapter Text

If someone had asked Phil how he went from not wanting romance with a single platonic husband to being in a romantic polycule with a romantic husband and two boyfriends, he wouldn't be able to explain a single step in the process. Yet here he is, he didn't even know he was interested in men until this all happened.

Missa, Forever, and Fit were amazing partners despite it all, and while some were jealous to begin with, romance begun to blossom between them all, and while it simply started out with them all dating Phil, they begun to date eachother as time went on. Phil still lived with Missa, but the nights they spent without the other two present began to diminish, and they were contemplating asking Forever and Fit (and Ramon and occasionally Richarlyson) to move in with them.

Their family grew, and Phil couldn't be happier.

"Philza, pay attention to me." Forever wrapped his arms around Phil's waist. Phil had been watching over the kids playing, the four of their kids had set up and were playing dolls together. Phil was strangely invested in what they were doing, Missa and Fit were also watching with intrigue. Tallulah and Chayanne were making their dolls be shop owners while Ramon's doll pulled out every coupon in existence. Richarlyson had his own storyline decisions and decided that his doll would attempt to ask out all three of the other dolls, much to everyone else's annoyance.

"Shhh, we need to know how many more coupons there are." Fit whispered.

"Surely there can't be many more, right? The store already owes him a billion dollars." Missa was lying across Phil and Fit's laps, his legs hanging off Phil's, from where Forever was originally.

Phil turned his head and gave Forever a kiss, which Forever immedialty decided to duplicate. "The kids need attention, I'll give you attention later."

Fit's hand found a place on Phil's leg next to Missa's ass. "We better get some of that attention to."

Missa repositioned himself on their laps so he was looking up at his partners, "Yeah, don't leave your husband out." Phil laughed. While he considered all his partners equal, Missa did like to rub it in that he was the one married to Phil, and that he was the first one. This was usually countered with a kiss from one of their other partners and teasing. Which was exactly what happened, Fit leaned down and pulled Missa up into a kiss while Forever sat his chin on Phil's shoulder and teased him, "You left us out for months, keeping him all to yourself, let us catch up on affection."

Missa pulled away from Fit and reached up to flick Forever in the forehead. "We were monogamous for months, it's not my fault I wanted him to myself."

Phil was the one to lean forward and kiss Missa this time, "Things sure have changed."

"Missa married a man everyone wants, it was just polite to open up your relationship." Fit squeezed Phil's thigh.

Phil knew his partners loved eachother as much as they loved him, but he was often the centre of attention when they were all together. Sometimes he felt annoyed, they were all together, and the attention should be shared. But sometimes he felt happy, safer than he had felt in a long time. He was used to being the one giving all the attention, helping others, so getting that attention back tenfold was new, but more than accepted.

"Someday we will also marry a man everyone wants, but Missa can brag about his title until then." Forever was usually the one to bring up the fact that Missa and Phil's marriage wasn't something Missa would always get to brag about. Everything happened so fast on this island, marriage talk wasn't something all that strange, and while Phil had imagined a wedding a few times, he knew it was best to wait.

"It'll still be a while that he has that on you two." Phil joked.

"And we will wait for that day eagerly." Fit moved around Forever's face to kiss Phil.

The parents attention went back to the kids at the sound of Tallulah's voice getting louder. "I am Phil, I am a homosexual and I love my boyfriends." She pushed her doll's face against the other kids' dolls faces, each accompanied by a 'Mwah'. Phil assumed the doll was supposed to be him. At the mention of the word homosexual, Phil decided that it was probably best to stop calling Wilbur one over the phone, or at least to not do so when Tallulah was nearby.

"Pretty accurate." Missa stated, making Phil flick him in the stomach.

Chayanne decided to punish Missa more by making his doll be Missa, "Oh, mi esposo, I love you so much." He pushed his doll's face back onto Tallulah's doll's. The other two kids decided this was a much better idea Ramon putting a store into debt, and decided to make their own dolls their parents and have them all be mushy with eachother.

"Are we really like that?" Forever asked.

"You're like that." Fit responded.

"You're all like that." Ramon stated, his doll still squished up against the others. "You're all so gay with eachother, when dad divorced my pa, I thought he'd be normal, not all mushy with his new partners. I didn't expect this at all, and he calls two people Big Daddy."

"I am not being mushy, I am being a normal partner." Fit defended himself against his son, deciding to ignore the Big Daddy comment.

"Say what you want, mushy means I get step dads quicker." Richarlyson wasn't the biggest fan of Forever getting with Phil at first, but when Forever got with Fit and Missa he was more than ready for them to get married and give him step dads.

"As long as Papa is happy, I don't care how gay he is." Tallulah stated as if she didn't start the conversation topic.

"You can word it in better ways." Phil told her.

"You're all gay, end of discussion." They decided to listen to Chayanne's proclamation.

Despite the kids and their teasing, Phil wouldn't have had it any other way, and he's sure that if he asked his partners, they'd say the same thing.

Chapter Text

Etoiles placed Pomme down on the top of Tallulah's music store, it had been quite a hot day and he was beginning to get a headache.

"I might just fall over and die." Etoiles was being his usual dramatic self. Pomme was used to this, and just giggled. She began to run around the roof, darting around Etoiles and between his legs as if the heat was nothing to her.

"Pomme, be careful." They were close to the edge, so if she wasn't careful she could fall off. She didn't seem to care for the words, and began to dart around more. Etoiles tried to move to get her, but she seemed to have an obsession with darting between his legs.

"Pomme." She was moving him backwards, how difficult is it to catch a kid?

After a minute or two of Pomme not letting up and letting him catch her, she finally stopped right between his legs. Finally, he stepped back so he could pick her up, not catching how she saw his leg move back and looked up, letting out a worried, "Papa-," before his leg pushed down on air and he was sent falling.

The headache that was pulsing through his head that day made his reaction time slow, and he couldn't even think about pulling out his paraglider to help him. Instead, he plummeted to the ground, luckily not staying conscious enough to feel his bones breaking and his skin tearing.

Pomme got down on her knees for a better look and looked down at her dad in horror, tears springing in her eyes. The sight was a mess, it would be ingrained in her mind for years if she didn't look away, but she just couldn't. She was shaking, she had to do something, but she was the youngest and the smallest, she didn't have the knowledge to help him, and she couldn't move him. Through blurry vision, she saw Forever and Richarlyson approaching. She had to get them to help. Her legs shook as she got up on them, and she barely trusted herself as she got out her paraglider to make sure she didn't meet the same fate as her dad.

Forever was listening to Richarlyson talk about all the things he had done with Cellbit the day before when Pomme ran up to them screaming, she looked as though she was barely keeping herself standing. She looked terrified, and that idea was cemented at the fact that she kept switching between French and English midway through words. Forever could barely understand her, the French his sister had taught him being far too surface level. Still, when Pomme switched to English he was able to pick up a few words.

Papa. Fall. Blood. Bones.

Forever didn't know the extent of what Pomme was saying, but those four words were enough for him to worry. Forever leaned down to a height closer to Pomme's, Richarlyson was rubbing her back. "Take us to what you're talking about." Richarlyson's touch seemed to help her calm down a bit, and she was now able to stay in a single language. "He's over here, quick!" She pulled at Forever's hand.

He got up and followed Pomme to where she was leading them. She stumbled several times, but refused to stop until they were lead to Etoiles unconscious and broken body.

Forever covered Richarlyson's eyes, the sight was horrible. No wonder Pomme was freaking out the way she was. Pomme refused to take her eyes off her dad. She looked at Forever, tears still in her eyes. "Can you help him?"

Forever stared at Etoiles a few seconds longer. "I'll need help, but yes, give me a second." Pomme gave a small smile as Forever used his free hand to get out his comm, Richarlyson was trying to remove Forever's other hand but he didn't move it.

He opened the first contact, and they picked up almost immediately, "Badboy, what are you doing?" He spoke quicker than he usually would.

He heard some movement before Bad responded, "I just put Dapper down for a nap, is something wrong?"

"Come to the Favela immediately, outside Tallulah's music store, it's an emergency." The call was ended and he knew Bad was coming over immediately. Forever turned Richarlyson around and told him to warp somewhere else, this wasn't a good view for him. Richarlyson didn't fight it surprisingly, and instead just pulled out his warp stone and let the particles take him away. He'd send Pomme away too, but the way she stared at Etoiles showed that she wouldn't leave his side now that he had help coming.

Bad showed up within a minute of Richarlyson being sent away, and he also had a shocked reaction to Etoiles. He got closer to him, "How did this happen?"

Bad and Forever both stared at Pomme, Forever hadn't even thought to ask how this had happened. "Papa and I were on the roof, and, and I was running around him and he tried to pick me up, and he was m-moving backwards, and I lead him to the edge, and he didn't realise it, and he stepped back, and, and-." She tried to get through her words without sobbing, but she broke at the end.

Bad was trying to figure out a safe way to move Etoiles so Forever picked Pomme up and tried to calm her down. Forever waited for Bad to say something while rocking Pomme back and forth in his lap. "We need to patch him up a bit and then we can move him, Pomme, do you think you can stand back a bit while Forever and I do this?" Bad stared at Pomme, waiting for a response. She nodded and got off Forever's lap, and Forever got closer to Etoiles and grabbed some of the medical stuff that Bad was pulling out of his backpack.

Pomme played with a strap on her overall dress in worry as she stared at them patching Etoiles up, she hoped he would be better after this. She saw the bandages and casts being placed onto him, she'd heard about situations from her siblings where their parents had to be patched up like this, but seeing it for herself, and in a worse situation than any of them had ever described, was terrifying.

"I think he's safe to move now." Bad stated. Forever and Bad made a joint effort to pick Etoiles up, trying to jostle him around as little as possible. "If we both use our warp stones we should make enough energy to teleport Etoiles with us."

Forever and Bad took out their warp stones and teleported away, Pomme stared to see if Etoiles would be left but after the evidence that we was with them, she warped after them.

Forever and Bad put Etoiles to bed and Forever left to go clean up the blood left in the Favela. Bad asked if Pomme wanted to go be with one of her other parents since Bad would make sure nothing went wrong while Etoiles was healing, but she said she was going to stay by his side until he healed. They waited together for Etoiles to wake up, Bad letting Pomme play games on his comm after making a call to Baghera to take care of Dapper once he woke up for him. She eventually got bored of the phone, instead opting to lay down beside him and gently hold his arm, she felt safe when she was touching him.Two hours passed and eventually Etoiles began to wake up.

He felt like shit, everything hurt and he felt like he could pass out again the moment he opened his eyes. He moved his head, the only part of him he felt like he could move, and saw Bad standing next to his bed and Pomme right by his side. Pomme. She must have been terrified.

"How are you feeling?" Bad asked. Etoiles could barely think, he ended up answering in French. The translator failed at picking up the mumbled words.

Bad looked at Pomme for a translation, "He feels like he's about to die, and not in the fun way."

"You won't die, hopefully, you just have to rest for a week or two and you'll be fine, just no getting out of bed until I say you're ready."

Etoiles was so upset at the words he pushed through the haze in his brain to answer in English, "If I can't get out of bed, I can't go do dungeons, and if I can't do dungeons I may as well die, goodbye, I am passing away."

"Don't say that, you'll survive." Bad tried to calm him down.

"No, I won't." Bad decided to give up arguing.

Pomme stared at her dad, she wanted to apologize. "Can I be alone with Papa for a bit?" She asked once she turned around.

Bad looked between the two for a few moments before speaking. "Call me back in when you're done." And then left.

Etoiles had his first good look at Pomme since he woke up. She looked a mess, her beret was even more off centre than it usually was, her hair was frizzy as if it had been rubbed against something, one strap of her overall dress had been loosened, making the entire thing wonky, and her face paint had been smudged into her face, the blue covering much more of her cheeks and smudging down to her chin while the red started to blend into her red tinted post-crying face. Despite the physical pain he was in, seeing her like this hurt the most. What had his little daughter done to his heart.

"I'm sorry." She said, looking away from him.

"What are you apologising for?"

"It was because I ran around that you fell." His heart hurt even more, this wasn't her fault at all, he should have paid more attention to his surroundings.

"Pomme, I don't blame you at all, I fell because I wasn't thinking."

Pomme buried her face into his arm. "Can you just accept my apology." Her words were muffled.

"Move up towards my face and get close." Pomme was confused but moved from her place hugging his arm. Once Pomme was close enough Etoiles used the little movement he could do to give Pomme a kiss on the forehead. "I forgive you." Pomme had tears in her eyes again but a smile on her lips, she moved back down to hug his arm again.

"Are you upset that you can't do dungeons for a while?"

"Yes, I don't know what to do without dungeons, but if it makes you happy, I'll stay and get better." Pomme snuggled into his arm more.

They called Bad back in and for the rest of the day they stayed together. When night fell Bad asked if Pomme was good to take care of Etoiles on her own, to which Pomme said she'd be fine. Etoiles had fallen asleep quickly after. Turns out being in pain is very tiring. Pomme stayed awake for many hours more, trying to make sure everything was alright. She drew her time away until she struggled to stay awake. She contemplated putting her bed down before climbing into bed with Etoiles.

When she woke up Bad was there alone with Dapper, and Etoiles was still asleep. Bad asked her what he plans for doing the quests were, and she said she'd do what she could with Etoiles bed bound, and would only leave if she absolutely had to. Bad told her that she didn't need to be here since he'd be taking care of Etoiles. Pomme decided to switch it around on him and say that he didn't need to be here since she could take care of him.

Bad tried to argue, but eventually left after giving Pomme a brief of what she needed to do. Pomme was proud of herself for convincing him how mature and capable she was.

When Etoiles woke up and she told him what she did, he just shook his head slightly whie smiling. She'd make Bad and her Papa proud, it's the least she could do after making him fall. And the fact she'd have him to herself for at least a week was a treat for being the best nurse she could be during this time. She was ready to do her best.

But first she had to wash the remnants of her face paint off. Then she could be a nurse.

Chapter Text

Mariana struggled after killing his daughter again. He decided that to rid himself of the grief, he'd journey around a bit. His husband might be doing that, he surely hadn't heard a word from him since he accidently killed Tilin. It was times like these that he believed that the ticket system wasn't randomised, and he and Slime were put together because they were both bound to be unlovable baby murderers. His brain reminded him that Slime wasn't unlovable, despite everything Mariana had ever said to Slime, he loved him. Mariana on the other hand was unlovable, he had been on the island for less than a month and he had already gone through a breakup and was on the edge of a divorce. Sure, the break up was his fault, but still.

While journeying, he saw light in the distance. He thought maybe it was something that had always been on the island, but the structures and dungeons on the island felt replicated, built and copied tens of times. This one felt new, cared for, even if it emitted an aura of depression. He approached the place, wandering around, looking at the beauty of it. He wondered who could have built it.

He made his way to the campfire, there were multiple stools around it, maybe one of the still intact families had created it? But there were four stools, and he didn't think there were any families with two kids.

"Mariana?" He whipped around at the voice calling his name, and was shocked at the sight. His husband. His heart soared at seeing him before quickly plummeting at the state of him. His clothes were torn and his glasses had cracks. His skin that usually only had blotches of slime showing was now covered in a gooping green.

"Slime." Was all he was able to say.

"I didn't expect you to find me." Slime's voice was devoid of his usual emotion. Mariana was used to anger and condescension in his voice whenever he spoke to him, but numbness hurt him even more.

"I didn't expect to find you either." As much as he'd like to say he came to find him, he didn't. It was all by coincidence.

Silence struck the two. Usually anytime silence started, it would quickly be filled by arguments, but neither wanted that today. Slime sat down on one of the stools, and after a few seconds Mariana moved to sit on the one next to him. Silence went on for longer afterwards. Mariana decided he had to break the silence, even if it would lead to an argument. Arguing would show that Slime was back to normal.

"Juanaflippa is dead."

"I know."

Silence.

Mariana was waiting for Slime to blow up, to scream at him for letting him find out through someone else that their child was dead, but nothing happened.

"Who told you?"

"Cucurucho."

This conversation was leading them no where but being sadder. Mariana just wished Slime would yell at him at this point.

"Do you wish you were partnered with someone better?" He asked.

Slime let out a bitter laugh, "I don't think there was any other possibility, it's almost like we're made for eachother, we're so fucked up that we can't stop killing the kids."

Mariana was the one to laugh now, "I was thinking about that earlier, how we must have been paired together because the island just knew we would end up as unlovable killers."

Slime grabbed Mariana's hand, surprising him. "I'm, I'm sorry, I'm a shitty husband, I know I have never shown I love you, but you aren't unlovable, since I got out here, part of my brain just wouldn't stop saying 'She's going to move on, she's going to find someone who can love her the way she needs' and whenever it happened, I'd just wished I'd done more for you to show I love you."

Mariana slightly squeezed Slime's hand, ignoring the rush of liquid slime that coated his hand from the action. "You aren't the only one, I've been a shitty wife, you aren't unlovable either, and if I could go back in time, the first thing I'd do is not kill our daughter, and the second thing I'd do is show you I love you."

They sat still for a few seconds before Slime stood up and pulled Mariana into a tight embrace, his head making its home against Mariana's neck, slimy tears stained his skin and started to sink into his clothes, but Mariana didn't find himself caring. "We can't go back to before Juana died anymore."

Mariana returned the embrace. "I know."

"And we can't go back to before we started arguing."

"I know."

"But," he pulled his face away from his neck, "But we can start from here, we can make something out of what we broke." Slime looked pathetic, but Mariana found himself clinging onto Slime's every word. "Please, let me try again, let me try and build a future with you."

Mariana couldn't find a response that suited Slime's words, so he just replied in one of the only ways he knew how to. "Kiss me."

They both dove in to join their lips. They'd kissed many times before, but every other time it was harsh and lust driven. This was fueled by need, but not their usual need for dominance or sex, but need for eachother. They needed eachother or else they'd lose themselves. Their need for eachother in their grief likely wasn't healthy, but none of what they had was. They could take what they had, even if it was broken and unhealthy, and they'd reform it into something new, something that showed how they truly felt. Something that Juanaflippa would have wanted from them.

They pulled away panting, slime and saliva connected their lips, more slime than saliva. "Does this mean you'll give me another chance?" Slime asked, eyes dazed.

"If it means you'll give me another chance." Mariana responded, not caring about the slime stuck to his chin. He had hated how his husband had left his slime everywhere in the past, and surely would find it annoying in the future, but for now, he missed it, and it was perfect.

"Of course." Slime said, and dived in for another kiss.

They had made many mistakes, and would likely make a hundred more, but they were right, they were made for eachother, and they'd work through it as long as they had eachother.

Chapter Text

Phil put the kids to bed, groaning as he stood up from his spot he was kneeling beside their beds. His joints were not agreeing with how little rest he had been getting lately. He got out from the children's safe room and was surprised to see Fit on the wall. It wasn't a surprise to see his boyfriend show up randomly during the day, but at near midnight was an occasion that happened far more rarely.

Fit came closer and gave Phil a kiss on the forehead. Despite them having been together for several months now, Fit's affection still made his head whirl sometimes.

"What brought you here?" Phil asked. He didn't think Fit needed a reason usually, but this late at night must have meant something.

"I was feeling lonely, thought I'd spend the night here."

Phil felt guilty, but he had to turn him away. "I have to finish a project, Chayanne's been waiting for it to be done for a week now."

Fit looked at Phil concerned, "Didn't you stay up late doing that last night?" It's true, as much as he reprimanded the other members for staying up too late, he had found himself staying up far beyond his bed time more and more as island life dragged on.

"It'll be fine, it'll be done soon." He didn't want to make Chayanne wait longer.

"Take it easy tonight, it'll be there in the morning." Fit tried to reason.

"It'd be better if it were done tonight."

Fit placed his hand on Phil's shoulder. "It'll be there in the morning." He said again.

Phil wanted to fight more, but Fit was right. And he was tired. "Alright, let's get to bed." Fit smiled at him, and Phil couldn't help but smile back. Despite it being Phil's house, Fit lead Phil inside, maybe he wasn't convinced that Phil wouldn't sneak away. The two slipped into pyjamas, Fit had started to keep some clothes at Phil's, and Phil kept some at Fit's. It was easier than having to go home to get some on the nights they decided to stay at eachothers.

Fit eagerly got into Phil's nest, near the beginning of their relationship Phil had joked that Fit was only dating him for his nest. Fit told him to stop figuring him out, and made Phil promise to make him a nest in his base one day. He should probably do that after his project for Chayanne. Phil hopped into the nest beside Fit, who immediately pulled Phil close to his chest and pulled a blanket up to cover them.

"Can't let me breath?" Phil joked. While he could definitely breath, Phil had found out quickly that Fit tended to use a lot of strength while cuddling.

"You love this."

"I do." Phil moved a wing over his body and held Fit with it.

The two let silence fall over them. Fit was right, Phil really needed this. He felt himself start to fall asleep, and was about to before he heard Fit speak to him.

"Why have you been working yourself so hard?"

Phil was wide awake again. He hadn't been expecting to be asked that. He almost wanted to brush him off, tell him he didn't want to talk about it. But this was Fit, and he cared deeply for him.

"It's for the kids."

"The kids?"

Phil manuevered himself to be able to look at Fit's face better. "I feel like I have to work harder to be a good dad than everyone else, I have to care for two kids while everyone else only has one, to make up for what everyone else can give their kids, I feel like I have to work twice as hard." His mind briefly flashed back to Missa, and how cemented the idea that he was never coming back had felt these past few months, making him finally agree with the fact that he was officially a single father. "Four times as hard sometimes."

Fit rubbed Phil's back in an attempt to comfort. "Chayanne and Tallulah are fine with just you."

"Because I try so hard to do as much as I can."

Fit held Phil tight again. "No, because you've shown them love, they won't care if you can't always go above and beyond for them, you are so dedicated, and you care for them so much, they may want you to try less sometimes, so you can copy the care you give to them and give it to yourself."

Phil snuggled into Fit's chest more. He was right, if they knew he was ignoring his own needs for them, they would be sad and would worry endlessly.

Fit continued, "You're worth more than you think you are, and people care about you and worry over how you treat yourself, and even if they don't realise, they will realise when you don't give yourself the love you deserve, and then they'll worry."

"You're right, I'm sorry mate, I do need to take care of myself more, for the kids, and for the others."

"For yourself," Fit said firmly, "And don't apologize to me, apologize to yourself, you're the one who deserves the care you've been denying yourself."

He was right again, no one deserved this apology more than himself.

"Thank you," Phil started. "I'm used to doing things alone, but having you here makes things easier, and it's nice to get to rely on you sometimes."

Fit placed his chin on top of Phil's head. "You're welcome, and remember, I'm always here to help, I may only have one child, but I know what it's like to be a single parent, and if we can help eachother, then there's no point in pretending we have to do this alone."

Phil wanted to respond to Fit's words, but sleep was catching up to him. Phil would have to tell Fit words that would make him feel as safe and well cared for as he did to him another time. For now, all he could think about was how warm his spot in Fit's arms was.

Chapter Text

Cellbit woke up but was still half asleep. He didn't have to be awake at this time, he could spend another hour cuddling his husband. He reached over, trying to find his husband in his bed, but couldn't find him. He opened an eye so that he could move to cuddle him, but was confused when he couldn't see him. He got up in bed, maybe Roier was somewhere else in the castle. Usually they woke up at the same time, but it wouldn't be all that surprising if he woke up earlier and got out of bed.

He pulled on a shirt and searched his castle, but was confused when he couldn't find him no matter where he checked. He had eventually searched the while castle, and decided to call Roier. Maybe he was out and about. The phone rang many times, and with each ring Cellbit became more and more worried. When he went to voicemail he immediately hung up. Something wasn't right.

He messaged global.

Cellbit: Has anyone seen Roier?

Forever: Wasn't he with you last night?

Cellbit: Yes

Bad: Maybe he went to visit his parents?

Foolish: He's not with me

Cellbit: If anyone sees him, please tell me

The global chat started to talk about where he could possibly be. Cellbit tried to calm himself down. He just wasn't in bed, and he didn't pick up. Maybe he was overreacting to all of this. But then again, no one else had seen him either. He put on his jacket and left the castle, surely there must be somewhere he was. Maybe he was in Bobby fields, Jaiden hadn't messaged anyone in a while, Cellbit hadn't even seen her in what felt like forever, and she and Roier were best friends. Spending time together wouldn't be anywhere near out of the ordinary. He could have put his comm onto do not disturb, it had been a while since they spent time together, he could have wanted to make sure there'd be no disturbances. But why wouldn't he tell Cellbit where he was going? No, Roier could do things on his own, he didn't have to tell him his every move. He'd just quickly check up on him, say hi to Jaiden, and then be on his way again.

Except that didn't happen. No one was at Bobby fields when he checked. His one idea of where Roier could be had no evidence of him having been there anytime recently. He checked the global chat again to see if anyone had found him yet but no one had. They had even asked the kids and none of them had seen him either. He checked through all the names to see if anyone had yet to say anything on Roier's whereabouts, there were a few, but as soon as he realised ElQuackity's name was missing, his mind let out warning sirens.

He immediately private messaged ElQuackity to come to his castle. Right now he was the number one suspect and he would get anything he could out of him.

He warped to his castle and soon ElQuackity arrived, looking smug.

"What did you do to Roier?" He sounded harsh, but he was in no mood to act civil with him.

"I did nothing." He put his hands up weakly, pretending to be scared. He should be scared, if ElQuackity doesn't give him any information he's willing to undo all his therapy, even if Roier would be upset about it. He can't be upset if he's nowhere to be found.

"Don't play dumb with me, you know exactly what happened to him. So tell me right now or you'll regret it." Cellbit reached forwards and gripped the fabric of ElQuackity's shirt in his hands, pulling him up the difference in height so ElQuackity was forced to look him in the face.

Still, ElQuackity wasn't scared, he still had that smug grin on his face. "I didn't lie, I did nothing." He dragged out the 'I,' and Cellbit pushed him away, ElQuackity may have had the information on what happened to Roier, but there was someone who knew even more, and he wanted to speak to the culprit.

"Get out."

"You invited me in."

"Get out."

"Fine, if you want me gone so bad." ElQuackity left with a half-hearted wave.

Cellbit left the castle again in search for Cucurucho. He did something to Roier, and Cellbit was going to find out what.

"Hello." The signature robotic voice came from behind him.

"What did you do to Roier." Once again, he skipped the pleasantries. Nothing about this situation was pleasant.

"Roier isn't hurt." The robotic voice stated. What a creepy way to respond.

"Where is he." He forgot how annoying it was to get answers out of this thing.

"He is on the island."

He grabbed the furry felt of Cucurucho's costume and pulled him down to meet his eyes.

"What happened to Roier." He would destroy this entire island if it meant getting Roier back.

Cucurucho brushed Cellbit's hands off, standing back up to his inhuman height. "You have made mistakes." Cellbit knew he had made mistakes, made more than he could count, but what did that have to do with Roier. "You have to be punished."

Fear struck Cellbit, replacing the adrenaline that had been keeping him searching.

"I have to be punished?"

Cucurucho didn't answer, and instead pulled out a picture and handed it to Cellbit. He was scared to look, but he had to. The picture was of Roier. He looked like he was floating, he was asleep in the picture, at least Cellbit was pretty sure. Roier's jacket was open and floating around him. At closer inspection, the picture had a distorted look to it, as if it were taken from behind ice, almost as if it were in ice. Except the area wasn't in ice.

Roier was the one in ice.

"What did you do to him!" Cellbit was furious and fueled by adrenaline again.

"This is your fault." The emotionless robotic voice just made him angrier.

"Do whatever you want to me if you believe I have to be punished, but leave Roier out of it!" He couldn't believe that they would freeze Roier just because he made a few mistakes.

"Enjoy the island." Cellbit tried to take a swipe at Cucurucho, but he was gone before his hand met felt.

He stared back down at the picture. He had to find Roier, he had barely any leads, but he had to. He just hoped Roier was safe from freezing to death, because if Roier died, there was no telling how many federations workers would die by his hands afterwards.

Chapter Text

Missa was excited as a crow knocked on his hotel window, he knew it could only mean his husband was the one who sent the letter. He opened the window a took the letter, waving the crow off. His heart sped up as he opened the letter. He knew Phil said that their marriage would be solely platonic, but even from the first day on the island he had found himself falling for the winged man, and as he slid his wedding ring onto his finger, he knew it was too late.

Missa read through the first few lines, excited to hear how Chayanne and his granddaughter were doing. He still couldn't believe he was already a grandpa, he asked about if he should be calling himself her grandpa a few times since he's only Wilbur's stepdad, but Phil hasn't answered. He must have forgot. He often feels guilty that he's not able to be on the island with his family despite the fact everyone on the island is desperately trying to get off the island, but his reaper duties won out on the code keeping them on the island. He only had one more though, he'd be back home soon.

He continued to read through the letter, and got confused towards the end.

'The kids are safe, and I hope you're happy that I'm able to keep them safe despite having to raise them on my own. That's another thing I want to talk about. You've left me alone for quite some time, and it's starting to take it's toll on me. I cared for you as my husband for months on end even when you showed no sign of caring for me back. But things have changed. I was offered a relationship almost three weeks ago and it made me think about how I felt towards you, and while some feelings may have stuck, they have been buried beneath feelings of inadequacy and self doubt. I think it would be best for the both of us if we parted ways. If you do come back I am willing to discuss a custody schedule for Chayanne, but I'm not sure how much he will want to see you now. I hope you're doing well, even if you don't want me talking to you anymore.

I have put the divorce papers in the envelope.

From, Philza Minecraft.'

Missa froze. What was Phil talking about? He thought he had been doing a great job at showing how much he cared for him. He had to fix this. He wasn't just going to let Phil walk out of his life without at least talking to him. A letter wouldn't do, he was going to help this last soul and then he was going to get back to island as soon as he could. He wasn't just going to lose his family like this.

The next day came and he sped through his final bit of work as much as he could. He was surprised when he got a message saying a train was waiting to take him back to the island as soon as he was done, but he took it. He didn't actually have a plan on how to get back, so just being given a way to get back was a great thing.

Missa could hardly sit still on the train. He understood he didn't have to, unlike the first time he was the only person on the train, but he forced himself to, he had to think about what he could so when he got back. Part of him wanted to scream at Phil for insinuating that he didn't care for him, but that would only make things worse. He needed to try and sit down and talk to Phil, to try and figure out what made Phil want a divorce. The several hours it took to get back over to the island were hell, he needed to talk to his husband as soon as possible. It hurt to call Phil his husband now, but he reminded himself that they were still married until he signed the divorce papers. He opened his inventory and stared at them, his future was written on paper. His choice of a future, but he knew he only had a choice if he could convince Phil that staying married to him was a good choice.

The train pulled into the station and he was out the door the second they opened, not bothering to look at the train leaving. He got on top of the wall as fast as he could. He hadn't been around for the longest, but if nothing had changed dinner would be in an hour.

He heard the sound of warping behind him and turned around, seeing the shocked faces of his family.

"Missa?" Phil looked as though he was trying to figure out if Missa was even real.

"I'm home." Missa found it hard to look at Phil. He instead got closer and kneeled down to Chayanne and Tallulah's level. "Did you miss me?" This time it was Chayanne and Tallulah who looked away.

There was a hand on Missa's shoulder and he stood up, forcing himself to look Phil in the eye. Phil must have decided that Missa was entirely real, and now his expression was a mix between relief and anger. "What are you doing here?" His voice was the same mixture.

"I'm home." He didn't know why he kept repeating the same thing, he could easily explain himself.

Phil was the one to break eye contact this time. "But why now?"

Missa pulled out the letter that Phil had sent. "I wanted to talk about this," He pulled out the divorce papers, "And this."

Phil took the divorce papers out of his hand and examined it, "You haven't signed it."

"Hopefully I won't ever sign it."

"Mate, you can't just say no to signing the divorce papers."

"I want to talk to you about it first." Missa was hoping Phil would give him a chance to at least learn some more about why Phil thought he didn't care for their marriage.

Phil stared at him and the stared down at the papers, moments passing in silence before he stared down at the kids. "Go play somewhere else, Missa and I are going to have a talk. Chayanne and Tallulah shared a look between themselves before leaving. Phil looked back to Missa and handed him the papers again. "What did you want to talk about?"

Phil's tone was stern, and Missa knew he only had one shot at asking the right questions. "What made you think I didn't care about this marriage?"

Phil's face twisted into an angrier expression, "Well, it's not like you bothered to even send me a letter for months, I was starting to think you'd forgotten I'd existed."

Missa cocked his head, what did Phil mean by he hadn't sent him letters? He sent a letter everytime he received one. "I sent you letters."

"Don't pull this bullshit, I didn't receive any." Phil had his arms crossed.

"But I sent them, I care for this marriage." Missa couldn't help the way his voice was starting to raise.

"It sure didn't feel like it." Phil's was raising as well.

"Then let me show you that I care!" Missa felt like it Phil asked him to, he would have begged for forgiveness at this point.

Phil didn't answer immediately, and fear and anticipation spread through Missa's brain. Depending on what Phil said, his life on the island could change forever. Sure, he hadn't been on the island all that much, but he wanted to be with his family.

Phil stared at Missa for several moments before answering, "I have ten days until I have to give my answer, so you have ten days to win my back and make me fall in love with you."

Missa felt his brain shut off for a split second. "Love?" Phil was the one that was adamant on their marriage being platonic.

"Yes, I was planning to divorce you for a romantic relationship, so I'm expecting one if you manage to convince me to stay with you, so if you don't want this to be romantic, then you've already lost your chance."

"No, I'm fine with this!" Missa realised he probably answered a bit too loudly and quickly. But who could blame him, he was being offered more than he had expected when he got the train over here.

"Then you better start now, Chayanne's making dinner, you're gonna have to win his trust back as well."

Missa helped Chayanne make dinner, Chayanne had gotten so much better since Missa first taught him how to cook. Chayanne almost seemed agitated at having to share the role of cooking, but maybe Missa was reading his upsetness of him being back as it. Missa tried to ask him how he had been while he was gone, but Chayanne's responses were short and blunt. He hated seeing his child act like this with him. Missa believes that he could lose Phil, it would hurt for a long time but it would stop hurting eventually, but he couldn't handle losing Chayanne.

Dinner was an awkward event, Missa had yet again tried to start conversation, but nothing came from it. He settled for listening to his family make conversation by themselves. Livelier than when he was trying to join, but probably still less than if he weren't there.

When night came he made a bed and slept on the other side of the house from Phil. When things were happier between them, Missa had gladly joined Phil in his nest. It wasn't the advanced comfort that he missed, it was the fact that Phil had once so kindly welcomed Missa into his arms at night, and now he could barely look at Missa. Still, Missa had to stay resilient. If Phil had completely given up on him he wouldn't have given him this chance. He had time, and he had to put it to use on things other than moping.

His first full day back wasn't much better. He had been invited to do the kid quests with his family, but it felt like the entire time they regretted asking him. Tallulah had opened up a bit once they were doing the museum quest, but she quieted down again when they saw some art of the talk he and Phil had the night before. It was creepy how that happened so fast. Dinner was similar, but he thought he was making progress. Chayanne had waited for Missa to be ready in making it, even if they now worked in silence. Missa had understood that they weren't quite ready to include him in talking at the table yet, but Chayanne did give him some glances when talking. Missa smiled at them, and he saw Chayanne try to hide a smile back. He went to bed alone again, but he felt happy. He was at least making progress with Chayanne, and even if all he could get from trying was Chayanne, he'd be happy.

The next day was similar, he joined in on the quests and the day was awkward, but then cooking dinner came. They had put the food in the oven and now all they had to do was wait, Missa thought the wait would be in silence but he noticed Chayanne looking down, even more uncomfortable than he had been since he returned. Maybe he shouldn't of, but this was his kid, he had to ask. He got onto his knees so he could be more at Chayanne's height and asked, "What's wrong?"

Chayanne shook, and took a few seconds to respond. "Why did you leave?"

Missa hadn't expected to be asked a question back, but he answered it immediately. "I had a job that had more power than the island, so I had to leave to do so."

Chayanne still didn't look at him. "Why did you come back?"

Missa felt his heart sting. "For you, and for Tallulah, and for Phil." He could have ended it at that, but he felt as though Chayanne would have preferred the whole answer. "And for answers."

Chayanne finally looked up, glancing at him from the holes in his own bone mask. "Answers?"

"Why Phil wanted to end our marriage, and why you wouldn't want to see me anymore. And I got one answer, and I'll wait until you want to talk to me enough to give me the other."

Chayanne was fully looking at him now. "You didn't send any letters."

There's that answer again. "I don't want to make excuses, but you deserve to know that I did send them, but I think something went wrong and they never got to you."

Chayanne had a face he couldn't read. "So you didn't want to abandon us?"

Missa put a hand on Chayanne's back. "I would rather die than ever abandon you."

The next thing Missa knew was that he had a lap full of crying child. He wrapped his arms around the boy and felt like crying himself. He missed Chayanne so much, even if he was right in front of him, these past days felt like he wasn't really there.

"Don't leave again, please." Chayanne's voice was broken. As much as these kids showed to be mature, there was no denying they were children, especially when Chayanne was like this.

Missa tilted up his mask and removed Chayanne's, giving him a kiss on the forehead. "Never, I'm here to stay, I never want you to believe that I don't love you ever again, because I love you more than anything."

Chayanne scooted his chair closer to Missa that dinner, and the conversation practically split in two. Chayanne refused to stop talking his head off to Missa, not that he minded at all. Tallulah and Phil shared more of the quieter conversation that the table had become used to. When dinner was over, Chayanne was adamant that Missa be the one to tell a story that night. Tallulah was on edge but wanted Chayanne to be happy, so she also asked that he give them the story. Missa had missed the domesticity, and telling a story made him far happier than it should have.

He felt lonelier than usual when he went to bed that night, but he knew it was because he was making progress.

When he and Phil went down to get the kids the next morning, they weren't to surprised at them whispering to eachother, this was a common occurrence. They were however surprised when Tallulah asked, "Papa, can me and Chayanne talk to Missa alone?" Missa felt his heart shatter slightly at her using his name.

Phil looked between the kids and Missa before nodding and leaving. Missa got closer to the beds and kneeled down so they could speak to him more easily.

Tallulah and Chayanne shared a look before Tallulah asked Missa, "So you wanted us to be part of your life?"

Missa couldn't help but say exactly how he felt. "This family is my life."

Tallulah played with the hem of her skirt for a few seconds, trying to find words, "Chayanne told me what you said, but I wanted to make sure myself."

Missa had heard how close the two were from the letters he received, but it was something else entirely to see how close they were for himself. "Don't believe for a second more that I don't want to be here with my family."

"So are you and Papa going to stay together?" Tallulah asked, it was such an innocent question, but it hurt his heart.

"I don't know yet, I still haven't won him back, but there's a chance, even if right now there's a bigger chance he'll end up with whoever offered him that relationship." His voice was quieter than he wanted it to be, almost like he was trying to make sure he didn't hear his own words.

"Fit." Chayanne stated. "Fit asked him out."

"Ah." Hearing it was Fit who asked out his husband suddenly made everything feel all that much more real. Knowing someone asked out his husband was one thing, knowing who asked out his husband was another. "Still, I have time, I can win him back, I've already won Chayanne back."

Chayanne smiled at his words, and Tallulah looked away for a few seconds before saying, "Well, if Chayanne wants you to be his dad again, I want you to be my grandpa again, well, dad now, Abuelito is Papa now."

Missa couldn't handle the emotion anymore and took Tallulah into a hug. She was shocked for a moment but hugged back and started to giggle. Chayanne decided he wanted to get in on the moment and joined the hug. This is what Missa had wanted when he returned, he wanted his family.

"Is everything alright in here?" Phil must have gotten tired of waiting and came back down the ladder.

Missa put the kids down and turned around to face Phil. He once again had an expression he couldn't read. Tallulah jumped up and said, "Everything is great Papa! Papi and I were just clearing some stuff up." Missa smiled at the title.

Phil gave a quick glance to Missa before looking back at Tallulah, "That's great!"

Missa was making so much progress, but in the end it felt like none of it was with Phil.

The day once again went by, but for once he felt like things were returning to normal. Chayanne and Tallulah started conversation with him and treated him as equally as a parent as Phil was. But Phil still seemed on edge, and he didn't know how to fix it. Dinner arrived again and this time he was actively included in the table conversation, now the only person left who hadn't let things return to normal was Phil.

The two put the kids to bed, who once again asked for Missa to read them their bedtime story. When they were settling down for bed, Phil started conversation, surprising Missa. "You've won the kids back already."

"Yeah, it happened alot quicker than I was expecting." Missa wasn't sure where this conversation was heading.

"You still haven't won me back." There it was.

"I'm trying."

"It doesn't feel like it." It's true, maybe he thought that simply being near Phil would win him over, like Phil had done to him. But it wouldn't, he had to put in effort.

"Let me take you on a date then." Missa doesn't know where this certain confidence came from, but perhaps it was stupidity instead. He had never planned a date before, and wouldn't have the slightest clue where to start planning for one.

Phil was surprised at the sudden ask. "Now?"

"No, no, no, not now, but, how about the day after tomorrow?" He should've given himself more time.

Phil was silent for a moment before answering, "Sure."

"Okay." This could make or break his chances.

The two let the conversation die after that. As Missa was trying to fall asleep, he decided that he'd take the day away from caring for the kids tomorrow so that he could plan for his date, it had to be perfect.

When the kids were awake the next morning, he helped them with a food quest and told them that it'd just be them and Phil today, as he would be planning a date to try and win Phil back. The kids were sad at first but at his explanation they became happy, they wanted their dads to be happy and in love.

Missa had decided on a picnic. It wasn't overly romantic, but it could still be considered romantic. He would spend a while searching for a good spot, it had to be perfect. He tried out many places, but none felt good enough. There were flowers and forests and beautiful lakes, but none felt like enough. It ended up taking hours, and he was about to settle for one in a flower field, but then he found the perfect spot. There were hundreds of flowers in gorgeous colours in the middle of a forest, with a beautiful lake running through it. He had his spot.

The next thing he needed was food. He planned to make sandwiches and cut up some fruit, bring some chocolate as well. He wanted Phil to want to stay at the picnic. He didn't know what kind of sandwiches Phil liked, and asking him felt too embarrassing, so he called Phil and asked to speak to Chayanne. Sure, asking the guy you were asking on a date to hand the phone over to the kid you two have together so you can ask him what kind of sandwiches his other dad liked was a bit strange, but it was a necessary step. Chayanne supplied him with information and even helped guide him around looking for ingredients for a bit. His son was the best. After about fifteen minutes Phil asked if they were done on the phone so they said goodbye. Missa got to work making the food, and eventually he felt like he had enough at a high enough quality. He put the food in a picnic basket he had found a crafting recipe for, which he then put in his inventory and waited for his family to get back, luckily, it didn't take too long.

Chayanne and him made dinner together again, and the dinner table showed a similar scene to the day before. When they were going to bed, Phil struck up conversation again.

"Have you planned out our date?"

"Yes, it's all ready for tomorrow." Missa was happy with the work he managed to do for the day.

"We won't have to worry about the kids tomorrow, I talked to Fit today and he's going to take care of them tomorrow, we just have to pick them up before dinner." Missa tensed up at Fit's name. He was taking Phil out on a date but still Fit had a special place in Phil's heart.

"We wouldn't want the kids to get in our way." Missa went on like he wasn't bothered.

"We should probably go to sleep now, I am prepared to be woo'd." Missa nodded and the two got into their beds. Missa was suddenly far less confident that the date would go well.

Breakfast was normal for the family but afterwards they got to Fit's and dropped the kids off. Missa tried to ignore the way that Phil looked at Fit, but he just couldn't. Fit looked at Phil with far more love, so maybe that could give him a chance, but Phil still looked at Fit with more love than he looked at Missa with.

They bid their farewells and Missa lead Phil out to the spot he found. He really did find the perfect spot because Phil looked at it in awe. He had left a blanket out the previous day, so Phil knew what the date was gonna be. "You set up a picnic?"

"It felt like a nice date." Missa studied Phil's face for his reaction. Phil's face was quizzical for a few moments before turning into a smile.

"It's pretty."

Missa lead Phil to the blanket, where they both sat down. He pulled the picnic basket out and put it in front of them. Phil peered inside the basket. "Nice selection."

"I tried my best."

"It's probably a bit early to eat." Phil stated, but it looked like he wanted to eat the food anyway. Missa was proud of his cooking skills.

"Yeah, we should wait more until lunch." Missa didn't want silence to happen between them again, so he immediatly asked a question. "How were the kids yesterday?"

Phil tilted his head, "They were talking about their day at dinner yesterday."

"I know, but I want to hear it from you, taking care of kids is harder than being a kid, I want to make sure you weren't too stressed yesterday."

Phil looked at the ground, and Missa was scared he had upset Phil, but he saw him slightly smiling. "It was difficult, it's always been difficult, but I got used to having you around from these past few days, and then you weren't there to help again, and I felt how hard it was again. I had almost gotten used to it while you were gone." Missa hadn't realised how difficult it had been for Phil while he was gone. Even in the letters, Phil refused to say that he was having a hard time. He needed to make sure Phil didn't struggle like that again.

"If we get divorced," he had to stop himself from saying when, "I'll still help with Chayanne of course, you can't stop me from doing that, but if you need help with Tallulah, I'm willing to help, even if she's not a part of my family anymore."

Phil looked at Missa with a strange expression, "If that does happen, I'll think about it." Missa wasn't sure if the answer was positive or negative.

The confusion didn't stop them, and they ended up just talking for a few hours. Phil told Missa more about the kids in the months he was away, and when Phil asked, Missa told him more about his work as a reaper. Everything felt natural, like their months apart weren't something that happened. Missa hoped everything would go well enough that he wouldn't have to miss this.

Eventually they got hungry, and they began to eat. Phil complimented his food, and Missa got a bit flustered. He had spent a lot of time making sure it was good enough for Phil, so he's happy that Phil acknowledged his efforts. The food was gone quickly, and they went back to conversation.

"It's good to have you back." Phil started.

"It's good to be back, I really missed you and the kids." Missa was getting confident in his ability to win Phil back.

Phil was silent for a second, and Missa was about to ask what was wrong when Phil spoke. "You really should have sent us a letter at some point." Not this again.

"I did send you letters, I sent so many, everytime you sent one I answered." Missa tried to keep his voice calm.

"You don't have to lie, you're trying to make up for it." Phil's voice lowered.

"But I'm not lying, I really did send you letters, I don't know why they didn't reach you." Missa was failing at keeping his emotions at bay.

"You have a chance again, you don't have to make excuses for what you did before I gave you the chance!" Phil was losing his composure.

"I'm not making excuses!" Missa copied Phil.

"Well it sure doesn't feel like you're telling the truth!"

"I don't know how to show you it is the truth!"

"Because it's not the truth!" Phil slammed his hands down on the blanket beside him.

"Why can't you just trust me?"

"Because you haven't given me a reason to trust you, I barely trust you around the kids!" Phil took a low blow.

"You don't trust me around my kid?"

"He's barely your kid anymore, I raised him alone for months!"

"I wanted to raise him with you!"

"But you didn't, I was left all alone wondering when my husband would come back, and it was only when I sent you those papers that you finally decided to come back!"

"I didn't have a choice!" Missa felt tears well up in his eyes.

"And I had the choice to give you another chance, and now I wish I didn't." Phil got up from his sitting position. "I'm done, the food was great, but I think it's best we end the date here." Phil pulled out his warp stone.

"Phil, wait!" He yelled as he pulled himself up from sitting on the blanket, but it was too late, Phil had warped away. He had blown his chance after he tried so hard to make it work. Why did Phil have to bring up the letters? He wished he could show Phil that he had actually sent letters. They had to have disappeared to somewhere, maybe they were even on the island.

Missa's brain paused as he realised that there was somewhere on the island that they were more likely to be than anywhere else.

"Cucurucho!" He screamed, yet it still surprised him when the bear appeared from behind him.

"Hello." The robotic voice was something Missa had certainly not missed in his time away.

"Hi, did any letters come to the island from the past few months?"

"Yes, most from you." That was the answer he was looking for.

"Were any of them given to Phil?"

"No." Everything made sense now.

"Why haven't they made it to Phil?"

"They didn't look important." Missa was enraged by the answer. What did he mean by they didn't look important? They were important for keeping his marriage intact!

Missa tried not to show that he was upset. "Do you still have them anywhere?"

"Yes." Cucurucho pulled out a stack of letters, handing them to Missa. He could show these to Phil, and he could get another chance at winning him back.

"Thank you!" Missa knew he shouldn't be thanking him, but he needed to get back to Phil and give him these letters.

He went back to the wall, he didn't know where Phil would have teleported off to, but the wall was the best bet for him to be at. And he was right, Phil was sitting on the edge of the wall.

"Phil." Missa walked up to him and spoke softly, trying not to scare him.

"Listen Mate, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blown up at you like that." Phil turned to face him.

Missa wasn't expecting an apology. "Oh, no, it's fine, I already forgive you." Missa stood still for a few moments before moving to sit next to Phil. Phil made no effort to move away.

"I just, I want a reason to believe you did reach out to us, but it'd hard to believe."

"Well, you're in luck." Missa took the letters out of his inventory, all unopened. "Turns out Cucurucho was stealing them."

Phil looked at the large pile, he reached over and took them in his hands. He looked through them for a few seconds and put all but one in his own inventory. The one he kept out was the earliest one. He opened the letter and began to read. Missa had forgotten what he had put in the letter, so he leaned over and read it with Phil. They didn't speak, and even once they had both finished the letter and Phil had pulled out the next to read, they stayed silent. They read through all the letters together, and ended up pressed to eachother's sides as time went on. They spoke nothing, just letting Missa's letters speak emotions. It had been so long since they had let the world be just them, and it was nice to be able to.

Once they read the final letter, Phil put it in his inventory and looked over at Missa. "You actually sent letters."

"Yeah, and I'm sorry they didn't get to you."

"I can't believe Cucurucho didn't let them get to me."

"But you have them now, and that's all we could have done now."

Phil grabbed Missa's hand. "Again, I'm really sorry I blew up at you like that, I should have believed you."

Missa tried to ignore the grasp on his hand, he still hadn't made Phil fall in love with him so encouraging his own crush was not a good idea. "Again, it's fine, I would have also not believed me if I were in your situation." He was silent for a few moments before speaking again, "I don't know why you gave me a second chance at all."

Phil turned himself on the edge of the wall more so he was properly facing Missa. "I wanted us to be able to have something again." Missa didn't know how to respond, so he just cocked his head. "I held onto the idea that you were coming back for so long, and even when I gave up, when I saw you again, it was like all the emotions I had repressed had just come back."

"I should have come back sooner."

"You couldn't have." He was right.

"I'm just happy that you gave me a chance."

"I'm happy I gave you a chance too."

Silence grew between them again. It felt nice, being able to be silent but have the air between them not feel awkward. Eventually, they decided they had to go pick the kids up, and they left the calm atmosphere that had been created.

While at Fit's, Phil took a while speaking to him, and Missa remembered that he still had to win him back, and he didn't have much time. The kids told him stories of their day while Phil was in the next room over conversating. Despite what happened, he understood that ten days wasn't enough to make someone fall in love, and in the end, he likely would have to give Phil up to Fit.

Eventually they stopped talking and they went home to have dinner, and for the first time since he came back, dinner was normal. Everyone talked at a normal volume, and everyone was equally included. Missa really had missed this. Night time was still the same, except now they spoke a bit more before they retired to their separate beds. He had made progress today, but he's not sure if it was enough progress to win him back by the end of just a few days.

Time went by quicker than he thought it would. Nothing felt awkward anymore, and Phil was openly talking to him as he had on the wall edge that day. Everything was great other than the fact he hadn't been able to do anything for Phil to make him fall in love. And the day before Phil was supposed to give his answer to Fit, he had accepted that there was no chance.

Night-time came again and Missa was thinking about where he'd go once Phil and Fit got together. He had to make sure it could be safe for Chayanne. He'd want it to be safe for Tallulah as well, but once their divorce was finalised he would no longer be her family. He wished he had tried harder. He was about to get into his bed when Phil spoke.

"You can join me in my nest of you want, beds aren't as comfortable." Missa was surprised at his words.

"Join you?"

"Yeah, it wouldn't be the first time." He again couldn't read his expression.

"Well, if your offering." It would feel awkward, since he would be signing the divorce papers the next day, but this was the last thing he had been missing.

The two climbed into Phil's nest, and Missa immediately fell into the sheets. He forgot how amazing these nests were. Phil laughed at how blissed out Missa looked and got under one of the sheets himself.

They were lying facing eachother, and Missa was right about how awkward it felt. He should turn around.

"Well, goodnight." He went to turn around but was stopped.

"Wait." There was a hand on his arm.

"Yeah?"

Phil didn't speak to him and looked away. "I don't know."

Missa hadn't realised the levels of awkward it would be to be sharing a nest with Phil again. "Maybe I should just go back to my own bed."

"No, stay here." Phil wouldn't let him leave.

"No, I really should, we'll be divorced tomorrow, it'll just be easier for me if I don't learn to miss this again." He wasn't sure if he was talking about the comfort of the nest or the sharing he was doing with Phil.

"Oh." It sounded like Phil had forgotten about the fact Missa hadn't yet signed the divorce papers. "That's what I wanted to talk about."

"No, it's fine, I won't put up a fight, I'll sign them in the morning." Missa wanted to fight them, but he was given his chance.

Phil sat up in the nest. "Give the papers to me." He stuck out his hand. Missa was confused but sat up as well and took them out of his inventory, passing them to Phil. He put them in his inventory. "We're not getting divorced."

Missa's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

Phil layed back down, and Missa followed after a few seconds. "I told Fit I'm not going to accept his offer, I told him back when we picked the kids up from his a few days ago."

Missa couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But I thought you liked him?"

Phil couldn't look him in the eyes. "I like him, but I've come to realise I love you."

The last three words caused Missa's brain to stop. The man he had been loving for months invited him into his bed and told him he loved him. "You love me?"

"Yeah."

"Ten days really didn't feel like enough time to make you love me."

Phil let out a little laugh. "It probably wasn't, it just helped that I finally realised that I loved you since before you left."

Missa's brain, and his heart, were not going to survive this night. "If it helps, I loved you since before we even got married."

"I could guess." Missa felt embarrassed, he didn't realise he was so obvious. He doesn't know why he was embarrassed, Phil had confessed his love for him, this was no longer one sided.

"So," Missa tilted Phil's head back to stare at him, "We're staying together?"

"Yeah, and this time I want you to be my romantic husband." Phil was smiling at him like Missa was his world.

"I would love that." Missa gave Phil the same smile.

Phil scooted closer to Missa, and Missa knew to lean in to kiss him. Months of feelings repressed and forgotten made the kiss so kuch sweeter. Missa was kissing his husband, and he was to stay his husband for as long as the two loved eachother. Both hoped that would be forever.

The first night as romantic partners came to a close as they fell asleep in eachothers arms, and they could wait for thousands more.

Chapter Text

Pac and Mike were discussing their next plans for the hide and seek arena, they'd been having a bit of a creative block so they were trying to just get out as many ideas as they could.

"That's a horrible idea." Mike stated at the 17th bad idea in a row.

"They all feel like bad ideas." Pac bemoaned. They should probably take a break.

And just in time for them to need an excuse to take one, they saw Richarlyson walk towards them. He was dragging his feet more than usual and his mooshroom hat was more lopsided than usual, but he still held a smile on his face. "Hi Pais! I wanted to see what you two were doing!" They loved how independent and fearless their son was.

"We were just about to take a break." Pac kneeled down to ruffle Richarlyson's hair from beneath his hat.

"Ideas haven't been too easy lately, what have you been up to lately." Mike knelt down as well.

"Pai Forever did my quests for the day, and I was gonna stay with him, but then I got bored, so I-." Richarlyson was cut off by a sneezing fit. Pac and Mike got closer to make sure he was okay. He stopped sneezing and wiped his nose on his arm. They should teach him not to do that. "So I decided to come here and-." This time he exploded into coughs. It hit them that Richarlyson was sick. It explained how he looked more drowsy and pale than usual, and why his voice had a slight scratch and mumble that they hadn't noticed before. Richarlyson stopped coughing. "Sorry."

"Hey, don't worry, we should get you into bed." Mike picked him up and held him against his hip.

"But, I don't want to-." He broke out into a coughing fit again.

"You're sick Richas, you need rest, we're not letting you say no to this." Pac rummaged through his inventory to get Richarlyson a bottle of water. Once he stopped coughing, Pac held the bottle and helped him drink out of it. Richarlyson tried to push the bottle away after a bit of drinking so Pac put it back in his inventory. Richarlyson wiped his mouth and placed his head against Mike's chest.

"I don't need rest, I'll be fine." He argued.

Mike pulled out his warp stone, "You won't be fine, and as we said, you don't get a choice in this, what will you other dads think if we let you run around sick?" Richarlyson dropped his head at Mike's words. The problem with having five dads (six if he included Roier) was that there were so many more people to upset if you ignored your health.

Pac took out his warpstone as well and they teleported home. Pac helped him get dressed into some clothes that didn't have the days germs all over them and helped him take off his prosthetic while Mike put his bonnet on. Richarlyson argued with having his hat taken off but calmed back down when Mike grabbed his Mooshroom bonnet. They had learned that Richarlyson was much more agreeable when he was wearing a mooshroom of some kind. They put him into bed but Richarlyson refused to close his eyes.

"You need to rest." Pac explained.

"I am resting, I'm just not sleeping, I refuse to-." Richarlyson tried to argue bur began sneezing again. Mike found some tissues and helped Richarlyson wipe his nose after he finished, and threw the used tissues in the trash before placing the rest of the box next to Richarlyson.

"Try not to speak too much, it's just gonna make it worse for you." Pac held Richarlyson's tiny hand.

Richarlyson stared up at Pac and Mike, thinking about whether or not he should listen to their advice. His golden eyes that were usually hidden by his curls were in a slight glare. They usually only got to see his eyes when they were getting him ready for bed, and a handful of other times where Richarlyson had asked for his hair to be put of for the day. Seeing such a rare occasion but having him be glaring at them hurt. One of the struggles of being a parent that they had no idea they had to prepare for one day.

"You need to heal quickly," Mike stated, "And sleep and staying in bed will help with that." He grabbed Richarlyson's other hand.

"I want to get better somewhere else." Richarlyson sniffed through his words, but he didn't sneeze and he spoke slow enough that he didn't break out into coughs again.

"Do you want us to call Felps? Or do you want Forever again?" Pac asked. It may not be a good thing to send him away, he last talked to them, and by the rules of their basically non-existent custody schedule, that meant he was securely in their care until he ran off again. But if he's sick, surely they'd want to be by his side.

"I want Pai Cellbit." Pac and Mike looked at eachother. They were pretty sure Cellbit had told Richarlyson about his trip.

"Cellbit is on a romantic getaway with Roier right now." Mike explained.

"But if I ask, he'll come back, won't he?" Richarlyson was set on staying with Cellbit through his sickness.

"Cellbit and Roier have been planning this for a long time, you know that right?" Pac asked. Richarlyson nodded. "And as much as Cellbit loves you, if you have four other people who are able to take care of you, unless it gets really, really bad, he's not going to drop his getaway."

Richarlyson scrunched his face up, clearly upset.

"Richas." The two said, worried.

"Pai Cellbit is abandoning me." Richarlyson turned his head to the side, not wanting to look at either of them. He pulled his hands away from his dads.

"He's not abandoning you, he just has other things he has to do right now." Mike softly grabbed Richarlyson's face and guided it back to look up at them. Richarlyson closed his eyes.

"I wish I didn't tell Roier that Pai Cellbit was weak to his flirting, now-." Richarlyson broke out into sneezing again. Pac grabbed the tissues and helped Richarlyson blow his nose again. He threw them away once Richarlyson was done, and the two adults waited for him to continue what he was saying. "Now I'm not important to him."

Pac and Mike became upset at his words. "You're important to him." Pac reassured him.

"No! If I was important he'd care that I was sick-!" The sudden shouting caused another coughing fit. Mike rubbed his back to help it calm down. After a few moments it did, and Mike responded.

"He does care, but he's busy right now with Roier, I'm sure that once he knows and he's back, he'll tell you all about how worried he was that you were sick."

"He doesn't care about me as much as he cares about Roier." Richarlyson crossed his arms. "If he has Roier, he doesn't need me."

Mike looked to Pac to try and figure out what to do, but Pac was already tilting Richarlyson to face him more.

"He does need you, Richas."

"Doesn't feel like it." He looked down.

"Just because he has Roier now doesn't mean you're not important to him."

"Yes it does."

"You know that you are very important to Mike and I, right?"

Richarlyson looked up. "Yes."

"But you know that we are also very important to eachother, right?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean you're any less important to us than eachother?"

He looked down again. "I don't know."

"No, you're just as important as we are to eachother." Mike answered. "It's the same for Cellbit, just because he's married doesn't mean he doesn't think you're as important anymore."

"But now he has to share his love." Richarlyson wouldn't let them argue that he was important to Cellbit.

"He created more love, and I bet any extra love that was created that doesn't go to Roier is going straight to you." Mike had no idea what he was talking about. He just kept saying things hoping that they would finally work. Luckily, this one seemed to work.

Richarlyson looked up at Mike with hopeful eyes. "Really?"

"Really."

"So I'm still just as important to him as I was before he married Roier?"

"Maybe even more important." Pac answered.

Richarlyson smiled at them before breaking out into a coughing fit again. Pac pulled out the water again and helped Richarlyson drink it. After the bottle was pulled away again, Richarlyson accepted that Cellbit thought he was important. There were a few more sneezes, and luckily only one more coughing fit before Richarlyson fell asleep.

Pac agreed to watch over him while he slept, and Mike went to make some soup for Richarlyson. Pac sent a message to Forever and Felps telling them the state of Richarlyson. Forever worried more than Felps, since he had somehow not noticed Richarlyson' state while he was with him. Felps still showed concern, but less so than Forever. Pac put off telling Cellbit until Richarlyson woke up, he thought that Richarlyson would have some things he'd like to say to him in the message.

Mike returned with soup and a few minutes later, Richarlyson woke up from his nap. Mike fed Richarlyson the soup, and luckily didn't spill it when he sneezed and coughed. Soon the soup was gone and Richarlyson had a happy look on his face.

"Feeling better? Less upset?" Pac asked Richarlyson as Mike put the soup bowl back into his inventory.

"Yes, to both." Richarlyson smiled at them.

"I'm going to send a message to Cellbit saying you're sick, do you want me to tell him you said anything?" Pac asked.

Richarlyson looked down and thought for a moment, before looking back and responding, "Tell him I hope he and Roier enjoy their trip." He looked down in thought for another moment. "And tell him that I love them both."

Pac smiled at how cute Richarlyson was. He sent the message to Cellbit and put his comm away. Cellbit likely wouldn't message back for a bit.

"Isn't it much funner to understand that your Pai loves you and thinks you're important?" Mike asked.

Richarlyson nodded, his eyes closed in joy. "Yeah." He opened his eyes and looked between his two dads who were currently here. "And I love you both as well, you're just as important as my other Pais."

"Aww, I love you too Richas." Pac responded before leaning in to give Richarlyson a kiss on the forehead.

When he moved away, Mike also gave Richarlyson a kiss on the forehead. "I love you too, you're the best son I could have asked for."

Richarlyson smiled at his dads, but was caught in a sneezing fit immediatly after. Richarlyson had learnt to blow his nose properly from how often it was happening, so neither had to help him this time. Richarlyson was careful in handing the used tissue over to Mike to throw away.

The three spent the rest of the day together, even after a short nap, it was clear to see that Richarlyson was feeling much better, and would likely be able to get out of bed in the morning. Cellbit texted them back later, saying he was worried that Richalryson was sick but glad that he was being taken care of. He messaged saying to tell Richarlyson he and Roier loved him back, and that they would be back in a few days, and then they can spend the day together.

Richarlyson smiled wide as Pac read the message out to him. Pac and Mike were glad to have Richarlyson happy and getting healthier again.

The day closed and Richarlyson was falling asleep to a story that Pac and Mike were trying to tell together. Richarlyson was asleep by the time they finished, and they both gave him one last kiss on the cheek before they set off to go to sleep themselves.

They were woken up by a shouting and healthy Richarlyson, and they couldn't wait to spend another day with him.

Chapter Text

Chayanne stuck out of the safe room. He knew it was dangerous, but he had woken up before his dad, and even before Tallulah. He didn't want to wake either of them up, so he thought he'd go for a walk across the top of the wall. The stone that was not yet warmed by the sun that had yet to fully wake up was cold beneath his scaled feet, he was still in his pyjamas, he had planned to sneak back into bed before the rest of his family woke up, wearing shoes could leave them in a spot that they weren't when he went to bed, and that could get him caught.

The sunrise air was cold on his skin, despite being a dragon hybrid himself, he didn't know a whole lot about dragons, so he's still not sure why he feels cold when supposedly dragons are always warm. Either that's a lie, something he'll grow into, something that only applies to some dragons, or it was a trait that failed to be moved onto the hybrids of the dragon species. Chayanne rubbed his arms to try and stay warm.

"Are you cold?" Chaynne jumped and turned around at the sudden voice, he hadn't brought a weapon with him, so if it were someone dangerous, he was in trouble. He let out a gasp at who he saw. Instead of seeing a threat, he saw Missa! His dad was home!

"Pa!" He shouted, forgetting that the rest of his family was still sleeping and he was supposed to also be asleep. He forgot the cold and ran up to his dad, jumping at him for a hug. He was lifted up and he held on as tight as he could. He tried to wrap his wings around him but in the end they were too small. He settled for wrapping his tail around his arm.

"Chayanne." His voice was cracklier than he remembered, but then again, he didn't remember it much at all. Even if it was different, time passed, and dragons had extremely good hearing, letting them hear changes that no one else would be able to notice, he may have just been picking up on micro changes. Missa moved to hold him in one arm, and removed Chayanne's mask with the other before tilting up his own mask and kissed Chayanne on the patch of yellow scales that covered his nose and trailed under his eyes.

"You're back!" Chayanne half exclaimed in excitement and as a question.

"Yeah, and I'm ready to stay." Chayanne let out a loud, excited laugh again, and snuggled into Missa's chest.

"What's going on?" They heard Phil's tired voice, and Chayanne saw him in his pyjamas from over Missa's shoulder.

"Pa's back!" He shouted, forgetting that Phil wasn't supposed to know he was up here.

As Missa turned around, Phil looked in shock. "Holy shit, you're back?" He came closer and placed a hand on Missa's shoulder.

"I missed this family." Missa showed Phil his smile due to his still tilted up mask.

"Holy shit, I thought you were never coming back." Phil looked far less tired than a few seconds ago, the hype of having his platonic husband back shredding through the exhaustion.

"I wouldn't dream of abandoning you guys." Missa finally tilted his mask down.

"Pa! Tallulah will be so excited to see you again!" She had only ever met him once, but surely she'd be almost as excited as Chayanne.

"Chayanne, it's really early, I doubt she's awake." Phil tried to reason.

"Then we can wake her up, this is important." Chayanne decreed.

"I would like to see Tallulah." Missa said softly.

Phil stared at the two for a few moments before relaxing and sighing, "Alright, let's go wake her up." He walked over to the trapdoor before turning back to Missa. "Do you remember the passwords?"

Missa shook his head, still holding Chayanne. Chayanne was still gripping on tightly, but not so much that his claws would dig in to Missa's skin, he had also unwrapped his tail from Missa's arm. Phil repeated the passwords back to Missa, and then let the three of them in.

Tallulah was still sound asleep in bed. Chayanne got down from his spot in Missa's arms and ran over to her, shaking her awake. "Wake up! Wake up!"

Tallulah groaned and moved before opening her eyes to stare up at Chayanne. She tried to attack Chayanne's hand with her horns, they hit, but they weren't nearly developed enough to do damage. Chayanne still pulled his hand away and rubbed it, they were still horns. "Isn't it early? Why did you wake me up?" Her voice was muffled by her sheets.

Chayanne pointed over to Missa. "Pa is back! And he's here to stay!"

Tallulah looked at the direction Chayanne's arm was pointing and jolted out of bed when her eyes landed on Missa. She threw off her covers and flung herself into Missa's arms. "Papi! Hi!"

"Hi Tallulah." Missa once again tilted up his mask, and kissed Tallulah's cheek, which was covered in brown scales. Tallulah also tried to wrap her wings around Missa and failed, she also failed wrapping her tail around his arm. She was quite a bit smaller than Chayanne, so it surprised no one.

"I haven't gotten to speak to you alot, so I'm really happy you're back! Chayanne and Papa have told me so much!" Tallulah was smiling almost as wide as Chayanne.

Missa brought his mask back down. "I can't wait to get to know you."

Phil played a hand on Missa's shoulder again. "I'm off to get dressed, it seems we're starting today early, stay down here and make sure the kids get dressed quickly."

Missa nodded and Phil left up the ladder again. The kids started to get dressed and were talking between themselves, they thought about including Missa, but he seemed happy to just look at them having fun.

"I'm so happy to have Pa back!" Chayanne doesn't remember the last time he had been this excited.

"I hope to get to know him like a dad like I do with Papa." Tallulah pulled her beanie on, sticking her horns into the holes.

"He's great!" Chayanne pulled his floatie up, carefully pulling his tail through.

"We should get up and wait for Phil." Missa stated, punching in the password. The two followed him up and waiting for their other dad to finish up. Phil finished up quickly and they ate breakfast, finishing one of the quests to start off the day. Missa joined back into their life like he was never gone, other than the fact that Chayanne and Tallulah wouldn't stop telling him every little thing that happened while he was gone.

Missa of course joined them for the quests, and they set off across the island to do so. Chayanne and Tallulah were both adamant on holding Missa's hands, their undeveloped wings fluttering in happiness.

They were heading to the art gallery for the final quest other than their story when they heard another voice.

"Missa?" They turned around to see Roier guiding Richarlyson to the museum.

"Roier, I missed you," Missa let go of the kids hands to kneel down to Richarlyson's height, "You're Richarlyson, right?" Richarlyson nodded, smiling wide. The edges of his smile stretched into the patches of green scales on either side of his mouth.

Roier stared at Missa strangely. "You're back?"

Missa nodded. "Yeah, and it's great to be back."

Phil looked down at Richarlyson. "What are you two up to?"

Roier pulled Richarlyson a bit closer. "Just thought I'd step up today and help my stepson finish his quests, Richarlyson is good company."

"Want to finish the museum quest together?" Missa asked.

Roier stared at the family for a few seconds before smiling and shaking his head. "No, I just remembered, Cellbit wanted to look through the museum with the two of us, we need to go find him, bye." Roier walked off with a confused Richarlyson in hand.

"What's wrong with him?" Chayanne asked.

"I don't know, it's probably best if we just stay out of his way." Phil answered. The family looked past Roier's strange behaviour and entered the museum.

The rest of the day flew by, and the kids were happy about their first day with their dad back. Missa read them their story and their parents left up the ladder. After they were gone, Chayanne rolled over in bed and stared at Tallulah, who had her eyes closed but was definitely still awake.

"I can't believe Pa is back."

Tallulah opened an eye. "Me either, it feels like a dream."

"Having Dad around is great, but having both parents around? Even better than great." Chayanne hadn't stopped smiling all day.

Tallulah had stopped smiling once or twice, but whenever Chayanne smiled, it was easy to copy. "Now we just need my dad back and we'll be one big happy family again."

"If Pa can come back, Wilbur is sure to come back soon."

The two fell into silence after that, and soon drifted off to sleep.

When they awoke the next morning, Missa was already watching over them.

"Good morning, I'm taking you out for the day." The kids cheered. He had only been back since yesterday but they were already getting an entire day with him. The kids rushed to get ready, Tallulah almost tearing her beanie and Chayanne almost popping his floatie. The family went up the ladder and were surprised to see Roier there.

"Hey Missa, I was wondering if I could have a quick talk to your kids?" He pointed at them as if Missa didn't know they were his kids.

Missa tilted his head. "Uh, sure?"

"Alone." Roier added.

Missa stared between the kids and Roier, and after a few moments nodded and went back into the bunker. Roier guided the kids further away from the bunker, trying to get out of hearing distance, before speaking to them.

"Listen, I know you miss your Pa, but that's not your Pa." Chayanne and Tallulah immediately let out twin offended gasps.

"Of course he's our Pa!" Chayanne shouted, Tallulah gave a firm nod at his words.

Roier gave them worried looks, "Please, just listen to me, that thing isn't your Pa, it's only pretending to be."

Tallulah spoke with anger. "Our Papi isn't a thing, or an it, he's our Papi! And from what I've heard, I thought he was your friend!"

"Missa is my friend, that isn't Missa, it's only pretending." Roier kept trying to explain.

"Just because you don't have your son anymore doesn't mean you have to try and get people's kids to stop considering them their parents." Chayanne immediately regretted his words.

Roier didn't say anything, he instead just warped away.

"That was harsh." Tallulah stated.

"I know." Chayanne hung his head.

The two returned back to outside the bunker, and Missa came up. The group set off. They journeyed for about fifteen minutes before finding a field.

"I planned to take you here."

The two looked around the field, it was very pretty. "Wow, what plans do you have for here?" Chayanne asked.

Missa looked around before getting closer, he knelt down and looked as thought he was about to speak before a bullet was put through his shoulder. Chayanne and Tallulah screamed, getting ready to see blood, but instead of blood squirting our from the impact, green numbers flew out.

Chayanne and Tallulah shivered in fear as reality set in. This wasn't their dad, this was the code monster. The code that had once imitated them, now tricked them. What they thought was Missa twisted and broke down into binary, a great fear was now in front of them.

"Back off from my fucking kids!" They heard the voice of their father seconds before he was in front of them swinging a sword at the code. They didn't hear his voice, but soon Roier was fighting alongside their father.

They didn't know why they hadn't sent them to N.I.N.H.O yet, but they stood and watching in fear as they slashed away at the code. Green numbers were sliced off and sometimes they rejoined, but the code was getting smaller and smaller as the two adults fought it. After two well placed slices, the code fizzled away. Phil stood and stared at where the code once was before running over to Chayanne and Tallulah.

"Are you two okay?" Phil asked.

The two were sobbing, but Tallulah still replied. "Yes Papa, we're okay."

Chayanne didn't feel okay, he didn't answer and instead ran full speed away. He heard Phil shout, but he didn't care. He just kept running. He made it to the end of the field, where it met forest, before he collapsed onto the ground, tears still running down his cheeks. He hears footsteps behind him.

"Chayanne."

Chayanne got up into a curled up sitting position, his arms wrapped around his knees, with his wings tucked to his sides and his tail across his ankles. Phil sat down next to him.

"I'm sorry I didn't realise it wasn't Missa, I failed to protect you."

"Pa doesn't love me." His words shocked Phil.

"What do you mean? Of course he does."

"If he loved me, he would have come back, but no, he left it to a code to pretend to be him."

"We couldn't have known it wasn't him." Phil tried to calm him down.

"We could have if he had stayed long enough for us to remember him better, we could have told them apart like you did with me and Tallulah." Chayanne let out a sob.

"I know this is hard, but we're gonna have to push through, you two have your safety for another day." Phil got closer to Chayanne and hugged him to his side.

Chayanne tried to use a wing to push his arm off, but it didn't work. "I don't want safety, I just want my Pa."

Phil sighed and picked up Chayanne. He didn't bother fighting. "You'll get him back soon, I promise, but for now I need you to stay strong, okay?" Chayanne just nodded, he couldn't be bothered to answer. "Everything will be okay, I promise that the next time you see Missa, he'll be the real Missa."

Chayanne didn't even nod at that, his tears made him so tired he passed out in his dads arms. He just hopes his dad's words would be true, he was tired of missing his Pa.

Chapter Text

Despite having slept away the Nether adventures he had been stuck on, heat still stuck to his skin. He needed to get out and let the day take away the residual heat. He picked up Pomme and warped to Phil's, claiming he was taking Pomme and Tallulah out on a girls day. Phil was a bit confused, as he hadn't even realised Etoiles was back, but he sent Tallulah off with her sister and Etoiles. Etoiles took them to a flower field he had found a little bit before getting stuck in the Nether, this whole day was something he had planned to do earlier, but he hadn't considered the idea of getting stuck in the Nether. The two girls were ecstatic at all the pretty flowers, and giggling soon filled the air. He had really missed this while away, missed Pomme and her siblings, and the giggles that he had learnt to extract from them.

He watched the two girls run around and pick the prettiest flowers for hours. They had made eachother flower crowns, and he graciously accepted the one they had made together for him, the two had tried to hide it from him, but their giggling and their poor secret keeping skills lead him to being able to figure it out pretty quickly.

"Can we do this again tomorrow and then the next tomorrow?" Tallulah asked when he informed her that Phil was wanting her home in an hour.

"I don't think your dad would like me to take his daughter out everyday." Etoiles adored Tallulah, but she had a family that adored her more.

"Awww." The girls' faces dropped but Etoiles picked two flowers and presented them to them, which brought their smiling faces right back along with their giggles. Etoiles smiled back, and was confused when Pomme and Tallulah proceeded to look terrified. He noticed they were looking behind him so he turned around and saw why they were so terrified.

Three code monsters were coming towards them.

The girls began to scream as they came closer, and Etoiles quickly pulled our his comm and typed 'tttt', he felt relief when the screams cut off to nothing, and he pulled out his sword. He had been wanting a fair fight for a while, so he was ecstatic when the codes attacked him. He pulled out his sword and started to slice away. He had finally found a difficult challenge, they were rapidly taking down his health. He had to fight one handed so he was able to eat golden apples, it felt like he was never able to stop taking a bite. Every swing of his sword came with a bite of the magic apple. This was the high he loved to chase. Slowly, he was able to take less and less bites, and with the final swing of his sword and bite of the apple, the amount he had lost track of, he realised the codes were gone. He'd managed to beat three code monsters all by himself. Nothing could beat him. The fight had left him woozy, moreso than he's faced in a long time. That must have meant he was finally getting close to meeting his match.

Phil would have probably picked up the girls by now, maybe, he's not sure how much time had passed with his fight. He struggled to pull out his warp stone, no fight had ever left him feeling this way, and he was starting to not enjoy the signs of victory. He warped to Phil's. Phil was immediately in his vision, and he rushed over to Etoiles.

"I saw that the codes attacked! Are you okay?" Phil was worried for Etoiles.

Etoiles was trying to push forward through the sickness. He had to tell him that he fought of the codes just fine, and there was nothing to worry about because he had golden apples. His brain stopped at remembering the golden apples. The adrenaline in the fight cut off the more rational part in his brain, so he wasn't all that worried about the amount of golden apples he had been eating. Through his woozy mind, he remembered something about golden apples. Weren't they quite high in sugar? He wasn't able to think much more about the fact, as his conciousness cut off immediately after.

Phil freaked out at the sight of Etoiles falling to the ground. He heard the bunker door open and Tallulah and Pomme came out. He hadn't even told Etoiles that he had picked them up and was keeping them safe in the bunker.

"Papa!" Pomme screamed as she ran to Etoiles' side.

"Pomme, be careful, he may be injured." He tried to warn her.

Her eyes darted across her dad, and she let out a gasp at seeing there were no wounds.

"I think Papa ate too many golden apples!"

Phil was confused at her statement. "Too many?"

Pomme was starting to panic and struggled to get words out in English, but she persevered, "Sugar in them! Diabetes!"

The reality struck Phil, he had completely forgotten that Etoiles suffered from diabetes. He knelt beside Etoiles unconscious body and tried to access the situation. "Where does he keep his insulin?"

Pomme reached towards his backpack before stopping for a split second and speaking, "I didn't see him grab it today, it's not on him."

Phil was trying to look calm for Pomme, and for Tallulah, who was standing behind the two in shock not saying anything, but he was freaking out. "Go get it, now!" Pomme immediately took out her warp stone and warped away. It was less than ten seconds before she returned, it was a smart idea to keep the insulin right next to the warp stone.

She handed the insulin to Phil, and correctly guessed that Phil had no idea what he was doing. She pulled up Etoiles' shirt and tried to pinch at where the insulin had to be injected. Phil removed her hand and pinched the skin himself, injecting the insulin into him. He kept it in until Pomme pulled at his hand to remove it.

"We should move him to a bed." Phil tried to survey the best way to move Etoiles. Phil was far stronger than he looked, but that didn't help the fact that Etoiles was far bigger than him. Still, he placed a hand under his shoulder and another under his legs and lofted him up, he wasn't too heavy, but the grip he had was awkward. He should try and get him into a bed.

He managed to move Etoiles down to his basement with minimal trouble. He put Etoiles into a bed, but felt it wasn't enough, and with the help of Pomme, the now far less stunned Tallulah, and Chayanne, who had came to check what was going on, he turned it more into a makeshift nest. Afterwards he sent Tallulah and Chayanne to play somewhere where there wasn't an unconscious man, and he was about to send Pomme away too before he realised that she had gotten into the makeshift nest and had fallen asleep by Etoiles' side. He placed down a chair and sat down, making no effort to move her, if she wants to stay by her dad's side, he has no right to remove her.

Etoiles feels groggy when he wakes up. He can't believe he was so stupid as to not realise he was raising his blood sugar levels. He groaned at the sickness and the heat surrounding him. He thought that maybe he hadn't worked off the heat that stuck to his from the Nether, but he felt blankets around him. Despite how shitty he felt, he opened his eyes to see where he was. He noticed that he was surrounded by pillows and blankets that almost looked like some of the avians nests he had seen on the island. He looked down to try and see how many blankets there were surrounding him, and was surprised to see Pomme laying by his side. She was curled up on top of the blankets with her beret a few inches above her head, and with her face paint smudged across her face and the blanket. He had told her several times to stop going to sleep without washing off her face paint, but she was too adorable, and he felt too much like shit, to get upset at her this time.

He finally looked up and saw Phil sitting beside the bed. Phil seemed to have finally noticed he was awake as well. "Holy shit Mate, what were you thinking eating that many golden apples without your insulin on you!?" Phil shouted, although he likely didn't mean to.

"I wasn't thinking about the golden apples, and I-." He was about to say he did have his insulin on him, he always has some on him, but then he remembered that he had to chuck the one he kept in his backpack out due to the heat of the Nether ruining it, and he had completely forgotten to grab one of the other ones that the federation had been giving him. "I completely forgot."

"You're lucky Pomme knew you didn't have it, she was able to get it for you, and you're even luckier that Pomme knew how to administer the insulin, cause I sure as hell didn't know how to!"

"Of course she knows, I taught her how to." He knew that there would likely be a day where he'd need insulin and she'd be the only person around, she was a bit small to do it too effectively, but she was better than nothing, and like what he assumed had happened here, she could also now teach others.

"That isn't the point, you scared us, you could have died permanently!" He knew Phil was right. For many of them, death was something that wasn't permanent, but there was always things that could kill you permanently, like wounds or certain weapons, but Etoiles was unlucky enough to be born with something that could kill him permanently.

Etoiles was about to apologise when he felt Pomme waking up at his side. He looked down at her again and saw her open her eyes, which quickly filled with tears. She got up as quick as she could and sprawled herself out in a hug on his chest. "Papa!" She cried.

He pulled himself up as much as he could in his weak state and held Pomme in his arms. "I'm here, I'm alive."

Pomme was crying on his chest now. "I thought you were gonna die."

Etoiles held her tighter. "I won't, as long as you need me, I refuse to die."

Pomme looked up at his face with a sniff. "Pinky promise?"

He held out his pinky and let her pull back a bit, where he grabbed it with her own pinky. "Pinky promise."

Pomme let go and Etoiles raised her up to give her a kiss of the forehead. She was smiling now, and while there were still tears in her eyes, she certainly wasn't crying anymore.

He finally turned his attention back to Phil, who was patiently waiting. "I'm sorry, I'll make sure to bring insulin with me everywhere from now on, in fact," he turned back to Pomme, "Would you help me and carry some with you?" Normally having someone else carry insulin for him was just a waste, as he never had much more than he needed, but the federation was regularly supplying him with so much that he struggled to believe he'd ever get into that many situations that he'd even need to use half of it.

Pomme smiled brightly, "Of course, Papa!"

Phil smiled at his promise as well, "How are you feeling? Think you'll be able to leave by the night? Or do you need to stay?"

Etoiles didn't think just the night would cut it, along with the blood sugar scare, he was still feeling the effects of the codes. "I think I may need to stay here for a few days."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need."

Etoiles hated not being able to get out, but the kids kept him company whenever they could. He was usually left with just Pomme, as Phil took his kids out to do their missions. Pomme decided that she was only going to do the bare minimum quests until Etoiles got better. Etoiles couldn't help but smile at how much she cared.

Etoiles was more than happy to eat Chayanne's food, on the small occasions he was able to eat them before, he had begun to wish that he could have it everyday, and now he got it everyday for a few days.

Chayanne's food wasn't the only great part, a bit after dinner after he first woke up in the basement, Tallulah and Pomme had come down hiding something behind their backs. When Etoiles asked what they were hiding they climbed into his bed and presented him with a drawing. It was of him holding hands with both of them while they were wearing the flower crowns they made, with 'Get Well Soon,' on the top and 'Bon Rétablissement' on the bottom. He placed the drawing down carefully and took them in his arms, giving both of them a kiss on the forehead. He told them it was great and that he was sad that he couldn't have kept the flower crown they made him, as he saw they had kept their own. The two told him to wait and rushed away, coming back later with a new flower crown.

He hated when he made stupid decisions and suffered from them, but he had an amazing daughter and others who would help him get through the consequences of those decisions, and that made the aftermath of them much easier.

Chapter Text

Chayanne, Tallulah, and Pomme got ready for bed in the bunker. Pomme, after so many nights here, had gained her own spot to put her bed.

"Pomme, remember your face paint." Phil called out. She touched her face and pulled out a bucket of water to wash it off.

"It's almost like you're her dad." Etoiles joked from beside him.

"If everything goes well, I will be her dad." Phil thought about their plan that was supposed to take place in two days.

"I can't wait to be Chayanne and Tallulah's dad, but more than that, I can't wait to be your husband." Etoiles gave Phil a kiss, not caring that Chayanne let out an 'Ew.' Their kids were the only ones who knew they were together, things were just easier if no one else knew. But they were becoming tired of keeping it secret, so when Etoiles proposed a few weeks ago, Phil asked to invite everyone on the island to the wedding. While Etoiles was thinking that they could just invite the kids and see if the federation could marry them in private, he couldn't deny that showing the island that Phil was the love of his life was something that he had wanted to do several times.

They had decided on the date, and they planned to send out wedding invites first thing in the morning, but not tell them who was getting married. It may have not been the best idea, but it was what the two decided on. Pomme pulled at Etoiles' shorts, needing a towel. They put the kids to bed and got ready to send the invitations out.

When the invitations arrived in the morning, many people were confused. There were several couples who had yet to marry on the server, but none had been talking about marriage lately. Many had asked Foolish and Vegetta, they seemed like the most likely to have an impromptu wedding, but they were as confused as the rest of them, Vegetta once again explained that he was in no way ready to get married. Roier and Cellbit had joked a few times of getting married again, so a few people asked them, but Roier mentioned that if they had decided to get married again, Cellbit wouldn't have shut up about it. While marriage hadn't seemed like too much of a possibility for Pierre and Maxo, they were even asked. Maxo just asked who would officiate them since he was the only person on the island with a licence. He then brought up that it was likely a kid playing a prank, or wanting to play, since his invitation stated that he was going to be officiating the wedding of a bird and a cucumber. Some believed that it was just one of the kids wanting to have another wedding to celebrate, while some believed there actually was a wedding taking place. In the end, they all agreed to go to the wedding, just to see what was really going to happen.

The talk never ended that day, Etoiles and Phil were even asked what they thought a few times, and they just said they didn't know what was happening. Pomme, Chayanne, and Tallulah struggled to keep their chuckles to themselves, which made a few people think they organised the prank. Luckily, despite their kids drawing attention to themselves, no one expected Phil and Etoiles of getting married. The only time the gossip died down, was when people started to go to bed, but they knew that it would be back in the morning, and would only be gone once they saw them get married. Although they knew it would fill the island with new gossip, like when and how they got together. Still, they went to sleep that night knowing they'd have one of their happiest days together when they woke up.

The island residents arrived at the designation that was asked of them. They were confused as to why it was near Phil's memorial to an old friend of his. They hoped they asked permission to do so. The wall was beautiful, greens and blacks and whites mixed beautifully, whoevers wedding it was, they knew shades well. No one came to talk to them, so they decided to sit down when each islander arrived.

They talked between themselves, still trying to figure out who was getting married. Maxo still didn't know, or he still believed that it was a prank. Speaking filled the top of the wall, and it was only stopped as a poppy landed on Forever's lap. They saw Tallulah and Pomme skipping down the aisle throwing poppy's at people. So they were the flower girls. That didn't give away anything to anyone, they were the only alive kids who were girls full time. They reached the end and stood on the sides of the aisle. Much to everyone's surprise, Etoiles made his way down the aisle, he wasn't walking like Cellbit had done at his own wedding, so it took a few minutes to realise he was one of the people getting married. Chatter exploded again, who was Etoiles marrying? They didn't even know he was in a relationship. The chatter quickly ended when they heard another person walking.

They looked back and saw Phil now walking down the aisle. While Etoiles was in a suit, Phil was wearing black robes, a few noticed them as traditional crow hybrid clothing. Phil had worn his traditional clothing several times, but this seemed far fancier than even the normally fancy clothes. There was no doubt that Phil was the one that Etoiles was marrying. The islanders saw that Chayanne was holding Phil's hand and walking him down the aisle, it was an adorable sight despite everyone's confusion and shock.

Phil walked down the aisle, guided by Chayanne, when they reached the end, Phil stood in front of Etoiles and Chayanne joined Tallulah's side.

Etoiles and Phil looked to Maxo for the officiating, and everyone else stared at the sight, wondering what would happen now. Maxo took a few seconds to let the information catch up to him, before starting. "Welcome family and friends, We have come together today to witness the promises in marriage of, Philza Minecraft, and Etoiles..." Maxo, despite his skill, paused before saying Phil's name, still seeming shocked at the fact he was one of the people getting married, and after Etoiles' name, trying to remember if he had a last name. He continued, "This commitment is between two people who love each other and wish to share each other’s lives, who will grow and change in the years to come, welcoming each other’s growth with mutual love and respect." Even with his pauses, he moved on from having thought this entire wedding was a prank pretty quickly.

"Philza and Etoiles, do you declare before me and before your witnesses here present, that you come here voluntarily and without reservation and that you are free by law to be married to each other today?" The two responded with 'I do,' overlapping eachother slightly.

"Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to the law in Quesadilla Island, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life." Phil and Etoiles were smiling at eachother, love so evident. It really made the islanders wonder how they missed this.

Maxo turned to Phil, "Repeat after me, I call upon the people here present to witness that I, Philza, take you, Etoiles, to be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life."

Phil looked into Etoiles' eyes and repeated Maxo with love and confidence. "I call upon the people here present to witness that I, Philza, take you, Etoiles, to be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life." The two couldn't stop smiling.

Maxo now turned to Etoiles, "Now you, I call upon the people here present to witness that I, Etoiles, take you Philza, to be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life."

Etoiles copied with the same amount of love and confidence that Phil had done. "I call upon the people here present to witness that I, Etoiles, take you, Philza, to be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life."

"If anyone has any objections, now is the time to say them." Surpisingly, no one objected, not even Forever.

"Well then, could the ring bearer present the rings?" Turns out Chayanne was also the ring bearer. He handed the rings to his dad and his soon to be step dad.

Etoiles grabbed Phil's hand and slipped the ring on his finger. Phil then grabbed Etoiles' hand and did the same.

"I now pronounce you husband and husband, you may now kiss the groom." They were hoping to be able to control themselves and kiss calmly, but they had waited this long to be able to show the island how much they loved eachother, Phil practically jumped into Etoiles' arms as they kissed. The islanders clapped and the ceremony was over, now it was time to mingle.

Pierre and Baghera were the first to pull the couple aside and question them. "How did you hide this from us for so long?" Baghera asked.

"You never asked if I was in a relationship." Etoiles explained.

"Did Pomme know before today, or whenever you asked her to be a flower girl."

"Pomme knew from the beginning, so did Chayanne and Tallulah." Phil answered.

"I can't believe you never told us, and I thought we were close." Baghera respected their decision to hide their relationship, but it was fun to tease.

"Why did you decide to hide your relationship?" Pierre asked.

"We just thought there'd be less trouble if no one knew, but then things grew more and more and we got engaged, if we were to tell people, now would be the time." Etoiles explained.

The French got lost in conversation and Phil was happy to just listen. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to face Forever. Despite Forever claiming he wasn't into him anymore, he still acted like a jealous boyfriend.

"I wanted to talk, mind leaving your husband's side for a bit?"

"Sure," Despite Forever's feelings, he was still Phil's friend. He turned to Etoiles, "I'll be gone for a sec, don't mind me."

Etoiles gave Phil another kiss. "Have fun."

Phil followed Forever a bit away from the French, and Forever began to speak. "Congrats on getting married." Phil was slightly confused at how genuine Forever sounded.

"You're not jealous?"

Forever rubbed at his arm, "I'm trying to move on okay, seeing you up on the alter, so happy to be marrying Etoiles, it finally hit me that I'll never have a chance with you, but I think I'll be okay, seeing you happy was better than seeing you with me."

"That's really mature of you." Phil was glad that Forever was going to move on, not just because it would spare him, but because Forever deserved someone who loved him back.

"I hope married life does you well, and hey, if Etoiles is ever less of a husband than you need, I'm ready to set him straight, you're my friend and I'm not going to let him think that just because you're married to him means he doesn't have to treat you as well." Fprever accented his words with a punch to his palm.

Phil laughed at his actions, "Thanks mate."

The rest of the day was full of questions and congratutions, most of the time Etoiles and Phil were by eachothers sides, but a few times people would pull them aside to talk, like when Fit decided to give Etoiles the shovel talk or when Pierre decided to give Phil a list of Etoiles kinks that he wraggled out of him from a truth or dare game. Phil asked why he just carried that around, and Pierre told him not to worry about it.

Eventually the day lead on to night, and people were leaving. Eventually it was just the newly-weds and their kids left. Etoiles suggested it was finally time to go home, and Phil was about to agree before he got a call. He asked for a minute to answer and he pulled away, realising it was Wilbur calling. As soon as he pressed the call button and put the phone up to his ear, he was met with Wilbur's screaming voice.

"You got fucking married!?"

Chapter Text

Forever: Wanna go on a date <3

Forever: Where are you <3

Forever: How have you been <3

Forever: Message me if you're okay <3

Forever had been feeling like the luckiest man in the world since he started dating Bad. Sure, they denied their own and eachothers feelings for months on end, and annoyed everyone who ever saw them interact, but after they finally blurted out their feelings, everything felt so natural between them, as if they'd been lovers for years. But after a month of dating, Bad suddenly stopped responding, and he couldn't find him anywhere. At first he was upset, and thought that Bad was purposefully ignoring him because he wasn't interested anymore, but when he asked around, turns out no one had seen him for a few days. Baghera and Foolish had been taking turns babysitting Dapper for him, and not even Dapper knew what was going on. He had just woken up with Bad no where it sight and after a few hours of waiting just turned up on Baghera's doorstep.

Forever was worried, his boyfriend had disappeared without a trace, and while disappearances where extremely common on this island, having Bad disappear was something else entirely. Bad was the most vigilant person he knew, always feeling as though someone was after him, so having someone actually be after him, and succeed, reminded Forever of just how much power the federation had.

A week passed before they heard word of Bad's whereabouts from Cucurucho. Forever has wondered when they'd tell him, he hung around Forever as if taunting him, he knew Forever knew that Cucurucho was to blame. So when Cucurucho finally walked about to him and handed him a note, telling him to enjoy the island, Forever knew the end of Bad's disappearance had begun. He read the note immediately, and found co-ordinates, an hour walks away from his closest way point, along with some vague threats and the rule that he could bring two people. He thought about bringing more, but they had Bad, and who knows what they'd do to him if he brought more. He didn't even want to think about what they'd already done to him.

He was bringing Baghera, there was no doubt about it, his sister cared for Bad just as deeply as he did, and would let nothing stop them from getting him back. When he went to ask her, she was in the middle of conversating with Foolish, Pomme, Leo, and Dapper by their side. They must have been switching over babysitting duties. He couldn't wait for Foolish to leave, so he just explained.

"I have where Bad is, we need to find someone else and then we need to leave to get him back."

Baghera hadn't seen Forever coming as she was deep in conversation, and he saw her wings ruffle as she tensed up, before she turned to face Forever. "You know where he is?"

"Yes, and we need to get to him quick."

Baghera looked like she was ready to just leave Pomme, and Dapper depending on who last had him, with Foolish to go and find him. Forever and Baghera were ready to rush away, but Foolish spoke. "Where is he?" Forever was used to hearing Foolish only ever speak as if the world was a game to him, but his voice was seriouser than he had ever heard from him.

Forever held up the note, "These co-ordinates."

Foolish glanced at the note before kneeling down to the kids heights. "I need you three to go and find someone to take care of you for now, the three of us are going to get Bad back no matter what." He left a kiss on Leo's forehead and the three scurried off.

Forever didn't know how to feel about Foolish joining them because he simply decided to, he often felt too immature for these things, but on the other hand, Foolish was Bad's best friend, and even with their fighting, he knew that Foolish may very well fight to get Bad back until he dies. Hopefully no one would die during this.

Foolish pulled himself up to his usual towering height and stared down at the two siblings. "Lead the way, Forever."

The journey to the place, most likely a dungeon, where Bad was being kept felt far longer than it actually was. The air was tense and after a few failed jokes, they had mostly stopped speaking unless it was to guide someone or to discuss if they should switch to a boat. When they eventually got to the spot, it looked like a towering prison. Forever shivered at how they clearly built the place to look like Bad, black with strips of red with flecks of white, he wondered how long they had been planning to capture Bad if they had this set up already.

Foolish pushed open the doors, which for some reason struggled to open, as if the hinges were already rusted. They entered and the door now closed behind them as if there was no rust, the three were scared and confused. Before they could think much further, mobs started spilling in from doors on the side. There seemed to be far too many for just the three of them, but they had no choice but to fight. The only other option was death and leaving Bad to the whims of the federation for even longer. The mobs weren't as strong as they would have expected, but they were overwhelming. They certainly stopped spilling out at some point, but for far too long they seemed never ending. Still, their numbers dwindled, and as they panted from so much movement, the last mobs were slain and they were free to check out the room more.

Despite looking around for several minutes, nothing was shown except that the two doors on the side of the room had closed after their mobs were let through, and only the door opposite of the entrance remained open. They had no choice to move on, and was met with a similar situation as the first room, with oceans of mobs attacking them from every side. Once they were done, they were even more exhausted, but they had to keep going. This room was similar to the last, with two blocked up doors and nothing else to do other than to move onwards. They repeated this two more times, until the met the fifth room.

This room was different there was no door on the other end, and there was a cage hanging from the ceiling, with Bad inside it. They didn't have the best view, but they could tell he looked half alive, and was missing his cloak. Bad never wore a shirt, not caring that his breasts were on display whenever his cloak was moved, so they were able to stare in shock at the cuts and bruises that covered his torso. Some cuts were new, some were old, some were tiny, and some covered large areas. The bruises that filled the rest of his body were varying shades of gray. Bad had told Forever how bruises looked when Forever used to worry that he was getting bruised but his pitch black skin hid them, but seeing them covering so much of his body made Forever want to hurl.

Mobs crowded into the room again, and the three exhausted saviours got to work fighting. At this point, everything hurt and they felt like they were on the edge of collapse, but they couldn't back down, not now, not when they are so close to saving Bad. After far too long of fighting, they realised that the doors on either side of the room weren't closing. There would be no end here, they just had to save Bad and warp out of there.

Baghera and Foolish helped guide most of the mobs away from Forever, and Forever knew he had to get to Bad. He towered up and swiped away the few mobs that weren't following the other two. He had to be quick, they were already struggling with their own mobs, they wouldn't last much longer with Forever's as well.

Bad had been smiling the entire time watching them, a hazy look on his face, like he was happy that they were here and he didn't realise that they were being attacked by hundreds of mobs. At the sight of Forever coming up outside the bars, his smile grew more. "Forever, you came."

Forever smiled back in the exhaustion, in the week and a bit they'd been apart, it felt like his love had only grown for the demon. "Of course I did, now let's get you out of here." He swung his pickaxe at the bars until they broke enough to let him in. It's be easier to get in then for Bad to get out.

He grabbed onto Bad's waist with one hand and got out his warp stone with the other. He screamed down to the other two. "Teleport home!" And after hearing some shouts in response, he teleported himself and Bad away.

He got Bad into a bed as soon as he could, while Bad was much taller than him, he was lanky, so carrying him wasn't too difficult. Bad had passed out while being carried, he doesn't know how much rest Bad had gotten while kidnapped, even if he was allowed to sleep, paranoia likely kept him awake anyways.

Forever got to bandaging up the newest cuts that Bad had sustained while kidnapped. In the end, he had to use so much bandage it looked like Bad was wearing a strapless tank top. He took a picture and sent it to the global chat so that everyone knew Bad was fisly home and was safe. Moods were raised immediately and jokes were being made again. Foolish made a joke about how finally Bad had some modesty, to which there were several responses saying he was one to talk.

Forever was feeling the effects of the day, and climbed in beside Bad to rest, falling asleep almost immediately.

When he woke up, Bad still wasn't awake, so he made some breakfast for the two, he made something filling, but he understood that Bad might have been starved a bit and might not be able to eat much. When he entered the room with the two plates, Bad was waking up.

"Bad, you're safe." Forever said and entered his vision before Bad could worry.

Bad was confused for a few seconds before smiling wide. He reached up to cup Forever's face. "You saved me," He said softly. He guided Forever's down and planted a kiss on his lips.

"You have Baghera and Foolish to thank as well," he handed Bad one of the plates, "Eat as much as you can."

Bad took a bite before speaking, "I'll message Baghera as soon as I can get my comm again, I gave it to Dapper so he could look some stuff up the night I got kidnapped, luckily the federation didn't get to take it. Foolish is a muffinhead, he can wait."

Forever was also eating, "He was a big help, you should thank him as quick as you can." Forever caught onto some of Bad's words, "How did you get kidnapped?"

Bad's expression twisted in a strange way. "I don't know, I just gave Dapper my comm, went to bed, and then I woke up in that cage. Cucurucho would visit me and give me food, I didn't eat much of it, but then he'd just stare."

"No idea why he kidnapped you of all people?"

"No, none." Bad managed to eat half of his food before he started to feel sick. "Again, thank you for saving me, I'm, really glad I met you, and that you're my boyfriend." Bad smiled at him again, Forever felt like he was falling in love again every time Bad smiled at him.

"You're welcome, I'm glad I met you as well, and also that you're my boyfriend."

Their words felt awkward, despite how naturally their relationship came to them, talking about them being boyfriends was something that was difficult. Forever was going to ask if Bad wanted to give him the half empty plate to wash before Bad blurted out something unexpected.

"I love you."

They had said they loved eachother several times before they started dating, but the words hadn't been uttered since. If they said they loved eachother now, it meant something much different, and while it was clear to them, and everyone else, that they loved eachother in that way, they had yet to say it, until today.

Bad blushed at his own words, perhaps regretting saying them in this moment, but Forever was overjoyed. He leaned over to give Bad a kiss before replying, "I love you too."

Getting Bad back was difficult, but if it were to save the man he loved, he'd do it a thousand times more.

Chapter Text

Etoiles shivered as what now felt like freezing air flew across his overheating skin. Finally, he was out of there. His head was heavy and despite the burning if his skin, his insides felt like ice. He took a few steps and barely stopped himself from stumbling. Through a hazy mind he sorted out what he needed to do. One, replace his insulin, two, two, tell everyone he was back home, and three, pass out for at least twenty four hours.

He was about to pull out his warp stone so he could go home when he felt the vibrations of his comm in his pocket. He pulled it out.

Philza: Hey Mate, wanna go and do a dungeon with me and the kids?

The word dungeon lit up his brain, he doesn't know how Phil knew he was back, but it was hard to refuse such an enticing offer. He responded before he even knew what he was doing.

Etoiles: Of course, let me get some insulin and I'll meet you on the wall

Suddenly, his plans had stupidly changed. One, replace his insulin, two, tell everyone else he was back home, and three, go do a dungeon. He may regret his decision, but doing a dungeon felt far too enticing right now.

He did what he planned to do and warped to the wall, the light that went off in his brain at the mention of the dungeon was dimming and the hazyness returned. He was already starting to regret his decision, but it was too late to turn back now.

"Tio Etoiles!" He wasn't entirely paying attention and was surprised when a Tallulah amount of weight slammed into his leg.

"Hello Tallulah." He bent down and picked her up, feeling light-headed as he bent his knees slightly.

"Tallulah really missed you." He noticed Phil standing in front of him with Chayanne by his side.

"She better, I missed her as well." He gave him a smile despite the fact his head was not well enough for him to feel like smiling.

"You alright, Mate?" Phil noticed quickly.

"Just a bit jet-lagged from the Nether, I'll be fine soon, now, we don't want to wait much, let's go to the dungeon." Phil laughed at his eagerness, moving past Etoiles' sickness quickly. It made sense, of Etoiles said it wasn't much, Phil would have thought it wasn't much.

Phil lead the way to the dungeon, Etoiles falling behind more than he usually would, but saying that it was because he had been in the Nether for too long and he just wanted to get a good look of the overworld again. Phil once again took his words without much question.

When they finally got to the dungeon, Phil made sure that Chayanne and Tallulah were fully suited up for it, and Etoiles used this time to sit down and try and rest his head a bit. He told himself he'd be fine, he'd get into the dungeon and adrenaline would guide him, he'd barely feel the sickness that spread its way through his body once he was fighting and trying to avoid death. Phil called him over once the kids were fully suited up and they headed inside.

Etoiles was somewhat right, the adrenaline made him feel much better. But when there were down moments in the dungeon, it felt as though the sickness came back twice as hard. After clearing out one room that filled his body with adrenaline that quickly drained, he stumbled and knocked into Phil, almost knocking him over.

"You sure you're alright?" Phil asked as he placed a hand on Etoiles' back and stomach to try and make sure he didn't fall.

"Yes, just some pain that didn't appear immediately, I'll be fine." Phil pulled away, but Etoiles could tell that he wasn't convincing him anymore. They continued on and it got to the point where the kids where looking at Etoiles every moment there wasn't a mob that needed their attention. Etoiles wasn't enjoying then worrying over him, although he wasn't enjoying much of any part of this anymore. His entire world was spinning and his organs were still freezing, his eyes were struggling to stay open and he felt a constant bile at the back of his throat. The adrenaline wasn't helping anymore, his sickness was pushing past it.

They were in one of the last rooms, which they had just cleared out. Phil looked around and stated, "I think we should leave early, I don't think there's much for us to get here."

"We won't know unless we complete the dungeon." Speaking was a struggle for Etoiles.

Phil looked at him with even more worry than usual. "Even if we don't go, you should definitely go, you're obviously sick."

Etoiles was certainly sick, but that didn't stop him from having a rebuttle. "As I said, I'm fine, I can go on."

"But you're not fine, look at you, you can barely stand." Phil gestured to Etoiles' legs, which he hadn't realised were visibly shaking.

#####

"It's fine, I can-." Etoiles stopped speaking. He felt even more like shit suddenly, it took a few seconds before he felt a bit of bile shove it's way up his throat and he gagged. The kids backed away at the sight of the gag.

"Etoiles, are you-." Phil didn't have time to ask his question before Etoiles rushed to the corner of the room and threw up. He hadn't eaten much lately so he was surprised at how much was coming up, everytime he felt like it was over, more vomit was coming up his throat and out of his mouth. Beyond the noises of his own gagging and the splashing of puke on the ground, he heard Tallulah gag before Phil told her to turn around. After what felt like forever, Etoiles finished throwing up his guts. He wiped his mouth on the back of his arm and he felt Phil knock said arm with a bottle of water, which he immediately took and drank, trying to refill his stomach and get rid of the putrid taste in his mouth.

#####

He put the now empty bottle into his inventory and looked at Phil, who was beyond worried. "Sorry about that."

"You're leaving now, and I don't trust you to not do something stupid if I leave you alone, so you're coming home with us."

Etoiles didn't have the strength to fight it. "Okay." He yawned, he hadn't realised how tired he was, or maybe the puking had taken out a lot of his energy, "I need to sleep."

Phil told the kids to warp home and he grabbed onto Etoiles to make sure that he wouldn't fall once he was warped, and they warped together. Phil brought Etoiles into the bunker and put him to bed. He immediately passed out and Phil decided to get Chayanne and Tallulah unpacked from their adventure while he waited for Etoiles to wake up.

When Etoiles did wake up, he felt like death. Wasn't he supposed to feel better after napping while sick? He could barely open his eyes, let alone move. He let out a grown and he heard a voice.

"Feeling better?" It was Phil.

"No." His voice was croaky.

"Need another drink?"

His throat hurt too much to speak, so he made a hum and hoped Phil got the message. He luckily did, and he was handed another bottle of water. He used what limited movement he had to pull himself up a bit and drink the water, making small sips in order to not tilt the bottle up to much and accidently douse himself, that would not help his sickness at all. He drank about half before his energy started to deplete. He handed the water back to Phil.

"Any idea what made you so sick?"

It was much easier to speak now. "I think some of it was actually jet lag, but I think the heat and all the soot from the Nether air made my body react wrongly and got me sick."

Phil gave an understanding nod, "Yeah, you were in there for a while, it's a miracle you managed to go on for so long today."

"The fact I ignored it for so long definitely didn't help."

"Why did you ignore it?" Phil questioned.

"It's a dungeon, as long as I am at risk of dying I am happy." Etoiles started coughing.

"You don't look happy right now, and you certainly look like you're dying." Phil somewhat joked.

"Perhaps I need to think about what makes me happy again." Despite how horrible he felt, it was nice to joke around with Phil.

Phil turned more serious again, "Still, you really shouldn't do that, I know how much you love dungeons and danger and feeling like you're about to die, but if you're sacrificing your health to do so, you may die permanently." Phil's words were true, if he pushed himself far enough through sickness to do dungeons, there's a chance that it could turn out to be the last dungeon he ever gets to do.

"I'll stop going when I'm sick." He promised.

"Completely?" Phil pushed.

Etoiles was silent for a few seconds before answering. "I'll stop going when I'm too sick and if I feel too sick I'll leave."

Despite how Phil was trying to get him to take care of himself, he laughed at his words. "Good enough, you better actually live by those words."

"I promise, I promise." He thought for a second, "What are your kids doing right now?"

"Chayanne's making dinner, and Tallulah is watching him cook, they're worried about you, they could also tell something was off."

"I thought I'd be able to hide it better."

"You're lucky you weren't able to hide it better, at least now you'll have to stay and get some rest and proper meals into you."

"I just didn't want to worry anyone." Even though he ended up worrying people even more.

Phil sighed. "You worried so many people, I had to tell people why you weren't answering your messages and they immediately wanted to know what happened. Baghera told me that when she told Pomme, she was ready to break in and see you."

Etoiles laughed, "That's my Pomme."

Phil rolled his eyes, but he wasn't actually annoyed. "So don't do it again, you're not just worrying me and the kids, you're worrying the whole island, and you're especially worrying your daughter."

At the second mention of how much he was worrying Pomme, he promised himself not to do dungeons when he was in no state to. He also promised himself to promise Pomme that he wouldn't either. He was making so many promises today.

"I refuse to worry Pomme anymore."

Phil made sure Etoiles wasn't going to throw up again, and while that conversation was happening, Chayanne and Tallulah joined them with dinner. Turns out Tallulah wasn't just watching but was helping stir. Chayanne and Phil were very proud of her, and Etoiles couldn't help but feel proud as well. It's hard to believe he would ever want to go back on his promise when the kids were around, he had to keep to it not just for Pomme, but for all the kids who looked up to him. And also for his friends, who wouldn't want to see him like this. And most importantly, for himself.

Chapter Text

Maxo used to think he wasn't the jealous sort, especially not to someone he wasn't dating, but then Forever walked into his life. Tall and muscled with a smile that made his heart skip a beat and his brain shut down. Not only that, but he was sweet and made him feel more wanted than he'd felt since his husband was announced dead. Before, he used to think he had a chance with Forever, he asked him to fake marry him during Festa Junina, and he thought that the way Forever had kissed him had meant something, it had sent sparks flying to his brain and his heart and embarrassingly to his crotch. He had thought about that kiss for weeks, and from nothing grew a crush, simply because of that one kiss. He thought that if he managed to receive another, it would turn to love, but he didn't even need a second kiss for him to grow to love Forever. Forever simply existed in the same space as him and he found himself falling for him more and more, until he could no longer deny that he had fallen in love. His first love was perfection to him.

When he and Forever talked at the wedding, and Forever admitted that he was ready to move on from Phil, he believed he had a chance, a chance to turn this love and fake marriage into something.

That's when the jealousy started. He had worked up the courage to ask Forever out on a date, and was trying to find him so he could ask. When he eventually found him, he was with Bad, which he thought wouldn't be an issue, they were friends after all, it made sense for them to be together. But that wasn't all, Bad and Forever were in a tight embrace, and what was worse than the fact that Forever was shamelessly pushing his face against Bad's breasts, was that Maxo knew for a fact that Bad hated hugs. He had asked him about it once, before Forever was in their lives, and he said he'd really only be comfortable hugging his future child or his future partner. Maxo hoped that he had changed his mind since then. Still, his confidence had been ruined that day, and he went home without asking Forever out on that date.

He and Bad had butted heads several times since then, but Maxo doesn't know if Bad knew his sudden outbursts were from the pieces of affection Maxo had seen between Bad and Forever.

The stress from worrying about their friendship along with the everyday stress of the island lead him to fall onto Pierre, who opened up his arms, and his bed, to Maxo. The nights full of pleasure that lead to his heart beating fast soon lead to his heart beating fast during the day as well. He tried to ignore it, Forever was his first love, he couldn't go falling in love with someone else.

When Forever questioned him about sleeping with Pierre, Maxo gained hope. He wasn't the only jealous one, Forever was jealous at his relations with the other islanders as well. This was the part where he dreamed that Forever would kiss him fiercely and say that Maxo was his, and that no one else would ever have him before he took Maxo into his bed. But that was it, he was jealous, and there was nothing that came from it. He spent the night in Pierre's bed again, trying not to think about his disappointment.

Every changed again when Forever was elected as President, he knew that he'd have less time for Maxo, but he hasn't realised it would lead to more time being spent with Bad. When he saw the two spend more and more time together, his fears felt realer and realer, until one day they were confirmed. He hadn't even heard it from either one of them, it was just Baghera saying how happy she was that Forever and Bad had finally stopped beating around the bush and had finally started dating. He didn't find an excuse for why he had to leave, he just left immediately to Pierre's house and fell into his bed with him.

The next day he asked Pierre out, he had feelings for him and knew he could definitely grow to love him, but he felt guilty when Pierre accepted, he had asked him out because of Forever. He couldn't call it jealousy anymore, he had someone now that Pierre was his boyfriend, so he couldn't be jealous that someone else had Forever. He asked out Piefre because he saw Forever and Bad being happy and wanted to share that happiness with someone himself. Yeah, that worked. No, that was what happened.

Being with Pierre was easier than he thought it would be. He had thought that since their friendship was mostly made up from sex, their relationship wouldn't work out all that well, but even outside of Pierre's bed now, things were easy. Pierre's mind matched Maxo's own, and they even had plans to start up a furry club together. A relationship that Maxo had thought would fail quickly began to be his most important bond. A small part of him is sad it didn't fail, the part of him that aches when he sees Forever lean in to kiss Bad like it's natural, because it is natural, just like how Maxo leans in to kiss Pierre, his boyfriend, who is not Forever, and who he doesn't wish was Forever. He brushes of that part of him, usually by kissing Pierre like he mentioned before.

Forever parades Bad around proudly, calling him his boyfriend whenever the conversation let's him, and when it doesn't, he makes the conversation let him. Pierre doesn't do that with Maxo, they told Foolish and Baghera, along with some of the capybaras that they were dating, and then let everyone else find out through gossip and seeing them kiss in public. He likes it that way, he can't imagine Pierre calling him his boyfriend at every opportunity, that's not Pierre, that's not the man he fell in love with. Not the Pierre he fell in love with, an unhelpful part of his brain supplied. Not the man he was in love with, an even less unhelpful part of his brain supplied. He didn't care, he told himself, Bad got a boyfriend who told the world he loved him, and Maxo got a boyfriend that didn't care if the world knew as long as Maxo knew. It was better this way.

Maxo remembers when Forever finally caught on to Maxo and Pierre's relationship. He wasn't avoiding letting Forever know, he just didn't want Forever and Pierre in the same room if he was in it. Forever congratulated him for getting a boyfriend, and said he hoped that everything worked out well. He said it with that classic bright smile on his face, his heart beat faster, he had his arm across Maxo's shoulder, he was too close. Maxo had a boyfriend now, he couldn't let ridiculously attractive men who had a habit of walking around shirtless get too physically close now. He backed away carefully, as to not upset Forever, but he just ended up upsetting himself. He wanted to delve into his arms further and stuff his face into Forever's pecs. He was starting to have strange thoughts, he didn't experience sexual attraction, so the high amounts of sex he had been having must have been to blame, he'd have to talk to Pierre later about tuning down how much they sleep together. Maxo tried to end the conversation quickly and left as soon as he had the chance.

He didn't like how he hadn't been able to talk to Forever since he started dating Bad. He was his friend, and feeling him slip away because of Maxo's own choices felt horrible. But there was no way anything was going to be able to change.

Months flew by, and Maxo was surprised to see his relationship with Pierre standing strong despite the time passage. Forever and Bad's was still strong as well, but Maxo tried to ignore it. He had Forever didn't talk much anymore, but he still felt an ache in his heart whenever he saw him.

June arrived and they celebrated Festa Junina once again. Maxo thought it was fun, he loved the islands events, getting to spend them with his boyfriend was always even better. With so much happening all the time with Festa Junina, it was easy to forget Forever even existed, and Maxo was left far happier than he'd been in a long while. The day was coming to a close, and Maxo was upset that it was almost over. The islanders had grouped up towards the end, and Maxo saw Forever for the first time that day. He was wearing the same dress he had worn the previous year. Maxo couldn't help but think of it as Forever's wedding dress. Conversation sparked between the islanders and eventually it was stopped by Forever calling out and dragging Bad to a spot where everyone could see. People were confused as to what he was doing, and why he chose now to be the time where he spouted praise for his boyfriend. Maxo's heart ached more and more as he heard Forever's words to Bad, and his heart completely sunk when he watched Forever get on one knee and pull out a ring.

He wasn't there to hear his words, he ran, and he was aware of Pierre running after him, but he didn't stop nor did he let Pierre catch up to him. He hated everything. He hated Festa Junina and he hated that pretty dress and he hated Bad, and he especially hated Forever. He didn't hate Forever, he loved him. It was the first time his mind had let him say that so clearly to himself since he got with Pierre. He hated all those things, but more than anything, he hated himself for being in love with Forever even when he had Pierre, and Forever had Bad, and would continue to have Bad until what they had was non-existent. And Maxo would be left with nothing to do but learn to hate Forever.

Chapter Text

Etoiles knew something was up as he started to talk to Maxo. He had these glassy eyes and mumble to his words that Etoiles immediately picked up on.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Maxo took a few seconds to answer. "Yes, everything is fine."

Etoiles couldn't be convinced with just that. "You don't look fine, you should go get some sleep."

"I'm fine." Maxo's voice stayed monotone through his answers, and Etoiles was started to expect something more than sickness.

"No, you're not, have some rest." Again, Maxo shook his head. "You're resting, I'm not letting you say no again." He grabbed Maxo's wrist, intending to drag Maxo away, he planned that if Maxo resisted again, he'd just throw him over his shoulder and bring him to somewhere he could rest that way. In an unexpected twist, Etoiles saw Maxo pulled out a sword and barely managed to pull away before the sword sliced at the space that once held his wrist.

"Listen Maxo, I'm sorry, if you didn't want to go to sleep that bad-." Despite his apologies, Maxo now held his sword in both hands, and slashed at Etoiles' chest, which he barely dodged. Etoiles pulled out his own sword and blocked the next attack. "Maxo, what is wrong with you!?" Maxo didn't answer, just kept swinging and Etoiles blocked. Etoiles tried to shove his sword away but nicked Maxo in the stomach. He was about to apologize before he saw what he had done. Instead of blood spilling out slightly, ones and zeros floated above the cut skin. This wasn't Maxo.

Etoiles spared no mercy, now instead of simply blocking, he attacked with everything he had, making the code Maxo have to block if it didn't want to meet its end. Still, Etoiles was incredibly skilled, so matter how many times the code managed to block, it would always screw up a few times and let Etoiles get some hits in. Etoiles was surprised at how well the code was keeping up it's disguise, the disguises tended to fall apart into neon numbers quite quickly, but apart from the slices Etoiles made, the numbers that usually exploded out kept themselves at bay.

Keeping a more human form, the code was doing much better than it normally did against Etoiles, keeping all its innards confined into a human body must have been very helpful to the code. Unluckily for it, Etoiles was still godly in his fighting skill, and managed to get more and more hits on the code as time went on. The code even seemed to be getting tired, a trait Etoiles didn't know they possessed. Another well aimed attack slit the code once more, and Etoiles got ready for the addictive burst of numbers, but instead, a spurt of deep red came out. Etoiles stopped for a second, and barely blocked an attack from the code, actually, he wasn't entirely sure. As the two's blades met, the floating numbers disappeared and instead appeared rushes of blood.

It was all an illusion. This wasn't the code pretending to be Maxo, this was Maxo who had something happen that made him look like the code. And he was incredibly injured, if he didn't get treatment soon, he may die of blood loss. Whatever made him look like the code may still be controlling him, as he was still attacking Etoiles with everything he had, and Etoiles was forced to block each attack. He couldn't risk hurting Maxo anymore, he had to snap him out of it.

"Maxo, you need to stop this, I'm your friend." He tried, Maxo didn't even respond anymore, just kept swinging his sword in hopes of hitting Etoiles. Etoiles was much more used to attacking than just standing there and having to block all attacks, so not feeling his own sword slicing through the air felt strange, but he had to make sure he didn't attack, blood was already rushing out too much, he couldn't worsen it. "Maxo, snap out of it, you'll hurt yourself, we need to get you bandaged up."

He responded this time, "You had no problem attacking me before."

Maxo had gotten dangerously close with an attack and Etoiles barely dodged it. "I didn't know it was actually you, I thought it was the code."

Maxo was attacking even quicker now, Etoiles was having a hard time blocking each attack, but what was worse was the fact that all the quick movement was making blood rush out of Maxo's injured body even quicker. He had to find a way to snap Maxo out of it, and quick. His mind flipped back to something an islander had said in his early days on the island, and the negative way Maxo had reacted to it. It had almost felt like Maxo was possessed in the way he reacted back then, maybe a similar reaction would kick our whatever was actually possessing Maxo this time.

"Don't you think Trump would be disappointed in you?" He knew it was a low blow, but it was the only blow he could make right now that wouldn't kill him.

Maxo paused mid swing, his eyes looking far less glassy in milliseconds. His face twisted in anger, "Don't you dare bring up my son like that."

Despite the anger in his voice, it was Maxo again, and Etoiles smiled at the tone. "You're back."

Maxo looked down at himself, as if he didn't know what was going on. After a few moments, he collapsed, and Etoiles panicked at the extra blood that seeped out. He checked Maxo's pulse. He was still alive, just unconscious, but who knows for how long. Etoiles picked him up and warped them away so Maxo could get help. Etoiles also needed to tell everyone that there was something that could possess people and take control of them, and how the symptoms differentiated from code copies. There was still the question of why it looked like Maxo was the code, but there was no answers yet, and he feared it may take a few more tries to get one.

Chapter Text

They were going to figure out what was going on with the island no matter what, they were in a federation building, so answers were bound to be right around the corner. Perhaps Bad took that saying a tad bit too literally, as he turned a corner thinking the group would follow him, and now he was wandering the bleak white halls lost. Dapper hadn't even followed him. He just told himself that as long he was with the others, he'd be fine. Shame he was forever a worrier, and he became more and more scared at what could happen to his son, and the others.

"Bad." A voice called, and a familiar one at that. He turned around in circles several times, hoping to see one of the others who were in his group, but no one was there. His evergrowing paranoia was getting to him, making him hear things he shouldn't be hearing. He brushed it off and pushed forward through the labyrinth of halls.

Back at the much larger group, Baghera noticed that Bad was missing, so she pulled away Forever and Dapper to go find him, but not before notifying the group of their absence, couldn't let four people go missing, especially if one was a child.

"Where do you think he disappeared off to?" Forever asked, trying to make sure Dapper didn't run off too far ahead of them.

"I'm not sure, I don't know how long he's been gone, I wasn't paying much attention to anything accept trying to find some kind of clue." Baghera wasn't liking how all these hallways looked identical.

"Well now we need a clue of where Bad is." Forever responded.

Baghera let out half a chuckle before she stopped herself, "Okay, that was funny, but not the time."

"You're right." The two were on edge about everything, it was already a risk going into the federation building, but going off alone upped the dangers for Bad for higher than they could imagine.

"Is Dad going to be alright?" Dapper was somehow the least worried looking out of all of them, but they knew he easily doubled their worry, even if you combined the siblings worry together.

"He'll be fine." Baghera lied. She didn't know if he would be fine, and right now, she was wishing someone would lie to her and say that his guaranteed safety was set in stone.

They were about to turn the corner when a rush of green and black zoomed across the hall in front of them. There were codes here, they had to be careful. Hopefully Bad wouldn't come across one.

Bad was still left wandering, he had no idea how many turns he had taken at this point, it felt like everything lead back to the same hallway, but he knew the chances of him being in the same hallway he started in was low. Although now that he was thinking about it, it was still possible.

"Bad, what are you doing alone?" The voice came back, making Bad jump and cease his thoughts. There was still no one around, which made Bad more and more confused. He couldn't quite tell who's voice was speaking to him. His memories of it felt blocked off, but far more recently blocked off than many of the memories he had before the island. He quickly turned a corner and saw a flash of light blue going around another corner, as well as an actual flash, as if light had hit fine jewellery. Bad got excited, it must have been one of the others. He didn't know anyone in the group who was wearing that shade of blue, but perhaps he had simply seen it wrong and it was actually the gray of Foolish's cloak. The shine would make sense if it were coming off his jewellery. He hurried after the person, still not quite sure if it were Foolish. When he turned the next corner, the shine was barely visible as the person rounded the corner. He had to hurry.

This happened several more times until he saw the shine go into a room instead. He hurried in after it. He finally got a look at the person he was chasing. It wasn't someone that was on the island. They were wearing a pretty shade of light blue and had brown skin and fluffy hair. They had these gorgeous eyes that looked like sharp obsidian, but the best part was the shards of diamonds that covered chunks of his skin. No, he was wrong, the best part was he finally remembered the persons name, one he knew so well but had a hard time remembering what he looked like on the island, he had only remembered the Diamond. He had found his best friend again.

"Skeppy."

Baghera, Forever, and Dapper heard something from inside a room, and it sounded oddly like Bad. Dapper was quickly rushing to the door and trying to reach for the handle. Forever opened it for him and they entered, immediately freezing at the sight. Beyond the glass that split the room in two, stood Bad. That wasn't the horrifying part, he was in there with the code, looking happier than they had ever seen him.

"Badboy, back away!" Forever screamed. Bad didn't seem to notice, so Baghera ran to the glass and started banging on it. Strangely, it made only the tiniest of noises. They could hear Bad through it, but he seemed to not be able to hear them.

Skeppy smiled widely at Bad. "What took you so long?"

"You kept running from me, you muffinhead." Bad felt at ease for once, he didn't know what strange prank Skeppy was undeniably going to pull, but it was okay, because Skeppy was here.

Dapper looked in horror at his dad looking so friendly with the code, going as far as to name it after his obsession. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't, he had to make sure his dad was safe.

"At least you found me."

Bad was over the moon at Skeppy being here, he had so many things to show him. He had to properly meet Dapper, he's sure he'd accept him as his son immediately. Bad was overwhelmed with emotion, and couldn't help but take Skeppy into a hug. Skeppy tensed for a bit before melting into the hug. Bad chuckles to himself, oh how the tables have turned, he remembers the first time they hugged and Bad had tensed before deciding that Skeppy was the exception and he never wanted to go another day without hugging him.

Dapper screamed as he saw his dad hold the code in his arms.

Skeppy pulled his head away from Bad's chest and looked up at his face, "I have something I want to show you."

Bad let Skeppy go and spoke. "I would love to see." It was probably a prank, but he had started to miss his pranks.

Bad heard a grinding noise and turned to see a wall opening from the ceiling. Skeppy grabbed Bad's wrist and started to pull Bad through the new opening. Bad didn't fight it at all.

From the side opposite to the opened wall, fists banged against glass and screams filled the room as the three watched Bad get guided away, before for wall returned from behind him.

Chapter Text

Juana had gotten used to heaven. Or at least that's what the four dead kids called it. It was more a giant playroom with living necessities. Strange, cause they didn't need living necessities if they were dead. It was far lonelier than they were used to, when there were all the other kids and adults around, but they got used to it, they had to. It had been so long since they last found someone else in heaven, Bobby had arrived about a month after everyone else. They didn't know a month had passed, time didn't exist in heaven, Bobby had just told them. They don't know how long it's been since he arrived, but it felt much longer. They hoped no one ever arrived again, they didn't want their siblings to die, even of it meant they got to see them again.

Juana was laying on one of the beanbags in the corner, a yellow and green tie dye one. It was her favourite, it reminded her of her parents. Juana wasn't used to spending the day alone, but Tilin was adamant on finally winning over Bobby to seeing her as a brother, they were brothers, but Tilin thought that since Roier had raised her far more than her own dad had done, that made them extra brothers. Juana was happy for Tilin, so she backed off as Tilin decided to follow Bobby around for who knows how long. She thought she could spend the day with Trump, but he wanted to practice his guitar, and wanted to be alone as it happened. So, for the first time in ages, Juana was alone. It reminded her of her life, when she felt alone up in her room. She knows in both situations she could go and find someone, but they were busy, and it was best for her to sit and be quiet.

She shut her eyes, she didn't need to sleep in heaven, but she still could, it was an easy way to pass the time.

"Ow."

At the sound, she opened her eyes. They hadn't been shut for long, so she didn't know who could have entered the part of heaven she was in, but if they were hurt, they needed help. She was surprised to see someone new, she was also upset that it was someone new, no one their age deserved to die.

The kid stared up at her, as he was sitting on the floor in front of the beanbag chair. He looked scarily like her, with the same shade of hair, just short, and glasses, he even had the same strip of scales splitting the middle of his face in half as she did. There were some differences, his eyes were green, and his scales had bulging patches were they got significantly darker. He was also seemingly missing the rash that covered a majority of her arms, legs, and torso. She had never met another kid who looked like her before, according to Bobby, another kid was found after the first batches of deaths, so the idea of even more being found didn't sound so strange.

Juana's heart clenched slightly, she understood what another kid that looked like her meant. Her parents had moved on and had gotten another child.

"Hello?" The kid asked before slamming his hands over his mouth in shock. "My voice is different." His voice was now muffled.

"I don't know what your voice sounded like before, but it sounds nice." As jealous as she was that her parents moved on, she needed to treat him kindly. She was scared, but without her gun she couldn't do much to stop the fear.

The boy looked at her strangely, as if he was remembering something. "Flippa?" Juana was a little shocked. It made sense that his memory may be slightly blurry, it was normal after death, but she had never met this boy, how did he know who she was? No, now's not the time to get suspicious. It was normal that her parents would inform him of his dead sister. They weren't completely bad after all.

"Yes, that's me, what's your name?"

The boy was silent for a few moments before answering. "Gegg."

She almost laughed, their parents were really bad at names. First they called her Frontflippo and now they've named the next after the thing he came from. Instead, she complimented it. "I like your name.'

Gegg smiled at her. "Thanks, I chose it myself."

Juana smiled back. "Cool, I chose mine too." She thought for a few seconds before asking, "How did you die?"

Gegg looked upset but answered anyway. "Code Monster."

Juana tried to save the situation by saying her own death cause. "My Mama accidently killed me."

Gegg nodded. "I know." It was sweet how their parents never stopped talking about her, even after she died. Gegg seems to know so much about her.

"How are our parents? It's been so long, and I'd like to hear about them." Maybe this was a better way to move the conversation.

Gegg cocked his head. "Our parents?"

"Yeah, Slime and Mariana." Maybe their parents hadn't actually told him that they were related, and just that she had existed. Maybe they talked about her as if she was someone else's kid.

Gegg looked uncomfortable. "They aren't my parents, well, I think Slime might be my parent, but Mariana isn't."

Juana gasped. "Papa had a kid with someone else? What about Mama, what does she think?"

"I never met her, and I don't have another parent, Slime is only kind of a parent." Juana was really confused. She cocked her head. "I'm not like the rest of you, I didn't come from an egg, I came from Slime."

Juana's face twisted in disgust. "Papa gave birth?"

Gegg shook his head. "Not exactly, it's more like..." He waved his arms around, trying to find his words, "I am him. And he is me, there is no me without him, but it's not the same the other way around, I'm here, I died and I no longer exist as part of him, he's just Slime now."

Juana was even more confused. "Can you repeat that, but make it not sound like something Papa would say."

Gegg took a few seconds to find his words. "Slime was distraught, so he created me. He at first just twisted his body into my form, but as soon as I was given a name, I was me. I began to have my own thoughts and feelings, and while Slime felt them, he could also feel they weren't him. So when I died, it counted me as a kid, and I got sent here."

Finally, Juana made sense of his words. "So, you're a part of my Papa?"

Gegg nodded. "Somewhat, I would call myself more what development he was supposed to make when he was in my form."

"So Papa never moved on from me?"

Gegg smiled. "He never will, he'll get better, but he can never forget you."

Juana smiled back. "Sorry I asked so many questions, it's not the best way to start off our friendship."

Gegg lit up. "Friendship?"

"Yeah, you're my brother, I want to be your friend as well, and I'm sure the others will want to be your friends too, even if they don't want to be your brothers."

Gegg's smile somehow grew. "I only want you as my sister."

Juana got off the beanbag chair and hugged her new brother tightly. "We should celebrate, there's cake in the fridge." They didn't need to eat either, which was useful for Juana. There wasn't a whole lot of vegan food that randomly showed up in the fridge, but she checked and the cake was vegan.

Gegg looked a bit guilty. "Depends, I'm vegan."

Juana smiled wide. "That's so cool, so am I."

Juana was figuring out her brother fast. Whatever remnants of her that her Papa held, she's certain that turned into Gegg, and whatever remnants of her Papa she held, she's certain Gegg is also that.

Chapter Text

Bad couldn't believe he had actually won, but as he stood before his friends, he believed he deserved it more than anyone. He stood proud and started his speech. "Thank you all who have voted for me, I know many expect a president to take pride in the government that they were elected into, but I know many of you also believe that how we were running things was best, and I believe so too, we are best when we reign together, so I while I have enjoyed my few minutes of being President, I say we have the role no more."

Cheers came from the islanders, and Bad felt nothing but warmth in his heart. Until he feels pain in his side. He falls to his knees as the islanders gasp and scream. He hears footsteps all around him, and the last thing he feels his hands on him. Baghera and Forever make sure he doesn't faceplant, and moves him to say down on his back. Many people had warped away or were stuck in fear, but they noticed Phil and Etoiles searching the area, likely for the person who shot Bad. It must have been a shot, the hole and the suddenness could only mean someone shot him.

"Do you think you can get the bullet out?" Baghera asked, eyes scanning for another bullet that could come flying.

"I can, I'll just need the right tools, I think there's a first aid kit in the order building, we should take him there." Forever studied the wound.

Phil and Etoiles came up to them to explain the situation. "We can't find someone who could have shot him anywhere." Phil started.

"We think it's a federation worker, they are the only ones who would be upset at Bad denouncing presidency." Etoiles explained.

Baghera gave one last look around, even thought she knew it was going to do nothing. "We just need to keep him safe then, we're taking him to the order building, Etoiles, can you help protect us and Bad while we get him there?"

Etoiles gave a sharp nod, "I'll protect you with my life."

The three looked at Phil, who was looking at the kids who were left. They were huddling together, terrified. "I need to take care of them." He walked away without another word.

The three turned back and Baghera and Forever got to work on getting Bad picked up in a way that made it easy to carry his ridiculously long frame and also not damage the wound. Etoiles got ready to protect.

They warped to the Favela and moved as quickly as they could in the awkward position they were left in. Etoiles moved to whatever side he felt was most dangerous, and eventually after almost tripping on Etoiles' feet a few times, they had managed to get Bad down into the order office.

Forever got to work removing the bullet and wrapping everything up, and eventually he decided that Bad will be fine, as long as nothing else happens. Etoiles bad been ready to attack at any moment, he didn't want anyone who wanted to hurt Bad to come in. Baghera found herself a bit useless so she sent a message saying everything was fine and Bad was in a safe place, refusing to elaborate in case the federation reads through the messages.

Everything was going mostly fine until Cellbit, along with Dapper, came down and almost got sliced in half by Etoiles, who apologised as soon as he realised who he was. Cellbit said it was fine, everyone is on edge by this, and went to Baghera and Forever, asking to speak with them in another room. The two looked at Bad and told Dapper to alert them if anything happened, before leaving to speak to Cellbit.

"How's Bad doing?"

"He seems alright, as long as he doesn't get shot again, he should recover pretty quickly." Baghera explained.

"We still don't know exactly who did it, but it was definitely the federation." Forever stated confidently.

Cellbit nodded, "I assumed that, they would be the only one's with a grudge." Cellbit looked away, finding it hard to make eye contact before looking back. "Especially since there are workers walking around everywhere outside in the Favela, they're still looking for him."

The two siblings looked at eachother, fear coursing through their veins even more. Forever looked back at Cellbit. "We need to stop them from getting in here."

Cellbit nodded. "On it, I'll remove the elevators, that'll at least make it difficult for them to get down here."

They could only hope.

Bad felt absolutely horrible. The pain had spread from his wound and now covered his body. He slowly opened his eyes, trying not to move too much and bring in the pain even more. He immediately saw Dapper, fear in his eyes. When Dapper saw his eyes open, he immediately lit up. "Dad!"

"Dapper." It hurt to talk, but he needed to. "What happened?"

Bad saw Etoiles walk over, suited up in a way that told him he wasn't going to let anything happen. "You got shot, we think it's from the federation, we took you down to the order base so they don't find you, but we still have to be careful until you heal."

Bad could only let out a quiet, "What the muffin."

Baghera and Forever walk in, and are ecstatic that Bad is awake. They realise that the bandages have bled through too much and move to clean him up and rebandage him. They're explain how worried they are for him, but how they'll let no one hurt him after the stunt the federation pulled. Bad loves his friends so much.

Cellbit comes in as they are finishing up the bandages again, and is ecstatic as well. "Hey Bad, good to see you up."

"Hi Cellbit, what were you doing?" Cellbit had looked slightly scared, so it was good to ask.

"There were federation workers outside, I think they were looking for you, I removed the elevators so they can't get down here as easily." His voice was slow, as if he was trying to make sure Bad didn't freak out over the words that only made sense to freak out about. That's exactly why he did freak out. Going for his life once wasn't enough, they wanted to get rid of him for messing up their plans to bring havoc to the island. He pulled himself up, ignoring the screaming pain that shot through every part of his body, he needed to hide.

Etoiles grabbed onto him and didn't let him move anymore. "Everything will be fine, we'll keep you safe, no matter what." Forever used his words to try and calm him down.

"The federation don't know you're here, as long as it stays that way, which it will, you will be safe, they'll give up eventually." Baghera joined in.

Cellbit carefully put his hand on Bad's shoulder, "As long as we have you, you don't have to worry about anything, the Order has eachothers backs, and we know you'd protect us if we were you, so there's no way we won't protect you." He gave Bad a gentle smile, and Bad couldn't help but give one back.

Bad felt his nerves calm down, and the pain spike. They were right, he was safe, and he would stay safe. Etoiles helped him lay back down, trying to make sure he didn't feel anymore pain than he was already feeling. Dapper gives him a kiss on the cheek and he feels even safer.

Time goes by so slowly. Bad feels exhausted the entire time he is trapped, everytime he shuts his eyes, he just remembers the assassination attempt, and he can't possibly imagine trying to sleep. The others try to help him, but it's no use. At least the kids quests have stopped, so there's no worry about Dapper dying. They don't need anymore scares.

He heals quite quickly, and in five days he's able to take off the bandages and be mostly back to normal. A few days later, Cellbit declares that it's safe for him to leave now, they don't know exactly why he's so sure, but they listen to him. Bad feels like stepping outside was like stepping into heaven. He missed the outside so much.

"Thank you for protecting me, I don't know what I'd do without you." Bad was forever in his friends debt.

Baghera playfully punched at his shoulder. "We'd do it anytime, anything for you."

The others had similar responses, and all Bad could think about what how much he wished he knew the words to describe how much he loved his friends. They bid him farewell, and he and Dapper went home, happy and safe.

Chapter Text

Slime jumped at the chance to be the substitute for the daycare, he adored the kids and wanted to be able to spend more time with them. He didn't account for how much work it would be though.

Before him stood Tallulah, tears in eyes, tail between her legs, and a broken flute held in both hands. "I didn't mean to, it just happened!" She cried, sobbing.

"I believe you, it was an accident! You didn't do anything wrong!" Slime tried to calm her down. Broken items had become a common problem for the kids, gaining more of their dragon strength and not knowing how to control it.

Tallulah just kept sobbing, and Slime was barely able to convince her to use a tissue instead of her sleeve. Due to her lack of extra hands, he was able to trade the tissue for her broken flute. As she was blowing her nose and crying, staring at the floor, he looked up the recipe for it and tried to discreetly craft a new one for her, pocketing the broken flute.

"Tallulah, look up." She followed his orders and wiped her tears away so she could look at what was in Slime's hands, her face immediately lighting up at the view.

She looked up at his face. "My flute?"

Slime nodded. "I fixed it." This is what white lies were for. Tallulah happily but carefully took the flute from his hands.

"Thank you Tio Slime! I love you!" She dashed away, playing her flute. Tallulah was adorable, and a white lie for her saying she loved her uncle was one of the best exchanges Slime has ever made.

He felt a small hand tugging at his pants from behind him. He turned and saw Pomme holding her face paint case. "Can I paint your face?"

He looked over at the rest of the kids in the room, who were all fine doing their own things and not causing trouble, he could spare a bit of time to get his face painted. "Sure." He picked her up and placed her on a table, sitting down in one of just chairs. It gave Pomme a good height for his face.

She picked a few shades of green out for him, and started painting around his eye.

"You knew exactly where you wanted to paint, didn't you?" She had started painting with such confidence it was hard not to notice.

"I wanted to paint around someone's eyes, I've never don't it before." When Pomme first arrived, she had come to the sad conclusion that scales and face paint don't mix, which upset her as she wasn't a fan of the pure white scales that surrounded her eyes.

"Haven't you asked your parents before?" Slime was scared that the French family life wasn't as good as he had thought it was.

Pomme obtained this strange smile, full of determination. "I want to get better at it first so I can show my parents and have them be proud of me."

"I'm sure they'll be proud of you even if you're not very good."

Pomme smiled a softer smile. "I know, but I want to show them when I'm good, I want to show them that I can learn even when they don't teach me."

Pomme finished up the face paint and took a small mirror out from her inventory, showing Slime her design. It was a beautiful design of green swirls. It almost looked like make-up, he's sure he'd mistake it for such if he hadn't been told it was face paint. Slime decided he wanted to know what her reaction will be once she learns that make up exists.

Slime caught onto a sickening smell that filled the daycare, and he realised someone was cooking up some meat. Slime's not too sure when it happened, but at some point after he swore to stay vegan for his daughter, animal products just made him feel sick, especially meat. Slime put Pomme back down on the ground and looked around for the source of the smell, they'd need heat to cook meat, and with a room full of toddlers that wanted to run around, it could be a serious hazard. Unsurprisingly, the smell was coming from Chayanne, who decided the perfect place to cook some steak for lunch or whatever he was planning, was right in the centre of the daycare, where he had see several children run past throughout the day and had caused many tripping because they didn't look what was there.

He walked up to Chayanne and kneeled down. "Chayanne, you can't cook here, it's dangerous."

Chayanne didn't look away from his steak. "I have to make dinner."

Slime looked at a clock. "At 12:37 pm?"

When he looked back Chayanne had gotten out a cutting board and some potatoes, he scrutinised the still dirty potatoes. "I need water so I can wash these."

Slime couldn't believe the audacity of this small child. "I told you, you're not allowed to cook where other kids can run into you, you could hurt them and yourself, and you'd ruin your... dinner," he explained.

Chayanne seemed to finally understand, but instead of packing up, he asked, "Can I cook on a table where others can't reach me?"

Slime wanted to say no, but he had other kids to look after and spending the day arguing with Chayanne wasn't going to help him at all. "Fine." Slime carefully moved Chayanne's equipment on top of a table and helped Chayanne up. He even got him the water he asked for. "Happy?"

Chayanne started washing his potatoes. "Yes."

Slime was starting to wonder why these kids were so weird.

"It's not my fault you can't handle the uber instincts of my uber autism." At least Dapper had an explanation.

Slime looked over at Dapper and Ramon, who seemed to be looking over some kind of blueprint and drawing and scratching stuff out.

"Your autism doesn't mean you know more about machines than me." Ramon argued. Slime was not excited to see where this argument was going.

"It means I'm more passionate."

"I'm passionate about it too, which means I want this to actually work!"

"Boys, what's going on." Slime kneeled down next to them, hoping him being there would calm their argument a bit.

"We want to make a machine together but we both think our ideas are better." Dapper explained, turning the blueprints around so that they were the right side up for Slime. He didn't understand anything, but he saw an increase in scribbles at a middle part.

"Dapper thinks we don't need these gears, but I think they're the most important, and neither of us agree with eachother." Ramon explained.

Slime honestly had no idea if the gears were important or not, so he didn't know who was actually right, but he knew he had to offer up a solution that would let them know who was right. "Maybe you can make it without the gears and add them in if it doesn't work? There's no point in not at least trying."

Ramon looked at the blueprints for a few seconds before nodding. "I can agree with that, maybe I've just been wasting my time." He turned the blueprints around a scribbled on it a bit, and then they got back to talking about things that Slime didn't understand.

He got up and looked for the next kid to check up on, and saw Leo in the corner with a pile of his pictures. She hadn't spoken to anyone today, so maybe it would be best to check up on him.

He made his way over and sat next to her, making sure to avoid her pictures. He seemed to be putting them into a book, scribbling Spanish in the empty spots. He didn't understand most of the words, so he decided to ask her. "What's this book for?"

Leo closed the book and pointed at the title, 'Para mi familia,' "I want to give my dads a book of my pictures and my memories I think about when I see them, I want to include everyone! I want to show my dads how much I care about all my Tio and Tias, and my siblings, and my nephew!" It was cute how passionate Leo was about his pictures. He opened back to the page and he saw the word that defined the page. 'Mariana.'

"You're including Mariana?" Slime knew Leo's opinion on Mariana, everyone did, she had been a firm hater of him since he tried to kiss Foolish.

Leo frowned. "I have pictures of him, and it would be mean to include everyone else but not Tia Mariana, Dad says I have to be nicer to people."

"It's nice that you're including her, even if you don't want to, it's very mature."

Leo smiled wide, her tail and wings moving in soft happiness. "I am mature!" She put a photo of Mariana down and wrote 'Bitch' next to it, swapping around to the other side of the photo to write 'Puta.' Maybe he shouldn't have called him his bitch wife in front of him so many times.

"I hope you have fun and... continue, to be nice to everyone in your book." Slime decided it was best not to reprimand him.

"I will!" Leo happily continued on with her writing.

He got up and saw that it was almost pick up time, he still had one more kid to check up on, so he moved his way to the opposite end of the daycare where Richarlyson was surrounded by canvas'.

"What're you doing?" He bent down, not getting too close in case he ruins the canvas'.

Richarlyson held up a canvas, which clearly had Cellbit's head and a part of Foolish's torso on it. "I'm drawing a family picture, I have a giant family and I want to show that!"

Slime has always been more than impressed at Richarlyson's artistic abilities, so it's no surprise when he stares in awe at the canvas. "You are so talented, I'm sure your family will be more than happy to see your work."

Richarlyson smiled wide, his smile digging into the edges of the scales that lined the sides of his mouth. "I really hope so!"

"Who have you drawn so far?" He had a lot of canvas's surrounded him, so he must have drawn quite a bit.

"I've drawn most of my original Pais, I've drawn Mike, Pac, Felps, and Forever, now I just have to draw Cellbit, and then I'll draw Roier, and Foolish and Vegetta, I also want to add Baghera, and then me, Leo, Pomme, and Bobby! I would draw the rest of my siblings, but I want this to be my family by law." It was cute that despite the fact Bobby didn't live long enough to be his family by law, Richarlyson still considered him family by law.

"Wow, you really do have a giant family, I always forget that Baghera's your aunt, but even without her and Pomme, your family is still giant."

Richarlyson got back to painting what looked to be Cellbit's torso. "I love that my family is so big, the bigger the family, the more love I get." Slime couldn't help but laugh at his mindset. Richarlyson stopped painting for a second, pausing his movement as if he had an idea. "Once I'm done with this, I can draw your family if you'd like?"

Slime was honoured that Richarlyson offered, but he felt that at this point in time, if he saw a painting of Juanaflippa he might burst into tears. "I might take that offer another day, but thank you." Richarlyson got back to painting with a smile.

He heard a knock at the door, the parents would now slowly arrive and take their kids home. There were ups and downs to the day, but even with the downs, Slime is happy that he took the substitute role today, the kids were all so unique and loveable, and even if he missed his own daughter, the children really were the islands children, and he considered them all his family.

Chapter Text

Forever stared at Phil as he rested on the grass. He was overwhelmingly beautiful, ask anyone on the island and they'll say that, but even more to Forever. He looks like Brunim, no denying that, but Forever has begun to focus on the parts of him that doesn't look like Brunim. He's more muscled, and taller, and his eyes were darker. Despite the obvious differences, there were also the differences that Forever noticed but couldn't explain. If someone handed any other islander two pictures of Phil and Brunim with their eyes closed and asked them to tell them apart, they'd likely fail, but not Forever. Maybe once upon a time it'd be because he knew Brunim like the back of his hand, but now I'd certainly be because he was acutely aware of every difference Phil had.

"You okay there, Mate? You're staring." Philza turned his head to look at him.

"Yes, everything's fine." He almost stumbled over his words, and he could tell he was blushing, so he turned away. Phil didn't ask anything else and likely went back to looking up at the sky. Forever doesn't know what was wrong with him, he had finally accepted that Philza wasn't Brunim, but his feelings felt like they only got stronger by the day. Maybe his brain knew that he only loved Brunim but his heart still saw Phil as Brunim. But even then, his heart felt like it knew Philza was Philza, when he saw pictures of Brunim, his heart certainly didn't clench as hard as when he saw Philza and he understood he had no chance.

"You sure somethings not on your mind? You're being so quiet." Phil asked.

Phil was Forever's friend, he would help him no matter what, but this situation was difficult to explain when Phil was the problem. Still, he wanted the help. He'd just need to try and make it sound like it didn't involve him. "I have been thinking about something, I just don't know what to think about it."

"Tell me about it, maybe I can help?" Phil did as expected.

"You know how I love Brunim, right?"

"Never stopped talking about it." Phil made a slight joke and Forever couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, Brunim always takes up a part of my mind, I can never stop thinking about him, but lately, it feels like while he is still in my head, my heart has tried to take hold on someone else." He hoped his words were making sense.

"What do you mean by that?" Okay, maybe they weren't making as much sense as he hoped.

"I have a friend, and as much as my brain tells me he is a friend and I love Brunim, whenever I see him, my heart starts to beat faster."

"Oh." Was all Phil could say.

"I don't want my heart to say he is my lover, because I know it's just confused, but with every day that passes, I get more convinced that it might not be confused." Forever's own words were starting to explain the situation to him. He really did love Phil, like he used to believe he felt. This time, it wasn't him loving him just because be looked like a former flame, he was falling in love with Phil simply because he was Phil, and that scared him.

"Why do you think you might be falling in love with him?" Phil asked.

"He's, he's just, I don't know, he's him. There's no other way to explain it. He exists and he's him, and that's all it took." There were several factors that made him fall for Phil, but he didn't think he had the words to explain it in English.

"So, do you think you love him or Brunim more?" Phil asked, his words slow.

Forever thought for a few seconds before answering. "I love him more, don't get me wrong, I love Brunim so deeply, but, my love has started to turn more platonic, and this guy is really important to me."

"Then you should tell him, you're a great guy, even if you can be a little over the top." Forever laughed at Phil's too true words.

"I can't, he'll just reject me." Forever was happy that Phil believed in him, but he couldn't take his advice.

Phil finally got up from the grass and properly sat next to Forever, placing a hand on his shoulder. The contact made Forever's heart race, and he hoped Phil would read his blushing face as a result from talking about his crush. "Who would reject as great a guy as you?" He could think of one person.

"You don't want me to confess, Phil, it'll just be easier for everyone if I just ignore all this until or goes away."

"It won't be easier, and you know that." Phil was right.

Forever turned so he was fully facing Phil. "So you want me to confess to the guy?"

Phil had a strange look in his eyes. "If it'll make you happy."

He had to go for it, he placed his hands on Phil's shoulders and confessed, "I love you, Philza."

Philza's face twisted into shock. "What."

Forever turned away. "See what I meant, you're going to reject me." Forever was already regretting his choice.

To Forever's surprise, Phil gently grabbed Forever's cheek and tilted his head back towards him. "You aren't just saying this again because I look like Brunim, right?" Forever couldn't tell what Phil was thinking.

"Weren't you listening, I love you because you're you, Brunim no longer has anything to do with it." Forever knew he shouldn't be spilling his feelings anymore, but he couldn't help it.

Phil smiled, and while Forever was confused, his heart lit up at the sight. "I'm so happy."

"Happy?"

"Forever, even if I didn't show it, I've loved you for a long time, it hurt when you only loved me because I looked like you're ex, but if you're sure you love me for me, I'd love to date you." Phil was blushing.

Forever's heart was about to beat out of his chest. He couldn't find words in English to explain how he felt, so he just tossed himself into Phil's arms and kissed him. Phil kissed back almost immediately and it felt like he had waited his whole life for this one moment. The kiss was absolutely perfect and he hated the moment Phil pulled away.

"Does that mean you'll be my boyfriend?" Phil asked.

Forever could only give a love drunk stare to Phil as he said, "Yes."

Chapter Text

Jaiden's memory always felt patchy, large chunks of memories completely missing, and even when she did have memories, a lot felt fabricated. After she reached eighteen, they started to feel realer, but it was difficult to trust your own memory when it's shown it can't he trusted. The first time she felt like she could trust her memory was when she was on the island, it felt like home, more like home than America had felt.

She still craved her childhood memories back, even if she felt at home on the island. If she got her memories back, she'd feel at home where she belonged, and not only on a place that hurt its inhabitants.

"Hello." As she was thinking about her memories, she heard a robotic voice from behind her.

"Hello Cucurucho." Cucurucho felt normal to her, she remembered a lot about him, so it was easy to trust him.

"I have found something you may enjoy." He pulled out a backpack, worn and purple, with patches of blue peaking out from under the purple, having clearly been dyed by someone who didn't quite know how the process worked.

"Who's backpack is this?" She tilted her head, it looked really old, even the older backpacks didn't look this worn.

Cucurucho didn't answer and just handed the bag to Jaiden, who took it carefully as to not tear what looked like strained fabric. "Enjoy the contents," Was all he said before disappearing.

Jaiden was confused but set the bag down and took the first thing she grabbed out. She got excited when it ended up being a little bird doll. By some strange coincidence, it looked almost exactly like Ari. The only difference was that it's wings were cut off and the holes that would be leaking stuffing were sewn up with red string. She instinctively stretched her back, acutely aware of the scars that looked oh so similar to plush Ari's. They never hurt, even when she remembered falling onto a few particularly sharp rocks and having to go to the hospital to get stitched up when she was seven, she remembered no pain. Yet for some reason, her back flared up in pain, and as she scrunched her eyes up to help ignore the pain, she saw visions of white and a scalpel. The pain was gone within seconds, and Jaiden was left confused and slightly scared. She put the doll to one side and reached into the backpack again.

She pulled out the next thing she found, and uncurled it from the ball it was in to find out it was a hospital gown. It wasn't all that interesting, so she reached in again, but was confused to have pulled out another hospital gown. She decided to try a few more times and in the end she was left with eighteen hospital gowns, each a different size. The smallest seemed to be the size for someone only a few months old, and the largest looked exactly her size. She's not sure what compelled her, but looking at the largest hospital gown made her clothes feel far too stuffy. It was almost auto pilot the way she stripped out of her own clothes and pulled the hospital gown over her head. It felt natural. She was reminded of the day after her eighteenth birthday, when she awoke in hospital from some accident her parents never felt comfortable explaining to her. From the moment she woke up that day, her memories finally felt real. Perhaps that's why she felt so comfortable in the hospital gown, it symbolised her reality finally becoming truthful. As she felt the fabric around her, she felt strange when she thought about those memories, she had always considered those memories her start, but it felt as though her mind was trying to push back further, into the months where she didn't even have any fake memories.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of the feeling. She examined the smaller gowns and noticed that up until the eighth one, they all had large holes in the back, similar to the holes Phil's clothes had. This must have been an avians backpack. No, it didn't make sense, if it were an avians, why would the last ten not have any holes? Her mind flashed with an empty white room, but soon let feathers surround her. It pounded at her head, and she bent over trying to deal with the pain. What was all of this? And why was it happening to her? Why now?

She tossed the hospital gowns to the side, keeping the largest one on her body, and reached into the backpack again. She felt paper, and pulled one out. It was a drawing. It didn't take long to realise it was a small child's drawing, or that the subject drawn was Cucurucho. Despite the emotionless face Cucurucho had, this drawing depicted him as angry, if the tilted eyebrows had anything to say. She pulled out another drawing, this time it had two people, Cucurucho and a little Brunette girl with blue and Gray wings, similar to Ari's. The girl was frowning and Cucurucho had the same look as the previous drawing, but the two were still holding hands. There were several pictures of Cucurucho and the little girl, Jaiden could see how the artists skills progressed as time went on, with the best being a drawing of the girl alone. What was strange about the drawing was that the girl, who had wings in every drawing, was missing them, and that there were no more drawings after that. Perhaps the wings were the only thing they wanted to draw? But why would they get rid of them? And even then, why were Cucurucho's drawings over as well.

She reached in again, surprised to feel even more paper. Instead of drawings, this time, they were photos. Her journey looking through the photos started similar to the drawings, with the first one she pulled out being of Cucurucho. It looks quite old, the quality being far lower than any other picture she saw on the island, as well as the fact Cucurucho wasn't yet stained that slight greyish brown that appeared near his stitches. She pulled out another photo, which was clearly of the brunette, even though her face wasn't in the picture. She was so tiny, likely less than a year old when the picture was taken.

She pulled out more and more photos, some of Cucurucho, some of the girl, some of strang white playrooms. The girl got older in every picture, but they didn't give away much of who she was. She had decided the backpack belonged to the girl, but even after checking the backpack after her decision, there was no name she could give to the girl. She kept searching through the photos, trying to find something that would give her an identity, not a single photo had shown her face, and she couldn't get anything from the drawings. There was a photo of a cake with a candle that was of the number five, so she had known how long this girl had been alive for. She found a picture of a broken egg, which confused her, and she moved on to the next without thinking about it for too long. She wished she hadn't learnt the girls age, and she wished she had stayed on the egg for longer after she looked at the next one. The little girl took up the whole picture, her entire arms and legs exposed, and covered in bruises and cuts. Where did they come from? Jaiden felt like she was going to be sick. Her own limbs started to hurt, as if she was experiencing them, but she knew the pain was just coming from her brain. The part of her brain that tried to push into earlier memories.

She pushed through, she was determined to know who this girl was now, and these pictures may be her only hope. The bruises never ended, every picture had them, and she could tell that the girl was miserable even without ever showing her face. Three more years worth of photos passed, and Jaiden felt nothing but sorrow for the girl. She at least had a break from the pity when she came across another photo of some broken eggs, bigger this time, still, they made no sense, and she had to move on.There were some photos solely of the girls wings, and she was confused as the all looked to be taken in succession of eachother, but as she pulled out the next photos, fear for the girl set in.

The girl was lying on her stomach on what looked like an operating table, whether the girl was conscious or not wasn't known. Her wings were strapped down on either side of her, showing off her back where the wings met her spine, as well as showing off even more bruises. Jaiden actually gagged at the next picture she pulled out. It was similar to the last one, but blood poured out of the holes left by her gauged out wings. Who would do something like this? She tried to ignore the pain that appeared above her back, more phantom pain than the had been experiencing before, as for a few seconds she truly believed she had wings that were being cut off. She moved on. The pictures continued on like nothing happened, the pictures her still clearly the same girl despite the lack of wings defining her, her stature was still miserable and her skin was still covered in bruises.

Many years passed as shown through the photos, and the girl became a teen before she knew it. Nothing had changed in so long, she was still wingless and bruises continued to cover her skin. She kept going through the photos, expecting to see something, at this point she had been looking through the stuff for hours. She pulled out yet another egg picture, these ones were yet again broken, and yet again bigger. She reached into the bag to get the next picture, but pulled out what looked to be documents instead. She looked into the bag and saw it was empty. Was that really it for the girl's pictures?

She only had these documents, and she needed to know who this girl was and how she ended up. She began to read.

'Project Bluebird was a success, and we decided to try again to replicate life, we decided to start them from eggs so that we could let them grow last the first few years where they were most vulnerable and skip to a stage where they could speak and walk. Project Bluebird was still quite young herself, so leaving them in her space wasn't a good idea, she took the first sample of this new test and threw it on the ground, not caring that life was inside it. ///////// was furious at her destroying our work, and harmed her, we tried to calm him down saying that hurting her could damage her brain, but he didn't care for our words. ///////// has been punishing her frequently by hurting her. We have yet to start the tests up again.'

So that was her name, Project Bluebird. It was barely a name. Jaiden knew she had to keep reading, these documents could tell her more about Project Bluebird. She may even find out who the scratched out name was.

'Years have passed since our last attempt, and we foolishly tried again. Project Bluebird has not reacted well to the pain and has been constantly acting up, screaming and biting out employees, causing more pain to be administered. This time the broken eggs were clearly on purpose, as she stared right into the camera of the room we had kept them in that she had stuck into before throwing the eggs on the ground, once again killing her soon to be siblings. ///////// decided that hitting her wasn't enough, and scheduled to have her wings cut off as punishment, we would just have to create more projects with wings in the future. We numbed her and put her to sleep before we cut off her wings and sewed up the holes, we gave her a plush with its own wings cut off in hopes she may actually behave afterwards. She hasn't spoken in months.'

At least the poor girl didn't feel it, but the documents still gave away nothing. Her back began to have phantom pain again. She needed to continue on, she started the last document.

'Even more years have passed, Project Bluebird is almost an adult. We have been studying her actions for years and we finally have enough data to mess with the human mind, we can start phase two of our plan soon, now all we needed was the extra projects. ///////// pushed us to start the eggs again, but Project Bluebird once again acted defiantly and destroyed them. /////////'s plan was to kill her to just be able to move on, but ///// /////, our newest employee, suggested we erase her memories and send her into the real world, giving her a fake family and later invite her back to the island to see if there's anything more we could learn. Somehow, ///////// agreed, and we erased her memories before sending her off, implanting new memories into her new parents heads, as well as some fake memories of her early life. She should hopefully never remember her life in the federation, and will be of use to us again once she returns.'

It only made sense that the federation was behind this, as Cucurucho was in many of the photos, but it still came as a surprise to Jaiden to read it. She flipped to the next page, there were still too many questions that needed answering.

Despite there not being a single word on the page, there were more than enough answers. On the page, was a picture, one that Jaiden knew well. It was of her laying in a hospital bed the day after her eighteenth birthday. Memories flashed back at high speeds. She had spent her childhood in the federation, her first few years were happy until she made that mistake. That day, Cucurucho had put his hands on her and never stopped, despite the trust she had put in him in her adulthood, she knew better than anyone how cruel Cucurucho had been. She remembers how dearly she missed her wings and how she just wanted to die during her teenage years. She remembers how despite those feelings, she feared when Cucurucho said she had to die, but felt hope when they told her she was going to he sent away with no memories.

She hated herself, she hated the fact she had hurt and destroyed, hated that she put faith into an abuser, especially her own, she hated the fact she remembered everything she wanted to remember.

She hated being Project Bluebird, because now that she knows, there's no way she could ever go back to being just Jaiden.

Chapter Text

Pac had always felt quite dependant on Mike, but he never really cared because Mike depended on him the same amount, but things changed. Ever since Pac had gotten kidnapped, if he wasn't actively touching Mike he felt like his world would collapse around him. Mike didn't seem to care, ready to help his best friend recover from his traumatic experience, but their dependency scale had shifted, and Pac had realised that Mike can survive without him, and while maybe once upon a time he'd have been able to as well, it'd be a long road of recovery until he could as well.

A few days after his rescue, his morning had started out horrible. Nightmares were common for him now, he was lucky that he never remembered them when he woke up, but this time was different. He was in a void-like room, surrounded by Mikes. At first he thought it was a dream, with some many Mikes he'd never be alone. He went up to one to give him a hug, but the Mike transformed into a Cucurucho. He tried another. The same fate. He dashed around, touching all the Mikes just for them to turn into Cucuruchos. When every Mike had turned into a Cucurucho, they crowded him back to the space where he awoke, and if he wasn't terrified enough already, as he stepped back to where he began, the floor opened up beneath him and he was in the ocean again.

He awoke with a scream, which woke up Mike beside him. Mike had calmed him down and he held him in his arms for a few minutes, letting Pac know that he was here beside him and he wasn't leaving his side again. They got up after Pac had decided he was calmed down enough and they got ready for the day.

The day only got worse, they were trying to finish up a project, but not ideas where coming to them, whenever they built something up it would be torn down minutes later. In the end they took a break, hoping it would let their creative juices start flowing again. Pac was sitting on the grass and Mike was laying his head on Pac's lap, a good position for both, Pac got Mike's touch, and Mike got a pillow, even if his head was half on the top of Pac's prosthetic, where it turned into an uncomfortable pillow of plastic and steel, he'd take what he could get.

Mike got a message and pulled out his comm, his head shooting up as he read it.

Pac panicked, wondering what was wrong. "Did something happen?"

Mike got up and turned to Pac. "I completely forgot I had to meet up with Maxo today."

Pac started to get up, "Then we better hurry."

Mike placed a hand on Pac's shoulder and got him to sit back down, confusing Pac. "Maxo only wants me there, I'm sorry, but he wanted it to be private, can you do okay by yourself for maybe fifteen minutes?"

Pac couldn't help but feel betrayed by Mike's words. If someone wanted to talk to one of them, they talked to both of them, that's just how it was. But if Mike had to speak to Maxo alone, he'd try to face being alone. It's not Mike's fault, it's Maxo's.

Pac tried to keep a smiling face. "Yeah, I can manage."

Mike looked relieved. "Thank you," was all he said before warping away. Pac immediately felt the loneliness. He couldn't help the fear that he would be back in the ocean that crept into his mind. It didn't help that Mike seemed completely fine going off on his own. Pac feared that if time went on like this, Mike would realise he didn't need Pac, and his dependency was too much for Mike to handle, so he'd just abandon Pac, and leave him to be a dependant mess who can't do anything alone. He couldn't help the tears that sprung from his eyes. He really couldn't do anything without Mike.

"Pac, are you alright?" He heard a voice to his side and immediately started wiping away his tears.

"Yeah, I'm fine." His voice way croaky and his face was red, but he didn't want to admit that he was useless without Mike to someone else.

The voice sat next to him and he realised it was Fit. Why did it have to be him seeing him in such a pathetic state? "You're clearly not okay, what happened?"

"It's so stupid." Pac hid his face in his arms.

"If it's making you like this, I doubt it's stupid."

"It is stupid, Mike left me alone for a meeting with Maxo and I can't handle not having him around."

Fit let out a noise of surprise. "Why'd he think it was okay to leave you alone after how you've been acting? You're in no state to be without him, let alone completely alone."

Pac almost felt like smiling at Fit's concern. "I said I'd be fine, I'm sure that if I said I wouldn't be fine he'd let me come along, or he'd cancel the meeting," he confessed.

Fit put an arm around Pac and pulled him closer to his side. Pac felt safer, less alone, but no less pathetic.

"I don't get it, why would you say you'd be okay if you're clearly not?"

"Mike's fine on his own," was all Pac managed to get out.

"But you're not." Fit stated the obvious.

"I know I'm not, Mike was left alone and he was able to survive on his own, I got left alone and became even more scared of being alone, I need to get better like Mike did."

"You can't expect to have gotten any better when you were kidnapped, no one else expected it, and don't think I blame you for trying to get better, it's really brave that you're trying that, but first you need to feel safe not touching Mike, and you haven't gotten better than that." Pac didn't like the fact that Fit was right, how could he get to Mike's newfound independence if he couldn't even handle not touching him?

"You're right, I shouldn't try and be independent if it hurts me like this."

"Just try and take things slowly, okay?" Pac lifted his head from his arms and smiled at Fit.

"Hey Fit, what're you doing here?" Pac lit up at Mike's voice.

"I was keeping Pac company, he didn't do as well as he hoped he would." Mike's face twisted into worry.

"Pac, I'm sorry, I should have thought about it more, I'm really sorry if you thought you couldn't say no." Mike knelt down next to Pac and took him into a hug.

Pac hugged back happily. "It's fine, I promise I'll tell you the truth from now on, and I promise I'll try and take my dependency healing one step at a time."

He'd be fine, because he knows that even if it stops being physically, Mike will always be by his side.

Chapter Text

Juana and Tilin sat on a large rock as they watched Slime and Mariana fight.

"What are they arguing about again?" Tilin was always confused at their arguments. They went everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

"I think Mama stepped on Papa's foot." Juana supplied.

Tilin looked at her in confusion. "And they've been arguing about that for fifteen minutes?"

Juana shook her head. "No, I think Papa's brought up how Mama used to date Tio Foolish and she's trying to accuse him of adultery as well." Juana could have very much said they were arguing about any topic under the sun and they would have argued about it at one point in their marriage.

"Why didn't we spend the day with my dad again?" Tilin asked.

"Isn't he drunk right now?" When Juana and her family arrived at Tilin's, they expected to find Quackity at the door, instead Tilin had met them at the door and they peered in to see a very drunk Quackity.

"Still would've been better than this." He had grown out of a lot of his crying over his dad, and had learned to face it with more indifference. It scared Juana to see how Tilin could pass off his dads misery as something unimportant.

Juana let out a big sigh and got off the rock, patting her skirt to get rid of any dirt. She turned to Tilin. "Want to explore this forest a bit more?"

Tilin looked at Juana's parents, still in the middle of their argument, before turning back to Juana. "Alone?"

Juana nodded, "They're not gonna stop, and we still have to find a new biome, there's got to be one at the end of the forest."

Tilin looked at Slime and Mariana one last time before getting off the rock as well, wiping down his shorts. "Okay then, let's go." Tilin held out his hand and Juana took it. If Slime was paying enough attention to them to see what they were doing he'd be swooning over how adorable the sibling act was. But he wasn't paying attention, so hand in hand they went behind the rock and ventured further into the forest. If Slime and Mariana stop arguing, they'll find them eventually. If they didn't, they'll just head home, Juana knows the directions.

The walk through the forest without Slime and Mariana's voices was nice, just them and the wilderness.

"It's nice being alone." Juana voiced her thoughts, and was surprised when Tilin didn't answer. She looked over at her sister, who was looking around everywhere. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I thought I saw something, I'm trying to find it again." Tilin responded.

"What did it look like?" Maybe she could help, her eye sight was limited even with her glasses, but she at least had them, Tilin's dad refused to take him to get his eyes checked despite the fact he could barely see a foot in front of him.

"It was green."

"Tilin... We're in a forest, everything is green."

Tilin shook his head. "No, neon green."

Juana decided that she probably wouldn't be any help, but Tilin would certainly never be able to find what he was looking for without any help. She took off her glasses and handed them to Tilin. "Use these for a bit, they'll help."

"Isn't it bad to wear someone else's glasses?" He still put them on and looked around.

"Dunno." The reason the two got into the habit of holding hands all the time was because Tilin's vision was so bad, and now that it was swapped, Juana was glad they started to do so.

Juana was trying to walk forward, but Tilin behind her stopped her. She turned around to see why Tilin had stopped, and saw him staring shocked at the sky. She pulled her glasses off of him and placed them back on her face before looking over to where he had been looking. Juana's face twisted to show a similar shock.

In the sky was a bundle of neon green numbers surrounded a cloud of black, it was holding one of the sharpest swords the two had ever seen. It had no face, but they could tell that it wasn't planning anything good.

It fly downward at incredible speeds and Juana was only barely able to pull Tilin out of the way.

"Run!" She shouted at her sister, pulling her back the direction the two came as she ran to find her parents. Tilin was frozen in shock for a few seconds but soon started to run by her side. Screw their tiny legs for how little ground they were able to make.

The creature slammed down behind them, scratching at Juana's leg with its sword as it landed with a thump, but they couldn't stop running, even if blood was running down Juana's leg. If they stopped, it would mean certain death.

Running through a forest while getting chased had its ups and downs. On one hand, it was harder for the creature to manuever, on another, it was harder for them to manuever. The two had tried to go separate ways around a tree at one point, still holding hands, which lead to the monster getting a hit on Tilin and causing a large cut across his arm. The two were bleeding profusely but as long as they got to Slime and Mariana, they believed they'd be alright.

The opening where they had come from when the adults started arguing came into view, and the sisters started to scream as loud as their vocal cords would allow them to. "Mama! Papa! Help us please!" Juana screamed.

"Tio Slime! Tio Mariana! We're being chased!" Tilin shouted as the monster slammed down beside him, barely missing his leg.

They were getting closer and Slime looked at them angrily, probably to tell them to be quiet while the adults were talking, but his face immediately turned into horror and shock as he saw them actually being chased. Mariana turned to face them as well, his face also twisting with the emotions Slime had done.

"Get over here!" Mariana screamed as Slime took out a sword. The two rushed over to Mariana and were about to ask her what she was doing when he broke the ground our from underneath them. The two looked up at him as he explained, "Just stay down there, you'll be safe, I promise I'll dig you out when it's safe up here." He covered them up and seconds later they felt the thump of the monster trying to get to them.

Tilin pushed himself up against Juana more, scared in the darkness of the hole. "I don't like being in here." Juana hugged him tight.

"We'll be fine, as long as the monster isn't in here, and it's like my room, you like me room, don't you?" Juana was terrified too, but she had a lot more experience hiding her fear.

Tilin nodded, Juana couldn't see it, but the movement on her chest let her know. They don't know how long they were down in the hole, but they held eachother the entire time, blood spilling from both their wounds and covering them.

Eventually, light streamed in from above them, and they had to close their eyes that had become to accustomed to the dark. They were picked up out of the whole and the two adults started to bandage up their wounds. The two kids noticed that the monster was nowhere in sight.

"You two got so filthy." Mariana was looking over the blood and dirt that covered the two. Juana wanted to tell him that half of that was his fault, but decided against it.

"Leave them alone, they've had a hard day, getting chased by code is not an easy thing." Slime berated.

Mariana lowered his her head. "You're right, I'm sorry."

They finished up bandaging the two and Slime spoke. "Are you two okay?"

Tilin spoke for the both of them. "Mostly."

Slime looked up at the sun, which was now setting, they must have been fighting the code for a long time. "It's getting late, and we still have to take them to a new biome."

"Can we not do that? I just want to go home," Juana asked.

Mariana and Slime looked at eachother, before Mariana turned back to the kids. "We don't have to, it's best for you to go home actually," Mariana turned more towards Tilin, "Should we take you to your dads or do you want a sleepover?"

"Sleepover," Tilin replied immediately.

The two were picked up, which they were thankful for because they were exhausted, and as Slime messaged Quackity saying Tilin was spending the night with them, they started to fall asleep in Slime and Mariana's arms.

This island was out to kill them, but as long as they could stay by eachothers side, even if they did die, their deaths would be easier.

Chapter Text

Maxo felt like after so long, his life was finally starting to get better. A few weeks ago, he had entered Trump's grave so he could heal the aching in his heart a little when he saw Trump, alive and well, trying to get over the glass. Maxo had been so ecstatic he hadn't even thought that it may be the code, but even after the excitement wore off and he started thinking rationally again, every test he ran on him lead back to being the real Trump. For the first time in ages, he felt like his life was getting back on track. Caring for his son was difficult as a single parent, but if it meant getting Trump back he'd have it ten times harder.

He hadn't expected to stop being a single parent, so when his life got when better, it was a shock. It was deep in the middle of the night when Maxo awoke because of a knock at his door. Who could possibly be needing him at this time of night? He got out of bed and screamed out, "Give me a second!" He got his glasses on and pulled on a shirt so he didn't flash whoever was at the door before making his way over and opening it. As soon as the door opened, his mouth fell agape. Before him stood Dan, his (ex?) husband, who had been presumed dead. He looked more tired and his hair was a little longer than it had been when he last saw it, but it was certainly Dan.

"Hey." Dan looked unsure, as if being here was something he was scared to do.

Maxo couldn't think of what he wanted to say that would explain his feelings so he just threw himself into Dan's arms. Dan stumbled a bit and almost made the two fall over but he caught himself and threw his arms around Maxo, pulling him close. "You came back, you're alive." Maxo felt as though he was about to cry.

Dan rested his face in Maxo's neck. "I'm here, and I won't go anywhere."

Maxo pulled away, and he knew there were tears in his eyes. "You don't understand, I was told you were dead."

Dan had a shocked expression on his face. "By who?"

"Cucurucho."

Dan's face shifted again. He pulled away slightly. "Can I come in?"

Maxo moved back inside and gestured Dan in. "Of course, it's your house too."

As Dan entered, he seemed unsure again. "I was gone for ages, I don't think it's right for me to call this my house."

Maxo closed the door behind him. "No, I want you to call this your house, it's not like you have anywhere else to go." Dan opened his mouth as if he were about to argue but shut his mouth when he had nothing to say. "I still can't believe you're alive, how did you come back from the dead?" Maxo asked.

"I never died, I just went out and the next thing I knew I was in a white room, I don't know how I survived for so long, I didn't eat, drink or-." He let out a yawn. "-Or sleep, as you can tell."

Maxo couldn't believe the information, had the federation kidnapped Dan? And he must be exhausted. Maxo gestured to his bed, "You should sleep, you look like you need it."

Dan looked at the bed, before turning back to Maxo. "Are you going back to sleep?"

"If you'd feel comfortable sleeping in the same bed, if not I can just stay up and make a new bed tomorrow, we can make you a room." Maxo felt strangely flustered.

"Well, we're married, aren't we? It's normal to share a bed." So that explained their marital status. Despite his words, Dan seemed as flustered as Maxo.

"Yeah, it'll be fine." The two got into bed, and despite how awkward it had been to talk about being in the same bed, actually being in the bed felt far less awkward. Dan had fallen asleep practically as soon as his head met the pillow, but Maxo's head was too full to sleep. Why had the federation told him that Dan was dead? Did they just want to see him suffer? They had returned both Dan and Trump to him, had he done something they liked? Or did they just want the chance to take them from him again? At that thought he shuddered, he should really go to sleep. He tried to think of how great it was that his family was with him again, and eventually he fell asleep again.

"Mama! There's a man in your bed!" He awoke to Trump shouting. Forgetting about what happened the night before, he shot up to look at the mystery man, and his heart rate only lowered a tiny bit when he remembered it was just Dan, who was facing away from the two. Trump must not recognize him by his hair, though it makes sense, the last time when Trump saw him his hair was pure blue, now his brown roots were really showing.

He turned to Trump. "It's fine, it's actually," he took another look at Dan, trying to think of words, "I had a surprise for you."

Trump got on his toes to try and get a better view of Dan, still not realising who he was. "Is it a stepdad?"

"Not exactly." Maxo realised he had no idea how to tell Trump that his father, who he had been told by Maxo was certainly dead and had been since before Trump himself died, was now in Maxo's bed and very much alive.

Trump tilted his head in confusion, before gasping as the man beside Maxo moved and sat up. Dan took a few seconds to entirely wake up, and he looked over to the side his family was at and as soon as his eyes landed on Trump, he launched himself half over Maxo to the bed's side and took Trump into a hug, lifting him up into the bed on onto his lap.

"Trump!" It was adorable to see how despite the fact Dan had been by Trump's side for less than a day, his love had only grown during their months apart.

"Daddy!" After seeing Dan's face, Trump had finally understood who he was.

Maxo's heart swelled at his family meeting eachother again. Dan looked lovingly at Trump, playing with his hair. "I forgot how much he looked like me." It's true, Trump had ended up with long hair like Maxo, but every other physical feature had been from Dan. The two were always a little confused about the blue hair, as Dan dyed his, but Trump having naturally blue hair was just an adorable little trait that he could have for himself.

"He loves looking like you." The past few weeks had Trump looking in the mirror a lot, saying he missed his dad everytime he looked at himself. Maxo had felt the grief of hearing Dan was dead everytime it happened, but now he was back, now their family was together again and they'd keep it that way for as long as they could.

"I can't believe you're back!" Trump was snuggling his face in Dan's chest.

"Me either." Maxo was going to let the two have their moment, but Dan moved an arm to the side and offered for Maxo to join in on the hug. He happily joined and the family started their morning with a hug session.

After a bit of hugging, the three got out of bed and Maxo started cooking breakfast. Dan took the role of helping Trump get dressed, as well as getting out of his own months old clothes. Maxo offered up some of his own clothes until Dan got a closet of his own sorted.

Maxo finished up some eggs and toast and his family came to eat, Trump would not stop talking about how happy he was that they were all together again, the propeller on his hat spinning as he rocked back and forth. Dan ate his food extremely quick, and ended up talking about how despite the fact he hadn't felt all that hungry, he hadn't eaten since they had dinner together the day that they had adopted Trump.

"How are you even alive?" Maxo had asked.

"I have no idea, it was like my needs had just been turned off." Dan explained.

"How did you get here?" Trump asked, squishing his eggs into a pulp.

"I just woke up in the forest a bit outside here, it wasn't like I was asleep, just like my brain had shut off being able to understand my surroundings. I didn't really remember the directions, but I started walking and ended up at the house, so I went up and knocked."

Dan's explanations interested Maxo, he'd have to ask about his time in the white room later, he could learn about the federation some more, and they may be able to get off the island.

They finished up breakfast and Dan offered to wash up. Maxo and Trump handed him their plates and after getting dressed, Maxo checked the quests. Waking up and checking quests was something Maxo was still getting used to, but he knew he'd get used to it eventually. They had fed Trump, which was the first quest, and Maxo stared at the second quest quizzically. 'Let the baby talk to someone they haven't talked to in a long time. It could very much be a coincidence, but the federation letting Dan out to go back to them and then setting this quest felt too much like a plan. He'd bring it up to Dan later, he didn't want to ruin what was going to be the perfect day for their family. Their second day as a family, despite having become a family months ago. He looked at the next quest. 'Take a picture of the baby with a friend.' That was simple.

Dan had finished washing the dishes and had moved to look at the qiest menu from over Maxo's shoulder. "So, who are Trump's friends?" Maxo could hear the guilt in Dan's voice, the guilt of not knowing his own son's friends despite the fact he had the very valid excuse of being kidnapped.

"Leo's his best friend, and only friend, I've been trying to get him to talk to more people." Maxo explained.

"Leo is all I need!" Trump screamed happily, throwing his arms up into the air, before putting them back down and sweetly saying, "And you two."

Dan smiled at what Trump added. "So, we'll go get a picture of Trump and Leo, where would they be?" Maxo messaged Foolish and learnt that they were taking pictures of some bugs near the abandoned adoption centre. Dan was reading from behind his shoulder. "Lead the way, I have no idea where that is."

They set off, and decided to take a motorboat back to the adoption centre. Dan was amazed at the boat, and it made Maxo realise how much the island had progressed over the months that Dan had been gone. Trump had decided to sit in Dan's lap as Maxo drove, the two had their worries, but Trump was so adamant they just let it happen. Dan was amazed at everything, so much had changed, not that he remembered much about what the island used to look like, not seeing it for months did that to you.

They saw Leo and Foolish near the adoption centre and Trump immediately ran to Leo, tackling him into a hug. Foolish waved at Maxo, but shouted out at the sight of Dan. "Who the fuck is that!"

Dan seemed uncomfortable at the sudden realisation that likely no one other than his family remembered him. The two got closer to Foolish so they could speak at a more regular level. Maxo gestured to Dan. "This is Dan, my husband, he joined by train with us, remember?"

Foolish stared at him for a few seconds before the two could see the lightbulb go off in his head. "Oh, you're that Dan, I thought you died?"

Dan gave an awkward laugh. "A lot of people think that."

"A lot of people were told that." Leo supplied from her position in Trump's tight embrace.

Foolish placed a hand on Dan's shoulder. "Well it's good to have you back, hopefully you stick around this time."

"I hope I stick around too."

Foolish turned to Maxo. "You messaged me because you needed help with the photo quest, right?"

"Yes, how'd you know?"

"I've been trying to get Leo to do that quest for an hour, but she only wants to complete it if it's with Trump," Foolish said with a laugh. Since Trump's revival, the two had been impossible to keep apart, and quickly returned to their status as best friends.

"Well, we better complete it for them." Dan joined in.

Leo passed his camera up to his dad, who took a photo of the two hugging. He passed the camera to Dan. "I don't think it'll count if I take both the photos." Dan nodded and took the second picture, looking excited as the picture was printed out.

"This is our son." He said as if he was still in the shock of having a son. It made sense, he had only been by his son's side for two days. He put the photo in his inventory and handed the camera back to Leo, who had only just let Trump go from their embrace.

Foolish picked Leo up. "It's been great to see the three of you, especially Dan again, but we have to go visit Bad."

"I hope to see you again soon." Dan was excited to finally talk to more people.

The family waved by to the two and Maxo pulled up the quest menu again. 'Take the baby to the museum.'

"There's a museum?" Dan was once again reading the screen from behind Maxo's shoulder.

"Yeah, I haven't visited it much but there's awesome art there, none of us know who draw it, but it's great nonetheless."

"Lead the way, again."

Luckily it was quite close by. Dan was intrigued at what he was learning from the paintings, it had slipped Maxo's mind that he wouldn't know that there were a bunch of new people on the island. Dan asked to be introduced at a later date. They went around the museum, finding intrigue in every piece, but they certainly found the most intrigue in the final piece they had to see before leaving.

"It's us." Dan was right, the scene that had happened just the night before was on the wall in front of them. Maxo flinging himself into Dan's arms. Seeing their reunion again so quickly really set in the strangeness of the whole situation they were in. They were husbands but before last night, they only had their talk at the train station before leaving towards the island and the day they announced themselves married and adopted Trump, yet their reunion felt like they'd known eachother for so much longer, like there really was someone they knew that they could miss.

Trump smiled at the piece, not understanding the thoughts that were flashing through their heads. "I love seeing art of Mama and Daddy together."

"Hopefully now that I'm back there'll be even more." Dan let Trump change the subject.

The family left after that, the final piece they say being a happy but strange end. The sky was turning orange. It felt quite early to be happening, but they had slept in until noon, so after spending a few hours in the museum, it was appropriate. They went home and had dinner, Dan this time cooking and Maxo cleaning up. Trump seemed excited to talk to Dan for hours more, but he started to yawn.

"Alright, bedtime for you." Dan picked up Trump, who barely fought him.

"I made him his own cabin." Maxo stated, unsure if Dan knew.

"I managed to find it while you were cooking, but thanks for informing me." They went over to the cabin and got Trump dressed, tucking him into bed. Maxo looked at the quests one last time. 'Tell the baby a story about ducks.'

Dan was once again looking at Maxo's comm, and started to tell a story.

"Once upon a time, there were three ducks, and they were a little family." Maxo already knew where this was going to go. "They were happy together, but one duck disappeared one day." Trump's face showed that he also knew what was happening, bur was still intrigued. "The other two were sad, they thought the other had abandoned them, but he was sad too, and one day when no one expected it, he came back, no one knew why fate decided that day, but they were happy, they were family again, and that's all that mattered to them, the end."

Trump giggled at the story tiredly. Dan leaned forward to give him a kiss on the forehead, and Maxo followed suit. Trump closed his eyes, ready to dream. The two left his cabin.

The two stood around awkwardly, and Maxo laid down on the ground, and pet the grass next to him. Dan joined him. The stars were beautiful but Maxo was more focused on Dan. "I still can't believe you're back." He started.

"I know, it feels so weird, it was just that white room for months on end and now I'm here, with my family again."

Maxo sighed. "I don't know why I missed you so much." He knew he may come off as rude, but they were his honest thoughts.

Instead of being offended, Dan had similar thoughts. "I thought I was the only one."

"We had one conversation and then adopted Trump, and in two weeks that's all that happened, but when I saw you, it felt like so much longer."

"Maybe we both wanted it to be longer." Dan suggested.

Maxo looked over at Dan, "You think so?"

Dan looked back, "Yeah, maybe both our minds just decided we were so important for eachother that they missed eachother especially."

"That sounds like a good enough reason." Maxo could take it as truth.

Dan reached over and gently grabbed Maxo's hand. "Whatever the actual truth is, I want to stay this time, and make it so if either of us get kidnapped again, we have a reason ro miss eachother." Dan said strange things, bur Maxo couldn't help but agree with them.

He gently squeezed Dan's hand. "I'd like that."

There were so many mysteries about the island, so many mysteries about their family and Dan specifically, but right now, it was just them and the night, and they'll hold on to the moment for as long as they can.

Chapter Text

Phil was almost confused by the weight at his side as his conciousness caught up to him. It was strange to have Missa back, he had begun to think of Missa as a bundle of emotions that pulled at his heart rather than a person, his husband, who he could hold in his arms and call his most treasured person. He was much happier with his husband in his arms, having a body of mass that he could project those emotions onto. He wrapped his arms and wings further around Missa. He saw Missa smile at his actions.

"I see that you're awake."

"Until the kids are awake, I'm asleep."

Phil chuckled at his husband. He was so happy to have gotten Missa as his partner. "I can't have you for myself for another hour?"

Missa opened his eyes, staring at his husband with still sleepy eyes. "You can have me."

"Don't word it like that, it makes it sound weird." Despite Phil's words, his voice held no malice.

"You knew what I meant, and it's not like our marriage includes those things." Even after explaining their deep but platonic feelings for eachother, talking about what people would typically expect from a married couple such as kissing and sex outwardly felt too strange, so they continued to refer to the topics as 'those things,' and various similar terms. The whole platonic life partners thing was something new to both of them, so it was best they learnt to separate it from anything romantic.

"I know, doesn't mean it can't make me want to do this." He squeezed Missa tightly in his arms.

Missa let out a light laugh, pushing against Phil's chest with faux resistance. "I made a mistake! You're crushing my lungs!"

Phil loosened his grip on Missa. This moment felt perfect, a culmination of months apart. "I'm so glad you're back," he said softly.

Missa snuggled his face in Phil's chest. "I am too."

"I waited for so long, I couldn't believe you were back when I saw you, I almost thought I was hallucinating, but you were there, and I can't wait to spend more days with you like this."

"I can't wait to spend more mornings like this, every day I woke up I almost forgot that you weren't there, and I'd wake up wondering where you were."

"I was off dealing with this islands bullshit."

"What even has happened while I was gone?"

"You'd never fucking believe how much, Mate."

"Then tell me just a few things."

Phil racked his head for something that would interest Missa, and found a topic almost immediately. "Some codes pretended to be the kids at the election dinner."

Missa physically reacted, jumping in his arms slightly and looking up at him. "They what?"

"The codes just turned up as Chayanne and Tallulah, I figured it out pretty quick, but they ended up attacking before I could think of a plan, but I killed them for thinking they could imitate our kids and get away with it." Phil explained, it had been such a key moment that redefined how observant he was of not just Tallulah and Chayanne but all of the kids, it was important that Missa knew.

"So is that something I have to be on the lookout for?" Missa asked.

"You should think about it, but you just got back, I doubt you'd know the kids well enough to be able to tell if they're codes right now, but there's always a chance you'll figure it out."

"So much has been going on with the island, I was just having a nice vacation but I really should have been here to help." Missa had a slight guilt in his voice.

Phil slowly rubbed at Missa's back, making him snuggle in further. "Don't feel guilty, you had a great time, and you haven't even told me anything about it." He genuinely wanted to know, and if it dragged him away from feeling guilt that was just a bonus.

"It was great, I did a lot of sight seeing, there were so many temples," Missa started listing off all the things he did while in Japan. Phil much preferred listening to Missa talk about all the fun times he had than to remember the bad things that tainted this islands history. Still, there were happy moments, and now that Missa was back, he hoped to share many of them with him. "There were also some nice museums I visited."

"We should visit the islands museum with the kids today, I think they've put the newest pieces out," Phil suggested. It would be a nice family outting.

"There's a museum?" Missa was curious.

"Yeah, there's new art all the time, all of us, we don't know who draws them, the names under them don't really tell us much, but it's a fun experience." Phil explains.

Missa ended up gripping Phil a little tighter. "I'd like that, let's do it."

They didn't speak much after their plan was made. Cuddling up in silence, it was perfect. Meeting Missa truly was one of the best things that had ever happened to him. They were lucky enough to not only meet but be paired together by the tickets, and even when Missa spent months away, Phil couldn't find him caring for him any less. This connection was something you only made once in a lifetime, and he was glad he found it in Missa, and especially in a place where there wasn't a lot of good going on.

The two cuddled for another half an hour, until it was around the time where the kids started to wake up.

"We have to get out of bed," Phil said when Missa wouldn't let go of his waist.

"Do we have to?" Missa looked content to fall asleep in Phil's arms again.

"Unless you want to deal with cranky kids when you wake up, yes."

"Alright, alright, let's start the day." Missa finally let go and Phil mourned the loss of contact despite asking for it. It was fine though, now that Missa was back, he knew that by the time night came again, he'd get Missa back in his arms.

Chapter Text

A chunk of flesh was swallowed, and Cellbit's tongue swiped across his lip to catch the spilt blood. His tongue was sandpaper rough, but it was worth it to catch every bit of flavour from the blood. He stared down at the body, still alive. He was used to the fear as he bit into his prey, watching the life leave their eyes, or even better, when they stayed alive despite it all. But not this time. There was no fear in his Guapito's eyes, only love and blind trust. He doesn't know how he resisted taking a bite of his husband for so long, he's the perfect meal. Soft and let's Cellbit take whatever bites he wants, looking down at his killer like he'd let him do so a thousand times more. If Guapito kept looking at him like this when he let Cellbit take his meals from him, he'd never want to bite into anyone else. That's what made Guapito such a perfect husband, such perfect food, he'd push himself into degeneracy for him, take it like it was the only thing he could give to his husband. He gave him so much more, but the idea of keeping him as livestock was an addictive thought, he could make him chase the pain of having his skin ripped apart by fangs, evolved from his ancestors need to eat raw meat and now being used for what they were designed for in the horribly wrong way. The sight of his husband bleeding out, torn apart, the missing pieces of flesh stuck in his husband's stomach and his blood staining his front was the perfect scene, no prey would ever beat his Guapito. He wanted more.

He leaned forward, sticking his teeth into the flesh of Guapito's bare thigh. He was ready to hear this hisses that His Guapito had been making as he tried not to scream in pain, but instead, he was finally met with a scream.

"Gatinho! Stop, it hurts!"

He looked up at his husband, a look of fear finally daunting on his face. He was only a little disappointed, he became obsessed with the love his husband had been looking at him with, but there was always thrill in the fear. He took another bite.

"Please... stop..."

His voice was faltering, and as Cellbit swallowed the flesh in his mouth, he saw the tears that fell down his Guapito's face. Somehow that was the breaking point for Cellbit. He stared down at the mess he created, Guapito's skin ripped and bleeding. Cellbit felt sick.

He did this. He did this to his husband, and thought he was happy, continued even when he was begging for mercy. He had done that so many times, but he thought he was getting better, thought that the years of therapy had fixed him. But no, he had eaten his husband. He didn't want to face the consequences, didn't want to see Guapito die by his actions. He tried to leap backwards off the bed, but there was no floor beneath the bed, and he fell.

He shot up in bed, sweat sticking to his skin. He looked over, terrified, and he only felt slightly calmer at the sight of Roier laying in bed, whole and clean. He reached over, wanting to make sure he was real, but images of the sight in his nightmare shot through his skull. He quickly retracted his hand. No, if he touched Roier there's no saying what he might do, it'll be too much, and he'll regress into the horrible monster he used to be. Into the monster he never stopped being.

####

The idea of ever doing anything like that to Roier in reality pushed bile up his throat, and he ran out of bed to hurl into the bathroom before getting on his knees and leaning over the toilet. He expected chunks of flesh and the taste of old blood to fill his mouth but instead it was last night's dinner and stomach acid. He can't believe you dreamed of eating Roier, he was supposed to be better, but instead he let Roier marry a monster who would no doubt sink his teeth into his flesh just for a meal. A large amount of vomit spurted out of his mouth at the thought.

"Gatinho?" Roier's voice was heard from the doorway, but he didn't look over, part in not wanting to throw up all over the floor and part in not wanting to look him in the face after his digusting thoughts. He heard Roier's footsteps coming closer and felt hands move strands of hair that were in danger of being covered in vomit from his face, holding them behind his head. It was so domestic and at any other moment he would be swooning, but not now, he was a monster, he didn't deserve to be touched by Roier, Roier shouldn't touch him because he'll just take a bite. Another hurl of vomit came out, he hoped he'd stop soon, it was all stomach acid at this point.

####

Luckily is prayers were answered and his stomach was emptied. Roier ripped off some toilet paper and handed it to Cellbit to wipe his mouth. He did so before chucking it in. Roier helped him stand on shaky legs and leaned over to flush the toilet and get rid of tonight's mess before leading him out of the bathroom. Cellbit didn't focus on where he was being taken, too focused on every part of Roier's skin that touched his own, he was having the fact the two slept shirtless now. Roier's skin made it feel like bugs were crawling on him, he was hyperaware of the touch. Why couldn't Roier understand he was a monster and run away? He finally felt the relief of Roier moving away, and he realised he was sitting down at the table. He looked at Roier, who was beside him, and was glad that he'd already thrown everything up, because the images of his nightmare that replaced what was truly there made him woozy again.

"I'll get you some food." Roier was too good for him. Roier left his side and Cellbit was left to think. He couldn't put Roier through any more of this, he'd destroy him. He thought he deserved to be gay and happy after all those years of therapy, but his dream showed him he hadn't changed, it's only a matter of time until Cellbit gets the urge to take a bite.

A plate of leftovers was placed in front of him, half of it being meat. He felt sick even looking at it. Roier stood beside him, waiting for him to start eating, but he couldn't eat, not when the memory of flesh feeding him was still fresh in his memories. Either way, this was Roier's kindness, and he couldn't take anymore, especially not with what he planned to do.

"We need to divorce." The words fell from his mouth in a mumble, but Roier heard it clearly.

"W-What? What are you talking about, what brought this on?" Roier was stumbling over his words, pain evident in his voice. It hurt to hear, but it had to be done, he'd just hurt him more if this marriage continued to the point where Cellbit couldn't hide his dark desires anymore.

Cellbit refused to look at Roier. "I don't deserve you."

"You do deserve me, you've shown that, so what brought this on?" Roier's voice was strained, as though he was close to breaking into tears.

"I'm a monster, a murderer."

"You're not a monster, and the murder is in the past, isn't it?" Cellbit had told Roier about his past sometime after they got married, and Roier had accepted it ridiculously fast, it made sense, he knew what he was capable of, he very much knew that be had killed his grandpa. Still, he didn't seem to fully grasp how dangerous he was.

Cellbit finally looked at him. Tears were welling in his eyes. "It's not, I'll hurt you, there's no stopping me from one day hurting you," He explained, also on the verge of tears.

"You won't, there's no evidence that you'll one day want to hurt me, you said it yourself, and I refuse to believe you've changed your mind already." Roier refused to accept the divorce suggestion. Why couldn't he just understand that this was all for his safety?

"I will hurt you, my dream, I ate you piece by piece and I was happy that I was eating you, it felt romantic and I convinced myself that you had wanted me to eat you but then you started screaming and you were scared and I just kept going because I am a monster." He put emphasis on the last four words, hoping Roier would finally get it. Tears streamed down his face.

Roier wrapped his arms around Cellbit, who was still sitting, and pressed Cellbit's face against his chest. Cellbit made sure his mouth touched no skin, he couldn't be tempted. "A dream means nothing, you're bound to have these sorts of dreams, but they don't mean you're a monster."

"They do, what would make you think they don't?"

"I'm a therapist, I know these things." It's true, Roier would know these things after having gotten his therapists license, but that didn't mean he immediately knew everything going on in his brain. He was a monster.

"You don't know that, you don't know that if I get the chance I won't immediately go for it."

Roier pulled Cellbit's face away from his chest, and looked him in the eyes for a few seconds. He could only imagine them full of fear. After a few moments, he pulled one hand away from the side of Cellbit's head and used the other to open Cellbit's mouth. Before he could voice his confusion, his mouth was attached to the side of Roier's arm. His canines dug slightly into the flesh of the arm, and he tried to back away from it, he couldn't bite him, but now that his mouth was kept open by his arm, Roier had moved his other hand to the back of Cellbit's head, keeping him there. Cellbit tried to still himself completely, if he closed his mouth even a little, there was no saying what would happen to Roier's arm. "You have the chance, are you going for it?"

No, he wasn't. And that calmed him a bit. If this had happened in the past, he wouldn't have hesitated, even if it were someone he loved like he loved Roier.

Roier kept his arm in his mouth for over a minute, giving Cellbit a big chance. But he didn't bite, he didn't want to bite. Eventually the arm was removed, and Roier spoke again. "See, you had a chance, and you didn't take it, you're not regressing."

The bloody images were leaving his head, he loved Roier, but he really didn't want to risk hurting him. "But what if that changes."

"Then tell me how you feel, and we'll work through it." Roier was perfect.

"But-."

"No, we're not getting divorced, you don't actually want to get divorced, do you?"

Cellbit sighed. "No, I want you forever."

Roier smiled at him and he felt like he had fallen in love all over again. "And so do I."

Cellbit couldn't handle the emotions, his husband was right, they were a team, Roier would help him destroy any urges. He flung himself at Roier, pushing his face against his chest. Roier wrapped his arms around him again, and scratched behind his ears, which twitched at the attention. Cellbit purred, he was stupid for trying to get rid of him. After a minute or two of the embrace, Roier pulled away and pushed the food in front of Cellbit some more. "Now that that's over, you should eat, you're sexier when you aren't starving."

Cellbit laughed at Roier's words, he loved it when Roier called him sexy. He ate his food, avoiding the meat, despite feeling like he wasn't going to regress, meat still felt sickening for the night. He felt happy, his cannibalism was in his past, and he wasn't going back. Roier however, would stay in his future, scratch that, Roier was his future. And he couldn't believe how lucky he was.

Chapter Text

Phil had a look of love in his eyes, and was smiling as if the world was in his hands, and it was, at least his world was. This was the view Forever had spent his months on the island dreaming of, and he got to see it.

But it wasn't aimed at him.

Missa had a similar look, like he knew exactly how lucky he was to get the love of Phil.

Forever was starting to regret coming along with them, the quests today had been to take the kids out on a picnic with another kid and Forever was unlucky enough to be the one they saw when wondering who's kid should join them. He didn't have to come along, he reminded himself, he could have passed Richarlyson over to them and went on his way, but no, he wanted to show that he no longer cared that Missa was the one receiving Phil's love. The problem was he still very much cared, especially when Missa had pulled Phil up and stated he wanted to dance with him. Now Forever was forced to watch them be all happy and in love, well, technically he could focus on the kids, but Chayanne and Tallulah were happily talking by themselves, and Richarlyson...

"Pai, why are you thinking so hard?"

Richarlyson was busy trying to figure out why Forever was so quiet.

"I'm just," he tried to think of something, "Thinking about how Cellbit's doing, he's been off with Roier alot more lately." He felt like he said it confidently enough that he could get away with it.

Richarlyson smiled at him, happy with his answer. "Pai Cellbit loves Pa Roier so much!"

At least some people had easy love lives. "Cellbits lucky to have someone who loves him," Forever said to himself, forgetting that he was supposed to be pretending he was completely fine that Phil loved Missa and not himself.

Richarlyson tilted his head. "Do you want love?"

Shit, Richarlyson couldn't learn how he felt. "No, it's fine, I'm good being lonely." What a horrible way to respond, it makes him way to suspicious.

Richarlyson lit up, not believing his words at all. "I have the perfect person in mind! You should date-!" Forever covered Richarlyson's mouth before he could answer. Richarlyson is too young, still believes that love is as simple are preferring a person. He's also young enough that he hasn't caught on to the fact that despite the fact he says he's over Phil, it felt like he was falling deeper.

"I can't just date whoever you want me to, I have to have feelings for them first." Forever tried to explain.

Richarlyson removed Forever's hand from his mouth. "But you do have feelings for Phil." Forever jumped at his son's words and looked towards the other two kids and the couple who were still happily dancing together. Luckily no one heard. Turns out Richarlyson was smarter than he thought.

"First of all, I don't." How many lies was he going to say today? "Second of all, Phil's with Missa."

Richarlyson tilted his head again. "But if you love him, why can't you be with him?" Again, Richarlyson was not understanding what he was saying.

"Because if I were hypothetically in love with him, that doesn't mean be loves me back, and it also doesn't mean that suddenly Missa is out of the equation." Richarlyson needed to stop talking about this subject.

"But-."

"Hope the kids didn't annoy you too much." Richarlyson wasn't able to continue arguing, as the lovesick couple had finished dancing and sat down with them again. It hurt Forever to see how they were holding hands and leaning into eachother.

"Tallulah and Chayanne didn't bother me at all, but this one," he flicked Richarlyson's nose, "Never stops."

Missa laughed at the way Richarlyson's nose scrunched up. "What was he bothering you about?" Forever's mind blanked for a second. What was he supposed to say? That Richarlyson wanted him to steal Missa's husband? And that he wanted to as well?

"Richarlyson can't understand why I'm single." That would have to work.

Phil also decided to flick Richarlyson's nose. "Stop harassing your dad Mate, not everyone needs to be in a relationship."

"But he wants to be in a relationship!" Richarlyson needed to be quiet and stop trying to ruin the friendship Forever is trying to not let his feelings get in the way of.

"I'm not in a relationship because I'm, in therapy," he tried to fake an explanation and landed on a horrible lie, "for my obsession, best I get better before I try another relationship." He just hoped added something extra to the lie would help.

"Yeah, your obsession was really something," Phil laughed, believing the lie, "good on you for getting better, I hope you get with the person you're interested in." If only Phil knew how much he had been lying.

"I hope so too." The conversation moved forward like it never happened. Well, more like it stopped and everyone else conversated. Forever couldn't find it in him to speak anymore. Phil and Missa were an item, a permanent, and Forever had no reason, or way, of getting between it. When Missa had been someone he had never met, and then someone he had talked to once, it was easy to believe that he could somehow win Phil over, even when he lied and said he was over Phil, but now seeing how they interact even when they had spent months apart, it set everything in stone. Forever had no chance. Forever was over it.

He pretended to check his phone. "Baghera needs me for something, I have to go," he stood up, trying not to look at how in love Phil and Missa were. He turned to Richarlyson, "Go off to another parent when you want, but for now, don't harass Philza and Missa, okay?" The words were another way to silently say, "don't say anything about me still loving Philza." Richarlyson seemed to finally get his words and nodded.

The others said their goodbyes to Forever and he warped away. He didn't know how to deal with his feelings anymore. Missa and Phil, and Forever had a bundle of useless feelings, the only thing that could happen was he gave Missa another thing, with that thing being silent about his feelings.

Chapter Text

Cellbit would say he hid his past well, the only people who knew were the Brazilians, and it made it easier to not he judged. It's certainly not that he didn't want to speak about it, he would love to let go of more of the dark cloud that hovers behind him, but he was lucky that Forever accepted his past so easily, he'd never be able to tell more people. Tazercraft and Felps were different, they saw him like that, he knew what a monster he was and how he isn't anymore. Now that he thinks about it, there's also Bad. He doesn't think Bad knows the full extent, but he was in the war with him, and he had taken a few bites from him. Bad was always confused about the bites, but his demon genes always healed them up like it was nothing, now all that was left was a scar from when the genes didn't do their best and filled in the hole but never let him forget.

Thinking about how Bad knew lead him to talk about his past with someone he didn't expect.

"Bad's such a little bitch, what has he done that makes him think he's stronger than me." Hanging out with your father in law while he bitches about your friend from war isn't the ideal day, but for Cellbit it's a fun one. It was also an easy one, and maybe that's why he felt comfortable enough to bring up a fun fact about his past.

"He fought in a war." Foolish looked at him surprised.

"When? I've known him for eight years and I've never heard about this."

"It was about ten years ago, and you've never heard of it because sometimes people like to cover up their past." He said it far too nonchalantly, considering he was giving away someone's past when he'd kill someone for doing the same to him.

Foolish just nodded, "I guess that makes sense," Cellbit saw the lightbulb light up in Foolish's head, and Cellbit immediately feared what that meant, "Wait, why do you know that? I've known him for way longer than you have." His fear was well placed.

Cellbit was silent for a few seconds, trying to figure out his response. Surely if Foolish was so accepting of Bad being in a war, he'd be accepting of him, right? "That's not true, I fought alongside him in the war."

Foolish looked amazed. "That's so cool, any blackmail you can give me?" Cellbit laughed at the response, leave it to Foolish to want blackmail about Bad as soon as he talks about his past.

"I don't remember much about him from back then." He had a few things, but it was best if Foolish didn't know.

"Oh, fuck you," He said without malice, "Still, it's surprising to know that you two knew eachother beforehand, he's never mentioned being friends before the island."

Cellbit wasn't expecting the conversation about his and Bad's past to last this long. "I don't blame him, I was just," some cannibalistic kid, "some guy among many, if it weren't for his scar I left, I think he would have completely forgotten I'd existed."

Foolish tilted his head. "The bite mark?"

Cellbit nodded. "Yeah." It hit him what he said. He had just admitted to biting into Bad hard enough to give him a scar despite the genetics that made it near impossible to scar him.

Foolish easily noticed the way his face twisted into fear. "How did you give that to him?" His voice was slow and careful, he knew that Cellbit could be dangerous. He was fucked.

"I, I uhh," Cellbit didn't know what to do, giving away how he gave Bad the scar would immediately topple everything. He'd learn about his past. Still, with Foolish looking at him the way he was, he was given no choice. "I tried to eat him."

Foolish stared at him for a few moments. He was so fucked, everyone on the island would know he was a cannibal and he'd be shunned, Roier would divorce him and he'd just be miserable. Finally, he spoke. "Did he taste good?"

What. Cellbit stared at Foolish in disbelief, he had learnt that Cellbit tried to eat his best friend and that was his first question. Cellbit tried to study Foolish's face, trying to figure out if this was a test, but he just seemed genuinely curious. He answered truthfully. "Not the best, not the worst, I've never eat another demon besides him, so it may be a demon thing, it may be a Bad thing." He's never been asked about the taste of people before, but trying to explain the taste of someone from over ten years ago was an interesting experience.

Foolish nodded in interest. "So do certain types of hybrids and creatures taste different?"

He had never had someone be actually interested in the extents of his cannibalism before, and it was almost fun. "A little bit, hybrids taste a bit less irony, other creatures depend, and even then, hybrids have a bit of a range, and then topped onto that, everyone tastes different by themselves."

Foolish continued to nod. "What does a totem taste like? I'd bite myself, but you're probably better at discerning the taste."

Cellbit tried to think back on if he had ever eaten a totem and found no memory. "I don't know, I've never eaten one."

Foolish shoved his arm in front of his face and Cellbit was about to ask what was going on before Foolish spoke. "Eat me and tell me."

Cellbit immediately shoved the arm away. "No, I um, I don't eat people anymore." Foolish was really down for getting eaten, and that slightly terrified Cellbit.

Foolish seemed bummed out at his words. "What? So I have to eat myself?"

Cellbit shook his head. "No, no one is eating you, it's addictive, so don't start."

Foolish sighed and nodded his head. The conversation about Cellbit's cannibalism stopped after that. Cellbit found that he felt alot lighter about his past now that Foolish knew, this time it felt like a choice, even if it was a choice he accidently made. He hoped that after this conversation he would be able to slowly tell more people.

An hour after the cannibalism talk ended, Foolish gasped and shouted, "Is that why you asked if I had cannibalism in my past that one time?!"

Chapter Text

Seeing Tallulah all alone was a strange sight, one Cellbit didn't think he'd see today, Richarlyson was independent, he was off on his own alot, but Cellbit rarely saw Tallulah without someone else, especially without her family. He got closer to her, he had to talk to her. She was staring at the ground, picking at the grass, seemingly in her own world. "What are you doing out here?" He had to know.

Tallulah looked up at him, and he gasped at the look of tears in her eyes. "Tallulah, what happened?"

She wiped her tears with her sleeve and sniffled. "Nothing happened, and nothing ever will happen." Despite her attempts to clean herself up, tears fell down her cheeks and snot threatened to drool down her mouth. Cellbit pulled out a box of tissues and handed it to her before he realised she hadn't learnt how to blow her nose on her own yet and helped her blow her nose and wipe up the snot running down her face before chucking it away and giving her another tissue for her tears.

"What do you mean nothing will ever happen?" Now that her face was more cleaned up, it was time to work on her mental state, which was clearly failing.

Tears continued to fall down her cheeks, she used her tissues to try and wipe them, but they just kept coming. "Papi will never come back." The words hit his heart. In most other situations, Cellbit would have said something about how Phil was probably just at home, and she could go there, and she would have said her dad was Wilbur, so then Cellbit would reply, 'No, he's Hatsune Miku.' But this is different. For the first time, Cellbit truly believed that Wilbur existed, and he felt rage towards him for making his daughter cry like this. Still, he felt pity for Tallulah, so he tried to cheer her up.

"He'll come back, he would never abandon such a perfect girl such as you."

Tallulah just continued to sniff, and Cellbit helped her wipe her nose again. "It's been so long, and I'm scared, what if I die before I get to see him again? That's just as bad as him never coming back." It always hurt when he heard about how the kids were so confident in the fact their death was immenent, but this hurt the most, she didn't care if she died, she just wanted to see her dad again.

Cellbit placed a hand on her back. "You won't, I'll make sure of it, the island will make sure of it." This seemed to cheer her up a bit but there was still misery inside her heart.

"I feel dumb," another sniff, "For being so scared, Abuelito and Chayanne say everything will be fine, and it might be, but my brain tells me that he won't come back, or I won't be there when he does come back." She reached for another tissue, and she managed to blow her nose on her own.

Cellbit understood the situation better now. She was scared of the situation surrounding Wilbur, and everyone told her it'd be fine, but she needs someone to understand why she's worried, and tell her that her fears are rational, but still not true.

"You're not dumb," Cellbit guided her into his lap so he could talk to her easier, she followed his guidance. "Fear just does that, makes you worry about the worst, and it keeps you safe sometimes, but it's making you cry here, and that's not something you're liking, is it?"

Tallulah shook her head. "No."

"So while being scared is helpful, wouldn't you rather be happy?"

Tallulah nodded. "Yes."

"And I'm sure Wilbur would want you happy too."

Tallulah nodded again. "Yes."

"So can you give me a smile? A real one?" Tallulah hesitated for a few seconds before wiping her tears and smiling wide. Cellbit smile back. "That's a sight I like to see."

Tallulah leaned her head on Cellbit's chest, and he was glad he managed to her down. He was expecting to have the conversation end to put Tallulah down, but she has a question to ask. "Are you scared?"

Cellbit was a bit shocked at the question, but if it made Tallulah feel more comfortable, he'd answer honestly. "Yes, I'm terrified all the time."

Tallulah looked up at him in surprise. "But you don't look scared."

"I've learnt to hide it, but there's so many things that worry me."

"Like what?"

He hadn't expected to tell his fears to Tallulah, but as she looked up at him with curiosity and concern, he found it easy to tell her.

"Well, there's Cucurucho and the rest of the federation, I'm always worrying about that, they have so much power over us, and there's no telling what they'll do to us, they've already done so much, so what isn't in their power?" Tallulah nodded throughout his words, and Cellbit felt convinced to explain another topic. "Richas has been sleepwalking too, and he's been painting in an art style that isn't his own, it feels like it isn't him, and I just want to know what's happening to my son and I don't know if I'm more scared to not find out or find an answer that's too much."

Tallulah manuevered so she was kneeling in his lap and tried to wrap her arms around Cellbit, and he hugged her back. They had to trust eachother here. They were both scared, but they had eachother. It was strange to be finding such comfort in someone who was only a few months old, and even then was only in the body of a two year old, but Cellbit didn't mind, because Tallulah felt the same comfort. As she pulled away from the hug, she yawned, and Cellbit looked up at the sky, he hadn't realised it was night time. When had that happened? He looked down at her again, "Should we get you back to Phil?"

Tallulah hesitated and shook her head, confusing Cellbit. Before he could ask what she meant, she explained. "Can I spend the night at your castle?"

That was a surprise, but if she wanted to, he would try and have it arranged. "Let me message Phil, and I'll see." Tallulah's face lit up as Cellbit pulled out his comm. He messaged Phil and immediately got a message back saying it was fine. He showed her the message and she smiled wide.

The two warped to his castle, and he got her ready for bed. He helped her clean up and put her in some of Richarlyson's pyjamas, then put up her hair and tucked her into bed, telling her a story. Tallulah listened to the story with great intrigue. When he finished the story, he told her, "Goodnight," and was about to get up before she spoke.

"Can I have a goodnight kiss?" He nodded and leaned forward, kissing her forehead and then finally got up.

"Again, goodnight Tallulah."

He turned around to leave when he heard a faint, "Goodnight, Papa."

He gasped and froze. He turned around to question her but she was already asleep. He left the room.

"Gatinho, I thought Richarlyson was with Pac and Mike tonight?" He saw Roier in front of him.

"It's Tallulah, she wanted to spend the night here," He explained.

Roier tilted his head, "Why would she rather be here than with her family?"

Cellbir hesitated in telling him what he heard, but decided it was important. "Guapito... how would you like adopting a kid for just us?"

Roier's face was riddled in confusion. "You want to adopt Tallulah? What does this have to do with her staying over?"

"She called me Papa, I think she sees me as a parent."

"No shit she sees you as a dad, but what about Wilbur?"

"She's scared he won't come back, and I think she just wants someone to see as a dad, so, if it's us, and even just for a bit, I think it would make her happy." He hadn't realised how much he cared for Tallulah, but if he could call her his daughter, he thinks he'd be happy with that.

Roier thought for a few seconds before smiling. "I'd love to adopt Tallulah with you, especially if it makes her happy."

Cellbir didn't expect to end the day with a daughter, and technically he didn't, just someone he saw as a daughter, but in the morning she would be his daughter. They were scared, but they can be family, and that will help them with their fears.

Chapter Text

Watching Etoiles step away, Niki was faced with confusion. He had treated her with such kindness. Niki had constantly found herself being berated and given the short end of the stick when it came to kindness, so being left with the pile of diamonds in her hands after Etoiles had been so kind was shocking. When she first saw him, she couldn't possibly believe that he was kind, he towered over her and was quite negative, so she was expecting hostility, but instead he smiled as he gifted her the diamonds and was nothing but sweet. She placed the diamonds in her inventory, and moved on, still in shock at the overwhelming kindness.

Niki wasn't one to stay up late, but as she looked up at the sky, the moon was fully overhead. Midnight. Today had been such a long day, and while most days were long because of how cruel people tended to be to her, but today was long from endless conversation and sweetness. She was constantly stopped and asked how she was feeling, being offered items and kind words. She wasn't used to this, they had said something was wrong with the island, and Niki was certainly feeling the strangeness from the endless kindness. She had decided that spending a bit of time sitting down in Tallulah's flower garden would help her feel calmer, it wasn't like she was tired at all, she could certainly spend the night without a house and set it up the next day, she planned to leave to get materials when she felt calmer.

"Niki? What are you doing here?" She heard a voice from behind her. She turned around and saw the start of her mind's mess.

"Oh, hello Etoiles." She saw him move to the spot beside her and sit down.

"It's late, what are you doing up?" He asked.

Niki felt discomfort, she was waiting for everything to turn, for his to treat her with thr cruelty she was used to. Conversation felt strange when you were waited for the worst. "I'm not tired, what are you doing up so late?"

"I'm not tired either." Conversation stopped. Etoiles seemed comfortable with the silence, even though they've known eachother for less than twenty four hours. Niki on the other hand, felt tense, and didn't know what to do. So much for a calm spot, she can't feel calm with anyone around, let alone Etoiles.

Niki needed answers, she needed to know why she was being treated so sweetly when she wasn't used to the behaviour, often wondered if she even deserved it. "Why are you being so nice to me?" She started before reframing her question, "Why is everyone so nice to me?"

Etoiles looked over to her. "Why would we not he nice to you? You haven't done anything wrong, and even then, we would still try and treat you with kindness so you don't fall onto the federarions side."

She didn't need to do something wrong, she just needed to exist and that made people believe she was the perfect subject of cruelty. "People don't treat me with kindness, so why is this island different?"

Niki had expected the twist in expression, but she was expecting him to become mocking, for him to give up on pretending she was worth the kindness, but instead he looked at her with pity. What was this?

Etoiles reached over and held Niki's hand, trying to give her the comfort of touch. She wasn't used to caring touch, so there was certainly discomfort, but it did feel nice as well. She let Etoiles continue to hold her hand. "Because you deserve it, everyone on this island deserves kindness."

Niki looked at her lap. "Just because people deserve it doesn't mean people are always, or even usually, willing to give people that kindness, so what makes the islanders willing?"

"Because we've realised that treating people with the kindness they deserve is what gives us an advantage, if we let ourselves be cruel when no one needs it, we'll lose everything, and rightfully so, so we treat eachother with love and we work together, I don't know what's gone on in your life to give you your view point, but you like it more when people are kind to you, don't you?"

Niki tugged at the hem of her sweater a bit with her free hand. Etoiles was right, past the discomfort of newness, she liked the kindness, liked that she was getting back what she's always given. "Yes."

"So you see why we give our kindness now, it's no use hiding it in such a small community."

Niki smiled and looked back up at Etoiles. "The kids are lucky to be raised by their islanders, they won't grow up into cruelty like I've seen so many people do."

Etoiles had been smiling back the whole time. "We're lucky to have you here." Niki had never been treated with so much kindness before, so she can't really blame herself when tears of happiness fall from her eyes. Etoiles immediately begins to worry, "Are you okay?"

She just nods and wipes at her tears despite how useless the action is. "I'm fine, these are happy tears, thank you, for treating me like this." Despite her sobs, she was certain her happiness exuded from her voice. Etoiles nodded, understanding her situation, bur still rubbed her back in hopes of her stopping her tears sooner than later. After a few minutes of water works, they finally calmed down and Niki was left with a flushed but smiling face. "Thank you again, I've only known you for a day, but I'm sure there after we leave this island I will never forget you."

Etoiles smiled back. "I will never forget you either." He got up from the ground and offered his hand back to Niki, who took the help getting up. "Where is your house? You should spend the night there instead of falling asleep in the garden."

"Oh, I don't have one yet." Niki felt a bit embarrassed at the confession of her homelessness, "I was planning to go get some pink wood for it after my break."

Etoiles seemed a bit worried at her lack of a house, and made an offer, "How about I help you? The quicker you get materials the quicker you can have a house."

Niki felt as though the tears would start up again, she swore she could die from happiness, but instead, she just answered, "I'd like that, you're so kind."

Chapter Text

Maxo reached over to the other side of Pierre's bed, expecting to grab at Pierre and be able to pull him closer. He grumbled when he felt cold sheets beneath his fingers instead. Doesn't Pierre know he's supposed to let his boyfriend wake up to cuddling?

"You're not going to find me there." Maxo opened his eyes to see Pierre standing beside the bed, two plates of food in his hands. He was wearing nothing but boxers he must have put on before he went to cook. Despite having seen Pierre with less clothing on a quickly growing number of occasions, last night being included, seeing Pierre in just boxers felt embarrassing, too domestic for how short a time they had been dating. Pierre holding their breakfast only added to it. Strange how Maxo is fine with having copius amounts of sex each day with this man but humouring the romance part of their relationship is what got him embarrassed.

"I could guess that when I didn't find you." Maxo sat up in bed, stretching with a groan and mostly ignoring the way that Pierre stared at his breasts as they lifted.

Pierre placed a plate of food in Maxo's lap before sitting down on the bed and pulling the blanket up to cover his legs before placing the other plate in his own lap. "I decided to make you breakfast and serve it to you in bed."

Maxo just stared at the food in his lap. Maxo cared about Pierre so deeply, he was his boyfriend for a reason, but often times he forgot that Pierre felt the same, and that being boyfriends meant more than just sex and running a furry club together. This was domestic. How many times was he going to say this day was domestic? "Thank you, it looks delicious." He picked up his fork and stabbed it into some of the scrambled eggs and tasted it. He was right.

"I'm glad you like it, I really wanted to do something nice for you." Despite how calmly Pierre had said it, Maxo could tell how unsure of the situation Pierre was. This was too domestic for him as well, but he still went through with the idea because he wanted to give Maxo a great morning.

The two ended up awkwardly eating half their breakfast in silence. Neither realised how awkward a relationship that had its foundations built from sex would be. Maxo decided to finally break the silence. "We're really bad at this, aren't we?"

Pierre laughs slightly before nodding, "Yeah, I hoped making you breakfast in bed would be romantic enough that it could balance out the sexual part in our relationship, but it feels too romantic."

"It's a shame we feel like this," Maxo started. Pierre was the best boyfriend he could ask for, but denying that their weren't bumps and negative aspects to their relationship would just lead to misery. "I want to do romantic things with you, I want waking up to breakfast in bed and waking you up for breakfast in bed to be something we can just do because we feel like it to be easy, and something we feel comfortable with, but we're not very good at it."

Pierre slowly nodded. "I feel so strongly for you, and while I don't think I love you yet, I am definitely falling in love with you, and I want this to work, but it is difficult." Pierre's words made Maxo's heart beat faster. He wanted this to work too, he was falling in love as well.

"Then I think we have to make this work." Maxo turned to face his boyfriend more, careful not to spill his food on the bed. "I'll make you breakfast in bed tomorrow, and then the next day we can do something else romantic, we just have to keep doing romantic things until they're natural."

Pierre was silent for a few moments, taking in Maxo's idea. When he finally spoke, he did so with a soft smile. "That sounds like a great idea, I want to do romantic things with you everyday."

They finally began to eat again, even if the food was now cold, they had a plan, and they would make their relationship work, so that when they believed they loved eachother, it would be as simple as saying it. "Even cold it was delicious, I'm so lucky to have such a great cook as a boyfriend," Maxo said after he took his last bite.

"Anything for you." Pierre finished his food shortly after. He collected his plate in one hand and reached over to Maxo's lap for his, but Maxo put a hand on his arm and leaned forward to kiss him, Pierre deserved a kiss for all of the effort he put into giving Maxo such a great morning.

Pierre accepted the kiss, it wasn't often they let their kissed stay light. They pulled away and Maxo became aware of just how attractive Pierre was again. Not sexy, at least Maxo couldn't define if he was, but more gorgeous. "Tu es si beau." He used the French he had been learning and put it to good use. Complimenting his boyfriend was the best use of French.

Pierre's face flushed at the words, and he leaned in again for another kiss. This one went slightly deeper than the last. They pulled away once again and Pierre decided Maxo also needed a compliment. "Tu eres muy guapo." Calling eachother handsome in eachother's languages just made this morning all that much more perfect.

Maxo finally let Pierre collect his plate and he moved the dirty dishes to the bedside table. Pierre then proceeded to pull Maxo closer and into another kiss. Deeper yet again, much more so. When they pulled away this time, they were slightly panting. "Look at what you did, I was going to go wash the dishes and let you rest a bit longer but you made me want your body so early in the morning."

Maxo just smiled and pulled him into another kiss. While domestic romance was something they wanted and were working on, sometimes you just have to go back to your relationships roots.

Chapter Text

It was far too clear in Pomme's mind. She remembers the start of the mess, how they woke up to a message from the federation about how the warpstones were broken and wouldbr be usable until the kept day, and then how Baghera had taken her out far for a quest, and then how Baghera's comm had suffered an attack by some mob that Pomme had already forgotten about and was completely broken. She remembers being dragged away quickly, trying to make their way home now that their communication was cut from the rest of the island, and then how the code showed up. Baghera had fought hard to protect her, not being able to send her away and causing Baghera to take more hits than she would have usually just to get the attention off of Pomme. She remembers hearing Etoiles scream from behind them, not knowing how he knew where they were, before one final hit struck Baghera and she fell to the ground. Pomme had shouted out to her, terrified, but her screeching, "Maman!" Had only met the N.I.N.H.O walls. It was two hours later that she found out that even if she weren't teleported away, Baghera would have heard nothing, as she was dead. Pomme had asked to go see her, since she was surely respawned by now. Etoiles had looked at her with pain in his eyes, and told her she couldn't. Pomme was confused, and wanted to know why she couldn't.

Staring at the open casket, her mother inside, lifeless, she wished she didn't know. The funeral had been full of tears, everyone had such great things to say about Baghera. Friends, family, even the new members tried to find something to say. By the time Pomme was ushered up to speak, she had cried herself numb, she spoke the longest out of anyone, speaking of how she had loved her mum since day one, and how she was the greatest mother she could ever ask for, she would never forget her. She refilled her tears and had cried herself to sleep that night, holding a plush duck Baghera had gotten her only a few days before her death.

Etoiles was at her side when she woke up, she had slept for almost twelve hours, so who knows how long he had been waiting. Looking at his tired eyes, he might have been waiting all night, but he may just look tired from the emotions. "Hi Papa," she managed to say after a long wait.

"Hi Pomme, I have a plan for us today, we're going out." His voice sounded tired as well.

"I don't want to go out, I want to be with maman." She pulled the covers up over her head and turned around so she wasn't facing Etoiles anymore. She didn't want to go anywhere or do anything, she just wanted to soak in her misery while staying in bed until she felt like her bodily needs needed to be met, and then maybe a bit more. If her maman couldn't be alive, why enjoy life?

The covers were pulled from her head and Etoiles spoke from behind her. "Please? I need this, I need you, I want to spend the day with my daughter after we've both gone through something so horrible." There was a part of Pomme that wanted to shout at him, say that that didn't go through the same thing, he lost a friend, she lost her mother. But there was also a part that wanted to give in, seek comfort and spend a day with her Papa. She gave in to the latter. She turned around, and Etoiles gave a soft smile, she could tell he didn't really want to smile after last week's tragedy, she didn't either. "Where are we going?"

"Camping, it won't be too far away, and we'll have our warpstones, it'll be safe, I promise." After Baghera's death, it'll be a shock if anyone isn't scared to go out without being absolutely sure it was safe. Pomme just nodded, she would prefer to speak as little as possible today.

Etoiles took Pomme around to do her quests, as the week's grace period the federarion gave the island was now over. They saw many of the islanders, looking sad and empty. Some even cried. The island had lost a great spark after they lost Baghera, and Pomme wondered how they'll ever recover. She doesn't want them to recover, she wanted them to remember her maman forever and to feel her presence all around them, even if that presence lead to nothing but endless sadness. She knew they'd move on eventually, she had her lesson on how nothing lasts forever, and she knows misery won't be the exception. Even if misery is all she has left of her mother one day, that too will disappear. They finished her quests and got ready to go camping, Pomme barely spoke as she had done all day, and Etoiles accepted that with sadness.

Setting up was easy, they wanted to look at the stares so tents weren't necessary, so they just had to start up a fire. They cooked some smores and Pomme had smiled for the first time in a week, the gooey warmth was something she really needed. They had fished a little, just to waste time until they had to sleep, Pomme had lost her fishing pole at one point because she didn't care enough to hold onto it when a fish pulled at it. Eventually it was time to sleep, and Etoiles told her a story for her final quest, but she stayed wide awake when when it was finished.

"Pomme, come join me." His sleeping back was big enough to fit her tiny frame in as well. She got out of her own and slipped inside Etoiles'. "Look at the stars with me." The two looked up at the sky, it was a perfect night, there wasn't a cloud in sight, and instead of a deep black, the sky looked like the darkness was simply a backdrop for dark purples and blues and the dazzling specks of what that were the stars. "Baghera's up there." Pomme tensed. "The stars are everywhere, and in every star there's a bit of Baghera, so she'll always be there for you, watching you grow and become a person she'd be proud of."

"But the stars are only out at night, maman was always there." Pomme reasoned.

"Just because the daytime comes doesn't mean the stars go away, you just can't see them." He gave his lesson about the stars and chose not to mention how by the time they reach them they're already dead.

Pomme nodded and the two continued to look at the night sky for several minutes more, and Etoiles thought that Pomme had found some piece of mind, but she soon spoke. "I should be the one up there, I should be watching over Maman." Pomme's words had shattered Etoiles' heart.

"You didn't deserve to die any more than Baghera did." He tried to get her to stop thinking about her dying over Baghera.

He moved over to his side so he could look at Pomme and saw tears welling up in her eyes. "I would have come back, I have two lives left, if it had been me, we'd both still be here."

Etoiles held her close to his chest. "Baghera thought she'd respawn, there was nothing that could have told us that she wouldn't come back, and she would have much rather missed what she thought was infinite than one of yours, in fact, even if she had known she only had one, she would have still risked it for you, because she is your maman, and risking her life for her daughter was the least she could do." Etoiles had tried to calm her down, but tears came quicker and quicker, and once they finally stopped, it was because she was passed out.

Now that Pomme was asleep, he had time to think about himself, and his own worries. If anyone deserved to be among the stars because of death, it was him. He saw them a few seconds too late and he lost his friend and while he hadn't completely lost his daughter, she was a husk. If he was quicker, he could have fought instead of Baghera, he was strong enough to fight the code on his own, Baghera wasn't. He stared up into the sky, hoping for an answer to his guilt, but clouds simply filled the sky, and he understood that Baghera wanted the thoughts of her death to cease for the night. Right now, Etoiles and Pomme only had eachother and guilt, and it'd stay that way for a long time.

Chapter Text

Cellbit felt confident in his mental state. He had done his years in therapy, he had reintroduced himself as a functioning member of society, life was good, he was good, a good person. He thought nothing could have ever reverted him back to being the monster he once was, and he was glad that he had made so much progress.

But then Roier came along. With his beautiful eyes, and sexual sense of humour, the way he licked his lips as if begging for Cellbit to lean in and kiss him, he was so outgoing, and confident. He was perfect in every way. Except for the fact he wasn't his yet.

It had happened so suddenly, he was just locked in a room with some other Brazilians, and then He appeared. It felt like a shitty romance film he had watched once. Time slowed down and his world zoomed into him, music played in the background of his mind and he knew he had found the one. Once they were freed, he didn't get a good chance to speak worth him, but as he was introducing himself he could only stare at him. He truly was the most beautiful man in the world, and he can't believe he was lucky enough to meet him, let alone be stuck in such a small community with him.

When the previous islanders introduced themselves, he blocked out almost everything else, he only needed his name, so when he stood up on the makeshift podium, and announced his name was Roier, his world twisted into colour and hearts. Roier. What a perfect name for a perfect man. He once again didn't get much of a chance to speak with him, but eventually a majority of the group was ushered to Las Casualonas for a party. He thought that maybe he'd get to speak to him then, but turns out Roier was one of the strippers. He felt conflicted. On one hand, Roier was gorgeous and he wanted to watch him for hours upon hours, and thought about asking Roier for a show at a later date, but on the other, there were so many people that got to see him, they didn't deserve to see how gorgeous he was. He was about to storm over and pull Roier off the pole, but a global message was sent that the kids were back, and everyone stormed out to reconnect with their kids. Oh right, he had barely listened in but everyone on the island had a kid. Roier had a kid! He bets they're just as cute as Roier is. He follows the crowd, wanting to see Roier's kid, because why wouldn't he want to make first impressions on his future step kid as soon as possible?

The crowd of people at the adoption centre was difficult to look through, but Cellbit refused to lose the love of his life, so finding him leaving through the other side of the adoption centre was but a small feat. He looked through the opening, seeing Roier hold a kid that looked so closely like him close to his chest. The boy had his eyes scrunched shut and was trying to push Roier away, but Roier just continued to smile that perfect smile. He wanted to be the only person allowed to see that smile, but he'd make an exception for their kid. He continued to watch the sight, and he pictured himself with the two, waking up by Roier's side and spending the day with their kid, who would pout and stick his tongue out when he and Roier would kiss. What a perfect image, what a perfect future.

As he was daydreaming about his future with Roier, a woman, who he thinks is called Jaiden, walked up to them. The kid opened his eyes and ran towards the woman, and Cellbit's heart shattered. The kid had Jaiden's eyes. In his daydreams the kid had Roier's perfect eyes, not the disgusting purple of Jaiden's own. He wouldn't have thought they were disgusting before today, but after seeing Roier's, all eyes were ugly except for his and any that came from his in some way. He feels betrayed that Roier had a child with someone other than him, sure, it was adoption, and sure, they hadn't met yet, but surely Roier felt something missing in his life and knew he would find his one true love, shouldn't he have waited? As he glared at Jaiden for taking his spot in Roier's life, he was pulled back into the adoption centre to see the newest kid who had arrived, his and the other Brazilians' kid. While the kid was no Roier, he was adorable, and he's sure Roier would think the same. A good thought to have for his future step son.

He didn't see Roier for the rest of the day, and he thought he was being driven crazy by the lack of Roier. Luckily, early in the morning of the next day, when Cellbit was taking Richarlyson around the island, he saw Roier walking towards him.

"Hey! Roier was it?" He pretended as if he was still unsure on his name, as if he didn't have it and the perfect man it belonged to memorised.

"Yes, and you're Cellbit right?" He gave Cellbit a perfect smile, and paired with the fact he said his name, Cellbit thought he was going to pass out from happiness. But he couldn't, he had a son to take care of now, and he didn't want to worry Roier.

"I'm surprised you remember." He wasn't, of course Roier remembered, they were soulmates, but it was best to not rush into things too quickly, Roier's son needed to warm up to him.

"I never forget a pretty boy." Roier paired his words with a wink and Cellbit thought he was going to pass out again.

Their short conversation was interrupted by a loud, "Ewwww!" From Roier's son. Roier leaned down to speak to him. "Don't say that Bobby, soon you'll be flirting with men like it's nothing too, and you'll forget all about your disgust." So his name was Bobby, his future son had such a cute name. Bobby stuck out his tongue, still not happy about the idea of flirting. Roier looked away from Bobby and towards Richarlyson, "And you are?"

"Richarlyson!" He happily replied.

Roier got back up. "You've got a cute kid."

"Your kid is cute as well, he looks like you." Cellbit meant for the two statements to be separate, but the way they sounded combined was true as well.

Roier didn't seem to mind the fact he indirectly called him cute. "Yeah, Bobby took after me a lot, the eyes are really the only part of him he got from Jaiden." Cellbit tensed at the mention of Jaiden. They obviously seemed to get along well, but Cellbit wondered if there was something more to their bond.

"Ah, Jaiden, since you two have a kid together, I assume she's your girlfriend?"

Roier's face twisted in shock and discomfort, and Cellbit was scared that he had asked a question he shouldn't have. Roier gave a soft smile, but still looked somewhat uncomfortable. "Oh no, we're family, as she would put it, plus we're not exactly into eachothers genders." Cellbit fought off an overjoyed look. Roier had waited, and there was nothing in the way of them dating. An annoying thought came to Cellbit's mind, just because he wasn't dating Jaiden didn't mean he was single.

"Does Bobby have a step parent? I mean, I would be shocked if you were single." He subtly flirted.

Roier licked his lips and the question and the flirtation. "Nope, single, even if I would love a boyfriend." Cellbit's heart fluttered at the words, Roier wanted to rush into it too it seems.

"I'm sure you won't be single for much longer."

Roier gave a flirtatious smile. "What? You offering to fix it?" He was destined to date such a perfect man.

Before he could answer, Bobby punched at Roier's leg. "Pa! I want to go!"

Roier glared at his son slightly before looking back at Cellbit. "Sorry about him, he's cranky, but we should be going, will I see you around?" He asked as if they weren't in a closed community.

"Yeah, I would really like to see you again." They bid their goodbyes, and Richarlyson teased him for how he acted around Roier. He just rolled his eyes, he had been alive for one day, he didn't know how special meeting your soulmate was.

The two spoke often over the next two weeks, and Cellbit could tell that Roier felt the same connection he did. The two had begun to exchange flirtatious nicknames, and everytime he was called Gatinho he fell further in love with Roier. Cellbit was planning to finally ask Roier out, and everything would be almost perfect, of course, perfect would have Roier be all to himself, but that didn't seem possible, he had Bobby and his friends. But things changed. Cellbit was coming to visit Roier when he saw him crying outside his house. He immediately ran up to him, horrified to see his Guapito crying.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Roier simply let out sobs, but eventually managed to make out words. "Bobby, he's gone, dead."

Any good person would have their heart clench at the words, would be filled with pity at hearing their soulmates son was no longer with them, know that the loss would forever ruin the person. But Cellbit came to the sudden realisation that he wasn't a good person, it made sense, considering his past, but he realised he had never changed. Instead of pity, or sadness, or any other emotion someone normal would have, he felt joy. Sure, he hated to see the love of his life cry, and while Bobby took place in many of his daydreams, he took up so much of Roier's time, he was always there. Without Bobby, Roier would have more time for Cellbit. Despite his joy, he feigned sadness. "I'm so sorry for you loss, Bobby was such a good kid."

With another sob, Roier fell into Cellbit's arms. Bobby's death was good for him. "He's gone, what do I do now? He was my everything."

Roier was in such a weak spot now, he needed Cellbit, he needed to give himself up entirely and let Cellbit make his decisions so he wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore. "You can move on, you'll find someone else who can take up such an important spot."

More tears fell down Roier's face. "No, I won't, I can't."

"You will, Bobby's death won't worry you for any longer than it needs to." Cellbit wanted Roier to understand that he was all he needed.

"But-." Cellbit couldn't stand to see Roier sad any longer, and pulled him into a kiss. Roier let out a shocked noise and hit at his chest. Despite it, Cellbit felt as if their first kiss was magic, and he knew he could never give this up, he was already addicted. He pulled away Roier looked terrified. "What the fuck." His voice filled with confusion.

"I love you, Guapito." He couldn't help it, he needed to make what they had official. "You don't need Bobby, you have me, all we need is eachother and we'll be fine."

"No, I need Bobby." Tears fell down Roier's cheeks faster. Finally remembering he was still in Cellbit's arms he struggled to escape, but Cellbit was stronger. "Let me go, I don't want to touch you- mmph." Cellbit kissed him again. Roier didn't know what he wanted, didn't know what he needed. That's why he continued to fight his grasp.

He pulled away again. "You do want to touch me, you're just so lost over having lost Bobby, let me take care of you and you won't remember how sad Bobby's death made you." Roier's fight weakened. He had given up on fighting Cellbit, he knew he'd lose, physically and mentally.

"You'll take care of me?" His voice was almost empty.

"Always, as long as you're my boyfriend." Cellbit waited excitedly for his answer, even though he knew there was only one option.

"Okay, I'll be your boyfriend." Cellbit was overjoyed, and kissed Roier again. This time, he didn't fight, he truly gave in to the love he felt for Cellbit, and Cellbit couldn't be happier that Roier was his.

Days passed by and Roier was happier. He had almost completely forgotten about Bobby's death. He wasn't perfectly over it yet, sometimes he would wake up crying and would scream at Cellbit to get the fuck away from him. But Cellbit would kiss him through the tears and 'nos' and he'd calm down, and would go back to being the quiet person he had grown into the past few days. He didn't care that Roier was quiet now, he was still Roier, they were destined to be through all their growth, and if Roier's growth was to become quieter, than that's something he'd accept quickly.

Other people became worried for Roier and how he was affected after the death of his son, but he'd just say he was fine, and that his boyfriend was helping him through the emotions. He loved it when Roier called him his boyfriend, and he couldn't wait to get to be called his husband. Despite saying that he was fine, he still let his emotions go in front of some others a bit too much, and Vegetta caught on to his sadness. Roier broke down and told him about how he just wanted to have a family again, how he was slowly moving on from Bobby with Cellbit's help, but there was still a spot in his heart that missed the domesticity of family.

Vegetta, ever the kind man, offered to be Roier's family, and produced adoption papers out of who knows where. Roier was taken aback by his kindness, and opened his inventory to try and find a pen before he realised that this is something Cellbit should know. Cellbit didn't dictate his actions, Roier was his own man, but there was an itching in his brain that told him he had to bring it up to his boyfriend, he needed to give him the go ahead to allow people to take such important spots in his life.

"Thank you," Roier said, "But I need a bit more time to think about it." He didn't need time to think about it, he just needed time to think about telling Cellbit.

"I'll wait for your answer, I'd love another son." Vegetta gave him a kind smile, and Roier felt even more unsure about telling Cellbit.

When Roier got back home, he placed the adoption papers on the table. He needed time to think about how he could bring this up to Cellbit, he would have to be very convincing for Cellbit to let him sign the papers. He went to take a shower so he could think things through.

Cellbit arrived at Roier's place, luckily after Bobby's death, Jaiden had moved out, the two former parents had grown apart since the death of their son, and now he got to have the house just for Roier and him. He opened the door, he convinced Roier that it was for the best that he be added to every door Roier puts codes on, so he could go in without issue. He heard the shower running and was about to sit on the bed so he could wait when he saw some papers sitting on the table. He walked up the the table and turned the papers around, and gasped when he saw they were adoption papers. At first he was overjoyed, was there another child on the island that he wanted to adopt with him? The answer was already yes, and he looked towards the signature area so he could put his down, but saw that the parent signatures were already filled in. He thought that maybe Roier had already filled his in, he didn't know how he'd learnt his signature, but it was a possibility. His happiness turned to rage when he saw that the signatures were Vegetta and a forged version of Foolish's. Roier was the one being adopted. Was Roier just going to find a new family without him? Or did Vegetta (he doubts Foolish knows due to the forged signature, but he can still be to blame) force him to do this? Force him to join their family so they could take him away from Cellbit?

He heard the shower turn off, and he flipped the papers around and left the house. He was sure that they were forcing him, so there's probably something stopping Roier from telling him. Maybe they're threatening him. It's best if he pretends he doesn't know so Roier doesn't have to worry, he can fix it all without Roier ever knowing. He was such a good boyfriend.

When he heard Roier's footsteps in the main part of the house, he shouted out, "Guapito!" Which was met with the sound of rustling papers before Roier rushed outside to meet him.

"Gatinho!" He leaned forward to give him a kiss. He had been getting better at initiating kisses lately, and Cellbit melted everytime. Once they pulled away, he was invited inside, the adoption papers were gone.

The two talked for a while, and Cellbit talked about how helpful Foolish was being with his castle. Roier tensed at the name, and Cellbit wanted to kill Foolish for making his boyfriend so terrified. He'd fix everything. Roier didn't end up telling him anything about the adoption papers, he must have been so scared something bad would happen. With a kiss they parted ways for the day, and Cellbit got to work making sure Vegetta and Foolish wouldn't go through with the adoption.

He spent some time writing them a letter, throwing in horrible threats, both heard of and unheard of, as well as throwing in some blackmail. He finished it off by smearing some blood he had gotten from a sheep onto the bottom of the page before mailing it off.

When he was following Roier around using invisibility potions the next day, he was lucky enough to see Vegetta coming up to Roier and telling him they didn't actually have enough time for two kids, so adoption was off the table. Roier looked miserable, they must have really messed with his head when they threatened him.

He continued on with his day, he had investigations to do, but he was looking forward to seeing how happy Roier was going to be once he got back home. When he got kidnapped, all he could think about was Roier. The day that passed by that was nothing but torture, he was just thinking about how scared Roier must be, all alone.

When he saw Roier from his cage, tired and terrified, and how he lit up at the sight of Cellbit. He was just as obsessed with Cellbit as Cellbit was with him.

All he could focus on was Roier, and how he must have been during that day apart. His thoughts started sweet, imagining Roier crying and lonely, but they soon turned more sour. What if someone took advantage of Roier's pain and used that to get him into bed with them? Roier was his, but what if people didn't understand that? He needed to show them.

They ended up on the roof of the hotel with their group, and Cellbit couldn't think straight. They were here after such a big event, and there were people surrounding them, it was the perfect time to make Roier his. So he blurted out, "Do you want to get married?"

The roof became silent and everyone stared at Cellbit before moving their gaze to Roier, who was frozen. He must be so overjoyed that he can't even find words. After a few seconds he got out a simple, "Accepto." The word lit up Cellbit's heart and he immediately took Roier into a kiss. He'd get to show the whole island that Roier was his and was destined to be his since the moment their atoms were created.

Days once again started to go by, and planning their wedding took up a lot of time. Roier didn't make many choices, seeming fine to let all the planning be Cellbit's job, but he was fine with that, Roier would enjoy their wedding anyway. It would signify decades of waiting until their souls met and they were able to fulfill what they were born to do. Roier had only woken up crying once since they got engaged, and he didn't even fight it when Cellbit kissed him until he stopped crying, it was so clear how in love Roier was with Cellbit now.

Cellbit thought that everything would be perfect now that they were getting married, but then Abueloier came along. He harassed the islanders, but had a grudge against Cellbit for no reason.

"You're a sick man," Abueloier hurled as they stood on the balcony of Cellbit's castle.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Cellbit was in no mood to continue putting up with Abueloier, Roier being away for the day on a babysitting duty left Cellbit upset for the day to begin with.

"I simply say the truth."

"What truth is there!?" He was no longer sick in the head, he had Roier and he would stay sane for him.

Abueloier stared at Cellbit with a far harsher gaze than he had given him yet. "You took advantage of my grandson when he was mourning, you violated him when he said he didn't want to kiss you, you take away his opportunities and make him terrified of doing something you don't want him to, you are every bit as vile as I say you are."

Cellbit felt rage bubble up inside him, what did he mean by take advantage while he was mourning? He gave him someone else to focus on. What did he mean by violate him? People in love kissed, and Roier was just confused. What about opportunities and fear? Roier could do what he wanted, he just happened to want to do whatever Cellbit said he could do. "I am not vile." He spat full of venom.

"You are, and I plan to get my grandson away from you if it kills me." Abueloier set an idea in Cellbit's head. He's killed before, he's done far worse than kill before. What's to stop him from doing it again to protect Roier?

A sick smile graced Cellbit's face and Abueloier became scared. "You won't take away my Guapito, and I won't let you have the chance either." Abueloier didn't get a chance to speak, as he was quickly thrown off the balcony and murdered.

His body was in a filled in hole by the time Roier came home and asked where is grandpa was, as he wanted to introduce him to everyone on the island. Cellbit said he pissed off some people and likely wouldn't be coming back, to which Roier just sighed. He would never have to know what happened to his grandpa, but even if he one day did find out, he'd just be happy that Cellbit took such initiative and got rid of someone who was trying to put a wrench between their relationship.

The wedding day came, and it was the best day of his life. Roier looked so gorgeous in his suit, and Cellbit truly couldn't believe he was fated to be with such a perfect man. There were hiccups, many being named Slimecicle, but that didn't stop them and they were finally married. They had known eachother for less than two months, but the decades they waited to finally meet after their hearts already knew they were eachother's made it feel even longer. Cellbit thought no one could ruin their day, but he forgot that despite the perfection of his husband (his husband, he still couldn't believe it), the rest of the island were far from perfect and thought they needed his husband's perfection.

Roier and Jaiden were dancing together, despite the fact he hadn't seen the two interacting all that much since Bobby's death, they danced and held eachother like they hadn't grown apart at all. They were talking and laughing, and Cellbit just watched. He grew jealous and upset, and it all leaked when he heard Jaiden say, "I'm so happy to be your platonic partner." Jaiden had somehow convinced Roier to cheat on him, and had no shame in talking about the affair at their wedding. No one on this island could be trusted, and if he had to kill every single person to keep Roier safe and in his arms, he would do so. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to kill everyone, but Jaiden couldn't get away with what she tricked Roier into doing. The rest of the wedding flew by, and they ended the night officially both living in the castle. Despite how the two practically lived together, Roier had been adamant about not spending the night, and said he wouldn't want to until they were married. But now they were, and Cellbit got to enjoy Roier in his arms, and in his castle, even if he was stiff and accidently put too much distance between them.

The next day, Roier was fast asleep when he woke up, and seemed to have no desire to get up that day. It occasionally happened with the islanders, sometimes sleeping for days on end, but it hurt to know that Roier had done so right after their wedding day. Still, it gave him a chance to get rid of Jaiden.

He picked some co-ordinates he knew no one would he around and messaged her asking for her to meet her there, as he had something important to talk about with her. She agreed easily. Cellbit smiled at how quickly he would be able to get rid of her and get to have Roier all to himself again.

He arrived at the co-ordinates and a few minutes later Jaiden arrived. She stared at him with a cautious look on her face. Still, she showed up, and that's all he needed. "What did you want to talk to me about?" She asked, her voice matching her face.

"It's about Roier, but I think you have something you want to talk to me about that has something to do with Roier first." If she admitted it, he may be nicer on her.

Jaiden hesitated for a few seconds before she spoke. "Yes, I do, I want to know what you've done to him, he used to be so cheerful and now he's just quiet, empty." Was she accusing him of hurting his husband?

"The death of a child does that to you, you should know that." Jaiden winced at the mention of Bobby's state of life.

"I know it changes you, but when he visits me, he's different, it's only when you're brought up or he's thinking of you that he's different." Her tone became more accusatory with every word.

"He's only different with you because you trick him, I don't know what you gain from being in a QPR with him, but you've tricked him into cheating on me, and now you accuse me?" He'd be even harsher with her punishment.

Jaiden's face twisted in anger. "Cheating on you? I've been his platonic partner since before you even arrived on the island."

"Liar, he told me you weren't his girlfriend when I first talked to him." If she was lying this much, how many lies had she fed to Roier?

"Because we hadn't found a term we were both comfortable with back then, things change between people, but you don't seem to understand that since you're so convinced Roier will continue to be your toy for the rest of his life." Jaidens words got to him more and more, and before he realised it, he was pulling out an axe and shoving it through her head, barely hearing a screamed before it sliced through her brain. He picked her comm out of her inventory and deleted the messages she had sent before placing it back in. He didn't want any evidence to lead towards him. He left her corpse out in the open, wanting someone to find it, they needed to know that manipulating Roier lead to horrible fates.

Roier woke up a few days later, and was unsure of why he had slept for so many days straight. Cellbit believed him, now that Jaiden was gone he had no reason to lie to him. Roier got his timing perfect, as just an hour later Cucurucho announced Jaiden as officially dead. Roier broke. She must have manipulated him so much.

He held him in his arms as he cried, kissing away his tears even when he began to fight again. "How- how could this happen." He sobbed over his words.

"They say it was murder, you never know what's going on with these people you think you know so well."

"Wh-Who did it?" He loved how Roier relied on him for information despite the fact he was sent the exact same information Cellbit had gotten.

"They don't know, and I'm scared for you, what if they go for you next? What would I do without my Guapito." He'd never kill Roier, but someone else might, and that was something Roier needed to be wary of.

Roier shivered in a mix of sobs and fear. "I don't trust anyone."

"Except me?"

"Except you." Bingo.

"Then you shouldn't talk to anyone else, I'll keep you safe, but I can't help if you tell your thoughts to other people, they'll know how to betray you then." He needed to keep him safe, and if the best way was to cut off all contact with everyone, then that was just killing two birds with one stone.

Roier just nodded against his chest, and he knew he had one against all the other islanders. Roier was his.

Time passed by and Roier spent 90% of his day at home or with Cellbit, he had grown even quieter after Jaiden's death, but that was fine, he was still as perfect as day one. Due to Roier's actions, the islanders began to suspect that he was the murderer, but they had no evidence so they couldn't do anything about it. Due to this, they begun to separate themselves from Cellbit, as he wasn't making any change to let Roier go. He didn't mind, as long as he had Roier, he'd be fine. The only one that hurt was when the other Brazilians banned him from seeing Richarlyson until he divorced Roier. He loved Richarlyson, but he loved Roier more, so the choice was sad but easy.

They were now both left without children, and Cellbit decided to bring up a topic he had wanted to for a while.

"Should we adopt a kid? Just for us? We can name him Bobby Jr. if you want."

Roier just nodded with his ever sad expression and said, "Okay."

Cellbit leaned forward and kissed Roier. They were both so lucky to have met eachother and to fall so deeply in love. They were the happiest they could ever be, and they were just about to add more happiness to their perfect family.

Chapter Text

Keeping all the eggs in one spot out in the open was a horrible idea looking back, but it's too late to make their change now. The code was attacking and they had to all be sent to the N.I.N.H.O immediately.

Which was why the kids were confused when they ended up in a nest with Phil looking at them from the side of the nest with a certain craze in his eyes.

"Papa, why are we here?" Tallulah asked as she tried to get up on the edge of the nest, but found out that Phil had built onto the nest more, making it so the kids couldn't climb out.

"How am I supposed to function if you're not in my sight? I tried just letting the others tell me what's going on, but just couldn't help it, so I changed the teleportation chambers to bring you here." Phil had a strange mix of joy and sorrow in his voice.

"Can I get out of the nest? This blanket feels cheap." Leo didn't mean anything mean, but having enough money to buy the whole island if she so wished gave her high tastes. Phil motioned for some of the kids to move to the side and jumped in once they were moved, and pulled a blanket out from his inventory, lifting Leo up and placing her on the new blanket. "This is much better." He looked at the new, much more comfortable, much my expensive blanket. "Hey! This is from my bed!"

The kids started to look around and found some of their own blankets. Dapper and Ramon found their matching ones, Richarlyson found the one he keeps at Forever's, and Pomme found one that had stains from spilt paint. Chayanne and Tallulah found several of their own in Phil's nest, which wasn't too much of a surprise, whenever they got new sheets, their old ones were always moved over to Phil's nest, but their current bedding was also in the nest.

"Pa, why are you acting like this?" Chayanne had never seen him act this way, and was thoroughly confused.

Phil leaned over and pulled him close to his chest. "You all need protecting, I have to protect you, our nest is the only place you're safe." The kids were on edge, it was his nest, why was he referring to it as if it were the kids' as well? At least everyone except Pomme did. Pomme understood the situation now.

"It's just his bird instincts acting up." She stated confidently. The others looked her with tilted heads, so she explained more. "It happened with maman a few weeks ago, sometimes you just have to give in to them to make sure they're happy, I think he hid them for too long so now it's affecting all of us." The other kids remember how they didn't see Pomme for a few days a few weeks prior and how the French members they saw just said she was caught up with Baghera. It's probably safe to assume Pomme is right in her guess.

Phil was still holding Chayanne to his chest when he picked up the next closest kid, Ramon, and held him as close as he could with Chayanne in the way. "I need to hold you all, need to protect you all."

Ramon pushed at Phil's chest but soon understood there was no getting away. The other kids laughed at Ramon's fight, to which he stuck his tongue out at them.

After a minute or two, both Chayanne and Ramon were placed down, side by side. The two were confused, and soon the other kids joined in on their confusion as they were picked up and layed down as well. Tallulah, Chayanne, Ramon, and Richarlyson were pale in a grouping while Leo, Dapper and Pomme were placed in another. There was a spot between them that Phil took up. He pulled a blanket up to cover himself and the kids, but also unfurled his wings to act like secondary blankets for the kids. "There we go, now I'm touching all of you, I can protect all of you." While Phil's behaviour was strange, he was taking care of them, and the days activities was starting to affect them, as one by one, they started to fall asleep.

Across the server, the parents were going nuts. They checked the N.I.N.H.O after they fought off the codes, but they weren't anywhere, and after some more checking, they had found out that the teleportation system was completely hijacked. They searched across the server and questioned Cucurucho, who repeatedly said that he had nothing to do with the missing kids, although no one believed him. Eventually, someone mentioned the lack of Phil. They had messaged him about the missing kids, as he had taken the day off as he wasn't feeling the best. They thought that he'd push through if they said the kids were missing, but they hadn't heard back from him at all. Bad eventually went to check up on him, scared that something had happened to him as well.

Bad made his way to Phil's base, and was expecting to have to search around a bit to find him, or find there was no him, but from a window he was able to see Phil's nest, and inside was Phil and the kids, all sleeping peacefully. Bad almost audibly awe'd at sight, and took a photo of the occasion. The kids and Phil were safe, and he could use the picture to show it.

Bad: (picture)

Bad: The kids are safe with Phil

Forever: Why does he have them, this almost gave me a heart attack

Foolish: He should have told us he had them

Bad: They look pretty deep in sleep right now, I think they fell asleep pretty shortly after he found them

Cellbit: I think he may have made his best the new teleport spot, it would explain why the system was hijacked

Baghera: He may just be scared that the kids would get hurt, his bird instincts may have been acting up

Jaiden: That sure would explain even more

The islanders were calmed down now. Bad took one more photo of the cute scene and left without worry. Phil would do unspeakable things if the kids were hurt under his care, so they had nothing to worry about.

Chapter Text

Slime fell back onto his and Mariana's bed, he had overworked himself today, and he just wanted to sleep away the pain of the day. He knew it was his fault that he was in pain, he'd put on his binder while Mariana was cooking them some breakfast, and despite the fact he had promised that he would take breaks and come home so he could rest without it, he had worked through the entire day and hadn't taken it off once. He wasn't as bad as some of the islanders were at taking breaks, but today he had woken up with an incredible amount of dysphoria, and he couldn't even look at the mirror until he had put on his binder. It had officially been fourteen hours since he had seen his breasts, and he still couldn't bare the idea of seeing them. He tried to sigh, but air was having a hard time getting past his chest. He just groaned and kicked off his shoes and pulled off his pants, luckily he didn't experience much bottom dysphoria today, or he may have just cried himself to sleep. He laid on his back for a few minutes before finally taking off his glasses and snuggling under the cover, waiting for sleep to take him.

A few minutes pass by and he hears footsteps in their room. Mariana was home. The bed sunk down as Mariana's weight was added and the blankets were moved as she got under them. Slime opened his arms so he could slip into them, something that he was happy happened almost every night since they took Roier's offer and actually went through with couple therapy. Mariana took his spot in his arms, and Slime was ready to properly fall asleep cuddling, but Mariana spoke. "Where are your boobs?"

Slime almost laughed at Mariana's words, but forced himself to not. Mariana was asking an actual question, and therapy says he has to answer. "Under my binder." He spoke slowly, knowing how insistent Mariana was on him never wearing his binder to sleep.

The blankets were tossed from the two of them as she pushed them our the way and sat up in bed. "Slime you motherfucker! That's dangerous!" He knew well how dangerous it was, he was the one who told him the dangers. And while he's happy that Mariana cares, he's starting to regret it. He just wants to sleep.

"It'll be fine, it's just once." He tried to argue with her, but he knew he was right.

"Until it's not just once." Slime tried to get up so he could have an easier conversation, but the air was still struggling to enter his chest. Mariana must have been able to tell how winded he was. "See, you're already struggling, it's like you haven't taken a single break!" While Slime couldn't see his wife's face, the way he stopped his movements and went silent made Slime know exactly what his next words were going to be. "Have you taken your binder off at all today?"

Slime wanted to lie, but after all the therapy they've done together, he couldn't bring himself to lie to her. "No, I've worn it since before breakfast."

"Slime, what the fuck? You told me it was dangerous, you told me to remind you every morning, but you still do this?" Mariana's voice was full of worry, she was scared that Slime was hurting himself.

"I know I have, and I didn't want to, but my dysphoria has been so bad today, I couldn't handle the idea of seeing my boobs, so I just kept it on."

"If you're asleep, you can't see them." He was trying to help, but it wasn't that simple.

"I wish it were that simple."

The two were silent for a few moments before Mariana's weight moved from their bed. Slime reached over to grab his glasses so he could see what Mariana was doing. He saw her rummaging through their closet and pull something out. It was one of her sweaters, one that was oversized even on her, and was quite thick. He walked back over the bed and sat back down on it. "I need you to trust me on this and take off your shirt." Slime was a little confused, but took off his shirt anyways, exposing his binder. Mariana stared at it before speaking again. "I need you to trust me again, and take the binder off as well."

Slime felt unsure, it had been so long since he'd seen his breasts and the idea of seeing them now just made his stomach churn. Still, he wanted to trust Mariana, and he could put it back on, so he closed his eyes and undid the binder. As he pulled it away he grimaced at the weight that was pushed out from his chest, but immediately took in a big breath. It felt great to be able to properly breathe again.

Mariana took his hands and put the sweater in them. "Put it on." He did as his wife asked him to and pulled the sweater over his head. The sleeves covered the tips of his fingers and if he stood up, the hem would surely cover his ass. Despite this, he almost wished it was longer, the thick wool it was made of was so cosy.

"What does this have to do with my dysphoria?" He asked. He was going to steal the sweater, but what it had to do with the current situation confused him.

"Look down." Slime hesitated, he wasn't ready to feel the rush of dysphoria he had been waiting for all day, but he said he'd trust Mariana. He opened his eyes, and slowly looked down.

The thick wool made it hard to see. They were still pushing out from his chest and made him feel slightly dysphoric, but they were hard to see, and it was far less than he had felt this morning. "They're gone."

"Mostly." Slime was so overjoyed at not having to deal with as much dysphoria he had been fearing that he jumped into Mariana's arms.

"God, I love you."

He remembers why he didn't call the marriage a complete failure and actually put in effort to make it better. Mariana may have been one of his problems, but God was she good at fixing his other problems.

Chapter Text

Phil wanted to see his children, they needed him, and he needed them. Shame he was stuck in bed in a locked room where he didn't have access through the door. Not that his access mattered, as he didn't have the strength to even get out of bed. That in itself explained why he had to be isolated from the rest of the island. He was one of the strongest, both in general and with his immune system, yet this sickness struck him down with ease. Cucurucho had visited him as soon as he couldn't get out of bed, and explained that they had meant to rid the island of its never heard of before diseases before everyone got here, but in the end they ran out of time. Phil couldn't believe it, he was suffering from an illness he didn't know anything about. Cucurucho gave a bit of information, but not nearly enough, all that was learnt was that it was miserable to have (As if Phil hadn't already known that) and that it was highly contagious, which meant that he couldn't be around anyone for the few days it would take to heal up. Cucurucho said that everything would be fine and he would take care of Phil, which absolutely terrified him, but Missa quickly brought up the fact that he was half skeleton, and couldn't be affected by any disease, even if it existed solely on the island, so it should be no problem for him to take care of Phil. Phil silently thanked his husband for saving him from being watched over by Cucurucho for days on end.

So with that, the kids were sent off and Phil was put in a new temporary base until he was deemed fully healed. Phil tried to sleep as much of the sickness as he could away, bur he was still miserably awake for far too long. This lead him to think all about his kids and how much he missed them. "I want to see my kids."

Missa gave a light smile. "I know, you've said that five times in the past hour."

"We should call Bad and see how they're doing."

"We did that ten minutes ago, they're fine." Missa adored his husband, but sick Phil was a bit of an annoyance. Still, he signed up for this, both by asking to take care of him and by putting his ring on his finger.

"Can you message him and say I miss them at least?"

Missa nodded and pulled out his comm. "That should be fine." He sent the message and put the comm away, ready to get whatever his husband needed next.

The next request came seven minutes later. "Can I have something to drink?"

"Of course." Missa pulled a bottle of water out from his inventory and helped his husband drink it as he couldn't move his limbs very well. He pulled the bottle away and placed it back into his inventory, once again waiting for the next request.

"Can I have some food?"

Missa nodded and pulled out some avocado toast, once again helping his husband. So the routine of the past few hours continued. Phil would ask for something, Missa would help, they'd wait anywhere from five to ten minutes, and then they'd repeat. For some it may have been too much, but Missa would do anything for his husband, it's what he deserves after making him wait for so long.

Another ten minutes passed, and Phil opened his mouth, and Missa got ready to fulfill his next request, but was instead shocked by his incoming words. "I'm sorry I'm being so useless right now."

Missa immediately started to shush the thoughts. "You're not useless, you're just sick."

"Being sick is making me useless, I can't even feed myself, I should be out there taking care of the kids," his stare went sorrowful as he stared at Missa a few seconds longer, "You should be out there taking care of the kids, I'd hate to be taken care of by Cucurucho, but you deserve to spend some time with our kids, you had to miss so much time with them."

Missa hesitated at his words, but spoke the truth. "Thats somewhat why I'm doing this, I missed so much time, I need to show you I can be a decent husband, I can get someone to stand in as a parent for a few days, I can't get someone to stand in as your husband, well, I might be able to, but there's no way I'd let them, you put your ring on my finger, and I put mine on yours, it's time I took responsibility for it," he hesitated a few seconds more, "But don't think I'm doing this just because I feel like I have to, I'm mainly doing this because," I love you, "I care about you deeply." He wanted to say he loved Phil, but it felt too intimate at times. He was still getting used to the whole platonic marriage thing, and he hadn't had much time around Phil. He'd do it one day, but today, even if the situation was perfect for it, was not the day.

Phil smiled at him, he was doing something right, he was doing something to show that he was a worthy husband. "What would I do without you?"

"Be taken care of by Cucurucho." Phil laughed at his words. The negativity completely drifted away from the conversation, and they continued their routine. Water and good and checking in with the kids, it was all something the two had gotten used to. Another ten minutes passed since the last request, and Missa knew it was coming, but Phil surprised him with his request, but not like the last one.

"Can you hold my hand?"

Missa felt hesitant, but he wanted to, and he wanted to make Phil happy. "Oh, um, okay, I can do that." He reached over and gently held his hand, and he felt very aware of the fact he wasn't wearing his gloves and that Phil could feel his bare bones. "Is this good?"

"Yeah, I like this." He continued to hold his hand as long as he could while taking care of Phil's needs. When Phil fell asleep again, he didn't even let go, and he silently thanked the island for letting him get into a situation where he could be with Phil alone like this. And then he silently said sorry to Phil, because he knew he wasn't enjoying this. Mostly.

Chapter Text

I know no one likes an authors note but I find this to be important.

I'm just here to let you guys know that there may be a bigger gap than usual in the updates, I may find motivation to write in a day or two, or maybe it will come in a week, but I've recently experienced a major loss in my family and I would prefer there be an explanation so I don't have to answer anyone who asks in the comments where the updates have been.

I don't plan to abandon this book, but this has hit me heavily, so trying to write when I have these kinds of things on my mind will be difficult.

I'll still try when I can, but updates will likely be slower while I'm processing the loss.

I hope you all have a better time than me and that you will be patient while I'm trying to get cope, have a good day.

Chapter Text

"I think we need to-."

"There's better ways to do that."

"I didn't even say what my idea was!" Forever had invited a few of the islanders over to his presidential office to offer his ideas, but so far Bad hadn't even let him say his ideas.

"Yeah, you're not saying anything so how can we agree on your ideas?" Bad was using his oblivious nature to his advantage. Forever and Foolish were used to this (although Foolish didn't care as the behaviour wasn't directed at him), Jaiden was still torn between if he was actually that dumb or if it was all a joke, and Mouse was new enough that she just thought he was genuinely dumb.

"I would say it if you just let me say it." Forever was starting to lose his temper with Bad, he was lucky he was so attractive, because if he wasn't, Forever would have kicked him out long ago.

"I am letting you say what you want, you just aren't saying it." Bad continued on as if he were innocent in this situation. He also seemed to ignore Foolish's remarks.

"Can you two just fuck it out already? I had plans today." Foolish groaned, laying on the floor from boredom. Forever ignored his remarks.

"We also have plans," Mouse placed her hand on Jaiden's shoulder, "And we're running out of time, could you speed this up a bit?"

"Yeah, we're busy people, hurry up." Forever may very well murder Bad today, right here in his office.

Forever took a deep breath and sighed it all out, putting his head in his hands. "Just go do your plans, sorry I took your time, I thought I'd actually be able to explain my ideas and not have someone," he glared at Bad from between his fingers, "Interrupt every time I tried."

"Yeah, who would be so mean as to do that?" How Bad hasn't pissed off the whole island is a miracle.

Foolish hopped up from the floor and pulled out his warpstone. "Well, this was a waste of time, bye." He was gone seconds later. Jaiden and Mouse said their goodbyes and warped away as well, leaving only Forever and Bad.

"I hate you, Badboy." He should have known inviting Bad over to announce his ideas would only end in frustration from all parties except Bad.

Bad just tilted his head and smiled, walking over to Forever and moving his arms before taking a spot in Forever's lap with his chin on Forever's shoulder. "You love me."

Forever couldn't find it in him to be upset at Bad any longer. "I really do." He wrapped his arms around Bad's waist and the two cuddled in Forever's chair. Something they had found out early on in the relationship was that Bad sitting in Forever's lap was a much easier process than they thought it would be, as while Bad towered over Forever, most of his height was in his legs. This allowed the two to be fully face to face with eachother, and made kissing while they were in eachother's laps to be quite easy, something Bad decided to take advantage of as he pulled back and placed a kiss on Forever's lips.

"I wish I could do this more," Bad whispered, sadness evident. Forever wished so as well, but it wasn't possible in their circumstances. Bad was proudly an anarchist, he wanted the federation to lose their grasp and wasn't silent about it, and Forever was the president, the fact they were in a relationship was such a surprise already, if it got out it would ruin them. The people who supported them on either side would see that they weren't who they believed they were, and they would be left with only eachother, and while they loved eachother, they didn't want their entire worlds to centre down on eachother. Their current lives were lonely despite it all, not being able to tell anyone such an important part of their lives. Not even their children knew, they were obsessed with the idea of them getting married, so who knows how quickly news would spread if they knew.

"If only." The two cuddled for a while longer before Forever got a message from Cellbit saying that he was coming over. Bad got out of Forever's lap and they shared a kiss before bidding eachother goodbye, and seconds after Bad warps away, Cellbit arrives.

The conversation between the two was normal, simply about their plans for the island (including what Forever had been trying to talk about when Bad kept interrupting) expert for Forever being a tad bit quieter due to the sorrow that came with having to hide his relationship with Bad from the entire island. Cellbit picked up on the sorrow, and after they finished their talk, he brought it up. "Are you feeling alright?"

Forever tensed at the question, he hadn't realised he was being so obvious. "Yeah, just a little tired is all." He hoped his lie was convincing, but Cellbit just stared at him with judging eyes.

"You can tell me what's on your mind, I won't judge you." He will judge, he just doesn't know it.

"I'm just tired and stressed, that's it, there's nothing deeper about it." Forever's voice was harsher than he meant for it to be. "Sorry, there's just a lot on my mind right now."

Cellbit nodded at him. "Have a rest, you need it," he looked away before speaking again, "I won't ask what's going on again, but I still think it's important you tell someone, this has been happening alot, I can tell it's eating up at you, and I don't want you to be overly stressed about it." He did tell someone, it's just that he can't tell anyone but Bad.

Forever was the one to nod this time, "I'll do that, rest and speak to someone." Cellbit could once again tell he was lying, but ignored it this time and warped away. Forever leaned back in his chair, and bemoaned the situation he found himself in. Everything seemed so easy before his presidency. One thing had lead to another the day before everything was announced and he and Bad had gotten together, and they ended up together with the plan to tell everyone soon after seeing how long it took for someone to guess, but then the anarchy came, and everything became difficult and they couldn't say anything without risking their reputations. Sometimes Forever thinks about what would happen if he just proudly said Bad was his boyfriend without worrying about the consequences, but he knows he would worry, and that despite how difficult everything was now, everything would just be more difficult if they came out about their relationship. He really did need that rest Cellbit offered.

Forever was passing by the museum when he noticed the crowd that was gathered around it, and decided to investigate. He pushed past some people and sae that the doors were completely barricaded with Cucurucho standing in front of it with Bad talking to him.

"Why are you being so secretive about what's it there? Is this a trick?" Bad repeatedly questioned.

"What's going on?" Forever asked the two, but mainly stared at Bad. It had been a few days since he last saw him in his office and he always forgot just how beautiful he was. Still, he couldn't let his emotions get to him, they were enemies in public.

"We have an impromptu event." Cucurucho's robotic voice stated.

"Did you plan this?" Bad crossed his arms and asked.

"I asked what was going on, why would I know?" The two easily fell back into the act they had learnt to play.

"There has to be a reason the museum is blocked off, so tell me why."

"Didn't you hear? It's an event, the event probably takes place inside the museum, I have nothing to do with this, the federation tells me nothing." Forever became louder as he defended himself.

"Doesn't that just show you how useless your position is? Wouldn't it just be easier to give it up?" Despite the fact his words were clearly aimed at his previous, there was a hint of truth in there. How much easier would their relationship be if Forever wasn't president? Would they finally get to be open about it? Or would they at least get those supporting Bad on their side even if those who want a president don't support them? Love is difficult and there is a separate question in every question.

"My position is very important, and the islanders need me, I can't just give it up." He answered the secret question as well, and by Bad's facial expression he knew that Bad had meant for the question to be hidden within his words.

While the two were arguing, a few more islanders arrived, and Cucurucho decided there were enough people. "We have a special event today, the museum has a theme today, and we have included a few photos, as this is a real topic on the island."

Bad went back to talking with Cucurucho. "What's the topic?"

"Classified," Cucurucho answered as if they weren't going to know in just a moment.

Bad and Forever looked at eachother, not exchanging any words. They were both confused about what was going on, but they couldn't genuinely ask eachother with so many people around.

"Enjoy," Cucurucho stated as he extended an arm sideways to invite everyone into the museum, where the baracade was now retreating into the ground. As Bad was much taller, and in the very front, his gasp at the contents inside came first, making everyone intrigued and even more confused, before being followed by a series of everyone else's gasps. Right in front of them, in full view of the door, was a clear photo of the scene that took place in Forever's office a few days before, with Bad sitting on Forever's lap and their lips connected in a kiss. People hesitated outside for a few seconds before moving in, leaving Bad and Forever outside before moving in themselves. Everything in the gallery was similar, art works of romance and secrecy paired with numerous photos of the two on secret dates and even one that looked to be taken after their latest lustful encounter. The islanders were gasping and murmering while the victims of the event could only stand in silence and shock.

Richarlyson and Dapper, who had been with other parents, were the first to say something to them. "So you're getting married?" Dapper asked with far too much glee.

"I knew playing cupid would do something!" Richarlyson said with the same amount of glee.

"I- no- yes- well-." There was nothing the two could say that would fix the situation, their relationship was out in the open now, and they couldn't lie about anymore with all this evidence against their lies.

They saw Phil walk over to them, fuck, someone who had a reason to disapprove of their relationship. He put a hand on Forever's shoulder. "Congrats on finally moving on from Brunim mate, and me, a healthy relationship looks good on you, no wonder you two have been so happy lately." Wait, what? Shouldn't he be livid that a fellow anarchist is dating the president?

"You're not upset?" Bad asked, as genuinely confused as Forever was.

Phil just tilted his head and smiled. "Why would I be upset, you two are a good match, I always suspected you two were together but I just thought it would be too weird to ask."

Cellbit came up from behind them and took a hold of Bad's arm. "So you're the reason Forever's been so different lately, I thought this day would never happen." Cellbit's tone was upbeat, and it confused them even more. Surely he should also be upset.

"You're okay with this?" Forever asked.

"Why wouldn't I be? You were supportive when I started dating Roier, of course I'll be happy with your partner." Cellbit smiled at him.

"Also he ships you two." Dapper supplied.

"He helps me write fanfiction about you two." Richarlyson added.

"Shhh." Cellbit shushed the two. Several other people came up to them and asked why they kept it secret and told them that they're happy that they've found happiness in eachother, and the two were left shocked, this whole mess should have ended in anger and feeling betrayed, but people were so nice about it all.

"So you're all just, fine with us dating despite being President and an anarchist?" Bad asked after many congrats.

"Duh, why wouldn't we? We've been trying to get you fuckers together for so long, imagine our surprise when we find out you've already been dating," Foolish answered.

Forever was overtaken with emotion. He could openly love his boyfriend without worrying about what the reputation would become. He reached up to Bad's shoulders and pulled him down into a kiss, ignoring everyone around them. They'd no longer have to care about what others were doing around them when they interacted, because they'd just get to be their regular in love selves, and they couldn't wait to see what their openly loving future held.

A few days later, a scene similar to the one that had been held before took place.

"Can I please say my idea?" Forever asked as his patience was tested.

"Yes, you can," Bad answered.

"Okay, so my idea is-."

"That's not a very good idea," Bad interrupted. Despite no longer pretending to be enemies, Bad never pretended to be annoying.

"What if my idea was to kiss you?" Forever just wanted Bad to let him say his goddamn idea.

Bad smiled as if he had done nothing wrong in his life ever. "But that wasn't your idea, but it is a good one." Bad got closer and leaned in to give Forever a kiss.

"I hate this, can you two go back to pretending to not be dating?" Foolish groaned at what had become a similar sight. The two girls has given up on these idea meetings and rejected Forever's offer to come to the next, so it was just the couple and Foolish.

Bad pulled away from Forever and gave a teasing smile. "You're just jealous that Forever got me first, I gave you so many chances and you turned me down at every turn, this is only your fault."

"No! I am a faithful boyfriend!" He waved his banana at the two. Forever just laughed, his Bad and pretend Bad had merged together after their relationship became public, and he became a sweet but annoyingly teasing person again. He loved this Bad, he loved every version of Bad there was. He was somewhat glad their relationship had been pushed to the public, because now he got Bad all the time, and he couldn't be happier about that.

Chapter Text

Chayanne had a lot to worry about suddenly. His hands dug into his folded legs in worry, that was also something to worry about. He had hands. And a variety of other body parts he didn't have as an egg. On the other hand, Tubbo was lacking a lot of features he had as a human, because in some strange moment of this island's overpowering code, Chayanne turned into a human (Or rather he followed his dads path and became a crow hybrid) and Tubbo converted into an egg. He had his goggles on his head, and was waving around a stick, enamoured with the way it moved despite his new lack of arms.

"Are you okay?" He didn't know how he knew how to speak, he didn't have vocal cords as an egg, but now he had them and this new (adult, he finally noticed) body he was put into had made up muscle memory that allowed him to. It was strange hearing a mixture of British and Argentine accents come from his voice, let alone an adult's voice, it was strange even hearing a voice.

Tubbo just stopped waving the stick around and paused for a few seconds before bouncing a few times. Right, no vocal cords. He reached into his inventory and handed Tubbo his signs, he wouldn't need them while he could speak. Tubbo immediately placed the sign down and started writing. He pulled away once done and allowed Chayanne to read it. 'I fel like egg.'

Chayanne laughed at the words. God, laughing was never something he thought would be so enjoyable. "You are an egg, it makes sense that you feel like one." The amusement of being human washed away and worry came back. Tubbo was an egg. He was now fragile and had to be taken care of and quite possibly only had two lives. Who knows, maybe they simply switched code slightly and he was only left with one. He needed to find him a parent. No, he couldn't rely on someone else for this, he had to man up and be a father. Chayanne was only five months old but Tubbo needed him, he already treated him like a brother, he could treat him like a son. He opened up his inventory and looked over at the quests. His dads were the ones who told him the quests, so he never found a reason to tap it before, but might as well end that streak now. The menu popped up and he looked at what had to be done. 'Feed the baby.'

Chayanne hesitated. That seemed like an oddly easy quest for the day. He looked over at Tubbo who was bouncing on the spot. Maybe the federation was what caused the two to swap species, and they were letting them both ease into it. Oddly kind for the federation. "What do you want to eat?" He asked as he looked through his food backpack.

Tubbo turned around and placed down another sign, backing away afterwards to let Chayanne read, 'burger.' He nodded and combined some ingredients before handing the new egg the burger. It floated in front of Tubbo in the typical held item fashion the eggs had. Chayanne stared at Tubbo, waiting for him to eat it, but he put it in his inventory and placed down another sign. Chayanne tilted his head as he waited for the words to pop up. Why wasn't he eating? His question was answered as Tubbo once again stepped back so he could read the sign. 'I have no mouth.' Being an egg all his life meant he never thought much about his biology, and therefore the idea of eating without a mouth being strange was never something he had to think about.

Chayanne tried to think of how to explain the way he would eat as an egg, but when it's something as simple and repeated as eating, it's difficult to explain. "Just, think about it really hard." Tubbo pulled out the bigger again and held it for a few seconds before the sound of eating occurred and it disappeared. Tubbo jumped up and down again due to how happy he was that he had learnt how to eat again. Chayanne sighed as he realised how difficult being a father was, how did his dad do this for so long with both him and Tallulah? The thought of his dad sparked new thoughts, how was he supposed to tell him about this? He looked at the next quest. 'Take the baby to meet with a friend.' Now would be the best time to come clean about the situation he and Tubbo found themselves in.

He looked down at the new egg again, "How about we go see Pa?" Tubbo stood still and Chayanne was confused as to why he wasn't answering, but he remembered about the lack of head (or rather visible head) and put a helmet on Tubbo, causing him to finally be able to see the frantic nodding of Tubbo's head. Being on other end really makes you think about the strange logic that revolved around the eggs. "Alright then, let's get going." Chayanne stood up and spent a few seconds getting used to his elongated legs before heading off in the direction of the wall. They were close and Phil should be at the bottom of the wall today, so they saw no point in warping. He was still getting used to being so much taller, so he had to stop several times to let Tubbo catch up to him. It was difficult having such short legs. They saw Phil in the distance and Chayanne stopped, suddenly realising that he had no idea how to go up to him. How was he supposed to tell Phil that his son had become a human man and the babysitter he got for him was now an egg.

In his worry over how to tell Phil the situation, he missed Tubbo catching up again, and only realised when he was running towards Phil and Tallulah. "Tubbo, wait!" He didn't think about his volume, half because he's still getting used to even being able to speak, and Phil and Tallulah look their way. Chayanne half runs up to Tubbo and stops him, but it's too late, Phil and Tallulah walked over to them. Tallulah bounced up and down with Tubbo, while Phil started a conversation.

"I didn't realise there was another new person on the island," he looked down at Tubbo, "Where did you get an egg? The others haven't even got theirs yet." Phil hadn't realised he was Chayanne yet, mostly because he was a human and had no duck floatie on, it had been substituted for a yellow belt and duck earring. He could very easily lie and say he was a new person, and that he had no connection to Phil, but that would only spiral into worse things when Phil can no longer find egg Chayanne, and later when he can no longer find Tubbo.

"I'm not new, I've been around for quite a few months." He tried to ease into it.

Phil just tilted his head. "No, I know the inhabitants, this is the first time I'm seeing you."

Chayanne shook his head. "No, you've seen me many times, I just, am not usually human." Chayanne had meant to ease into it more, but Phil took a few seconds to look over him a bit and took note of the wings and the blonde hair and the black eyes and the mask and got it before he could say it himself.

"Chayanne?"

"Yeah," he said with a nod. He moved over to where Tallulah and Tubbo were and picked Tubbo up. "As I said, this is Tubbo."

Phil just stared at the two, before slowly speaking. "How did this happen?"

"No idea, Pa, one second I was an egg, the next I was a father."

Phil once again tilted his head. "You can't be a father, you're five months old."

"We celebrated my birthday every month, that basically makes me five." He stood his ground. Tubbo needed a father right now, and Chayanne cared so deeply about him, he had to step up to the role.

"That's still not-." Phil cut off his own words and pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "How are you doing for quests?"

"Two down, fed him and now he's met up with you," Chayanne pulls up the menu again and reads the next, 'Take the baby to the museum,' "And now we have to do another."

Phil was still on edge about the situation, but Chayanne was going to go on no matter what. "Stay safe okay? And keep Tubbo safe as well."

Chayanne nodded. "Sure thing Pa," he turned around to head to the museum, "Love you, I'll see you later tonight!"

Phil gave another sigh, "Alright, love you too." Chayanne carried Tubbo away.

Carrying Tubbo was much easier than walking together. He himself hated being carried in egg form, he felt too round and it felt as though he was losing his freedom, but Tubbo was calm and happy to be carried around. They got to the museum and looked around at the art. Tubbo was getting used to writing to get his thoughts out, and Chayanne was patient in waiting for answers. It's different being on the other end of the signs, the eggs could wordlessly communicate with eachother, so reading the signs weren't something he did much.

Near the end of the museum, they find an art piece that depicted Tubbo as an egg. 'Coincidence? I think not,' Tubbo had written. Chayanne just replied, "Yes, @idiotbanshees is the reason we're like this, we have our answer." Tubbo bounced up and down at his reply. He felt his heart swell, Tubbo was already dear to him and he considered him a brother figure, but the way he was feeling now felt so different. Is this how Phil felt with him and Tallulah? The feeling of fatherhood felt amazing, he was gonna miss this if, no, when, he turned back to an egg. Maybe he can find a way to adopt Tubbo despite being an egg? He'll have to look into it later.

They eventually finished up with the museum, and noticed how late it was getting. It was a good idea to go home, so they warped to the bunker. Phil and Tallulah weren't home, but that was fine, it was Chayanne's house too. Chayanne told Tubbo to get his bed out, but as he saw Tubbo pull out a human bed, he realised that he wasn't given an egg bed, so he pulled out his own instead and placed it down for him, taking the human bed from him to use for himself, as he certainly wasn't fitting in an egg bed anymore. Tubbo took off his helmet and put it in his inventory before taking off his goggles and placing them on the foot of the bed, the accessories not made for inventory use. He got into the covers and Chayanne looked at the final quest for the day. 'Tell the baby a story about your childhood.' He was currently living his childhood, so sounds easy enough.

"Once upon a time, there was a little egg named Chayanne." He had never told a story before, so it felt awkward to speak the words, but he'd listened to enough of his dad's stories to know what he was doing. "He had many friends and siblings, and he'd consider all his siblings his friends, but never before had he considered a friend a sibling, until one day, he met a man named Tubbo." He saw Tubbo move around at his name being said. "He immediately knew something was different with Tubbo, and he treated him with as much love as he would his siblings, he wanted Tubbo to be his sibling, and he hoped Tubbo wanted him to be his sibling as well." He thought about if his current situation still counted as his childhood, and he came to the conclusion of yes. "But then something happened, and Tubbo became an egg while he became human, and those feelings started to change, and he began to see him more as a son. He didn't know what would happen, but as long as Tubbo saw him as family, he would be fine." He ended his story and saw Tubbo pull out a sign and start writing. 'Ur like 5 months old so it's a bit weird, but I'll be ur son if u want.' Chayanne was overjoyed and gave Tubbo a kiss on his forehead. Tubbo fell asleep soon after, and Chayanne put his bed beside Tubbo, and fell asleep on his own. He was a father, only five months old and he had a son and he couldn't be happier.

When Chayanne woke up, he was in the egg bed. He was an egg again, oh how he missed this. He looked over at Tallulah's bed and saw her sleeping away. He turned over to his over side and saw Tubbo now in the human bed, as a human. His son was human again! This would be a strange thing for people to get used to, egg father and human son, but they'd get used to it eventually, especially of they knew how happy Chayanne was to be a father.

Phil may take a bit longer, if the face plant he did when the two told him the adoption news said anything.

Chapter Text

Missa was in front of the castle, hesitant to go inside. He had asked the two inhabitants of the castle if he could come over and get some advice, but never actually told them what advice he needed from them. Despite the vague ask, they accepted and invited him over. He could leave now and keep his secret, one that would ruin his life if it got out prematurely, but he could also go through with it and potentionally change his life for the better, or for the worse, an evil, useless part of his mind supplied. He wanted to leave, this was a horrible idea.

"There you are, you're allowed to come in, you know." Too late, they found him.

"Just admiring the outside, it's gorgeous." They saw through his lie, but didn't say anything.

"It really is beautiful, I'm lucky to live here with such a beautiful man as well." Roier grabbed Cellbit's waist with an arm and kissed him on the cheek after he spoke. Missa felt slightly uncomfortable at the display of romantic affection in front of him. They were so deeply in love, and while it caused others to become annoyed at times, it was the exact reason he needed their help.

"So, about my problem." He spoke before they could flirt anymore.

"Oh right, you never told us what you needed advice on." Cellbit leaned into Roier's side.

Missa hesitated again. Maybe it wasn't too late to double back on all this and leave. No, he had to do this. "Can we go inside?" He asked.

"Of course, this way." They led him inside a bit, making sure they were inside enough that no one could hear him. They stopped and looked at him, ready for him to tell them his problems.

He took a few seconds to calm his nerves and spilled his darkest secret, "I'm in love with Phil and I don't know what to do."

The two tilted their heads at his words. "Isn't he your husband? You should be in love with him," Roier asked.

"He's my platonic husband, when we first had Chayanne he told me it would be best if we were married but that it should remain platonic, I thought I could be okay with that, but everyday I'm married to him I just fall deeper and deeper in love with him and I want this whole thing to be romantic." It felt nice to finally spill his worries over his marriage, everyone tended to believe they couldn't have any issues because they seemed so happy together. They were happy together, but the specifics of how they were together still left much to be desired.

"So, I'm guessing you want to ask him out?" Cellbit asked.

"Yes," he said with a nod.

"Is there something stopping you from asking him out? Phil's so sweet, even if he says no, there's no way he'd let it ruin what you two have." It was Roier's turn to ask the question.

"Have you looked at me?" While Missa wasn't the least attractive person on the island, Phil was still far out of his league, "If he wanted romance, he has others who are much more attractive ready to have him."

"I'm looking and I just see a sexy man who's husband is probably dying to take him to bed." Roier complimented in his normal fashion.

"On a more normal note, Phil isn't the kind of guy to just go for the most conventially attractive guy, he's stayed loyal to you all this time, they way he talked about you while you were away just says so much, if you ask him out, I have no doubt he'll accept." Cellbit tried his best to get Missa's confidence up. Both their words were working.

"You really think he loves me?"

The two nodded, "Definitely."

Missa fiddled with his sleeves, "How would I even go about asking him out? I've never done this before, how did you ask eachother out?" Maybe he could go somewhat off them. Their relationship was the standard, so maybe their confession could also be a standard.

The two looked rather embarrassed at his question. "I was really overtaken by emotion and just asked him to marry me randomly," Cellbit explained. Great, that's no help.

"That says alot at least, just say what your heart says and he'll give an answer, probably a really good answer." Roier piggybacked off of his husband's answer.

Their words were making him more confident, he could do this. He would do this. "Thank you, I have to go put your advice to the test."

"Good luck," Cellbit spoke.

"Go get that dick!" Roier encouraged.

Missa laughed and warped home, ready to find Phil and speak his feelings. Phil was on the edge of the wall, the kids were off with their friends today so they both had used the day to get some rest. Phil needed it far more than Missa. "I'm home."

Phil looked over at Missa and gave a gentle smile, "Welcome back Mate, heard you went to Cellbit and Roier's." That smile made him feel as though he was falling in love yet again. He doesn't know what miracle he made happen in his life before the island, but he sure is glad he did so to have the karma to be paired with such a perfect man and get to call him his husband.

"Yeah, had to get some advice from them." Missa planned to confess as soon as possible.

"Advice?" Phil asked with a tilt of his head.

"Just some love advice, you know?" Turns out getting to the point is harder than he thought it would be, he has no idea what he is doing.

Phil's face twisted into a strange expression. Shit, was he onto him? "Why would you need love advice?" Shit, he either knew he was in love with him or thought he was cheating on him, maybe he can find some way to lie and say he meant advice on how to make their marriage better. But it was already one of the best! He had to come clean, he needed to stop running from his feelings.

"Because," he hesitated with his words, trying to find the best, "I've been in love with you for a long time, but after you said what we had was platonic, I knew I had to pretend I wasn't, but I want to at least have the chance for something more, so I went over to Cellbit and Roier's so I could get a confidence boost and so I could know a good way to confess, and they said just to say what my heart said, and my hearts giving this apparently." As he ended his words, he felt a rush of anxiety flood through his body. He fucked up, there's no way Phil would return his feelings, there's no way he'd even want to see him after this.

Phil stared at the man with shock, and Missa braced for the worst, and thought he was receiving the worst when Phil started to laugh, but then he started to speak. "You're way too tense Mate, I'm not gonna shout at you." That only calmed him down slightly, but it was calming none the less. Phil got up from his spot on the edge and walked over to Missa, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're really brave for confessing, since I reject everyone who does so," he began to look flustered and Missa became confused at the flush on his face before he began to speak, "And especially since I couldn't even find the courage to tell you that I loved you first, but you made the effort, so I'll give my answer, I love you."

Missa's heart began to beat faster, he loved him? It wasn't one-sided? He didn't know how to process his emotions at his words, let alone process English, so he pulled off his mask and closed the distance between them in a kiss, which shocked Phil for a few seconds before he began to kiss back. The first kiss between them, and it was absolutely perfect. The two pulled away from eachother, blush evident on both their faces. "You look so handsome, you should go without your mask more often." Missa blushed at Phil's words.

"You're lucky I love you, only reason you get to see it as much as you do." He hid his face in Phil's neck.

Despite not being able to see his face, Phil's voice showed his smile. "I am so lucky you are my husband."

Missa kissed him once again, now that their feelings were out in the open, Missa was going to take advantage of the romance. Missa was the lucky one, getting the love of someone who had rejected so many others, all in his name.

Chapter Text

Missa knew the way he grew up was different, but not strange. Every person his ancestory married their highschool sweetheart, except for the many who died in their teenage years. When he passed highschool and didn't have a partner, he thought he was fucked, but his teenage years flew by and he was fine. His parents were strangely relieved that he hadn't even had a crush on someone in highschool, which he always found strange, considering they believed romance was the most important thing in the family, but like many of the strange things in his family, he moved on from it.

The strangeness in his family was likely why he accepted the island so quickly, even when they paired him up with a stupidly attractive man and told them they had a child now.

"He has your eyes, probably." Phil had tried to calm his own nerves over the strangeness of the island.

"Yep, those are my eyes." One strange thing about the island, is that ever since they got paired together, Missa felt his heart beat faster and his body warm more than usual. It was strange, but pleasant.

"He's a real cutie." Phil picked up Chayanne, and Missa felt his body warm even more. He didn't get to enjoy the pleasantness much longer, as he felt a coughing fit force it's way out of his body. Phil reached over to rub at his back as coughs flew from his throat. "Holy shit, are you good Mate?"

Missa managed to get the coughs to stop and he nodded weakly. Where did all that come from? He got back up and felt something soft pressing against his chin, so he reached under his mask to pull it out. In his hand was a small, yellow petal. Phil also looked down at what was in his hand. "How did that get there?"

The petal was slightly wet. "I think I might have accidently eaten it."

Phil tilted his head. "How?"

Missa just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know." He threw the petal on the ground. "We should get back to the quests."

Phil nodded in agreement.

Life went by as usual, just with the occasional petal that he coughed up. He was confused and annoyed, since coughing up petals was not fun, and he doesn't know how he keeps getting them in his throat. None of the other islanders have this issue, so why does he have it? Still, he went on with his life, mostly ignoring it. Eventually he had to leave the island for important business, and he had his tearful goodbye with Phil, and got back on the train. As soon as the doors closed, he had another coughing fit, an action he had gotten for too used to over the past days. This time he took off his mask, no longer having to hide his face from others, and gasped when he saw two petals near where his mouth was. So far he had only coughed up single petals. Perhaps he should have worried sooner, but it finally hit him that perhaps he wasn't accidently eating petals. He didn't know where the petals came from, but chances were they weren't coming from outside him. He stumbled to a seat and sat down, there was something going on with him that he wanted answers to, but he couldn't get then, or at least he didn't know how to get them.

He spent months fearfully coughing up petals, scared each time that there would be more. There never were, but the fear stuck. His fear grew and grew, and eventually he couldn't take it anymore, and he looked up his condition, desperate to see if there was any explanation as to what was happening to him. The very first thing that came up was something called 'Hanahaki.' He had never heard of it before, so it was his first lead as to what could possibly be happening to him.

He read on, feeling a small bit of relief at the fact that it described exactly what was happening to him, but felt fear as he read further.

"This disease will cause you to cough up flower petals, the cause being unrequited love."

He didn't have unrequited love, he wasn't in love with anyone. He tried to think about any other reason that could cause it, but his mind lands on Phil, and how he had been acting around him. The fast beating heart and the warmth that spread across his body. He coughed up some more flower petals. Holy shit, he was in love with Phil. Phil was the reason he had been coughing up petals. He read on, needing to know more about this disease it seemed like he had.

"The coughing is only the first stage, as time goes on, and the further in love you fall, there will be more petals until there are eventually flower, and you will begin to throw them up instead."

Missa grimaced, the petals and coughing were hard enough, he could handle throwing up entire flowers. There had to be something to stop this.

"With the cause being unrequited love, the obvious cure is for that love to become requited, studies have shown that it must be romantic love. There is however a second cure, which is to have surgery to remove the disease, this however had it's side affects, and will cause you to lose not only your feelings for the desired, but also your memories of them."

Missa did not like the idea of forgetting about Phil, so it seems the only way is for the love to become unrequited. Something easier said than done, and he had heard from both Phil and others, that romance is not at all on his bucket list. Maybe he can just deal with the flowers until he falls out of love. His eyes scan the the next sentence.

"If this love does not become requited, and you do not get the surgery, flowers will continue to clog up your lungs until you eventually suffocate to death on them."

Fear stuck through Missa's heart. He could die from this? He thought at most it would be annoying and unpleasant. His heart clenched and pain and worry shot through him, but he had to keep reading, he had to know more.

"The disease still has unknown origination, but can be traced back to a long time ago. It can find itself in random people, but can often be passed down for generations, the longest line of people to each have it has been found at twenty three generations, in an Argentine family called the Sinfonia family."

He felt like throwing up, but not because of the diseases effects. Was this why everyone married their highschool sweetheart? Because otherwise they'd just meet the fate of the numerous dead people in his family? He turned off his computer. He couldn't bare to read any more. He needed to get back to the island, he needed to find Phil and get rid of this disease. How he was going to get rid of the disease? He still had no idea, but his life was on the line.

The very next day, he was back on the island, and he immediately tried to find Phil. Luckily, he found him easily.

"Missa, where the fuck have you been?" Phil took Missa in his arms, and Missa knew he was fucked, his feelings bloomed as Phil touched him.

"So many places." He wanted to say more, but coughing hit him again, the others around him worried but once he stopped he said everything was fine. Phil was worried about how bad his coughing had been, and suggested getting it checked out. He said he would, but he wouldn't. When the others weren't focusing on him, he reached beneath his mask and got ready to pull out the petals, but he let out a silent gasp as he felt a single small flower pressed against his mask.

It was getting worse, just from being around Phil. He pulled the flower out and disposed of it without anyone knowing, and went on with the day.

####

Missa thought he'd have more time, but the very next day, he woke up and just by feeling Phil's arm around him in a cuddle made him have to get out and throw up over the side of the wall. Along with chunks of last night's dinner, several flowers fell from his mouth. Whoever finds that mess is going to be confused. The days went by with numerous occasions of Missa having to excuse himself to throw up. He knew Phil was worried about him, but he had no idea how to tell him without explaining that be was in love with him. Phil didn't act in love with him, so he didn't want to risk confessing and making his condition even worse. He's not sure how much worse it can get though, breathing was getting harder and harder.

####

Missa was taking a rest to try and get air back into his cramped lungs. Tears well in his eyes as he came to the conclusion that it truly was over for him, he'd slowly suffocate on flowers and there was no saving him.

"Hello." He heard a robotic voice in front of him. He didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Hi Cucurucho." He was struggling not to cough up petals.

"Is your hanahaki bothering you?" It should shock him that he knows about his hanahaki, but the federation knows far too much, if he hadn't learnt that his family kept passing down hanahaki, he'd assume the federation gave it to him as some sick joke.

"It's always bothering me." He finally couldn't hold it any more and coughed up several flowers, which made more room in his lungs, although he knew the space would be filled again soon enough.

"I can help you." The words caused Missa to look up at him as he pulled the flowers out from under his mask.

"How?" he asked far too eagerly.

"There is a surgery, but there are side effects." Ah, he had forgotten that was an option. He told himself he wouldn't go through with it, but at this point? It was the only way he was making it out of this situation alive.

He looked down at his hands. "I know the consequences, and," he hesitated to fully answer, but as seconds ticked on, he knew he had to make his choice, "And I'll do the surgery."

"Excellent, follow me." Missa began to freak out, accidently coughing up more flowers.

"Wait," he coughed some more, "Can I see my husband one last time before I forget him?"

Cucurucho just stared at him for several moments, and Missa was scared that he was going to say no, but he finally spoke. "Yes."

Missa immediately warped home, he wanted the flowers gone as soon as possible, even if he was dreading not remembering Phil. It would be fine, the next version of him can happily have their platonic marriage while Phil helps him make new memories. He saw his husband and immediately ran up to him. "Phil, I have to talk to you about something."

Phil immediatly noticed his rushed voice and became worried. "Mate, what's wrong?"

Missa immediatly spilt what he was doing. "I'm going to have surgery, and it will erase all my memories of you."

Phil just stared at him for a few seconds before letting out a loud, "What!?"

Missa realised it'd be best to explain it, but he couldn't say it was hanahaki. "You know my coughing?" Phil nodded his head. "It's been getting worse and worse and it's turned into constant vomiting."

Phil's face turned worried, "So that's why you've been running off so much lately?"

Missa nodded, "It's been difficult to hide."

Phil obviously wanted answers as to why he thought he needed to hide it, but asked another question instead. "And what does this have to do with you needing surgery?"

"It's been getting worse and worse, and the condition that causes it is bound to kill me if I don't get the surgery." He tried to be vague with his words.

"I don't want you to die but," Phil hesitated, "Why would the surgery make you forget about me?"

"Please, don't ask that question," Missa felt as though he was going to cry, or throw up, Phil was making this difficult, he wanted to cancel the surgery and just spend his final days loving him, but he didn't want to die, and it would make Phil sadder than if he were to lose all memories of him. "I need to do this, and I want it to be easy."

Phil stared at him with sorrow evident in his eyes. "If you need to, I can't stop you, but can I please just say one thing before you lose your memories?"

Missa feared the words, but it's not like he'd remember them in a matter of hours. "Yeah, say what you want."

Phil hesitated but reached up to cup the sides of Missa's face. Missa's heart was racing and he had to keep down vomit, throwing up now would be horrible, even if he could actively feel flowers filling him up. "I love you." Missa had heard the words many times before, and he understood that it was platonically, which is why his next words shocked him. "And that's why this hurts so much, I want you alive, but having you around without remembering me will hurt, the man I fell in love with won't remember what we had."

Missa gasped at the words. By what he learnt, his hanahaki would be gone now, and he wouldn't have to go through surgery, and he could remember Phil and become a romantic couple! Despite how overjoyed he was, he felt a familiar nauseating feeling in his stomach. He pulled away from Phil and pulled off his mask, not caring that someone else could potentially see his face, and hurled.

####

He felt as though he was emptying everything, his breakfast and seemingly every flower in his body. He never thought about how they'd finally get out out of his body, but now that he was experiencing it, this way made sense. Phil rubbed at his back and placed a bucket onto the floor, he'd already thrown up onto the floor, but this would make clean up easier. After what felt like far too long, his stomach, and surprisingly lungs, were empty.

####

He didn't have a single flower in his body anymore.

"Holy shit, you're vomiting did get bad." Phil said, looking at the vomit as if it weren't vomit. He noticed the flowers, "You've still got petals, well, flowers inside you?" He asked, shocked.

Missa smiled at his husband. "Not anymore, that's the last of them and they won't be coming back."

"Well, it's nice that you'll be free of them before you go into surgery, it's been nice knowing you, I mean, I'll still know you, you just won't know me." Phil was miserable that he wouldn't remember him, and Missa was overjoyed that he'd get to explain hanahaki to him.

"I won't be going into surgery anymore, you just fixed it." Phil tilted his head in confusion, and Missa got to work explaining what hanahaki was and how it had ran in his family for many generations.

Phil stared at him in disbelief for seconds after before finally speaking, "Why the fuck didn't you tell me, I could have saved you so much suffering!?"

Missa just looked away, embarrassed, "Have you seen how much you reject? I thought I'd surely be rejected and die immediately."

Phil opened his mouth but closed it immediately after, then opened it again to actually speak. "Okay, I guess that's true, but holy shit I was so close to losing you."

"Good thing you won't lose me." He took in a deep breath. "It feels great to have no flowers inside me again, I feel like I can finally function normally, I should go somewhere tomorrow."

Phil gave him a sweet smile. "How about we go on a date tomorrow?"

Missa's heart beat faster, and he was expecting to throw up or cough, but it didn't happen, he was cured. "Yeah, um, I'd really like that." Having hanahaki may just be the best thing that ever happened to him, he surely would have never gone on a date with easily the most attractive man on the island otherwise. He could forgive the months of suffering if it lead him to this.

Chapter Text

Foolish kicked at a rock, he had been waiting for Bad for ages. They were supposed to meet up ten minutes ago. He knew that Bad was always down to annoy him, but being late is just too annoying. He texted him a few more time, but just like the last two messages, they went unanswered. He scrolled back up the the last text Bad had sent before he stopped answering.

Bad: I'll be there soon, I just have to stop by Forever's office for a chat ^-^

Foolish sighed and decided he would just break into their meeting and drag Bad out of there. What could possibly be so important that he had to miss on their meeting? Bad was the one that constantly reminded him he and Forever weren't dating, which means Foolish is still the most important.

He used the elevator and was prepared to start screaming for Bad to get the fuck over to the meeting spot but stopped at the sight he saw.

Bad was sitting in Forever's chair, while Forever sat in his lap, both of them were packing anything covering their chests as they went at eachother's mouths. One of Bad's hands was on Forever's waist while the seconds was pulling at Forever's braid. Both of Forever's arms were wrapped around Bad's neck. Foolish quickly went down the elevator and screamed. Seeing your best friend making out with the man who he repeatedly told him he was not dating was something Foolish never wanted to see. He knew Bad wasn't innocent, but seeing him do things he would pretend to not understand just made Foolish feel like he didn't know Bad as well as he thought.

Ten minutes later, Bad arrived at the spot they planned to meet up at. "Took longer than I expected," Bad explained. He looked as though nothing had happened between him and Forever, his lips weren't even bruised. Foolish guessed that he used his demon magic to heal himself up.

"Did you get tied up by Forever?" Foolish was mostly over the shock now, and he was ready to tease Bad. He was glad that the English language allowed him to make so many sex jokes by using every day phrases.

"Yeah, you know Forever, he always needs my attention." Foolish laughed at the answer and was yelled at by Bad. Worth it.

Cellbit called Forever once again, and was once again met by voicemail. He had an urgent discussion he wanted to make about the newest resident, but Forever wasn't answering. He tried texting several times, but even those weren't being answered. He thought that maybe Forever was finally catching up on sleep, but his name was still on the list. He called again, and again, and again, each with several text messages, before he finally gave up. He was going to have to go to Forever himself. He checked the map, and saw he was in his office. Bad was with him. Maybe that's why he couldn't answer, Bad was harassing him in the usual way he had been for the past few weeks. That's fine, he could properly be kicked out once Cellbit brought up Bagi and how he needed to talk to him about her.

He was close enough that it didn't took less than a minute to get over to the office, and up the elevator. He almost screamed at the sight he saw, but he managed to not make a noise. Spit was being shared between Forever and Bad, where Bad was sitting on the desk. Soft moans filled the room as they got deep into their session. Cellbit was stuck still like an ewe, he had no idea what be was supposed to do, and the two hadn't caught onto him being there yet. He saw Forever's hands move to pull down his pants and that's when he finally had the ability to move, so he went down the elevator. Cellbit was never going to be able to see the two the same.

Half an hour later, he hesitantly went back up the elevator, and saw Forever working away at paperwork, the only the mostly hidden hickey gave away what he had done with Bad.

Forever noticed Cellbit in front of him. "Cellbit, sorry I didn't get any of your phone calls or messages, my comm was on silent, I was, very busy." Forever became embarrassed at the end of the sentence, and Cellbit pretended to not notice.

"Yeah, I saw you were with Bad, from the map, I didn't check before I started calling."

"Oh right, we were talking, about, voting." Forever was struggling with coming up with an excuse.

"It's fine, anyways, about Bagi." He decided that making Forever anymore embarrassed was a bad idea, what he did in his free time was none of Cellbit's business.

Maxo wrote his theories in Spanish, and then in English, and then in Spanish again, as if the change in language would make them make any more sense than the zero sense they did the first time. He looked over at the clock. 4:17 pm, seventeen minutes past the agreed meet up time. Bad had been the one to set it, so the fact he was the one to blow it off was annoying to Maxo. He read over the theories again, once in Spanish and once in English, and gave up for the time being, he needed a second mind for this. He looked at where Bad was on the map, and raised an eyebrow at the fact he was in Forever's office, Forever being in there with him. He knew that their relationship had turned a bit sour since Forever was elected, and that they often argued, but Bad cared about these theories, so arguing with Forever for so long when he could be doing their theories upset Maxo. He warped over near the office and went up the elevator, almost making a noise that would give him away at the sight.

The two of them were on the desk, Bad on top of Forever, and the two of them making out like their lives depended on it. Spit fell from their mouths and ran down Bad's chin and Forever's chin and cheeks, falling onto the desk and Forever's hair, which was out from it's usual braid. They parted and Maxo was scared that they would catch him, but they just pulled off Bad's cloak and got back to making out. Forever's hands found their way to Bad's hair, and his fingers dug their way into the black roots.

Maxo finally realised he was able to leave the situation, and went down the elevator. He knew that Bad had the chance with Forever now since Maxo gave up on him for his own relationship with Pierre, but knowing Bad, he didn't think he'd actually ever take the chance to date Forever. Unless they weren't dating and were just fuck buddies, but Maxo had the guess that they were dating. He teleported back to the headquarters, he needed to get his mind off of what he saw.

Bad showed up ten minutes later, apologising profusely. "Maxo, I'm so sorry, I set the time and I couldn't even make it, I just lost track of time and when I ginally checked and realised how late I was, I freaked out."

Maxo looked up from his theories, which he had again written out several times in both English and Spanish. "It's okay, I've been busy." Writing the same thing over and over again wasn't really what he would call busy, but it was good enough.

"It's just, Forever," his words died off as he tried to think of an excuse, Maxo just pushed one of the English copies of the theory in front of him. He could figure out what Maxo couldn't, and Maxo would try and clear his head of the sight he saw.

Phil impatiently tapped his foot as he waited for Forever to visit him. Forever had told him earlier in the day that he'd be coming around at two to discuss some concerns he had about how Cucurucho seemed almost scared of Phil, but it was nearing two and he had yet to show his face. He tried messaging Forever, but he hadn't messaged back, he almost missed when he was obsessed with him and would message back within seconds. It's been a while since he's answered so quickly, since then, he's been busy with elections, presidency, Bad. He checks the map, he's with Bad right now. Phil thought it was good that Forever focused on another person other than him and Brunim, and that caused him to become a little curious on what they did when no one else was around. Sure, they were in Forever's office, so they couldn't be doing much, but Phil wanted to see anyways. He warped nearby and sneakily went up the elevator, careful to not make a sound, even as a gasp threatens to leave his mouth at the sight he saw.

Forever's back was against the wall, and he was being kept kept up a good foot above where he normally would be by Bad. Forever's legs were around Bad's waist, and Bad's hands were beneath Forever's legs, close to his ass. Forever's own hands were behind Bad's head, as Forever did what he could to keep his wait up. Their mouths were connected as their tongues glided across eachother's. Beside the movement of their mouths, there was the occasional grind, and Phil feared that if he stayed too long, he would see something he didn't want to. Still, he felt stuck in place, the whole situation felt too shocking. Forever and Bad pulled back from eachother, and Phil saw Forever open his eyes, and he knew he had to leave before he was caught, so he was gone.

Phil didn't know what he was expecting them to do, but making out in a open space that anyone could go into was not that. Who knows how far they planned to go today, and who knows how many times they've been walked in on.

A little bit later Phil was on the wall again, and he heard Forever's voice behind him. "Philza, I'm sorry I'm late, I got a bit caught up in my conversation with Bad, it got, very heated." Phil knew it got heated, and he also happened to know it certainly wasn't a conversation. Still, he turned around and smiled.

"It's okay Mate, didn't really have much to do today, I've just been hanging out on the wall," and snooping around in Forever and Bad's relationship, "Could've waited longer."

Forever relaxed after learning that Phil wasn't upset, and straightened up into a more professional stance. "So, about Cucurucho."

Baghera pulled a loose feather from her wings, she should really preen soon. She then threw her head back down on the grass, causing her hat to fall off. She was so bored waiting for Forever and Bad to arrive, they were supposed to meet up, but she made the dumb decision of being almost an hour early because she was excited, and thought that maybe the other two would be just as excited. But no, they were taking their time with the meeting they told her about. She didn't know what the meeting was about, just that it was just them, but apparently it was important and took the whole hour.

She sat up on the grass and picked up her hat, placing it back on her head. They never said that it was private, just that it would just be them, she can meet up with them there and force them to finish early so they can get to hanging out as a trio. She made the short journey to where the office was and went up the elevator, ready to shout for them, but barely managed to hide her voice from the sight she saw.

The two of them weren't discussing, or even having a professional meeting. Instead, they were on the floor, Bad on his back while Forever was above him, their mouths connected and moving in a heated make out session. Forever was shirtless and Bad's cloak was open and sprawled around him. Bad pulled Forever closer and Forever moved one arm that was keeping him up to play with Bad's chest. Watching her brother and her best friend engage in foreplay on the floor of a presidential office is not something Baghera ever wanted to see, and now that she has seen it she wants to throw up. She quickly leaves before she can throw up on the floor and get caught.

She couldn't believe it, and she didn't know what she was more shocked over. The fact that they were actually dating and capable of a relationship despite how much they brushed off the idea of their romance, the fact they didn't tell her, or the fact they were willing to get it on right on the floor of all places.

After some more waiting, the two arrived, nothing in their body language explaining that they were dating or that they had just banged on the floor. "Right on time, we thought that meeting would go over," Forever explained.

"I've been waiting for an hour."

"What!? I thought we got the time right!?" Bad panicked.

"You did, I just wanted to be early because I was excited, and I hoping you'd be excited to, but no, you decide to focus on eachother more than me." Baghera overdramatically put a hand to her forehead.

"We love you just as much as eachother," Bad replied. Hopefully a different kind of love.

"You're lucky we didn't ditch you," Forever joked. While the discovery of what their relationship was shocked her, as long as two of the most important people in her life were happy, she didn't mind.

Their calenders were cleared for hours, and they had told people that they, individually, would be very busy and wouldn't be able to talk to anyone for a while. It sounded like a lot, but their usual in-between meet ups and talks was starting to make them late for a lot of things, and make other people wait on them when they could be doing other things.

Sure, making out and having sex in a presidential office was not the best or most discreet idea, but as Forever had said, "How many people can not only fuck in a presidential office, but have it be their own?" And Bad couldn't help but agree with him after he called him out for his language.

Bad went up the elevator, and Forever was already in the office, pretending to do paperwork while he waited for his boyfriend to arrive. He looked up at the sound, and looked ecstatic. "Hello Badboy, wasn't planning to see you today," he jokingly lied.

"Yes, I'm here to kill you." Bad decided to go for the most obviously wrong answer for why he was here, and was happy about it as Forever burst into laughter.

"I will never tire of your humour Badboy." Bad walked up to Forever and placed himself in his lap, shutting up Forever's laughter.

"I could be here to humour you, or," he dragged out his last word. Despite how much they had been going at it recently, Bad was still the same in his opinion on inappropriate things. He just enjoyed doing them with Forever now. He may be a hypocrite for doing the exact thing in public that he criticised others doing, but be didn't care. He was a happy, well fucked hypocrite.

"Oh Badboy, I'd like that." Forever pulled him further onto his lap, and Bad took initiative and connected their mouths. The two barely gave any time to continue their soft kissing, and almost immediately opened their mouths to tangle their tongues. The two could never remember how they lived without this, their tongues gliding against eachother's as if it were what they, the tongues and the people, were made to do. No wonder they kept coming back time and time again, in stolen free moments and staying far longer than they meant to.

While the sex between them was great, today they just wanted to make out for as king as their bodies would let them. And they planned for that to be a while, but the noise behind them scared them away from eachother's mouths.

"Again?" They turned looked towards the elevator to see Foolish, Cellbit, Maxo, Phil and Baghera, Foolish being the one to have spoken.

Bad stumbled out of Forever's lap as he yelled, "What are you doing here!? We said we were busy!"

"Yeah, together, it didn't take long to figure out what you two planned to do," Cellbit explained.

"How did you know what we were planning to do?" Forever didn't even take the time to wonder if they actually knew.

"You're always making out in here." Phil looked like he didn't particularly want to be here.

"We're not always doing that stuff in here." Bad attempted to lie.

"No point in lying, we've all seen it," Maxo explained.

The two lovers flushed even more at his words, before Baghera also spoke and made them even more embarrassed. "All of us, on five separate occasions."

"What? How, when did you see us?" Forever stumbled over his words.

"The time me and Bad were supposed to meet up and he was late," Foolish explained.

"Before we talked about Bagi," Cellbit also explained.

"When Bad was late to do go over theories," Maxo gave his story.

"Before you talked to me about Cucurucho," Phil's story was next.

"Yesterday, before the three of us hung out," Baghera finished.

The two blushed at how many times they had been walked in on, they hadn't even realised it either.

"Have you all just come here to embarrass us?" Bad asked.

"Kinda," Foolish said with a shrug.

"But we also wanted to know why you kept your relationship secret," Cellbit asked.

Bad and Forever gave eachother slight glances before Forever got ready to explain. "Things are just easier when no one knows, you've seen how people try to get people to break up because they don't want others to be happy in relationships."

"I've done it before," Bad supplies.

"I guess that makes sense, but I'm still upset you didn't tell your own sister," Baghera turns to Bad, "And I'm upset you didn't tell the maman of your child."

The two apologised to Baghera and she was happy that she got her apology, so she left.

The others followed soon after and the lovers were left alone again.

"So I guess our relationship is public now." Even if they only told five people, news was bound to spread, and everyone was sure to know by the end of the day.

"At least we don't have to hide it anymore," Bad found the good side to it.

Forever just nodded at his words before asking, "Want to make out again?"

Bad got sat back in Forever's lap and said, "Yes please," before they connected their mouths again and got back to what they were doing earlier. They probably won't be interrupted again.

Chapter Text

"Chayanne made these amazing cupcakes the other day, it's such a shame you couldn't try one." Phil had Etoiles over since there wasn't much going on that day. While doing dungeons together was fun, sometimes just hanging out was equally fun.

"Chayanne is an amazing cook, I wish I could have too, but instead I'm useless." Phil tensed slightly at his words. Getting used to Etoiles self deprecating humour was difficult, as Phil believed there was far too much believing in his jokes.

"You're not useless Mate," Phil told him.

"I am useless, I eat sugar and die, I am one of the world's weakest." Phil tried to ignore the fact that by putting down himself, he's also putting down millions.

"There's more to diabetes than that, you know that, and you're certainly not weak," Phil kept trying to make Etoiles stop the self deprecation.

"I still eat sugar and die."

"How about we go do a dungeon?" Phil finally took the easy way out of the conversation.

Etoiles was already out of his seat as he spoke, "The answer is always yes."

The two did the dungeon, but Phil was on edge the entire time, waiting for Etoiles to make another deprecating comment about himself, and while a few happened, none were as bad as the diabetes comments. Still, every comment worried Phil, if Etoiles is able to make these jokes so easily about himself, what does he believe but isn't saying?

Phil was relaxing at home on a rainy day, the rain splashing againt the roof was a calming background noise for him. The kids were doing their own thing, winter made them tired and they often spent a majority of their freetime alone, not wanting to deal with having to talk to other people. Time went by nicely, and he was only aware of the change in time when he heard loud knocking on his door. It was almost dinner, so he's not sure who would be at the door.

He got up and opened the door, immediately worried at the sight. Etoiles was sobbing in front of him, shivering and soaked head to toe. How long had he been out in the rain? How long had he been crying? The cold air invaded past Etoiles and made Phil shiver.

"Holy shit Mate, it's fucking freezing out there, get inside!" He pulled Etoiles in and shut the door, not caring that the water that plagued Etoiles' skin and clothes was covering the floor and his own clothing. He was still sobbing, but at least he was out of the rain.

Phil pulled a towel out of his backpack, and handed it to Etoiles. "Wipe yourself off, and you should get out of those clothes, do you have any spare in your backpack?" Etoiles grabbed the towel and nodded at his question, still too shaken up to speak. Phil politely stayed but looked away as Etoiles stripped and dried himself off. After a bit, Phil dared to look back and saw Etoiles pulling his spare shirt over his head. His tears had calmed down while he was drying himself off. He was still shivering, so Phil went and got a blanket from his nest, one of his warmest, and brought it over to Etoiles. He guided him to sit down, his skin was ice cold, he was certainly out in the cold for far too long, and wrapped the blanket around him. He wrapped it further around himself.

Phil took a seat as well, and they sat in silence for several minutes, waiting for Etoiles to stop shivering as much. It would be best if he warmed up so his brain could work better. Eventually, his shivering died down, and Phil was ready to speak, but Etoiles got to speaking first. "Is my existence a problem?" Phil just gaped. Where did that come from? He knew exactly where it came from, far too long of deprecating jokes, but why did he choose now to ask? Because he helped him? That makes no sense. "Am I just a bother to everyone?"

"No!" He said a bit too loud, he got a hold of his voice, "You're not a bother, you're amazing and I'm glad to have you around," Phil gets up and pulls his seat closer to Etoiles and sat down again, grabbing Etoiles' hands from beneath the blanket and holding them in his own, "Everyone is glad to have you around, they love you and you're a pleasure to have in out community, so don't think you aren't worth it."

Etoiles gave a bitter laugh, "Easier said than done, difficult to think something I'm not."

"Etoiles." His voice was worried, why does Etoiles think this of himself? "What could possibly make you not worth it?"

Etoiles opens his mouth before closing it immediately. He hesitates for a few seconds before speaking, "I don't know."

"You don't know?" For someone who makes jokes about how horrible he is so much, it's a surprise to know he doesn't know why he doesn't like himself.

"I just, I think it's because of all the jokes," he thinks for a few seconds before correcting himself, "all the insults, it's getting to me."

Phil decided to ask the question he had been wondering for a while. "Why do you say the things you do? How did you start?"

Etoiles let go of Phil's hands and wrapped the blanket around him further. "I had some people say some rude things to me because of my diabetes, so I thought that if I insulted myself first, the insults wouldn't hurt me as much, it worked for a bit, but then I just kept going and I started to believe my own words, and then I couldn't stop, because I knew my words were true."

"They aren't true," Phil encouraged.

"But they feel true." Etoiles' voice sounded broken, and Phil didn't know how to help him. This was possibly years worth of pain and hating himself, and no words he said could fix it. There was only one thing Phil could tell him, and Etoiles had to do so himself.

"Have you ever considered talking to a therapist?"

Etoiles froze at the suggestion. "What?"

Phil made sure he used the right words. "I think it could help you with how you feel about yourself, getting professional help, I care about you so much, and you're always going to be worth it to me, but there's only so much I can do to help. We have a therapist on the island, it wouldn't he difficult to schedule a few meetings. If you don't feel comfortable, that's fine, but you need the help, and this is the best way to get it."

Etoiles lowered his head and the two sat in silence for several moments. Etoiles was really thinking this through. After an uncomfortable silence, Etoiles looked up and gave a small smile. "I'll try, I can't say it'll help, but it's worth a shot." Phil returned the smile. Etoiles was willing to get better. Etoiles looked up at the roof, paying attention to the sound of rain which had only gotten louder since he was invited inside. "I don't think it'll be a good idea for me to go home, is it alright if I stay the night?"

Phil knew Etoiles had a warp stone on him, but if he wanted to stay, he could. "You're always welcome in my home." Chayanne made dinner, excited to be able to cook for another person, and Etoiles offered to clean up the mess he made when he entered. Etoiles was already doing well with not insulting himself, so they both knew therapy could possibly help, there was a way to fix Etoiles' ego. Nightfall came and they put the kids to bed, and Phil gave Etoiles a bed, grabbing some of the warmest blankets from his nest and giving them to Etoiles. He could do without them for a night.

When morning came, Etoiles left, and a few hours later Phil got a message saying that he officially just got done with his first therapy session. Phil was surprised that he got it so fast, but then again, no one else on this island wanted therapy. Etoiles mentioned that he didn't feel much different, but he knew it was a process, and he would patiently wait for his next session next week.

A few weeks later, they planned to meet up for a dungeon together, and when Etoiles arrived at his door, he looked happier than he had in forever.

"Looking great, Mate."

"I feel great, I haven't insulted myself verbally in over two weeks." He couldn't expect everything to be fixed in just a couple of his weekly therapy sessions, but his progress was amazing.

"Holy shit, I'm so proud of you!"

Etoiles gave a wide smile. "I'm proud of myself as well, definitely worth having to see Roier in lingerie."

Phil laughed at his response, of course Roier would keep up the Melissa bit even during serious therapy. The two chatted a bit about Etoiles therapy, and Etoiles told Phil about the mental exercises he was doing and how Roier had told him to say good things about himself during intervals throughout the day. Etoiles was happy that Phil suggested therapy to him. Eventually they got caught up and Phil gestured to the dungeon.

"Ready?"

"I'm always ready." Despite Etoiles getting better, it was nice to know that he would always be himself.

Chapter Text

Phil was slowly dying. Starving and exhausted, but he can't mourn his life, he's too scared, he doesn't care that he's dying, he's just thinking about what's next in his life, what pain will be next? He uses the last of his strength to keep himself curled up in a ball, wanting to be as small as possible. It's a weak and miserable sight, and his last brain strength celebrates that no one is here to see what he has become during his captivity.

But he wasn't alone. Techno sat next to him. He wanted to help, let his greatest friend know he wasn't alone, but there was a world between them, the barrier of death stopped him from being able to help. He wanted to show the federation that no one messes with Phil, he wanted to show them that the Blood God was still someone to be feared, because even if he was no longer part of this world, as long as Phil was alive, he had a link to the living realm. But the link wasn't enough to save him. He reached out to smooth out feathers that had long moved out of place, but his hand simply phased through, another difficulty of their situation. He moved his hand to the emerald earring in Phil's ear, he was always happy when he saw how Phil continued to wear his gift everyday. He touched it, feeling the gem beneath his fingers, he couldn't move it, but he could touch it. Phil let out a gasp. He could feel it when Techno touched him, he may not know it was him, but he knew he was there, and he never feared his touch. He always remembered Techno, he made a permanent mark on Phil's life, to the point he saw him in others.

Techno remembered one of Phil's friends, Etoiles, a man he had actually met before. There was no doubt he was drawn to the man because of his grief over Techno. There were many traits they shared, but most importantly to the situation, he was strong. He may not be able to save Phil, but he could get Etoiles to save him.

Etoiles crawled into bed, he was absolutely exhausted, both physically and mentally. He had spent the whole day searching for the kids, they had to be there somewhere. He promised he wouldn't stop until he found them, but he was stretching himself thin and he had to sleep before he passed out in the middle of a field. Unconsciousness took him almost immediately, and similarly, a dream took him as well.

Etoiles usually had those strange dreams where the local restaurant on Mount Everest was his house, so having a dream of a void with only a man and himself in it was strange. It wasn't like the man was a stranger, he recognised him almost immediately, it would be more of a shock if he didn't. Technoblade, the Blood God. He had met him a few years back in UHC, and he remembers feeling strangely small despite the two having been the same height. That's just the effect Techno had. Except now it didn't feel as though Techno was much larger than him, he felt far smaller than him, partially because he was. He was far skinnier, and his muscles had depleted. The long hair that was in a braid in almost every picture of him was now barely grown from his scalp. He looked exhausted, and he knew why. He was dead. A dead man had appeared in his dreams.

"Techno, Ça fait longtemps." May as well have a conversation, not much else to do.

"This is awkward," Techno said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm not actually a dream, I don't speak French." Etoiles tilted his head. Not a dream? Techno continued to explain. "I'm the real Techno, and I have put myself in your dream."

"I guess that makes sense?" It didn't, but considering this island, he was ready to accept anything. "Well, as I said, it's been a long time."

"It has been." Techno seemed uncomfortable at the small talk, but Etoiles didn't know what else to do, so he just kept going.

"You've, changed a lot, you look really tired." He tried to stay clear of the whole 'you died' thing.

Techno didn't shy away from the topic. "That's what being dead does to you, it makes you look tired, I don't feel tired though, I've never felt more alive." The joke didn't generate the laughs he was hoping. "I should probably get to what I meant to tell you, shouldn't I?"

Etoiles nodded. "You should."

"It's about Phil." Now that they were on topic, Techno wasted no time in making Etoiles want to hear more.

"Has something happened to him!?" He had of course noticed Phil's disappearance, he knew something had absolutely happened to him, but he was more asking for a what happened to him.

Techno nodded. "He was kidnapped by the federation, put in a bird house like he was full animal." Anger rose in Etoiles' veins. The federation was lenient on Phil, Cucurucho seemed to care about him, so why are they now throwing out their leniency to trap him?

"Do you know where he is? I need to find him." He wanted to slice the whole federarion into pieces, but saving Phil was more important.

Techno pulled out a piece of paper. how did he get that? He handed it to Etoiles and spoke, "You'll have this when you wake up, the co-ordinates are written there, you should go to them as soon as you wake up, Phil is suffering, he's starving, he's more scared than I've ever seen him before, and I don't know how much longer he can go on."

Etoiles nodded, this was so much to think about, but thinking wouldn't get Phil back. "I need to go right now."

Techno shook his head. "You'll wake up when you wake up, and I still have something to ask of you." Etoiles tilted his head. "Even after this, take care of Phil, protect him, he needs someone who is willing to give the same amount of care that he gives others, and most importantly, don't let any baby zombies near him."

Etoiles nodded, even if the last part confused him. "I'll protect him, no matter what."

Techno gave him a wave, and he waved back, and the next thing he knew, he was waking up, clutching a piece of paper. His brain was blurry but as soon as his mind conjured up an image of Phil, it became clear. He quickly sat up in bed, his head spinning slightly from the suddenness, and looked at the paper that he certainly didn't fall asleep with. There were cords. His dream wasn't all fake, Techno had truly visited him in his sleep, and gave him information on where Phil was. Now it was just up to him to save Phil.

"-1378, 12079," he whispered to himself. He threw himself out of bed and set off to the destination, as Techno said, he couldn't waste any time. The journey was almost autonomous, no thoughts going through his mind other than getting to Phil and rescuing him. He had no idea what was waiting for him, but incident matter, because what was waiting with whatever he found would be Phil.

The distance between Etoiles and the cords got smaller and smaller, and Etoiles was ready to find Phil and bring him home. Once he was finally close enough, he spotted a house. It was a bird house. Just like Techno said Phil was in. Just looking at it felt dehumanising, he can't imagine how inhuman Phil must feel right about now. He could know, he just had to get to him. He was thinking there would be some sort of security, but as he stepped closer and closer, there was none. This was solely to torture Phil, make him feel inhuman. They didn't want to keep him here forever or make it difficult for others to get him out, they just wanted him to feel like a bird trapped in a cage. They wanted anyone who came to save him to see how easy it was, and they hoped they would tell Phil, so he would feel weak. Etoiles wouldn't tell him, he'd say it was difficult to get him out.

He walked up to a pile of deepslate, mining it away to see a locked door. He peaked inside, but the small window didn't let him see anything of importance, so he couldn't tell where Phil was. He called out, but there was no response. The only way to find him would be to break down the door. He grabbed a code break and slammed it into the door several times, the metal bending until it broke into item form with a 'pop.' He entered the house and saw Phil around the corner. He immediately ran up to him.

"Phil, are you okay?" Phil let out a pained moan, and he wasn't sure if he even understood Etoiles was here. He looked smaller, starved, there were scabs on his arms as though he scratched his skin open in a breakdown. He surely needed to be given medical attention. Etoiles gathered the curled up man in his arms, worrying over how Phil's wings fell limply over his hands, and pulled out his warp stone, warping to the Favela.

"Why do people keep getting me to do these things? Sure I've done a few surgeries, but I'm not a doctor," Foolish complained after he finished checking up on Phil and bandaging him up.

"Will he be okay?" Etoiles asked, ignoring the complaints.

Foolish looked at the unconscious man. He was half awake when he first arrived, but completely shut off soon after. "We gave him some nutrients, he should be fine, but you should stay with him for now in case he needs anything when he wakes up, I have to go help Tina with something." He didn't wait for an answer before he warped away, leaving Etoiles alone with Phil. He took a seat beside him.

Conciousness drifted into Phil's mind, and for the first time in a while, he felt fine, he felt alive. His eyes fluttered open, the first time it hasn't hurt to in a while. "Phil, you're okay!" He heard a voice that let out it's words in a mixture of a whisper and a shout.

His gaze fixed in on a green blob, which morphed into a face. Etoiles. "Etoiles?" His voice felt strange, it's amazing how much can change in what really shouldn't have been all that long.

"You're safe, you're in the order." Phil looked around, and he felt a comfort in seeing something other than those wooden walls.

"I'm out." His voice was soft but full of emotion.

"You are." Etoiles copied the soft voice.

"Oh, he's awake?" Etoiles hadn't realised Cellbit approaching.

"Yes, he's been for about a minute," Etoiles explained.

Cellbit got closer and checked on Phil, looking at the bandages and the IV attached to the man. "Can you flex your wings a bit?" Phil did as he said and Cellbit leaned back. "He looks okay, do you feel okay?"

Phil hesitated for a second before nodding, "Yeah, I feel fine."

Cellbit nodded at the words, and then looked over at Etoiles. "I didn't get to ask you before, but did you find any leads on the kids yesterday?"

Etoiles shook his head. "No, not a single trace, I don't know where they could be," he looked down, sullen, "I don't even know if they're alive."

"I hope they're alive," Phil puts himself in the conversation, "I've already lost Techno, I don't want them all to be with him." Phil's words work their way into Etoiles' brain. If the kids were dead, Techno would have told him. Phil needed to know, it would give him peace.

Etoiles looked over to Cellbit. "Can you give us a bit of privacy?"

Cellbit gave a quick glance to Phil before nodding. "Alright, let me know if you need me." He then left and Etoiles looked over at Phil.

"They're not with Techno," he comforted.

Phil's expression was full of confusion. "You said it yourself, you don't know if they're dead."

"I thought I didn't know, but, I had this old friend who would have told me if they were."

Phil tilted his head. "Old friend?"

"Techno." Phil gasped at the name. "I met him in UHC a few years back, he must have recognised me, since he visited my dream and gave me the co-ordinates of where you were trapped, he told me I had to save you, and continue to protect you."

Phil reached up to the emerald hanging from his ear. "Techno's been watching over me," he whispered, barely believing his words. In the end, he still believed him, which caused him to burst into tears. "He has never left me." Etoiles didn't know how to deal with a crying Phil, but he just held Phil's hand, hoping it would help.

"Techno meant a lot to you, didn't he?" Maybe talking about him would help.

"He was," he said through his tears, "He was... I would consider him family. I protected him, and he protected me back, even if it caused him to go crazy over the presence of baby zombies, it felt nice." He sniffed as tears continued to fall. "And I'm sure the kids, all of them or just the ones we know are gone, they all think their uncle is as great as I knew he was." Phil was smiling through his tears, but he could still tell that he was miserable. "He'd love Chayanne, and Tallulah, he's seen them, but, but I'm sure they'd love to meet him, it's such, a shame that he has to wait to be able to talk to them, but, but I'm sure, that he can be patient, for, them." His words buffered through tears and exhaustion, and finally his eyes shut and Etoiles felt Phil relax in his hand. He had cried himself to sleep.

Etoiles let go of Phil's hand and brushed some hair out of Phil's face. His face was red from tears. He still wasn't over Techno, it must have been difficult letting out all that excess mourning so soon after suffering from that starvation. He moved his hand to the emerald earring. It must have been Techno who gave it to him. To Phil, it meant Techno, but to Techno, it surely meant devotion. And it was up to Etoiles to take the role of being devoted to Phil.

"I'll protect you, I won't let you get hurt anymore," he promised, half to Phil despite him not being able to hear him, and half to Techno, so he knew he wouldn't stop now that Phil was safe this time. "If I have to spend my life by your side in order for you to be safe, I'll do so, because you mean so much to me, and I want you to not have to fear anymore." While he was honouring Techno's request, he also wanted to do this for Phil, for himself.

"And to show my devotion, I'll save the kids, I'll bring them home, you'll have your family, and that includes Techno, he'll watch over you, and I'll protect you, neither of us will let you hurt another day." Techno may not have corporal form, but he would still take care of Phil, even of he's passed on the role to Etoiles.

He feels something through the emerald, and he knows it's Techno. Phil surely feels it's too. He had two protectors, one of the living realm, and one of the death realm, and they were both devoted to him and his safety.

Chapter Text

Forever knew how his sister and best friend were suffering. Okay, maybe not entirely, but he saw the effects of said suffering. He saw how they seemed more tired, simply were more tired. The way their colour was drained from them, incredibly literally in Bad's case. They were messes, even if they pretended they weren't. He couldn't lie and say he wasn't also dealing with his own issues. Which was why he made an offer.

"Oooh, a sleepover?" Bad sounded excited at the prospect of a sleepover.

"Not just a sleepover, just a day for us three, it's been a while, and I miss us all hanging out." Not to mention how much they all seemed to need it.

"I have missed the both of you," Baghera mentioned. She had fallen off the face of the earth for a while, she better have missed them.

"So? Our day?" He waited for their answer.

"Of course, I always want to spend time with you Forever," Bad said with his usual smile. It felt true for the first time in a while. Bad really needed this.

"How can I say no to my brother?" Baghera stated.

"You say no to me alot."

"Let me be a good big sister." The two siblings continued their playful argument for several minutes more before Bad finally decided it was best to jut in and stop the two, to which the two laughed and Bad joined in soon after.

They made their plans, and the next day they found themselves at the bar in Forever's base.

"I can't believe we're drinking at 8am." Despite how his words claimed he was against the situation, he continued to drink his wine.

"Today will be funner if we're tipsy." While the few times Forever seen Bad tipsy were fun, it may also help them get their minds off of what was troubling them.

"As long as we don't get actually drunk we'll be fine," Baghera reasoned.

"Yeah, I don't want to have to deal with two drunk Muffinheads." Bad decided he would be the responsible one, a role none of them wanted to play often.

"You'd be drunk with us Badboy, you won't have to deal with us when you also need dealing with." Forever wasn't going to let Bad be better than him and Baghera.

"Actually, I do want to see him drunk, do you have anything stronger here?" Baghera asked as she got off her stool and looked at the alcohol contents of the beverages Forever had stocked.

"Why do you want me drunk!? I am being ganged up on here." Bad pouted.

"We only do it because you're cute when you're upset," Forever explained.

Baghera rolled her eyes, standing up after realising she wouldn't be able to get Bad drunk. "You do it because you think he's cute, I do it because I like annoying you two."

"Well thank you Forever." He ignored Baghera's comment to thank Forever for the compliment. Baghera forgot how much she had to third wheel with these two.

The three finished up the wine they were drinking, they didn't feel the buzz they were hoping for, but still decided to stop. If they get tipsy they may not be able to stop. Getting drunk wouldn't be the best to start off the first day they got to spend together in a while.

"You have movies here, right?" Baghera asked as she stood up again. They didn't actually have any plans, but some movies would be nice.

"Yes, they're in Portugese though," he explained. He didn't see the point in getting any English ones, usually it was only him and Richarlyson watching them.

"Do any have English subtitles?" Bad asked.

Forever thought about the movies he had. "I think a few do."

"Movie night it is." Baghera was taking the role of choosing what they did, despite it being Forever's base.

"It's 9am," Bad reminded her.

"It's night somewhere." The words were more suited to their day drinking, but they've been said now.

"Fair," Bad said with a tilt of his head. He also got off his stool, followed by Forever. "Movie night it is."

The group went to the sitting room, where the TV was located, and Forever got out his movies. They ended up picking a low quality looking rom-com, thinking starting off with a bad movie would be the most fun.

"I think I'll actually get some chips for us, I'm pretty sure I saw some in the bar," Bad stated before leaving the room. They'd have to wait until he came back to start the movie. For now, they'd get comfortable. Forever took off his shirt, it was always great to get his torso out in the open.

"Do you always have to be shirtless?" Baghera joked.

"No, just here, it's a rule," he pointed to a sticky note he had on the wall reminding him that he had a meeting that he never took down, it was in Portugese, so she would have no choice but to trust him or put it into Google translate.

She went with the first option. "Of course you would have that rule." She took off her jacket before pulling her shirt over her head, her hat coming off as the neck hole made contact with it. Forever forgot that she could be inclined to follow the 'rule' he set in place. Too late to take it back now. This was when Bad decided to walk in.

"What the fudge!?" He stood in front of them, bags of chips piled in his arms.

"Good timing," she pointed at her chest, "This is a bra."

Bad groaned and put the chips on the glass table. "You make one mistake."

"Two mistakes," she pointed to the sticky note, "No shirts allowed, it's a rule." Oh, the irony of her saying he was the one making the mistake when she was saying the wrong thing.

Bad looked down at himself and spread his arms out, his cloak opening up to reveal his bare torso. "I'm already not wearing a shirt."

Baghera turned to look at Forever again. "Is he following the rules?" There was no rule, so he was technically following it. Still, he always enjoyed getting to see more of Bad's skin.

"Cloak counts as a shirt, take it off."

Bad groaned, and was surely rolling his eyes as well. He took off his cloak and threw it at his friends. "Better?"

The siblings pulled the coat away from their faces and chucked it to the side. "Much better."

Baghera rolled her eyes at her brothers words and gave her own response. "Welcome to the club."

Bad gave a small laugh at her words. "The best club, The Shirtless Muffinheads."

"What activities do The Shirtless Muffinheads do?" Baghera asked, quickly accepting the fact that The Shirtless Muffinheads existed now.

"They watch movies," Forever stated as he put the DVD in and grabbed the remote, picking up a bag of chips from the table afterwards.

Bad moved to the couch, settling into one of the corners. Forever laid down with his back to Bad's stomach. Bad wrapped an arm around Forever's chest. Baghera also took her spot on the couch, laying on her stomach between Forever's legs, her head resting on his stomach. He placed an arm on the top of her back. They had the whole couch, but piling up was the best. Forever used his other hand to meddle with the remote, turning on the movie and putting up the subtitles before pressing play.

The movie was as shitty as they expected. Some guy joins a new school and has a bad start with a girl, but they quickly become friends afterwards and start dating. It was all accented with perverted jokes and stereotypes. There were several occasions where Forever had to correct the subtitles.

The group ate their chips throughout the movie. It wasn't the best breakfast, but it made them happy. Once the credits began to roll after the big kiss, Bad spoke. "The main characters remind me of Forever and I."

"Do I need to leave so you two can make out?" Baghera got up on her elbows.

"He didn't mean it like that." Forever was blushing, Bad was incredibly attractive, but there wasn't anything between them. He thinks.

"Yeah, just in a friendly way." Bad was also blushing.

"I'm related to, and best friends, with idiots."

Forever got put from between the two, ignoring his sister's remarks, and picked up the pile of movies again. He held them up and the two randomly picked by the art on the cases, not understanding the titles. He put it the DVD in before taking his original spot, cuddling up with the two again.

They continued making their way through each of the movies, most of them being the quality of the first. This island seemed to only supply shitty movies. They went through all six of the subtitled movies, poking fun at everything, from the subtitles (which included no less than seven misspellings), to the plots that made no sense. When the final movie ended, they all got up from their positions and Baghera looked at the time.

"It's six, we should really eat something other than chips." The three had finished all the chips halfway through movie three, and they were really hungry.

"How about I go get some pizza from my shop?" Bad suggested.

"Thank you for feeding us Badboy." Forever leaned into Bad again.

"Where would we be without out you?" Baghera also leaned into him.

"You two are so overdramatic." He pulled away from the two and warped away, hoping the siblings wouldn't kill themselves while he was away. Luckily, when he came back, Pizza in hand, they were just in the middle of a game of footsies. The three dug into their food, Forever and Baghera once again thanking Bad for making sure they don't starve to death.

"What do you two do when I'm not around, you act like you'll starve if I don't stay around to feed you," Bad asked once he swallowed a bite of pizza.

"I starve," Baghera joked.

"I feed sad." Forever answered truthfully.

"Aww, I feel sad when you're not around too," he turned to Baghera, "And when you're not around."

"I'm so glad we got to spend the day together, I really needed this." He forgot that this was to make the others feel better, and he felt his reasoning to invite then over was entirely selfish. He wanted them by his side, needed them.

Baghera ate the last of her Pizza and took Forever into a hug. "I needed this too, needed to remember I had a true family."

Bad placed his Pizza down and got closer to them, taking them both into a hug. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, you know I love you."

The group cuddled up once again, finishing the pizza that way. A few more hours flew by, they didn't need anything to do, they fell into just talking to eachother easily. Their conversation over dinner reminding them how close the three of them were. They ignored their true problems, rather talking about everything else, but that's what they needed.

Eventually, Bad yawned, and the other two followed.

"It's probably time to sleep," Baghera brought up.

"Yeah, do you, need some beds?" He hesitated with his words. He'd been having a hard time sleeping lately, scared to be alone. He wanted to keep spending the night cuddling with his two closest people.

Both looked hesitant, but Baghera spoke first. "Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" Her words were imitative of a child, scared of her nightmares. She was just like him.

Before he could answer, Bad also spoke. "Would it be alright if I also joined?" Bad was in the same boat, this is why they had this day.

"If course, you both can spend the night in my bed whenever you want, it doesn't just have to be for tonight." Both smiled wide at his words.

"I already do that." It's true, Bad has shown up several times to spend the night. Forever loved those nights.

Baghera chose not to mention Bad's words, so instead they moved to Forever's bed. Bad was the first one in, and he opened his arms for Forever to take a place in. It had to be Forever, Baghera's wings made little spooning unpleasant at best. He laid down in Bad's arms and Baghera moved in behind him. Bad used his long arms to hold them both close, laying his tail on top of them. Baghera laid her wing on top of Forever and Bad, and Forever pulled the blanket up for them.

They fell asleep quickly, and their nights failed to have a single nightmare. They needed to do this more often.

Chapter Text

Tallulah and Pomme skipped through the flower field, thousands of flowers surrounding them. Etoiles followed closely behind the two. He had never seen this many kinds of flowers in one place before, so even though he was the one of the group that didn't have a love of flowers, he was as intrigued as the youngest two. Tallulah stopped and Pomme stopped as well after realising her sister wasn't beside her anymore. Etoiles watched as Tallulah excitedly picked up a red flower and held it in front of her.

"This is a red gardenia," she explained, mostly to Etoiles as Pomme was as interested in flowers as she was. "Papa bought me a book on flower meanings so I know all the secret meanings to flowers now." Etoiles remembers Phil talking about it, and how he planned for it to be for her birthday but she had needed a bit of a pick up lately so he just planned to give it to her early.

"What do gardenias mean?" Pomme asked as though her sister had the secrets to life.

"They mean secret love, at least the red ones do, white ones symbolise purity," she explained, handing the flower to Pomme.

"That's so cute, I want to give someone a red gardenia." Pomme traced it's petals, having a sudden fondness for the flower.

"You better mean when you're older, can't have you dating so young," Etoiles half joked.

Pomme giggled. "This is why it's secret," she joked back.

"Betrayed by my own daughter, my life is over."

While the two joked back and fourth, Tallulah found a new flower to tell them about. She leaned over and put the stem of the flower, red again, behind her ear. Pomme gently touched the flower as Tallulah explained. "This one is a red carnation."

"There are a lot of red flowers." He expected more purple flowers from Tallulah.

"Red flowers mean love a lot, but red carnations means sisterly love," Tallulah grinned as she gave the information, ready for Pomme's reaction.

Pomme lit up at the meaning, carefully putting the first flower in her inventory before throwing herself into her sisters arms. "I love you too!" Tallulah wrapped her arms tightly around the smaller.

Etoiles looked at the display fondly, it was adorable to see how deeply the kids all loved eachother. While they were wrapped up in their love, he kneeled down and picked another flower. White and looking like a bouquet. He extended the flower closer to the flower expert and asked, "What's this one?"

Tallulah looked at the flower and immediately answered, "That's a hydrangea."

Pomme pulled away from the hug and bounced on her toes. "What does it mean?"

"It means devotion, I hear they're used at weddings a lot because of it, but it's not specifically romantic." It was fascinating that not only did she know the meanings, but she knew where hydrangeas were used.

"I think this ones my favourite meaning." He picked up another of the hydrangeas and held one in either hand. "One for my daughter who im devoted to," he extended his hand to Pomme, "And one for my niece who I'm devoted to," he extended a hand to Tallulah.

The girls' grins grew and they bursted into giggles. Pomme took her flower from his hands and picked another of the hydrangeas, offering it to him. "Thank you Papa! I'm also devoted to you." He graciously collected the flower from her tiny hand and leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead.

"You are just the sweetest."

Tallulah also took the flower from his hand and copied Pomme by picking another hydrangea, offering it. "I'm also devoted to you, thank you Tio."

Etoiles took her flower as well, leaning forward to give her a kiss on the forehead as well. "You are also the sweetest."

The two girls smiled brightly before Pomme turned away to move through the fields again, Tallulah following her immediately. Etoiles got up and began to walk after them.

"There are so many flowers! I want to know all the meanings!" Pomme was delighted at the idea that flowers had meanings, and Etoiles was already on his comm telling the French that they needed to get her a flower meaning book of her own.

"I do too! I'm only like ten percent of the way through mine, it's a really thick book, Chayanne doesn't know how I can read so much just about flowers." Tallulah truly loved her flowers, so it only made sense she had the same interest in flower related things.

"So once you read it all the way through you'll know every meaning to every flower?" Pomme asked excitedly.

Tallulah shook her head, "No, my books only the first, I think there's like five, maybe more in the series, but once I read them all, I'll know most meanings."

"You're going to put Phil in debt with this," Etoiles joked. He had heard that the book was quite expensive, and while money wasn't an issue for Phil, it was a fun thing to joke about.

"Papa would go into debt for me." She knew Phil's money situation as well, and had no issue also making a joke about it.

Pomme had no interest in the jokes, and ran off towards another area in field, causing Tallulah to let out a squeak and run after her. Etoiles followed in a jog. Pomme stopped in a large group of roses, several colours making up the group.

"What do coloured roses mean?" Pomme asked excitedly.

Tallulah lit up at her words, she must have been waiting for someone to ask about roses. "Red means romance, like a lot of red flowers, pink means appreciation, white means innocence, a lot of white flowers mean innocence, purple means glory, yellow means friendship, orange means fascination, green means success, blue means hope, and black means strength." She pointed to the colours as she described the meanings. Etoiles didn't even know there were that many rose colours.

Pomme bounced on her toes again. "This is so fun!"

Tallulah nodded. "I love getting to explain flowers!"

Pomme once again ran off, Tallulah following, and Etoiles jogged behind them, accepting that his day would he full of flower meanings. He liked that idea, he wanted to know what kinds of flowers he can give them for the best results.

Chapter Text

"I'll come over tonight and we can talk some more then." Cellbit and Forever had just finished a meeting, mostly because their heads were starting to hurt from how long they had been talking. Cellbit had more he wanted to say, so why not come over later?

Forever didn't think it was as good of an idea. "Actually, I'll be very busy tonight, we should postpone the rest of this for tomorrow." Forever refused to look Cellbit in the eye, and couldn't sit still in his seat, even more so than usual. Cellbit was confused at the behaviour, why did he seem so uncomfortable at the suggestion? "Actually, can you tell everyone not to come over? I'll be very, very busy."

"I'd prefer to get this done as soon as possible, what are you so busy with?" Cellbit asked.

Forever's discomfort grew. "Oh, you know, stuff, presidential stuff, and personal stuff." Forever had to have known how suspicious he sounded.

"Oh-kay," he dragged out the word, "I'll talk to you tomorrow, and I'll tell the others to not bother you tonight." Forever finally had a relieved expression on his face.

"Thank you, have a good day." He left the office without another word. There was no way he was going to let Forever's suspicious behaviour go unchecked.

A few hours later, during the night, he had gathered a small group with him. Bad was sat sleight, intrigued in what would be said, Baghera was leaning on her elbows, and Richarlyson was standing on the chair, leaning forward on his hands.

"I have called you here because of Forever, surely you have noticed his behaviour?"

"What behaviour? He always has something strange going on." Bad had a point.

"I'm talking about how suspicious he acts on this day, every month, I have seen it several times, and it's just getting more and more suspicious. He refuses to have anyone around him, he just locks himself up and expects us to not worry." Bad nodded at the information, understanding which issue they were talking about now.

"He's been doing this for years, still every month on the same day, if it were new, it would still be troubling, but this is an old issue." Baghera gave her knowledge.

"Does Pai just get really sick on these days?" Richarlyson gave an innocent suggestion.

Cellbit shook his head. "If he were getting continuously sick, he would show more symptoms before and after, but he doesn't."

"It's also way too exact, and it's only at night, he's fine throughout the day but as soon as the moon starts to show he's off to his base."

"I think we have to ignore his wishes and see for ourselves," offered Bad.

"That's what I was thinking, it's good to see it's something at least one other person sees as a viable option." Cellbit knows he should respect Forever's wishes, but this was becoming too concerning to not investigate. Why did he have to shut himself off so frequently and precisely?

"It's important, and he knows we care about him, if he's in danger we have to help him, and he'll forgive us eventually." Baghera agreed with the other two.

"I want to keep Pai Forever safe!" Richarlyson was the last to agree.

"Alright, we have no time to waste."

The four were at Forever's base, trying to figure out where he could be. They were trying to be sneaky, as they didn't want whatever Forever had been so distressed about to possibly find them, but the islanders were never very good at being discreet.

"Ow! Baghera, what the fudge!? You stepped on my tail!" Bad let out a whisper shout, making Cellbit cringe at the higher level of noise. It wasn't much, but they couldn't be too careful when it came to this situation.

"Why was it on the ground!?" Baghera whisper shouted back.

"Because I'm on the ground!" Bad had been kneeling on the floor of the bar, trying to see if maybe there was a secret room that Forever had been hiding out in, but the only thing he found was pain.

"You two, be quiet," Cellbit whispered. He didn't know if there was something physical that had been tormenting Forever, but the chance was there, and that meant the chance of it finding them was there.

The two nodded and Bad got up, rubbing at his tail.

"I don't think there's anything in here," Richarlyson stated as he looked around the room once more.

"Maybe we were wrong, maybe there was nothing going in with Forever." Baghera admitted defeat.

The other three were about to agree, but before they could, they heard a loud and deep growl.

Richarlyson moved and clung onto Cellbit's leg. "Pai, what was that?"

"I don't know." His voice was hesitant, had their noise actually drawn something to them? Had Forever actually had something that was forcing him to stay alone in his base for a night every month? He pulled Richarlyson off of him and handed him to Bad. "I'll go check."

"That's a horrible idea!" Bad whisper shouted again.

"Well do you have a better idea?" Bad stayed silent at the question. "Exactly, I'm going to see what it is." He left the bar and looked for what made the noise. He couldn't see anything around, so maybe it was all just a part of his imagination? No. He wasn't the only one who heard it, there was no way that four people imagined a noise at the exact same time. He continued circling the tree to see if maybe a different perspective would suddenly change what he saw.

He heard the growl again, and turned around, but nothing was there. That's when he heard a thump, which was much easier to discern where it came from. The thing that was growling had been above him. And now it was behind him. He slowly turned around, scared to anger the thing. As he turned, a large beast filled his vision. It was a wolf, but not like one he had ever seen before. Towering over him even on all four legs, red eyes that seemed to stare into his soul, and covered in blonde fur. This was the creature that had Forever so worried? He can see why. He slowly backed away, not wanting to anger the giant wolf. He didn't even know wolves this size were on the island, he didn't know how strong they were, and if it left Forever this on edge, he didn't want to find out. The wolf stepped closer with every step back, a hard to decipher look on it's face. He didn't want to fight, but he was scared he may have to.

"Puppy!" A voice behind him said. His fear spiked even before he turned around. He knew it was his son. What was he doing out of the bar?

"Richarlyson, stay back." His son didn't listen and ran past him, even as Cellbit launched towards him in an attempt to catch him. "Richarlyson!" He screamed as Richarlyson ran straight to the beast. This was it, he was officially going to lose his son.

Richarlyson ran into the beast and began petting it, and in a strange surprise, the wolf laid down and let Richarlyson pet it, a happy expression on it's face. "Good boy, good boy!"

Bad and Baghera came up beside Cellbit, and Bad spoke. "I tried to keep him inside, bur he kicked me and I dropped him," he explained.

"At least nothing bad happened to him, he seems pretty happy with that giant wolf." Baghera found a positive.

"True," he continued to look at Richarlyson, who was now further up and getting licked by the wolf, "But I just don't understand."

"Don't understand what?" Baghera asked.

"If Forever has been plagued by this wolf for so long, shouldn't he know there's nothing to fear?"

"Maybe it just doesn't want to hurt a kid," Bad offered. He walked up to the wolf, placing his hand near its mouth, and while all three were expecting a bite, it was met with the same soft licks it was giving Richarlyson. "Nope, nevermind."

Cellbit and Baghera took steps closer now. Baghera, after finding out the wolf was harmless, joined Richarlyson in the petting, while Cellbit investigated the wolf. It looked tired, even if it was happy. He remembers a similar look of exhaustion, he swears he's seen it quite recently. He looked up at Baghera, wanting to ask her, when he noticed how tired she was. It would become morning in just a few hours, it was a surprise that they were all still awake. In a split second he stopped thinking about the time, and it felt as though a piece of his brain slid into place. Looking into Baghera's tired red eyes reminded him of earlier today, when he was looking at how tired Forever had been getting during their meeting. He looked at the eyes of the wolf, and he recognised them finally. They were Forever's.

"Forever isn't scared of this wolf," he stated almost absent-mindedly.

"Then what is he scared of?" Bad asked.

"He's not scared for himself, he's scared for others," he placed a hand on the wolves' head, and it immediately leaned into his touch, "This is Forever."

The other three looked at him in disbelief but as they gave the wolf another look, they realised that everything did fall into place for the statement.

"But, how did we not know about this?" Bad asked.

"I don't know, I think that's something only Forever can tell us." They didn't want Forever to run away, so they waited out the next few hours until he changed back. Forever was happy to receive pets and have them half lay on him, so he stayed in place while they waited. Eventually, peaks of the sun appeared, and they felt Forever shrink beneath him, fur disappearing, and before they knew it, Forever was just how they remembered. Except for the wolf ears and tail that he kept. Must not be fully transformed yet.

"I can explain." Forever knew exactly what he did in wolf form, so there was no explanation needed on their half.

"Please do."

Forever hesitated for several seconds before speaking. "I've been hiding this because I didn't know what I would do if I saw someone in that form, I am only half in control of myself in my wolf form, so I didn't know if I'd end up hurting any of you, so, I hid so there wouldn't even be a chance of it happening."

"And then we snuck in," Richarlyson explained what they did.

Forever played with one of Richarlyson's curls as he let out a small laugh. "And then you snuck in," his voice went softer, "And proved my fears wrong."

"We don't want you to be scared, so if this sort of stuff happens again, tell us." Bad put a hand on Forever's shoulder.

"I'll make sure I do."

"Quick question," Cellbit spoke, "I assume you were turned into a werewolf, so when did you get turned?"

"Around thirteen, I think, I was playing in the woods and got bit when I tried to ride a wolf, been like this ever since."

Baghera snorted. "Of course you tried to ride a wolf."

Forever lightly punched Baghera's shoulder. "Leave me alone." Baghera's laughing was interrupted by a loud yawn, which was followed by the other three also yawning. Oh right, they had been awake all night. "Alright, to bed with all of you, I could also use a nap." They didn't fight, they really needed to sleep. Richarlyson was picked up by Forever and the other three followed Forever as he went inside. He put together a bunch of beds, saying it was easier than finding separate spaces. Baghera and Bad threw themselves on the bed, falling asleep immediately, while Cellbit helped Forever put Richarlyson's bonnet on. They then threw themselves onto the bed, and fell asleep as well.

When they woke up, hours later, the final traces of Forever being a wolf were gone.

The group was together a month later, and watched as Forever had his first changes back into a wolf.

"Ready to show the island?" Bad asked.

Forever nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Chapter Text

"It's time for you to pick an entity room, so many people already have, and you're an angel, you should be used to this," Cellbit continued to try and get him to choose an entity room. His words of him being an angel were exactly why he wasn't willing to choose a room, he had his wife. She was the only one he wanted to have represent him, just like he represented her as her angel. Still, Cellbit wouldn't let up, so he may as well at least check them out.

"I'll have a look, but I can't say that I'll feel very connected to any of them." Cellbit lit up at his words and the two went to his castle to check them out.

The first he was shown was the chaos room, and Phil was immediately turned off by the mess it looked like. The colours were nice, but Phil felt as though he could trip over at any time. The different textures that changed under his feet with every step were also a major turn off from picking this room. Still, Cellbit tried to sell it on him. "This is the chaos room, it is everything uncontrollable, it's the intangible, the constant transformation, the anarchy." He put more emphasis on anarchy in hopes of getting Phil to pick the room. It didn't work, as Phil understood that he meant anarchy in the broader sense instead of the anarchy Phil cared for. Cellbit recognised he wasn't making progress, so he pushed forward with his explanation. "This room is for those who want the unexpected to represent them."

"I'm not a big fan, what's the next room?"

Cellbit didn't mind the rejection of the room, and they got to the next room. Much better looking that the last, with an actual design choice. Still, nothing in the room spoke to him, perhaps he was waiting for some actual speaking, as had been done when he first met his wife, but even if he wasn't, there still wasn't anything that caught his eye. Cellbit began explaining this one as well. "This is the knowledge room, it's all about conciousness, learning and knowing, perception pleases the entity of knowledge." Phil was beginning to think he recited this for him. "The logic keeps the chaos away," he spoke as if trying to reel Phil in with the opposite of chaos.

"Still not for me."

Again, Cellbit didn't mind the rejection of the room, and they checked out the next room. This one was much more his style, but still not enough to tear his devotion away from his wife. The red screamed danger, a demonic power filled the room, screaming for sacrifice. The energy was the opposite of what he was used to when a power called to him, but he could tell the energies existed on the same wavelength. The routine of explanation was known. "This is the Blood room." It now made sense why the energy was so known to him, blood and death existed on the same spectrum, and even then, he was more than used to the energy of blood from Techno. "It's all about intensity, pain, love, hatred, extremities are what please the blood entity." He was half expecting him to say the blood God, these things did suit Techno. "The blood can overcome knowledge."

"You're almost convincing me, I may sign up, for an old friend, but I believe you have one more room?"

Cellbit looked excited at the idea of Phil actually considering signing up to an entity. Phil was shocked himself, but he can't deny that dedicating himself to things that remind him of loved ones is something he wants. Phil was intrigued to find out what the last room was. Phil had his guesses, love made sense, as he remembers that Cellbit had many talks with the Goddess of love to gain relationship advice for his and Roier's marriage. Having a room dedicated to her seemed like good payment, or it could simply be something he wanted to do to show his appreciation.

So he wasn't expecting to enter the room and immediately feel home. Not the home he had built for his family on the island, but one that stretched back before many of the residents existed, one that had existed far longer than he considered it home. The black surrounding him mixed with the energy and the cold, it took over his senses and spoke its perfections to him. He knew what this room was, it was the Death room. He had made his choice. Perhaps it was already made for him considering he was part of what death worshippers worshipped, as he fulfilled many of Kristen's duties, as she had become stuck in the realm between life and death as the millenniums moved on.

Cellbit begun to explain in vain, "This is the death room, the-." Phil didn't let him speak.

"Mate, you should have told me you had a room dedicated to me and my wife."

Cellbit stared silently in shock for a few moments before letting out a "Que?"

Phil didn't care for the reaction and continued. "I mean, it's nice and all, and I'll be signing up for this to represent me, I mean, it is literally me, but why my wife and I?"

Cellbit started a few words in Portugese before getting it through his head that he should ask in English. "What do you mean by you and your wife?"

Phil spread our a wing. "Angel of death." He showed his hand and pointed to the bottom ring on his ring finger. "And I'm married to the Goddess of death."

Cellbit looked as though his brain had stopped working, a hilarious slight. "I'm friends with the husband of one of my entities," he spoke slowly, still unable to grasp the situation. His face cleared, words going through his head. "You said you and your wife, but these are only for those who represent it, and I don't think angels represent their title, they represent their God."

Phil chuckled, it was always fun to explain his situation. "Kristen is a busy woman, and she's not able to leave to the living world anyway without a host, so instead of disrupting her schedule and using a host, I simply do the living realms work. She says I'm basically doing half her job, and if she had the power to do so, she'd made me the God of death."

Cellbit listened intently, and once he understood that the explanation was over, he spoke. "I'm friends with one of my entities." Despite his listening, his words were still in disbelief. "So the reason you didn't want to have a room represent you is because you didn't want to have someone other than your wife represent you?"

"Exactly."

"Interesting." Phil understood that tone of voice. Cellbit had pushed past the shock and was in the headspace where he needed to know everything. "How long have you two been married?"

Phil tries to think back, it was so long ago he couldn't even remember. Was it before or after the gods were officially realised? Maybe? But it didn't really feel like it had been over two millenniums. "Fuck, I don't know, I remember celebrating our five hundred year anniversary but we just lost count after that, time in the living realm and the between realm have such varying times that it's hard to keep track, so we just gave up."

Cellbit nodded and pulled out a book, writing in it. "When did you two start sharing responsibilities?"

"About a hundred years in, an immortal life is pretty boring so I needed something to keep me busy, and she needed help." Cellbit once again nodded and wrote some stuff down.

"So, were you turned into an angel before or after your marriage."

"Before, but it was only a few days before." More nodding and writing.

"What does your job entail?"

"Are there going to be many more questions?" Phil didn't exactly have anything to do today, but he'd rather go somewhere he could sit down if this was going to take long.

"There are so many questions I need to ask you, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to be able to talk to the Goddess of Death's husband, and to be able to learn all about the duties that need to be done to maintain such a constant in our world." Ah, so he'd likely be here until it was time to sleep, maybe more.

"Can we at least go somewhere to sit down?"

"Of course, anything that will help you answer questions."

He'd likely get annoyed at the questions eventually, but since he'd get to talk about his wife for many of them, he'd be fine with it.

Chapter Text

Forever knew he should get out of bed, but his mind was too full of pleasant memories. He and Bad had officially been married for a month. The day had been beautiful, Bad had been beautiful, and now their lives were truly connected. He reached over in hopes of finding his husband in bed still, but was met with no such luck.

"It's too late for cuddles." Forever opened his eyes and saw Bad putting on his cloak. Forever stared at the ring on his finger and smiled.

"It's never too late for cuddles." He pulled himself up and stretched, getting out of bed afterwards. He pulled on his presidential suit, talking about his plans for the day, and Bad responded with his own. Despite the conversation, Bad sounded and looked off. Distracted. Bad tried to follow his gaze and saw that he was staring at his head. "Do I have something on my face?" He asked, searching his backpack for a mirror.

"No, it's more on your head." So there was something on him. He pulled the mirror out and held it up, expecting to have something stuck in his hair, instead, he was greeted with the sight of two small black nubs on his head, similar to Dapper's horns. He softly touched them, shocked to find out he could feel them. He then tried to pry the nubs up, but just felt pain. "That's not going to work, the horns are attached."

Horns. They were horns? Forever put the mirror down and tried to speak as calmly as he could. "Why do I have horns?" His voice may have been a bit harsh. Bad struggled to look him in the eyes, obviously having been the reason this happened. "Badboy."

Bad didn't like his tone and admitted. "There may have been something I failed to mention when we got married."

"And what was that?" He was struggling not to start screaming. He suddenly had horns, and sure, they were small now, but they could grow.

"So," Bad tried to find the right words, "Marriage for demons is different than other species, once a wedding happens, your souls begin to combine, and since your species is a part of your soul, you start to share your species, if you were a hybrid or something, I'd get some of your traits, but since you're human, you only get my traits." Bad sounded unsure, not of his words, but of Forever's reaction. This was absolutely something that should have been brought up before the wedding. "Are you mad?"

Forever once again had to stop himself from yelling. "Yes." He was truthful. Bad's face twisted in fear. "But I forgive you, it's just," he hesitated, "It's a lot, I never expected to suddenly become a demon."

"Demon hybrid," Bad corrected.

"Demon hybrid," Forever copied, "But I guess I'll just move on, it's not like I can go back on this, right?"

Bad shook his head. "No, even if we divorced, you would still continue on with the changes until you finished them."

Forever sighed. "Well, it's not like I'd divorce you anyways." He took a few seconds to speak his next sentence. "I just don't want people to see me like this right now, I have to hide it."

Bad felt bad for being the reason he was like this, so he pulled out a beanie from a backpack and placed it on Forever's head. "You can steal Tallulah's look for a bit."

Forever reached up again and felt the horns beneath the beanie. It would work for now. "She'll be fine with it."

Bad leaned down and kissed Forever on the forehead. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should have told you, but it's too late, so I'll help you as much as I can, we'll get through it together."

Forever gently held Bad's face in his hands and leaned forward, kissing his lips. He trusted Bad despite this, as long as he had his husband, he would be fine.

The next few weeks continued like he expected. He found more and more traces of him being a demon. Fangs grew and a tail sprouted from his back, as well as the nubs slowly growing. He tried not to smile too much, and he'd wrap his tail around his waist. He always wore a beanie now. Every morning, Bad would apologize to him, and he would say he forgave him. Of course he forgave him, he loved him and knew he didn't do this on purpose.

Forever was in his office, annoyed at the pain on his head. He was fine this morning, but his horns were acting extra sensitive today. He looked at his comm and checked the time. He was supposed to be meeting up with the other Brazilians today, and he really didn't want to have to explain where he was in pain. But he had to, so he pulled out a warp stone and warped to the Favela, going to where they agreed to meet up.

"Forever! Thought you wouldn't show up!" Pac teased.

"Why wouldn't I show up? You invited me out." Forever tried to control the muscles on his face so he wouldn't show them his fangs.

"Well, you don't really smile much anymore." Mike immediatly called him out on the behaviour.

"Oh," he tried to find an excuse, "I've just been feeling kinda sick lately."

"Is that why you've been wearing that beanie? Cold?" Felps asked.

"Uh, yes." His answer wasn't the most confident, but it had to work.

"Ouch, is Bad sick at all? It's been happening for a while, so he must have had a lot of chances to get it." Bagi showed her worry.

"Oh, he's fine, demon immune system and all." He vaguely wonders if he'll get that. He deserves it after all this shit.

Cellbit stared intently, and Forever was scared that he had caught him in his lie. "I hope you get better soon," was what he finally said, and Forever felt himself relax, but his next words made him tense up again. "Especially with those lumps on your head."

Forever flung his hand to the top of his head and felt where his horns were. He felt them protrude and push against the beanie. That's why it hurt so much, they were growing.

Pac tried to look past Forever's hand. "Woah, what's up with them?"

Felps was also worried about the lumps. "We need to see what they are."

Forever slightly backed away. "No, no! It's fine! I'll just go home and check on them."

Bagi was upset at his response. "No, we need to see them, we want to make sure they aren't dangerous!"

While Bagi was speaking, Mike had walked up beside Forever, and quickly tugged off the beanie, showing his horns to everyone. He heard some gasp, while some stayed quiet. He was fucked.

"Why do you have horns?" Bagi carefully asked.

"I, Uh, I um." He didn't know how to explain his situation. He had to tell them, but he didn't know the words. This was something Bad would be better at. "I can't explain it, but Bad can, can I go get him?"

The group just nodded. So he checked the map to see where his husband was and went to fetch him.

He arrived back with Bad, and the others were waiting for his explanation. "So, you know how me and Forever are married right?" The group nodded. "Marriage for demons is very important, more so than any other being, so when we get married, our souls combine, and that includes non demon spouses, so, now that our souls are combined, he gets my demon features." Bad finished explaining. The others stared for a few seconds before their reactions happened.

"You're a demon now!?"

"Where's it happening?"

"How much are you turned?"

"How much are you going to turn?"

"Are your horns going to get bigger?"

Forever showed off his fangs and tail, already warming up to having others know. Bad.just moved to the side, laughing at every question and reaction. He knew Forever should have told them from the beginning, but Forever wanted to keep it hidden, so he let him. Bad couldn't keep his laughter down while Forever tried to answer questions he didn't know the answer to, and when he looked back for Bad's help, Bad couldn't help but think how lucky he was to have his husband.

Chapter Text

His daughter was out there somewhere, and he didn't know where. She was strong, he had trained her to be, but a toddler against the world was a fight where the winner was obvious. She had to protect her siblings as well, there was too much to worry about. Where she was, how she was, how her siblings were. Etoiles just wanted numbness, but not the way that he was currently feeling, when worry ate up his emotions and grew too large to feel anything. He wanted numbness away from the numbness, so he pushed back into dungeons. He can shut his mind off and just train, get stronger, maybe he can get strong enough to protect Pomme the next time something bad happens, if there ever gets to be a next time.

He can't focus on doing anything else, he failed to protect his daughter, he has to do better, he has to get stronger and he can't waste time on eating, drinking, and sleeping. He needs to spend as much time as possible getting stronger. Who knows who will disappear next.

Pac: Are you doing alright?

Pac: I'm worried about you

Pac: All of us are

Pac: Message back when you can

Pac sighed and looked back up through their messages. Etoiles hadn't answered for three days, and even before then, he had rarely responded. He was seriously worried for the man, he barely saw him these days, and when he did, he seemed like a shell of the man he once was. It clearly had something to do with the kids disappearance. Everyone was affected, but it was scary to see how badly it affected Etoiles.

He was tired of waiting around doing nothing, he could hurt himself at this rate, may have even hurt himself already. Pac noticed Fit was nearby and made his way over to tell him about his worries of Etoiles, he would understand.

"Fit! I need to talk to you about something!" He yelled, and Fit closed the distance between them.

"Is something up?" He asked.

"Have you noticed anything about Etoiles lately?" He started off simple, no use explaining what he already knew.

"Yeah," Fit's voice was slow, worried. "I tried to check up on him yesterday, but he hasn't responded yet."

Pac nodded. "He hasn't answered me for a few days, and I think we need to just talk to him and make him give us answers, I'm worried, and I can tell you're worried too."

"You're right." At the speed he accepted Pac's words, there was a high chance he was also thinking of going to Etoiles. "Who knows what will happen if we don't step in."

Etoiles had given a small check to the museum, just wanting to see art of Pomme. His weekly trips down were really the only ones he took, and he knew he shouldn't even be taking them. He had to get back to doing dungeons. As soon as he told himself that's what he was going to do, he saw Pac and Fit approaching him. Hopefully this won't take too long.

"Etoiles, I've barely seen you around lately," Fit mentioned as the two stopped in front of him.

"Yeah, I've been, really busy." Speaking was hard, his head was constantly dizzy, so even thinking of words was difficult, not to mention translating them.

"Busy with what?" Pac asked.

"You know, dungeons." Something he really needed to get back to.

"There's got to be something else, you're away a lot." Fit was starting to fear that Etoiles was majorly overdoing the dungeons, and just by looking over at Pac, it was clear he was worried the same.

“It’s just dungeons, and there’s nothing to worry about except getting the kids back.” He was trying so hard to become stronger so he could help the kids, so why couldn’t others? Worrying about him was stupid.

“Listen, I know you’re stressed about the kids, but you have to take care of yourself, Pomme wouldn’t want you out here hurting yourself.” Pac knew bringing up Pomme was a low blow, but it may be the only way to get Etoiles to care for himself.

Instead of what Pac was hoping for, Etoiles became angry. “You don’t know what Pomme would want!” The two jumped at the noise. “I’m trying to help, I’m not hurting myself!”

“You can try and help and still hurt yourself, I know you’re scared for Pomme, and that will mess with your mind, so we’re trying to help you realise how you’re stressed,” Fit attempted to explain.

“Just let us help, please.” Pac tried to convince him.

“I don’t need the help!” Despite his words, Etoiles voice started to waver. They were pushing him out of his mindset, and he was starting to think about how he was hurting.

“You do, and we won’t stop offering until you realise that.” The two were clear in what they planned to do.

“I, I,” Etoiles was breaking, he was scared, for Pomme, and the others, and what he was doing to himself. Fit notice tears welling in the man’s eyes and took him into a hug. Etoiles immediately hugged back. “I don’t know what to do, Pomme could be hurt and I don’t know what to do.” Tears were now falling from Etoiles’ eyes.

Pac saw the tears falling and hugged Etoiles from the back, hoping to make him feel better. “None of us know what to do, we just have to wait for a clue, so don’t think you’re suffering alone.”

“They’re strong, we’ve taught them well, you taught Pomme the best, as long as they have her, they will be safe when we find them,” Fit comforted,

Etoiles continued to sob for several more minutes before he finally began to run out of tears. “Pomme will keep them safe, she’ll keep herself safe.” He repeated what they told him.

“And it’s up to you to keep yourself safe for her,” Pac explained.

“I do, I can’t make her worry.” He pulled away from the two. “I didn’t realise how I was ignoring myself, thanks for helping me realise.” He softly smiled at them.

“Anytime, you’re our friend,” Fit responded.

“I need to catch up on some self care, it’s been so long since I ate an actual meal,” his words were interupted by a yawn, “Or a full nights sleep.”

“You should go get those,” Fit responded.

“I will,” he gave another soft smile, “Again, thank you for helping me realise all this.”

Pomme was out there somewhere he didn’t know, but she had her siblings to help, and like she would rely on them, he needed to rely on his friends in this hard time. 

Chapter Text

"Papa, I need to sleep, let me inside."

Phil let out a frustrated sigh as he looked down at what looked like a toddler. He knew better of course, the voice of a grown man was his first clue.

"Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Phil was having a stressful day, and dealing with Slime, although today he seems to have wanted to bring Gegg back, was the last thing he wanted.

"Papa, you want me dead? I'm just a baby, not even older than your son." Tears welled in his eyes, although Phil knew they were fake.

"I'm not your dad."

"Papa." Gegg was annoyingly good at pretending to be sad, too bad for him, Phil didn't care.

"Go home, or go bother someone else, Quackity's your dad, isn't he? He can take care of you." He doesn't know why he was giving in to this act, he should just call Slime out on whatever he was trying to do. Just when he was thinking about doing so, he heard Tallulah's voice from behind him.

"Gegg!" His daughter rushed past him and took Gegg into a hug. "You're back!"

"I'm back! And I want a sleepover!" Oh fuck no.

Tallulah looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "Please Papa? Can Gegg have a sleepover with me and Chayanne?"

Phil wanted to say no, Slime was just being annoying, but he couldn't say no to Tallulah when she looked at him like that. He signed again. "Alright, you can have a sleepover."

Tallulah happily bounced as she held Gegg's hands. "Thank you Papa!" She pulled Gegg along and took a few minutes to wonder when his life became so weird that allowing his daughter/granddaughter and son to have a sleepover with his friend pretending to be a kid because of his dead daughter wasn't something all that strange. He eventually entered their room and saw Tallulah and Chayanne showing Gegg some of their toys. The two were in their pyjamas while Gegg was borrowing some of Chayanne's. It was strange to see Gegg look small in Chayanne's clothes considering he was a good twenty years older than the kid.

Phil watched the trio play for another hour, them having time before they had to go to bed. Gegg was happy to join in on playing despite not being a kid, and it made Phil wonder if the disconnection between Slime and Gegg was coming back. He still doesn't know why Gegg was back.

"Señor cow needs to pay his child support," Gegg stated as he pretended to be a judge.

"Señor cow doesn't even want to see his kids, child support will do nothing," Tallulah had decided to be the one to play señor cow.

"They live with you, give me my kids back." Chayanne was playing some pig, and together they were playing a really strange court case.

"Miss Pig, you will get your kids, we just have to focus on child support first." Gegg wasn't very good at being a judge. "Señor cow, you have to pay child support, or else you will be forced to see your kids."

"The fuck is going on here," Phil muttered. Watching kids play is like watching TV in another language, sometimes he even sees them play in a different language.

"Nooooo!" She dragged out a scream while Chayanne let out a 'Yes!'

"You owe a million dollars a month!" Señor cow is going into debt.

Phil checked the time and saw it was time for bed. Best he puts an end to this sleepover as soon as possible. "Alright, bed time you three." The kids let out an 'Aww' at his words, bur packed up and got ready for bed. The three had pushed the two beds together so the three could all fit in bed without risking someone falling out, so Chayanne and Gegg took the ends while Tallulah situated herself in the middle.

"Do you want a story tonight?" Phil asked as he kneeled down next to the combined beds.

The kids shook their heads. "No thank you Papa, we're really tired," Chayanne stated.

"Alright then." Phil leaned over and gave his kids a kiss on the forehead before standing back up again. "Have a good night's sleep."

The kids gave their versions of goodnight and Phil left their room, letting them talk among themselves.

Tallulah turned over to where Gegg was laying while Chayanne sat up. "We're happy your back, but why?" Tallulah asked.

"Yeah, I thought you died," Chayanne added on.

Gegg tried to avoid the subject. "Death is only temporary for me, I will always come back."

Tallulah giggled at his words. "You sound like Tio Slime."

Gegg laughed back. "I get that alot." He just gave a soft smile as he tried to stop the conversation from crossing too far into an area that little kids wouldn't understand. "It's an adult matter, I'll tell you once you're older, or maybe someone else will."

Chayanne and Tallulah nodded at him, understanding that this wasn't something they could get from him. The three eventually fell asleep, and Phil woke them up in the morning.

Gegg got dressed in his own clothes, and Phil guided him out before going back to getting his kids ready for the day. He told the two he was going to check on Gegg, and left the two alone for a few minutes. Outside his door, he found Slime.

"Back to normal, huh Mate?" He asked.

"Yep, don't want to push myself back into it being painful again," Charlie answered as if the fact he pretended to be a child was normal.

Phil hesitated for a few moments before copying what his kids had done the night before. "I just wanted to ask, why did you become Gegg again? I thought you had done that healing."

Charlie looked away before answering. "I understand that I am Gegg now, but sometimes I wonder if Gegg is me, I wanted to know if I could become Gegg again and stay true to myself, and I could." He looked back at Phil, this time with a smile on his face that only spoke of wanting to annoy. "Then I ended up on the wall and wanted to see how you'd react to me being normal Gegg, then Tallulah came, and I got a sleepover out of it, great night."

Phil sighed again. "You really are something."

"I'm Slime, and so is Gegg, I just told you this."

He was happy Slime was working through the Gegg situation more, but he wanted to punt him right now.

Chapter Text

Foolish ran his finger across his banana. It was his favourite keepsake, a small gift from Vegetta that his heart had clung onto like it had when he first found himself falling for the older man. He often saw Phil and Slime fiddle with their rings when they were missing their partners, but Foolish of course didn't have one. Foolish was more than respectful of the fact that Vegetta was adamant on not getting married, but lately he had been having dreams of a wedding, Vegetta looking ad beautiful as they last day he saw him. He used to tell Leo about these dreams, and he would say that Foolish was just so in love with Vegetta he wanted a wedding even though he knew it could never happen. He used to just laugh and agree with his daughter, but lately those dreams changed, and they began to focus on the gorgeous little flower girl. He'd wake up, and he'd cry, cursing his dreams for getting his hopes up, for making him think that his family was intact.

There was his oldest son of course. Roier was still with him, but that didn't stop the fact they were missing family. He couldn't even confide in him, as he was fearing over the loss of his stepson still. Foolish missed Richarlyson as well, his darling little grandson, the best any grandma could ask for. He was missing three parts of his family, and he didn't know how to deal with it, he didn't know how to find help. So he didn't.

If he couldn't find help, he'd simply give the help. He'd keep a smile on his face, and keep making his jokes, and he could bring a happiness to the island while the kids were gone. People needed a reason to smile again, to laugh again, and both those things were contagious, so he simply had to be the first to do so. If he cried, or made it clear how torn up he was about how alone he felt, then people would lose hope, and he couldn't let that happen.

Of course, this was simply about the kids, he could reach out and tell people about how dearly he missed his boyfriend, but he wasn't the first to miss a partner. Other people could do so with little complaint, so if he, the one who never let any sadness get to him, cried about it, then how weak was he? He would just prove that he's useless without his sugar daddy.

He knew that people already held low opinions of him, so as long as he continued to smile, he'd show he was at least good at something.

"Poor little Leo, she's out there and she could he hurt, I hope we can find her soon." Tina was worried about her nephew, over the facetimes they had, she had grown so attached to Leo, and it only grew when she finally got to meet her in person. She was almost as worried as Foolish was.

But he couldn't let them know that he was more worried, or even on the same level of worry. He had to stop the worry. "She's fine, she's a strong kid, she'll be back before you know it, and she'll tell you all about her awesome adventures." He didn't believe his words, he had feared almost everyday that she was dead in a ditch somewhere.

"She's a kid," Mouse put emphasis on the word kid, "She can't be that strong, we should be worried."

"Yeah," Tina agreed. "For losing your kid, you're really okay with it, I saw you with her a lot, but at this point I feel like you just dumped her on other people to take care of her, you don't act like you loved her enough."

Foolish was shocked at the words, they came from nowhere. "Of course I love her, she was my kid."

"Maybe she was unhappy, maybe that's why she's gone." Mouse's voice wasn't harsh, and was instead giving the idea like it was an actual chance, and that hurt even more.

"I did love her, it's not my fault you can't see that." His voice came out far harsher than he wanted it to, and he warped away before he could make the situation worse.

"You two were way too harsh." Jaiden had been sitting with them, but hadn't found a way to get into the conversation that was heading south before it pushed Foolish away.

Mouse and Tina realised what they said, now not fueled with the anger of Foolish acting like everything with the kids was okay. "You're right, I really shouldn't have said there he didn't love Leo," Tina said guiltily.

"And I shouldn't have said he was the reason she left," Mouse added on.

"He does love Leo, and he misses her more than anything, you saw how he acted." As much as Foolish attempted to hide his fear, Jaiden knew him well. She may not have known him as long as Bad and Tina, but she knew what the island turned him into better than than did.

"He has been acting strangely, he's usually happy just because he's happy, but he feels different now, like he's hiding something," Tina gave her worries.

"Is he able to hide things? He seems too honest about it all." Mouse was the minority of the matter, not being nearly as close to Foolish as Jaiden and Tina were.

"He's really good at lying, always has been, he may be pretty dumb, but he knows how to use people perceptions about him to his advantage," Tina explained. "So the fact he's starting to break shows that something is very wrong."

"We should try and ask him if something's wrong, I want to help, and apologise," Mouse stated.

"I don't think that will work," Jaiden supplied, "We have to give him time, we need to make sure he won't just run away when we ask."

Tina nodded. "Jaiden's right, we should keep an eye on him, but we shouldn't rush into this, we can't make him scared."

The other two girls agreed, and they went on with their lives while making sure Foolish wasn't too hurt.

He was fine for several days, and while the girls were somewhat stalking him, he didn't realise it. Mouse and Tina apologised for what they said, and Foolish acted as though he didn't care that they insulted him and his love for Leo. It was concerning how easily he got past the issue, but they realised he probably wasn't over it, and was just pretending to be sonhe could go back to being his happy self without worrying over a grudge. Time went on, and they thought they wouldn't get to see him break, but then Tina appeared before the other two one day and grabbed their hands before pulling them along and into a bush. The two were confined but she shushed them and pointed out of the bush, and they looked forward and saw Foolish talking to the capybaras. They weren't close enough to hear, but with the translator turned on, they could read what he was saying and get a good enough glimpse of the conversation taking place.

"Do you think Leo's okay? Do you think Vegetta is okay?" He asked the capybaras, as if their opinion on the safety of his family would change the fear that ate his heart.

He read the sign that Mr. Mustard put down. 'I'm not sure, but we have to keep hoping they are.'

He sighed. "You're right, all we can do is hope." He repeated his words, pain seeing through. "All we can do is hope." Abuelito nosed at Foolish's shoulder before laying down and placing his head on his lap. Foolish pet the capybara and Senhora Neide layed beside Foolish and placed her head on him. "At least I have you, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you." He used his free hand to wipe away a tear that begun to fall.

Tango put down a sign for him to read. 'You'll always have us.'

"I know, I know." His voice was strained. "Just, where is the rest of our family, I want to know that Leo is safe, I want to know that's he's still with his siblings and they're all protecting eachother." His words were interrupted by a sniff. "I want to know that Vegetta is out there, and that he still loves me, that he'll come home one day."

From the bush, the girls felt the words pulling at their hearts. Everyone was dealing with their kids being lost, so on course they knew Foolish was experiencing it as well, but they hadn't realised that Vegetta being gone was also affecting him.

Despite the distance, they saw tears fall down his face faster. Atop his head, the speech bubble said 'I don't want to be alone anymore.'

"Do we show ourselves?" Mouse asked.

"I think we should," Tina answered.

Jaiden was the first to get out of the bush, and the others carefully followed. Foolish didn't hear the rustling of leaves, so they just made their way over. The capybaras saw them, but they let Foolish realise the girls were there himself. "Are you okay?" Jaiden spoke.

Foolish jumped slightly at the voice, and Abuelito lifted his head to stare at Foolish before laying back down. "Oh yeah, I'm great, just being KOC," he tried to be convincing, bur tears still stained his cheeks.

"You can tell us when somethings wrong, we won't react badly again," Tina tried to offer.

"There's nothing wrong, when is there anything wrong with me? I'm the happy one, I'm the last one you have to worry about," his voice was defensive, and he was ready to put the spotlight of the conversation on anyone but him. "Jaiden, how's Roier? Him and Cellbit still going strong? How's he been dealing with Richarlyson being gone?"

Jaiden sighed. "You know those answers, he's your son." Foolish looked down at being caught. "We know there's something wrong, so please, just tell us, you help me when Bobby's death feels like a raw memory again, so why can't you let me return the favour, let us know what's bothering you."

Foolish struggled for words for several seconds before tears fell down his face again. "I don't know what to do, I feel so alone without Leo, she's been my light for months, I don't know how I ever lived without her, and now I'm struggling to live without her." The girls patiently waited for him to get out his feelings. "While Vegetta has been gone she helped, we shared our feelings, we were able to cry together, and now she's gone." He sniffled a few times before continuing. "Vegetta has been gone for so long, he was the love of my life, he is the love of my life, so why did he have to leave? I'll wait for him, I'll always wait for him even if it takes decades, but that doesn't mean waiting is easy." He broke into tears once more, and they knew his words were done.

Jaiden moved behind Foolish and kneeled down, wrapping her arms around him. The capybaras understood her and moved back, and Mouse and Tina joined and hugged him from his sides. He wrapped his arms around the women by his side and tilted his head to rest it on Jaiden's. "You don't have to deal with all those emotions alone, you aren't alone," Mouse comforted.

"I know how much they meant to you, and you mean a lot to us, so we want to help," Tina stated.

"You helped me so much when I was dealing with Bobby's death, so let me help you deal with the emotions of losing people, even though they're not as permanent, because they aren't permanent, you will have you family back by your side."

"Thank you, I love you all so much." Emotion took over Foolish again, but this time, it was positive. He wasn't alone, he had people he could talk to, he didn't have to pretend to be happy all the time, because they wanted him to be able to talk about his emotions so they could extend the love he showed them back to him.

His family was separated, but they'd come back, and until then, he had the rest of his chosen family to help him.

Chapter Text

"Are we still on for dinner?" Pac asked as the morning crew took a rest under a tree.

"Of course, I love having dinner with you." Fit placed his hand on Pac's intact thigh as he spoke.

"Oooh, dinner? Can I join?" Tubbo was having trouble planning meals, so a chance to not have to was an opportunity he would take.

"Oh, no Tubbo, this is just for us two, we don't want anyone else joining." Pac placed his head on Fit's shoulder as he spoke.

"You two going on a date?" Phil asked.

"What? No, just a hang out, a normal, friendly hang out," Fit protested the question.

"Why would you just hang out with your boyfriend? You can call it a date even if it isn't overly romantic," Tubbo stated as if he was giving a new world view to the two older men.

"How many times do I have to say, our relationship is N.Y.O.B." He used his other hand to push his finger down to accentuate each letter.

Pac gave a soft smile to Fit before looking back. "What he means is we're just friends, and making guesses on what we are when we say what we are isn't going to get you anywhere."

"Exactly." Fit returned the smile.

"Well, if that's what you say." Mike was surprisingly able to move on from the subject first.

Pac stretched and got out his warp stone. "I think I'm gonna leave, I've got some stuff I have to do."

"I'll come with you," Fit stated. He pulled out his warp stone as well, and they bid their farewells to the group, and warped away.

"Think they're off to make out?" Tubbo asked as soon as they left, ignoring their request to stop asking.

"Probably, they're not very secret about their relationship," Phil responded, also not accepting their request.

"They're not dating," Mike stated at their words.

Tubbo tilted his head. "How can you believe that? I know Pac is really important to you, but you have to share him, and ignoring what they have is the opposite of that."

"I don't just believe whatever he says, he does try to lie to me sometimes, and I always know, and what he said was not a lie, they do believe that what's between them is just friendly," he explained. Even with how they began to become separate people again, Pac would never be able to keep something from Mike.

"How do they think it's just friendly? Have they seen how they act around eachother?" Phil was unable to understand how they didn't realise their feelings for eachother.

"They're the only ones who don't know they're dating." Tubbo was equally unable to understand.

"I don't know about what Fit is thinking, but Pac is the type to see someone on the street and plan the wedding, so I think that's making him think there's not much to his feelings." Mike had yet to talk to him about Pac's feelings for Fit, but they're close enough that he knows even if he's not being told.

"So, we just have to make him understand his feelings are serious?" Tubbo asked.

"Are we playing cupid for them now?" Phil wasn't opposed to the idea, but it wasn't what he expected to do today, or anytime soon.

"Why not, if it makes Pac happy, I'll do it." Mike was wary of Fit, but if Pac trusted him, he'd let go of some of his worries. At least until Fit fucked up and hurt Pac.

"Okay, so we have to talk to them and get them to understand their feelings." Tubbo smacked his fist down onto his hand. "Phil, you talk to Fit, Mike, you talk to Pac, and I'll join whoever needs the help."

"You should come with me," Mike offered. "You were around when they first became like this, so you might be able to help."

Tubbo nodded. "So, we start tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan, we shouldn't interupt whatever they're doing now, or dinner." Phil agreed with the plan.

Mike nodded back. "Tomorrow sounds good."

The three left their plan in the past of their conversation, and continued to talk about other things until they eventually decided to retire to have dinner separately.

The next day, Phil found Fit and opened up the conversation with the topic of his and Pac's dinner.

"How was dinner?"

"Oh, it was great." Fit's voice was brimming with happiness. He enjoyed Pac's company much more than Phil could guess. "We were only separated for about an hour before we joined back up for dinner, but he got me flowers again." Pac's gotten him flowers before? "I should really get him some flowers next time, he deserves them."

"Flowers for flowers, that sounds nice." Phil was hoping he would enter the discussion of feelings himself so he didn't have to try and find a way to bring them up.

"For the flowers of course, but also just for being him." His voice turned almost dreamy. "I mean, Pac's just amazing, he gets along with people so well, and he's smart and strong, not to mention beautiful, I can't believe I got to meet someone like him, let alone get to spend so much time with him." Luckily, he drove the conversation further into the topic of Pac.

"You really think highly of Pac, don't you?" Phil asked. Now he could gently guide the conversation in the right direction.

"Of course I do, who wouldn't?"

"I just mean that you think of him much higher than others do, to think about getting him flowers just for existing the way he does."

"Well, maybe others should get him flowers as well." He stopped speaking and hesitated for a few moments before starting up again. "Maybe they shouldn't, I don't like the idea of others giving him flowers." Bingo.

"Jealous?' He teased.

"Maybe a bit, I don't know why, Pac deserves the world, so I know I shouldn't want to keep him to myself, but the idea of someone else giving him flowers when there's those stereotypes makes me upset." He knew the stereotypes he was talking about. Giving someone flowers can be seen as romantic.

"But he gives you flowers, and you want to give him flowers, so you know it can be platonic."

Fit hesitated. "It's just, I think I want Pac to still think of flowers as romantic."

"Oh?" Phil tilted his head. He was so close to getting Fit to tell him how he felt about Pac.

"I know we're just friends, but sometimes it doesn't feel like that, and when it doesn't, I feel so happy, like this is how it should be all the time, and when we do things that are seen as romantic, I feel like I can pretend there's something more to what we have." Fit explained how he felt. Their relationship was complicated in a way that could only become less so if they made a risk, and Fit hadn't seemed to realise it was a risk he could take.

"But what if you can have more with Pac?" Phil suggested.

"What do you mean?" Fit asked slowly, still unaware of what he could be doing.

"You are interested in Pac." Phil said what was obvious to everyone but the two. Fit didn't fight the allegation, so Phil knew he had accepted it. "So ask him out, if you two are dating, there will be more to what you have."

Fit was silent for a few moments before hesitantly speaking. "You think Pac likes me back?"

Phil gave a quick laugh. "Everyone but you sees how interested in you he is."

Fit nodded. "Okay, yeah, I'll do that, I'll tell him how I feel." His voice started hesitant but became more confident as the sentence went on.

Phil placed a hand on Fit's shoulder. "Pac's a good match for you, I expect to see you two dating the next time I see you." Fit gave a laugh at his words. Now he just had to wait for Tubbo and Mike to do their part.

Pac was planning to talk to Mike today, and was a little surprised to see Tubbo arrive with him. "Found Tubbo along the way, and he wanted to come along," Mike had explained.

"Great to see you again." He liked Tubbo, and it wasn't like their conversation was supposed to be private, so why not.

"Just wanted to know how dinner with Fit went," Tubbo stated with a smile.

"Yeah, you haven't told me yet." Mike also wanted to know how their date but not really a date went.

Pac became flustered. "Oh, it was amazing, Fit cooked up some really nice pasta, and I thought to bring him some flowers, he really liked when I gave him some last time." Tubbo and Mike weren't sure how he thought he was fooling them when the situation sounded nothing but romantic.

"Do you get him flowers often?" Mike asked.

"Only once before, the first time we had dinner together, but I've been wanting to do so more, he deserves a nice gift." Pac's face was flushed as he spoke. This was going to be ridiculously easy.

"Flowers are a bit romantic, don't you think? Since you're just friends, don't you think something else would be a better present?" Tubbo pushed their conversation into the direction it was needing to go.

"Well," Pac hesitated. "I don't mind that they're romantic, or that he could see it as romantic." His words became quieter as he continued, aware of what he was saying but unable to stop himself.

"What do you mean by that?" Mike had a suspicion they were going to get on the needed topic soon.

"It's just, if he chooses to see the act as romantic, or me as romantic, I wouldn't mind." Pac was trying to carefully choose his words, but he'd slip soon.

"You'll be fine with him seeing you as romantic?" Tubbo hoped just repeating him would help push the conversation into the correct direction.

"I mean, yeah." Pac was getting more flustered by the minute. "Out of anyone on the island, I guess I'd like to date him the most."

"A lot of people would want to date him the most." Mike understood they were going to start going around in circles, so he tried jealousy.

Pac froze at the words. "Really?"

Tubbo understood what Mike was trying to do. "Yeah, I surprised he's still single." He ignored the whole Fit being married thing, since Fit was actively trying to get divorced.

Pac acted uncomfortable. "Well, he's just like that, he wants to find the right person, maybe this person is on the island, but maybe not." It was obvious he was trying to hide his jealousy.

"You're really close to him, who do you think makes sense to be his perfect person the most?" Mike was hoping this would be what pushed Pac to say what he felt.

"I, I um." Pac stuttered slightly and he took a deep breath before speaking again. "I don't really know, but, I'd hope I'd be his perfect person."

"I thought you two were just friends?" Tubbo's voice came out cockier than he wanted, but Pac didn't seem to notice.

"We are just friends, but," he hesitated for a few seconds before continuing, "That doesn't mean I can't want more." He let out a deep breath. "That actually feels really good to admit."

Mike placed a hand on Pac's shoulder. "See, it's good to be honest about how you feel for Fit."

Pac smiled at his best friend before it faltered. "That doesn't mean I can ever have something more with him."

"Why not? If you were lying about your feelings, what's to say he wasn't lying about his? There's a chance, like a major chance, that he feels the same way as you do," Tubbo explained.

"Really? You think he could like me?" Pac asked, hope seeping into his voice.

"Definitely," Mike stated.

Pac smiled again. "Alright, I'll ask him out, I can do that."

Tubbo and Mike gave confident looks to eachother. Their plan was falling into place.

The next day, they each got messages from the two saying that they were going to confess, and they shared the news with eachother in the groupchat they made. Phil got details from Fit, and Tubbo and Mike got details from Pac, so they knew both sides of what was going to happen, and more importantly, they knew where they should spy from.

The three got there before the soon to be couple arrived and they found a decently sized bush to hide in. It was a bit of a tight squeeze with three of them, but they didn't mind, they just wanted to see Pac and Fit finally get together.

Pac arrived first, and was shifting uncomfortably, looking at his comm every few seconds. He visibly relaxed when Fit arrived, but he was still nervous. They couldn't hear what they were saying, so they relied on the translations.

"Pac, sorry I'm late!" Fit was as nervous as Pac. "I had a last minute idea, and it took a few minutes to do."

Pac waved his hands in front of him. "Oh, it's fine, it wasn't too much of a wait." He tilted his head. "What was your idea?"

Fit reached into his inventory and pulled out a bouquet of flowers, extending his arm to hand them to Pac. "You get me flowers so much, I thought I'd get you some." He meant for his words to end there but quickly continued. "But they're not just a thanks, you deserve flowers just for being you, for being so amazing."

Pac's face flushed again, and he gently took the flowers from Fit's hand. "Oh, they're beautiful, I love them."

"It's the least I could do, considering..." He stopped his words, unconfident in what he wanted to say.

"Considering?" Pac's voice was full of hope, but he tried not to make it too obvious.

Back in the bush, the trio was patiently waiting for everything to unfold. It was so close.

"They better fucking kiss after this, it'll help make them less obnoxious if they have their first kiss early," Phil stated.

"They'll kiss, Pac won't be able to wait." Mike shared his knowledge of Pac's actions again.

"Them getting together will solve all my problems." The other two didn't speak about how he made many more problems than just having to deal with Pac and Fit ignoring their feelings.

"Considering..." Fit was freaking out, he has to confess, but there's no going back after this. "Considering... You're my best friend." He chickened out. The trio in the bush were now waiting for Pac to make the move.

Pac's face twisted into a slight pained expression. "Oh." He was hoping there would be more. "Um, you're my best friend too, don't tell Mike I said that." Too late.

Fit could have fixed what he said, but he was too scared, he had to accept that what they had would always remain platonic. "Despite what everyone says, we're just friends, and we like it that way."

"Yeah, just friends." Pac's voice was struggling to stay calm.

"What the fuck!?" Tubbo said a bit too loud, and the others were scared the duo may have heard them.

"They were doing so well," Phil groaned.

"What the fuck was Fit thinking, he said he had feelings for Pac." Mike was also struggling to keep his voice at a reasonable level.

The two made no effort to bring their continuing conversation back to their feelings, and Tubbo was livid. "I've fucking had enough." He moved in the bush. "If they're not going to say anything, I'll make them say something." The other two couldn't stop him before he got out of the bush and made his way over to Pac and Fit. The two didn't notice he was there until he was quite close, and Pac felt guilty over not having confessed like he said he would.

"Tubbo, what are you doing here?" Fit's voice was full of confusion. Tubbo didn't answer, and instead twisted Pac around a bit to make him properly face Fit, and as he was about to ask what he was doing, pushed his head against Fit, leaving the two of them to connect their mouths.

Pac and Fit were shocked at this, but even though it was a mistake, the kiss felt magical, and they quickly shut their eyes and kissed truthfully. Pac's arms found their were around Fit's neck, and Fit's arms wrapped around Pac's waist.

"That's one way to do it." Mike stated as he and Phil joined Tubbo's side.

The two pulled away from eachother and blushed, disconnecting themselves from eachother. "I'm, so sorry for that," Pac apologised.

"I'm sorry too, I don't know what I was thinking," Fit apologised back.

"We know what you were thinking," Tubbo stated, annoyed at how long this was taking.

"Why did you do that? Did you want me to kiss Fit?" Pac asked, despite already knowing the answer to the latter.

"Listen," Phil started. "You two have been dancing around eachother for a long time, and everyone knows your feelings for eachother, and you two have realised you feelings for eachother, so now all you have to do is ask eachother out, but you two are really bad at that."

The two flushed red again. "Wait, you like me?" Fit asked.

"Y-yeah, I, I'm surprised that you like me," Pac stuttered.

"Well, I mean, you're you, what isn't there to love?" Fit was trying to look away but his eyes always fell back onto Pac.

"But you're also you, I felt like I was just not good enough for you." Despite his words, knowing Fit liked him left a smile on his face.

"You're more than enough for me," Fit explained as he grabbed Pac's hands.

Phil and Tubbo stared at the two, happy their plan worked. Mike slightly dragged the two away, wanting Pac to be able to express his feelings to his soon to be partner without the worry of watching eyes.

"Does this make us boyfriends?" Pac asked as the trio were out of hearing range.

Fit gave a soft smile. "I'd love to be your boyfriend."

Pac grinned at Fit's words and leaned in again for another kiss, which Fit enthusiastically returned. They liked being more than friends, this really was how they were supposed to be. But they couldn't forget to thank their friends for letting this happen, nothing would have happened if it weren't for them. Mostly Tubbo. That was still a weird thing to do though.

Chapter Text

Taking down the codes was a past time at this point, something Etoiles could do without much thinking. Of course, he had to worry about his friends, thought was necessary, but fighting shouldn't have been a problem. It wasn't for the first two, he downed them as he had done many times before, but this last one was far stronger. He's not sure why, everytime he hit it, it felt like it did nothing, maybe it was just a stronger one, or maybe they were programmed to become stronger and stronger as time went on. He really needed to practice more. He swiped at the code over and over, but barely any code strayed from the mass. he was becoming tired, and as he was too tired to block, the code got a far too well aimed hit on him, and he felt his chestplate break. The shards of armour that dug into his skin now were bad enough, but another hit left him flying back, and he swore he felt his heart stopped beating for a second.

The group began to scream, Phil, Pierre and Bad ran up to him, wanting to help, with Tubbo staying back and screaming, bringing attention to the fact the code had flew away.

"Holy shit! Pierre, help me pick him up!" He heard Phil's voice beside him and then felt himself get lifted off the ground on that side. He then felt himself be picked up on his other side. Probably Pierre. It was difficult to tell when his vision was blurry and going black, and each moment shoved pain throughout his body.

"Don't move him too much! I have to get the bleeding to stop!" He heard Bad's voice and a black blur appeared in front of him. The growth in the blur was Bad taking off his cloak, which he then used to tie around where the blood was flowing. Every new sensation the cloak brought was hell, and he wished that each time his thoughts stopped and black invaded his vision, he wouldn't wake up until all the pain was over. He had no such luck, and he was forced to stay awake until it was secured.

"Shit, is he okay?!" Tubbo had finally made his way over and worriedly asked the group trying to help Etoiles.

"Hopefully he will be, but he is crying and bleeding, as you can see." Shit, Etoiles hadn't realised there were tears falling down his face until now. Despite the pain, he felt humiliated more than anything. He was supposed to be strong, someone the islanders can rely on, but he was crying over a simple wound and required help standing. When had he become like this? A distant part of his brain supplied it was when Pomme left, which was annoying, since this was when he needed to be strong the most.

He heard Phil's voice again. "Etoiles Mate, are you with us still?" Somewhat, his conciousness cut out one of the words, but he still understood. He shakily nodded, hissing at the new pain that spread.

"Good, good, don't move too much now, we don't want you more hurt, you'll be fine as long as you let us help." There wasn't much else he could do but let them help, so obviously he let them.

"We're gonna warp you now, alright? Don't be scared, everything will be fine, we'll make sure of it." Things shouldn't be fine. He failed. He deserves to die.

Still, he saw purple blurs surround the trio, showing they were going to warp. He wasn't concious by the time the warp was made.

When he came back to the world of conciousness, his pain hadn't lessened, but he was lying in a bed, so that was at least a plus. Again, it's not like he deserved it. He was supposed to win and help his friends, but he failed. He was lucky the code left, because it could have hurt them next. He would never forgive himself if he was the reason one of his friends got hurt.

"Everything's okay, you don't need to cry." He blinked away the tears he hadn't realised were coming before realising someone was by his side. He turned his head slightly, ignoring the heavy amounts of pain it caused, and saw Phil sitting by his side.

"I'm sorry," he got out after struggling for words.

Phil's brows got closer as his face twisted in confusion. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I failed you, I failed everyone." He tried to make sure tears wouldn't fall again, but a few escaped.

"You didn't fail anyone, you just didn't win a fight," Phil explained as if Etoiles didn't know what happened.

"Exactly, I failed you, I should have won." It's what he did, he fought, he was supposed to always win against the code.

"We don't expect you to win every battle," Phil explained. "Some battles can't be won, and we can't hold them against you."

"But if I can't win, why keep me around." Etoiles had begun to fight for this exact reason. If he could win, he was worthy to be kept around.

"Because you're our friend Mate." Phil's voice was soft, caring, but there was still a strength to it that demanded no rebuttle. Etoiles wanted to look away, but it would cause far too much pain. He doesn't know why Phil would say this, even after he failed him. "I don't know exactly how to show that you're worth it, but I'll come by everyday until you get better, that'll be a start."

"You don't have to." Etoiles could heal by himself.

"I know," Phil said strongly. "I'm staying because I want to, because I want to show that I care about you, even if you think you aren't worth the love."

Etoiles wanted to fight again, but Phil was good at convincing. "Okay, you better not leave me lonely."

Phil gave a smile at his words. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As he promised, for the next few days, he came and talked with Etoiles while he healed. Others sometimes visited, but mostly it was just the two of them. They shared their stories and reminisced about memories, and Etoiles had to admit, he didn't feel as bad for losing the fight now. It all still hurt like a bitch, but there was less guilt. His days were fun, and Etoiles didn't want to let Phil go, but there was more to the island than just them.

"There's an event on tomorrow," Phil stated as the clock ticked past 10 pm.

"I don't think I'll he able to get out of bed." Etoiles loved the island's events, so it was sad he wouldn't be able to go to this one.

"I know, Cucurucho said you didn't have to, but for everyone else, it's mandatory," he explained.

"Oh." So that meant...

"I won't be here tomorrow, but I'll stop by before the event, and after if there's time, hopefully you'll only be alone for a few hours." Etoiles didn't like being alone, being alone made him think of Pomme and how worried he was for her safety, but if it was mandatory, he'd wait it through.

"I'll be fine alone, you better tell me everything in detail."

"Sure thing Mate, goodnight, I've got an event to sleep for."

When the next morning came, Phil arrived and they talked for an hour before Phil had to leave again. Phil had left him a book so he wouldn't be bored, so for a few hours he simply read to pass the time. It mostly worked, aside from the pain he felt as he used his muscles to hold the book and flip the pages, and a character that reminded him far too much of Pomme. Luckily she was a minor character.

He had gotten most of the way through the book when he heard Phil's voice. "Etoiles, Etoiles! You have to look!" He hadn't realised he came in, so when he looked up, he was beyond shocked at the sight.

A slightly tired looking Phil, but more importantly, Pomme in his arms. Her hair was sticking up everywhere, in desperate need of a brush. She was lacking the facepaint she usually wore, instead her face was covered in dried mud and blood, as was the rest of her skin and the apple patterned buttoned pyjamas she had worn to bed the night she disappeared. She looked so tired, and far too old. Far older than the toddler she was, whatever she had been doing with her siblings had aged her mentally. Despite it all, it was Pomme, his daughter was back, and he wanted her in his arms.

"Pomme!" He all but threw his book to the side and reached out his arms, ignoring the pain.

"Papa!" Her voice was tired, pained, but she smiled so brightly and reached out her as as well.

Phil walked over and handed Pomme to Etoiles, who immediately held her to his chest and let out a sob. His daughter was home. He didn't have to fear for her anymore. She was safe. Pomme was crying as well, they were both letting out tears of joy, and didn't care that there was someone watching them do so.

"The event was to save the eggs, at least some of them," Phil explained. "Chayanne's there, maybe some others, the other islanders are trying to save him."

"Go save your son, Pomme will keep me company." Phil nodded at his words and left, wanting to see his son safe, and maybe see if his daughter is there as well.

He looked back at his daughter, who was wiping away her tears. Everything hurt as he held her, but he didn't care, he suffered so much hurt while she was away and now she was his only antidote. "Papa, I'm scared."

He held her tighter. "Scared?"

She sniffed. "So much happened, I was just sleeping, and then I felt this paranoia, and then I saw it." She gripped at his shirt.

"What did you see?" He needed to know what scared his daughter so thoroughly.

"It." Her words were elongated in a way that showed she didn't plan to actually say what it was. It must have been that terrifying. "So I ran, and I found the others."

"Did they also see it?" He asked.

"Yes." Her words were a fearful hiss. "So we ran, far away, sometimes we saw it again, so we had to go further and further."

"How did you get back?"

"Cucurucho found us, we didn't want to go back, so we ran again, but he caught me and Chayanne." So the others were still out there.

"It won't catch you, I promise, I'll keep you safe." He kissed her forehead to solidify his promise, not caring about the dirt and blood that lingered on his lips from it.

Pomme snuggled closer to his chest. "And I'll protect you, you need it, you look like you've been through a lot." Despite her fear, she knew she was strong, and wanted to use it to protect.

"I have been through a lot." It was the first time he really admitted that a lot had happened while the kids had been gone.

"Like what?" She asked.

He hesitated for a few moments before explaining what bad happened, with all the code stuff and disappearances, people coming back. It never felt like much had happened, but explaining it reminded him how much had happened in such little time.

"Wow," she softly said after Etoiles had finished summing up the past few weeks. She looked down. "Why did we have to go through so much when we were apart, I wish I could have be there for you, I wish you could have been there for me."

Etoiles hugged her tighter yet again. "It'll be fine, we have eachother now, and healing will be easier, because no matter what, we can confide in eachother." He felt her nod against his chest, and they went silent, and eventually Pomme fell asleep. As he held his sleeping daughter, he promised himself that he would never let something like this happen again, and promised that he would help her through any trauma that came from this, as while she was far younger, she would immediately do the same.

Chapter Text

Antoine never showed what was beneath his box to people. People could have their guesses, with how beneath his tattered cloak was black and scaly with green scattered around. He certainly wasn't human, but neither were many of the islanders, so people just went about their day without worrying too much. Etoiles didn't expect his protests of people seeing under the box magically change for him once they started dating, but as the months dragged on, Etoiles was becoming antsy with the fact.

Antoine would always cover Etoiles eyes before lifting up the box so they could kiss, and refused to go much further in their relationship so he didn't have to take the box off. Etoiles would always respect his wishes, but seeing how Antoine still refused to let anyone see under the box despite how deep their relationship had become was worrying. He understands what it's like to be uncomfortable with the way you looked, being an anthropomorphic cucumber isn't easy, but he knows stepping outside your comfort zone is the best way to fix that. But Antoine's comfort zone is seemingly so small, he wonders if he has even seen himself in a mirror without the box on any time in the past ten years.

He wanted to help Antoine, but this wasn't something he could fix for him. He had to let Antoine show him his face and then go from there.

Etoiles felt Antoine's lips leave his own, and he was told, "You can open your eyes now." When he opened them, Antoine's box was back over his face.

"Why don't you let me see your face?" He probably should have eased into the question, but this was something he had been thinking about for months, and he just wanted an answer at this point.

The way Antoine froze at the question showed that he wasn't expecting that sort of question to happen today, or maybe anytime soon. His hands clenched and his claws dug slightly into his palm. "I don't show anyone my face," he answered, hoping it would be an answer he would take. He could have, but he wanted to know the issue today.

"But why don't you show anyone your face?" He asked again.

Antoine hesitated for a few moments before answering. "I'm ugly."

Etoiles' face twisted in worry. How could he believe he was ugly? Sure, he hadn't seen his face, but such a perfect man could never be ugly.

"How could you believe that?" He asked.

"How could you question me when you don't know what I look like?" Antoine's voice was perhaps a bit too harsh.

Etoiles took hold of Antoine's hands. He didn't want this to turn into an argument, he just wanted Antoine to love himself, believe he was as gorgeous as he likely was. "Because I don't know how someone like you could ever be considered ugly."

Antoine kept a hold of Etoiles' hands, but looked away. "You're just saying that, if I show you my face, you'll see that I'm right, that I'm hideous." He hesitated for a few seconds before speaking again, quieter this time. "And then you'll break up with me, and I love you too much to want to let you go."

How could he believe that Etoiles was so selfish he would break up with him just for his looks? Even if he wasn't beautiful, if it's Antoine, there is a beauty to be found, and he could never break up with him for such a shallow reason as looks. "I have yet to see your face, and I am happy and in love with you, why would seeing it now change that?"

"I," he went quiet for a few seconds, trying to find his words. "I don't know," He finally said.

"Listen," Etoiles gave a slight squeeze to his hands. "If you don't want to show me, that's fine, but I want you to know that I won't react badly if you do show me, I love you, and your looks won't change that."

Antoine looked Etoiles in the face again, the shittily drawn face showing no emotion, but the way he tensed up let Etoiles know he was nervous. "I, I want to show you my face."

Etoiles was shocked. "Really?"

The slight jostle of the box let him know Antoine nodded. "Yes, you're right, I know you love me, and I don't want paranoia to keep getting in the way of you getting to know me better."

Etoiles gave him a soft smile. "Whenever you're ready," he said softly.

Antoine gently pulled his hands away from Etoiles' and slowly brought them up to his box, hesitated for several seconds before lifting it up a couple centimetres and putting it back down again. He let out a sigh, and Etoiles didn't have time to give encouragement or say it didn't have to be today when the box was quickly ripped up and off his head.

Etoiles was stunned at the view. The black skin with dotted green continued up and it felt as though every blotch of green was in the perfect place. It was hard to tell, but pure black eyes stared nervously at him, his mouth in a thin line and only showed the sharp teeth when he bit his lip from anxiety over the situation. Etoiles couldn't help the words that fell our his mouth without thought.

"You're beautiful."

Red flushed Antoine's face at his words. "You really think so?"

"Of course, how could I not?" He couldn't tear his eyes away. He had such a beautiful boyfriend all this time and he had no idea to what level that beauty was taken.

Antoine gave a wide smile, showing off those sharp teeth again. He could probably tear apart someone in seconds with them. How perfect could he be? Etoiles couldn't contain himself and brought Antoine into a kiss. The first time he's been able to properly initiate one.

When they pulled back, he was finally able to appreciate the way he smiled dumbly after they kissed.

"I also think you're beautiful." Etoiles was the one to blush now.

The road to being confident in your appearance was a long one, but Antoine was amazing, so he'd be able to go through it, and Etoiles wanted to be there every step of the way.

Chapter Text

On his better days, Tubbo would dare to say that emotions were easy. You look at how other people experience them and learn. On bad days, he would hate himself for ever thinking that, as emotions were incredibly difficult. Lately, it just felt like one bad day after the other. The kids he was supposed to be babysitting going missing, his crush rejecting him, people being pissed about his hole project. He never got a break, and it would feel like the stress was wedging itself into his brain and making a home in there.

He was trying to just get the day done, but as he was placing a block there was a wet feeling on the underside of his brain and he knew he didn't like where it was, wo he'd remove it and place it somewhere else, and them repeat the process eleven times. He bit at his finger, an annoying habit he had picked up when he was young for when he was stressed, and then wiped the overwhelming feeling away on his jeans. He wanted to scream out his anger, but the stress told him to stay quiet, so he just let the emotions tie themselves into knots in his head.

"Seriously Tubbo, why do you need this hole." Bad was the last thing he needed right now.

"I just do." There was a reason, he just couldn't remember it with all the fuzz and wetness covering his brain.

"It's an eyesore." It was useful. "Seriously, why did you make this, it's useless and annoying, everyone's annoyed by it." His words weren't even that bad, but Tubbo couldn't find it in him to speak anymore, sadness lodging itself in his throat. "We don't know why you did this, it's stupid." For some reason that's what broke everything.

"Could you shut the fuck up for one fucking second!?" He screamed, sadness slipping down into his heart and transforming into anger.

Bad flinched at his words. "Language-!"

"Don't fucking language me Bad!" Itchiness covered his skin as his brain was too focused on anger to care about regulating his temperature and his body overheated. Still, he shivered, feeling far too cold. "You don't fucking tell me what to do! I do whatever the fuck I want!" His muscles felt strained, and his voice was getting too quiet despite his words.

Bad crossed his arms. "You're being unreasonable!"

"Fuck you!" He screamed out before he pulled out a warp stone and warped away, not caring about what Bad said as he warped. Not like he'd be able to hear anyways, his ears full of the warping noise.

He didn't know where else to go, so he went to his and Fred's bench. It was a perfect place. The wood wasn't a texture that Tubbo couldn't stand like most benches and it was connected to Fred. Even with the rejection, Fred only gave an aura of safety, of whelm.

Still, no matter how he felt about Fred, about the bench, overstimulation wasn't something you could get rid of just with some calm place.

The wetness in his brain grew. Despite struggling with emotions, his brain decided that the feeling of wetness meant pain. The world understood wet meant rain as well, as water rushed down from the sky minutes within having sat down. He doesn't remember which came first, the rain whenever he was upset and overstimulated, or the wetness that covered the underside of his brain when he was upset and overstimulated. Either way, there was no doubt they were somehow connected to eachother. Annoyingly, the rain just makes him more overstimulated.

He couldn't be bothered to move, moving felt overstimulating. Even if the rain was overstimulating as well, he'd rather sit through it than deal with the double overstimulation that would take place until he found a spot of of the rain.

Time never felt real when he was overstimulated, sometimes he'd sit for what felt like hours and it'd only be a few minutes, other times he felt like only few minutes past when in reality it had been several hours. This time it felt like both simultaneously. Although it was probably only a few minutes, as when people approached, they were soaked in a way that told him they hadn't had time to grab an umbrella.

"Holy shit Mate, it is you!" He heard Phil yell. Too loud.

"What are you doing out here? It's pouring." Mike touched his arm, which was soaking.

"You're lucky Fit saw you, or else you'd be left out here until you caught a cold." Pac and Fit were also here.

"Which means we have to get you out of the rain before that happens." Too many people. He didn't care about Fit's words, he just wanted the overwhelming feelings to stop. They must have realised he wasn't planning to move, as the next thing he knew, he was being lifted up by Fit. The wet cloth of his clothes were annoying, but not as bad as walking in this state. He felt someone grab onto his arm, probably Pac, and heard the sound of Ge warp stones. While warping with someone else using one crystal worked, it was always safer for three to use two, as it did have the chance to fail, and they had yet to see the latter math fail. The next thing he knew, he was in Tallulah and Chayanne's room.

He was placed on a towel and given another one. Both were good materials that weren't too rough or soft. They were a tad bit small, so they were likely Tallulah's. They luckily shared a lot of preferences when it came to things dictated by their autism. They didn't speak as Tubbo dried himself off, although Mike did hand him some of his own clothes for Tubbo to wear. They politely turned around while he got out of his soaking wet clothes, them doing the same with their own. Pac took Tubbo's wet clothes and placed them in his backpack. Hopefully he'd give them back.

Tubbo was slowly starting to calm down. Getting out of the rain and into some dry clothes really helped. He was aware enough of the situation to see Phil pull out a box from his backpack. The name Wilbur was crossed out with Tallulah written above it, making the writing on the box say 'Tallulah's fidgets.' The box was placed in front of him and he immediately took one. A plastic worm that was rainbow and made of several novable pieces.

Spinning it around, he begun to speak. "Thank you, I had a hard time getting out of the rain."

"You're welcome Tubbo," Fit stated. "It's not often we get rain, so we were trying to figure out why it happened when I saw you." He chose not to mention it was likely his fault.

"Why were you out sitting in the rain anyways?" Mike asked.

"Waiting for your boyfriend?" Pac asked with a teasing tone. That one hurt, and he's sure the rain got just a little worse outside.

"The bench is comforting," he started, shaking the worm a bit as the string beneath the plastic tightened too much and he had to release the tension. "It's not just where I got to write letters to Fred, I also like to go there when I get upset, overstimulated." He tried to think about how to get to the subject of Bad, before deciding to try and ease into it. "I got very overstimulated today, and everything just felt like it was going wrong, so when the rain came, I was already too overstimulated to be able to move without mining everything worse."

"What made you so overstimulated?" Phil asked, picking the box of fidgets back up after seeing that Tubbo was content with the one.

Tubbo sighed. "Just a whole ton of negative shit, it just kept happening and happening, and then Bad started to get upset at me for making the hole, called it all useless and stupid, and it was just too much, so I started screaming at him and everything became too much."

"Holy shit, sorry we didn't notice you was going through something," Fit spoke.

"It's fine, as much as I hate being overstimulated, I think I needed it, I feel like my bodies been reset." He let out a yawn. Overstimulation was draining.

"You should take a nap Mate, you need it, stay here and we'll make sure you don't get like this anytime soon." Tubbo didn't question Phil's words too much, just pulled out his sleeping bag and tucked himself in, placing the fidget toy beside him. Phil picked it up and they left the room while Tubbo slept.

Surprisingly, the rain had already disappeared, and they were at no risk of drenching themselves again.

"I can't believe Bad would get angry at Tubbo enough for him to act like that," Mike said with anger on his face.

"I want to know what was going through his head." Pac was also upset, but his words came off calmer.

"Well the weather is fine now, I'm sure we can go have a talk with him." Fit's voice held the same tone the other two had.

"Yeah, a little talk." So they had a plan.

They found Bad outside the wall, his cloak off due to the rain.

"Hi! What are you all doing together?" He greeted them.

"Oh cut the crap, what got you so upset at Tubbo for?" Fit went right into the problem.

"You've seen the hole, it's obnoxious! I was just saying what we were all thinking and then Tubbo started swearing at me!" Bad didn't realise just what had gone down.

"We found Tubbo crying in the rain because of you!" Phil screamed. Knowing the boy since he was a teenager made him incredibly protective of him. "I don't care how true it is when it comes to how annoying the hole is, you need to remember that Tubbo struggles with his emotions! Sure, he doesn't like people infantizing him because of his autism, but I'm sure he'd fucking appreciate a bit more room for error when he's struggling to handle his emotions!" Phil was upset at Bad for not taking Tubbo's autism and the obvious changes that needed to be made when interacting with him versus others, especially considering Bad has an autistic child and should be used to that sort of thing.

Bad gasped at his words. "Holy fudge, I didn't realise he was having such a bad day, I got so caught up in my own bad day due to the hole that I didn't think about Tubbo's feelings." Bad sounded sincere, but the morning crew still wasn't having it.

"Your mistake means your the one dealing with the consequences, you better find some way to apologize to Tubbo," Pac informed.

"Or else you won't like what happens next." Mike went straight into it with the threats.

Bad nodded apologetically but quickly. "I'll go do that right now!"

Phil shook his head. "No, he's sleeping right now, wait until after he's up from his nap."

Bad was about to agree when Fred pushed into the conversation holding a piece of paper. They hadn't realised they were so close by. Pac took the piece of paper and read it out loud. 'I heard Tubbo was going through this overstimulation thing his autisn causes?'

Fit nodded. "Yeah, it happens sometimes." He didn't know how much Fred knew, so he was ready to answer questions, or more accurately let Phil answer the broader questions, but the next piece of paper that was handed to Pac to read didn't ask a question. 'Maybe a picnic would help, he's explained them to me and they sound wonderful, it should cheer him up.'

"That does sound like a good idea," Pac agreed.

Mike turned back to Bad. "You can apologize after our picnic." Bad nodded and warped away, leaving the group to plan a picnic while Tubbo slept.

When Tubbo awoke, it was two hours later, and he felt worse. He thought his feelings had reset, but sleep only brought them back. He had simply been feeling numbness before. He pulled himself out of the sleeping bag and he put it back in his inventory. He had work to do, even if he felt like shit. There was so much to do with his (stupid, useless) hole, and he hadn't made as much progress as he wanted. He was at the hope for a total of seven horrible minutes before the morning crew showed up, along with Fred.

"Oh, hey guys," he tried to keep up energy, even though he was not feeling it. He turned to Fred, trying to keep his blushing down. "Hey, were you worried about me?" He could guess that they knew about what happened by who they arrived with. Fred nodded. He turned back to the morning crew. "What are you guys doing here?"

Pac clapped his hands together. "Fred had an idea for a picnic, and we're inviting you."

Tubbo turned back to Fred. "A picnic?"

Fred wrote down something on a piece of paper and handed it to Tubbo. 'You sound like you like picnics from what you've told me, so a picnic sounded like a good way to cheer you up.'

Tubbo smiled at Fred. "You're so sweet." Despite Fred's lack of a face, Tubbo hoped that if they had one they'd be smiling like him. He turned back to the others. "I'd like that picnic, so lead the way."

The picnic was set up next to a flower field, and was quiet enough that it wasn't overwhelming, but also not so quiet that it was understimulating. Whoever picked out this spot really thought about it. This whole picnic was well thought out. The foods were the right texture and there weren't too many ingredients, and the blanket was on some stone rather than grass, so he wouldn't feel the grass beneath the blanket. It always felt weird when it was beneath a blanket. While not a consideration and not something to do with his autism, Fred had leaned against Tubbo several times, so that was also a huge plus for the day.

A few hours passed, and Tubbo was feeling much better. He actually wanted to go and get back into his hole project he had motivation now. And after fighting with himself for fifteen minutes he finally convinced himself that changing activities was a good idea.

"I should go, I have so much motivation." He stood up, gently pushing Fred off his shoulder.

"Wait! Before you go!" He heard a voice behind him and he turned around, and was surprised to see Bad there. Shit, he had totally blown up at Bad in their last interaction. He should apologise.

"Bad, I'm-." Before he could get his words out, he saw Fred move into his vision and hit Bad over the head with their frying pan. He was supposed to apologise, but he couldn't help but laugh at the sight he saw.

"Ow! What the fudge!?" Bad screamed at Fred. Fred wrote something on paper and handed it to Bad to read out loud. 'I wanted to do that earlier for what you did to Tubbo, but I had to make sure he was okay first.'

Tubbo joined Fred's side. "Thank you for trying to avenge my sadness, but I fucked up, I screamed at Bad and now he deserves an apology."

Bad shook his head. "No, Tubbo, I'm not the one who needs an apology, I came here to apologise to you."

"What you said did hurt, but I reacted badly." Tubbo wasn't going to let Bad leave without properly apologising to him.

Bad placed his hands on Tubbo's shoulders. "It makes sense you reacted badly, I kept pushing you and I know you've been having a hard time, so I should have been more considerate."

Bad was not letting up. "It's not up to you to know when I'm about to burst, so it's not your fault."

"Just because it's not my job doesn't make it okay, Dapper's autistic, so out of anyone on this island, I should be able to see when you're starting to break." Bad looked away, before shyly looking back. "And this is more than just your autism, what I did made me a really bad friend."

Tubbo understood that he was going to have to accept Bad's apology, as it was very heartfelt. "Alright, I forgive you, thank you for realising you were wrong." Bad gave a relieved smile. "But I'm also apologising, blowing up at you was a dick move."

Bad shook his head. "No, you don't have to, I instigated it-."

"Just because it was because of my autism doesn't mean it was right, I'm sorry for doing that." He knew how people tended to act when he was a duck due to his autism, and he wanted it to stop.

Bad smiled again. "Alright, I accept your apology as well."

Tubbo smiled back. As much as he'd love to keep talking to Bad, he had a project to get to.

As soon as he could convince himself to switch tasks again.

Chapter Text

Tallulah couldn't sleep. How could she when hundreds of thoughts went through her head? She was used to this, but it had been so long, she mourned the comfort she had found herself living in since moving into her parents castle. That was the reason zhe was awake. Her parents. Not the same way she did with her dad, as it was still her dad.

Her dad would come back to her one day. He promised, and although he hadn't fulfilled the promise yet, it was bound to happen, she wasn't the only thing left waiting for him. He had his dad and brother, his husband, her although she seemed far less important. And she had begun to like it. She didn't want her dad to come back to her, but one day he would, and he would take her away from her parents.

This wasn't something she could bring up to her parents. They'd just worry as well, and they wouldn't be able to enjoy the life they had built together as a family until Wilbur came back.

She gave up on trying to sleep, getting out of bed and leaving towards the balcony. The fresh air could help, and it was better than lying in misery in her bed. She hummed slightly, her flute would be too loud and it could risk waking up her parents, so humming was what she had to settle for.

"What a beautiful sound." She squeaked at the noise behind her, her body turning quickly to see where it came from, gripping the ends of her nightie in fear. In front of her stood a giant woman, easily eight feet tall. She wore solely black, and made it difficult to see her pitch black wings in the nightly darkness. "As much as I love your voice, shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I, I," Tallulah stuttered, not knowing what to do when a lady who didn't look quite human appeared behind you. "Who are you?" It felt like the only question she could ask.

The woman smiled. "I am the Goddess of death, although in the recent few hundred years I have named myself Kristen." The names felt so familiar, but there's too much going through her head to try and remember why. "Now, I don't believe you answered my question, shouldn't you be in bed?"

Tallulah let go of the hem of her nightie. "Yes."

Kristen moved closer to her and sat down on her knees. Despite the situation, she radiated an aura of comfort. "So why aren't you?" Tallulah looked away, unsure of what she should answer. Kristen sensed her feelings, and spoke again. "What is said between us will remain between ourselves and the stars."

Tallulah looked back and gave a giggle at her words. It made the situation sound magical. Her face only dropped slightly as she began to speak. "I have a lot on my mind."

"Like what? Maybe I can help." Tallulah isn't sure what a stranger can help with, but she's willing to speak about them.

"I have two families," She started.

"What a lucky girl you are." Tallulah's expression dropped at her words.

"But I love one of them much more than the other, but the one I love less is the one I have to go back to."

Kristen hummed in response. "Why do you have to go back to it?"

"Because their blood is my blood." It sounded almost ominous, but it was what cake to her head.

"Why is their blood so important? Blood drains eventually." Kristen was responding with her own odd words.

Tallulah took a few moments to think about why it was so important. It wasn't important to her anymore, but didn't her dad have the right to have her since she shared his blood? "It's important because other people care."

"And is what other people think of you something really important to you?" Tallulah didn't know where Kristen was taking their conversation.

"Sometimes, I care that people care about me, and stuff like that." As long as she was loved, she didn't care all that much.

"Do you care when someone believes they have more right to make decisions than you simply because they are the reason you have your blood?"

Tallulah opened for mouth but shut it again. She was right. Isn't it her decision on who she stays with? She made the decision once before when she got Phil to sign the papers for her adoption. Even when he was trying to convince her to stay, she had made up her mind and didn't let him make a choice for her, even though she shares some of his blood. "Yes, I care, but it's because I make my choice, not them."

Kristen smiled and twirled one of Tallulah's curls around her finger. "That's my girl, so smart."

Tallulah smiled back at Kristen. "Thank you, I know what I want now." Well, she always knew what she wanted, she just didn't know if it was something she'd get to keep, get to have.

"Good, you better fight to make sure you get what you want, even if they share your blood." Tallulah nodded vigorously. No one made her choices, she made her choice, and her parents were her number one, even if she was someone else's number one.

"I will!" She thought a bit and realised that even though she had given amazing advice, she didn't know exactly who Kristen was other than the Goddess of death. "Can you tell me a bit more about who you are?"

Kristen tapped her finger against her chin. "Well, I can't give away too much, but I'm more than just death to you, I played a role in the reason you are here today."

Tallulah tilted her head and was about to ask a question, but Kristen was gone from her sight as soon as she blinked. "Huh?" Where did she go?

"Tallulah, why are you out here? Shouldn't you be asleep?" Cellbit was in front of her now.

"Oh, sorry Papa, I woke up and wanted some fresh air." She didn't know if she could tell him about Kristen, so she made up a small lie.

Cellbit picked her up and carried her back inside. "It's okay Tallulah, just rest up now."

Kristen watched through her portal at her granddaughter being carried inside. She may not choose her part of the family, but no matter what, Tallulah would be her granddaughter. She will visit occasionally, but she may never know exactly who she is until it's time for her to have her limbo.

Chapter Text

The Order meeting had been going in for half an hour at this point, and it was starting to get on Etoiles' nerves. Of course talking about the kids was a great idea, but his brain had never really cared for letting him effectively be a part of these things. It had been fine for a while, and he was mostly able to pay attention, but when someone dropped a glass on the floor and it shattered with an overwhelming noise, his brain decided to focus far too much on noise. After all, if something was that loud, surely it was his fault for not hearing enough. At least that's what his brain thought.

Due to his brain focusing so hard on the noise, it no longer cared about keeping his body under control, so an itch began to cover his body and he felt bile in his stomach, although it would never appear. His tensed his muscles, trying to rid of the feelings that were turning his head to mush. He placed his head down, hoping that it would help and that no one would notice. Or maybe if they did notice, they would simply believe that he was having a nap. Pomme was never great at sleeping, so perhaps they would think she simply got it from him, and he was taking a nap to help with the very little sleep he had gotten from the previous night. Still, the overwhelming noise continued to attack his very being, and he swore he was about to cry.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he tensed some more. He carefully looked up, trying to make it look like he was tired. Phil was looking at him with a worried expression. "You good Mate?" He wanted to answer, but his throat wasn't working. Phil sighed and spoke to the room, and Etoiles struggled to keep in a whine. "I'm gonna take Etoiles home, I don't think he's well."

The group made noises of acknowledgement and went back to what they were talking about. Phil helped Etoiles up before they left the room, and almost immediately, Etoiles broke. He thought that being away from the noise would help, but now it felt like his conciousness was left in a place he couldn't see, and he couldn't control himself. Tears fell down from his face and he tugged at his hair, just wanting it to stop.

Phil grabbed onto Etoiles' arm, not caring when Etoiles tried to rip his arm away, and took out his warp stone, teleporting the two away. The change in scenery wasn't noticed by Etoiles, and he barely noticed what was happening until he was being sat down and a weighted blanket was dropped into his lap, a box of fidgets toys on top of it. He manured the blanket to be covering more and took a pop it from the box. The two sat in mostly silence, the only noise being the pops from the fidget, for a while. Slowly, Etoiles was feeling himself be grounded. He felt numb, but that was probably for the best.

When he finally felt as though he could speak, he gave a quiet but infinitely genuine, "Thank you."

"You're welcome Mate." He waited a few seconds to see if Etoiles would speak again, but after realising the answer was no, he spoke again. "I know I'm not privileged to know your disabilities, but why did you never tell me you had autism? I want to be able to help."

Etoiles tensed at the mention of his autism. How did he know? He was right in how he didn't tell him, but how did he guess? "What made you think I have autism?"

"I've raised two autistic people, and you're my closest friend, it only took a few guesses before I figured it out," Phil explained. "I've seen the way you avoid noises and textures and all those things, plus it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise that your love for fighting goes far further than just a normal interest." He hadn't realised how obvious he had been. Did other people know too? No, Phil knew because he was used to seeing autism, and because he was so close to Etoiles. Unless Pomme somehow let it slip. But she had been gone for so long, and surely if someone else knew, they'd have brought it up?

Phil's hand found a place on Etoiles' shoulder. "Unless I was wrong?"

Etoiles shook his head. "No, you're right, I am autistic." It simultaneously felt horrible and amazing to say it out loud again.

Phil nodded. "But why don't you tell people? As I said, you don't need to tell people, but it feels like you hide it rather than just not telling people."

Etoiles was silent for a few moments. Was he ready to speak his fears? Tell Phil why no one knows? He thinks he is.

"It makes me feel weak," Etoiles stated.

"Oh."

"I don't want people to know that my brain is so much different. I used to tell people I was autistic, when I was much younger, but they never looked at me the same, and they used my symptoms against me, like using the fact social cues confuse me to make fun of me, after too many years of that, I decided I wasn't ever going to let another person know, of course, I told Pomme, she's my everything and deserved to know, and now there's you." It felt strange to say his fears about his autism when he promised to never even speak the fact he had autism out loud again. It felt like a sticky layer was being removed from his brain. He liked it.

Phil takes Etoiles into a hug, and Etoiles hugs back. He really needed this. "I'm so sorry you have to live with these thoughts, I won't make you worry, I won't tell anyone what you've said to me today, your autism can remain a secret until you fee comfortable enough to make it not a secret, because I know one day you will realise that this island loves you, disability and all." Phil's words made Etoiles hug back tighter. Phil wasn't done speaking, or making Etoiles want to cry from happiness. "And it doesn't make you weak, your autism made you who you are today, are you saying that without it you would have loved fighting nearly as much?

"No, I wouldn't have." Fighting had originally been a way to experience high levels of stimulation without feeling overwhelmed by them, and as time went on, his brain accepted it as part of him, one that it would never allow to leave.

It took a few minutes before Etoiles felt comfortable letting go of Phil, and even when he did, it didn't feel right.

"You're much calmer now," Phil stated.

"Yeah, thank you again." Etoiles cared so deeply for Phil.

"Who knows if the meetings still going, so how about we just grab some sticks and fight until one of them comes and tells us what happened?" Phil knew him so well.

"If I ever say no to that, kill me."

Even if said fight ended up with Phil on the ground and stick shaped bruises blooming on his skin, the grin Etoiles gave him made it worth it. Etoiles entrusted him with a secret, and he was going to keep it.

Chapter Text

Cellbit loved what he didn't know, as he got to figure it out, but this latest one stumped him. It wasn't something he could find evidence for, as it all simply existed in his brain. He had spent far too long trying to figure out why he cared for Phil in such a strong way despite their limited interactions. It wasn't the first time this had happened, he'd cared for Roier strongly when they first met, but that was a crush, and Cellbit knew he didn't feel that way towards Phil. He could perhaps draw it up to Phil promising to help him with anything, and he simply wanted help, but it didn't feel right enough.

He believed he would just suffer with a question he could never solve, at least until Eilbur came back to the island.

"Dad! It's great to be back!" Wilbur yelled as he took Phil into a one armed hug.

"Fucking hell, I'll never get used to you just calling me dad," Phil said with a laugh.

"Probably should have called you dad more as a child."

"Too late now."

Cellbit joined their conversation. "So, why does Wilbur call you dad?"

"Well, he's my son," Phil explained.

"You never told me he was your son before." Why does Phil make his family so confusing?

Phil just laughed at him. "I didn't tell you because you would just say he didn't exist, you refused to believe he was Tallulah's dad, why would you believe he was my son?" Okay, Phil was right about that.

He gave a look to Wilbur again. He didn't really focus too much on his appearance the first time, as his only thoughts were that he didn't look as much like Hatsune Miku as he thought he would. But looking again with the knowledge that he was Phil's son made him think about how he didn't look anything like Phil either. He brought this fact up. "You sure you aren't lying?" He stopped himself from saying again, because he was shown Wilbur really did exist. "I mean, he looks nothing like you."

"Does Richarlyson look anything like you?" They all know the answer to that one. Unlike the previous kids, Richarlyson looked nothing like any of his parents. With skin several shades darker than their darkest, curlier hair and golden eyes, it was obvious he didn't get any genetics from any of them.

"No, Richarlyson is adopted," he explained.

"Exactly," Phil stated. Cellbit suddenly realised that Wilbur wasn't a biological child.

"Oh, sorry about that, I didn't mean to be rude," he apologised.

"It's fine, a lot of people don't think I'm Phil's actual son," Wilbur explained.

"To be fair, he's taken a lot of people under his wings over the years," Bad appeared from somewhere to join the conversation and laugh at his own joke.

"Really?" Cellbit asked.

Phil nodded. "Yep, Will was the first that one me over enough to actually adopt him though, but with the addition of Chayanne and Tallulah into out family, I think I'll be adopting a lot more on the future."

"I'm surprised you haven't adopted more, you've always been the fatherly type. I remember meeting you and thinking that you were full of dad energy," Bad explained.

"Really? That long?" The three native English speakers carried their own conversation from their, having known eachother for far longer than Cellbit had, although he had known Bad for quite some time, but that wasn't enough. It was fine though, Cellbit had some stuff he had to think about. Is that why he felt that way around Phil? Was he looking for a father figure? He doesn't remember a father figure ever being in his life, for as long as he can remember he's been an orphan, so he doesn't know what a father figure is. Is Phil a father figure? Bad was surely right in what he said to Phil, and Phil said he took people under his wing. Would he take Cellbit under his wing if he asked? He hoped so.

It was a few days when Cellbit next got to indulge in that thought. He was spending time with Phil when he was starting to pass out. He almost fell down when Phil caught him. "Holy shit Mate, what was that?"

"Oh, uh." Cellbit was thinking about their conversation a few days ago, so it was difficult to switch his thoughts. "I've not been sleeping well."

Phil sighed. He was expecting to be stood up and let go of, but instead he was picked up by Phil. Phil wasn't much bigger than him, but he carried him easily. The position made him feel like a child. This should have made him upset but it made him happy, cared for. "You're going to sleep whether you like it or not." He was taken to Phil's and forced to sleep. Phil watched over him until he did, and despite how creepy it should have been, he liked it.

The next day he was messaged at ten and told to go to bed. He was an adult, he didn't need a bed time, but he still listened to Phil. Maybe he needed to catch up on his childhood a bit if even the annoying parts of it made him so happy. Or maybe it was just because it was Phil.

Phil continued to be like a parent for a few weeks, making sure he slept enough and ate enough, there was even a time where Phil hugged Cellbit and it almost made him cry. How did Phil manage to pull the part of him that wanted a father out of him so much?

He thought that now that he had someone he could rely on like that, his life would be perfect, but there was more to life than a father.

Roier and Cellbit were having one of their rare fights, when everything grew.

"It's been so long since we've been out on a date! Can you just stop focusing on your theories for a day!" Roier screamed.

"The kids are missing! We need to get them back!" Cellbit wanted a date night too, but the kids were his first priority.

"One day not theorising won't hurt them! You're barely even making progress!"

"Which is why I need to keep doing it!"

Roier was about to scream again but just slammed his hands down onto the table and spoke as calmly as he good. "I'm going to my dad's, I'll talk to you when I feel like I won't threaten divorce. Goodbye." Roier stormed out without another word and Cellbit was left alone in his castle. Cellbit felt his mind clear. Most of what he felt was just guilt. He should have just ignored his work for a night and taken Roier on a date, but there was a small part of him that was jealous of Roier. He knew Roier was once in a similar boat as him, no parents he could remember, but then Vegetta and Foolish walked into his life and he got the parents he wanted, parents who would help calm him down after a fight like this. Why couldn't Cellbit have that as well?

A thought flooded his brain. Doesn't he have Phil for this? Sure, Phil never explicitly said he thought of Cellbit as a son, but the way he acted was pretty close to how he acted with Richarlyson. Can Phil be his dad? Can Phil be what Foolish is to Roier? If he went over to Phil's right now and told him about his argument, would he give advice as a friend, or advice as a father? He knew the answer was father, which was why he was immediately heading to Phil's.

He knocked on Phil's door harder than he needed to, and his brain almost stopped working when Phil opened it. "You good there Mate?" He must have been silent for a bit too long.

Trying to stop the awkwardness, he just began speaking, although far too much of what he ended up saying was just Portugese, although he's sure he accidently spilled in a few Spanish words. Still, not as much English as what should have been said.

"Okay, hold on, all I got was fight and Roier? Did you have a fight with Roier?" Phil luckily managed to understand enough.

"Yes," Cellbit finally switched his brain into a state where he could translate his thoughts into English.

"Come in, I'll listen." Cellbit smiled at his words and entered his house, taking a seat. "Alright, what did you fight about?"

"We haven't been going on many dates lately, I've been really caught up on trying to find the kids, and Roier just wanted a date, and I was stupid enough to think that a single date would ruin everyone I was trying to do," Cellbit explained.

Phil nodded. "At least you understand you were in the wrong, some people don't have the capability to understand that they can be a problem."

"At least I'm not the worst husband."

"So, you sound like you've got things pretty figured out, why don't you apologise?" Phil asked.

"Roier wanted some time apart, probably only a day or two, I'm not scared of this ruining our marriage," Cellbit explained.

"Huh," Phil said as he nodded. "So why'd you come here? You don't seem to need my help."

"I know I don't need your help." Cellbit knew that as soon as he told told Phil what he wanted, there would be no turning back, and he's not sure he wants to turn back, but he still took his time explaining it. "But Roier has gone to Foolish's to deal with his problems, and," he didn't know how to complete his sentence except for jumping into what he wanted.

"You needed a friend?" Phil guessed.

I," Cellbit took in a big breath. "I needed a dad." He looked up at Phil, unable to read his face. "Can you be that for me? Even if it's just for tonight?"

Cellbit didn't have time to think before he was pulled into a hug by Phil, leaving him practically in his lap. Strong arms and black wings surrounded him, leaving him the most secure he's been since his wedding night. "Cellbit, I will always be happy to be your father."

Cellbit snuggled into the hug deeper. "Thank you," He hesitated, unsure how far he was allowed to take this. He decided to take the leap. "Thank you Pai." He felt Phil hug him just a tad bit tighter. Having a dad after so long felt so right, how did he go so long without one? Phil let Cellbit stay the night, and even in the morning was happy for Cellbit to stay his son. He even told him he'll find a way to get the adoption papers.

Roier came back and they sorted out their issues, having a date that very night. When the date was over, Cellbit told Roier about his awaited adoption, leaving Roier excited that their family was growing yet again. They even shared stories about how similar their adoptions were, with one partner making the choice and the other being surprised with a brand new son.

A month or two drove by, and Cellbit was still ecstatic over being someone's son, but what was even better was that the kids finally returned home. After stories were shared and therapy was booked, Cellbit sat Richarlyson down and explained that he had a grandpa now, and Richarlyson was at Phil's before Cellbit could say another word.

This somehow lead to an argument between Richarlyson and Tallulah.

"I'm obviously the favourite grandkid, everyone loves me!" Richarlyson proudly stated.

"No, I am! I was so loved that I was his daughter for a while!" Tallulah fought back.

"I don't play favourites, I love you both equally," Phil said with a laugh.

Wilbur leaned over to Phil. "I'm still your favourite son right? Cellbit hasn't changed that?"

"Chayanne's my favourite." Chayanne smiled at his dad's words.

"You just said you don't play favourites!" Depsite the volume, their was no malice in Cellbit's voice.

"Hey! I'm here now!" Foolish arrived.

"What is this? A family reunion?" Roier joked.

"Maybe?" Foolish walked up to Phil wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Great to see you adopted my son in law, that basically makes us brothers now!"

Phil laughed. "I don't think that's how it works, if we were brothers, Roier and Cellbit's marriage would be weird as fuck."

Roier looked over at Cellbit. "If you ever become my cousin I'm divorcing you immediately."

Cellbit nodded. "That's fair."

Cellbit didn't know expanding the family would make it this weird, but he loved having a dad, and as soon as Missa was informed, he'd have two. The island may be horrible, but it gave him everything, it gave him family.

Chapter Text

Foolish sat waiting. Cucurucho had told him the other day to meet him, as he was going to be showing him something important. Maybe it was something new for his job? Normally he would be excited, but his mind was everywhere but the island today. He had a dream about Vegetta, of him coming home and jumping into Foolish's arms where they would just be happy that they were together again before they lost control and indulged in pleasure. Foolish almost cried when he woke up to find Vegetta still gone.

"Hello," Cucurucho stated in his robotic voice. Foolish looked up from the ground to stare at the creature. "You are upset."

"Yeah, no shit." Wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

"Why?" Was Cucurucho actually caring about him? He knew the federation couldn't give two shits about if the islanders were sad, but maybe Cucurucho actually felt like Foolish was doing well enough that he was worth the care.

Foolish let out a deep breath. "Well, you know how Vegetta is my boyfriend?"

"Everyone does."

"It's just, he's been gone for so long, and I really miss him." He could have very much left it at that, but now that he was able to talk about it, he didn't want to stop. "I know others have made their moves on me while he's been away, and I have accidently accepted a few, but Vegetta is the one I want, I'll wait years if I have to, but that doesn't mean I don't want him now." Just because he loved centuries didn't mean Vegetta would, and he wanted to be able to spend the estimated half a century they had together being with him as much as possible.

Cucurucho nodded as Foolish told him his worries, and spoke up when Foolish went silent. "I can help you."

Foolish straightened up and gasped. "You can!?" He screamed.

"Yes."

"Then tell me! How can we find him!?" Foolish felt energy rushing through his body. He was going to have his boyfriend back! Then he would just need Leo and Richarlyson and their family would be complete again.

"We don't have to, I know where he is."

"Where? Where!?" Foolish felt childish at his glee, but there was now so little in the way of getting to be with his boyfriend again.

Cucurucho pulled out a photo and handed it to Foolish. "He's here."

Foolish happily held the photo up but his expression dropped as soon as he saw what the photo was of. Vegetta certainly was there, but he was in a small stone room, the bars in the forefront of the image suggesting a cell. He looked like he was falling apart, tired and starved, the muscles that Foolish enjoyed so much were far smaller. "What the fuck?" He was having trouble thinking, those three words all he was able to get out.

"Happy?" Cucurucho asked.

The single word set Foolish off, and he began to scream. "Fuck no! How am I supposed to be happy when you showed me a picture of my boyfriend in a fucking prison cell!? You saw him, got fucking close enough to take a photo, but you didn't think to fucking save him!? I know your power here, you could have!" Foolish pulled out his sword and attempted to attack Cucurucho, not caring that it could get rid of his only link to Vegetta. Like always, it did nothing.

"Why would I let him out? It was hard to put him in there." Cucurucho's words made Foolish freeze.

"You put him in there?" Foolish wanted to shout, but fear took over him. Their family had been obedient, maybe a bit bratty, but they didn't fight in the way others did, so why would Vegetta be taken by them?

"Yes," Cucurucho stated, the robotic voice mocking him despite the emotionless tone. "We needed you pliant."

"I was pliant!" The word made him feel sick, like he didn't have the strength of gods that came with being a totem, but it was in every way true.

"We couldn't be too careful, we needed you for something, and we needed to make sure you would do it," Cucurucho explained.

"Why would kidnapping my boyfriend make me want to do anything?" Foolish was still angry, but he felt drained. He didn't want to scream anymore, he just wanted to wake up and hope this has all been one horrible nightmare, and that when he wakes up he will be by Vegetta's side, and Leo will be there as well, and they can simply go to Roier and Cellbit's and spend a day as a family. But this was no nightmare. Not a sleeping one at least, in this living nightmare his family was falling apart.

"Because we can give him back."

Foolish sat up straight again, the ability to show emotion emerging again. "You can?"

Cucurucho nodded. "As long as you do as I say, I can reunite your family a bit."

"What do I have to do?" Foolish knew he was living up to his name, but he truly would do anything to be with Vegetta again.

The constant smile felt like it grew as he asked. "Good to see you've come around, now, on to what I wanted to speak with you about today, you are a totem, right?"

"Yes, but I'm also a shark hybrid." Being a shark hybrid didn't do much, his totem genes winning out in most situations, but it did make him taller.

"So you can regenerate?"

"Yes." He often didn't think much of it, it being something so normal in his life. He didn't have to think about using it much, usually he was just aware of pain and it would heal his cuts and bruises, although sometimes he had to be quite aware of them if he wanted to heal a broken bone from a foolish fall off a build or something. Still, he often forgot it wasn't just a normal part of life for everyone.

"The federation is very interested in these powers of yours, and we've been trying to see how it works, but we've not been very lucky, so we want to study it up close, would you let us run some experiments?"

A gross feeling rose in Foolish's stomach. He was going to regret agreeing, but he had to, he had to get Vegetta back. "Yes."

Cucurucho nodded, and Foolish was about to ask what he had to do when the world changed around him, and he was in a lab room. Cucurucho was there with him, and the endless smile made Foolish already regret his decision. "Let's get into this."

Foolish barely wanted to recall the last hour. Punches turned to cutting, cutting turned to stabbing, stabbing turned to amputation, and amputation somehow turned to lava being poured onto him. He remembers the pain, the screaming he did. He remembers the dehumanisation as faceless workers hurt him and wrote down whatever they were doing at every reaction and lack of reaction, all while Cucurucho watched from the sidelines. He wasn't human, it was the whole reason they were doing this, but he was humanoid so being treated like an abused animal made Foolish feel sick.

He tried to push energy through to the burns that covered his back, but the best he could do was turn them into a purple bruise.

"I, I can't, not anymore, I'm too tired." The workers watched his back, still trying to see if anything would happen, but Cucurucho came over and shooed them away.

"Thank you for your co-operation."

Foolish was still breathing heavily from the energy that had been sucked out of him. "You're, you're welcome, can I, see Vegetta now?"

Cucurucho let out his annoying 'Hahahaha.' "No."

Foolish wanted to be able to tell, but he was exhausted. "What? You told me if I let you do this you would give me back Vegetta." He realised that he had no way to make sure that Cucurucho actually went through with their deal, he had just accepted at the promise of Vegetta.

"I never said this would be a one time thing." Despair struck straight through Foolish. "I'll let you know when I next need your help."

Foolish found himself in his bed as he next opened his eyes. He wanted to cry, he was in pain and he just wanted his family, but he was also exhausted, and the bed felt like heaven on his skin. He fell asleep before he could cry.

The next morning he used some of his regained energy to heal the rest of the bruises, and was about to set our for the day when Cucurucho appeared in front of him.

"Oh fuck no, I just got tortured!" He wasn't going through it all again so quickly.

"I am giving you a break, we won't have out next test yet," Cucurucho explained.

"So why are you here?" Foolish used to not care, but Cucurucho had shown he was a monster, so there's no way he'll be able to go back to the way they used to be.

"If you want Vegetta back you have to promise not to tell anyone about out tests."

Foolish stared at the bear for several moments. He was just supposed to stay quiet about the torture? He wanted to scream no and tell everyone, but he didn't know what they'd do to Vegetta if he was no longer a bartering chip, so he sighed and said, "I won't."

"Good," was all Cucurucho said before he was gone.

Foolish started his day, knowing he had sold his soul to the devil.

The tests first happened every week, and while they were painful for the hour, he'd rest up and the next day he'd be mostly fine. The issue was when three days after his last test, he woke up in the lab room again. He was never taken there in anyway other than warping. He screamed saying it hadn't been a week yet, to which Cucurucho replied saying they needed to up the tests, and that they were getting closer to figuring everything out. Foolish just nodded and let it happen. Eventually, the tests went up to every second day, and then to everyday.

The tests had become shorter and shorter as he had less energy. Going from an hour to barely half. He screamed at a little over thirty minutes that he had no energy, expecting the torture to stop as it usually did. The workers went to back away, but Cucurucho walked over to him and as he was struggling to get up from the position the lava pushed him into, Cucurucho's foot harshly met his back.

"What the fuck!?" He screamed. "I'm out of energy! The test is over!"

"No." Cucurucho slammed his foot down on Foolish's back again. "The tests are too short, you're lying, you can go longer."

Foolish felt tears escape his eyes. "I could go longer because I had rest, I am so tired now."

Cucurucho didn't listen, and just instructed the workers to keep going. They finished fifteen minutes later when they realised he wasn't healing anymore.

He awoke in bed the next day, and realised there would be no full healing, in case they ignored his pleas again. He healed the worst of it and went to Vegetta's to grab one of his cloaks. They were a bit small on him, but they would cover his back and most of his sides. He healed what couldn't be hidden and got started with the day, building for a few hours until Cucurucho collected him again.

So his injuries became daily. He wore Vegetta's cloak daily now, saying he wore it simply because he missed when whenever he was asked about the wardrobe change. Foolish was having a hard time talking to others, always scared that he was going to be caught, so he started going to Cucurucho when he wanted to talk. He hated himself for feeling like the only person he could talk to was the same person who tortured him daily in pursuit of figuring out his regeneration. Surely they should have found out what they wanted by now, they never do anything different. It's not like he can bring that up, they may do worse to him, or keep Vegetta away for longer. He's somewhat happy he's often too tired to cry himself to sleep.

He thought his life would just turn into a constant repeat of pain and exhaustion until one day he had just finished healing up the visible injuries after the worst day yet. He was still exhausted after his sleep, so it was a struggle to heal all the visible damage. He didn't even want to think about how he'd do in his test.

He shut his eyes and leaned against his wall. Maybe he should just sleep until he was needed. But he was already losing so much free time due to the tests and the sleep that sleeping anymore felt like he was giving up his life, even more than he already felt like he was doing. If he slept now, his life would revolve around solely the tests.

He was taken out of his thoughts by a sword hit to the side. His eyes flew open and he tossed himself on the floor in an attempt to get away. He just woke up, the tests couldn't start already, or was he just going to spend his entire waking life doing tests now? He looked up expecting to see a pure white face, but instead he saw Bad and Cellbit.

"We've caught you, you should be scared," Bad stated.

"What?" He wanted to sound confused, but his never ending fear stuck to his voice.

"You can't escape us anymore, you're always with the federarion, you're leaving us all behind, you have some type of deal with them, don't you?" Cellbit accused.

"I, I," he knew he had to say no, the federation said no one could know, but what would Bad and Cellbit do if they knew? Could they get him away from it all? He's not sure hell ever get Vegetta back at this rate, so being kidnapped by his friends and never having to do any of those tests again sounded perfect.

"You?" Cellbit somewhat repeated.

"I'm doing tests for them," he finally got out.

"What kind of tests?" Bad's voice was full of scepticism.

"They want to know how my regeneration works."

"So why are you following them around like a lost puppy?" Cellbit wasn't fully convinced.

"They told me not to tell anyone." He just wanted something to come from this.

"You don't listen to people, why are you suddenly listening to them?" Bad wasn't convinced either.

"They, they said they would let Vegetta go if I did the tests and didn't tell anyone." He didn't let them ask another question and instead took out the picture he was given a few months ago. He showed them it and expected the horrified gasps.

"So, what kind of tests have they been putting you through?" Cellbit asked carefully, finally accepting what Foolish has been saying as truth.

"They've been torturing me and seeing how much I can heal, but recently they've been pushing me way past that zone." He took off the cloak and turned around, letting the two see the bruises, cuts, and burns that had been covering his back for the last while.

"Holy fudge," Bad whispered.

"Have they said anything about their end of the contract yet?" Cellbit asked, his voice stern. Foolish ignored the need to say there was no official contract.

"No."

Cellbit was quiet for a bit more before speaking quickly. "Bad, stay here with Foolish, I have some stuff I have to do." He warped away and the two English speakers were left alone.

Bad kneeled down behind Foolish and gently touched his back, causing Foolish to let out a hiss and a quiet 'Fuck.' "They really did a number on you."

"Yeah, it's usually like this, I used to heal up in the mornings but then they became daily, and it was hard to find the energy. I had to keep it all for the tests."

"Torture," Bad corrected.

"Yeah, you're right." Foolish heard some noise behind him and before he could look back to see what was happening he felt a tingly liquid being poured on his back. "What the fuck is that!?" It stung slightly as it passed by burns and cuts.

"Healing potion," Bad answered as if he were stupid but then remembered that it made sense that Foolish would have never used one before. "It's what non-totems use to heal themselves quickly."

"Yeah, I know what a healing potion is, I just didn't know that's what you were putting on my back." It felt nice to banter with Bad again, he had become so disjoint from his friends that having a few minutes where he wasn't drowning in pain and exhaustion felt nice. Well, exhaustion was creeping up on him, but the healing potion was doing wonders for his back.

"I can never know what you know, it's not like that list is very long," Bad bantered back.

"Fuck you."

"Language." The two laughed.

Foolish was swaying on his knees gently, trying to stop himself from falling asleep. Bad caught onto this and helped Foolish up, letting Foolish put his weight onto him. Demon's were much stronger than they looked, so even with Bad's skinny frame, it wasn't hard to keep him held up. Foolish did almost skewer his head on his horn though.

"Yep, time for you to sleep." He helped Foolish move over to his bed again, and laid him down. "Rest, you need it."

Foolish nodded as he closed his eyes. He didn't know what fate he'd wake up to, but at least someone knew why he would have a negative one.

When he awoke, Cellbit was by his side.

"I have some great news for you." Cellbit was smiling.

"I, shouldn't I be going to my test?" It felt like the time he should be going.

"That's part of it, there will be no more tests."

"But Vegetta-."

"That's the other part," he was handed a key and a piece of paper with coordinates on it. "Go get your boyfriend."

Foolish was out of bed in seconds and took Cellbit into a hug. "Holy shit, thank you! I don't know how you got Cucurucho to listen but I am so fucking glad my son married you!"

"It's best you don't know." Cellbit pushed Foolish away. "Now, Vegetta is waiting."

Foolish nodded and headed off immediately. The coordinates were quite far away bur Foolish felt more rested than he had in ages. He eventually made it to them, and was greeted by some stairs that headed down into the earth. He sped down them, careful not to fall down, and as he reached the bottom he saw Vegetta in one of the cells. He looked worse than before, barely alive. Still, Foolish was so happy to see him. "Vegetta!"

Vegetta struggled to look up, but as soon as his eyes landed on Foolish he let a weak smile find its way onto his face. "Foolish!" His voice was weak. Foolish ran to the door of the cell and shoved the key inside, twisting it and leaving it in the door as he ran to collect Vegetta into his arms.

"Holy shit, I missed you so much!" He kissed Vegetta, letting months of emotion into it.

They pulled away and Vegetta placed his head on Foolish's chest. "I missed you as well, I love you so much."

Foolish held Vegetta tighter. "I love you too." He moved his hands so he could pick Vegetta up, there was no way Vegetta was walking. "Let's go home, there's a lot I have to tell you." Both good and bad.

Vegetta hummed against his chest. "When we get home can we at least cuddle first?"

Foolish took Vegetta into another kiss. He had no reason to deny him.

Chapter Text

Tallulah hummed to herself as she took off her beanie and unwrapped the scarf around her neck. She loved her scarf, a gift she had been given along with her adoption papers. Her beanie signified her past, but the scarf represented the family she chose, the family who would not leave her.

She felt tiny arms wrap around her and felt the familiar feeling of a bonnet against her neck.

"Hi Richarlyson." Having Chayanne around was something she missed, he's her best friend, but having Richarlyson as what the kids started to call a true sibling was what she saw as perfect.

"Hi Tallulah!" She spun around in his arms and hugged her little brother back.

"Can't believe you ran off just to hug your sister." Tallulah looked up at the doorway and saw Roier standing in it, Cellbit behind him.

"I like hugging her," Richarlyson answered.

Roier walked in and picked Richarlyson up. "You can hug her tomorrow, when you aren't supposed to be going to sleep." Richarlyson stuck out his tongue.

Cellbit entered the room and passed Tallulah her brush. "We'll be right with you once we put Richarlyson to bed, okay?"

Tallulah smiled brightly and nodded. "Okay Papa."

Her parents left with Richarlyson and she got to brushing her hair. It was strange at first, not sharing a room, but the quiet had become nicer as time went on, and she didn't miss the constant company as much. She finished brushing her hair and got into bed, laying down while she waited for her parents to arrive.

They arrived shortly after and they gave her kisses on the forehead and bid their goodnight to her.

"Goodnight Papa, Buenas Noches Papi, los amo a ambos," she whispered as sleep took her. She's sure they said they loved her too, even if she didn't hear it.

Normally, she would sleep through the night unless a nightmare got to her, so she was confused when she woke up with no sign that she had a nightmare. She was going to just try and go back to sleep, but there was something off about her room. She looked around, and carefully got out of bed, trying to look around. Nothing looked out of place, but something still felt off. Maybe it was just her imagination. She was about to go back to bed when she heard a noise, and already scared, she dashed out of her room. She didn't look back, even as the noises ceased. She ran to her parents bedroom and jumped up onto the bed, waking them.

"Tallulah?" Cellbit whispered, confused as to what she was doing here.

Roier was the one to notice her tears, and sat up in bed to take her into his lap. "What happened?"

Through tears, she managed to get out some words. "I heard weird noises and I got scared."

Cellbit joined the hug and rubbed at her back gently. "Everything's okay, nothing bad is in this castle." His words were soft and she began to believe it was all just her imagination.

"Want to sleep with us tonight?" Roier asked, knowing she was still on edge. She nodded and she was placed under the covers, both her parents' arms on top of her. She managed to mostly forget about the noises she heard, and fell asleep once again, unaware of the very real presence in the castle.

She woke up as Roier and Cellbit woke up. They said lazy good mornings to eachother and Roier took her back to her room to get ready for the day while Cellbit woke up Richarlyson. What had happened last night hadn't remained in her memory until she heard Cellbit shouting and saw him barge into her room.

"Richarlyson is gone!" He screamed.

Roier and Tallulah tilted their heads. "Richarlyson isn't always here when we wake him up, maybe he went to someone else's early," Roier offered an explanation.

Cellbit's eyes were full of worry. "No, you don't get it." He reached into his inventory and pulled out two objects that caused gasps to fly from the other two family members mouths. "He left his shirt, and most importantly, he left his prosthetic."

Tallulah felt tears welling in her eyes. Had there been something last night? Had she managed to escape while Richarlyson suffered whatever happened?

Roier knelt down to her level and hugged her tight. "Everything will be alright, we'll asl the others if they've seen him and we'll find him." She hugged back tightly and hoped his words were true.

After that, everything went to shit. After asking around, they found that all the kids except Tallulah were gone. Whatever had gone after Richarlyson and tried to go after Tallulah has struck the whole island. While everyone was worrying, the federation called an event, and asked everyone to arrive near the wall. This was no time for an event, but Tallulah finished getting dressed and they went to go see what the event was. She clutched her scarf tightly as her parents had one last conversation, her knuckles turning white against the purple fabric.

When they arrived, Phil immediately took Tallulah into his arms. Last time they checked, Phil was in one of the days long sleeps the islanders sometimes had. Someone must have been able to wake him. While she was no longer his granddaughter, he had raised her, and she still felt comfort over his care for her. "Holy shit, you're safe." His words sounded like they were forcing back tears. She couldn't blame him.

"Tallulah slept in our bed last night, it must have stopped her from falling victim to whatever took the other kids," Cellbit explained as Phil gently let go of Tallulah. He didn't want to, but she was no longer his. She missed his hugs.

Other people arrived, and every single one visited Tallulah, asking her and her parents questions. They didn't have many answers, and they all left feeling a mixture of relief over Tallulah being safe and annoyed that there were no clues. Tallulah wished she knew more, wished she hadn't just ran and instead checked up on Richarlyson. She knew it would have likely ended up with them both being taken, but she still wishes she could have some something more.

Eventually, Cucurucho showed up, and he was immediately bombarded with questions.

"What did you do to our kids?"

"Where are they?"

"What did they do wrong?"

Cucurucho continued to say the federation did nothing, but no one believed him. Eventually all the questions was starting to overwhelm Tallulah even though they weren't targeted at her, so she spoke up. "What's this event about?"

Hearing the voice of the only remaining child calmed everyone down, and the rest of the questions stopped. Cucurucho took this silence to be able to finally move on with the event. "Someone is back on the island."

Gasps and whispers sprung up. Someone was back on the island. Not someone new, but someone old. It couldn't have been the kids, they were just taken, but maybe it was one of the old kids? Tallulah never got to meet some of them. But itnwas probably an adult. There were many missing, Mariana, Dan, Spreen, Vegetta, Kameto, her dad.

Her dad.

Perhaps it was because thinking about her dad in such a direction way hadn't happened in a while, but the thought caused her brain to pause. If there was anyone that most of the island was waiting for, it'd be her dad. She clutched at Cellbit's leg as Cucurucho explained that there was going to be many happy people with this announcement, and that someone was very lucky to he here to see it.

There was only one answer for who it was, and many had their guesses if all the staring at Tallulah had to say anything. Tallulah gripped her scarf again as Roier placed a hand on her head, and Cellbit played with her hair. They knew as well.

As Cucurucho finished, a figure appeared before everyone, having been teleported. "Holy shit, wish I could have had some warning." She stopped breathing once she heard her dad's voice. Standing there, looking almost the same as the day he had left, was the man who left her crying on too many nights.

"Enjoy the island," was all Cucurucho said before he disappeared, leaving Wilbur to talk to the islanders.

Wilbur was making his way through the crowd while Cellbit and Roier talked to eachother, and Tallulah was becoming worried at how close he was getting. She tugged at Roier's hoodie. "Papi, can we go home?"

He must have sensed that she was scared, so he bent down to her level and was halfway through agreeing when they heard Wilbur, far too close.

"Tallulah! Mi amor! There's my little girl!" Tallulah wanted to scream. His voice and eyes were so full of glee as if he didn't abandon her for months on end. He even had his arms wide open for a hug.

"Hi," she said quietly, out of anger, but she hoped it would come off as shyness.

Wilbur's face fell when she didn't jump into his arms like he hoped, and Cellbit took him into conversation, hoping it would distract him from Tallulah.

"Nice to meet you, Hatsune Miku."

Wilbur tilted his head. "Hatsune Miku?"

Roier gave a light laugh. "My husband here didn't think you were real for a long time, we tried to convince him by showing him your music, but he'd always say that Hatsune Miku made music and she wasn't real."

Wilbur nodded at the information he was getting. "Congrats on the marriage, I've only been gone for a few months and you've gone and gotten married." Only a few months. Is that how he sees it? He sees it as a few measly months and not most of Tallulah's life?

"I'm surprised it happened so fast too, but sometimes you meet your soulmate and you can't fight fate." The two husbands leaned into eachother and continued to be the lovebirds they usually are. "There are many things you can't fight, sometimes life gives things to you and all you can do is love them." Tallulah knew he was talking about her. Wilbur made the wrong choice, while they made the only choice they believed you could make. Did Roier detest her dad for abandoning her?

Wilbur nodded again. "I agree." Bullshit. "Anyways, it's been great talking to you Roier," he looked over at Cellbit for his name.

"Cellbit," he replied.

"Cellbit, but I've been gone for so long and I have a lot of catching up to do, there's so many more people, and I have to work on my old relationships too." Tallulah froze, already knowing what was going to happen. Wilbur held out his hand to Tallulah. "Come on Mi Niña, time to go home."

Tallulah couldn't move, couldn't speak. This was what she had been wanting before, but now she couldn't help but fear it.

Cellbit saw her fear and spoke for her. "Tallulah has actually been staying with us for a while, and with all the mess that's going on with the other kids going missing, I think it would be best if we continue to care for her until this mess is cleared up, so she's not dealing with too much change all at once." She had forgotten her siblings were missing and now she's even more scared. What was she supposed to do? Her life felt like it was falling apart when she was only just patching together the pieces.

Wilbur tilted his head. "Why has she been staying with you? I left her with Phil." Shit, they can't tell him about the adoption.

Roier luckily thought of a lie quickly. "Phil was really struggling when his husband was away having to take care of two kids, so we offered to help since we only had Richarlyson about a fifth of the time, and when Missa came back, Tallulah was so attached to us that Phil just let us take care of her afterwards, it was only supposed to be until you came back, but we can't give her back when she's already struggling so much."

Wilbur looked at them quizzically, before looking down at Tallulah again. She expected sadness at not being able to take home his daughter, but his face was almost blank. It hurt. He looked back up. "Alright, I'll come by tomorrow to visit her, anyways, great to see you two again," he referred to Roier and Tallulah, "And great to meet you," He referred to Cellbit.

The family said their goodbyes and they took Tallulah home. Cellbit typed something into his comm, likely informing Phil of the lie they had. Tallulah was silent as they walked home. She had dreamed of this day once, her dad coming back. But now it felt more like a nightmare. He didn't greet her the way he used to, and she didn't want to be taken away from her family. She's just so confused, as to why he chose now to come back, and why he was acting the way he did. This didn't feel like her dad. In the sense that she had new dads, and that he wasn't the man she remembered him to be. She knew that memories can paint greater pictures than the present, but had she really twisted her perceptions of him that much? Had he ever loved her? She didn't want an answer, because she didn't want to risk a no.

They had brunch when they came back, some sandwiches. They needed to eat, but none of them really wanted to. Tallulah had checked herself, and there seemed to be no quests. The federation must have thought that quests for a single kid would be pretty useless, so there was no escape from the silence by using quests. After sitting in silence for several minutes, Cellbit finally broke it. "We need to find the kids quickly, and figure out whatevers going on with Hatsune Miku." Tallulah's mood dropped. She loved her siblings, but she knew that if they were found, she'd have to go back to her dad.

Roier nodded before pausing. "I know he gave up on bringing back Tallulah pretty easily, but there wasn't anything too strange about Wilbur." Tallulah looked down at the words of Wilbur giving up on her.

"Think about it," Cellbit stood up, "We had an 'event' for him, sure, it was tiny, but we've had people arrive after long times before, and they didn't get events, surely Wilbur has to have some connection to something bigger if he was allowed that." Tallulah hated herself for being happy at that idea. If her dad was apart of something bad, she would never have to leave her parents.

Roier slowly nodded. "True, it would also explain why he was able to get off the island. Usually when people disappear they're stuck on the island, but he was definitely off it, and I don't believe it was just for tour."

"So we need to figure everything out," Cellbit explained.

Roier looked away. "I'm not going to be able to do much right now, I need some time to process Richarlyson going missing." Even if it doesn't seem as permanent as Bobby's death, this is the second time Roier will have lost a kid.

Cellbit nodded before moving over to Roier and kissing him. "I understand you need time to process." He looked at Tallulah. "Ready to have your first big case as a junior detective?" She had been given the role when she was first adopted, but hadn't been given much to do.

Tallulah nodded. "Of course!" She wanted her siblings back despite what it would mean for her, and she also wanted her first real case as a junior detective.

The two then set out to go talk to people again, needing information. Cellbit was quite glad Tallulah came with him, as people were more willing when they saw the remaining kid by his side. Tallulah had always had the love of the island, but she feels as though she was going to get so much more during this time. The islanders gave what they could, they spoke of the hats, masks and fake moustaches left behind, where they slept, what sort of mood they were in the night before, really anything that could mean something. They also offered the places they've already checked, places their kids would go when scared. Jaiden said she was planning to check up up on her and Roier's old house for the next few days since there was a day before Cellbit and Tallulah were around where the alive kids had been kept safe in their farm, so it was an obvious safe space. Cellbit got Jaiden to send him her updates and they went on their way, the final person they needed to talk to being Phil.

Tallulah froze when she saw that Phil was talking to Wilbur, but Cellbit walked over anyways.

"We need the information you have of what Chayanne did last night." He stated as he had many times.

Phil looked over at Tallulah before returning his gaze and explained the night the family had had and told Cellbit about the floatie and skull mask that Chayanne had left behind. "I'm glad Tallulah is safe at least," he turned to Tallulah again, "It'll be lonely without Chayanne, but I heard you're not done with your babysitters yet." It hurt to hear her parents be called babysitters, but it was the lie they spun for her to be able to stay with them.

"I want to stay with them Abuelito, too many emotions right now." She made a promise to visit him one day soon.

Wilbur, who had been patiently listening to their conversation, finally spoke. "Such a shame that I wasn't able to get here sooner, busy things happened." Wilbur was annoyingly calm about the situation. Even if he hadn't had much time to care for the kids, they were kids, six kids going missing should be concerning to anyone.

"If only," Tallulah said. She was happy she had an excuse, she wasn't ready to let go of those who actually loved her. Although it was still up in the air if Wilbur did love her, she was always dramatic.

The way he played with one of her curls said love, but she could never be sure.

"Any clues as to where we can keep track of? Places Chayanne liked to hide?" Cellbit took the conversation back where it was supposed to be.

Phil shook his head. "Not a clue Mate."

Cellbit nodded. "Well, me and Tallulah should get going, she's my junior detective, and we have to go analyse the data we do have."

"Well, I'll see the two of you later," Phil stated. He sounded so tired.

"Yeah, I'll see you both tomorrow," Wilbur leaned down. "Be good for your babysitter, okay?" She wouldn't be good for her babysitter, she'd be good for her Papa.

"I will." And the two were off.

When the two were out of hearing or viewing distance from Wilbur, Cellbit spoke. "I know this is very difficult for you, but you're doing such a good job, we'll get to the bottom of this, I promise, you'll have your siblings by your side again soon." But will she have her parents by her side?

"I'm trying my best." She'll find some way to bring up her worries.

The two spent the rest of the day piecing together clues, placing them on a board and connecting them with red string along with writing down what they knew on paper and placing them in folders. They took a small break when Roier brought them some dinner, and they spent the next hours working while Roier waited mostly silently in the room with them. Eventually Tallulah was about to pass out, and they decided to call it quits for the day, instead letting Tallulah go to bed.

As Tallulah was tucked into bed, she didn't want to go a night letting her thoughts swell in her head until it turned to nightmares, so she spoke. "What will happen when we get my siblings back?"

"We can be family again," Roier answered.

"But," she didn't want to speak, but questions needed to be asked, "Then the hard situation will be over, and my dad will want me back." The two gasped in ways that showed they hadn't thought about having to let her go.

"I," Cellbit hesitated. "I don't know what will happen."

Tallulah didn't hesitate with her words. "Will you still love me?"

"Of course, we'll always love you," Roier said immediately. Love had no hesitation.

"Even if we have to let you go, you will always be our daughter." Cellbit gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Tallulah gently smiled. "I love you both too, you will always be my papas." There were likely words said afterwards, but she was asleep the moment her eyes closed.

The next day was about theories again. More places had been checked and they got messages saying no one was there, so they continued with their theories and crossed out ones that had been disproven.

It wasn't until lunch, which they were expecting to only be short, where they were interrupted.

"Hello?" Tallulah had gotten over most of her fear of her dad during her sleep, but she still wanted to just find her siblings and not have to deal with him.

Cellbit took Tallulah out of the office and they met up with Wilbur. "There's mi amor!" He shouted when he saw her. She gripped at her scarf, she wasn't his anymore.

"Hi Daddy," she said shyly.

Wilbur tilted his head. "Daddy? I thought I was Papi?" Shit. He still remembered that.

She didn't know how to say she gave it to Roier, so she lied. "I just like Daddy more now."

Wilbur smiled at her words. "You are just the cutest!"

"So, what have you come here for, we are very busy right now." Cellbit was beside her, and while they were very busy, he knew how she didn't want Wilbur to be her dad, and didn't appreciate Wilbur trying to take that role again.

"Just here to visit Lulah, mind if I talk to her for a few minutes? Alone?" The words were suspicious, and Tallulah truly felt the divide that grew between them.

Cellbit looked at her, and she nodded. She just wanted to know more about why they had to fall apart. Cellbit looked back to Wilbur. "She says yes."

Wilbur smiled and nodded. "Alright then, let's go." He got up and walked away from Cellbit, getting Tallulah to follow him.

They sat on the edge of the entrance platform, and Tallulah was the first to speak. "Why did you stop your letters?" Sure, Wilbur was the one to talk, but there had been the question that ate at her for months.

Wilbur was silent for several moments. Tallulah just wanted him to answer. It could be as simple as he stopped caring, that would at least confirm her fears. Just something. Eventually, he did speak. "I became so busy, far busier than I thought I would end up being. It was as if the days turned into one. I swore that I sent one just the other day, but then when I checked to go home, I found out it had been months."

Tallulah didn't respond. How busy can you be that you don't talk to your own daughter? It's why she's not his anymore.

Wilbur spoke again. "I just wanted to know how you've been, were you good for Phil? Are you being good for Roier and Cellbit?"

"Yes, I'm being good." She tried her best to keep harshness out of her voice.

"That's good." Wilbur's voice was soft. He moved his hand to play with one of her curls. "I wish what we had could have stayed." Tallulah was barely able to hide her squeak. Did he know how much she hated how far they fell apart? "But don't worry, I'll fix everything soon, we can be a family again, with all your siblings."

She wanted her siblings back, more than anything, but why can't she have the family she chose? Maybe if things had turned out better, she would have chosen Wilbur, but they didn't, and there's no way on going back to what they once had.

Wilbur noticed Tallulah's lack of response. "Alright, let's get you back to Roier and Cellbit." Maybe if this had all happened a few days earlier, she would have screamed at him for giving up on her so easily, but she didn't. She just got up and let Wilbur take her back to her parents.

Wilbur talked to them for a few minutes, maybe even longer than they had spoken. Tallulah was drained. He was able to talk to people who were practically strangers for longer than he had talked to his own daughter. Although she was practically a stranger as well. Eventually he left, and Tallulah went back to half heartedly making theories before Roier dragged her away to go pick some flowers. As much as she wanted to stay miserable, flowers always helped.

Days went by quickly, and the island kept on going. There was a lot happening in the peripheral of Tallulah's life. There was a new member again, who Tallulah is pretty sure might be her aunt. Drug problems had come and gone, Bad had been losing. Although everyone had been losing it. Bad was just especially losing it. All of this was simply background to her own worried. Some were about her siblings and where they went, but most where about her dad. He had come by every day, hoping to talk to Tallulah, but they all ended on the similar note of Tallulah giving up and Wilbur following. Despite giving up first, it always felt like Wilbur had given up first. Months before.

To distract herself she pushed extra far into their theories. It would help the island get back the other children, but also let her believe there were better things to worry about than the state of her family. They had been having more theories, and others gave theirs, and they eventually settled on the most likely; The federation wasn't to blame for it, and a bigger threat was at play.

They had several branching theories, some where the kids escaped, while others where they were caught. Tallulah believes that whatever she had ran from that night was what took the other kids or caused them to run. Still, she didn't know how to bring it up. How could she say that she heard what could have possibly taken her siblings, her parents hadn't believed her the first time. So, she would keep it to herself until their was more evidence that sided with the thought.

One day, she was awoken by being shaken. She groaned as she opened her eyes to see Cellbit. "Papa? I'm tired still." It was too early for this shit.

"I know Tallulah, but your dad's here, and I have a plan." A plan? For her dad? Shouldn't they be trying to find out where her siblings are? "I know you're confused, so let me explain." She was picked up and sat in a sitting position at the edge of her bed. She felt more awake now. "I believe Wilbur is part of something bigger." He brought up one of his first theories.

"So what does that have to do with waking me up so early?" Tallulah just wanted to go back to sleep.

"I want you to go back to living with him for a few days, and then I need you to say you don't feel good being back in such a situation, and tell me everything suspicious you leaned from him, okay?"

Tallulah froze. Going back to her dad? She wanted to help figure things out, but what if her parents realised that they liked it better when she wasn't here? She'd be stuck with her dad. With a stranger. She wouldn't even be able to go back to her Abuelito.

Cellbit noticed her worry and took her into a hug. "Lulah, if you don't want to, I won't force you, we can do this in other ways. Your feelings are always more important than an investigation." Hearing those words made her feel better. She wanted to help, so badly, and she knew she needed to stop worrying over if they'll get rid of her. They won't. They love her, they took her in when she needed it, and they'll continue to have her for as long as she needs it.

"I'll do it." She tried to keep her voice steady.

Cellbit smiled at her. "You are the best daughter I could ask for, I love you so much."

Tallulah smiled back. "Te amo tambien."

Cellbit got her clothes out and waited for her to get dressed. Once she was, he helped her tie her scarf around her neck. Tallulah placed her hands atop of one of his while it gently held the scarf. The scarf would always mean they loved her. "Cmon, let's get you to your dad."

She followed Cellbit out to where Wilbur was, and tried to ignore the anxiety that rose when she saw him. She was strong, and she loved her parents and her siblings, so if her Papa believed that this could help get her siblings back, she'd do it for months if she had to.

Wilbur leaned down to greet her. "Hi my little Lulah."

"Hi Daddy." The word still felt so wrong. Would she ever feel comfortable with her dad? Maybe not, but she had to pretend. Wilbur at least smiled at the greeting.

"I have some good news for you," Cellbit started. Wilbur stood back up. "Tallulah has been feeling better these past few days, and she wanted to give a try at living with you again."

Wilbur lit up. "Really?" He looked back down. "You're ready?"

Tallulah nodded. "I think I am." She wasn't at all. "But I'm not too sure, I just want to give it a try, I may have to go back," home, her brain supplied. She always wanted to be home, with her parents, "To Roier and Cellbit's."

"Of course, I don't want you to be uncomfortable at all." He looked back to Cellbit. "Is she ready to go now?"

Cellbit shook his head. "She'll need to have breakfast first, and then she'll pack her stuff would you like to join for breakfast?"

Wilbur nodded. "It's been so long since I've gotten to share a meal with my daughter, I'd love to."

Breakfast was easier than she thought it would be. Roier and Wilbur were having most of the conversation, something about how they used to flirt a bit before Wilbur went on tour. Tallulah laughed at Cellbit's jealousy. Tallulah was the first to finish, so she went to go pack. She kept most of her stuff in her backpack, but her flute had found a permanent home on her desk, as well as some clothes she needed from her closet. When she went back down, everyone had finished and she left the castle with Wilbur. It was strange, waving bye to her parents while someone who was practically a stranger doted on how happy he was to be by her side again. Hopefully being away from home would stop being strange soon.

Entering her old house was weird. She had been to her house several times since Wilbur first left, but the idea of calling it a home had long lost it's familiarity, so Wilbur stating, "Welcome home," was nothing but weird.

Wilbur helped her pack away some stuff, removing some old clothes of hers that she had left and no longer fit into. "Five months is so long, especially when you're so young, no wonder you don't fit into any of these clothes anymore." Tallulah was starting to hate how Wilbur was aware of how much time had passed.

Wilbur understood that Tallulah was uncomfortable, and they spent the day trying to get used to eachother again. This mostly meant playing music. This was likely the only thing she'd end up preferring to be with her dad to do. Her parents were great, but they didn't understand music like she did, so having someone else who adored music to the level she did was fun. He loved music enough to want to name her after it. Maybe that was the first sign she should have seen to how they would end up. He'd always love music more than her, that's why he went on tour. If the whole tour thing was even real.

She began to struggle at lunch. The food he made was too different, this was an issue she had when she first started to live with her parents as well. Wilbur didn't take offence at the way she picked at her food, and just made a comment saying food is hard to like, and he'll figure out how to cook for her eventually. More music was played and Wilbur got dinner right, a meal heavy in potatoes that she ate despite her moaning about how she was tired of them.

She was put to bed, and Wilbur told her a story of his tour, how he spoke of her before every concert. Tallulah had no way of telling that he was saying the truth, but she so desperately wished for it to be true. Once the story was over, she got a kiss on the forehead and Wilbur headed to bed himself. Tallulah was left pretending to sleep, needing to get evidence that Wilbur had more to do with the island than he was letting on, but spent most of that time stuck in her own thoughts.

Why did she want more from Wilbur while simultaneously wanting less of him? How could she want him to be her dad while not wanting to being his daughter? She was too young to have so many thoughts about these things, so why did she have to be put in life circumstances that made her think these things?

She worried about her thoughts for thirty minutes before she heard her dad speak. She ceased her thoughts and listened closely.

"I'm trying, but it's risky."

...

"I can't get her alone, they won't let me near her."

...

"Of course I'm saying the truth, what would be in it for me to lie?"

...

"I know, I'll try harder."

...

"Alright, I'll call again soon."

After that, she simply heard Wilbur sigh. She then heard his bed creak and after a few minutes, she heard snoring. She pulled a book out of her inventory are wrote what she heard. Maybe Cellbit was right, her dad had a lot more to do with the island than he wanted people to know. He had let her into their home again, and she wasn't guilty that she would possibly force him out of it. She placed the book back into her inventory and finally let herself sleep.

When she woke up, Wilbur had attempted food again, and although she scraped the toppings off her toast, she was eating. Wilbur talked about his plans to go around the island with her when they were interrupted by a knock at the door. She went to go get it and lit up when she saw Roier outside.

"P-Roier!" She almost slipped up and called him Papi in her excitement at seeing him. Who knew a single day would leave her missing him so much?

"There's my little... Niece." Roier was still getting used to not being her Papi in front of Wilbur.

"Oh Roier, what's got you visiting?" Wilbur asked.

"Just wanted to see how she was holding up, she's never been good at change."

"I could guess that, it's an autism thing." Tallulah realised that a lot of what Wilbur knew about her was probably a guess from his own autism and how it could carry over.

"Is it alright if I talked to her alone?" Roier asked.

"Sure, I'll wait inside, feel free to talk outside." Tallulah followed her Papi outside and they talked.

"It's only been a day and me and Gatinho already miss you so much." Roier took her into a hug.

"I missed you and Papa too, so I'll get as much info as I can so I can come back quick."

"You are such a good girl, doing this for us, for your siblings." The two stayed in a hug for a while, before Roier finally pulled back and asked, "Have you found anything out yet?"

Tallulah nodded. "I think, I heard him talking on the phone, saying something was risky." Roier nodded at her words. "I didn't learn much, but I think if I keep listening I'll end up hearing something that could help."

"Good, just keep doing what you're doing, you're our best hope right now."

"I know." It was a big responsibility, but she'd do anything for her parents and her siblings.

Tallulah was taken back inside and Roier said bye, saying that he or Cellbit would show up again in a few days to see how she was going again.

Finally, they went on with their day and went around the island together. Tallulah had gotten pretty used to how everyone obsessed over her since the kids went missing. She was the greatest resemblance to them, so it made sense. Sometimes her parents would take her into their arms and cry about how much they missed Richarlyson. It was a very difficult time on the island and she often had to remind herself that she wasn't the only one who was upset. It felt like now that Tallulah was living with Wilbur, he was the only one who wasn't upset. Most of the time at least.

Night time was similar, she was put to bed and she'd be left alone with her thoughts, and finally she'd eavesdrop.

"I know I'm supposed to have her by now."

...

"Things have changed on this island, it isn't as easy as we thought it would be."

...

"It worked the first time because it was unexpected, they're aware now."

...

"No, I'm not stalling for time."

...

"I'll do better, I promise."

She wrote what she knew again once Wilbur was asleep before finally going to sleep herself.

They continued their routine two more times, learning about eachother while Wilbur attempted to push past the wall that Tallulah had put up. Whenever they went out, Tallulah would always make sure they visited her parents so she could update them on what was happening. They were so proud of her, and Tallulah couldn't wait until she enough information to be able to go back home. Despite everything she was learning, she wasn't entirely sure on what was happening with Wilbur. She just told herself she had to wait it out and eventually everything would fall into place.

On the fifth night of their routine, she waited for the call after being left alone with her thoughts, but was instead met with the sound of the front door opening and shutting. She listened closely to try and see if anyone was inside the house, but was met with nothing. Wilbur had left without having a phone call. Maybe he was having it outside?

She couldn't go a night without hearing his plan, so she carefully got out of bed to get closer. She carefully stuck through the house, trying to get closer to the front door, and as she felt around the walls she found the part where it turned to door. She silently celebrated and tried to step closer so she could press her ear against it, but tripped over one of her dad's shoes, causing her to slam her head against the door. She was still concious, but her head hurt like a bitch and she had made a loud enough noise that her dad worryingly opened the door and found Tallulah on the ground.

"Oh my princess, what happened?" He knelt down and picked her up.

"I, I was trying to get a glass of water but it was too dark," she quickly lied.

"I'm sorry, if I had known I would have gotten you a drink before you went to bed." He stood up and held her against his hip, moving around and getting a glass and filling it with water, putting it in his inventory before going into her room again to place her in bed before giving her the water. She was actually kind of thirsty, so it was appreciated. She drank it and gave the glass back before lying down and getting a kiss on her injured forehead. "Sleep tight, if the pain isn't gone in the morning make sure to tell me, okay?"

She nodded and Wilbur left, leaving her alone again. She knew she should try and listen for a call again, but the head injury was making her just want to sleep. Maybe she can ignore a call for a single night. She shut her eyes and before she could argue with herself again, she was fast asleep.

Wilbur took her to her parents again for lunch, and when Wilbur decided to help Cellbit with the dishes, Roier asked her what she had learnt the past night.

"I wasn't able to hear a call," she whispered so Wilbur wouldn't hear in the room over.

"Why not?" Roier sounded more worried than anything.

"Daddy went outside and when I tried to follow I tripped and banged my head on the door, so I went to sleep to deal with the pain." She lifted her hair slightly to show the bump she had gotten. It didn't hurt anymore unless she pressed on it, but it was prominent.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm just annoyed that I couldn't do anything last night." She felt as though she was further away from getting her goal. Sure, most of what she had heard was repetitive, but what if last night was the night it would change?

Roier took her into a hug. "You've already done so much, and we're so proud of you, don't feel bad because you got injured."

Tallulah nodded and hugged Roier back. She was happy that he didn't care, but she wanted to do more. She would do better tonight.

Eventually, it was time to go back to Wilbur's, and their routine happened again. Luckily, this night Wilbur stayed inside for his call.

"I know."

...

"I'll do it soon, I've finally figured out how to do it without suspicion."

...

"I know it's taken ages, but I know the islanders well, they're on edge."

Tallulah was upset that he was just repeating what he always did. Was there really nothing to find? Would he just continue repeating until it was too late? She was about to just fall asleep, thinking she'd get nothing from the night, but just as she closed her eyes they shot back open at Wilbur's next words.

"I promise you, it's not just because Tallulah is my daughter."

Why had he mentioned her?

"I do want to spend time with her, but I'm not putting off my work just for that, after all, I trust that you'll keep up your end of the bargain."

What bargain?

"Don't act stupid, after the tests, I get off the island permanently and get to bring Tallulah with me, and you'll figure out something to do with the other kids I presume?"

Tallulah's blood felt cold at Wilbur's words. Tallulah knew one day she would leave the island, the parents often said they refused to leave without the kids, but the idea of going alone with Wilbur shook her to her core. All her uncles and aunts, her abuelito, her parents and siblings, would she ever see them again if she went with him? The island was all she knew, her family was all she knew, so leaving both behind was a fate zhe never wanted to experience.

"I'll do it tomorrow, I have her where I want her."

...

"I won't ask questions, I trust you."

...

"Soon, I promise."

The voices stopped after that and Tallulah was left lying awake. She didn't even write in her book, she just wanted to believe it was all a dream. But it wasn't, she knew her dad was a part of something bigger, but to be making those kinds of deals with what took her siblings was too much for her brain to handle.

She stayed awake all night, just staring at the ceiling. It was part thinking about everything that she had learned and part not wanting to be asleep in case Wilbur decided to take her away a night early. When she heard her dad moving around, she was still wide awake. She had many hours to think, so when she went up to him to tell him her thoughts, she wasted no time.

"I want to go-," home, "-back to Roier and Cellbit's."

Wilbur looked at her sadly. She was foiling his plan. "What brought this up?"

She never felt right here, this isn't her home, she wants to spend her possibly last day on the island with her parents, not this stranger. "I tried my hardest, but I do want to be somewhere I know well while so much is going on."

"Do you not know this place well?"

'I don't know you well,' is what she wanted to say, instead she just shook her head.

Wilbur sighed and nodded. "Alright, go get ready, I'll take you back to your babysitters." Tallulah packed up the things she cared to take out and got dressed, tying her scarf tightly around her neck. She stared at her beanie for several seconds. By how she felt, she should have wanted to throw it away, not wear it again, it symbolised a traitor. But she didn't want to, she wanted to keep wearing it so she could have a reminder of the man he used to be. She hesitantly put it on and stared at herself in a mirror. It looked right at least. She kept it on for now.

She met her dad back at the front door, and they set off to the castle. Their walk was silent, and Tallulah could tell that it was killing Wilbur. A small part of her felt guilty, but a larger part of her felt like he deserved it for betraying her trust, for wanting to take her away from everything she's ever known. It's not like she's ever known him.

They made it to the castle and Roier was waiting for them. "Sorry for having to take her back, but we really want her to be comfortable."

Wilbur shook his head with a forced smile. "It's okay, that's what I want for her too." He knelt down to Tallulah's level. "Now, be good for them, okay? And remember, Daddy loves you."

Tallulah nodded and Wilbur's forced smile fell a tad. He stood back up and bid the two goodbye.

As soon as he wasn't there anymore, Roier took Tallulah into his arms and lifted her up with his hug. "I missed you so much!" He placed a kiss on her forehead.

She wrapped her tiny arms around him as much as she could. "I missed you too."

Roier entered the castle again. "Let's go see Gatinho and we can talk a bit about where we should go next with the info you got, okay?"

Tallulah hummed in approval and nodded against his chest. Her lack of sleep the previous night made her want to fall asleep in his arms, but talking was going to be important.

When they entered the room Cellbit was in he immediatly ran up to them and took Tallulah from Roier's arms. "There's my little girl!" She was practically crushed in his arms, but she giggled despite it. "Happy to be home?"

"Always." This would always be her home.

Cellbit sat down in a chair and left Tallulah to sit on his knee. Roier took a seat next to them and asked, "What did you learn from your time at your dad's."

"He's definitely a part of some bigger thing, definitely whatever took my siblings," she started. "He is trusted with a lot but doesn't seem to have a lot of power, but they are pretty lenient on him." Her parents nodded. "He's planning something, or the bigger threat is planning something and he's supposed to execute it."

"Do you know if it's going to happen anytime soon?" Cellbit asked.

"It won't," she lied. She knew her parents wanted to protect her, and that lying had the chance to backfire, but she felt like this was something she had to do on her own. She was assigned to be Wilbur's daughter for some reason, and maybe she believed that reason was to figure out what was going on with him.

"If that's what you say," Cellbit may have almost seen through her, but he believed her enough. The conversation wasn't able to go on for any longer, as her lack of sleep the previous night forced a yawn from her. "Tired already? You shouldn't have woken up too long ago."

She placed her head against Cellbit's chest. "I couldn't sleep, I wanted to come home so bad, I didn't feel comfortable there anymore."

Roier leaned over and picked her up. "Poor thing, you should get some sleep now." Tallulah nodded at his words. Her parents took her back up to her room and placed her down on the bed. It felt so right to be back after so long. She barely even managed to get under the covers before she passed out, anything her parents might have said to her wasn't heard.

When she woke up it was the afternoon, and she laid in bed for several more minutes, trying to figure out what she was going to do. Just because she was out of Wilbur's house didn't mean he wasn't going to attempt to take her away. He seemed adamant on having her, so there was no way he wasn't going to try one day, and this night felt like it would still be the perfect opportunity for him. She hopped out of bed and checked her stuff, pulling out an invisibility potion when she found it. This was more than just not being taken, this was going to be about figuring out whatever happened to her siblings. She pulled out a few more and put them in her inventory. She would succeed, and whatever that meant was going to happen tonight.

She went back downstairs and spent the rest of the day with her parents. Cellbit was continuing his theories with his the information and she and Roier were making jokes about how he was cheating on Roier with his theories, which Cellbit ignored after the fifth. It felt good to be able to spend the whole day with her family again, and hopefully if everything went to plan, she would get to spend every day like this, but with her siblings by her side.

Eventually it was bedtime again, and she was tucked in and they shared some extra long 'I love you's before Roier and Cellbit left to go do their own thing for another hour before going to bed themselves. Tallulah spend this time reading a book she had been given a few months ago that she never touched, and eventually, she knew the whole castle was asleep. She continued to read but kept an ear out for any noise, knowing Wilbur could be arriving at any moment. It was another two hours before she heard anything, and she quickly but quietly put her book down and carefully drank the invisibility potion before slipping out of bed and standing in the corner of her room.

From her window, she saw Wilbur sneak in. She knew it would happen, and now she just had to figure out where to go from here. Wilbur stepped into her room and looked around, feeling her bed to find that the ghost of her body heat was still there and then moving to look around her room. Under her bed and in her closet, anywhere that she could be hiding. She made sure to be as quiet as possible, even if that meant breathing so slowly it made her feel as though she was going to pass out.

Wilbur eventually checked the whole room and couldn't find her. He let out a quiet sigh and whispered. "Lulah, where are you? Where's my daughter?" She wasn't stupid enough to answer. When there was no answer, he opened the window again and started to go out. She knew that wherever he was heading was where she needed to go, so she quietly crossed the room and got up onto the window beside him. He pulled out a water bucket and jumped, and Tallulah did the possibly foolish act of jumping as well. Luckily, she landed in the water as well and he didn't hear her over his own splash. He headed off and she followed as close as she could without alerting him.

She was always one of the slower kids, and matched with Wilbur being so tall, it was a struggle to keep up. But this was something she needed to do. She was the kid left behind, so she needed to save her siblings. Wilbur moved further into a forest and itnwas becoming difficult for her to see him with all the turns being taken, at several points she feared that he knew she was following him. After all, it would be easier to lead her to her demise than take her by force. She shook the thoughts away. If he wanted to lead her away, he would make it easier to catch up to him.

She continued to follow him all the way over to a cliff face. It was oddly smooth, and it was proven to be false when it opened to to reveal a door. She could barely hide her gasp as she looked into the dark grey staircase that lead down to who knows what. Wilbur walked down it and she quickly followed him, almost squeaking when it closed on a few pieces of her hair and she had to push forward and have them ripped off. It was only a few single hairs, but every sensation felt stronger when she was so caught up on not making noise. She went down the stairs as quickly as her tiny body would allow and rushed down the hallway at the bottom to catch up to Wilbur again. There were several doors they passed, and as much as Tallulah wanted to know what was going on behind them, she had to keep following.

Eventually, they made it to the door on the end, and Wilbur went inside while Tallulah carefully slipped in. She didn't know how many noises she would have to repress today, but another gasp was hidden as she viewed what was in front of her.

Her siblings were all asleep in small cages, they almost looked like bird cages, barely big enough for them. The larger kids such as Chayanne and Leo were all pressing against the bars, but even Pomme was cramped in it. Looking at the miserable, months old pyjama clad children, was a man she had never seen before. Wilbur coughed and he looked around, looking beside Wilbur. Tallulah thought she had been caught but the man spoke and negated that fear.

"Where's the girl?" There was no doubt that the girl he was referring to was her.

"I don't know, I tried to find get her, but when I got into her room she was nowhere to be found. I assume she went to sleep with her babysitters like she did the first time we tried to catch her." Wait, he knew she went to her parents room? Wilbur was much faster than her, if he knew where she headed there was obviously a high chance he could have caught her. Did he purposely let her go? Everything about Wilbur just continued to confuse her. Why couldn't he just make it easy to hate him?

"And you didn't check?" The man spoke again, disappointed and angry.

"I know you're upset with me, but one of those babysitters happened to be a cannibal, I was not going to risk my life for this mission, after all, you still need me." Cellbit hadn't eaten anyone in a long time. She's not sure how he learned that he was a cannibal but not of all the therapy he had done to make sure he never ate human flesh again.

The man let out a deep breath. "I have given you so many chances, and I hate that I have to give you one more, get it right next time, or I may rethink giving you your daughter when we're done." Wilbur nodded, and the man left the room.

Wilbur looked at the kids sleeping in their cages. "I'm so sorry, I should have never kidnapped you, but, but I had to." He sighed and turned around, likely to leave, when his eyes shot open and he gasped. "Tallulah!?" He screamed.

Tallulah looked down at herself and saw that her potion had run out. She hadn't had time to, and at some point she completely forgot it was something she had to do.

"Lulah, what are you doing here?" He sounded overwhelmingly worried.

"I, I," she couldn't contain her feelings anymore, and tears fell down her cheeks. "I just wanted to find my siblings again, I just want my family back."

Wilbur kneeled in front of her and tried to take her into his arms, but she shoved his arms away. Wilbur looked betrayed, but spoke to her calmly. "I'm so sorry, this is very important, and I promise as soon as this is done I'll find a way to bring your siblings with us when we leave, and we can be a family again."

"No." She stated firmly. "I want my family." Wilbur had stopped being family long ago. "I just want my siblings, my parents, and my abuelito."

"Your parents?" He asked, looking as though he was about to cry from her stating he wasn't family. "Do you mean?" He didn't finish his sentence, so Tallulah finished it for him.

"My 'babysitters'." She wiped the tears from her cheeks, but more fell. "I tried being your daughter again." Her attempt was quite half assed, but it was the best she could do when she had mostly given up. "But I can't see you as a dad anymore, you're, you're just Wilbur." The name felt like it shook the room. Wilbur's wet eyes widened and he looked like she had just stabbed him. "I want to see you as a dad, I wanted you to come back and be my dad for so long, but you were too late, and now you've gone and kidnapped my siblings, I don't know what to feel, but I feel betrayed."

Wilbur was silent for a few moments before carefully reaching out and cupping her face. She didn't push him away this time. "I'm so fucking sorry, I've been such a horrible father to you." He hesitated for a few moments before correcting himself. "I've barely even been a father to you, I was so wrapped up in my own wants that I forgot you were your own person, that you've changed so much while I've been away."

"I'm not going to forgive you." She may one day, but with all her emotions now, she just wants to be petty.

"You don't need to, I wouldn't forgive me either." He stared into her face for several seconds, and she was about to look away when he began to speak again. "I fucked up so badly, I should have stayed, but I was selfish."

With his words, she decided to ask the question that had plagued her for months. "Why did you leave?"

She was ready to here about the tour again, but Wilbur extended the story. "It's true that I had a tour planned, but I could have gone without doing it, the outside world seems to have mostly forgotten we existed, and stays that way until we go back, the rest of my band would have been fine." He was more explaining the outside world than why he left, but he eventually got onto the story. "I lied when I said the federation let me leave for tour, they knew I wasn't needed, it was actually the A.F.F that let me leave."

"A.F.F?" She asked.

"Anti Federation Federation, stupid name, I know." Tallulah gave a snort at the name. "They let me leave but made me promise I would come back one day to help them, I guess having someone the federation trapped sounded like it would help them."

"Was kidnapping my siblings what they wanted?" She asked.

"Yes, there is so much you don't know about you and your siblings, and it's not my place to tell you when you're already going through so much, but the A.F.F believes your connection to the federation is crucial, and they wanted to see more of it, not much has been learnt, and I'm regretting it more and more everyday." Tallulah was confused about what he meant, but he was right, she was already learning so much that her brain began to hurt.

"Is that why you said you couldn't give me up?" She asked yet again.

Wilbur's face twisted in confusion. "How did you know I said that?"

Tallulah realised she wasn't supposed to tell him about her eavesdropping. Oh well, too late now. "When I lived with you I'd eavesdrop on your phone calls, I wanted to know if you had something to do with the kidnappings."

Wilbur was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Is that why you said you wanted to go home? You heard what I said about giving you to them?"

She nodded. "I'm so sorry, I can never apologise enough, I was supposed to be your dad, I wasn't supposed to rip your family apart and make it so you can never trust me again." His words felt so genuine, and Tallulah didn't know how to feel. Wilbur took a deep breath and stood up. "There's only one thing I can do that can even fix what I've done to you a fraction."

Was was going to ask what he meant but she him opening drawers she hadn't noticed were there. She saw him pull out piles of items and backpacks. Her siblings inventories. Wilbur pulled out a key from his inventory and unlocked the first cage, Chayanne's cage. He carefully pulled him out, careful to not hurt him with the too small cage, and placed him down on the ground before shaking him.

Chayanne's eyes slowly opened before the shot wide open as he was about to scream. Wilbur covered his mouth and spoke. "Shh, I'm getting you out of here." He slowly took his hand away and Chaynne was silent. Tallulah ran up to her brother and took him into a hug.

"Chayanne." Her voice was teary.

"Lulah." Chayanne's was similar to her own.

Wilbur unlocked the rest of the cages and woke up her siblings, stopping each of them from screaming and Tallulah would run over and hug each of them for a reunion. When the final cage was opened and Tallulah finished holding Pomme in her arms, Wilbur spoke again.

"Grab your stuff and warp out of here, quick, I don't know when someone else will be here, and I also need to get out of here before they notice what I've done."

"Where to?" Richarlyson asked.

"The castle," Tallulah answered.

The kids wasted no time warping to the castle, and quickly Tallulah and Wilbur were the only ones left. Wilbur gave her a smile, and out of guilt she quickly warped away. She couldn't return it, even if he somewhat deserved it.

The kids were now in the castle, and many of them couldn't help but shout in excitement at being free.

"What's going on-?" They had woken up Roier and Cellbit, and as soon as they caught sight of them, they were hugging as many as they could.

The island's day started in the early morning, before the sun even rose. Messages and calls were sent out and parents came to collect their kids. Each asked how they were saved, and each time the kids would say Tallulah did, despite the fact it was much more of Wilbur's doing. She didn't say anything about Wilbur though.

The Brazilians came over to see their son again, and they had an early breakfast together. Tallulah was almost falling asleep, but she couldn't help but smile to herself the whole time. This was how life was meant to be. Mostly. There was a small part of her that thought about Wilbur, and what he had done after they left. She wondered how life would be now that she'd see him around and not have to worry about being his daughter. No one at breakfast could tell what she was thinking.

A few hours later, the federation called an event again. Many people believed this would have something to do with the kids being back, but we're confused as to why they were being asked right meet at the train station. Still, everyone got ready for the day and Richarlyson and Tallulah held hands on their way to the train station. Richarlyson was terrified of being kidnapped again, so he was always holding onto someone now. Roier and Cellbit wondered if he'd ever be his normal independent self again.

Once they were at the train station, Tallulah froze when she saw Wilbur standing beside Cucurucho. It had been a mere ten hours since their talk, and she didn't know how to move on yet.

"Hello," Cucurucho's voice started before Tallulah could think much longer. "I see we have all the kids back, Wilbur told me Tallulah saved them all." Even Wilbur was going through with the lie?

Cellbit held Tallulah closer to his side as he smiled down at her. He was so goddamn proud of her.

"But this event isn't about the kids, it's a final goodbye, Wilbur has tour again and he has decided he will not be coming back." Some people complained that he was able to leave whenever he wanted, but most of the talk was how they'd miss Wilbur. Tallulah wondered if there was a tour or if it was just an excuse again.

"I know I haven't been here long, but I've built less of a life on this island than anyone else, and I don't think I can build a life here anymore." He looked at Tallulah. Had her words made him decide that? "So this is my goodbye, if you guys can ever get off the island, I'll see many of you, and I'll call sometimes, but this is the last time you'll ever see me on this island."

"Anything else you want to say?" Cucurucho asked, impatient.

"Yes," he stated and walked over to Tallulah's family. He placed a hand on Roier and Cellbit's shoulders. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter for these last few months, she loves you more than life, and I would love for you to continue being her parents from now on."

The two looked shocked that he knew they were her parents, but they smiled quickly.

"We'll love her like she's the world," Cellbit stated.

"She's the best daughter we could ask for," Roier responded.

Wilbur nodded and looked down at Tallulah again before kneeling down. He took her tiny hands in one of his. "Be good for them, okay?" She nodded. "I know I fucked up for times than I can count, but know that I am sorry for everything, and that I love you more than life, you are a part of my life that has injected itself into my soul, and I will never forget the time I got to have you as a daughter," he leaned in and left a kiss on her forehead. "Be safe out there, and love with all your heart." He stood up again and went up to Cucurucho, saying he was ready to leave.

He entered the train and the doors shut. As the train began to move away, people waved, Tallulah included. While she normally clutched her scarf when she was emotional, she found herself pulling on her beanie. Tears made their way down her cheeks.

Why was all of this so confusing? When he first arrived, she wanted him gone despite her wishes for him to be here, and now that he was leaving, she wanted him back. As the train was officially out of site, she wondered if family will ever make sense.

Chapter Text

Antoine's unobstructed face was pressed against Etoiles' chest when they woke up. Etoiles smiled gently at the sight. No matter how often he got to see his boyfriend's face now, it was never any less beautiful than the day he first showed him, he may look even prettier.

Etoiles lifted his hand and traced the green dots like they were constellations, lovingly gazing into his Antoine's face. Antoine loved slightly and it took a few seconds to realise he had opened his eyes. Their pure blackness often made it so they hid on his face, but they were still as gorgeous as the rest of him.

"How long have you been staring at me?" Antoine asked.

"Not long enough," Etoiles responded. Etoiles had taken to complimenting his boyfriend's looks at any moment he could, other than in front of other people. It was a safe guess to say that others assumed he had seen Antoine's face long before he actually got to, but practically telling them he did made Antoine nervous. If he showed his face to one person, why wouldn't he show it to others?

"That sounds creepy," Antoine joked.

"When was it a crime to acknowledge that my boyfriend was pretty?" Etoiles feigned annoyance.

"Since yesterday, I've already called the police." Antoine had a smile on his lips as he spoke.

"Ah, I forgot you had a phone in your head," He brought up the fact he hadn't brought out a phone.

Antoine chuckled at the response and cuddled deeper into Etoiles' arms. They'd have to he out of bed soon, but spending just a few more minutes in bed wouldn't hurt either of them.

"I really do think you're beautiful, I can't never get enough of looking at you." Etoiles often reminded Antoine that his words weren't simply because they were dating, and that he truly believed in Antoine's beauty.

"I know, you say it every day." Can't be too careful. Antoine fidgeted in his grasp a bit and began to speak slowly. "Do, do you think others would think I'm pretty too?"

The words surprised Etoiles slightly. He was more than used to him asking if he thought others wouldn't think he was as hideous as he thought he was, but wondering if people would think he was pretty was a new one. Still, the answer was the same. "Of course they would, it's the only right view." He wasn't the jealous type, so he had no problem with people seeing Antoine for the beautiful man he is.

Antoine hummed and nodded, hesitating a few seconds for his next words. "Especially the other French?"

"Of course." They would likely tease Etoiles for managing to bag someone so attractive.

More humming and nodding happened, and Antoine surprised Etoiles with his words yet again. "I want to show them my face."

"Really?" Antoine had been making such good progress with how he viewed himself this past month, but Etoiles hadn't realised just how much progress had been made.

"Yes, I've been thinking it over, and I realised that the island is nicer than I had been thinking, and they wouldn't insult my face for being hideous, still, I need to work my way up to showing my face freely, and I think showing it to the rest of the French is the best next step," Antoine explained.

Etoiles maneuvered a bit and kissed Antoine gently, pulling away after a few seconds and saying, "I'm so proud of you for coming this far."

Antoine smiled back. "I haven't done it yet, there's not a lot to celebrate."

"You thought of it at least, that's more than you would have done a month ago, and even if you decide not to go through with this, I'd still be proud."

"Well you don't have to worry either way, I will go through with it, I want to do it today so I have less time to go back on it."

Etoiles furrowed his brow. "You don't have to force yourself to do this."

"I know that," Antoine responded. "I'm ready for this, but I know that it won't be easy after all this time, so I think forcing myself a little will help, I don't have to force myself, I just want to."

Etoiles nodded. "If it's what you think will help, I will be beside every step of the way."

The two cuddled for a few more minutes, their conversation cuddles didn't count, before finally getting up and starting the day. Antoine sent some texts to the French groupchat and they agreed that they would all meet up at two. The two boyfriends parted until then, and Etoiles wondered what the meet up would be like. Hopefully it would be good. No, it would be good.

Etoiles and Antoine were the first to meet up again a few minutes before two, and Antoine had some worries that Etoiles did his best to work through with him.

"You're beautiful, and they'll know it as soon as you show them."

Antoine's face was once again covered by his box, but the tilt of his head and movement of his shoulders showed that he was smiling.

"Papas! Papa!" Before they knew it, Pomme was shouting at their side.

Antoine picked her up. "When did you get here?" He asked happily.

"A few seconds ago," Baghera was now in front of them and responded.

"This is what happens when you two don't see her for a few days." Pierre had also arrived.

Etoiles took her from Antoine's hands and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We're sorry, you can spend the next few days with us, okay?" Pomme happily and vigorously nodded.

"So, what were we invited here for?" Pierre asked.

"You said you had something important going on?" Baghera asked Antoine.

Antoine nodded, his box rocking slightly. "I've been thinking a lot this past month, ever since I showed Etoiles my face."

"You only showed him a month ago?" Baghera was confused. Etoiles was right in guessing that people thought he had seen Antoine's face far before he actually had.

"He has his reasons," Etoiles defended.

"I've always been very insecure about my face," Antoine began explaining those reasons. "I thought I was a hideous monster, and that showing people my face would make them run away, but a month ago I felt confident enough to show Etoiles my face, and I've been getting better and better at liking how I looked."

"That's so good! You deserve to like how you look," Baghera shared her excitement at the news.

"Great to see you're off loving yourself." Pierre shared the same view.

Antoine hadn't done any specific movement, but Etoiles could guess that he was smiling. "And that brings me here, I've been feeling so much better, and I want to feel even better about myself, and I know to do that I have to show my face to more people, and I think I'm finally ready, so, I wanted to show you all my face." Antoine slowed at certain points, scared of his words, understanding that at each point there would be no more going back.

The two other adults gasped. "You want to show us your face?" Pierre asked as if Antoine hadn't just said so.

"Yes." He didn't say anything after it. This was a big moment for him, and it was bound to be awkward.

"Take your time." Baghera tried to make sure Antoine felt comfortable.

"I will." Another few seconds went by of nothing happening before Antoine reached up to the box and grabbed it. He was still for another few seconds before slowly lifting the box off, holding it in front of himself once it was fully off his head. He nervously waited for the others to respond.

"You look awesome," Pierre stated after a few seconds.

"This is what you were so afraid of showing us? I'm jealous." Baghera had the same sort of reaction.

"I'm glad you like how I look." Antoine had visibly relaxed once the other two had shown that they weren't going to scream at him for being a hideous monster. He looked over to Pomme, who was still in Etoiles' arms and had been mostly silent. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was agape. Antoine tensed up again, fearing that his own daughter thought he was the monster he feared to be viewed as.

Finally, she spoke. "Papa, you look so pretty," she said slowly, in awe at what her Papa had been hiding behind that box.

Antoine smiled and relaxed again. He really did have nothing to fear.

"It's great to see that you're happy, I didn't think it would be so strange to see only one smile," Baghera joked.

"I can draw some more on my head if that'd work better." Antoine's nervousness had completely left.

"I think that would be more strange than the box," Pierre stated.

"Yeah, I'll just have to get used to seeing your face, you better not go back to hiding it when it's just us French."

"I don't plan to."

The French talked for another hour before going their separate ways, and once Pomme was put to bed at the end of the night, Etoiles and Antoine talked again.

"I can't believe I did that, I didn't expect to ever show anyone my face when I came to this island, you were one thing, but another three people? I almost passed out." Antoine was going through a recap of how he felt.

"At least you didn't, and if you did I would have gotten you home." Etoiles felt so much emotion bubble in his chest as his looked at Antoine, smiling widely and so happy at how the day turned out. Without thinking, he took Antoine into his arms and kissed him.

"You'll never get over kissing me, huh?" Antoine asked playfully after they pulled away.

"It was difficult to kiss you much when you always wore your box, I should be allowed to catch up now." Antoine placed his head on Etoiles shoulder, just humming in response.

They had already gone through a lot together, and with Antoine learning to love the way he looked, there would be much more. Still, Etoiles was happy that he got to meet Antoine and got to call himself his boyfriend, so no matter how long this journey of self love takes, he'll be there to give whatever extra love Antoine needs.

Chapter Text

The beautiful wings covered Jaiden's back, moving slightly as she bent over the table slightly to laugh at one of Roier's jokes. Phil's gaze couldn't be torn from the wings, specifically the secondary feathers, the ones that would allow Jaiden to take the the skies. Phil ruffled his own feathers, missing his own dearly. He had some left, but at some point he always had trouble trying to remember, he had lost enough that made flight impossible. There were potions and procedures for these things, so the weren't lost forever, but his inability to get a hold of those potions while on the island made him miserable.

He at least had Baghera to confide in once the French came, mentioning how she also wasn't able to fly. Phil had simply believed that cutting the wings of the avians was a normal part of being on the island, and that it would happen to every avian.

But then Jaiden showed up with wings he hadn't known were there, perfectly intact. Phil at first felt fear for Jaiden, believing she had somehow gotten past the federation and they were unaware of her wings. He was sorry that she'd gone so long hiding them but would lose them now that she flaunted them.

Except as the days went by, she still had them. He patiently waited for the day he'd see her and they would be clipped, but when he saw her engaging in conversation with Cucurucho, her wings still proudly on display, he understood that she wasn't going to lose them.

He knew his obsession with her wings would only make the small friendship they had begin to deteriorate, but he thought that the situation was nothing but unfair. Why did she get to keep them? Baghera wasn't even able to fly very long considering she was a duck hybrid, yet she still got hers cut off. It made no sense.

Watching another flutter of her wings, he had enough. He was going to learn why she was allowed to keep her wings whole while the rest of the avians suffered.

He stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump and let our a yelp. "Phil!"

"Sorry about that, I just wanted to get your attention so that we can talk, I had something private I wanted to talk to you about," he explained.

Jaiden shook off the rest of her surprise and nodded with a smile. "Sure thing!" She turned to Roier and Cellbit and said goodbye to them before the two avians set off.

Once they were far enough away, Phil got right to the question. "Why aren't your wings clipped."

Jaiden met his question with a 'Huh?'

"You heard me, all the other avians have their wings clipped, but you don't, why?" He was going to get an answer no matter what.

"Oh, the federation just trusts me not to fly," she tried to explain. Her voice was wobbly and unsure, and Phil didn't believe that was the whole story.

"Why would they just trust you not to fly? There has to be some reason you wouldn't want to fly." If he still had his wings, there would be nothing the federation could give him that would destroy the want to fly, so Jaiden having a reason to not want to fly just seemed ridiculous.

"Oh, you know, I'm shy, flying feels really embarrassing, and who knows who could show up at any moment to see me fly, better to just not even attempt it than have someone see me flying." Her words were still unsure, and Phil didn't believe her at all. Simply being shy wasn't a good enough reason that the federation could trust Jaiden to not fly. She was incredibly shy at the beginning and she had become more and more open as time went on, if Phil were the federation, he wouldn't trust her not to overcome the fear.

"That's bullshit, why would the federation trust you over that?" His voice was harsh, but he didn't care.

Jaiden was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute. "Trust system," she started before realising she didn't know how to build off the words before switching to, "I'm the federation's favourite."

"I don't believe you, just tell me what the reason is so that I can go back to trusting you." He didn't fully believe it would work, but he was about to try everything to figure it out.

Despite his worries over it not working, Jaiden sighed and with the most trustful voice she had used in the conversation, she stated, "I was never taught how to fly, and the federation knows this."

Phil just stared at her. He knew he should be sceptical of her words, but they sounded nothing but truthful. She never knew how to fly? He was already struggling at this much time without flying, going his whole life without flying despite having wings sounded like a nightmare. "How does the federation know you can't fly?"

"The federation knew me long before I came to this island on that train, they've seen how I can't fly, they may have even had a part in why I can't fly." There was a lot to unpack in her words, but that sounded like something that needed to be unpacked another day.

"I'm sorry you've never gotten to fly before, I can't imagine how that must feel." He could always have his guesses, but he'd never actually know no matter how long he would go without being able to fly, he at least got to at one point.

"Oh, no, it's fine," she tried to act as if her words were true, but her face was pained. He suddenly felt guilty, he had likely brought up a topic that was a sore spot for her. "I've never been able to do it, so I don't know what I'm missing."

"But have you never wanted to fly?" Phil pushed. He had brought up a sore topic for her, so he was going to make it right for her.

Jaiden tensed a bit at the question before quietly answering, "Every day, I just want to know what it's like."

Phil placed a hand on her shoulder again. "How about we fix that then? You'll get to fly and see what the hype is all about."

Jaiden looked uncomfortable, but behind it was excitement. "But the federation, I don't want to lose my wings."

"We just won't let them know, it can be our secret." It's easier said than done, but Jaiden seems to know enough about the federation that it could give them some more room to work with.

Jaiden nodded and some of the discomfort left her face. "But how will I learn to fly? I wouldn't know where to start."

"I'll teach you," Phil stated. "I can't fly anymore, but I have enough experience that I'd probably be able to teach you most of what you'd need without doing so myself."

"Really? You'd do that for me?" Jaiden asked, unable to believe it.

Phil gave a soft chuckle at her words. "Anytime, us avians have to stick together."

The next thing he knew, Jaiden was in his arms and her wings were weakly wrapped around him, with her whispering 'thank you' against his neck. He wrapped his own wings around her whispered 'you're welcome.' There was no need for jealousy, sure, in hopefully just a few weeks she would be able to fly, but it wasn't her fault that she hadn't been able to fly before.

Maybe once they're off the island and Phil is able to get his wings fixed they can fly together, and then no one has to be jealous.

Chapter Text

Phil watched as Tallulah, Chayanne and Pomme played together. It had been a week since the wedding, and they were overjoyed to finally be a trio of true siblings, although they had been seeing eachother that way since their parents started to date.

Phil felt arms wrap around his waist and he leaned back into the pressure behind him, letting his own arms rest of the bumpy green skin. "They're so happy, aren't they?" Etoiles asked.

"They are, sometimes I think they're happier about the wedding than we were," Phil joked. He moved his arm to run his finger across the golden band around Etoiles' finger. It still didn't feel real, sometimes he believed he would wake up from this dream and he wouldn't have the honour of calling Etoiles his husband. But he was his husband, they were married and no matter how dream like the situation felt, it was reality. A perfect, wonderous reality.

"I doubt it, I felt like I was going to cry from happiness at every point of our wedding, you were so perfect, you are so perfect, I don't know what someone like me did to get to be with someone as amazing as you." Etoiles leaned in a bit and placed a kiss on Phil's cheek.

"You're perfect as well, you're all I could ever want." Etoiles had been getting as their relationship went on, but he still made comments about himself that worried Phil. He twisted in Etoiles' arms and was chest to chest with his husband. "I wouldn't want anyone else, not when you're part of this world, part of my life."

Etoiles didn't say anything, but leaned down to kiss Phil. They used to be careful with their kisses, not doing so anywhere where someone else could easily see them, but now that their relationship was out in the open, they were indulging in kisses much more. They pulled away, and Etoiles whispered, "I could believe I was the second greatest person to ever live, and I still wouldn't believe I was worthy of you." He picked up on the fact Phil was trying to stop him from being so negative. Phil smiled slightly as he implied that Phil was the greatest to ever exist.

Etoiles quickly began to worship the very ground that Phil walked on when they started dating, and at first the attention was a lot, it still was, but Phil learnt that that's just who Etoiles was. Phil's affection wasn't as grand, but Etoiles took his affection well, he feared that if his affection were grander he would believe he was more undeserving of it than he already believed he was.

"You are worthy, and I'll continue to say it until you never doubt it again."

"That may take years."

"Then I'll say it for years, and even then, I'll continue to say it because it's true, and I love you."

Etoiles kissed Phil again before whispering against his lips. "I love you too."

They properly pulled away and Phil laughed slightly. "This is exactly what I dreamed about when I first thought about marrying you." He placed his head against Etoiles' chest.

Etoiles gently played with Phil's hair. "It's a lot different than I imagined it, but a better different."

Phil made a curious hum. "It's better than you imagined?"

"Yes, you're as amazing as I dreamed you'd be, but I thought that people would react far harsher to our marriage." The words made Phil upset. What made him believe that the islanders would react badly?

"Did you not want them to know?" The fear that Etoiles only agreed to become public for him seeped in.

Etoiles placed a kiss on his husbands forehead. "I wanted them to know more than anything that I got to be yours, I just thought they'd be angrier about us not telling them for a long time."

Phil laughed at his own worry. "That makes a lot of sense."

Etoiles hummed. "There was also Forever I was worrying about, but he's been very well behaved, especially since I married his crush."

"Forever actually told me he was going to try and abandon his feelings at the wedding when he pulled me away, I'm surprised at how good a job he's been doing at that," Phil explained. Forever had been polite in keeping what they had to solely friendship since the wedding. There was always the chance that he'd go back to crushing, but it felt like quite a small chance nowadays.

"Really? At least I don't have him as competition now."

Phil laughed again. "It's not competition if you've already won me."

"I'm used to calling things with no chance of me losing a competition, I have to humble myself." Phil snuggled further against Etoiles' chest. This man made him fall deeper in love every day. "There was however Fit and his shovel talk, I am a little scared of how now."

"Listen, as long as you don't hurt me, you'll be fine." Hearing that Etoiles was scared of Fit was a little funny, especially after just a single conversation.

"I plan to never do that, and now I also plan to never get on his bad side, I don't want to face that wrath."

"I think I would have preferred the shovel talk over what Pierre talked to me about," he hid the list deep into his backpack, hoping to forget about it eventually.

"What did he talk to you about?" Etoiles' voice went a tad harsher, as if he thought Pierre had said something bad to Phil. What he actually did may make him more upset, but he couldn't tell until he spoke it.

"He just told me that he's happy I'm having some great sex and gave me a list of your kinks." Etoiles became flustered at the words.

"I'm sorry, he did what?" Phil couldn't help but laugh at his husband's reaction.

"He told me he got it from a truth or dare game, how did he get you to admit to them?" The way his husband became more flustered was adorable.

Etoiles held Phil tighter. "Unimportant, only important thing is that Pierre will die tomorrow."

Phil leaned up to kiss Etoiles and he calmed down. Married life was off to a hilarious start, but he couldn't wish for anything better.

Chapter Text

Etoiles pulled himself out of the Nether, the switch between dimensions much easier to stomach now that he was leaving while on the ground, although it was not a choice. He reached down to his ankle, hissing as cuts and burns scrunched up and set out bursts of pain throughout his body. As soon as he touched his ankle it was all made worse, more pain being dispersed throughout his body. He just wanted to lie on the ground and sleep everything off, but he desperately needed a drink, as he had gone through his whole supply and the dehydration was playing with his head.

He pulled out his warp stone, having to keep it on the ground under his arm so he could select the place he wanted to go. He looked through the list and clicked on Phil's, the first decent one that he could make out. The particles consumed him and he found himself at Phil's. He pulled himself up, wincing as his injuries flared and the world spun. He grabbed onto the stone to try and pull himself up, but his legs were feeling far too weak, paired with his injured ankle that he couldn't put any weight onto.

He simply slumped against it, feeling as though he was on the brink of death. His head hurt and his senses were either doubled or numbed, so he barely heard Phil shouting a loud, "Holy shit, are you okay!?" at him. The hands that touched him were far too much however, and he winced as one landed right on top of a burn that had been hidden under his shirt. He tried to tell him to stop, but the dehydration made it practically impossible.

He distantly heard Phil speaking again, but the pain was finally too much for Etoiles, and he passed out.

Phil felt Etoiles go limper in his arms and immediately checked for a pulse. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt a heart beat, but it was short lived. He had become aware of just how hot Etoiles' body was, absolutely burning hot. He also saw the top of a cut peak out from the neck hole of his shirt. He looked around his body some more and she more cuts, along with many burns paired with a swollen ankle, he lifted his shirt up slightly to see that what was beneath his clothing wasn't in any better of a state.

Phil let out a quiet 'shit' before grabbing a hold of Etoiles. He was unconscious so he didn't have to be too careful, although the cuts did need some care. He took out his warp stone and warped to the order base, almost dropping Etoiles when they teleported. He messaged Cellbit and Bad to come over immediately, and then all he had to do was wait for a minute or two before they arrived.

Etoiles felt like he had died when he woke up, and almost wished he had. Pain struck through every part of him, and an annoying pressure covered most parts of his body. Through the pain, he managed to crack his eyes open, and was blinded by white.

"Holy shit, you're finally awake," a relieved voice came from his side. He was too in pain to turn his head, and his throat was still far too dry to speak, so he was lucky when the voice spoke again. "It's Phil, I found you by the waystone and then you passed out." Memories flooded back to him. He just wanted a drink, he didn't think he'd end up passing out right in front of Phil. Phil finally realised his lack of response. "Right, Cellbit and Bad told me this might've happened," Etoiles heard rustling. "Open your mouth, carefully."

He did as asked despite the pain that erupted from a burn on the edge of his lip, and seconds later her felt a cool bottle on his lips, water falling out and into his mouth. It had been who knows how long since he had a drink of water, and it felt like heaven had taken him as its own. The bottle was moved and the water stopped flowing, and seconds later he felt it being moved away from his lips. He licked at a stray drop before opening his mouth and trying to speak. "Thank you." The words felt thick in his throat, but he was able to speak now.

"You're welcome." Phil's voice was soft, almost scared. "You looked like shit when I found you."

"I felt like shit," Etoiles explained as pain continued to thrum through his body.

"Good thing I found you when I did, Cellbit and Bad patched you up pretty well, put some bandages on you, put some lotion on your burns, helped with the swelling on your ankle, you shouldn't be at risk of hurting as much as you were now," he explained, understanding that Etoiles couldn't really look at himself. Despite how Cellbit and Bad patched him up, he didn't feel much better, although he guesses it may take a bit before it starts to get better.

"Except now I'm stuck in a medical room for who knows how long, how am I supposed to fight like this," Etoiles complained.

"How were you supposed to fight when you were dying," Phil rebuted.

"I, well, I guess you're right." Still won't be fun laying in here all alone.

"Of course I am." Phil sounded a bit too smug from winning an argument with an injured man. "You're lucky I don't have much going on, so I'll be able to stay by your side mostly, I can't imagine how lonely it would get otherwise."

"You don't have to stay here." He would love it, but Phil had a life to live, spending more time than necessary in a medical bay was no way to live one.

"No, I'm not letting you argue with me." His voice was firm, and Etoiles didn't want to fight it as soon as it turned that way. "I'm staying here with you no matter what."

"Alright," he accepted his defeat. "Thank you."

It was late in the day when Etoiles had finally woken up, so it was only a few more hours until Etoiles had fallen asleep and Phil went home. How long he had gone home for was a mystery, as he was there when Etoiles woke up again. He at least was certain to have gone home at some point, as he had several things that he hadn't had before.

"I was thinking that since you can't really move we could do something that won't take any moving for you to do to pass the time, so I found a French dictionary, think you could teach me a bit of French?" Phil had asked. Where did he even find a French dictionary, Etoiles had failed to even find an English dictionary on this island.

"Sure, I don't have much else to do, but a dictionary isn't exactly the best way to learn a language."

"So it's still a way?" Phil asked playfully.

"Yes, if you like to torture yourself," Etoiles joked. He gave a small laugh at his own words before shutting up from the pain blooming in his chest.

Phil looked at him worriedly for a few seconds before opening the book and going to a random page, scanning the page for a word before speaking. "What does effrayée mean?"

"Scared," Etoiles answered. This went on for the whole day, Phil finding random words and asking Etoiles what the meant, usually pronouncing them horribly wrong to which Etoiles would also answer with their correct pronunciation as soon as he figured out what word was trying to be spoken. There were of course a few obscure words that he didn't know the meaning of, which Phil would complain about. To which he would reply with something along the lines of 'Am I just supposed to be a living dictionary? Why even need the physical copy?'

At the end of the day Etoiles made Phil promise that he would sleep at home, and his reaction and slow promise made him understand he guessed right in him not spending much time at home once Etoiles had fallen asleep. The next day Etoiles woke up and Phil was once again at his side, so he's not sure how well he went along with his promise.

For another day they just went through the French dictionary. It was a lot more fun than Etoiles was expecting reading a dictionary to be, but maybe it was just Phil being horrible at French that was so fun, he barely remembered anything from the first day. The pain was down slightly, but not anywhere to the point where he could even move his head yet without wanting to die. The day ended once again, and a promise to spend a full eight hours asleep at his base was made by Phil. Still, when he woke up Phil was there again, so maybe Phil just barely did anything before coming over.

Luckily, that was was the day he felt as though he could at least move his bead without being in so much pain he wanted to die. Phil and him celebrated that day by playing some one sided charades, which Etoiles managed to fail horribly at.

Days passed by quickly with Phil at his side, and he's glad Phil didn't take his offer to leave. He's not sure how he would have held up if he didn't have him by his side. Others came by to visit as well, although none stayed for as long as Phil did. They sometimes just showed up, but sometimes they'd come with small presents as some get well soon gifts. Etoiles believed this is what caused him to be able to sit up after a bit over a week of time. They switched between what they did regularly, sometimes it would just be talking, sometimes they'd go back to the dictionary, sometimes they'd play their one-sided charades, and something they picked up after Etoiles was able to sit up and move his arms without too much pain was play board games.

Etoiles tried to push down on the bubble to move the dice as they played Trouble, but for the third time it just bounces and doesn't flip. "This game is rigged."

"It's not working any better for me either, it can't be rigged if it's not helping anyone." Etoiles finally managed to get it to flip, but it was a six, more than he needed to get his final piece in place. Phil pushed down a few times before getting it to flip and got a three, the exact number he needed to win the game. He put his piece in place and stated, "I win."

"I can see that," Etoiles grumbled.

"Want a rematch?" Phil asked.

"No, my arms have had enough for the day, that dice is the devil." Pressing on a button shouldn't have been so painful.

"That's alright." Phil cleaned up the board game from Etoiles' lap and put it in his inventory. "I'm surprised at how well you're healing, you looked like absolute shit when you were first brought here."

"I'm surprised too, Cellbit messaged me last night after you left and said I'd probably be able to leave in the next few days," Etoiles explained.

"Oh fuck yeah, that's awesome Mate," he shared his excitement before speaking in a more careful tone. "Make sure you don't overdo it straight after, I don't want you getting hurt again."

As much as Etoiles wanted to go do a dungeon, if Phil was worried about him, he would wait. "I won't, I'll let myself heal more before jumping into anything."

Phil smiled at him, and it almost felt worth it to not do dungeons. Almost.

Another few days passed, and when he woke up, Cellbit and Bad were with Phil.

Cellbit was the first to look over at him. "Great to see you're awake, I'd say it's safe for you to go home now."

Etoiles lit up, "Finally." Bad got closer and helped him out of bed. It had been far too long since he had stood up.

"Be careful Mate," Phil called from the side.

"Thank you for the advice, I planned to trip but I won't now." His words were met with a laugh from Phil.

Once he got more of a grip on standing up again, Bad stepped away and spoke. "Good to see you up and running again, me and Cellbit have some stuff to do, but we'll check back up on you later tonight, okay?" Etoiles nodded and the two left, leaving Phil and Etoiles alone.

"Now that you're up, what's your first plan?" Phil asked. Etoiles thought about it for a few seconds before deciding on the perfect first thing to do. He walked over to Phil on slightly shaky legs and wrapped his arms around Phil, startling him slightly, although he quickly reciprocated.

"Thank you for being by my side these past two weeks, I would have gone crazy without you." Phil deserved all the thanks in the world.

"Anytime," Phil spoke into his chest. Phil was a much more careful man than him, so it would never happen, but if Phil was in Etoiles' situation, he would do the exact same thing anytime.

Chapter Text

The twisting walls were a familiar hell to Dan, it felt like he had spent many years here, he's not entirely sure how long it had actually been though, as he had no access to any sort of clock. At first he used comm, but despite their amazing battery life, two weeks in it had become flat. Telling the time was really the only thing it was good for, there was no service, and he hadn't thought to download any games that could eat away at his boredom. Not like he would have used any of them, he was too determined to get out.

He sat down to rest his legs for a little, he doesn't know how long he had been walking today, or maybe it bled into the next day. He reached up and pulled his goggles out of his growing hair, and let his fingers hesitate at the roots. He needed some more dye, the brown was looking out of place. He also needed new goggles. The ones he had had been cracked for who knows how long, they had broken shortly after his comm had lost all its battery.

He stared up at the ceiling in misery. He wished the ceiling wasn't there, so he could at least feel the sun on his skin that grew colder by the day. He was far too pale, almost ghostly white, sometimes he wondered if he really had died in this place. It's not like he ever remembered eating food. It was times like these that he let himself rest that he remembered why he wanted to get out so bad. He had a family out there, hopefully waiting for him. It was a strange little family, him, Maxo, who he felt stronger feelings for than anyone he had ever met despite what they had being platonic, and their adorable little son, Trumpet (which was his name no matter how many official documents stated it as Trump.)

His memory of his life before the labyrinth were hazy, but he remembers Trumpet like a clear film. He remembers his mop of natural teal hair with his little propeller on top. He remembers the stripy clothes that matched with the stripes of blue scales that covered his face, and he especially remembers the way he first looked up at him, smiling wide as he knew that Dan was family, his wings flapping gently behind him and his tail wagging. That image alone was what drove him to not give up, what drove him to keep going until he was home and could love Trumpet like it was what he was born to do.

He got up again, placing the goggles back on his head, and set off. He walked for what felt like days, but he knew that with his stamina it was likely only a few hours. He pushed as much as he could, and he felt like he had to take a rest again. This was his life, walking and resting and repeating it until it drove him crazy before he'd remember Maxo and Trumpet and then the cycle would repeat yet again. He was about to sit down when he saw something in the distance standing in the crossroad ahead of him. It was difficult to see but he could make out the blotches of red, orange, green and a lot of blue. It had been so long since he had seen such a burst of colour that he simply had to keep going.

The batch of colours was still, and as Dan took more steps closer and closer, he saw that it was a person, and as he stepped even closer, it all hit him. His son. Trumpet was at the end of the hallway. He hesitated for a few seconds. Why was Trumpet here? Shouldn't he be with Maxo? The hesitancy was soon covered by his emotion. His son! He had his son right here! He ran to the small boy and screamed out, "Trumpet!" Trumpet looked at him and smiled. It was just as he remembered, except exhaustion had creeper into every surface of the small boys face.

"Daddy!" The boy screamed.

Dan took the boy into his arms as he practically fell to the ground to be closer to him. "I missed you so much, I love you so much, I never want to be away from you again." Dan kept speaking, so much time away left him with so much longing.

"I missed you too." Trumpet snuggled into his chest. Dan moved to get a better sitting position against the wall, leaving Trumpet to sit in his lap.

The two sat in mostly silence for a long time, just enjoying being here, being one step closer to reuniting their family. Dan felt exhausted, but happiness blurred in. His son was here in his arms, and even with the questions of how and why going through his head, be couldn't help but be happy. After his legs felt like they could work again, he spoke. "Think you can walk?"

Trumpet thought for a few seconds, his tail swaying slightly in thought, before responding, "No, I'm too tired." Dan nodded and stood up, holding the toddler against his hip.

"I'll carry you, don't worry about anything." He then set off once again. They walked for not very long before the silence started to be strange to Dan. They had spent a while on silence themselves, and Dan had spent a very long time all by himself in silence, yet silence between him and his son now felt weird. "Anything you want to talk about?" He asked Trumpet. "It's been so long since I've been with you, I've been a pretty terrible father, so I don't really know anything about you, but I want to be able to know you better."

Trumpet looked up at him and thought again before responding, "I want to tell you things but I don't really know what to talk to you about."

Dan also thought for a moment before asking, "Why don't I ask questions and you can answer them?"

Trumpet smiled and nodded. "I'd like that."

Dan started off the questions simply. "What's your favourite food?"

"Strawberry jam on toast!" Dan smiled and made a mental note to make him some later.

The two continued on their way, Dan asking questions and Trumpet answering them, occasionally followed by Dan making his own remarks or Trumpet asking the questions back. It wasn't until what was likely a few hours later when Dan decided he needed rest again that he asked a question that sparked a true conversation. "Anything you've been struggling with lately?" Most of the shallower questions he could think of had been used, and he knows that Trumpet had to be having some sort of issue, so he decided to ask.

He was expecting maybe an answer that a kid had been bullying him, or something along the likes, but instead Trumpet answered, "My autism." The words shocked him somewhat. It really showed how little he knew about his son, he was disabled and he hadn't even known.

"How have you been struggling?" He asked. "I don't know much about Autism, but if you have it the best time to learn about it is now."

Trumpet didn't mind explaining. "Well, I have a lot of sensory issues, Mama tried to help but there's only so much he could do." He explained how his autism affected his life, even after Dan's break was done. Dan would hum in response or ask more questions about certain parts. Trumpet knew a lot of proper terms despite his age. Trumpet was halfway through explaining what a special interest was when he got distracted and pointed up ahead. "What's that light?" He asked.

Dan looked up ahead and tilted his head. The labyrinth had been mostly lit by torches that emitted no heat, but there was a large section of light flooding onto the floor up ahead. "I'm not sure, let's go check it out." As they got closer, they began to hear humming. Another person? Dan vaguely wondered if it were Maxo and if they had all ended up in the labyrinth somehow. As they turned the corner they were shocked when they saw a giant door. An open, giant door. That lead to the outside. They were at the end of the labyrinth. Dan hugged Trumpet close and almost cried. He was free. They were free.

Next to the door was a faceless man. It looked kinda like the bear that sometimes showed up. The faceless man handed Dan a note. 'Congrats on finding the end, would you like me to take you back?' Dan nodded. He needed to leave this behind. The structure they were in had done nothing but cause issues that would need years of therapy to fix. He also had a child that needed to get back home. The being walked out the door and Dan followed, Trumpet still quiet in his arms. They were on a smaller island was likely property of the main one, which felt strange, it didn't look like it could possibly house a labyrinth the size that Dan was just trapped in. They were lead over to a motorboat and were handed another note. 'Trump should be fine if he sits in your lap.'

"Trumpet," he was a little louder with the name than necessary, the worker needed to know, "Want to sit in my lap?"

Trumpet nodded. "Yes, please." Such a polite kid, he could just cry.

Dan moved into the boat and sat down in the seat next to the driver seat, which the worker took residence in, he sat Trumpet so he was stitting on one leg and his legs were on the other so his tail wouldn't be an issue. The boat set off almost immediately, and instead of being absent enjoy being out too much, the two family members felt months of needs come back. Not as much as they thought it would be, but hunger struck them immensely. Dan held Trumpet closer as he whined from the rumbling in his stomach. "It'll be alright," Dan whispered, "We'll get some food soon." Trumpet gave a weak nod. Dan smiled weakly back as exhaustion hit him more. He hadn't slept in so long. He was going to get some food into his son's stomach and then they were both going to have a nice long rest.

Eventually they met land and were ushered out. Dan looked around at the town they found themselves in. There was so much, how much had happened while Dan was away in that labyrinth? The worker that had taken them there motioned for them to follow him so they did. They were taken to what looked like a coffee shop. Dan read the name, seeing that one of the kids, Bobby, was it's namesake. He doesn't remember much about any of the other kids, but he could at least remember Bobby's name after the mess he caused with naming Trumpet.

The family was lead to a table and the worker handed them some food before going off to make a call. There wasn't much, so Dan slid his own food over to Trumpet to eat. He could deal with being hungry a bit longer. Trumpet happily ate the food, as starving as Dan was. As Trumpet was finishing off the last of his food, the worker came up to them again and handed Dan a note. 'It's time to go see the others.' Dan hurriedly nodded and picked Trump up. They were going to reintegrate into the island's society again after so much time. Dan would make a home on this island, finally.

They followed the worker, gawking in awe at the way the island had developed. Dan was getting a grasp on how much the island had changed while he was gone, and became even more aware when they finally got to the area he had become most accustomed to on the island. It didn't feel like the same island anymore, it didn't feel like the place he had arrived and thought he could never leave. Maybe that helped in making him think nit was safety.

He looked up ahead at the group that he was supposed to meet. It was large, almost as if everyone on the island had shown up, plus ten more. Had new people shown up while he was gone? It wouldn't make much of a difference considering he could only remember Maxo's name. Speaking of Maxo, he quickly found him in the crowd, he let a smile coke quickly to his face before it immediately fell when he saw that Maxo was holding someone's hand. It didn't look like anyone he had seen on the island before, but the way Maxo looked at them made Dan realise that Maxo knew this man far more than he had ever known Dan. Maybe he shouldn't have felt so betrayed at that. He had been gone for so long, and as much as Dan would like to believe he would have waited forever for Maxo, if he had been surrounded by this many people, he likely would have moved on as well.

"Holy shit, is that Dan?" He heard the tall golden man say. He hadn't realised he had stopped walking.

"Wait! He has a kid with him!" A demon next to the golden man said.

He barely had anytime to think of a greeting before Maxo was letting go of his boyfriend's hand and was running towards them. "Dan! Trumpet!" He collided with the two, but was careful with Trumpet. The three were in a hug, and Dan almost cried. Maxo was crying. "Holy shit, I thought you were dead, I was told that you were both dead."

"Well we're alive, it's been so long, but we're here now." Dan thought about howbeit didn't actually know how long he had been gone so he asked, "How long has it been since I've gone missing?"

"You've both been gone for about six months." Dan gasped. Not so much at his own time, it felt so much longer, but for the fact Trumpet had been missing for so long. He had assumed that Trumpet had only been in the labyrinth for a small amount of time, and maybe he was, but he had been missing for a long time.

"I think we're all very surprised to see that you both are alive at this time, makes me wonder if any of the death were real," a winged woman with dyed hair said with her voice going wishful near the end.

"We've heard stories of you, it's strange to see you in person," the man who had been holding Maxo's hand spoke.

More and more people spoke, and Dan was getting overwhelmed by the amount of people. Trumpet was getting even more overwhelmed, trying to hide in the front of Dan's shirt and trying to reach his wings up to cover his ears. Luckily when people got to close the worker would step in.

"It's such a shame you were away for so long, there were so many kids who would have loved to meet you, we even had three new kids come after you disappeared," a crow winged man spoke. "Tallulah, Richarlyson and Pomme, all would have loved you."

"Why can't we meet them?" Maybe meeting them would tear away the crowd.

The crowd looked solemn at his question. "We don't know where where are," a man with a white streak began to speak. "They disappeared a while ago, and we haven't been able to find them." Just how much had gone on in the island since they were gone? He tried to find a proper response, but the exhaustion kept creeping in. Maybe he should just figure out what to do tomorrow, he needed rest, and Trumpet needed rest and to get away from the stimulation.

He turned to the worker. "Anywhere we can go to rest a bit? We really need it." The worker nodded and began to write, but a man wearing a spider hoodie spoke to them.

"You've been gone a while, have you seen any of the kids? Trumpet's here, so do you think my kids- my kid, Tilin and Juana are out there? Did you see them?" Others began to ask questions about the kids as well, wanting to know if he saw any of them.

"I- I don't really know-." Words were becoming hard to get out. He had to speak over the words but his throat was far too dry to make any of the noise he needed to answer. Trumpet was about to start crying from the overstimulation.

The worker understood that they needed to get away and pulled out a gun and shot at the ground, which only stopped them for a few seconds before they began to speak louder. All the gunshot did was make Trumpet whine. Dan thought they'd never get away until Maxo began shouting. "They're tired! We don't know where they've come from and we're immediately bombarding them! Give them a break!" The crowd became silent at his words.

"Thank you," He managed to get out. Maxo smiled at him. Her turned to the worker which motioned him over and they set off again, finally able to relax. They eventually made it to a village and the worker got them inside a house, giving them a note saying he'd check up on them in the morning.

Dan immediately laid on the bed, keeping his son close to his chest. He wanted to sleep immediately but he had to take off his goggles, put his comm on charge, and ask Trumpet a question. "How did you die?"

Trumpet was quiet for a few moments before answering. "Neglect." Dan gasped. "But it's not your or mama's fault, you were gone and Mama was in a weird coma, I don't hate either of you for it."

Dan nodded and held him tighter. "How about when we wake up we go see Mama?" Trump nodded against his chest. They were done talking for the night.

Dan closed his eyes and almost immediately fell asleep. There were so many questions to be asked, but right now he had his son, and was out of that labyrinth, and that's all that matters.

Chapter Text

Finding animal corpses had become a strangely normal sight for the islanders. This island always had something new going on, so a few animal corpses didn't do much to freak them out, all it had really done was make it far more encouraged to keep any pets away from any outside forces that could lead to them dying.

The problem began to evolve when Cellbit and Roier found a corpse right outside their castle, and this caused them to finally stop ignoring it. The two brought it inside and after poking and prodding, cut it open to confirm their suspicions. There wasn't a drop of blood still inside the animal, despite the fact the corpse was quite a new one, not having a single trace of rot.

The two let their suspicions be known, and the island agreed that it was a vampire at work. With all the creatures they found on the island, it wasn't a surprise to find out there was a vampire somewhere. They set up their rules, especially with the kids. It would be dangerous for them to go out alone, so they had to have an adult with them at all times as soon as the sun set, but it would be best to try and avoid going out at night if possible. They understood the danger, even Richarlyson followed the rule immediatly.

Life went on and the animal corpses showing up closer to their homes became normal. Chayanne and Tallulah had been put to sleep after having to hurry home due to the darkness of the night. They had their dinner as normal and were out as soon as they touched their pillows. It was sad to see how the stress of the vampire/s on the loose was getting to the kids, although it's better to be scared of them then be too cocky and lose their lives. Phil left to go talk to Missa about the day, maybe they can try and find the mysterious vampire creature that had been plaguing the island for the past weeks, or maybe he could simply ask why he was so on edge lately. Everyone was on edge due to the vampire, but Missa seemed especially off. He barely ate anymore, mostly just moving his food around on his plate until everyone else had finished their meals. He also seemed to have issues sleeping, but he had always had that issue, so Phil tended to look past it, but maybe he was becoming sick and he didn't want to worry Phil or the kids. It would be good to ask.

He stood on the wall and was meaning to go inside to talk to his husband, but saw him standing on the edge of the wall, looking shaky and unsure. Phil couldn't blame him, the kids weren't the only ones scared of the vampires, fear struck into the adults' hearts as well. He stepped closer so he could calm him down, but Missa pulled out a paraglider and jumped off the wall.

Phil was very confused at the act. Missa was scared of the vampire, so why would he leave and risk running into it? Phil stepped up to the edge of the wall and looked down at where his husband had landed. Missa looked around on the ground before carefully walking off. Phil was intrigued now, he needed to know what was going on. He pulled out his own paraglider and jumped off, landing safely on the ground. He kept a good distance as he followed Missa, making sure he wouldn't be discovered. Sure, stalking his husband while there was a vampire on the loose many not be the best idea, but Phil was intrigued to know why Missa was acting so strange. Maybe whatever he was sneaking out for would help him figure out what was causing all of Missa's other strange behaviours. And if not, he can at least be on the lookout for vampires.

He followed Missa for several minutes, having to hide occasionally when Missa would look back. He was lucky that his wings were so dark, they made hiding much easier. After a bit of following, Missa suddenly started to run, shocking Phil. Phil barely had time to think before he was dashing after Missa, trying to keep him in his vision while still keeping the fact he was following him a secret. A really hard task.

Missa ran for several minutes more before coming to a complete stop, and Phil almost revealed himself when he had to stop. Phil was more confused than ever, why did he run? And why did he stop now? Missa stared ahead of him, and Phil tried to follow his gaze. He saw that his husband was looking at a rabbit, quite big for its species. Phil watched Missa step closer to the rabbit, gently coaxing it closer and when he kneeled down, it willingly entered his lap. Phil thought the sight was adorable, and was sad that he couldn't take a picture of the occasion without revealing that he was there. He leaned against a tree, smiling at the soft sight. Missa took off his mask, allowing the rabbit to see his face. Phil hadn't yet seen his face, so it felt somewhat wrong to view the sight, but as long as he didn't turn around, Phil wouldn't see his face.

He could barely hold in his gasp when Missa quickly brought the rabbit up to his mouth and bit down, a pained sound leaking from the animal. He couldn't see much of what Missa was doing to the animal, but there was no way he wasn't the vampire they had been fearing. His husband, who was so sweet, was the supposed monster that had them hiding their children. Despite the news, it calmed Phil somewhat. Knowing that the vampire was someone he knew well and wasn't some beast that they couldn't comprehend. Phil knew that if Missa had kept this secret long enough, he could be hiding others, but Phil wanted to keep trusting him, he wasn't scared.

And maybe that's why when Missa placed the rabbit down and turned around, Phil stood still, letting himself be caught. Missa jumped at the sight of his husband, but Phil just gently smiled at him. "Philza! What are you doing here!?" Missa's now unobstructed face was twisted in fear and blood was running down his chin. Phil was able to see the two fangs that pushed themselves out of his mouth. He wonders if that's why he kept his face hidden.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay, it's not very safe to be outside."

Missa looked away, ashamed. "It is safe for me, I know you saw what I did."

Phil walked up to Missa, crouching down and taking Missa's face in his hand. He made Missa look at him. His expression showed how scared he was, how he believed he had lost everything because he let Phil see the monster side of him. Phil tried to destroy those fears by pressing a kiss to his lips. Blood transferred to his own face and he tasted blood on his tongue. A horrid taste but he just wanted to calm his husband.

When he pulled away, Missa was left with wide eyes and a blushing face. "Aren't you scared?"

"No, because I know you, you wouldn't hurt anyone." He was going to support his husband even if that meant not caring that he was draining animals of their blood.

Missa looked away again. "You don't know why I do what I do."

"So tell me," he moved to grab Missa's hands. "You're my husband and I want to support you, so tell me why you do these things, so I can continue to support you."

Missa looked him in the eyes and sighed, but began to explain. "Ever since I was young, I vowed to never drink the blood of a person, I've always been fine with animals, even if when I was younger they were hard to catch." Phil knew he was in for a long story so he properly sat down. "Luckily I had my brother, he was always one of my best friends growing up, so he was always willing to catch animals for me, he was really good at it."

"You have a brother?" Missa hadn't really spoken of any family he had before the island.

"Spreen." The words made a lot of sense. "He's helped me for years, and he helped me at the start of the island as well, but then he disappeared, and I didn't know what to do anymore, I tried just not drinking blood, I tried to eat normal food, and it kind of worked, but I was growing hungrier by the day." Missa sounded pained as he continued to explain. He was starving himself because he didn't believe he could do it on his own, and who knows how starved he still is even now that he's properly eating again. But then again, Phil hasn't met any vampires before Missa, he may not be eating properly.

"How did you end up drinking blood again?" Phil asked carefully, studying his husbands face. There was so much to take in now that he's seen it for the first time, but even with the mess and fangs with his mouth, Phil was focused on his eyes. The pure black felt shaky, unstable. Was Missa feeling unstable?

"When I came back, I saw an injured rabbit, I wanted to help it, but the smell of blood got to me, and," he hesitated with his words. "And the next thing I knew it was completely dead, no blood, I had caught my own food this time, and I didn't want to stop, I was so hungry, I am so hungry, I can't chase down bigger animals like Spreen can, I maybe I can, but I only trust myself with the smaller ones, but they're not enough, I'm so hungry." Missa kept repeating about his hunger. Phil got the idea of just how hungry he was, how much he had been fighting to not break at every moment. "I don't want to be hungry anymore, I don't want to be scared that I'll black out again and harm someone, I don't want to harm the kids, I don't want to harm you."

Phil realised that just because he made the choice to only eat animals didn't mean he wasn't incapable of eating from people. He didn't want his husband to harm anyone either, he wanted to be able to keep trusting the man. He stood up and Missa looked at him with fear. "I'm not scared, just wait here, I'll try and fix things." He tried to calm Missa down, and Missa nodded even though he could tell he wasn't the most believing.

Phil left and headed towards an area that had started to have a wolf infestation recently. The wolves were pretty big but were also quite mellow as long as you were careful, they would be the perfect meal for his husband. He found one sitting on the grass and walked up to it, placing a box for it to walk into. He whistled in front of it and the wolf willingly stepped in, getting trapped as soon as the first paw touched it. He picked the box back up and took it back to Missa.

Missa was still waiting when he returned, showing he at least somewhat believed him. "What's in the box?" He asked as he saw Phil return with the box in his arms. Phil kneeled down again and let the wolf out of the box, letting Missa see for himself. Missa looked at Phil, horrified. "You don't expect me to," he didn't finish his sentence.

"It'll help, please just drink it's blood, I don't want you suffering anymore." Phil hoped his words would get to Missa, and as he looked down at the wolf, hunger evident on his face, he knew they had. He leaned forward and stuck his fangs into the wolf's neck, it must have been a lethal place, as the wolf immediately fell limp in his arms. Phil silently watched as Missa drained the wolf of it's blood, and when he finally pulled away, he knew there was none left.

For the first time that night, Missa looked fed, like he wasn't seconds away from breaking. "Thank you," He whispered. "I really needed that."

Phil smiled at his husband. "Anytime, seriously, I don't want you going hungry again, I don't mind going out every night to get you food that you need."

Missa looked at Phil with such love, and he couldn't help but kiss Phil once again. The blood that seeped into his mouth wasn't any better the second time, but Phil once again didn't mind. "I'd like that," Missa responded once they pulled away.

Phil stood up and held his hand out to Missa, who took it and used it to stand up, but didn't let go even when he was up. "We should get home now, you're covered in blood and we should try and get it out your clothes before they stain."

Missa looked down at his clothes and nodded. "You're right, let's go." He put his mask back on and they set off.

There was a lot that would need to be figured out between them now that Missa's secret was shared with Phil, but they'd work through it, together.

Chapter Text

Two twins, born for study, only knew eachother and the workers growing up. They learned to be okay with it, learnt to be human together despite the golden wings that sprung from their backs. ElQuackity grew up fine with only having his brother, the workers were annoying enough that he didn't care for the possibility of others, but Quackity grew curious of what was beyond the walls of their room.

"What's that green stuff outside the door?" Quackity asked his brother as they lay in bed one night.

"The rest of the lab, and there's no green," ElQuackity mumbled sleepily.

"No, outside the front door, where the workers sometimes go." He had been curious for a while, and ElQuackity was always the one who paid more attention.

ElQuackity opened his eyes and looked at his brother through the darkness. "Don't think about it," he said harshly.

Quackity winced. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's fine, just got to sleep." He shut his eyes again.

"Okay, goodnight, I love you," Quackity whispered once again.

ElQuackity sighed. "I love you too."

Quackity attempted to sleep but found that his mind was focused on the green that was stuck behind the door. He wanted to know what it was, he wanted to know what the outside was. The white walls and the people within were all he knew, how big was the world? How would he ever know if he was stuck inside his whole life.

Quackity carefully got out of bed, making sure not to wake up his brother. He smoothed out his medical gown and walked to the door of their room. There was a stool near a desk that he moved over to the door and stood on it, still having to stand on his tip toes to open the door. He opened it slowly, careful to make sure it wouldn't make a sound. He hopped off the stool and opened the door, carefully pulling the stool with him to use again. He carefully shut his bedroom door and moved to the front door. He did the same thing with it, and as he as the door was open, he could barley contain his gasp. There was so much green, and even quite a bit of brown.

He pulled the stool through again and left it outside the door for when he returned, right now, he wanted to explore the green outside. He walked up to a bundle of green and slowly reached out and touched it, but quickly withdrew his hand. It felt kind of like paper, but different. He reached out to the brown that reached into some more green. He tore his hand away again. It was rough. He made his way through the green and brown, touching things when he could, he just wanted to know these things.

He made his way deeper and deeper in. It was all so interesting, he wanted to go deeper and deeper, but time went by and he was tired, so he knew it was time to go home. He turned around and was about to take a step when he heard a noise and saw a small brown thing fall, followed by another noise. He jumped back, scared. Had one of the workers found out he left? He wasn't supposed to be out, so if he was found out of the lab he'd be punished severely.

He looked around, keeping his back to the brown. His wings fluttered roughly against it, and despite the pain, he didn't move. "I'm sorry, please don't hurt me." He felt tears well in his eyes.

He saw more green fall from the other green, but it was different. It was a person. Quackity tried to push himself up against the brown more, fearing the person. The workers had found him. Except it suddenly hit him that he had yet to see someone who didn't look completely human other than his brother, and even more, he realised that the person looked to he around the same age as him.

The young boy held something that looked similar to a knife, just longer. He pointed it at Quackity. He knew he really had to be scared now, he had accidently cut himself with a knife once and it was really painful.

"Stay back," the boy said harshly. Despite being around the same age as he and ElQuackity, he sounded very different than them. His voice had a strange accent to it.

"I will," he quickly replied.

"What are you doing here," he asked, his long knife still pointed towards him.

"I was on a walk, I just wanted to see the outside for once," he explained. He was scared of the boy, and as much as he wanted to run, he didn't want the boy to punish him.

The boy's face twisted. "For once? How have you survived this long if you have never left your house?" The boy stared at him with deep intrigue.

Quackity shyly answered. "The workers feed me and my brother."

The boy's face was unreadable. "I don't like you," the boy said out of nowhere, making Quackity upset. "But I'm going to do something dumb, I'll let you live." Quackity immediately perked up. He could hate him as much as he wanted if it meant he was able to live. "But you have to go home and bring me some of that food, I'll be waiting here tomorrow." Quackity was confused, but nodded. He could bring food, sure. He carefully stood up and began to walk away when the boy spoke again. "Don't tell anyone about me." He nodded again, and was officially allowed to leave.

Quackity made his way home and carefully snuck back inside and into his bed, falling asleep and allowing no one to know he had been out that night.

When he woke up, he wanted to tell ElQuackity, but with what the boy said, he didn't want to say he had gone outside at all, so he stayed quiet. The day went by like normal, tests and an experiment being done, and when dinner time came, Quackity asked for seconds to take to bed. The workers were relatively relaxed with them, as they rarely caused trouble, so he was given the food without much question.

ElQuackity looked at him strangely but didn't say anything, even when the food was simply placed on their desk as they went to sleep. Quackity waited until he could hear his brother snore before copying what he did the previous night, although it was harder with a plate of food.

He walked into the wild again, not taking as long as last time as he wasn't trying to touch everything. The boy was waiting for him.

"Is that the food?" He asked while pointing to the plate.

"Yes." He handed it to him and watched as he carefully grabbed a piece of toast and took a bite.

"It's good," he said after a couple of seconds.

"I like it too." Quackity didn't know what to do now that he had given him the food, so he simply waited.

"What's it called?" The boy asked while holding up another piece.

"Toast, it's a cooked slice of bread." It was strange having to explain what something as simple as toast was, but if it kept him alive, he'd do so.

"And what's bread?" The questions were strange, but he explained bread as well. The boy kept eating the food, asking what certain pieces were, and Quackity would explain them. Quackity realised that he came from a completely different world from the boy, he had the outside, and Quackity had the inside, and from that came different knowledges.

When the boy finished his food, Quackity decided to risk it and ask a question. "Can you tell me what some things out here are?"

The boy hesitated but responded, "Okay."

Quackity pointed at the brown that he had been against yesterday. "What's that called?"

The boy looked over. "That's a tree, the brown stuff is wood and the green stuff on top are called leaves."

Quackity nodded at the new knowledge and pointed at the green they had come to sit on. "What's this?"

"That's grass." Quackity continued to nod and ask questions, and he was excited with every answer. Eventually it was time for Quackity to go back, and he waved to the other boy. "Should I come back tomorrow?" He asked.

The boy nodded. "Yes, and bring more food, we can, teach eachother more stuff." He sounded almost hopeful, maybe it was solely because of the food, but a small part of Quackity wondered if the boy wanted to just see him.

"Yeah, I'd like that, I'll see you tomorrow then." The boy waved goodbye to him, and Quackity snuck back inside once again.

He followed what he did the previous day, and ElQuackity once again didn't say anything about the food that was on their desk when he fell asleep. He snuck out again, excited to see the boy, who was waiting once again.

"Here you go!" He gave the boy the food again.

"Thank you," the boy whispered. Quackity smiled. He was warming up to him. Quackity realised that despite the fact he was beginning to trust him, they didn't know eachother's names. "Can I ask another question?"

"Sure," the boy said, expecting a question about what an object was called again.

"What's your name?" The boy jumped at his words.

"Oh, my name?" He seemed very on edge.

"Yeah, you're my friend, so I want to know your name," he explained.

"Friend?" He whispered half to himself. "Well, my name is Etoiles." His voice became more sure as he spoke.

"Elotes," he repeated wrongly.

Etoiles gave a chuckle. "Sure." He looked at Quackity for a few moments. "What's your name?"

"I'm Quackity, based on a duck sound, cause I'm a duck hybrid, do you know what those are?"

"Yes, I'm a cucumber hybrid, do you know what a cucumber is?"

"Yes!" He said happily. So there were things they both had.

The two continued like they had the night before, explaining what they didn't know, and found more things they both shared. Maybe there was less of a gap between their worlds than they thought. They promised to speak again the next night, and they fell onto a routine as friends. The both were mostly new the concept, but it was exciting.

A few months after their first meeting, they finally let their conversation drift solely to them.

"What's your life like out here?" Quackity asked the question he had been wanting to say for a while.

Etoiles looked at him in shock for a for seconds before carefully answering, "It's scary."

Quackity tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm always scared, it's difficult out here all alone, I have to fight everyday, I could die at any moment, but I just have to keep going, being around you is the only time I'm not scared nowadays." Hearing how Etoiles felt was strange, he was definitely weary, but imagining Etoiles as scared was something Quackity couldn't do. "What's your life like? In that lab." Etoiles quickly moved the subject to Quackity.

"It's a bit boring, for a long time I could only talk to my brother, there were workers, but they keep everything too professional, they really only talk when they're doing tests or experiments on us." Quackity was willing to let the subject move away.

"Experiments?" Etoiles sounded weary again.

"Nothing too bad, just seeing how well we function, we're both test tube babies, so there's always a chance something might be off." Explaining things that Quackity felt were natural would never not be strange, but when it came to Etoiles, he was happy to explain.

Etoiles hummed, and they just kept talking about themselves. They knew about the world so well now, but now they wanted to know eachother, know their links to eachothers worlds. Quackity made it home later that night than he ever had before.

The months turned to years, and eventually they became teens. Time changed, but their friendship stayed strong.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Quackity said as he stood up.

Etoiles stood up as well, showing how he had grown to tower over the other teen. "I'll be waiting, bring some bread if you can."

The two waved their friend off and Quackity returned home, slipping through the door and going to sneak into his room, when he gasped at the sight of his brother awake, and Cucurucho standing in the middle of the room. Cucurucho almost never appeared at the lab, so him being here when Quackity had just returned was a horror.

"I hear you've been sneaking out." The robotic voice sent shivers down his spine.

"I, no, I uh," he stumbled over his words.

"There's no point in lying Quacks," ElQuackity said from his place on the bed.

Quackity looked over at him before looking back at Cucurucho and sighing. "Yes, I have been."

Cucurucho looked at him with his regular blank stare. "You're lucky we only found out tonight, when it's too late to punish you."

Quackity tilted his head. "Too late?"

"Yes, we've decided that we've gotten all the information we need out of you two, you will be sent off the island for the indefinite future, we thought we could reward you with freedom, except you have already rewarded yourself." Quackity didn't know how to feel. He wouldn't be locked in the lab for most of the day, but had his last meeting with Etoiles really been tonight? Cucurucho stared at him for longer. "Actually, I have a better idea."

"What is it?" Maybe he'd be allowed to stay on the island and he can go back to Etoiles.

"We've been researching memory wipes lately, I think you've made yourself the perfect test dummy." Quackity's heart sank.

"No, no, no, no! I'm sorry, anything but that!" Quackity felt tears in his eyes.

"You did this to yourself." Cucurucho forcefully grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room, making him scream. He looked back and saw ElQuackity walking behind them staring at the ground. He was going to be no help.

No matter how hard Quackity fought, his fate was doomed since he first met Etoiles. Despite that, he didn't regret a single thing for half an hour he kept his memories for.

Etoiles waited the whole night for Quackity to arrive, and became upset when he never appeared. He waited the next night and became angry. The next night he became worried. Etoiles had a hard time knowing how to feel when it came to Quackity never appearing again, and even after he left the island, he wondered about the man. His first friend disappeared without a trace that night, and he was left as confused as the day he met him.

Quackity was one of the calmer islanders when they got trapped. The island felt familiar despite having never been there. He didn't remember much of his childhood, so he always just thought that he had grown up in a similar place. Island life became natural to him, and even when more people showed up, be accepted it.

When the plane crashed and they found new people, Quackity was ready to engage in conversation. He was excited to meet another duck hybrid, and was intrigued by the drawn on faces of another, but was confused as to why a giant green man only tore strange feelings from him, almost like nostalgia.

The man looked at him with shock, and Quackity just awkwardly started a conversation. "So, what's your name?" The man looked upset at the words, but quickly answered.

"I'm Etoiles."

"Elotes," he said. He knew it wasn't what he said, but it was the first thing he thought of. The man smiled ridiculously wide at having been called the wrong name.

"Yes, that's my name." Quackity laughed at the response. "What's your name?"

"Quackity," he responded. "I know, a little dumb considering I'm a duck, but it's mine."

"I know what a duck is." Despite the words, they didn't sound annoyed, they sounded more excited than anything else. This man was strange, but Quackity was interested. "Do you know what a cucumber is?"

Quackity gave a small laugh. "I do."

Etoiles was an incredibly strange man, but Quackity thought he was funny, he was excited to possibly be friends with him, it already felt like they knew eachother for years.

Chapter Text

Missa was glad they had their whole family back together again. Their family had been in pieces for so long, finally having everyone together was like a miracle, a dream he would soon wake up from, except he never did.

He, Phil, Wilbur and the kids were walking to the museum to see the new painting when they saw Cellbit looking exhausted.

"I told him not to miss out on sleep again, but of course he does it anyways," Phils stated as he looked at the man. He was always the kind to worry about others in a fatherly way. Phil made his way over to Cellbit and Missa leaned in closer to Wilbur to talk.

"Phil talks about Cellbit so much these days, almost like I have three kids now." Wilbur couldn't hold in his laughter at the words, confusing Missa. "Did I say something funny?"

Wilbur waved his hands defensively. "No, no, I just thought of something funny, let's go see what they're talking about." He quickly left the conversation and just left Missa more confused. Was there something his step son knew that he didn't? He pushed it to the back of his mind and caught up with the rest of his family.

"Go to sleep." Phil's voice left no argument.

Despite this, Cellbit tried to argue. "I can go a little longer, I've had more than enough caffeine to keep me up." Cellbit looked as though he was going to pass out within the hour.

"Dad's right, you look horrible," Chayanne chimed in.

"You're four, I don't have to listen to you." From Missa's minimal interactions with Cellbit before, he was surprised when Cellbit and Chayanne grew a bantering relationship. Missa really was out of the loop on things.

"But you'll listen to Papa, you always do eventually." Even after Wilbur's return, Tallulah couldn't help but sometimes call Phil her Papa.

Cellbit went to argue before sighing. "Yeah, you're right, I'll go sleep."

"I knew you'd realise I'm right eventually," Phil stated smugly.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." Cellbit took Phil into a hug before warping away. It was cute to see how Phil and Cellbit almost acted like father and son.

"Museum!" Chayanne shouted and started running towards it, making the others follow. Enough of Cellbit, today was a family day.

As their family continued to stay intact, Missa saw that sort of scene happen many times over. Phil telling Cellbit to get rest, hugging him out of nowhere, saying he was proud of him sometimes. Missa felt like it was all so family like. It confused him. Phil was sweet to people, and was often called the dad of the group, hell, he was even told that one of his nicknames was Dadza, but he felt like the way he treated Cellbit crossed the point of being like a father into being a father.

Still, he didn't bring it up, it would just be awkward, and he's sure there's not much actually going on.

It wasn't until Cellbit showed up one day while Phil was out that everything made more sense.

Missa hears a knock on the door and opened it to see Cellbit.

"Great to see you again," Cellbit said with a smile.

"Great to see you too, what brought you here?" He asked.

Cellbit held up a package he had in his hands. "Oh, I was just going to give this to P-," he was cut off.

"Dad's stuff is here?" Chayanne ducked between Missa's legs to ask Cellbit.

"Yep, I was just over here to give it to him," Cellbit explained.

"Oh, Phil isn't here right now, but he should be in about an hour, I can hold on to that for him." He held out his hand to take the box.

Cellbit just shook his head. "No, I can wait." He then entered. Missa had felt strange around Cellbit since his and Phil's relationship grew so father-son like, but he didn't want to kick the man out.

"What's in the box?" He didn't know how to go about talking, so he went with something obvious.

"Just some old pyjama's that Roier found in Bobby's old room, he didn't want them to go to waste and I heard there were some gifts needed for Tallulah's birthday, and since we've already got ours for her we thought we could just pass them on so they could be given to Tallulah, they should fit her." Missa nodded. Maybe he was worrying for nothing, maybe Cellbit was just a lot more loving than he had first guessed.

"That's really sweet of you."

Cellbit gave a smile. "Felt like a nice thing to do, so, Pa, what are you planning to give her for her birthday?" Missa couldn't even hear the question, his brain centring in on that one word. Pa.

"I'm sorry, did you say Pa?" Missa couldn't be more confused right now.

Cellbit tilted his head. "Yeah? Would you prefer Papi? Padre? Dad? Do you want me to call you your name like Wilbur does with Pai?"

"No, no, no,no," Missa repeated. "Why are you calling me Pa? And are you calling Phil Pai? Isn't that Portugese for dad or something?"

"Yeah? What's the problem? You two are my dads." Cellbit was acting as though he had a reason to be confused.

Missa took a deep breath. "Give me a second." He pulled out his comm and called Phil, who picked up quickly. Before he could get out a hello, Missa demanded, "Come home right now." The comm was hung up and within the minute, Phil was there with them.

"What happened?" Phil was worried, wondering if something had gone wrong.

"We have another son." Missa had a new surprise every day, but this one was the one that broke him.

Phil looked between the two. "Shit, I forgot to tell you."

Cellbit cracked up laughing. "You didn't tell Pa that I'm your son now? Guapito's gonna love it when I tell him this."

"Listen," Phil took hold of Missa's hands. "I meant to tell you, but then things happened and I forgot, I'm so sorry."

Missa sighed and smiled at his husband, even with the mask he hoped Phil could tell. "I forgive you, just please, next time we get a new family member, please tell me."

Phil smiled back. "I will, I promise."

"Does this mean you're fine with me being your son?" Cellbit asked now that his laughter had died down.

Missa walked over to Cellbit and lifted his mask, kissing Cellbit's forehead. "I'm always happy to have another son."

Cellbit took Missa into a hug. "And I'll always be happy to have another dad."

Chapter Text

Missa looked around the base, numb at how there was no one there. He'd checked through it several times, had heard about the kids disappearing, had heard about his husband disappearing as well. Despite it all, he didn't want to believe it. His brother was already long gone, no one had seen Spreen in months, so he didn't want to believe that he would truly be alone when he came back.

The island never stopped searching, Missa never stopped searching, but that doesn't stop Missa from feeling all alone, like he's back looking in on the island from the outside. Every night he wraps himself in as many blankets as his husband's nest would allow him to be wrapped without missing with it too much, just to feel like Phil was still there. It never worked.

After a night of crying himself to sleep, he awakes to hear movement around his home. Sometimes others dropped by to make sure Missa was actually getting out of bed and wasn't just crying the whole time. Missa pulled himself up out of the tangle of blankets he put himself in and was about to tell whoever was in his home that he was up and they could leave now, but a gasp left his lips.

In front of him was Phil. He was back. He leaned over the edge of the nest. "Miss me?" Missa remembers those kind eyes and that smile. Missa didn't answer and instead pulled Phil over the edge of the nest, wrapping his limbs around the man, as of he would leave again if he could escape. "I'll take that as a yes." His voice was scratchier he remembered, but Missa just thought his brain had made him remember things wrong. They so rarely spent time together, it made sense.

Missa held Phil for over an hour, occasionally speaking of how much he missed him and how happy he was that he was back. Phil just gently held him back. He'd kissed this so much. Eventually he had to let go, as his limbs were starting to hurt, but he stayed leaned into Phil's side.

"I can't believe you're back," he whispered for the fifth time.

"I'm here, just for you." The words made Missa light up. Just for him. His husband wanted to be here just for him.

"I wish the kids were here, we could be a family again." He was happy he had Phil, but some part of him would never be complete without the kids. Maybe even Spreen, but he knew there was some line to draw.

"We'll all be together eventually, don't you worry." The words were surprisingly calm for a man who had spent so long giving his everything to keep their kids safe, but Missa accepted. Phil had been around for so long, he knew more than him, he just had to trust whatever Phil said.

"Okay, I won't." He leaned further into his husband. Everything would be okay as long as he had Phil.

After some time, Missa got a message asking for him to come visit Bad. He was going to be so excited when he found that Phil was back.

"Now that you're back, everyone's going to want to see you." Missa was so excited to show off the newly found Phil.

"I can't wait to see them." There was something about his words that felt somewhat playful, almost cocky, but Missa ignored it. Phil was maybe just like that, again, he hadn't seen much of the man over the course of these last few months, and whatever had him gone for weeks may have changed him.

The two got ready and set off, going to where Bad asked Missa to go. When they saw him Missa quickly drew attention to himself. "Bad! Bad! Look!" He gestured over to his side, ready to have Bad freak out in excitement over Phil being back, but instead he just tilted his head and looked confused.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" Missa became confused at his words. Phil had been missing for weeks, how could he not find him being back amazing.

"Phil," he answered. "He's back, look."

Bad's expression twisted from confusion to worry. "Are you okay? Did you hurt your head? Is the loneliness getting to you? You can stay with me if it'll help."

Missa was becoming upset. Why wasn't he saying anything about Phil? "I'm not going to be lonely anymore, Phil's here, he's back, after he's been gone for weeks." Why was Bad acting like this wasn't a big deal?

Bad only became more worried. "No Missa, there's no one there, you must be hallucinating."

Missa's anger rose. Why would Bad joke about something like this? "Stop playing this sick joke, he's right here!" He grabbed Phil's hand. He felt it, he had felt it for a long time, there was no way this was a hallucination. "There's no way you can't see him!"

"There's no reason to yell at me, I'm just trying to help, I don't think you're in a very good mental state right now, come back to my base and have a rest, you need it." Bad tried to keep the situation calm, but Missa was just getting more and more upset.

"No! I don't like how you're acting as if I can't trust my own two eyes! I'm going home, and Phil is too!" He pulled Phil away and they left Bad where they found him.

"Bad was being a bit of a dick there, wasn't he?" Phil had been silent while they were there, obviously as annoyed as Missa was that he was being ignored, but reacting differently.

"Yeah, he was, I can't believe he'd do that, he should know that I'll be on edge after having you been away for so long!" He kept his hand holding Phil's. Phil was the only thing keeping him from going back and punching Bad.

"Something's wrong with him, maybe we should avoid him until he stops acting so strange," Phil suggested.

Missa nodded. "You're right, I've only just gotten you back, I don't need to question things, I have you, and doubting you will only make things worse." Phil smiled at him, and he knew everything would be okay.

Missa separated himself from Bad, upset at his jokes that Phil wasn't real. Annoyingly, he seemed to have gotten to everyone else first, and everyone else pretended they couldn't see Phil. Or maybe it was something planned ahead of time, make Missa feel bad for abandoning them so much. He didn't care after the fifth time, he just slowly cut people off. It was becoming lonely again, but as long as he had Phil, he would be fine. He always had Phil, he refused to leave his side, they practically became connected. Missa liked that, he wouldn't have to worry about being parted from Phil again.

Phil often spoke of how they were all going to be a family again, they just had to wait. Missa used to ask if they were going to find them, and Phil would always say that the time would simply come when it needed to. Missa trusted his words.

One morning, Missa awoke to a knock on the door. Phil was sleepily peacefully still, so he pulled himself from his arms and got out of the nest, putting on his mask before opening the door.

Roier and Cellbit were outside it, two of the very few people who hadn't said Missa was hallucinating, although they hadn't had the talk about Phil yet, so the trust he held was subject to change. "What brings you here so early in the morning?"

"We heard Phil came back a few days ago, is it okay if we see him?" Cellbit asked. Missa wasn't sure if this was going to be the set up for the joke, so he didn't know how to respond.

"Are you sure you won't just-," he began before he heard Phil's voice.

"It's been a while since someone was over." The three talking in the doorway turned to see Phil.

"It has been," Missa responded, eyeing the married couple to see their responses.

"Holy shit, he's actually here," Roier whispered.

"I'm shocked as well," Cellbit whispered back. Missa lit up. Finally, people who aren't playing jokes.

"Oh, here he is, people are just playing around with those jokes." The jokes hurt him, but at least he had people to trust other than his husband now.

Cellbit nodded. "I see." He was quiet for a few moments before speaking again. "Well, that's all we came here to do, we'll be off." He grabbed his husband's hand and left, leaving Missa and Phil alone.

As they were leaving, Roier and Cellbit began to speak. "That's not Phil," Cellbit stated.

"There's no way, has it happened again?" Roier brought up the situation that had happened a few months ago.

"I think it has, that would explain why no one has seen Phil before us, but why us?" Cellbit asked.

"Maybe it has something to do with the fact I saw through the code last time? Maybe the want to see if I can do it again." Roier didn't know what to do.

"I think we should wait a bit and see what happens, the codes can go without hurting people, so I think we should just study it for now and see what happens," Cellbit suggested. Roier nodded, not knowing what else to do.

A few more days passed, and eventually they were asked to gather for an event. Phil and Missa skipped it, not wanting to deal with the annoying joke of Phil not being real. If they wouldn't welcome Phil, then Missa wasn't welcome either.

At the event, they were put through a dungeon, and at the end was Phil. This time, he was real, and everyone could tell. They got Phil out of the dungeon and people began to speak.

"Missa is going to be happy you're safe, maybe you can help with his hallucinations," Bad spoke.

"Missa's been hallucinating?" He was worried about his husband, and didn't care that he had just been locked up for weeks.

"He hasn't been," Cellbit answered.

Bad stared at Cellbit in annoyance. "We've all seen how he's been acting, he's thought Phil has been around for like a week, but Phil's right here."

"That's because he's been seeing a code, we saw it too, and it did look like Phil," Roier explained. Bad let out an 'oh,' understanding the situation now.

Phil's face twisted in even more worry. "A code? Like last time?" Roier nodded. "Fuck," he said quickly. "I need to get home right now!"

On top of the wall, Missa and what he thought was Phil were talking to eachother. Missa was saying that he was beginning to feel lonely again, not being able to trust anyone but Phil, and kind of Roier and Cellbit.

"It'll be fine, everything will be okay soon," Code-Phil reassured.

Missa nodded. "If you say so." The Phil in front of him was about to say something, but they heard a shout from behind them.

"Stay the fuck away from my husband!" Missa didn't even get to turn around before he saw someone attack his husband. He was about to scream when he saw that there qere two Phils in front of him, so he instead shut up in confusion. One of them, the one that shouted, was standing in front of the other, which was now on the floor. They both looked as pissed as eachother.

Missa stepped back and walked back into Cellbit. "What's going on?" He asked the theorist.

"The Phil you've been seeing for a week isn't Phil, it's a code, that's the reason no one else has seen him, they can choose who can see them," Cellbit explained.

Missa wanted to argue, say he should be able to tell who his husband was, but as he shot a glance back at the two Phils, he saw numbers surround the one on the floor. The numbers grew, and who he thought was his husband lost it's form and became the code. Missa felt horrible. He gave up his friendships for their enemy. The code attacked Phil and a fight began.

"Let's get you out of here." Cellbit tried to pull Missa away from the fight, but Missa simply pulled out his sword and attacked the code. He was upset, at himself and at the code. Helping beat this code wouldn't fix everything, but it was a start.

The code hadn't expected to have to fight two people, maybe it never even expected to have to fight at all, so it was beaten quickly. Missa threw himself into Phil's arms as soon as he put his sword down.

"I missed you so much." Now that the code was gone, the loneliness Missa had felt crept up on him.

Phil wrapped his arms around Missa. "I missed you too." The two held their hug for several minutes before pulling away.

"I'm sorry I didn't know that it wasn't you." Missa felt ridiculously guilty.

Phil took Missa's hands in his. "You couldn't have known, this is the first time you've seen this happen, the codes think our family is easy to target."

"Has this happened before?" Missa asked.

"Yes, the code imitated you, and I couldn't tell." Phil sounded equally as guilty.

"If only things were different, and we had learned eachother better, maybe we could have avoided this," Missa whispered, guilt evident.

"Maybe we can learn about eachother, maybe we can make sure we never get tricked again," Phil suggested.

"I'd like that." He took Phil into another hug. He had some people to apologise for, but Phil truly was back, and they were going to make things better between them. Things would get better, they knew it would.

Chapter Text

When Niki first met Jaiden, she confused her. Jaiden was perfect in so many ways. She was funny and strong, beyond caring, and when she smiled at Niki, she made her happy in ways she hadn't felt in so long. This happiness confused her, and she didn't know how to put a name to what she felt.

"Your hair looks really pretty today Jaiden." Jaiden always caught her eye, so when Jaiden put her hair up in two ponytails to mimic her idol, Niki couldn't help but want to compliment the older woman.

Jaiden reached up to touch one of her ponytails. "Thanks Niki, your hair looks really pretty too, it always does." Jaiden smiled at Niki and pushed more of those confusing emotions into her brain. "We should hang out sometime, I don't get to see you around much and I'd love to talk to you more."

"I'd like that too, you're really cool." Niki pushed past the emotions to try and have a normal conversation.

Jaiden nodded. "We'll have to plan something sometime soon, I've got plans currently, but it's been nice talking to you." They bid eachother goodbye and Jaiden warped away.

"Ooooh, someone's got a crush." Niki spun around quickly at the voice she heard behind her, scared by the noise.

"Tubbo! You scared me!" Niki complained.

Tubbo waved his hands defensively. "Sorry, sorry! I just wanted to tease about the crush!"

Niki tilted her head. "What crush?"

"It looks like Jaiden has a crush on you, I mean, she even asked you on a date." The words dug anxiety into Niki's heart. Jaiden had a crush on her? Well, maybe had a crush on her? Tubbo's words didn't mean much, he was always one to assume things with little evidence. Still, even if Tubbo was wrong, it got Niki thinking about their relationship in a romantic light. Maybe that's why Niki felt so strange around Jaiden, all her perfections simply created a crush. Anxiety still lingered in Niki's heart, but she decided that she had realised the truth.

She had a crush on Jaiden.

Tubbo laughed beside her. "And it looks like you have a crush on her too, man, I'm so good at this cupid thing." He put his hands on his hips in victory.

Niki lightly whacked Tubbo on the head. "Yeah, yeah, focus on your own love life." Tubbo simply laughed again.

When Niki next saw Jaiden, the day after her decision to name her emotions a crush on the other woman, Niki found it even harder to talk to her. What was she supposed to do? Flirt? Wait for Jaiden to make the first move (If Tubbo was right on his guess)? This wasn't the first time Niki had had a crush on someone, but she was left feeling like it was her first. Niki didn't want to rush into a relationship, the desire of a relationship with Jaiden had yet to arrive, but what else was there to do when you had a crush on someone?

"Are you okay? You've been spacing out." Her thoughts came back to the present when Jaiden spoke.

"Oh, yeah, I'm great, I was just thinking about how we should really go on that d- hang out soon." Niki felt like she was doing everything wrong. Her own feelings felt wrong. Why did speaking to Jaiden make everything so difficult?

"I'm free for a bit now, want to go get some coffee at StarBobby's?" Niki felt uncomfortable, or maybe she should call it flustered, it would suit the situation more. Was this actually a date? Was this strange feeling turn into something? She didn't want to think of the answer.

"Sure," was all she managed to say. If it was a date, okay, if it wasn't, that was also okay, maybe even more okay. They went to the Favela and grabbed some coffee, Jaiden shared some stories of Bobby, which Niki carefully listened to. Niki had begun to think it wasn't a date, asking someone on a first date at the place named after your dead kid didn't feel like date material.

"Do you want kids one day?" Jaiden asked seemingly out of nowhere. The question surprised Niki. Maybe she was wrong and this was a date. This was all so confusing.

"I mean, maybe one day, I've got some stuff I want to figure out first, focus on myself a bit, but maybe one day when I'm settled down." The answer wasn't thought about much, but it felt truthful.

"That's kind of how I felt, I wanted to wait until I was 100% sure it was what I wanted, but then Bobby came into my life, now that he's gone I know I do want to be a mother, it's just going to take a while to feel like I'm ready to open my heart up to another kid." Niki liked learning about Jaiden, but when she didn't know what direction their relationship was heading, it just confused her. Was Jaiden simply saying her thoughts on being a mother again, or was she implying that she'd like to have kids with Niki again someday?

Niki replied through the confusion. "You'll be an amazing mother, I've heard such good things about how you were with Bobby."

Jaiden smiled again. "Thank you, I'm sure if you have kids you'll also be an amazing mother." Niki hoped she'd get an answer for where Jaiden wanted to take their relationship soon.

Things never got easier, but they grew closer and closer, it became a habit to meet up every other day at StarBobby to just talk. Niki had started referring to them as dates in her head, although she was still too scared to do so out loud. The word made her nervous, probably because she didn't know if Jaiden would approve of them being dates. Niki had thought about crossing the line and making her intentions known several times, thinking about bringing flowers, and at one point when they were about to go their separate ways the idea to kiss her crossed her mind, but she backed out every time. A discomfort would always spread throughout her whenever she wanted to make things between them more than friendship. Niki guessed that it was because she still wasn't sure how Jaiden feels about her.

As time went on she felt as though the decision to be more had to be made by her. Jaiden was confident in some senses, but Niki had come to learn that she still had a sense of shyness to her. As she left their date one day, she decided she was going to stop beating around the bush and would ask her out, she just had to find out how she'd go about it.

She messaged Roier and asked to meet with him. He had such a good relationship with his husband, and while they weren't the closest anymore, Jaiden had told her just how close the two used to be and wanted to try and be again. Roier agreed and she went to his and his husbands castle to get some advice on how to ask Jaiden out.

He was waiting for her outside and waved to her when she arrived. "Niki! What brought you here?" He asked as he brought her inside.

"I've got a question about Jaiden." She had to push through, despite the discomfort that took over her senses.

Roier seemed surprised at her words. "I'll try my best, but I can't promise I'm the best for the job."

"You are, because," she took a deep breath and pushed out her question. "I have a crush on Jaiden and I want to ask her out."

Roier looked at her with wide eyes. "What?"

"I have a crush on her." The words felt wrong in her mouth. She was starting to regret this, but she had to keep pushing. "Can you give me advice?"

Roier looked uncomfortable at her question. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because," Roier struggled for words. "Jaiden doesn't experience romantic attraction, no matter how you tell her, she will refuse."

Niki was waiting for her heart to break, her mood to crash, her world to change for the worse. But it didn't. She felt relieved, and it confused her. She found out her crush was aromantic and instead of being upset that she never even had a chance, she felt happy that romance wasn't in their future.

"I know she's great, but a crush on her will lead nowhere, I admire your determination, but yeah, nothing," Roier continued to explain. Niki should have kept listening, but her brain stopped on one word. Admire. The discomfort left her entirely. It felt like a word she wanted to use, a word she wanted to use for Jaiden more than she ever wanted to use crush.

She hid her face in her hands. "I'm so stupid."

"You're not stupid, it's just a mistake, you can't control you who have feelings for."

"No," she looked up at Roier. "I'm stupid because I thought it was a crush, I, I think I just admire her."

Roier stared at her in silence for several moments before bursting out into laughter. "Seriously!?"

Niki groaned. "Don't make fun of me."

"No, no, I'm sorry, it's just the funniest thing I've heard all day, how do you mistake admiration for a crush?" Roier was laughing through his words.

"Tubbo said something about a crush, and because I didn't know how I was feeling towards her I ran with it." The explanation made her feel even dumber, how did she let herself get to this point?

Roier burst out laughing again. She may feel dumb, but it felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders.

Niki and Jaiden were walking to StarBobby together to hang out, and for the first time in their friendship, Niki felt completely at ease with Jaiden. Jaiden was an amazing friend, and she really did admire her. The word made her light up everytime she thought about it.

"Jaiden, I admire you," she stated, unable to contain herself.

Jaiden perked up at the word. "Thanks, I admire you too."

Niki had thought that maybe 'I love you's would be distributed between them one day, but she decided she preferred 'I admire you's far more.

Chapter Text

"Okay, hear me out; Bad," Jaiden stated with a wave of her hands.

"I'm not interested anymore," he may have tried to flirt once or twice when they first got stuck on the island, but things changed. "And even if I was, it'd be a miracle if he was interested in me."

Jaiden let out a sigh. "True, true." Over the past few months, Jaiden, and the rest of the islanders, had become obsessed with getting Roier a boyfriend, thinking it would help with his flirty nature. "But if we could get him interested, do you think you could get interested?" Jaiden was apparently quite set on Bad, as she had been with Slime yesterday, and Missa last week, also Pac last month.

"No, for the last time, I'm already happily in a relationship," he tried to keep his tone kind, but the way no one accepted his words was starting to become annoying.

"Oh come on, I'm your best friend, I live with you half the time, and I've never seen a boyfriend." As Jaiden healed more from Bobby's death, she had semi moved back in with Roier, neither of them wanting to be alone in their houses anymore. Roier technically didn't have to be alone in the house, even without Jaiden, after all, he had a husband. A husband no one knew about, and while he could probably make an excuse for why he was moving in with him, staying in his old house was just easier than explaining.

"I can keep secrets," was all he said.

"Doesn't mean you should, so unless you tell me right now, I'm going to assume you just say it so you don't have to go on dates." Jaiden had shown herself to be determined quickly in their friendship, and while Roier was 110% on her side most of the time, when she used that determination to try and meddle with Roier's love life, it could be annoying.

"Assume all you want." Roier could play this game for a long time.

Jaiden sighed again. "Absolutely sure Bad isn't an option?" Roier would be here for a while.

After another two hours of trying to get Roier to go on a date, the two went separate ways, Jaiden having plans with Foolish and Roier wanted some love from his husband, although Jaiden thought he would just lay at home alone.

Roier entered the castle and found his husband sitting down, drinking some coffee, even if it was far too late to be drinking such.

"Hola Gatinho," he said to Cellbit as he wrapped his arms around his shoulders and placing a kiss underneath his ear.

Cellbit twisted around to meet Roier's eyes and gave him a loving smile. "Olà Guapito." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Roier's lips. "Have fun?"

Roier took a seat beside Cellbit and held onto his hand. "Jaiden's always fun, even when she's trying to set me up with my friends." Roier watched as a flash of jealousy passed through Cellbit's eyes. No matter how many times this happened, Cellbit was always a jealous man, even if nothing would ever come from the other islanders suggestions. Roier laughed at the sight. "Oh come on, don't act like the others don't do the same with you."

Cellbit leaned into Roier's side. "I know they do, and you get jealous as well." That was true, Roier was better at hiding it, but whenever others flirted with Cellbit he wanted to push them away and kiss Cellbit to show everyone who the man belonged to, but with how they hide their relationship, he couldn't. "But you're gonna have to go on a date again soon, they need to think you're at least trying."

Roier sighed. "You're right, I'll go on the next one, and you have to too, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'd rather spend the day with you." The two husbands had made a decision early on in their relationship when people first started to get them boyfriends. They would go on a few of the dates their friends suggested, just to make sure they wouldn't get too frustrated with them. They made sure to never take it too far, kissing was off the table, but they had to make it look like they at least wanted to go on the date before saying they didn't click romantically with the other.

"So would I." Roier leaned in to kiss Cellbit, and as their lips met they heard the click of a camera. They pulled away and looked at the other end of the room to see Richarlyson, smiling wide with a camera I'm his hands. Richarlyson was the only one who knew they were married other than the federation, he had been witness to their wedding, and Cellbit couldn't bare to not tell his own son about his relationship. Had their relationship started earlier, Roier would have also told Bobby. Maybe. Bobby probably would have told Jaiden immediately, the little Mama's boy.

Cellbit got up and went over to Richarlyson, picking him up. "What's the picture for?" He asked with a smile.

"You two are cute together, I want pictures!" Richarlyson had been ecstatic when they got together, and was always excited when they did anything romantic.

Roier got up and joined his families' side. "Aren't you just the sweetest." He gave Richarlyson a kiss on the nose, causing him to giggle. Roier was so happy he had this little family, even if he kept it hidden. The family spent a few hours together before he returned home. Jaiden was staying with him that night, and he didn't want her getting suspicious over his and Cellbit's relationship.

While Cellbit was in bed, Richarlyson happily went over to Forever's. Luckily he was also awake. "Pai! I have an idea!" He shouted.

Forever picked him up and placed him on his lap. "What's your idea about?" Richarlyson had gone over without a single word from anyone, so Forever wasn't sure what they would talk about.

"Pai Cellbit really needs a boyfriend, and I have a suggestion."

Forever tilted his head. "He's said no to so many of our other suggestions, so who do you think will make him want a boyfriend?" Frankly, he didn't believe Cellbit when he said he had a partner.

"Roier!" Richarlyson loudly suggested.

Forever's face twisted in confusion. "Roier? He doesn't sound like Cellbit's type at all, what makes you think he'd be a good boyfriend choice?"

"People are also trying to get Roier a boyfriend, it'd be good for both of them," Richarlyson explained.

Forever nodded. He guessed that made sense. "Still, we need Cellbit to agree to go on a date with Roier, how do we do that? Since Bobby tried to fight you, I don't think they're interacted all that much."

Richarlyson looked down and thought for a few seconds, before looking up. "They'll go on a blind date."

Forever tilted his head again. "We're gonna blindfold them?" It was the only way Forever could think of making the date blind.

Richarlyson laughed at his Pai's guess at what a blind date was. "No, a blind date is when you don't know who you're going on a date with, but we could blindfold them, that sounds fun."

Forever let out an 'oh,' and nodded. That made more sense. "You think he'll agree to it?"

Richarlyson nodded back. "Absolutely, and if not, I'll ask." He wouldn't say no to Richarlyson.

"Then we have our plan, I'll go message someone to get Roier on board."

The next morning Cellbit went to go wake Richarlyson up but saw he wasn't there, after a quick message, he found out he went to Forever's while Cellbit was sleeping. Cellbit was used to Richarlyson's shenanigans, so he didn't worry too much. After Forever answered him, he told him he was coming over and that Cellbit should get ready for the day, but didn't answer any questions Cellbit had after, saying he would answer them once he was there. Cellbit just sighed and got ready like he was supposed to.

When Cellbit was ready for the day, Forever arrived, looking excited. "What's going on?" Cellbit asked.

"I set up a date for you," Forever stated proudly.

Cellbit's eyes widened. He was going to go on the next date, but what if he had said no? What would Forever have done then? "Who am I going with?" He asked.

"That's a secret, it's a blind date." Cellbit grimaced. He didn't even get to know who he had to pretend to have a half decent date with? Maybe he could say no and just take the next. "Richas set this one up, so I think you'll like him." Cellbit tilted his head at the words. Richarlyson? But he knew that Cellbit and Roier were married. Maybe he just set it up so it would be an easy one to get out of. Ever since Quackity tried to get that second date it had been a fear that the other person would catch feelings.

Cellbit sighed. "Alright then, where do I meet them?"

"It's an extra blind date," he pulled out a strip of thick black fabric, "So I'm blindfolding you." Cellbit sighed again. This date was going to be a mess.

When Roier woke up, he immediately screamed at the sight of Bad at the end of his bed. It didn't matter that he knew Bad, seeing a demon that had skin as pitch black as the void and towered almost two feet over him was not the sight he wanted to be greeted by in the morning. He looked over at his side and saw that Jaiden wasn't there, she had already gotten up and gotten on with her day.

"You're going on a date," Bad explained, as if being in someone's house and looking at them while they slept was normal. Although for Bad it sort of was normal.

Through sleepiness and shock, it took a few moments for Roier to understand the words, but when he did, he let out a, "What?"

"We've all been trying to get you a boyfriend for so long, and Forever called me this morning and we think we officially have the perfect guy for you," Bad explained.

Roier wanted to bring up he had already found the perfect guy, but he promised to go on the next date, and it's not like he'd believe him anyways. "And who is this guy?"

Bad clapped his hands together. "It's a secret! We thought maybe a blind date would work."

Roier wanted to lay back in bed and go to sleep again so he could ignore all of this, but he didn't want Bad watching him sleep again, so instead he just got out of bed and told Bad to wait while he got ready. Bad was happy he accepted the date so easily.

When he arrived back, Bad was holding a blindfold. "Hey, what the fuck!? I don't fuck on the first date anymore!" He had been so adamant on no kissing on the first date, what was Bad thinking?

"Language!" The demon criticised. "It's not for that, we're making this an extra blind date, you're not allowed to see your date until we decide you can!"

"Oh," was all he could say. The situation was still weird, but it made more sense than his guess. Bad wasn't exactly the type to insinuate sex purposefully ever.

"Now, are you ready to meet the love of your life?"

He already had, so he simply said, "Don't be too hasty about this." Bad hummed in response and moved behind Roier to tie the blindfold around his head. He hadn't been in this situation since before Cellbit, and he didn't think he'd ever be in it again.

"Open your inventory," Bad asked. He did so and Bad must have gotten his warp stone out for him as it was now in his hand. He was ordered to close his inventory and open up the warpstone menu, and once again Bad used the menu for him, as the two were soon somewhere else by the change in the air.

Bad guided him somewhere, making sure Roier didn't trip over anything. It was strange being guided like this, but Roier knew that he just had to suck it up and get on with the date so he could go back to being happily married to Cellbit.

He was finally placed into a chair and a few minutes later he heard someone else sit in the seat across from him. So his date is here. The blindfold wasn't lifted off yet, and instead he felt clawed hands guiding his own to hold the other persons. Roier was about to think about how strange this was when his thumb ran over a scar. Many of the islanders had scars, Roier had one even, but he knew this scar. He ran his thumb over it some more, as he had done so many times before. Roier was barely able to keep in his laughter. By some strange coincidence, the islanders had set him up his own husband.

"I think I may actually like this one," he teased.

"G-Roier?" Cellbit asked as soon as he heard his husband's voice.

"What a surprise, I didn't think we'd be going on a date today." The situation was hilarious, but Roier was happy he'd be able to go on a date with his husband.

"Neither did I, but I wouldn't want to go on a date with anyone else." Cellbit shared his view. With how they were talking, they both wondered if today truly was the day they'd feel like making their relationship public.

They kept their hands clasped together and they heard another voice beside them. "Wait, you two actually want to date?" Roier had enough of the blindfold and slipped it off, showing that Baghera was beside them, joined by Bad, Forever, Jaiden, and Richarlyson. Cellbit slipped his off moments later.

Roier looked over at Cellbit, and without a question being asked, he nodded. "Of course we want to go on a date, we are together after all." Shocked gasps came from the onlookers, aside from Richarlyson who just giggled.

"You actually have a boyfriend?" Jaiden asked, placing her hands on the table.

"I'm his husband," Cellbit stated, letting go of one of Roier's hands to pull out his wedding ring.

"How did we not know!" Forever yelled.

"We kept it secret, obviously." Roier was enjoying the reactions.

"But why?" Bad asked.

"Well, there were multiple reasons, first we had the whole Bobby threatening Richarlyson thing and we thought that if we dated it would be an issue because of that, and then there was the whole deal with a few people thinking Roier and Jaiden were together, and when those were solved, it was just too complicated to out ourselves," Cellbit explained.

"Also it was hilarious," Roier added.

"It was also hilarious," Cellbit repeated.

"So did anyone know about your marriage?" Baghera asked.

"Yes, we needed a witness for the wedding, so we told Richarlyson, and he was really good at keeping it secret." Eyes went to Richarlyson as he smiled wide.

"So that's why you said we should set them up." Forever put his hands on his hips and Richarlyson looked away guiltily.

Cellbit and Roier couldn't help but laugh. They had finally found a good (or moreso hilarious) time to make their relationship public. Everyone would know within the hour, but at least they got to escape their dates.

Chapter Text

She had given up. There was no hope for her. She tried to keep a diary, just to give her that last bit of hope she needed to wait until someone would find her, love her like she so desperately needed, but after it disappeared, she had given up. She knew using some of the last of her energy to venture out for a few hours was a bad idea, but she thought that maybe it would help. It didn't. As her greatest wish and worst fear had happened, someone had found the adoption centre, but she hadn't been there when they were, and worst of all, they took her diary.

She didn't know what to do anymore after that, so she would just sit and wait, eating whatever she could to keep herself alive just a little longer, but she didn't want to eat anymore. She didn't want to be alive anymore. She laid on the ground, surrounded by the pieces of egg she had long since hatched from, wondering when that stupid bear would come. He was the only one to ever see her, he gave her some chocolate occasionally, but she wished for more sometimes, even if it was yucky and gross, she just wanted to fill her stomach back then. She wondered if the bear really would let her die. Her body was barely one of a two year old, so she'd like to think he wouldn't, but by the evidence she was given, it didn't feel like he would save her before she died.

If she had tears left, she would have cried, would have tried to cry herself to sleep so she would get a painless death, but she had run out long ago. Could it even be considered a painless death with how much she suffered beforehand? She didn't know, but if it was given to her, maybe she could have said it was painless.

The floor was hard beneath her cheek, distracting her mostly, but when the large bear entered, her brain centred on him.

"Are you enjoying the island?" He asked condescendingly, or at least he would of if his voice allowed for emotion. She couldn't answer, her voice had long been lost from dehydration, but of course the answer was no. The bear continued to look down at her, it's face as emotionless as ever. "It's a shame no one adopted you, it seems like you just weren't wanted." It always did this, always made her remember just how unwanted she was. "Maybe we just have to wait a little longer, can you do that?" No, no she couldn't.

The bear continued to speak, acting as if she were actually able to take part on conversation, as if she were talking. She looked away from him, not wanting to pay attention to a pain, and ended up looking between his legs. Her vision had become blurry, and she only recognised the bear because of the fact she had seen him so long ago, so when she saw shapes in the doorway, it confused her. Was this death? Shapes of brown, yellow, red, green and purple? Why is death so tiny with one of the shapes? It didn't look much bigger than her, but the large shape towered over the other.

"What's going on?" One of the shapes must have been talking. The voice was deeper than the bear's.

"Is that a kid? I think she hatched from that egg." The second voice was high pitched, young, similar to her own.

"You aren't supposed to be here," the bear stated. He tried to hide her, but it was too late.

"I think I am supposed to be here, the question is, is she supposed to be here." The shape moved, and she's pretty sure it began to point at her.

"Don't bring her into this-," the bear tried to speak.

"I'll bring her into this, what is she doing here? She wasn't here last time I checked." The larger shape was arguing with the bear, and the smaller shape got closer to her.

When it was close enough, she saw that it was another little girl, not much larger than herself. She kneeled down next to her and gently touched her arm. The touch felt so strange, something she had never felt before. "Are you okay?" The girl asked her. She couldn't answer, but she managed to force out a groan. The girl looked sad at the noise. "Papa and I will help, don't you worry." The two girls looked up at the bear and the larger shape, the second girls Papa. The man had gotten closer to the bear, and was shouting at him now.

"You hid a child here and was just going to let her die!? What were you thinking!?" He was waving his hands in anger.

"It was needed." The bear kept a calm voice.

"No, it wasn't! And I'm not going to let you hurt her anymore!" The man was confident going up against the bear, despite the bear towering over him.

"You can't do anything, you will leave now," the bear tried to use authority over him. The man didn't care about his authority, he cared more about her. She could barely see what was happening, but he quickly pulled his arm back and shoved it towards the bear's face. The punch was unexpected, and the bear fell back on it's butt next to her.

If she had been able to make a reaction, she would have gasped at the sight, especially since she's sure she saw some of the bear's plastic teeth fall out. The next thing she knew, she was picked up by the man, and he was telling the other girl to teleport home immediately. The man had done the same, as she saw purple surround them and they were in a completely new spot.

The next hour felt hazy, dream like. She was placed in a tub of warm water, a luxury she had yet to experience and would now crave at almost every moment, and washed up, the grime that accumulated on her for the past few months washing away and letting her caramel skin breathe. She was lifted out before she could pass out from bliss and was dressed in a onesie, only slightly too big for her. She felt her hair being brushed, the knots in her hair unravelling into her original white waves. She was given some food and a drink, which she took into her body quickly, and within minutes it was all done. She was brought into a room and placed onto a bed, and with all the comfort she had recieved that day, she fell asleep instantly.

When she woke up, it was dark outside. She felt happier than she had since she hatched, and she wondered if she had simply died and this was heaven. She heard a door open and looked over at her side, seeing the little girl walk over and climb onto her bed. "Are you okay?" She asked again.

"Yeah, I feel great." It was so strange being able to speak again, but she was happy she had the ability again.

The other girl smiled brightly. "I'm glad you're feeling okay, Papa was really worried, you looked like you were about to die."

"I was so close to death, another day and I don't think I would have made it." The fact felt sad, but she was alive now. She felt alive.

The other girl's face dropped slightly. "How long were you in there for?" She asked.

She tried to think, but it felt like far too long. "So many months, I wouldn't be able to guess."

The other girl was silent for a few moments before laying down beside her. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, I was also late to being adopted, but I was only in my adoption centre for a few weeks."

"Did your Papa save you too?" Was this man just a saviour to all?

The girl shook her head. "No, my d-," she stopped herself before restarting. "No, Wilbur did, he took me home and gave me a name, gave me my genetics, and then Papa saved me when I was alone again, I was alone for months as well, not like you, but it was difficult to believe in family before Papa and Papi took me in." The girl reached out to grab her hand. "I hope that you can believe in family too now that you're here."

She gasped. Family? Was she adopted now? She wanted to cry from happiness. "I hope so too," she said with a large smile.

The girl, her sister, smiled back. "I'm Tallulah by the way, I didn't get to tell you before you napped."

"Tallulah," she repeated. "That's a really pretty name."

Tallulah giggled. "Thank you, I picked it myself, Wilbur gave me some options and I decided I liked it best." She stared at her for a few seconds before asking, "Do you have a name?"

She shook her head. "No, I didn't think to give myself one." Now that she had heard Tallulah having a name, she felt jealous. She wanted one as well. "You said you were given options, could you give me one of those names?"

Tallulah stared at her for several moments longer. "I was also given the choice of being called Melody and Vienna, but I don't think either of them suits you." She frowned at her sisters words. She wanted a name. "But I think I have a much better idea." She perked up at the words. "How about Hope?"

Her brain paused at the word. The word she had thought about so much, the word she thought she didn't have anymore. She liked it, she liked that as long as her name was Hope she would have hope. "I like it, I want that to be my name."

Tallulah smiled at Hope. "I'm glad you like it."

They heard the door open again and Hope looked over to see her new Papa walk in, joined by another man and a small child, wearing a onesie similar to the one she was wearing. It must have been his.

"Good thing you're awake," the other man stated as he walked up to the bed. "I'm Roier, I'm going to be your Papi from now on, okay?" Hope nodded, and Roier smiled.

The little boy climbed up onto the bed and almost sat on her lap. "Olà, I'm Richarlyson!"

Hope smiled at the boy. "Olà, I'm Hope." The name felt so natural coming from her own mouth.

Her Papa looked shocked at the word. "You already have name?" He asked.

Hope nodded yet again. "Yep, Lulah gave it to me." Tallulah giggled at Hope already using a nickname for her.

Her Papa leaned down and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "It suits your perfectly." He pulled away and kneeled next to the bed. "I'm Cellbit, I'm your new Papa, okay? You're a part of our family now."

"Thank you for adopting me," she started. "It's all I ever wanted, I can't wait for having a family to become normal."

The family smiled at her, and Cellbit reached into his inventory. "Sorry for taking this, but I believe it's yours." She was handed a book. Her diary. She hadn't expected to see it again, hadn't expected Cellbit to have been the one to take it. "I thought you were long gone, so I took it as a reminder that this island is meant to take, but it's yours, so you can have it again."

She held the book to her chest. "It's okay, if I had been gone, I would have wanted to be remembered."

Family felt nice, Hope decided, and she wanted to indulge as much as she could.

The next morning, they had breakfast as a family, and Hope thought that food with family was the best thing ever. They were sadly interrupted by a worker walking into their home and passing Cellbit a book. The worker left and Cellbit read the contents.

"What does it say?" Richarlyson asked.

"I've been fired from the federation," Cellbit stated. "I probably could have guessed that would happen since I punched Cucurucho."

Silence flooded the room before Roier began to laugh. "Well, it's not like you needed the job anyways, more time for us." He leaned over to give his husband a kiss on the cheek.

Cellbit leaned into Roier's side. "True, I didn't need it, plus Hope is worth more than anything I could have ever gotten from the federation."

Hope smiled at her Papa's words. She was going to like it here, and she hoped her family would stay hers forever.

Chapter Text

Tallulah awoke, a bigger body by her side. She smiled fondly as she remembered how Chayanne had refused to sleep anywhere else other than her bed the night before. Phil had dropped him off at the castle, saying he wanted to be with his sister that night. Cellbit and Roier just laughed, and Chayanne joined her in her bed, trapping her in a protective cuddle. Even after the mess with Wilbur was solved, Chayanne was always scared someone would come try and take them away again.

Tallulah was happy with how her life was. There had been many ups and downs, but her life felt like it was going down a straight path again. She was adopted by her dad's who treated her like she was her own, and she struggled with who she thought her family was, then the lady of the night came and helped her, then the Wilbur situation happened and she finally chose her true family, and then little Hope came into their lives. There was also the newer addition of Chayanne coming back to being somewhat of a true sibling, the two of them had begged Abuelito to make Cellbit Chayanne's godfather so they could still be true family, and he accepted. Now Chayanne spent at least two days every week in the castle, today being one of them.

She felt movement at her side, and Chayanne had woken up. "Buenos dias Lulah," he spoke with a large smile.

"Buenos dias tambien Chayanne." As much as Tallulah had changed since her second adoption, she loved getting to spend the very first parts of her morning with Chayanne, and usually she'd have a bit of time, but today was special.

The door opened and suddenly two more small weights were on her bed. "Happy birthday!" Her siblings screamed.

Chayanne followed them by giving his own 'Happy Birthday.' Tallulah smiled. It was officially her first birthday since she's been adopted. Birthdays used to be someone she mourned over, as she counted it as more time she had been away from Wilbur, but she had her family, and she loved them and wanted to be happy on such a day when she got to be with them.

"Wanted to wish your sister a happy birthday before us?" Roier teased from the doorway, Cellbit right behind him.

"We were excited," Hope explained. Hope was extra excited, as this would be the first time she got to see a birthday in action.

"You can't blame us for loving our sister," Richarlyson complained.

Cellbit entered the room and shook his head. "I guess we can't." He kneeled down next to the bed and kissed Tallulah on the forehead. "Happy Birthday Lulah."

Roier leaned over from behind him. "Feliz cumpleaños, mi niña."

Tallulah giggled at her greetings for the day. Her two siblings were brought out and she and Chayanne were told to get dressed for the party that was taking place later. They quickly got dressed, with Chayanne helping her tie her scarf despite the fact she was able to do it fine on her own, and left towards the entrance where the rest of the family would be waiting.

When they got there, Phil was talking to her parents. "Abuelito!" She screamed as she ran into his arms. He happily picked her up and spun her around.

"Happy Birthday, excited for the day?" Tallulah nodded quickly. Phil moved her to keep her held above his hip and continued to speak to her parents. "Can't believe she's been yours this long, it feels like just yesterday that I was forging Will's signature for those adoption papers." Tallulah giggled at his words. That was always a part of her adoption story that she found hilarious.

"We can't believe it either, life goes by so quick, we tripled, no, quadrupled our child amount in just a year," Roier answered. Even if they said their family was little, it was growing quickly. It was easily the biggest in the server, even without Chayanne being Cellbit's godson.

"I like our family, I feel so loved," Tallulah gave her thoughts. Her words erupted several 'awe's.

Conversation happened for a little longer before more people started to arrive, and the party started. Her siblings were all there and she spent most of her time with them, but all the adults came and told her happy birthday as well, adding a present to the ever growing pile. There was delicious food made by Chayanne, as she loved his good more than anything and he understood her pickiness more than anything. It truly was the perfect birthday.

Eventually they gathered around to watch her open her presents. She got a flower book from Phil, a sword from Etoiles, some pretty jewellery from her parents, and many things in between. She loved every gift and she was so happy that she got to call the islanders her friends and family.

As the last present was unwrapped, Cellbit started an announcement. "Alright, time for cake-."

"Not yet." Everyone turned to see where the voice came from, and gasped when they saw Angel Rubius floating in the back. "I've yet to give her my present."

"You got her a present?" Roier asked. "That's very sweet, but why? You haven't shown up to any other birthdays."

Rubius floated towards the table and took out a small box. "I thought I'd start being a bigger part of this island, and I decided Tallulah's birthday was the best start, after all, if life had played out a little bit different, I would have been her abuelo." Tallulah couldn't hold in her laughter at the look Foolish gave the angel upon hearing his words. Rubius placed the gift down on the table. "Here you go, my favourite little granddaughter."

Tallulah undid the ribbon as she heard Foolish shout that she wasn't his granddaughter. She pulled the lid of the box off and reached in, pulling out a dark blue orb with gold bars surrounding it. She watched as the liquid inside moved, it looked like a galaxy. "What is it?" She asked with a tilt of her head.

"It's a very special magic item," Rubius started as he floated over to where she was to lean over her shoulder. "It stores magic up, and once a month, it allows you to travel travel new realms, you can even take a few people with you, you just have to feel what you want and they can be taken with you." He clasped his hands around her own. "Feel into your heart for what you want, and you will be taken to that world, but not now, not when you have a party to enjoy." He pulled away and went back in front of her. "Have a good birthday, I'll be seeing you soon to see how you enjoy that gift of yours." He was gone within seconds.

Hope joined her side and gently poked the orb. "That's really powerful," she stated.

"You sure it's okay for a kid to have that much power?" Phil brought up.

"She's a smart kid, mature enough as well," Cellbit started. "She'll be fine with this much power, and it's not like we'll never see her again, it can only be used monthly."

Tallulah was caught up in the orb. Power was now in her hands, magic she hadn't believed existed. She knew well magic existed, she'd warped, drank the potions, and seen the islanders do their own magic, but having magic in her hands, magic that let her access new realm, she didn't believe that sort of magic was real. She placed the orb back in the box, in would be easier to move on with the day if she wasn't holding onto it, and placed the box with all her other presents for her to go through later.

The party continued and they ate their cake, and eventually the house was vacated by everyone except the original five members of the family. They were going through Tallulah's presents, putting them in her room, when Richarlyson picked up the box containing the orb.

"It's so cool how you were given this, where are you going to go?" He asked.

Tallulah took his from his hands and lifted the lid off again, staring into the galaxy inside. "I don't know, Rubius said I'll go where my heart desires." The question was just what did her heart desire.

Cellbit collected the orb from the box and placed it on her bedside table. "You don't have to choose now, you're not running out of time, so think about it and you'll figure it out eventually."

Tallulah nodded and they put the rest of her stuff away before they all went to bed. That night Tallulah had a dream. Wilbur was there, and it felt normal, as if what had happened in the past was something they moved past. It had been months since she last saw him, so her dreams of him always felt off, but there was a part of her that felt like this was how it was supposed to be. She would never give up her parents, she made her choice, but it would be a lie if she said she didn't wonder what life would be like if she stayed with the family she was given. When she opened her eyes that morning, she knew what she wanted.

"I want to see a world where I wasn't adopted by you," she said as the family was eating breakfast.

Roier choked on his food and Cellbit had to slam on his back a few times to help him, but once the food was back going down the right hole, Cellbit spoke. "Why do you want to go there?" His voice was full of worry.

"I want to see how my life would have been, I love you, and I'm glad I made the choice I did, but that doesn't mean I'm not curious. Wilbur was my dad once, and I want to know how I would have turned out if he stayed my dad," she explained.

Her parents nodded slowly. "Well, if that's what you want, you just have to choose when you want to go, and who you're bringing," Roier stated.

Tallulah smiled. "I want to go after breakfast, and I want to bring all of you."

"I finally get to meet Wilbur?" Hope asked. With how much Wilbur had cemented himself into the history of their family, it was difficult to remember that Hope had never met the man before.

"Yes, but he will probably be different from the one from our universe," Cellbit explained. Their Wilbur was full of sad love, he had endless guilt when he left, and there were layers to him that Tallulah never got to see bloom.

Hope was okay with that, and they quickly finished their breakfast before heading up to Tallulah's room. She picked the orb from her bedside table, and the family sat around Tallulah.

"Rubius said to just search in your heart, so I'm sure you'll do it right," Cellbit encouraged.

Tallulah nodded and tried to pull her thoughts from her heart. For several moments it felt like she was getting nowhere, but as she continued to gaze into the orb, the galaxy pulled away, and she saw Abuelito's house. She gasped slightly but kept her thoughts on her heart. Particles filled the room and she focused harder, and eventually the galaxy jumped out and surrounded them, pulling them into the orb.

They were now on the wall, where the orb had showed them. Tallulah looked down at the orb, and noticed that it now showed her room. She looked up and saw her family getting up, so she followed. None of them could say a word before the heard the trapdoor to Chayanne's room opening.

A girl that loomed exactly like Tallulah pulled herself out, followed by a voice. "My princess, don't run off, there could be danger." She recognised the voice despite the months it had been since she had heard it, and as a familiar man pulled himself put after the girl, she knew they had made it. The other Tallulah, which the original decided she would call Lulah, stared at the people in front of her, and Wilbur stared in shock as well.

"What's going on?" Lulah asked, her voice quiet.

Cellbit was the first to speak. "This may be difficult to understand, but we're from a different universe." He carefully took the orb from Tallulah's hands. "This brought us here."

Wilbur took a few steps closer and examined the orb. "I think I've heard of these before, which means, you're telling the truth." Wilbur was slow with his words. Lulah walked up them, giving a quick glimpse at Tallulah before looking up at her dad.

"Does that mean we can trust them?" She asked.

"Yes, we can," he responded. Lulah looked back at Tallulah. Tallulah had expected more differences between them, but the scarf was really all she saw a difference in. "Come inside, I'm sure Phil would be interested in this." They listened to Wilbur and went inside, but Tallulah couldn't tear her eyes away from Lulah.

Chayanne's room wasn't any different from her universe's, Chayanne's bed now moved into the middle. Inside was Phil and Chayanne, who looked shocked at the multiple Tallulah's before they were shown the orb and explained to.

"I've got two nieces!" Chayanne was ecstatic at there being multiple Tallulahs and immediately took both of them into a hug.

"Technically you have a niece and a true sister, Gatinho is your godfather in our universe," Roier explained.

Chayanne tilted his head. "Why would that make Lulah my true sister again?"

Tallulah was interested in what he meant by again, but let Cellbit talk. "Well, the reason our universes are different, is because in our universe, Guapito and I adopted Tallulah."

Wilbur looked down at Tallulah. "But she still looks like me, if you had adopted her, she would look like you two."

Phil shook his bead at his son's words. "No, I think they mean they adopted her after you, like how I temporarily adopted Tallulah when she wanted a father while you were away." That explained why Chayanne said again.

Tallulah nodded. "Yeah, you were my dad once, but now Papa and Papi are my parents."

Wilbur nodded back. "So, I'm assuming I haven't come back home yet in your universe?"

Tallulah felt guilty. She made the choice she felt was right, but after seeing Wilbur after so many months, it was difficult to not feel like she had made a bad choice. Cellbit noticed her discomfort and stepped in. "Tallulah, why don't you go talk to your other self, we'll have our conversation here, alright?"

Tallulah nodded and looked at Lulah, who also nodded. They left the bunker and sat on the edge of the wall.

"Are you waiting for Papi to come back?" Lulah asked.

Tallulah shook her head. It was easier to speak to herself than Wilbur. "No, Wilbur left a long time ago, he made a lot of mistakes and I couldn't forgive him, I don't think he forgives himself either."

Lulah looked shocked. "You call Papi Wilbur?"

"Yes, Wilbur is no longer my Papi, he betrayed my trust, he kidnapped my siblings, I can't see him as a dad after that." Although sometimes she'd slip up and call him her dad, she'd always come to the same conclusion.

Lulah looked guilty this time. "Is it bad that I forgave him?"

Tallulah shook her head. "You made your decision for a reason, just like I did." Tallulah had to admit, she was curious. "But, why did you make your decision?"

"I waited for so long, and even when Papi messed up, all he wanted was to be by my side." Lulah had a much happier view of everything than Tallulah did. "So when he woke me up one night crying, saying he was sorry for everything and explained what he did to me, I forgave him, not instantly, but I didn't move back into Abuelito's like I thought I would. I learned that love is difficult while he was away, but sometimes accepting what you're given is what makes love special." She turned to Tallulah. "Why did you make your choice?"

"I waited for so long, and other people were willing to give me the love I needed, even if he wanted to be that person." It was interesting to see how their lives were different. "I only moved back in with him because Papa thought he was up to something, and he was, and when I followed him to that base and saw what he was doing, I couldn't forgive him, he wasn't the dad I missed. Wilbur apologised but the damage was done, he left the next day. That was the day I realised that love is difficult, and sometimes you have to give it up, even if it hurts."

Lulah nodded, letting them fall into silence. Tallulah hadn't expected it to be so strange to be in this world. She had expected to be able to talk to Wilbur for a few hours before going home and never thinking about what could have been again, but it made her realise how crucial that one conversation had been to her. Almost a year ago, when she talked to Cellbit about her fears, she changed her life forever. If she hadn't had that talk, she'd be here, with Wilbur, still seeing him as a dad.

Lulah looked over at her again. "Do you ever regret your decision?"

The question came from nowhere, but Tallulah answered instantly. "Sometimes, but I like the decision I made, maybe if I could go back in time, I'd make it so Wilbur didn't leave the island, I can never see him as a dad again, but maybe one day I could have grown to see him as an uncle." Tallulah blinked away tears. "Sometimes I just really miss him."

Lulah moved closer to her and wrapped her arms around Tallulah, who hugged back. "Everything will be okay, I'm sure that day wouldn't be the last you saw of him, maybe if you can ever get off the island you can be by his side again, even if it's just as a friend of his brother."

"How are you so positive and happy, I feel like I've made every mistake some days." Tears were soaking into Lulah's sweater.

"I made the choice to be positive and happy, it was a difficult choice, and it was one that was hidden, but I made it, and you can make it to."

Tallulah pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Really? You think I can choose to be happy?"

Lulah nodded. "You've made harder choices, letting go like you did when you knew someone was hurting you was a hard choice, so you can choose to be happy."

Tallulah smiled. "Yeah, you're right, I'll try and choose happiness, it may take a while, but I can do it."

The two girls decided to go back down into the bunker and see what their families were talking about.

"So, you found her a few months ago?" Phil asked, referring to Hope.

"Yep, she's been part of our family ever since, it really is growing," Roier spoke.

"I'm glad Tallulah gets to have a family like you in your universe, she only deserves the best." The words Wilbur spoke made Tallulah want to cry again, but she promised she'd choose happiness.

"We're back," Tallulah stated.

Cellbit smiled at the two. "Come over here, we were sharing stories, we have some time before we have to leave, so you can join." The two girls sat down and they helped share stories of the two families.

A few hours passed, and eventually it was time for them to go home. The other family went outside to wish them off. Tallulah held the orb, watching her room inside it. They had to go home, but she had to say something to Lulah first. She stepped closer to the other girl and leaned in close before whispering, "Please tell Wilbur I love him." Lulah looked shocked, but nodded. Tallulah smiled at her before returning to her spot.

She thought about home, and how she wanted to be there, and the particles started up again before the galaxy surrounded them again and took them home.

When they were home, they were exhausted, so they decided to go to bed. As Roier and Cellbit were tucking Tallulah into bed, she spoke. "I'm gonna make a lot of choices from now on."

Roier tilted his head and smiled. "You are? What kind of choices?"

"Choices that will make me happy," she stated. "I've already seen that I'm not going to be given the options that make me the most happy, I've made all those choices, and they've been hard, I chose my family even when it hurt, so I'm going to keep making those choices, because I know that the hard choices will make me happy."

Cellbit gave her a kiss on the forehead. "You're such a mature little girl, where did this all come from?"

Tallulah thought for a second before answering. "My heart."

Roier also leaned in to kiss her forehead. "We love you, Tallulah."

Tallulah smiled and closed her eyes. "I love you too, Papas."

They left her room and she fell asleep, dreaming about her family and how far it's come. How far she's come.

Lulah was being tucked into bed by Wilbur when she spoke. "Tallulah wanted me to tell you that she loved you."

Wilbur was shocked at the words. Cellbit had told him the story their Tallulah had with their Wilbur, so hearing it was strange. Still, he calmed himself down and answered. "I love her too, even if she made a choice that hurt me, it helped her, and I love you too, because you helped both of us."

Choices were always being made by Tallulah, sometimes she was hurt, sometimes others were hurt, but they were the choices she made it they were the ones that turned her into who she was, and the ones that would continue to change her, and if she was being entirely honest, she liked that she was changing her world because of what felt like simple choices.

Chapter Text

Despite the way Foolish towered over every other member and had muscles that made almost anyone jealous, he was an omega. And it's not like he was ashamed of it, no, he would say he was the proudest omega out there. He was especially happy to be an omega when he met Vegetta, an alpha who was keen on pampering and spoiling him like it was his job, and when their kid Leo came into the picture, he did the same for her. Foolish thought he had found the perfect life with Vegetta, even if the alpha became uncomfortable at the aspect of being mates, he would wait for Vegetta.

And he did a lot of waiting. When Vegetta disappeared without a trace one day, he waited, because he was loyal, because despite his neck bearing his boyfriend's mark, he saw him as his mate. Leo helped through that waiting for a while, she made it easy. There were so many days where Foolish would stop everything and just pick her up, holding her and sticking his nose into her scent gland. A mix of Foolish's cinnamon and Vegetta's pine, the subtle scents that weren't her own of someone who had yet to reach the age of presenting. Leo hated when people tried to get a better idea of that subtle scent, but she allowed Foolish to everytime.

When Leo also went missing, Foolish broke. He put on his mask and pretended to be happy, but any alpha or omega could tell how his scent turned as sour as his emotions. The island became hell for any alpha or omega for those first months, pain tainted the island like it never had before, and the islanders went through change. They found happiness in others when they normally would find it in their family, and little by little, when hope was lost of the kids' return, the island regained its happy scents.

Foolish tried to do so himself, over the past year while Leo had been gone, he found himself falling onto Bad for his social needs. He first felt like a cheater for relying on Bad like he was. Relying on your child for help during a hard time while your partner was away was relatively normal, especially when most of that was about searching for a scent, but relying on someone who wasn't family, and was also an alpha, it made Foolish feel like he was cheating on Vegetta.

But he had to remind himself that Bad was simply his best friend, that he had known Bad for far longer than he had known Vegetta. It honestly felt kind of pathetic. He had been in Vegetta's life for a few months, but the alpha had been gone for almost 20 months. Was Vegetta expecting Foolish to move on? Possibly, but Foolish loved him, so he would wait. Bad would just keep him company in the mean time. Platonic company.

It would all be fine, Foolish likes Bad's company, he knew Foolish and how to make him happy. He knew Foolish loved gifts, and over the year he relied on the alpha, he was given many. Blankets and clothing and little trinkets, weapons and armour and a few magic items, Foolish learned to treasure them all. He loved every gift even if it meant that as he shyly added a few of the blankets and clothes to his nest it made it smell a whole lot more like charcoal, and a whole lot less like pine. He'd find some way to make it smell like pine again before Vegetta came back, it had just started to dull too much and he needed a familiar smell to keep him calm at night. And to make heats better.

Speaking of heats, Roier had just come out of one of his own, and as a good father Foolish invited him over for dinner so he wouldn't have to be stuck in a hormone filled house for too much longer. Foolish loved Roier deeply, but with Roier's late adoption, it was difficult to find the comfort he had found in Leo, but then again, while an alpha was usually easier to rely on, there was a comfort in spending time with another omega that Foolish never wanted to give up.

"How have you been holding up? Leo's been gone for a while, Pa's been gone for longer, you've really been going through it," Roier asked as he stabbed a potato with his fork.

Foolish wanted to brush past it, say he was fine, but the familiar smell of peach made him lose the mask he had worn over the past year. "Not very good, I know people are starting to think the kids aren't out there anymore, but I want to think that Leo's strong enough to have survived this long."

Roier hummed before properly responding. "I hope Richarlyson is out there as well, but sometimes I just have to accept that he may never come back, I did it for Bobby, I can slowly do it for Richarlyson." Roier was silent for a few moments before placing his fork down. "You know, me and Gatinho have been thinking of having another kid."

The words shocked Foolish. "But isn't Cellbit a beta?"

Roier nodded. "We're planning on finding an alpha to surrogate, but that's not the important part, not why I brought it up, have you thought of maybe having another kid? You love being a dad, you were amazing to Leo, you are amazing to me, so maybe another kid could help you find that happiness again."

It was true that while on the island Foolish had realised that being a dad was something he loved, now wasn't the time to have another kid. "Vegetta has been gone for ages, how would I make another kid?" His heat was in another few weeks, but that meant nothing if Vegetta wasn't by his side.

"But Bad's here, you can always have a kid with him," Roier suggested as though it was normal.

"What!?" Foolish couldn't help but yell. What kind of suggestion was that?

"I know you're a bit caught up on Pa, but don't you think a new relationship could also help? I miss Pa as well, but I think it's time you move on, Bad is here for you, he loves you, and I think he'd be a good mate for you." Foolish didn't know where he went wrong in lice to have his son try and set him up with a mate.

"Hey, no, Bad is my friend, he loves annoying me more than he could love me, so let me tell you, there is no romance between us, I am a loyal boyfriend either way." Foolish had placed his own cutlery down and crossed his arms over his chest.

Roier tilted his head. "What do you mean there's no romance? Bad's been courting you for almost a year now."

Foolish became flustered at the fellow omega's words. "Don't be stupid, I don't think Bad even knows how to court." Except now that he thinks about it, all the gifts did feel like normal courting gifts.

Roier shook his head at his dad. "I know he's been courting you, he asked me himself if he could, I said no at first, but he kept talking about how well he'd treat you, and eventually I said yes, I thought he could be good for you." Foolish's brain paused. Bad had been courting him this whole time? He thought Bad had been relying on him because he needed someone to distract him from Dapper, but had he just been using the situation to date Foolish? Roier saw how Foolish had reacted and spoke again. "Bad really loves you, and even if you reject him, I'm sure he'd still want to be by your side as your friend."

"Can we just drop this subject?" Foolish didn't want to think about Bad's feelings any longer when this was supposed to be a nice father-son day. Roier nodded and picked up his fork again. Luckily, the air cleared and they were able to have a happy rest of the day.

Foolish saw Bad early the next morning, and he didn't know how to feel. Bad smiled at him as he always had, even before he started courting him. How long had the alpha had feelings for him? Was it during the time Vegetta was around? Possibly before? How had Foolish been so blind to it all.

"What are your plans for the day?" Bad asked.

"I'm just planning to work on the statue." After far too long, he had finished the titan, and now he was finally ready to start his next giant project.

"I'll come visit you later."

"Okay, you can do that." He hoped Bad wouldn't realise how uncomfortable he felt.

Foolish spent his day working on the statue, and as Bad said, he did drop by. It didn't bring the same comfort as him visiting had done so the past year, now Foolish just felt like he had to acknowledge that he had been courting him. When he gave him yet another blanket, while Foolish did accept, he quickly made an excuse about how he had a lot of motivation at the moment and he had to use it before it disappeared. Bad was upset at being shooed away, but after not much arguing, he left.

When Foolish retreated to his nest at the end of the day, he pulled out one of Vegetta's cloaks and one of Leo's dresses, holding them to his nose. The scents were so faint now, but when every other part of his nest was tainted by the smell of charcoal, he would take what he could get.

The next few weeks flew by, and Foolish still didn't know how to feel. He would wake up every morning and just think about how his best friend had been courting him and he had no idea. How do you move on from that? He knew he could reject him, but that would mean letting Bad know that he knew he was courting him. If only Vegetta was here, he'd put a stop to the courting immediately. Or maybe even Leo, if she had known, she would have stormed up to Bad and ripped him a new one for thinking he could tear apart her family. He pushed the thoughts of his family away, thinking about them when be was already so stressed would just make everyone worse.

Bad didn't make anything easier, he still showed daily to talk to Foolish as he built his statue, and the gifts remained daily. It reminded him a lot of how Vegetta had been back before they became boyfriends. The realisation didn't help Foolish feel any better.

Foolish had gotten so caught up in worrying about Bad's feelings that he had forgotten about his approaching heat, so when his body began to heat up and an uncomfortable heat spread through his lower regions, he hated himself for not getting anything ready. He was used to going through his heats alone, but he was always able to get ready beforehand to make sure he'd have enough food and water to last through it, but now it had started and he didn't have anything ready. He needed someone to help him, not entirely, as he was loyal to Vegetta, but someone who could just make sure Foolish wouldn't die during it.

Foolish warped home and pulled out his comm to ask someone to come over and take care of him during his heat. There were many options he could choose that would have no chance of going anywhere. There were asexuals, there were people who weren't interested in men or omegas, there was his son. Yet Foolish still opened up Bad's contact.

Foolish: hslsp I ned fodds snd etszs snf xonapa, en heert

His heat had decided to already begin messing with his head, he could barely think, let alone type. Still, Bad was over immediately. Bad hadn't been able to tell what was going on from the message, but taking in Foolish's flushed appearance paired with the scent of cinnamon that flooded the room, he knew immediately.

"Foolish! You can't invite me over during your heat! You'll give me the wrong impression." Bad's face was absolutely flushed at scent surrounding him.

"I told you I needed help." Foolish's words were slurred. As Bad's eyes widened and he gasped, he fixed his wording. "I forgot to prepare, so I need someone who can keep me alive, please."

Bad stared at him for several moments before speaking. "Are you sure I'm the one you should ask? What if I muck up and do something we both regret?" Bad was in a much clearer mindset than Foolish, as he was able to discern the issues with inviting an alpha over in heat much easier than Foolish.

"I trust you, I want you here, and I know you won't do anything I don't want." No matter how much his heat brain would want Bad, he didn't. And Bad could respect that.

Bad was silent yet again for a few moments before sighing. "Alright, I'll stay, I'll help you."

As Bad said those words, Foolish's heat hit full force, and despite how Foolish had felt these past few weeks, he was happy Bad was by his side.

Over the next week, Bad was a big help. He constantly made sure Foolish was eating and drinking, and when Foolish delved a bit too deep into heat and tried to get more help, Bad rejected his advances everytime. Foolish was honestly impressed at how he managed to do it, if the roles had been swapped, he's not sure he'd be able to, and he was the one with the boyfriend.

When Foolish woke up and felt his heat was gone, he was immediately hit with the shame of the several times he asked Bad for sex. He got up and looked over at Bad who was awake already.

"Um, thanks for that, I didn't die." Foolish wasn't sure how this was supposed to go now.

"Oh, yeah, you're welcome." Bad was equally uncomfortable. They sat in silence for several moments before Bad stood up. "I'll be going now, I'll see you later."

"Yeah, sure, later." Bad warped away and Foolish collapsed back into his best, only slightly annoyed at the feeling of his slick sticking to his limbs. Why did everything have to be awkward? Why couldn't they just go back to how things were before Foolish learned about how Bad had been courting him.

He reached up to touch his neck, something he had seen several islanders do when they were stressed and alone. It didn't help, those islanders had mates, and they were reminding themselves that they would always have their mates. Foolish was just alone, and sure, he had a boyfriend, but that boyfriend had been gone for a year, and he wasn't sure Vegetta would ever actually cross the line into being mates even if he ever came back.

As he caressed his neck, an image of Bad biting down into his neck and marking him as his mate flashed across his mind, causing him to gasp. He immediately pulled his hand away. Maybe inviting Bad over was a bad idea.

Their relationship changed since Foolish's heat, it became awkward and shy. Bad still gave him his gifts, but their playful arguing stopped. Neither of them brought up the heat they spent together, even if nothing had happened like most would assume with an alpha and omega staying together during a heat, everything else seemed to happen between them. There was no going back to what they once were, and Foolish feared it, half because he wanted to go back, but there was also this small part of him that wanted to go to where this strange year had been taking them, and he feared that part of him.

"Are you okay? You've been really off these past few weeks, more than usual." Leave it to Jaiden to figure him out.

"Im good, there's just a lot going on with me and Bad right now." Foolish saw no reason in lying.

"Roier told me he told you about Bad courting you, is this about that?" Foolish forgot that Jaiden was practically part of the family, and any conversation that tended to involve both Roier and Foolish was almost always immediately told to her by one of the parties.

"Kinda, I was really distracted by that fact, and I forgot to get ready for my heat, and I ended up asking for him to make sure I didn't die during it, and now everything this awkward between us."

Jaiden hummed in response. "Did anything weird happen during your heat that made it change?" Jaiden had taken care of Roier platonically during his heats while they still lived together, so she knew that just being around someone in hear wasn't enough to change what was between them, especially since Bad and Foolish had known eachother for so long.

"I asked him for sex a few times, but that was it, that's normal, so I don't know why everything's awkward for him." Foolish just wanted an answer to his question.

"For him?" Jaiden asked. "You know why it's awkward for you?"

Foolish wished he'd kept his mouth shut. But then again, he trusted Jaiden. "I feel like I'm going to make a mistake and become more than friends with Bad, and I don't want that, I love Vegetta, and I don't want to cheat on him." He didn't even know if Vegetta still considered him his boyfriend, but Foolish did.

"Are you sure Vegetta will ever come back?" Jaiden asked the question many had before.

"I don't know," Foolish responded. "I hope he will, but that doesn't change the fact I don't know."

"Maybe it's time you just consider yourself single, I've gotten to know you so well over this past year, and I know you're full of love, you show it so much, to your friends, your children, and I think you need someone who will be here for you to show it to romantically." He had heard people say that he needed to just accept that Vegetta wasn't coming back, but Jaiden saying it felt far too agreeable.

"I want to wait, because my love isn't just about showing it, it's feeling it." He wasn't entirely sure if he even believed his own words, he did want to show it, he wanted to show it so badly, and it hurt that he couldn't.

Jaiden sighed. "I just think that Bad could be could for you, you deserve someone who's there for you." They dropped the topic afterwards, but Foolish let her words twirl through his mind.

When Foolish's next heat came around, Foolish struggled to get motivation to get read for it. His mind played back to his precious heat everytime, and he found himself admitting that he liked being taken care of by Bad. He still never admitted to the way his thoughts would go deeper into the idea of Bad truly helping him through his heat.

"Your heat's in a few days, right?" They had somewhat fixed their relationship over the past months, and it wasn't as awkward anymore. There was still the lingering feeling that everything was about to change though.

"Yeah, three days." Foolish was trying to figure out if blue or purple looked best for the project.

"Do you need someone there with you again, platonically?" Bad was careful with his words.

Foolish tensed. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I just thought it would be easier if I stayed with you again." Bad was struggling to look the omega in his eyes.

"I," Foolish hesitated. He hadn't really gotten anything done, it would be stupid to go through heat alone, but did he really want to risk changing what they had even more? "Okay, yeah, I'd like that." He made his decision, even if it felt stupid. Some part of him wanted the change it was bound to bring, and it silenced the part of him that begged for him to stay loyal.

Bad smiled. "I'll be over in three days then." Somehow that cleared up what they had even more, and they argued playfully again. This continued for the days leading up to Foolish's heat, and then Foolish realised the mistake he made the day of. He wanted to call it off, but at that point it was too late, and he was deep in heat again.

Bad was once again sweet during his heat, taking care of him and refusing Foolish whenever he tried to make their agreement sexual. Foolish felt annoyed, but not because of the sex, but because Bad was staying as far as he could while still being able to take care of Foolish. He wanted him closer, not even just for sex, he wanted his alpha by his side.

"Come closer," he murmured.

"I'm not touching you," Bad reminded him.

"You don't need to touch me, I just want you near me." Did his alpha not care for him?

Bad hesitated before stepping closer, moving his chair to the edge of Foolish's nest. Foolish took a deep breath. Bad's charcoal scent filled his nostrils, it was all around him and sank into his nest due to the cloth that had been piling on top the other scents during the past year, but smelling the scent from the source was better than smelling it from a blanket that shared his own scent. "Are you happy now?"

"Very." Bad and Foolish continued on with waiting out Foolish's heat together, and Foolish almost regretted asking Bad to join his side. His head was even more hazy than usual, but he couldn't entirely say it was the heat talking. Heat begged for pleasure, but Foolish's brain was entirely focused on what it would be like if Foolish got up and leaned over to kiss his alpha. He didn't care what happened next, his greatest desire at the moment was simply to kiss his best friend.

Foolish was confused as to how these images were stronger than his heat, as images of need became soft and romantic, and suddenly he just wanted to hold Bad gently. He used up a lot of energy from creating sweat and slick and doing other unsavoury things, but he pushed himself up and kneeled in the nest, not caring about how sticky his knees became.

"Foolish?" Bad questioned. "Lay down, you don't have enough energy to leave your nest."

"I don't want to leave my nest," Foolish answered. "I just need enough energy to do this." Before Bad could ask what was going on, Foolish leaned over the edge of the nest and connected their lips.

Bad relaxed for a split second and almost kissed back but realised what was happening and pushed Foolish away. Foolish was confused and let out a, "What?"

Bad covered his mouth and spoke. "Lay back down, you're not thinking clearly."

Foolish was upset. "I am thinking clearly," he said despite the mumble in his voice showing he wasn't.

"You're not, you kissed me, so lay down." Bad didn't look at Foolish as he spoke.

"I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you, what's wrong with that?"

"Please," Bad was practically begging. "Just lay down, you'll regret this once your heat is over."

Foolish wanted to fight, but another wave of heat hit him and he was forced to lay down. "I won't," he managed to mutter.

Turns out Bad was right, and as soon as his heat had cleared he was given memories of how he kissed Bad. He pulled himself up and saw Bad standing up. "Bad, I-," he went to apologise.

"Good to see your heat is over, I'll see you soon, maybe." He warped away seconds later, leaving Foolish guilty and alone.

Foolish felt everything crash down around him. Not only had he kissed his best friend, but he had gone and cheated on Vegetta. He slumped over the edge of his nest. Now he wasn't just missing family, but he had likely ruined his friendship with his best friend. He always knew trying to be more than friends would hurt him, but he thought it would only be because he promised to be loyal to Vegetta, not because it would mean he would become less than friends with Bad. Foolish couldn't help the tears that ran down his face. Despite his heat being done, he stayed in his nest for hours more, just crying at how much he fucked everything up.

"Bad told me your heat was over, why are you still curled up in your nest?" Foolish heard a voice after his tears had ran out.

"Leave me alone," he demanded.

"Guapito would kill me if I left you alone like this, you need help." He begrudgingly looked up at Cellbit.

"No, I don't." He deserved to just rot here in his misery for being a shitty friend and a shitty boyfriend.

"I'm not leaving either way, so either you tell me what's wrong or we have an awkward day." Cellbit pulled out a blanket and threw it over Foolish, likely to deal with the problem of Foolish being nude. The sweet peach of Roier's scent and the more subtle coffee of Cellbit's scent calmed him. Maybe staying surrounded by the scent of one of the alphas you messed up with wasn't the best idea. Cellbit took a seat in the place Bad had been sitting during Foolish's heat. "So, are you going to tell me what your problem is?"

Being talked to like this by his son in law was a bit humiliating, but he gave in and told Cellbit what was wrong. "I kissed Bad."

Cellbit's eyes widened, but he managed to stay collected. "And how is that a bad thing?"

Foolish almost glared at the beta. How was kissing someone when you were in a relationship not a bad thing? "I have a boyfriend, and that boyfriend isn't Bad."

Cellbit sighed and looked at Foolish with pity. "Foolish, it's been almost two years since you've last seen Vegetta, have you ever considered that maybe you deserve to have someone by your side?"

"Vegetta is by my side, just not literally." Although he can't deny that having someone physically there would be nice. He did miss the physical side of relationships. And the talking side. Holy shit he hadn't talked to his boyfriend in almost 2 years.

Cellbit sighed again. "You know that's not what I meant, I know you love Vegetta, but everyone on this island knows that you also love Bad, you wouldn't have let the courting go on for so long if you didn't."

"I didn't want to end up less than friends." It had already happened despite how hard he tried, his stupid heat brain made sure of that. Even if when he kissed Bad, he felt the least in heat out of the whole week.

"Bad wouldn't have thrown away your friendship if you said no, and we both know that, so why do you keep lying to yourself?" Cellbit kept pushing.

Foolish was silent for several minutes. He really did need to think about what he wanted. Was he lying to himself? Or did everyone just have the wrong idea? He looked back on his friendship with Bad, and how he was with him through everything. His issues before the island, him getting together with Mariana, him breaking up with Mariana, the stress of being trapped on an island, Leo being adopted, Foolish getting together with Vegetta, and all the struggles that came after that. He stayed by his side in everything and even when the argued, Bad was a constant he never wanted to lose. He thought that it was just because he was his best friend, but not he thought that maybe there was more. He looked past the moments they got too close, the moments when their secondary genders pushed through, the way they began to look at eachother over these past two years. He ignored the way he had began to fall for his best friend.

Cellbit was still waiting for a response, so he did so. "I didn't realise I was lying to myself, I was so caught up in wanting to be loyal to Vegetta that I didn't realise that I didn't really want Vegetta anymore."

Cellbit smiled at his father in law. "Doesn't that feel better?"

Foolish thought for a few moments before letting out a, "Yes."

"No one's going to judge you if you stop being loyal to Vegetta now, we thought it would happen long ago," Cellbit explained.

Foolish sighed. "It doesn't matter if no one would judge, I scared Bad away, he left before I could even apologize."

"Then go find him," Cellbit suggested. "Nothing will work itself out if you don't make it work."

The idea hadn't even hit Foolish before Cellbit suggested it. "You're right," he almost yelled as he scrambled up onto his knees. "I have to go fix it!" Foolish flung himself out of bed and cleaned himself up so he wouldn't be smelling like heat when he talked to Bad. When he entered back into his room, Cellbit was gone. That was fine, he didn't need anymore advice.

He found Bad on the map and warped close by, practically running to where the map Saif Bad was. Bad was alone, so he didn't have to worry about that. "Bad!" He yelled as he got closer. When Bad turned around, Foolish was in front of him.

"Foolish!" Bad looked uncomfortable, almost scared. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to apologise to you." There was so much more Foolish wanted to say, but baby steps were important.

Bad looked at Foolish guiltily. "You don't have to apologise for anything, I'm the one that messed up."

Foolish tilted his head. "How are you the one that messed up?"

Bad looked away. "I let you kiss me while you were in heat, the deal was that I help you with food and water, you trusted me not to touch you."

"Bad," Foolish placed a hand on Bad's shoulder, making him flinch slightly. "I didn't warn you at all, I'm the one that kissed you and made you uncomfortable, and I'm sorry for that."

Bad slowly looked towards Foolish again, and he looked more guilty than ever. "I didn't feel uncomfortable, I wanted to kiss you."

Foolish blushed at his words. Despite how Bad had flirted with him before, him shyly admitting he wanted to kiss Foolish made him flustered. "Well, if you want, you can kiss me whenever you want."

Bad's eyes widened and he looked scared, which in turn scared Foolish. "But what about Vegetta?"

Oh right, boyfriend. "I've finally realised that Vegetta isn't coming back, and even if he did, I don't think my relationship with him could ever give me what I want."

Bad tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"

"Vegetta was amazing, but he had his own problems he should have dealt with, I want a mate, but he was the type to only want to become mates after marriage, which I was fine with, except he didn't want to get married, I thought maybe one day, but these past two years made me realise that what I wanted wasn't as compatible with what he wanted as I thought, and now I'm ready to chase what I do what, which is," Foolish hesitated for a second and grabbed Bad's hands. "You."

Bad became flustered. "You want me?"

Foolish nodded. "More than anything, and I'm sorry it took so long to realise that."

"So, does this mean you accept my courting?" Bad was kinda cute when he was acting shy, Foolish would never let him live this down.

"Yes." Bad didn't need another word, and threw his arms around Foolish's neck, pulling him down into a kiss. Kissing when you weren't in heat brain was so much better.

Bad and Foolish became boyfriends after that, and the island gave them their support. Roier often teased Bad about how despite how much he used to flirt with the alpha, it was nice he'd become his step dad one day. Bad would complain and Foolish would laugh at what his family had become. Going from being friends to lovers was strange, but they found their way through the situation the trial and error, and they could both agree that being boyfriends was exactly how they were supposed to be.

Their relationship had been the talk of the island for a while, but as things usually went on the island, more news came quickly. Roier announced his pregnancy, Bagi and Tina finally became mates, the federation was up to more shit than usual. Island life sped by quickly, and important things continued to happen.

It was almost three months after they got together, which meant Foolish's heat was sneaking up again. "Can I help with your heat again?" Bad asked yet again. He was more confident in his words than the previous time.

"Of course, I want you with me for every heat from now on." Bad smiled at Foolish's response. "There's just one little thing," Foolish added.

Bad's face twisted in worry. "What is it?"

"I'd like you to properly help me through it this time." Foolish patiently waited for Bad's response. It had taken a lot of courage to ask Bad.

Bad's eyes widened. "You really want that?" He asked, still in disbelief.

Foolish nodded. "I trust you more than anyone."

Bad smiled and leaned in to kiss Foolish. "I'd be happy to." Bad pulled away slightly and looked away. "I just thought that maybe you'd rather wait until we were mates before you wanted to spend a heat together."

"Well, if you want to, we can become mates, I'm ready whenever you decide you're ready." The words were embarrassing, but Foolish truly wanted to be Bad's mate.

Bad gasped at his words. "You want to become mates already?"

Foolish smiled at his boyfriend. "I think we've waiting long enough, you did court me for quite some time."

"I just want to make sure you're absolutely sure about this, this isn't something we can go back on." Bad took the role of responsibility.

Foolish gently held Bad's face. "I'm more than ready." He leaned in to give Bad another kiss. Kissing Bad was something he had no idea he'd love so much, and now he was addicted to the act.

Bad nodded once they pulled away. "If it's really what you want, I'll be your mate."

Foolish sat in a more comfortable position, and Bad leaned over, placing his mouth atop the scent gland. "Absolutely sure?" Bad asked one last time.

"Absolutely." Bad's fangs dug into Foolish's skin and he hissed. Bad pulled away and bared his own neck to Foolish, who leaned in and also bit. Blood leaked down from their necks, but the sensation that flooded through them as their biologys considered them one was worth it.

Bad leaned in for another kiss, whispering, "My mate," against Foolish's lips. Foolish smiled into the kiss. The words were perfect. Bad was his mate, and he was Bad's, exactly how everything should have been.

When Foolish's heat came around, they spent it together exactly how they wanted to, and they came out of it feeling like everything would be perfect. Of course, they made a mistake or two, and when Foolish fell pregnant, they did worry a bit, but they decided that they were both ready to be fathers again. Roier teased them both, but was ready to have another little sibling, and nine months later their son Silly was brought into the world.

Foolish never expected a heat to end up having such an interesting story attached, but with his new family by his side, he's happy that everything turned out the way it did, and while he would make some changes, like having Leo (and Dapper) by his side again, and maybe getting to give Vegetta a proper break up, he took the happiness he was given.

Chapter Text

The kids had gone to bed, and Missa had begun to eat. Phil liked Missa looking healthy, as since Phil had started to get his meals, he had finally begun to eat enough to not be in constant hunger. He doesn't know how Missa went on without eating properly for so long, but that was something in the past now. Missa was eating and Phil would do anything to make sure he would continue eating, even if it meant offering up his own blood. Hopefully it wouldn't need to happen anytime soon, as Missa was still very adamant on not drinking human blood, but if it was a last resort option, if Phil willingly gave up his blood, then he would.

It was somewhat strange to see the Missa that was a creature of the night, while everyone else only knew of the Missa that hid his fangs behind a mask. He couldn't forget he was a vampire in any action now. He's painfully aware in how he has to use sunscreen on even the cloudiest days, of how he doesn't eat unless others are, of how he goes perfectly still at the words of others when they speak of how the vampire that tainted their island had to be hiding. Missa was hiding in plain sight, but Phil was always able to see.

Missa placed the corpse back in the box and cleaned up the blood dripping from his mouth. "It feels so strange to be full after so long," he brought up.

"You'll get used to it eventually, I don't plan to let you starve anytime soon." Phil sat inside their nest, waiting for Missa to join his side.

"Believe me, I don't want to either," he spoke with a laugh. He hopped into the nest and sat beside Phil, but didn't get under a blanket. Something was off.

"Something up?" Phil asked, placing a hand on Missa's thigh worryingly.

Missa hesitated for a few seconds before quietly asking, "Do you think we should tell the kids?" The kids had yet to be told. Knowing something they had began to dream was actually their father who they had let into their room many times was something that seemed far too daunting, so they decided not to until they were more sure.

"Do you want to?" Phil asked.

Missa nodded. "I do, I always do, I just don't know if it's a good idea, I mean, wouldn't they be terrified of me?" Missa's voice was full of his own fear. Phil could tell how much the idea of their kids fearing him scared him.

"Maybe, but they love you, and since I've learnt you are a vampire, I've been watching them, and I don't think they'd turn you away because you're the vampire." Phil took Missa into a hug, placing a kiss on his forehead. Missa cuddled into Phil's side, the warmth of his blood feeling nice against his cool skin. While he could somewhat change his body temperature to make it easier to pretend to be human, it took a lot of energy, so he let his body run cool whenever he could.

"You really think so?" His voice was hopeful.

"Chayanne and Tallulah love you, it would take a lot to stop that, they may be scared for a bit, but they'll come back around sooner than you'd think." Phil played with Missa's hair while he thought.

"I'm going to tell them tomorrow, I think I'm ready," Missa stated after a few moments of silence.

"I'll be by your side while it happens, you'll always have me." Missa smiled up at him before leaning in to kiss him. He moved so they could go to sleep now that they were decided. Phil laid down and pulled the blanket up to his hips, and Missa laid on top of him, his head on his chest. In a puff of smoke, Missa was now a bat, comfortable on his chest. When Missa first turned into a bat around him, it was quite the shock, but his husband was the cutest little bat around, so he warmed up quickly. Phil pulled the blanket up more, and they fell asleep like that.

When they woke up, Phil got up and held Missa in his hands a little while he woke up. Holding Missa like this had become something he enjoyed, and after the first few times, Missa no longer woke up scared at the movement. He moved in his hands and looked up at him. "Morning Missa," Phil said with a smile.

Missa jumped back in his hands and returned as humanoid as the puff of smoke disappeared. "Buenos dias Philza." He leaned in for another kiss.

"Ready to tell the kids? I know we talked about it last night, but if you're not ready, I won't judge." Phil just wanted Missa to be the most comfortable.

Missa nodded and gave a confident smile, his fangs sticking slightly into his bottom lip. "I'm more than ready, I know this is what I want."

Phil took his husband into a hug. "Alright then, put your mask on and we'll go down." Missa did just that and they went to wake up their kids, but they woke up early that day and were attempting to put Tallulah's clothes on Chayanne, despite the fact he was much bigger than her.

"Don't do that, you'll rip her clothes," Phil said as he picked Chayanne up and stopped him from trying to put her shirt over his head.

"I wasn't going to," Chayanne complained but went and put on his own shirt while Phil passed Tallulah's back to her.

"I'm sure you weren't," Missa spoke. "But dress in your own clothes, I have something very important I have to tell you."

The kids perked up at the words. "Are we getting a new sibling?" Tallulah asked.

The two laughed and shook their heads. "Not that kind of news, it's more important, and it only has to do with Missa," Phil explained.

The two kids looked at eachother and nodded, getting dressed as quick as they could. When they were done, they sat on their beds and awaited the news.

"I'm not quite sure how to start this, but remember how you have to be inside more because of the vampire?" Missa started.

Tallulah nodded her head quickly. "Yes, it's really scary, I don't want to die." The response was a sad one, but they pushed forward.

"Well, there are some things about that vampire that we haven't been telling you," Missa continued. Missa was doing a fine job so far, but if he went in a direction that scared the kids too much, Phil was ready to handle the situation.

Chayanne fisted the blanket, scared as well. "Has it killed someone?" He whispered, as if the words themself could make it true. Tallulah squeaked at his question.

Missa shook his head. "No, no one's dead, and no one will be at the hands of the vampire."

"But how do you know? Everyone is scared." Tallulah wasn't believing him, and likely wouldn't believe him until he dropped the full truth.

"Because I know the vampire wouldn't want to hurt you, or any of the islanders," Missa explained.

"How can you know?" Chayanne asked.

"Because," Missa hesitated with his words, but eventually ripped the bandaid off. "Because I'm the vampire."

The two kids gasped at his words. "You're a vampire? But aren't vampires evil?" Tallulah asked.

"Not all, just some," Missa explained.

"You can't be telling the truth, if you're telling the truth, show us your fangs!" Chayanne accepted it less easily, but when Missa took off his mask to show his fangs, he accepted it easily. "Woah, you're telling the truth." Chayanne stuck his thumb against his teeth. "Why don't I have fangs?" He said around his thumb.

Phil laughed at the sight. "You likely didn't get the vampire genetics, you do have my wings after all," Phil properly joined the conversation as he brushed his hand against Chayanne's wings.

"So, does this mean we don't have to be scared anymore?" Tallulah asked.

"No, I would never hurt you." Missa took Tallulah into his arms.

"Does anyone else know?" She asked.

Missa shook his head. "No, I was scared enough tell you two, but maybe one day I'll tell them, not today though."

Chayanne got off his bed and joined the hug Missa and Tallulah were having. "We won't tell anyone, your secret is safe."

Phil smiled at the display his family was making and moved over to join the hug. Everything would be okay, and Missa would gain the courage to tell everyone else one day.

A month passed by, and people were still afraid of the vampire. It had been months since a corpse was found, but fear lingered. Many thought the vampire had simply grown tired of animal blood and was waiting for one of them to make a mistake. Phil wanted to roll his eyes at their accusations, the vampire would have died if it didn't drink blood.

Tallulah and Chayanne struggled to not glare at anyone who insulted the vampire, now that they knew said vampire was Missa, they hated that people feared and insulted him, even if they had done the same not too long ago. People sometimes asked them if they were still scared, and they would lie and say yes, because they didn't want people to question why they were suddenly fine with the vampire, but Chayanne and Tallulah would always complain about how no one had to be scared of Missa.

"They're not scared of Missa, they're scared of a vampire that could harm them," Phil would always tell them, and they would drop the subject. It didn't mean they weren't still upset at the way the islanders were treating Missa, as if he were some sort of monster and not their amazing dad.

They were sat in the bunker, the moon having risen, and were watching the kids play with some dolls.

"When will everyone stop being scared of Papi?" Tallulah asked.

"I don't know, maybe once I tell them, but maybe not," Missa explained. He had wanted to tell them, but the other islanders responses were more of a risk than their kids'. Their kids loved Missa and would believe him, but the islanders weren't children, and could very much believe that Missa would still be willing to hurt.

"When will you tell them?" Chayanne asked.

Missa lowered his head. "I don't know, I don't know how they'll react, so I keep getting scared."

Phil leaned over to his husband and wrapped an arm around him. "You don't have to be scared, we're by your side, and even if everyone else is against you, we will remain by your side."

Missa smiled at Phil. "Thanks, that means a lot." He became silent for several moments before speaking again. "I think I'll do it, I'll find a group and tell them tomorrow, and then I'll just let it spread, because I think as long as I have you three I'll be fine."

Phil hadn't expected his words to work so quickly, but he smiled at his husband and leaned in for a kiss. "You are so brave."

Chayanne and Tallulah got up and moved to hug Missa. "You can do this," Chayanne stated.

Missa held his children tight. "What would I do without all of you?" The family stayed in a cuddle for a while longer before they put the kids to sleep and went to bed themselves. When they woke up, Missa was still confident in telling the islanders, so they went out with their kids, and when they saw a group, went over to them.

"Okay, but are we actually sure the vampire is still out there?" Foolish asked.

"Vampires don't just disappear, it had to be somewhere," Tubbo argued.

Roier and Forever just looked at the argument, not joining in themselves. Forever looked over and saw the family approaching. "You might not want to join this conversation," he stated.

"Hey, maybe they do, it's hilarious." Roier was finding far too much delight in the arguing.

"We actually wanted to talk about the vampire as well," Missa brought up. His posture was stiff, but Phil doubted anyone would realise he was nervous.

Foolish and Tubbo stopped arguing. "What about the vampire?" Tubbo asked.

"We may know a bit about the vampire than anyone else does." Missa once again tried to ease into the subject.

"The vampires dead? I knew it!" Foolish was happy at his own guess.

Phil shook his head. "The vampire isn't dead, they're still on the island."

Forever stared at the two intensly. "What do you know about the vampire then?"

Forever's gaze scared Missa, but he pushed onward with his words. "The vampire is one of us." Gasps were torn from the group.

"Who? Gatinho guessed that it could happen, but we didn't think there was enough evidence." Roier leaned forward despite already being quite close, as if leaning forward would help him hear what hadn't yet been said.

"Yeah, tell us! We need to know who to be suspicious of." Tubbo's words caused Missa to tensed a little, but it was too late to turn back now.

"It's, it's me." Missa stumbled over his words.

The group stared in shock for several moments before Foolish finally spoke. "I, didn't expect that."

"I don't think anybody did," Roier responded.

"So like, you're the one who was leaving animal corpses around?" Tubbo asked the obvious.

Missa nodded. "Yeah, I don't drink human blood, so I get my blood from animals."

Foolish tilted his head. "So you don't drink from humans at all?"

Missa shook his head. "No, unless it was a last case scenario and someone said I was allowed to."

"So you won't hurt the kids?" Roier asked.

"Again, no, I'd rather die than hurt the kids."

Tubbo perked up. "I guess we were worried about nothing then."

The group continued to ask Missa questions about being a vampire, such as his issues with the sun and if blood tastes different to him. All except Forever, who had stayed quiet since the confession.

"You okay Mate?" Phil was scared that Forever was uncomfortable with Missa being a vampire.

Forever turned to Phil. "Can I speak with you for a minute, away from this?"

Phil turned to his husband, who was still knee deep in questions, before turning back to Forever and nodding. "Sure."

The two walked away until they were out of hearing distance, and Phil was still scared of Forever's reaction to Missa. "Now that I know Missa is a vampire, I have some relationship advice," Forever stated as soon as they weren't going to be heard by the others.

Phil sighed. "I thought you were over me? I'm not going to divorce Missa just because he's a vampire, I said I would stand by his side, and I'm not going back on my words just because you're jealous."

Forever tilted his head. "That's not what I was going to say."

It was now Phil's turn to be confused. "What?"

"I'm really happy that you accept that Missa is a vampire, vampire partners are the best," Forever spoke, not a hint of lying in his voice.

"You've dated vampires before?" Phil was very confused about the whole situation.

"Of course I have, Brunim was a vampire, haven't you seen that picture of him?" Phil felt stupid. Of course he had seen a picture of Brunim, but he was too caught up in the fact that Brunim looked like his twin, but now that he's remembering it, he does remember seeing fangs.

"I completely forgot." Phil wanted to punch himself.

"Well, that happened, so I'm here to give you some advice on having a vampire for a partner," Forever began. "Being bitten hurts, I learned that one the hard way, so many books write it as feeling good, but it feels like being bitten."

"I don't plan to be bitten any time soon, but thanks for the heads up." It wasn't like he was getting his knowledge from vampire romance, he was getting it from Missa. Forever continued to explain some parts of dating and vampire, and when he decided he'd said enough, they joined back in with the group to see that Missa was still being asked questions.

"I, I don't know about that one." Phil didn't hear the question.

"Oh come on, you have to!" Tubbo pushed.

Phil was about to step in, but suddenly a puff of smoke surrounded Missa and a bat took his place. Missa flew towards Phil's head and snuck under his hat, only barely sticking his face out from it. Phil chuckled at the act. "I think you overwhelmed him a bit." Foolish and Tubbo were guilty and apologised. Phil felt Missa nod from his head. "Well, now that that's said, we'll be off, Missa just wanted to let someone know that he was a vampire, hope you'll do the rest." He kneeled down to his kids. "C'mon, let's go."

As they walked home, Missa wiggled happily under his hat. Missa was incredibly brave for telling everyone something that scared him so much, and as soon as they were home and Missa wasn't a bat, he'd be giving his husband a kiss.

Chapter Text

Fit cleaned up the TNT that Juana had placed everywhere around her mother's house. It was a pain, but nothing he couldn't do. He was luckily on the last leg of the clean-up process, and could soon go on with his day. As he was cleaning some from the corner, he lost his grip on one of the pieces and it fell to the floor with a loud thump, followed by the cracking of wood.

"Shit," he whispered. He was supposed to be cleaning, not breaking Mariana's house. He picked up the TNT again and placed it in his inventory before looking down at the broken flooring. He should fix it before Mariana comes back, if he'll ever even be back. He broke the piece of wood entirely, planning to replace it and make it look like nothing happened, but was immediately met with a ladder going down. What was going on?

Fit looked around, making sure no one was watching before going down the hole, wanted to see what was inside. He was met with what looked like a basement. How had he not heard of Mariana having a basement? Right in the middle of the wall, was a bed, and he saw a bump in it's blankets. He carefully rounded the bed once he was down, and gasped when he saw Mariana laying there. Everyone had thought she had disappeared to somewhere in the island, but had she just been living in this basement? He looked around, but the place was so barebones, there's no way he'd be able to properly love here. Unless she was hibernating, a part of his brain supplied, hibernating even if your species wasn't one to hibernate was something that became a common occurrence on the island, so perhaps that was what he had been doing all this time.

He stepped closer to her bed. While hibernating was normal, it had been so many months, it would be best to wake her. He kneeled by her side and shook her, starting of gentle but as she wasn't waking up, he began to shake harder. "Mariana, it's time to wake up," he spoke in hopes of it waking her. The combination must have worked, as she groaned and began to complain.

"Cinco minutos màs." Mariana pulled the covers over his head.

Fit laughed at tugged them back down. "No, it's time to wake up." After raising Ramon, this game had become normal to him, so he was going to win it. "If you don't get up now, I'll pull you out of bed myself." Talking to her like she was a small child really made him realise how much he missed the simple act of having to get Ramon out of bed.

Another groan left Mariana, but he pulled himself up in bed and reached over to his glasses, putting them on. She blinked herself awake and stretches. Despite the fact Fit had been talking to her, seeing her actually awake now made him realise how much he had missed the man. He stood up slightly, joining her sitting on her bed, and took her into a hug. "It's been so long, I missed you, we all missed you." Fit would pretend he wasn't crying. He wasn't very close to Mariana before she started to hibernate, but when you love in such a small community, everyone becomes your family quickly.

Mariana moved on from the shock of being taken into a hug quickly, and hugs back. "How long have I been asleep?" His voice was still full of exhaustion, but that would clear up soon.

"Several months." Fit couldn't remember the exact last time he saw her, but it had been months ago.

"Holy shit," she whispered. "What's happened since then?" She asked as she pulled away from the hug.

Too much, he wanted to answer, but he just said whatever came to mind, she didn't need to know everything so soon after waking up. "We've had a lot of people join, and all the remaining kids have gone missing, Bobby died a while ago, the codes can pretend to be other things now, but on a happier note, Roier and Cellbit got married a few months ago." There were so many other things like the presidential debate and the kidnappings and even Slime being taken over by code with a code Juana on the loose, but he didn't want to overwhelm her too much.

"I've missed so much," Mariana stated, hands in his lap.

"It's okay, you'll get caught up eventually, everyone will help you get caught up," he comforted.

Despite his words, Mariana tensed up, as if there was something to fear in his words. "I'm not ready," she stated.

Fit placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, you don't have to be ready, I can leave you alone for a bit, but if you want, I can also stay here." Being awake after being asleep for so many months must be strange, so he'll do anything to help her get ready to go outside again.

"I'd like you to stay, please." Her voice was wobbly, she really wasn't ready.

"Then I'll stay." Mariana smiled at him.

"Thank you, I want to go out, but I can't, even if I know I should, I have so many things to do, like see my husband." It was difficult to remember that Slime and Mariana really did care for eachother. "Who knows if he even remembers I exist, but I really miss him."

"Let me tell you now, he acts like a teenager with a crush when your name gets mentioned these days." Mariana needed the confidence that he cared, so Fit spilled a bit of an embarrassing situation with her.

"Really?" She asked.

"Really," he answered. "No amount of time could stop his feelings."

Mariana smiled at his words before asking another question. "If my love life is somehow fine after all this time, how's yours? Spreen back yet?"

Fit shook his head. "He's not back, but I'm having a fine love life that doesn't involve him." If you could call the strange almost acceptance of feelings that he and Pac had a fine love life, which he did, so who cares what anyone else thought, it was none of their fucking business.

Mariana nodded before her stomach growled. "Shit, it's been so long since I've eaten."

Fit pulled some food out of his backpack and gives some to Mariana, well, most of it to Mariana. "Good thing I have some, eat up."

Mariana immediately picked it up and bit in, moaning at the taste. "Who knew food after this long would be so good." The two ate together, Mariana eating far faster than Fit, and eventually it was gone. Mariana leaned to his side and placed his head on Fit's shoulder.

"You good there?" Fit asked.

"Just really tired again," She answered.

"Already?" He joked.

"Yes, but I don't think I'll end up hibernating again." She was tired for a few.koments before gently whispering, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Fit stated, but she was already asleep by then. Fit carefully moved her so she was laying back in bed before laying down next to her. He could also use some sleep, and Mariana still needed that company. Hopefully soon, she will be able to go out and talk to the others, but for now, Fit didn't mind giving her all the social life she needed.

Chapter Text

Slime enjoyed his job at the coffee shop despite some of the downs. He liked his coworkers, the discount, the vibe of the small establishment, but what he loved more than anything was the regulars. The regulars brought a happiness to the place, and he loved getting to know them through their small visits.

There was Cellbit who came by everyday to get something with enough caffeine to kill a man, he sometimes brought his husband who made flirty comments with some of the baristas and would order something that wouldn't be lethal. There was Phil, who would order a coffee and buy the pastries for his kids, who often showed up with him, Tallulah would always try and gift Slime a flower, and sometimes he'd accept. There was also Jaiden, who showed up every Friday to order the special 'Hatsune Miku' coffee that they for some reason sold on Fridays, and would rant about her music, causing Slime to now have far more Hatsune Miku songs on his playlist than he ever expected.

He loved seeing his regulars, and he felt a vague connection with them. He saw them more than he saw some of the other people in his life, which is only kind of sad. There were also the customers he saw only once or twice, and they took up a majority, but sometimes they'd become regulars out of nowhere, like his latest customer would.

Slime was having a slow day, and was sneakily texting his friend below the counter. When he heard the ring of the bell on the door, he quickly hid his phone, ready to talk to the customer. "Hello, how can I help you?"

He had never seen the customer before, and he knew he hadn't, because he's absolutely sure he would have remembered a customer with green skin. "Can I have a black decaf coffee please?" At first it was the French accent that hit him, he had heard many accents while working at the coffee shop, it was right in the middle of a very multicultural area, Quesadilla was just that kind of place, but French was just one of those accents that drew him in. The second thing that hit him was the order. Very few people, other than previously mentioned Cellbit, ordered black coffee, and even fewer people ordered decaf, so hearing the two together was very strange.

"Okay, that will be $5." He put the order into the machine. The man paid and Slime finished up the ordering process. "And what's your name?"

"Etoiles," the man answered. The name felt incredibly French as well.

"That will be right with you." Slime got to work on making the coffee, and once it was all done he wrote 'Etwal' on the cup before giving it to Etoiles. Based on the look the man gave the cup, he assumed he had spelt it wrong. Could he blame him? French added fifty letters that don't need to be there. "Will that be all today?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you." Etoiles then left, leaving Slime to once again be allowed to fuck around on his phone for his shift.

It was two days later when he saw Etoiles again. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about the man for some reason. He guessed there were many things about him that kept him thinking, such as being French, the green skin, the weird order, and the fact he feels like he's seen him somewhere before. It had hit him after his shift that he's pretty sure he had seen him before, even if it wasn't at the coffee shop, but he just could not figure out where from.

When he walked into the store on yet another slow day, he had a feeling he'd be seeing him alot more.

"How may I help you?" He asked again.

"A decaf black coffee please." So he was going to be one of those people who ordered the same thing everytime. He liked those customers, he had a regular who was intent on ordering every item on the menu, and when they reached the end, they just cycled back around, it was difficult to know what they'd want next.

"That'll cost you $5." Etoiles payed and Slime went further with their interaction. "Name?' He hadn't forgotten, he had thought about the name so many times since their first interaction, but he had seen the man once, it would be strange to remember his name so clearly.

"Etoiles," he answered before laughing. "Spelt E-T-O-I-L-E-S, you had a go at my name last time and failed." He knew there was imaginary letters in there.

Slime nodded. "I'll write it properly this time." He made the coffee and wrote the name down as Etoiles had spelt it out this time before handing it to him.

Etoiles looked at the name and smiled. "There we go, that's me."

There was no other customer waiting to be served, so Slime let himself speak to Etoiles. "It's a really nice name, spelling it right does it justice."

Etoiles smiled at him. "Thank you," He stared down at Slime's name plate. "Yours is a nice name as well."

Slime found himself becoming flustered at the words. "Thank you as well, no one's ever said that to me before."

"Well maybe people should say it more, it is true after all." The compliment was already enough, but hearing it from Etoiles, with that French accent made him want to swoon. What was wrong with him? He was not getting a crush on a man he had seen twice because of a single compliment.

"Well, thank you, again." He felt like he was making a fool of himself, so he tried to take their conversation away from their names. "So, you're French, huh?" He felt like he made an even bigger fool of himself, why did he bring up Etoiles being French of all things and frame it as a question? The man was obviously French!

"Yes, I moved from France a few weeks ago for work, and I'm finally getting used to all the different languages around here." Luckily, Etoiles didn't seem to care about the stupidity of his question. "Did you grow up here?"

Slime shrugged. "Kinda, I moved here when I was thirteen, so I spent most of my growing up in America, but there was a lot of growing up emotionally that I did here."

Etoiles nodded along. "Nice to know, well, I hope to see you around, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have things I have to do today, goodbye." Etoiles left towards the door and waved.

"Bye, I hope to see you around as well." He waved back. Someone entered the store seconds after he left, so he didn't have much time to think about how he felt like something would bloom from that conversation, but the thought hovered above him for the rest of the day.

It was two days later when he came in next, but the shop was swamped. There were multiple people working that day, as Mondays were always like this, so he didn't end up taking Etoiles' order, which he vaguely heard was the exact same as last time's. He was the one to write the name however, and was the one who gave it to him. Etoiles smiled at him but had to quickly leave so Slime and his coworkers could work through the line. That smile helped him push through the day, and Slime wondered when his life began to involve a single customer so much.

Another two days passed, and Slime didn't see Etoiles. He was just a customer who he had managed to have one conversation with, but thinking that Etoiles wouldn't stop by anymore made him upset. Slime really needed to get a hang of himself if he didn't want to lose it, Etoiles was just a customer.

His hopes of getting his emotions under control were crushed when Etoiles walked through the door on Thursday. "Black decaf?" He asked. He'd gotten it every time he'd come here, so guessing that he would want it again was low risk.

Etoiles smiled at his answer. "Yes, I would like that." He pulled out the money to pay before he was asked. Some regulars would wait to be told the cost before pulling out the money, so it's nice to see that Etoiles was picking it up quickly. Slime made the order and handed it to Etoiles.

He didn't want him to leave yet, so he tried to start a conversation, but landed on a horrible start. "You didn't come in yesterday, why?" Slime wanted to punch himself for his words. Etoiles could come in when he wanted, he didn't have to get a coffee every two days, or come see Slime. Why would he even come just for Slime? He was just the barista.

Luckily, Etoiles didn't think it was a strange question. "I usually come in before work, and I have my days off near the start of the week."

Slime nodded. He'd heard about Etoiles' work twice now, and he was quite curious as to what he did. "What do you do for work? You mentioned you had to move to Quesadilla for it?" He had tried to guess in his head a few times, but none of the guesses felt right. He'd only ever really heard of moving to new countries for work when you did something office related, or at least brain related, and while he's sure Etoiles is smart, he can't imagine him behind a desk or in fancy office meetings.

"I do swordfight shows," Etoiles stated as if it were something completely normal that everyone had heard of. Slime wanted to question it, but a single look at Etoiles' muscles gave an idea that maybe he was saying the truth.

"What are swordfight shows?" Slime asked.

"Basically people pay to watch professionals swordfight, I am one of those professionals, there's a place not to far from here that holds them." Slime would be looking that up as soon as he was off his shift.

"That's really interesting." Slime hadn't heard of it before, but maybe he could catch a show one day. "Why'd you have to come to Quesadilla for it?'

"I didn't have to, I simply wanted to, I was the best there was in France, and I wanted a challenge, so I came to Quesadilla because I heard there was some pretty good fighters, and there was, I've been beaten once." Slime should have said that only having been beaten once was impressive, but his mind centred in on the fact he was the best in France.

"Wait, you're that Etoiles? The famous fighter?" He'd heard about him in an article once about famous people.

Etoiles gave a chuckle. "I don't know, maybe there is another famous Etoiles out there, but I think I'm the one you are talking about." Holy shit. He had been talking to a famous person all this time. Sure, a lot of famous people had decided to make Quesadilla their home, from musicians to engineers, and some visited the coffee shop, but he had yet to actually befriend one of them. Maybe he was getting a bit ahead of himself by calling what he and Etoiles had friendship, but he enjoyed Etoiles' company, even if it only took up a few minutes of his day.

"I don't know what to do with this information." Slime hadn't treated the other famous people with any more respect he did with any other customer, but Etoiles was different. Etoiles was always different, and he's not sure if fame would mix well with the strange feelings that bubbled in Slime's chest.

"I know what you can do," Etoiles offered. Slime waited for whatever Etoiles was going to say, unsure of if it was going to be serious or not. "You can keep doing what you've been doing, I like our talks, and I don't want it to change now that you know who I am." Slime's heart began to beat faster at his words. Etoiles also liked their talks?

"I can do that," Slime said with a smile.

Etoiles smiled back. "I have to go now, but I will see you again on Saturday." The two waved eachother off, and Slime went through the rest of his shift with a kick in his step. It was a big concerning how happy Etoiles made him, and how his day changed when he walks in. The fact that Etoiles was famous only made him feel lighter at Etoiles enjoying the time they spent in the coffee shop together.

A few weeks passed, and Etoiles became a normal part of Slime's life. Etoiles would come in on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, where they would talk of Thursday and Saturday when it wasn't busy, before Etoiles would leave for work. The way Slime's heart would beat faster whenever Etoiles was around never stopped, and Slime was once again left wanting to punch himself for it. It wasn't because Etoiles was just a simple customer anymore, no, Slime happily called them somewhat friends now, but Etoiles was famous, and he wouldn't ever settle for someone like Slime.

A few weeks after he found out about Etoiles' fame, a new conversation happened. "How long have you been working here?" Etoiles asked.

"About 3 years at this point, I'm happy here, and as long as I don't get fired I hope to work here a lot longer." He was lucky that Quesadilla's minimum wage was a liveable wage, because he really didn't want to have to have to leave his job before he was bored of it.

Etoiles nodded as he was handed his coffee. "Do you ever order from here?"

Slime tilted his head. It wasn't the strangest question, but he wasn't really expecting to be asked. "Sometimes, usually only when I'm out with my friends on a day off and we decide we want coffee."

Etoiles continued to nod. "What kind of coffee do you order?"

Slime wasn't sure why Etoiles was so caught up on him drinking coffee, but he continued to answer. "I usually order a cappuccino with caramel, it's good."

"It sounds good, it suits you," Etoiles stated. The conversation went somewhere else after that for their next few minutes of talking before Etoiles had to leave, but not before asking another question. "When does your shift end?"

Slime was a bit taken aback by the question. All that Etoiles had really known was that Slime was usually in when he was on his way to work. "Five today, why?"

"Just curious," Etoiles answered. The two moved past it and Etoiles went on his way to work.

Slime was left thinking about Etoiles the whole day, just like he was usually left everytime Etoiles came in, and sometimes days he didn't come in. For sharing only a few minutes of conversation on two days of the week, Etoiles wrapped himself into every waking moment of Slime's mind, and Slime doesn't know how to unwrap him from his mind, or if he'll ever want to.

The end of Slime's shift is nearing when he hears the bell of the door ring again. He looks up and is shocked when he sees Etoiles come in again. "What are you doing back?" He had never come in late in the day before, and certainly not twice in a day.

Etoiles walked up the counter and answered. "I'd like to buy another coffee."

"Oh, of course, another black decaf?" Slime was about to put in the order, expecting him to answer yes, but Etoiles proved him wrong.

"No, I'd like to order a cappuccino with caramel please." Slime was shocked yet again by Etoiles. Not only had he ordered something different, he had ordered what Slime usually ordered. Was he really that curious? Maybe he had asked when his shift ended so that he could talk to Slime again when he tried it. Doesn't answer why he came in so late, he could have just waited for the next day.

"Alright, I'll get that for you, that'll cost $6." He put the order in and collected Etoiles' money before making the drink and handing it to him. "Will that be all?"

"No, it's time to close up isn't it? Meet me outside once you're done." Slime was confused by his words but nodded. Etoiles left and Slime closed up before doing as he said. The time it took to close up felt incredibly slow, his mind staying on Etoiles request. They had kept their friendship to the few minutes they had after Etoiles ordered, yet today changed that. Etoiles had shown up again, and they were officially going to have their first conversation outside the coffee shop. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but it was.

Eventually Slime met Etoiles outside, and he was met with Etoiles extending the coffee towards him. "For you."

Slime stared at the cup for a few moments before carefully taking it. "You bought it for me?" The possibility hadn't even crossed his mind.

"Yes, I did." Etoiles almost looked shy as he spoke. "I wanted to do something nice for you, but I wasn't sure what to do, so I thought that maybe buying you coffee would be a nice gesture."

Slime took a sip. "Thank you, it was really kind of you."

Etoiles smiled at him. "You're welcome, you deserve so much more." Apparently Slime wasn't the only one who saw their interactions as much more. They had both taken these interactions and saw them as something building up to more that neither knew how to reach or ask for until today. Etoiles had pushed what they had a step further, and now Slime just wanted to keep going further.

"I thought at first you were just curious about what my order tasted like, but I prefer this." Slime took another sip.

Etoiles shook his head. "It wouldn't be a good idea for me to drink that kind of stuff."

Slime tilted his head. "Why not?"

"I'm diabetic, sugar isn't a good idea, caffeine can also mess with it." That explained his order.

"Oh, I'm sorry for asking." He didn't mean to make Etoiles spill his medical issue.

Etoiles shook his head again. "No, it's fine, I don't mind telling you."

The two continued conversation for a few more minutes before Slime spoke. "I should get home, again, thank you for the coffee."

Etoiles nodded. "It was nice talking to you again, have a safe trip home."

When Slime got to his house, his mind was yet again stuck on Etoiles. A step had been made, and Slime knew that whatever they had was going to keep going deeper and deeper, until they either took the final leap or let it all crumble. Slime just hoped Etoiles would want to take the leap as well.

When Monday rolled around, Slime knew it was up to him to take the next step. When he was given Etoiles' cup to write on, he wrote the name as he had dozens of times before, before writing down his number underneath, adding a little '-Slime's number' beside it. When he passed Etoiles the cup, he looked down at his name and his eyes went wide at the sight of the number. Slime was scared he overstepped for a few moments before Etoiles looked up at him and smiled. Slime smiled back. Etoiles left the shop again and Slime pushed through his shift, excited at the large possibility of Etoiles texting him.

When he got home after work, he pulled out his phone and saw that Etoiles had messaged him.

xxxx-xxx-xxx: This is Etoiles, I used the number on the cup

Slime smiled down at his screen. This would be a turning point for them, and he was excited to see where it would end. He changed Etoiles' contact name.

Slime: Hey, hope the number thing wasn't too weird

Etoiles: It's fine, I would like to talk to you more

Etoiles: I'm a bit surprised you wanted the same

Slime: I've been wanting to since our first meeting

Slime immediately regret his words. Was he being too creepy? He just got the man's number and he was already being weird.

Etoiles: Same

Slime relaxed. He shouldn't have worried in the first place, this is the Etoiles that came back at the end of his shift to buy Slime a coffee after only conversations that were a few minutes long. Slime and Etoiles messaged for another few hours before saying goodbye for the day, and both couldn't wait for the next.

A few weeks passed and the two were even closer, they got to know eachother well and became more of themselves with eachother. They still continued their talks at the coffee shop, they were their favourite of their conversations, they place where everything started. This lead to a conversation that would change them and what they had even further.

"I will see you on Saturday," Etoiles said as it was time for him to leave.

Slime shook his head. "Can't, I have a day off." Despite what Etoiles may think, he isn't always working. He's just always working when Etoiles comes, because he may or may not have started picking all the shifts for the days where Etoiles comes in and let's himself have days off on days where he knows he doesn't. It's not obsessive, it's just a crush, and he'd rather have as many of their coffee shop conversations as he could. The reason he had to take Saturday off was because someone had already picked up the shift by the time he tried.

Etoiles was silent for a few moments before speaking. "Would you like to watch one of my swordfighting matches?" The words surprised Slime. Despite their texting, they had yet to meet up outside of work since Etoiles bought Slime that coffee. Still, Slime was curious to see what those swordfighting matches were like, and he wanted to see the skills of someone who had become famous from fighting.

"Sure, I'd love that, what do I need to do to be able to see you?" He asked. Asking made him nervous, despite the fact Etoiles had offered for him to see.

Etoiles smiled at his agreement. "I'll text you the address later and you pay $25 for entry, if you can't pay I am willing to pay for you, I, I really want you there." Etoiles' voice was shy towards the end. This was nervewracking for both of them, wasn't it?

"I can pay it, I'll watch you on Saturday, I wouldn't miss it for anything." Slime wasn't used to this nervous softness, even after all this time of knowing Etoiles, but it made every conversation between them feel electric.

"I'll be watching for your face in the crowd." Etoiles gave a wide grin. "I should be off, goodbye."

"Goodbye." Slime spent the rest of his shift thinking about going to the swordfighting match. He had never seen something like it before, but if it's Etoiles, it has to be good, right?

Two days passed and Slime arrived at the place specified. He'd seen it before, it held all kinds of activities, he just hadn't realised swordfighting was among them. He entered the building and walked along its halls until he saw a sign that said 'Swordfighing'. Looks like the right place. He walked up and paid for a ticket inside, entering the room. It was quite big, it would need to be to hold swordfighting. There were luckily seats still available. There were so many but so many were already filled, he didn't know swordfighting was such a wanted thing to watch. He took his seat, somewhat close to the front, and waited for it all to begin.

The first fight didn't include Etoiles, but it was interesting either way. They really were professionals, being able to weild real weapons but not hurt their opponent. At the first round, a smaller man won, and it was on to the next. Slime felt like his heart was going to stop when he saw Etoiles. Holding a sword made him look more complete, as if it was something he was made to do. His opponent was of similar size and build to him, but when their fight started, it was clear that Etoiles was eons ahead of him, and he won quickly. Despite the easy win, it was captivating to watch him fight. This was an Etoiles he had yet to see, and now that he saw this version of him, his feelings only grew deeper.

More matches were done, and Etoiles fought a few more as a reward for winning, and in few end he came out on top. No wonder he was famous for swordfighting, he moved as if his sword were part of him.

Slime waited out in the hall once the fights were over, hoping to see Etoiles again. He'd spent his last few hours watching Etoiles fight, but now he wanted to talk to him. He saw Etoiles exited and waved him over. Etoiles saw him and walked over, excited.

"I can't believe you came, I saw you in the crowd."

"I said I would." Slime really wouldn't have missed it for anything.

"Thank you, I felt like I did much better with you watching me." Etoiles kept looking at him like Slime made his day, and it caused Slime's heart to continue beating faster.

"I'm sure you didn't need my presence to win."

"I didn't, but I did need your presence to make me feel like I deserved it, what's the point of being so good if I can't impress anyone?" Etoiles' voice went somewhat soft.

"Well, you impressed me, and I think that means you deserve all your wins."

Etoiles gave him a gentle smile. "How about we go get some coffee? The shop should still be open."

Slime nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that." He didn't want this day to end, not when Etoiles was here and they were talking and his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest.

The two walked to the shop and ordered what they usually would, deciding to sit outside and drink their orders.

"I don't drink this nearly enough, I love it," Slime said as he took another sip of his coffee.

"I can buy you more if you want, I like giving you things," Etoiles stated.

"You don't have to," Slime responded.

"But what if I want to?" Etoiles asked.

Slime's heart beat even faster. "Then I guess you can."

"Then I will, I'll start coming over at the ends of my shifts too, and maybe we can have more moments like this." Etoiles began to tall more to himself at the end of his sentence.

"That would be nice, I like these moments." Silence overtook the two for several minutes, but it didn't feel awkward. They finished up their coffees and Etoiles was the first one to speak.

"You have been one of the best things in my life since I moved here." The words shocked Slime. He didn't realise that Etoiles cared about him that much.

"You've been amazing as well." Etoiles deserved to know that he cared as well.

Etoiles smiled at him before speaking again. "So much so that I want you to be a bigger part of my life." Etoiles just continuously shocked Slime. "We haven't known eachother very long, so being properly boyfriends may not be something that interests you, but I would like to take you on a date, buy you something other than coffee."

Slime was very taken aback by the words but managed to get out, "I'd love to go on a date with you."

Etoiles smiled wider. "I'll give you a call tomorrow then, I'd like to go now, but I have to think about it, and I had plans for dinner already." He stood up and extended a hand to Slime, who took it. "Have a nice night." Despite his words, he didn't let go of Slime's hand, still wanting to be there with Slime.

"I will, have a nice night as well." Without too much thinking, Slime leaned in a placed a kiss on Etoiles' lips. When he pulled away, Etoiles was grinning and had wide eyes.

"I, Goodnight." Etoiles leaned in once more for a kiss before stepping away.

"Goodnight." Slime left towards his house again, thinking about how this all started from a single coffee.

Chapter Text

Pierre supposedly had everything. He was at the top, the most successful businessman in France, known worldwide for his creations, yet he has a hard time feeling like he has it all, as he’s missing what he truly needs. He spent his younger days building up his enterprise, and even though wouldn’t trade his place in the world for anything else, he finds himself wishing for an emotional connection.

He’s a single man, and an incredibly wanted one at that, so he could get a partner if he so wished, but the idea of a partner just didn’t seem all that appealing. He wanted something deeper than that, and while he could have a deep relationship with a partner, it would take many tries to find the right person. He wanted a connection that he could build without fear of them leaving his life.

So that’s how he ended up in the adoption center. The lady was running him through some of the options, talking about how they’ve got a plethora of adorable babies to work with.

“Jane was just given to us, and she’s a wanted kid, if you want her, I can probably get the paperwork right now.” Pierre was looking over the list, he would probably adopt Jane, as they were towards the end of the list, but none of the kids interested him. He knew he was only being given names, but he was expecting to know who he would want to be his child the moment he heard about them. He gazed over the list once more and was about to look away when his eyes landed on a name.

Pomme. Who would name their kid Pomme? If they weren’t in France he could probably look past it, but naming you child apple in your countries native language was just strange. “I think your list has a spelling mistake.” It had to be a mistake.

The lady looked down. “Where?”

Pierre pointed at the name. “There, it says their name is Pomme.”

The lady shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s not a mistake, her name is Pomme.”

“Can you tell me about her?” He wanted to know what kind of girl a girl named Pomme was.

The lady looked almost uncomfortable. “Oh no, I’m sure you’d want a more desirable kid.”

Pierre was becoming annoyed. “How is she not desirable?”

The lady understood that he wasn’t going to give up and answered. “Well, she’s a bit shy, she acts quite strange around people, and she’s a bit,” she hesitated for a second, “Special.”

“Special?” he repeated.

“She’s on the spectrum,” she finally said. “I know that most people would rather have a more predictable kid, so I understand that she’s not going to be your choice.”

The way she was speaking of Pomme, a child that was put in her care in hopes of giving her a future, it pissed him off. She had no chance in here if this lady would spout the same shit to everyone, making it sound like she was the problem. “I want to adopt her.”

The lady’s eyes opened wide. “Sir, I think this is a bit of a hasty decision,” she attempted to stop him.

“I don’t care, I want to adopt her, where is the paperwork.” He was going to show this girl all the love he had.

She sighed. “Alright, follow me.”

He followed her and got the paperwork done as quick as he could, and then he was guided over to the room Pomme had been residing in during her stay at the adoption center. He was guided in and saw her in the middle of the room, drawing in silence.

"Pomme, there's something we have to tell you today," the lady said, causing Pomme to look up at the two. She looked a little scared at Pierre's presence, but hid it well.

"What is it?" She asked, standing up and holding her art to her chest.

"I know you're only used to foster care, but Mr. Pierre has skipped that process and has officially adopted you." If Pierre wasn't looking carefully, he would have missed the flash of despair that flashed across her eyes, as she refused to let it show.

"Really?" She asked.

"Really," the lady repeated. She then turned to Pierre. "Have a chat with your new daughter, and then you can feel free to leave with her at any time." Pierre nodded and she left.

Pierre walked over to Pomme and kneeled down beside Pomme. "Hey, I'm gonna be your dad from now on, okay?"

Pomme nodded. "Okay."

"Anything you want to tell me before we go home?" He asked. It would be easy if he asked her some questions before they went home.

"Will you be home much?" She asked after a few seconds.

Pierre was a little confused at the question but answered anyways. "Yes, I'll try to be home as much as possible, I plan to start working from home, but there may be some days where you'll have to have a babysitter for a few hours." Pomme relaxed at his answer. "Anything else?"

Pomme shook her head. "No, I'm alright."

Pierre nodded at her words. "Alright, ready to go home?"

Pomme shyly nodded her head. Pierre reached over and picked her up, noticing the way Pomme froze at the contact. He'll have to try and ease into this sort of stuff in the future. The driver was waiting outside and Pierre slid into the back with Pomme, hoping to be able to make some more conversation. Sadly once they got into the car, she answered in one word responses. Pierre knew that this was a big change for her, so he let it slide. He would work up her confidence eventually.

Pierre's house was giant, it was more a mansion than anything, and Pomme couldn't contain her gasp at the sight. "This is going to be your home from now on, okay?" Stated gently. Pomme nodded her head. They went inside and Pierre lead her to her room, one closeby to his own room. He opened the door and let her walk inside.

"I know it's a bit bland, but as you stay here you can decorate it however you want, okay?" He gave her some things of course, like a bed, closet, desk, and a few other things, but since he didn't really know what kind of kid he'd be adopting, it was difficult to know what he'd need to get. There were already some changes he'd need to make, and a majority kd the clothes he put in her closet weren't going to fit.

"Thank you, it's great." Pomme ran her hands carefully over the objects. "Are you sure it's for me? It's very expensive looking." It was the most words she had said since they left the adoption centre.

"It is yours, I don't care what you need, I can get it for you." Pomme had been in his life for barely an hour, and she was already his pride and joy. She could ask for the world and he would get it for her without a second question being asked.

"It's okay, I won't need much." Pierre was worried for how she acted, but this was a big change for her, so he wouldn't look too much into it.

"Okay, if that's what you want." Pierre didn't know how to move on with the situation, being a parent was new to him after all, so he sat on Pomme's bed and patted the space beside him, hoping she would get what he was trying to say. Pomme luckily did understand what he was trying to do and moved to sit on the bed beside him.

"Is there anything you would like to do with me here?" Pierre asked. If Pomme wanted space to herself, he would give it to her, but he wanted to spend a few more hours with her before dinner, make the first few hours of being family really count.

"No, I'm good," she stated. It made Pierre a little upset, he wanted to jump right into being a father, but he understood that Pomme was a person in a new situation.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Pierre asked yet again, just in case.

"Yes, I'm sure, I need time to process everything that's happened today." Pierre nodded. He left her room and went to his office, where he hoped the future would be easier for them.

It wasn't. Pomme continued to be shy for the next few months. Pierre knew he had to give her time to warm up to him and their situation, but he was starting to wonder if there was something more going on. She would spent most of her time in her room, or the rare moments she was outside her room and wasn't eating, she would just sit quietly on the couch and watch whatever was on. It was sad how the moments when he joined her in that silence was some of the only time he got to spend with her.

Pierre eventually decided to take the matters into his own hands. He wanted to connect with his daughter, and he was going to. He knocked on her door and asked, "Can I come in?"

He heard a muffled yes behind the door and entered, looking around at the room. She had yet to put any personal touches onto the room, and when he thinks back, her adoption room was devoid of personality either. Maybe it was simply because it wasn't allowed, or maybe she just didn't want to. "What are you holding?" Pomme referenced the items in his arms.

"Paper and pencils, I thought we could draw together." He placed the items on the floor next to Pomme and kneeled down. "Want to draw together?"

Pierre was ready to be rejected, but to his surprise, Pomme let out a faint, "Yes please." Pierre smiled at his daughter, and she joined him sitting down so they could draw together.

The first few minutes were silent other than the scratch of pencils, but Pierre expected that. Choosing to do an activity like this was already a big step. Still, he wanted to see if he could start conversation. "What are you drawing?" Pomme had been hiding what she was drawing.

"It's a secret," she stated. More than he expected from her. He was already making progress.

"I'm drawing you." He hoped her hearing that he was drawing her would help.

Pomme looked over at his piece and twisted her face. "Is that what I look like?" He had to admit, he wasn't the best artist, but he was hoping that it wasn't as bad as it apparently was.

"Well, its supposed to be you, I'm not very good at drawing." His words helped her a little. Pomme hummed and continued to draw, and Pierre did the same. Eventually he decided his drawing was going to be the best he was getting it, and it actually looked somewhat like Pomme. He held it up to her. "Does this look any better?"

Pomme looked at his work. "A bit." Success.

"Maybe you can teach me." He hoped his words would open up a gateway into being closer with her.

Pomme smiled a bit at his words. "You want me to teach you?" She sounded shocked at his want.

"Yeah, you seem to really like art, so you must be pretty good at it," he complimented.

Pomme looked shy again, but it was in a way he hadn't seen yet. It was a happy shyness. "I'd like to teach you."

Pierre smiled at his daughter. "I'm looking forward to it, how about we start our lessons tomorrow? Dinner will be soon, so I don't think we can start today."

"I can work with that," she reached out her hand. "Can I have that? I can see what you need to work on." He handed her the art. This had worked better than he thought it would. "I'll start figuring out what our first lesson can be on after dinner." Pierre just nodded. During dinner that night, Pomme spoke more at the table than she had since she was brought home. He didn't end up getting to see what she was drawing, but he didn't mind, he was one step closer to getting Pomme to open up to him.

The next day he went to her room after he finished up work and Pomme taught him how to draw some lines and simple shapes. Apparently his line work was too shaky and he struggled to make shapes work together, so she thought that working on these basics would help. Pomme took the pictures he drew and placed them on her wall. It felt a little strange, as it should have been the other way around with Pierre showcasing her artwork, but if it added life to her room, then he would happily let her put the art up. This continued for a few more days, Pomme teaching Pierre art skills, until they let their conversation stray from art.

"I like being around you," Pomme said randomly, and Pierre just wanted to hold her tight, but they weren't at that point yet.

"I like being around you as well, you've made my life so much better." While Pomme staying in her room so much was something he wanted to get better, having a family made Pierre feel complete. Pomme was a part of his life that he never wanted to let go, even if she had only been in his life for a few months.

Pomme smiled at his words. She had gotten better at showing her feelings over the past few days, even if it was only letting her smiles show. Pierre thought her smiles were adorable, the way they spread wide and scrunched up her face. "You've made my life better too." Pierre thought Pomme was going to kill him with this adorable talk of hers. "I didn't realise being happy was something I'd be able to be everyday." Her words stopped Pierre's thoughts.

"Why wouldn't you be allowed to be happy?" Pierre asked, trying to keep his voice calm. He couldn't mess this up, he needed to know what was wrong so he could make sure Pomme got through whatever issues she had.

Pomme lowered her pencil. "It's not that I wasn't allowed, it's just that sometimes being happy is really difficult."

"Why is it difficult?" He asked. He'd do anything to make sure being happy was never difficult again.

"Because everything that makes me happy is going to leave." Her voice was shaky, scared. Pierre got up into more of a sitting position and got closer to Pomme, letting her lean into his side. She did this willingly, and he's glad she did, because she eased up. "My birth parents already left, all those foster families left, so why won't everything leave?" She looked up at Pierre, and there were tears in her eyes. "Will you leave me too?"

Pierre took her into a hug. "Never, you are the best thing to ever happen to me, you are everything I ever wanted, and I won't ever leave."

Pomme sniffled. "But everyone else that left said I'm too much, that dealing with me is too much effort."

"The things you love are never too much effort," Pierre stated without thinking. He hadn't told Pomme he loved her yet, she still needed time to get used to having a permanent family.

Pomme looked up at him with wide eyes. "You love me?"

"It's hard not to, you're the most perfect daughter I could ask for." Now that he said it, there was no reason to deny that he loved his daughter with his whole heart.

Pomme leaned into his side more. "Thank you for loving me, I'm sorry I can't say it back yet, I want to, but I'm scared."

"Take your time, you'll be my daughter for a long time, so we have that time."

"Did you mean it when you said I can't be too much effort?" Pomme circled back.

"I mean my every word."

Pomme smiled slightly. "Thank you again."

"You're welcome." They stayed in their position a little while longer before Pomme pulled back.

"Can we go back to drawing now?"

"Of course."

They didn't really talk about what happened that day, even though they knew they would have to one day. Pierre was planning to get Pomme a therapist for her abandonment issues once she became more open about talking about them again. Since that day, Pomme opened up a lot. She was still shy and overly polite at times, but most of the time she understood that she was here to stay, even though she occasionally had some days where she reverted back into her previous thinking. Time flew by, and they became closer, to the point where even out of the art lessons Pomme would happily choose to spend time with Pierre. Eventually, fathers day roled around.

Pierre awoke to knocking on his bedroom door, and he threw on pants before opening it, surprised to see Pomme. He was expecting a house worker, as Pomme would usually wait in the living room if she wanted to see him early in the day. "Pomme, what brings you here so early in the morning?" He asked.

"Can I come in?" She asked back.

Pierre moved to the side so she could enter and they moved to sit on Pierre's bed. "So, what did you want to talk about?" He asked again.

Pomme held out a box that she had been holding. "Happy fathers day." Pierre was yet again surprised. He hadn't expected to get a fathers day gift, or for Pomme to even bring up fathers day to begin with. Still, he graciously accepted the gift.

"Thank you," he said as he took the box and moved it into his lap. He pulled at the ribbon, which fell apart easily from being tied by unskilled hands, and lifted up the lid to the box. Inside was a stack of drawings. "Did you make these?" Pomme nodded. Pierre couldn't be happier, she hadn't shown him any of her pictures yet.

He lifted the first one up, noticing it was a picture of him, drawing. "That's what I drew the first time we drew together," Pomme shyly stated. Pierre thought his heart was going to burst at the information. He continued to look at the drawings, a majority of which were of him. He just wanted to take Pomme in his arms and smother her with kisses. When he eventually got to the last drawing, Pomme spoke.

"Did you like them?" Her words were hesitant.

"This is the best gift I've ever gotten," Pierre responded, love dripping out his voice.

Pomme smiled and boxed the drawings out of the way to give Pierre a hug. He eagerly hugged back. While Pomme did hug him nowadays, they were rare, and he didn't want to instigate them before Pomme was comfortable. Pomme manuevered to look up at him and let out a quiet, "I love you Papa."

Pierre thought he was going to cry right then and there. Not only was she finally not scared to say she loved him, but it was also the first time that she called him Papa. Pierre leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I love you too Pomme." That day, Pierre spent far longer in bed than he was supposed to, but who could blame him when he had his daughter in his arms and everything was getting better?

Chapter Text

The first thing Trumpet became aware of on the island was the noise. He knows the maze was incredibly quiet, but the island feels so much noisier than he remembers. He knows the amount of people has almost doubled, and the amount of creatures has grown as well. There are so many more things that can make noise, and Trumoet doesn't know how to feel about it all. Although he guessed it was kinda nice, not being alone. Even though the other islanders were different than he remembered, if they were the ones that had been on the island before his kidnapping, it was nice to be back. Mostly.

There were changes he didn't want to accept. Like how his siblings were gone, he was never really close to any other than Leo, but he missed them all. Leo the most of course. There was Juana, but she was far too different. Sometimes when he'd go near her there would be a tingling noise that drove him insane, but no one else believed him when he said what he was hearing. It almost felt like a new Juana rather than growth like the other islanders had.

There were other changes other than his siblings absences of course. Bad was far sweeter than he had been before. He had been sweet before, but the way he supplied a majority of what he and Dan owned was a bit too much. Phil also dropped by a lot, promising to protect them. Again, weird but nice. There were changes he didn't like, like Cellbit, someone who had appeared after him, who would stare at Trumpet intently and it made him feel like his soul was being watched. He didn't like Cellbit.

All of this going on tended to confuse Trumpet, and it sometimes made him want to go back to the maze where he knew everything. He often criticised himself for thinking that. The maze was not a nice place. During those times he had to remind himself of the good things that came with being on the island. He met one of the newer islanders, Tubbo, and he picked up on Trumpet's autism immediately, or as immediately as he could when he was fauning and stimming over Dan and freaking out about something to do with childhood hero, and they began to bond over their shared autism. Sometimes Trumpet would just follow him around while Tubbo built whatever machinery he was doing and they would just rant about anything that came to mind.

He also enjoyed Foolish's company, he treated him the same as ever. Despite being best friends with Leo, he didn't interact with Foolish a whole lot other than their meeting and the few hide and seek games Leo would start around the dragon. Now that Trumpet's siblings were gone, he found himself around Foolish a lot more.

There was also another of the new islanders he enjoyed. Niki would show up occasionally and would give sweets and baked goods to Trumpet and Dan, and she promised to teach him how to bake one day. They didn't interact much, but their interactions were always nice when they did happen.

He still loved spending time with his daddy the most. Dan spent most of his time at his son's side, especially since their house was quite tiny. He'd always say he'd make them a bigger one once they got more used to the island, and Trumpet learned to wait for it. There was a lot of change they had to get used to.

Overall, there were ups and downs to living the island life again, but Trumpet was mostly fine with it. The one down he just could not ignore was the fact that his Mama hadn't come seen him since they came back. Maxo had taken care of him alone for the first time he was on the island, but now Maxo and Dan's role had switched. Dan was left as basically a single parent while Maxo was off doing who knows what. He asked his daddy about it once, but he'd just become strange and quiet before answering something along the lines of Maxo being fine or busy. Trumpet was over it, why be so confusing about it, he just wanted to say hi to his Mama. He knew he Bad to take it into his own hands.

The night was deep, but it meant that Dan was asleep, so Trumpet carefully moved out of his arms and slowly got dressed, grabbing his headphones, gun, and tazer to make sure his trip to Maxo's was as easy as possible. He put on the headphones and used Dan's comm to play some music as he stepped out and started the journey over to Maxo's. It wasn't very scary, he knew he was safe with how lit up the place was, and even if a dangerous creature did cross his path, his gun made quick work of them. Luckily his music was loud enough he didn't really hear the gunshots, or that would become a problem. If it did become a problem, he always had his tazer, he just had to make sure Cucurucho wasn't watching before he used it.

Eventually he got to his Mama's house and he happily knocked on the door, waiting for Maxo to come and greet him. He heard some shuffling inside and Maxo opened the door. Maxo was confused for a few moments before he looked down and tears sprung in his eyes. "Trumpet?" He asked carefully.

"Hola Mama." Trumpet couldn't stop smiling. His Mama was here in front of him again after far too long.

Maxo kneeled down to Trumpet's height and took him into a hug. "Trumpet, I missed you so much."

Trumpet hugged back tightly. "I missed you too Mama." Maxo picked Trumpet up and took him inside sitting down on the bed with him at his side. Trumpet decided to turn off his music.

"How have you been lately? I know it's a big change for you to be back, and with Dan no less." Maxo was interested in Trumpet's time on the island despite how it may have seemed.

"It's been weird," Trumpet started. "But I'm getting used to it, things are feeling normal slowly."

Maxo nodded. "That's good."

Trumpet leaned closer into his side. "It would be easier if I got to see you more."

Maxo sighed. "It would be, and I'm sorry that I haven't been here for you."

Trumpet looked up at him. "Why haven't I got to see you much?" He asked.

Maxo looked away, guilty, before looking back at his son. "I've been, very ill lately, and sometimes I don't think it's good for you to he around me." His words felt real. Maxo looked paler, and worse of than he ever did when Trumpet was being raised by him. Illness would explain it.

"I have a good immune system, I won't get sick." Trumpet just wanted to spend some more time with his Mama.

Maxo gave a soft smile. "I'm sure you do, but that's not all." Maxo hesitated for a few moments before speaking again. "I spent so long getting used to the idea that I was never getting you two back, and now that you're back, it's making me wonder what else about this island I was lied to about, so I've been taking a bit of time to understand what I know is real."

"You're so smart, you'll be able to do that quickly." Trumpet didn't understand what she was going through entirely, but he would encourage Maxo through it no matter what.

Maxo once again smiled at him. "Thank you," he stated. "I promise I'll try harder to be by your side from now on, but understand that things are very difficult for me right now, so I might not be able to be there for you as much as Dan is."

"It's okay Mama, I'll still love you even if you're too sick to be by my side, and if your world is falling apart." He'd love his Mama through anything.

Maxo made a noise and lifted Trumpet into his lap. "I love you so much Trumpet."

Trump smiled against his chest. "I love you too Mama."

They held eachother in silence for a few minutes more before Trumpet yawned. Maxo pulled away and spoke. "We should get you back to Dan's, I'd let you stay here, but you have his comm, so I can't message him and tell him you're here." Trumpet looked down in slight guilt. "It's okay, I'm not mad at you."

Trumpet looked up and smiled again before his face went sad. "You promise that you'll visit more?" He asked.

Maxo gave Trumpet a gentle smile. "I promise, you can even start sleeping over here occasionally if you'd like."

Trumpet bounced on his Mama's knees. "Si! Si! I want to stay over here some night!" Maxo chuckled at his son's eagerness.

"I promise I'll visit in the next few days, and we can even have some hot chocolate together, okay?"

"The thick kind?" He asked excitedly. He loved his daddy's hot chocolate, but nothing beat the Spanish kind.

"If that's what you want," Maxo answered.

"Yes!" Trumpet cheered.

After that Maxo lead Trumpet back to Dan's house, and left him with a kiss on his forehead and a promise that he'll see him again soon. Trumpet got into bed and fell asleep.

Dan awoke the next morning and opened his comm to see a music app left open. He looked over to Trumpet's bed and saw his headphones on top of his propeller hat, where they hadn't been last night. Dan let out a sigh. Trumpet was a strong kid, so he didn't worry too much about him going out, but sometimes he wished he'd tell him where he was going so if he didn't make it back he wouldn't have to worry.

He shook his son awake, getting met with, "Good morning Daddy."

"Good morning Trump, did you have a good sleep?" He asked.

"Yep, stayed in bed all night," Trumpet lied.

"That's good, any idea you want to do today?" He'd let Trumpet think he didn't know. Whatever he did must have been important to him, and he had made it back safe, and that's all that mattered.

Chapter Text

Cellbit remembers the first time Roier touched him. It was a simply hand on his shoulder, but it sent electric shocks through his whole body. How long had it been since he'd been touched? Brazilians were touchy by nature, but the entirety of Brazil knew his history, so being touched after he left prison was a rare thing. On this island though? His history wasn't as well known, and they didn't fear reaching out and touching Cellbit. He's not sure if he was scared now. On one hand, Roier touching him satisfied an urge he had let crawl into his very being, but on the other hand, simple touch shouldn't make him feel that good.

"You good?" Roier asked, his hand still on Cellbit's shoulder.

Cellbit realised he'd zoned out thinking about the touch that felt so goddamn warm and conforting. "Oh, yeah, I'm good, was just thinking about something."

"What were you thinking about?" Roier asked.

Don't say your touch- don't say your touch- don't say your touch- don't say-, "You." Somehow he landed on an even worse response.

Something strange flashed in Roier's eyes at Cellbit's words. "Oh? Thinking about me?" He leaned in closer to Cellbit's side, sending more electric shocks through Cellbit's body. "How are you thinking about me?" He had heard that Roier was a flirt, but the way he was speaking mixed with the constant touch was becoming too much for Cellbit. He felt like he was about to pass out.

Before Cellbit could push out a response that would certainly push their conversation into an even more suggestive one, Bobby complained. "Pa! You're so gross! Keep the flirting away from me!"

Richarlyson chimed in. "I think you flirting with my Pai is cute, but he looks to be very weak to it."

Roier looked over at Cellbit and truly took in his flushed appearance and stiff posture and pulled away, but still kept his hand on his shoulder. "Ah, sorry about that, I didn't mean ro make you feel uncomfortable."

He was able to think clearer now that he didn't have to worry about Roier's side being pressed against his own, but the hand still left him light-headed."No, no, it's fine, I'm just, not used to this kind of attention." Cellbit stumbled through his words.

Something flashed in Roier's eyes again. "Then I'll just have to make sure you get used to this kind of attention." Cellbit knew from that moment that whatever came from Roier in the future towards him was going to ruin him, and if it kept electric sparks covering his skin and leaving him this light-headed, he'd happily take whatever ruin Roier left him.

As time passed by, Roier continued to flirt with Cellbit. Cellbit enjoyed the flirting and often flirted back, but what truly made him crave Roier's presence was the way Roier would hold him. Sometimes it was another hand on his shoulder, other times it was hands on his hips or around his neck, but what absolutely destroyed Cellbit was when Roier would pull him into a hug. Surrounded by touch from all sides, a delightful shiver running through his veins, Cellbit began to think that despite all the bad things he had done he had somehow proved himself worthy of heaven, because there was no way Roier's touch was anything but heaven.

Roier didn't seem to notice the effect his touch had on Cellbit, rather thinking that the ear he'd flush and stare at him with blown out pupils was because of the flirting. Perhaps it was for the better, it would be rather embarrassing to have to admit that he was acting this way just because of some simple touches. Especially since he was only like this for him.

He'd been touched by others since he joined the island, and while the touch still sent sparks beneath his skin, he didn't become a blushing mess at the touch. He couldn't let Roier know that he had this much power over him.

Their friendship didn't only exist because of touch and flirting, when Bobby died, Cellbit was by Roier's side. He ignored the flashes of tingles when Roier sobbed into his shoulder for hours on end. There was more between them than the strange feelings that Cellbit got when Roier touched him.

More time passed, and when he was kidnapped and saved, while Roier was holding him in his arms, he simply became overwhelmed. He was addicted to Roier's touch. Roier's touch was a feast and he was a starving man, and he wanted to experience the overwhelming emotions it sent through him at every moment. He wanted to feel it when he first wakes up and he wanted to feel it when he goes to bed. Craving whatever Roier had to give him accumulated into a single thought that he couldn't bare to keep inside for any longer. "Do you want to get married?"

"Accepto!"

He couldn't believe he was getting married, and to someone who could bring him to his knees with a single touch no less. Cellbit began to experience even more touch since that day, longer, more romantic hugs, casual arms around his waist, but he loved being kissed the most. He loved the way tingles fled down his body from his lips, the way oxygen left him and made him even more dazed. Being Roier's fiance drove him insane, and he was ready to lose himself even more when he got to be his husband.

Of course, life never goes the right way, and the days spent after Roier and he needed space were the worst. Others tried to comfort him, offered hugs in support, but touch now that he couldn't get the most addicting kind left a bitter taste. He could be getting this touch from Roier, but he couldn't. He was left feeling numb other than the buzzing beneath his skin, craving touch. Craving Roier's touch. He knew he messed up, and he would do anything just to be able to get that loving touch back.

Cellbit was in the dumps when Roier burst into the castle. He had no time to find words before Roier was gripping onto his arms and talking about how his grandpa was alive. He could barely focus on the words through the tingling that took over his body. With Roier's touch, he felt complete.

Roier touched him a lot that day, as they cleared up everything between them. Cellbit had missed far more than just Roier's touch, and he was glad he'd get the chance to spend the rest of his life with him again.

It had been so long since that day, and as they cuddled in bed, Cellbit relished in the way the tingles never ceased. He had yet to go a day where he didn't feel those tingles.

"What are you thinking about?" Roier asked as he pulled Cellbit closer. Cellbit had yet to tell Roier about how his touch made him a weak man, but they had been married for so long, maybe it was time to tell him.

"You," He started.

Roier gave a laugh. "I've heard this before." It's true that the conversation that started this went this way as well. Roier placed his forehead against Cellbit's, causing more sparks to fly through Cellbit's veins. "How are you thinking about me?"

"I'm thinking about how addicted to your touch I am." It felt good to say it aloud. "Since the day I met you, when you touched me I felt like my every nerve was on fire, I just want to sink deeper into your touch until it's all I know."

"You really love my touch that much?" Roier's tone was teasing.

"When we first had this conversation I was thinking the exact same thing I am now, I've been like this for so long, I had no hope but to fall in love with you."

Roier smiled. "Then I better touch you as much as I can to make sure you never fall out of love." Roier leaned in to kiss Cellbit. Cellbit should say that he could never fall outbof love with Roier, even if he decided to never touch him again, but if it lets him feel those sparks beneath his skin more, he'll happily let Roier think so.

Chapter Text

Cellbit was drinking a coffee when Tallulah walked up to him, holding the orb she got for her birthday a few months ago. "It's recharged again, and I know where I want to go," she stated.

Cellbit drank the last of his coffee before placing it in the sink. "Oh really? Where do you want to go?" Tallulah had been going every month it was charged since she got it, and she tended to go to a different world each time. Last time she went to a world where none of the other kids died and Roier cried.

"I was just thinking back on the time all my siblings got kidnapped, and I was thinking about what would happen if I was also kidnapped, I mean, in every other world I've been to I've been the one that got the others rescued, so what would a world where that didn't happen look like?" She stated with a curious tilt to her head.

Cellbit tried to think of a world like that and it was a lonely one. "Any other specifics you want?" The orb would do the work itself, but it was nice to know where his daughter, and potentially the rest of the family, was heading.

"I'm really interested in seeing how worlds where you never adopted me work, so I want that one, maybe another day I can do one where you adopted me but I still want missing." Cellbit knew Tallulah sometimes mourned the relationship with Wilbur she never got to have, so when she kept going to worlds where he was her dad, he didn't say much.

"Who are you inviting along this time?" Roier was going to be busy for a while, so he was off the table, but they still had a whole family to work with.

"Just you, Hope and Richas." Tallulah tended to think about how she wanted her trips to alternate worlds for at least a week beforehand, so it wasn't a surprise that she answered the questions immediately.

Cellbit nodded at her. "So, when are you ready to go?"

"I was thinking once Richas gets back from Forever's, is that okay?" Tallulah put the orb in her inventory, knowing that it wouldn't be used yet.

"That works for me." Travelling between worlds had become oddly normal for him, so speaking of it as if it was a simple trip become easy. It kinda was a simple trip, it only took a few seconds to get there.

Tallulah nodded with a large smile on her face. "Okay, get me when Richas is here again." She left to her room again.

Cellbit was glad that Tallulah had become so interested in the multiverse, but sometimes he became curious to know if there were any bad ones. They had been lucky enough to not land in any, but that wasn't to say their luck could run out. He guessed that the island in itself was a bad situation, but what could possibly be worse than the island? Prison was a thought that came to him. He quickly shook the thought away, he'd left prison in the past, and he didn't want to think about the man he was back then.

Eventually Richarlyson was home and the family gathered in Tallulah's room to gonto the new world. The galaxy surrounded them and pulled them in, and they ended up in the Favela.

"I think I heard something," they heard from a distance. They were used to people finding them and being confused, so they just got up from the ground and waited for whoever was in the distance to find them. They didn't have to wait long before a voices overlapped into a yell and three bodies tripped over eachother to take Richarlyson into a hug.

"Richinhas! You're back!" Pac stuffed his face into the side of Richarlysons neck.

"We missed you so much!" Mike had his face his Richarlyson's hair.

"We're so glad you're here now." Felps had Richarlyson practically on his lap. It was somewhat shocking to see how they reacted. They had reacted similarly when they came back in their universe, but that was a long time ago, and they were supposedly in the same time they were in with their own universe. Had they truly not gotten their own kids back? Was Tallulah their only hope?

Pac looked up at the rest of the family and noticed Tallulah by Cellbit's side. "How did you get the kids back?" He looked over at Hope. "And who's this one?"

Mike also took his face away from Richarlyson and looked at the trio, eyes lingering on Tallulah. "And why does Tallulah look so much older now?" That was something the family hadn't thought about. Tallulah had grown significantly during the time when the others were kidnapped, and was now in her early teens.

"Everone came back a while ago, but that's because we're from another universe," Tallulah explained. The faces of the other three Brazilians dropped.

"Oh," Felps mumbled. "So, this isn't our Richarlyson?"

Richarlyson shook his head. "But it's okay, I see all the versions of my pais as my pais." Their faces lit up slightly at his words, but it was clear that they still wanted their own Richarlyson back.

"To answer your other question, I'm Hope!" Hope introduced herself.

"We've never seen you before, where did you come from?" Pac asked.

Hope's face fell a little at the question. She knew how her fate ended in many universe. "I was the kid that died in the other adoption centre."

"Oh," Mike stated. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I'm alive in my universe."

"Step back!" They suddenly heard a voice screaming. They looked over to where they heard it come from and saw Phil storming towards them. "I know we're desperate for the kids back, but these aren't our kids, I mean, Tallulah is giant!" He gestured towards her. It's true she was giant, Wilbur was a tall man himself and with no other genetics being given to her, even at thirteen she was almost Cellbit's height.

"We know they're not our kids, they're from a different universe," Felps explained.

Phil stared at Tallulah for a while longer, her nod quickly. "Then how are you here?"

Cellbit watched as Tallulah explained the orb and their adventures from the past few months. Tallulah had really grown mentally since she was adopted, and she was growing up into someone who knew herself and the world around her. Technically worlds around her now. Cellbit looked around the Favela a bit to see if anything had changed while the kids were gone, and he caught sight of someone going behind a building. It looked like him.

He sometimes wondered what he would have ended up like if he hadn't had Tallulah during the kidnappings, and he was basically being handed the answer. He turned to Tallulah and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to go look around okay? Stay here with your siblings."

Tallulah looked at him and gave a smile. "Okay, I will."

He left in the direction he saw his other self walk off to and went behind the building as well, and saw him in the distance. He was standing still so Cellbit used the chance to run up to him. He didn't get a chance to say a greeting before his other self looked at him and he felt chills run down his spine. Something about those eyes spoke of danger. He looked like Cellbit did, but there was something that had grown. Not out of nothing, but out of something ping buried, like a corpse becoming fertiliser. There was no denying that he was looking at Cell right now.

"Are you a code or something?" Cell asked.

Cellbit shook off the shock at seeing what was no doubt his long gone persona come back in an alternate version of him. "No, just a dimension hopper, I come from a world where Tallulah wasn't kidnapped and she saved the kids." Something flashed by Cell's eyes and suddenly a hand was fisted into his shirt and he was pulled closer.

"Then you can tell me where my son is." Truth was that he couldn't. Tallulah had never disclosed where the kids had been, or how exactly she had managed to save them.

"I can't, Tallulah never said." He tried to pull Cell's hand away from his shirt, but he had become softer over the years, and the continuous pain of having part of your family be ripped away had caused Cell to become stronger.

"Don't lie, if you are me, you know what I'm capable of, and I'm not afraid to show you." This was when Cellbit noticed the way his hands were tinted slightly redder than usual. It wasn't enough for most people to notice, but Cellbit was somewhat looking for it. Even then, most people wouldn't assume much of it, but Cellbit couldn't ignore the way his memories flared at the sight. Cell had killed recently. He could deal with the idea of his personality as Cell coming back, but that wasn't all. His ruthless murderous habits came back as well. He wasn't sure if his cannibalistic tendencies were back, but he knew he had to be incredibly careful with Cell if he wanted to get his family back to their universe unharmed.

"I really don't, I was never told, if I did know, I would have said something by now." He knew he had abandoned logic when he was Cell, so he's not sure if he would listen to him, but he'd rather not stoop to Cell's.level and get violent and risk anyones injury.

Cell's eyes turned into even more of a glare. "How can I know you're someone I can trust? You could be making sure we never find the kids, but I swear, if you don't tell me, I'll kill anyone I need to."

Cellbit struggled some more. "What would I gain from not telling you!? You're kinda me, so you should understand that that's not something I would do." Cell was becoming more of an annoyance than a fear, which was dangerous. He had to remember that Cell likely lacked a majority of the self-control he had.

Cell glared for a few moments longer before logic kicked in and he was released. "I guess you're right, but don't think I won't kill you the moment I find out you're lying."

Cellbit shook his head. "I won't." He regretted trying to find Cell. He thought that maybe he'd just fall into a numb pain like he had when Roier called off their engagement, but knowing that he could so easily fall into Cell's personality again made him fear himself and what was hidden beneath his growth. He should start going to therapy again, just in case.

"So, how long have the kids been back for you?" Cell didn't want to drop the subject of Cellbit had his kids and he didn't.

"A bit over half a year now, times really flew by." It was easy to think that it was just yesterday when he adopted Tallulah, but so much has happened and so much time has passed.

"And what did you do while Richarlyson was gone? You look fine now, but you must have fallen apart at being childless, the kids mean so much, unless another change that happened was you're heartless." Amazing accusation made from someone who likely killed someone within the past few hours. Although he can't say that Cell is completely heartless, he still seems to care for the kids. Enough that he would be willing to depve into the worst parts of himself and bring them to the surface just for the kids.

"It was a very hard time." Cellbit didn't like to think about all the worrying and suffering from when Richarlyson was gone. "But I wasn't childless, Tallulah was by my side for it other than the last few days where she was out figuring out things and getting ready to save her siblings."

Cell tilted his head. "Tallulah is Wilbur's kid, you were childless, you end up like this but you also ended up lying to yourself."

"No, I adopted Tallulah, she's my kid, along with Richas and Hope." He made the best decisions he could, and he was safe, sane, and had a loving family he would do anything for. It was terrifying to know that he could have became this if he hadn't made that choice to adopt Tallulah, and she hadn't made the choice to hide.

Cell's face went slightly slacker. He was shocked at the news that he had two extra kids. "Who's Hope?" He asked.

Cellbit didn't know how he'd react to the news, but it was best he knew. "She was in the adoption centre you visited a while ago, you must have gotten unlucky because she wasn't there when you visited."

Cellbit saw how Cell's composure broke slightly. Maybe he hadn't entirely relapsed into Cell, maybe there was some part of him that hated the idea of death. Maybe there was still hope for Cell.

A hand fisted at his shirt again. "Now I know why you're here, you just want to rub it in my face that I could have had more, but guess what, I don't care, so get out of this universe, however you got here, or I will remove you in a more permanent way." Or perhaps he was wrong.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave." Cellbit wasn't as scared of the threats as others were. Cell let go of his shirt and he left without a word, making his way back to his family.

When he got there, the Brazilians were still as close as they could get to Richarlyson, but they had invited Hope into their little cuddle session. Tallulah and Phil were having a polite conversation and Phil was looking at her in a way that showed that even with his previous accusation he saw her as a daughter just as much as he saw his own Tallulah as one.

"I think it's time to go home, don't you think?" It was Tallulah's orb, so ultimately she made the final decision, but he hoped he could get them out with just his words so they weren't in danger from Cell.

Tallulah nodded. "Yeah, it's been fun, but I came her mostly from curiosity, and it's a little sad, she turned back to Phil, "No offence."

"None taken, it is quite sad while your counterparts aren't here."

Tallulah skipped towards Cellbit and Richarlyson and Hope got out of the cuddle pile they had been put in. Tallulah pulled out the orb, and they were transferred home after they waved goodbye. The kids left to do something together and Cellbit made himself another coffee while thinking about Cell. It was terrifying to know he could have become him, but he just had to remind himself that he didn't. He had his family, and as long as he had them, he would be okay.

Chapter Text

Phil was shocked to find Etoiles curled up and mumbling in French, clearly stressed, on what felt like a fine day. He immediatly fell on his knees at Etoiles' side and rubbed his back, whispering that everything would be okay. Eventually he switched over to English, in a clear enough head to understand that Phil was there.

"I don't feel safe, everything's going to shit and I don't feel safe." It was difficult to most to realise that Etoiles sometimes felt weak and unsafe, but Phil knew it well.

"You are safe, I'll keep you safe," Phil whispered back.

"I want to go home."

"You are home, are you sure you don't want to leave home?"

"I don't know." They kept at it for several more minutes, Etoiles voicing his troubles and Phil helping clear the troubles up. Eventually Etoiles calmed down, and with a sigh he fell into Phil's side.

"You good now Mate?" Phil asked as he wrapped his arms around Etoiles.

"I think so, for now, it's just everything is going so, so wrong." He could say that again, they really needed to escape the havoc that was happening daily. A vacation could really do some good for them. That sounded like a good idea.

"Maybe we need a break from it, how about we go on a vacation?" Phil offered.

Etoiled looked up and tilted his head. "But we are stuck on the island, we can't just leave for a vacation."

"We can have a vacation on the island, we can just go somewhere away from the commotion," Phil explained. The idea kept getting nicer as the seconds ticked by.

Etoiles slowly nodded. The idea must have been desirable to him as well. "But where?" He asked.

"I built a fishing shack a while ago, maybe we could go there? It'd be nice if it got some more use and it would work for what we want." He hadn't thought of a place beforehand, but the fishing shack hit his brain once he was asked.

Etoiles nodded again, faster this time. "That sounds good."

And so they had their plan for a vacation. They informed the others so that no one would think they had gone missing, and then next morning they were at the fishing shack ready to have a week of vacation. They placed their belongings inside before deciding to start their day off with some refreshing fishing.

"Do the fish hate me? They aren't biting." Etoiles was having trouble getting any fish. At first he thought that maybe there just weren't many fish around but Phil had continued to have a normal stream of them biting at his line.

"I'm sure you're just a bit unlucky Mate." Phil felt a tug at the end of his line and reeled it back, showing another fish.

"No, they absolutely hate me, no doubt about it." Despite Etoiles' dramatics, he ended his words with a laugh. Even with how unlucky he was, he was having just as great of a time as Phil was.

"You'll get one eventually," Phil comforted. It was kinda funny that he kept getting bites while Etoiles wasn't. What was up with that anyway?

"Yes, in 50 years when I'm an old man." No matter how happy Etoiles was, nothing would ever stop his negative dramatics.

"You better be proud of that fish for putting you out of your fishless misery." They continued their banter about Etoiles' lack of fish before he finally caught one. Phil congratulated him for finally catching one and they decided it was time to stop fishing, as they had to make dinner soon.

Well, they were supposed to make dinner together, but Etoiles claimed he was too sad from only having caught one fish, so Phil cooked alone while Etoiles sat nearby.Phil pushed the fish he had caught around in the pan that they had put over a fire. “How did I let you convince me to cook on my own? This should have been a team effort.” there was a surprising amount of arguing on their vacation, but they were aware that every bit of it was playful, so they didn’t mind too much.

“Because I was so unlucky today, what if it strikes again and I burn our food?” Phil knew that Etoiles just didn’t want to cook.

“Cooking and fishing are way different, your unluckiness wouldn’t have done anything, and if you did burn it, you could try again, because I caught so many.” They would be fine for the rest of their vacation with how much fish he had caught, and this certainly wasn’t the last time they would fish on the vacation.

“You never know, I could burn all of them.” Etoiles didn’t give up on his arguing.

Phil let out a sigh as he rolled around some potatoes that he had brought with them and put in the pan alongside the fish pieces. “I’ll let it go for tonight, but you better help me tomorrow.” He was started to sound like a father again.

“I’ll think about it.” He was going to, Phil could hear from his voice that his fight would be for one day only.

“You better, now get some plates from your backpack, the food is done.” Etoiles listened to him and got some out, extending his arms over to where Phil could easily move the food over to the plates before they both dug in.

“It’s a good thing you made this alone, you’re a much better cook than me,” Etoiles complimented.

“You’re a good cook as well, don’t put yourself down.” Phil had to admit he thought he was better than most people on the island at cooking, Chayanne had taught him a lot, but that didn’t mean everyone else was a bad cook.

“Putting myself down is what I do,” Etoiles responded.

Phil gave a small laugh, “True, can’t change that.”

They finished up their food and cleared up the spot they were sitting in. They still had a little time before they planned to head to bed, so they got some sticks out and decide to fight.

Phil was a great fighter, he’d had a long time to get good, but going against Etoiles was practically an automatic loss. Etoiles wasn’t just a master at using a sword to his advantage, he could use anything in a fight and now what to do. No matter how well aimed Phil’s attacks were or how many times he was able to dodge, Etoiles winning was inevitable. Still, as a well-aimed whack from Etoiles knocked him down, he didn’t care that he lost, as spending any amount of time with Etoiles was amazing.

Etoiles offered his hand to Phil and he took it, using it to get up, before they both decided to retire for the first night of their vacation.

The days of their vacation blissfully moved by, and their days become routine. Their days were full of fishing, fighting with sticks, which of course Etoiles won, and whatever else they decided they wanted to do. After the first night, Etoiles began to help Phil cook with little complaint, and that became routine as well. Eventually it was the last night before they headed back, and while they were itching to get back home, they would miss the bliss they had created for only themselves. They’d have to have a vacation again sometime.

“Think it’s time to go inside?” Phil asked.

Etoiles was looking to the sky when he asked, and he took a few moments to answer but eventually answered, “I want to look at the stars for a bit longer, want to watch with me?”

Phil hadn’t expected the questions, but he knew his answer. This Vacation had been amazing and he wanted to savour the last of it under Etoiles’ namesake. “Of course, just give me a second.” Etoiles nodded and Phil headed back inside to look inside his backpack, which he had left inside. He grabbed a large blanket from it and went back outside to meet Etoiles.

Etoiles was lying down on the grass when he got to him, and he joined his side before pulling the blanket over the two of them. Etoiles pulled Phil closer to his side at this, and they ended up cuddling while watching the stars.

“I’m glad we went on this vacation,” Etoiles said after a few minutes of silence.

“So am I,” Phil responded. “We should do this again sometime.”

“We should.”

They didn’t end up in bed that night, not wanting to put an end to the finish of their amazing night. Still, they fell asleep and woke up, and they packed up to go home knowing that it wasn’t really the end. 

Chapter Text

####

Pac woke up, feeling sick as he had for several of the past days. He leaned over the bed and threw up into the bucket he had started to keep beside it since he started to feel sick like this in the morning. It wasn’t something he wanted to keep, but when he couldn’t put on his prosthetic before he threw up, it was a need. He sighed and put on his prosthetic before getting dressed and emptying the puke bucket.

####

He didn’t know why he had felt like this, he thought he maybe had gotten a bit sick, but it’s really only in the mornng that he felt sick. Maybe he should ask if it had been happening to anyone else. He was meeting with Mike and Tubbo after all, so he already had two easy people to ask. He warped to the favela to meet up with them, knowing he would ask them.

He greeted them and immediately hit them with the question. “Has anyone else been feeling really sick lateely?”

The two tilted their heads. “What kind of sick?” Mike asked.

“The kind where you throw up in the morning but feel fine for the rest of the day,” he responded. It felt stupid to ask, but it was his only hope in finding out what was wrong with him.

“Oh my God,” Tubbo stated, eyes wide. Mike didn’t say anything, but he looked worried.

“Is it bad?” he asked. He didn’t know what he was feeling, but if they knew and they knew it was dangerous, he wanted to know.

“I’m sorry if this is a bit invasive, but do you happen to be trans?” Tubbo asked.

Pac tilted his head. “Yeah? Why?” Being trans wasn’t something he enjoyed disclosing. It was something he only let Fit and the Brazilians know, unless you count that one time where he accidently told Cucurucho his deadname. Still, if this was important to his sickness, he was willing to disclose it to Tubbo.

Tubbo’s face went more worried at his answer. “Pac, I think you’re pregnant.” The words were like a bullet through Pac’s chest.

“What?” he asked, as if there was a possibility he had simply heard what he said wrong.

Mike responded. “It does sound like morning sickness, but maybe you should take a test, there has to be some way to get one.”

Pac was silent. He felt like his brain was speeding and paused at the same time. How could this have happened? He so desperately wanted it to not be a real scenario, it couldn’t be true. He’d only slept with Fit since they started dating a few months ago and they were safe everytime, so it had to be impossible. Still, mistakes were possible.

“Are you okay?” Tubbo asked as he placed his hand on Pac’s shoulder.

Pac snapped out of his thoughts and answered, “I don’t know.” It was only a guess, but it was a guess that if it were true would ruin him. “I’ll take a pregnancy test.”

Mike took him into a hug. “Whatever the result is, we’ll be by your side.” Pac could only nod, as while he knew Mike wanted to comfort him, there was no way Pac would accept anything but negative.

That conversation is how he ended up getting a pregnancy test from Cucurucho.

“This will tell you if you are pregnant,” Cucurucho spoke.

“I know what they are, that’s why I asked for one.” Pac was gripping the test tightly, and he almost feared it would snap. His fear of the answer it would give outweighed any of the snapping fear.

“You looked nervous, so I wanted to make sure,” Cucurucho answered.

“There’s a reason I’m nervous, a baby could change my life.” Richarlyson also changed his life, but he was different. Richarlyson was born being able to walk and talk and take care of himself to some level, as had all the eggborne kids due to their sped up mental growth. If he had a baby, he’d have to spend years putting a majority of his effort into raising them. Sure, Fit would help, but that’s only if he doesn’t get upset that Pac’s pregnant. He loved Ramon and he took care of Richarlyson as if he were his own, but a newborn in their normal sense was a completely different thing.

“Take the test and maybe you won’t have to worry.” Or he’d have extra reason to worry.

“Okay, I’ll go do that,” Pac mumbled. He walked over to the bathroom and used the test, feeling as though he was about to have a panic attack from the wait. He couldn’t tear his eyes away, he had to know as soon as possible. The minutes ticked by, and finally, the result appeared.

There were two lines.

His world stopped again. He couldn’t do this. He’d somehow kill the kid, kids were difficult when they weren’t supplied by the federation. They died so easily, and that’s when they’re not actively being hunted by a code. He would hate himself if he let someone he loved died. If he’d even love the kid.

There wasn’t even a gaurentee that he’d love them. He hadnt even thought out the fact pregnancy was going to give him dysphoria. Pregnancy was always a topic that made him feel dyshorpic, and now that his mind wasn’t full of worry for simply the possibility, he could already feel the dysphoria creeping in.

This still wasn’t tallking about the chance that Fit didn’t want a baby. What if he told him and he said he didn’t want it? What if he broke up with him and he’d have to raise the kid alone? Sure, the other islanders may help him, but it was different than being raised by a parent. But then there was a worse scenario. What if he said he wanted a kid but didn’t and slowly began to resent Pac and the kid for ruining his life? He didn’t want to give up the life he was creating with Fit, and he didn’t want to lose it because of a child.

He couldn’t handle holding the test anymore, he simply dropped it on the floor, not caring to put it in the bin, and warped away, wanting to just crawl back into bed and cry himself to sleep. He’d be a miserable father.

Fit walked in and was met by Cucurucho. “I need you to clean the bathroom last.”

Fit was slepticle about what Cucurucho was saying. “WHy?”

“Its a surprise,” he stated. “Also Pac was just here, you should visit him after your shift.” He then left. Fit tilted his head before sighing. He really should visit Pac, but he was not ready for whatever Cucurucho deemed a surprise in the bathroom. He cleaned up whatever messes were around before everywhere other than the bathroom was clean.

He entered it and immediately noticed something on the floor. He walked over and noticed it was a pregnancy test. He picked it up, only slightly grossed out since he was wearing gloves, and noticed it was not only used, but positive. He didn’t know mucg about the islanders personal lives, but he hoped whoever the parents were got the answer they were looking for. He placed it in his trash bag before the information fell into place.

Cucurucho had mentioned Pac was here when he said there was a surprise for him in the bathroom. Pac was trans. There was a postive pregnancy test on the floor. There was no doubt about it that Pac was pregnant.

Happiness flowed through his body. He and Pac were going to have a kid together. They were going to expand their family and truly join it as one. He could already imagine them buildinga little house for their baby and making all the things they would need. He’d probably end up doing far more work than Pac due to the baby growing inside of him, but that’s okay, it would be hard work for Pac. It felt a little fast, but eveything happened fast on thee island, so they would make it work. He didn’t know how Pac ended up pregnant as they were always safe, but sometimes thinks don’t work entirely, and theyd just hqve to deal with that now.

Through his excitement, a single question shot through. Why didn’t Pac tell him? He knows that Pac had been there a few minutes before him, but it had been a few hours since then, but no message had been sent by Pac insinuating anything big had happened.

He pulled out his comm and sent a quick message.

Fit: Is everything good on your end?

It took a few minutes but Pac messaged back.

Pac: Everything is okay

Fit couldn’t tell anything by the message so he messaged back again.

Fit: Anything eventful happen today?

Pac: No

The response made Fit worry. Why wasn’t Pac saaying anything about the pregnancy? He knew this was a giant thing, so surely Pac should have something to say? Fi tried to pull the worries out of his head by telling himself that Pac needed time to think. Finding out youre pregnant is a big thing, and he probably just needed time to work it through in his head before he told Fit. It was fine, Fit loved Pac so he’d give him all the space he needed. He moved on from the pregnancy topic in his mind and cleaned the bathroom.

When he was done, he visited Pac, and he was different. Fit knew it was from the pregnancy, but he couldn’t bring it up before Pac was ready, so they just cuddled and tried to move past the silence.

Pac ended up not telling him for several days, and Fit became more worried. Pac seemed less lively than usual, and the pregnancy had left him quiet and in thought for most of his days. Fit wanted to help, but he also wanted Pac to feel like he can tell Fit about his pregnancy on his own.

“You good Mate?” Fit must have also seemed off these past few days, as Phil had apparently noticed.

“Not really, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

“Want to tell me about it?” He wanted to, but would it really be okay to say Pac’s business to someone else? Phil was close to both of them, part of the morning crew, but it still wasn’t his entirely to tell people. But then again, he did need help, and Pac wouldn’t want him suffering in his head alone, so...

“Pac’s pregnant,” he ended up blurting out.

Phil’s eyes widened. “Are you not ready for another kid?” he asked.

“I am, if it’s with Pac I’m ready whenever it happens, but,” Fit struggled to find the rest of his words.

“But?” Phil urged.

“But I’m not supposed to know yet,” he finally managed to get out.

Phil tilted his head. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean Pac hasn’t told me, I found the pregnancy test.”

“So what does that mean?” Phil asked.

“It means I have to wait until he brings it up to me, but he’s been so off lately that I don’t know when it’ll happen, and I want to help him get through this, but I don’t want to push him and make him tell me when he’s not ready to.” he’d wait however long Pac needed, but being told early on would let him take care of Pac.

“Are you sure he’ll ever want to tell you?” Phil suggested.

Fit tilted his head. “What do you mean? He’ll have to tell me eventually, he’ll keep growing and eventually there’s going to be a baby.”

“Not nesacarily, from the sounds of it Pac sounds pretty uncomfortable at the idea of having a baby, so maybe he’s planning to abort it,” Phil explained.

Fit hadn’t even thought of the possibilty that he wouldn’t want a baby. He got so ahead of himself that he forgot to think that Pac would have a different opinion on another child than him. He had to make sure Pac knew he didn’t have to go through with this and ultimately it was his choice.

“I need to go, thanks for helping me with this.” In a moment Fit was warping away back to his base.

He looked up post abortion comforts and collected chocolates, blankets and foods that Pac like, if Pac went through with it, he wanted him to go through the aftermath in comfort. He then messaged Pac.

Fit: Is it alright if I come over? I wanted to talk to you about something

It only took a few moments for Pac to message back.

Pac: Sure, I wanted to talk to you about something too

Fit: I’ll be over right away

Pac was finally going to admit to Fit he was pregnant. He had done a lot of thinking over the past few days and he realised that Fit wouldn’t upset if he was pregnant. It would take a while longer to feel better about his other negative reasons, but he had over eight months to feel better.

Still, having Fit in front of him now felt scary. But it was fine, he could do this.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Pac asked. Maybe if Fit went first he could work up some more courage.

“I want to hear what you want to talk about first.” Or not.

“Well, if you want.” Pac took a deep breath before pushing the words out his mouth. “I’m pregnant.” Fit looked surprised at his words, but wasn’t saying anything. It terrified Pac. “If you don’t want to talk about it now, you can say what you wanted and we can come back to the subject later.” Maybe in a week or two.

Fit reached out and held Pac’s hand. “No, I do want to talk about it, it’s just that I came here today to tell you that I already knew.”

It was Pac’s turn to be surprised. How did he know? He hadn’t told anyone, and even though Tubbo and Mike likely figured out the test was positive, they wouldn’t have told anyone, even Fit. “How?” he asked.

“You dropped the test on the floor and I found it, Cucurucho said I should visit you and that there was a surprise in the bathroom for me,” Fit explained.

He hadn’t realised that Fit would see the test, let alone be able to tell it was his. “Oh,” was all he was able to say.

“And I wanted to tell you I knew because I didn’t want you to worry about having to go through with the pregnancy if you don’t want to,” Fit explained.

“What?” was the first thing to come from his mouth. It’s true that he had thought about it a few times, but even with all the negatives, there was an overwhelming part of him that wanted to continue the pregnancy. He wanted to share his love more and have someone that held both their DNAs that they could love together.

“I know that pregnancy is something that is difficult, and it could change you in ways you don’t want to go through, so even though I would love to grow our little family, I want you to know that no matter what option you choose, I’ll support you through it.” Fit’s words made Pac’s heart beat faster.

“Fit, you’re the best boyfriend I could ask for,” he said with a smile. “And I’m happy that you want me to do what I want, and that’s why I’m going through with the pregnancy.”

Fit’s face lit up at the news. “Really?” he asked.

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “It’ll be difficult and come with a lot of downsides, but I want to connect our family deeper, and I want to make this big commitment with you, I’ll change a lot, but I’ve already changed a lot on this island, so if the rest of my change is by your side, that’s all I could ever want.”

Fit pulled Pac into a kiss as soon as his words were done. “I can’t wait to have a child with you,” he whispered against Pac’s lips. Pac pulled Fit in for another kiss.

A week passed by, and they were getting used to be future parents again. They hadn’t told Richarlyson and Ramon yet, as Ramon had only just gotten used to Pac being his dad’s boyfriend, so he’d freak out, and Richarlyson would have the news spread across the island in an hour. Things were going great when Cucurucho said he had to speak to them.

“I need to ask you something,” he said to Pac.

“What is it?” Pac asked with a tilt of his head.

“How has your morning sickness been?”

“It’s been going away, I thought I’d have it for a lot longer.” Pac had been feeling really good the past few days, and he no longer had to keep a bucket by the bed.

“Well, I have some news for you, it could be good news or bad news depending on what you two want for the future.” Fear struck the two of them at the robotic words.

“What is it?” Fit demanded.

“We were doing some tests on you DNAs and we noticed that Pac reacts badly to some fumes created by the island, although they only seem to appear in the morning, making it look like he had morning sickness. We have recently gotten rid of the fumes, so he will no longer react badly in the morning,” Cucurucho explained.

Pac was excited at this news. “So, it wasn’t morning sickness? When will my morning sickness actually start?” It was nice he’d have a little longer to wait, but he didn’t understand how this could be bad news.

“That’s another thing, turns out the pregnancy test you used was faulty, and would always show it as positive.” A slow realisation began to hit the couple.

“So, about my pregnancy?” Pac slowly asked.

“It wasn’t real, I am sorry for the inconvenience.”

“Thank you for telling us, can we have a moment alone?” Fit asked.

“Yes, I will be going now.”

Once Cucurucho was gone, Pac turned to Fit. “I’m sorry,” he apologised.

Fit’s face twisted in worry. “Why are you apologising?”

“You were excited to have a kid together, and now it turns out we aren’t.” Pac was upset himself, he wanted the kid more than anything despite the cons.

“It wasn’t your fault, everything said we were, and then it just turned out we didn’t, and I said before, I’d rather do what makes you happy,” Fit responded.

“Having a kid would make me happy, especially if it’s with you.” He had said that previously as well, but it seemed like the idea that it was a choice of doing nothing and having an abortion made them think they weren’t their real answers.

Fit smiled at him softly. “We can have one, one day, maybe off the island.”

Pac smiled back. “I’d like that, if we have more choice, maybe decisions will be easier.” They leaned in to kiss again. A larger family would be nice, but that idea could be put on the back burner for now.

A few weeks passed by, and life went back to normal. Mike and Tubbo asked, and Pac just said that it was negative and that his sickness had gotten especially bad the few days after. Fit confessed that he told Phil and Pac forgave him before they informed Phil of what actually happened and they asked him to not tell anyone, to which he agreed. They luckily hadn’t told anyone else, so it was just moving on with their lives after that.

An order meeting had been called ridiculously early in the morning, and Pac had been unlucky enough to wake up with a serious stomach bug and could barely focus on the words being said.

“Pac, what do you think?” Cellbit asked him.

He wanted to answer, but at that very moment he couldn’t handle it and fled to the bathroom, confusing everyone.

####

Pac threw up into the toilet and didn’t realise Fit had followed him until he pulled away. “You feeling better?” he asked.

####

“A bit,” Pac responded. He then gave a small laugh that was met by a tilt of Fit’s head. “This reminds me of when I thought I was pregnant and the days before.”

Fit also laughed at this. “Wouldn’t it be funny if you were actually pregnant this time?”

Pac joined Fit in his laughter until they both stopped abruptly. Within the next ten minutes they had excused themselves from the meeting and were waiting for a result from a non-faulty pregnancy test. Pac wasn’t as scared this time, having thought about the ways to deal with the difficulties of a child and the dysphoria that would come with pregnancy, so when the test came back positive, he threw himself into Fit’s arms.

“We’re going to be parents again!” he screamed.

Fit held him tight. “I know! I can’t wait to have a baby with you.”

“Maybe we were just meant to have another kid,” Pac stated.

“Maybe, and I’d be pretty happy if that’s what was always meant to be for us.” They joined in a kiss once again, excited that they would actually be having a baby this time.

A week later they had decided to actually come out about the pregnancy. At first, they told Ramon and Richarlyson. Richarlyson reacted how they expected him to, being excited to be a big brother finally, but Ramon shocked them by acting similarly. The two wouldn’t shut up about how excited they were that they were going to have a sibling and kept asking when they’d be born and became sad when they said it would be in about eight months.

The next people they told were the rest of the morning crew. Tubbo claimed he prophesised it while Mike congratulated the two for making moves towards their future. Phil teased them about getting right into making a baby as soon as they found out Pac wasn’t actually pregnant, but was happy for them nonetheless.

The rest of the island found out after that and was excited for the two. Some made teasing comments while others commented on their own wants for more kids, and the kids themselves were excited that they’d get a new little sibling despite the fact they wouldn’t be related to any of them. The response was incredibly positive, and they knew that this kid would be treated the same as the eggborne kids and would have the whole island treating them as family.

A major surprise was when Cucurucho came up to them and said he was happy for their family before giving them items they would need for raising a newborn. Despite the shock, they thanked him and he left.

Their family was going to change a lot soon, but if they had each other, they’d go through change happily.

Chapter Text

Glass shattered in front of the kids.

“Was that a good idea?” Pomme asked to Dapper, the one responsible for the broken glass.

“It’s fine, my dad used to do this all the time while Roier and Jaiden still lived here,” he explained as he hopped through the hole in the window, not caring as much as the others would about the pointy shards of glass due to the scales that covered his whole body.

“Because we all know we should do what your dad does,” Chayanne responded as he also went through the hole. If he went through, it was probably fine for the rest of them to go through, so the younger siblings followed.

“Why are we sneaking in anyways?” Pomme asked.

“Because it’s fun,” Richarlyson stated.

“No, why are we here in the first place?” Tallulah asked. Richarlyson shrugged in response.

Luckily, Leo answered. “Because we’re stressed, and we used to go here a few times before Tallulah joined us when we were stressed,” he explained, carefully moving through the broken window as to not snag his dress or scratch at his tail.

“Why here? It’s just a house,” Pomme questioned.

“When Slime went on that killing spree, we were all dropped off here and we did some gardening,” Ramon began to explain. “It was fun, and we decided to make this our safe spot, but then Roier and Jaiden said we couldn’t keep coming here without telling our parents, so we stopped.”

“But they don’t live here anymore, so I suggested we start coming here again, and now we get to share it with you!” Dapper’s wings started flapping happily, and the three youngest kids couldn’t help but flap their wings in happiness too.

“That’s a really good idea! I want a secret safe hangout spot!” Richarlyson stated in excitement. They had their dragon language, but if someone had translations on, they could no longer keep what they were talking about secret.

“Well, now we have it.” Leo waved their arms around, gesturing at the house.

“I wonder if the garden is still intact,” Chayanne spoke out loud but mostly to himself.

“Of course, you’re wondering about the garden,” Tallulah teased. Chayanne gave her a small flick to her scale covered cheeks.

“It hopefully is, it’s the most comforting part of this house,” Ramon answered.

Pomme looked around, trying to figure out where the garden would be. It could possibly be up the stairs, but there was also a locked door that it could behind. As she was staring at the door, she noticed a flash of colours, mostly blue, enter the window of it but quickly pull itself down.

“Over there!” she shouted as she pointed towards the door, her wings and tail moving rapidly in fear.

Chayanne looked over as well. “It would be behind that, but how did you know?” he asked.

“I’m not talking about the garden, I saw something behind the door!” she explained, still pointing.

“Is Roier or Jaiden here?” Tallulah asked in a suggestion.

“They shouldn’t be, Pa is with Pai Cellbit, and Jaiden should be with Tina,” Richarlyson explained.

Chayanne pulled out a sword and moved between Tallulah and the door. “We need to find what’s in there then, what if it’s dangerous?”

The other dragon hybrids nodded and pulled out their own weapons. Chayanne moved forward and broke the wall next to the door.

“Is breaking more stuff a good idea?” Tallulah asked as she looked back at the broken window, which Leo then moved to repair.

“Jaiden broke it when we needed to go down there the first time, so it’ll be fine,” Ramon explained. At least it wasn’t Bad this time. It was easier to believe it was fine when it was someone who had lived there.

Chayanne made his way down the stairs, his younger siblings following him. They eventually made it down to the garden, which had become useless over the months of no care. They were about to go down the stairs further when they heard a voice. No, several voices. Speaking Draconian.

Chayanne stepped closer to the voices, careful not to make his own, and his siblings waited on the stairs, also not daring to make a noise. He walked around a spot slightly before realising the voices were coming from beneath him.

Pomme eventually became confused as to why Chayanne was looking down at the ground like that and leaned in to whisper very quietly to Dapper. “What’s up with that part of the ground?”

“That’s where we made a little bunker for safety, whatever you saw must be down there,” he whispered back.

Chayanne without warning, slammed his sword into the stone beneath him, cracking it slightly. This caused gasps to come from the staircase, but for screams to come from beneath the stone.

“Come out!” he screamed. The rest of them didn’t know what he was thinking, but they let him do what he was doing.

“No! Leave us alone!” They heard an oddly familiar voice scream back.

“If you don’t, I’ll just break the floor and get you out myself,” he threatened.

They heard some muffled speaking before the saw the floor break away and Chayanne step back. Chayanne looked into the new hole and gasped, and the others didn’t need much longer before they were letting out their own gasps. Out of the hole came Bobby, Juana, Tilin, and Trump.

“Bobby!” Richarlyson screamed as he ran from his place in the stairway and barrelled into his brother, knocking them both over.

“Richarlyson!” he screamed back as he wrapped his arms around him. They curled their tails around each other.

Leo, seeing that running towards their siblings was an accepted thing to do, immediately ran up to Trump and knocked him down as well, screaming, “I missed you!”

Trump happily wrapped his limbs around Leo and responded with a quiet, “I missed you too.”

The other siblings decided to join and eventually the siblings that would accept hugs had gotten theirs.

“How are you back?” Tallulah asked.

“We’re not sure, we just woke up and we came here, Bobby let us in,” Tilin explained.

“I thought Mama and Pa would still be here, but we haven’t seen them,” Bobby spoke.

Leo tilted her head. “Why would they be here? It’s been months since either have lived here.”

“Months?” Trump asked with his own tilt of the head.

“Right,” Chayanne started. “It’s been a long time since any of you died, and Jaiden and Roier moved out since new things came up, Jaiden moved somewhere alone, I don’t know where, and Roier moved in with his husband,” he explained.

Thoughts went through Bobby’s brain for a few moments before he spoke again. “Cellbit right? I don’t know what's wrong with him, who would want to marry my Pa?”

Richarlyson nodded. “Yep, Pai Cellbit and Pa Roier got married, so we’re true siblings now!” Bobby smiled at that.

“We’ve missed a lot,” Juana stated, referring to herself, Trump and Tilin. “Who’s Cellbit?”

“One of the Brazilians,” Ramon explained.

“What’s a Brazilian?” Tilin asked. They really had missed a lot. The group explained all the differences on the island, all the new members as well as properly introducing Tallulah, Richarlyson, and Pomme to those who didn’t know them.

“We’ve been gone for so long,” Trump muttered as they finished explaining the new people.

“And that’s only the new people, there’s been so much more that’s happened,” Dapper responded.

Juana and Tilin looked at each other, quiet for a few moments before they looked over at their siblings and Tilin spoke. “We were in our parents lives for such a small time on this island, do they still even care?” His wings were drooped, and his tail swayed sadly.

“Of course, they care,” Pomme said immediately. “They love you so much.” She hadn’t heard Quackity say much about Tilin, but he had to care about her still.

“I doubt it, my Mama let me die of neglect,” Trump answered.

“My Mama killed me twice.” Juana shared her own story.

Bobby didn’t continue the sad stories and instead answered, “My parents could never stop caring about me, my middle name is Chingon for a reason.” At least they can rely on Bobby to not be insecure about his parents’ love.

“Your parents love you, and they didn’t mean for you to die, I know it’s hard to understand when you feel betrayed or feel like you haven’t gotten that love before, but even with all these changes on the island, one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that the islanders love so strongly, and that especially goes to us children,” Tallulah began to explain. She knew the feeling of betrayal and lack of love well, so she had to learn the much nicer reality first.

Trump cracked a small smile. “Yeah, maybe you’re right, maybe when I go to Mama, he’ll still love me.”

Tilin and Juana shared glances again before Juana spoke. “Well, if that’s the only thing that hasn’t changed, maybe they’ll be better parents this time around.”

Bobby, despite the words not applying to him, made his own comment. “I already know this.”

Dapper smiled at his siblings. “So, do you want to go see your parents now?” he asked. They’d be so happy.

Surprisingly, they shook their heads. “We’re really tired, and we want to not be tired when we meet them, so we’re gonna take a nap first,” Tilin explained.

The other kids nodded. They didn’t entirely understand, but they’d accept it. “Can we join you for your nap?” Leo asked.

Trump happily nodded. “I’d like that.”

“Sure, why not,” Bobby added. He got up and walked towards the staircase, looking back for a moment and gestured for the others to follow him. They did so and they went up and through the hole that was made before Leo slipped out last and filled in the hole as he had done with the window.

Dapper put Jaiden and Roier’s old bed into item form and placed it in his inventory, stating, “Bobby’s bed won't fit all of us.” The others nodded at the smart idea before moving up the stairs again. They made it to Bobby’s room and the bed was placed down, and the group of siblings got on top of it.

They used the beds more as a nest than anything. They laid on top of it wherever they would fit. Tails wrapped around limbs, and wings fluttered against each other. They didn’t go to sleep just yet; they just enjoyed their siblings’ company. Finally, they were all together, and they felt complete. Eleven kids, all snuggled up in two beds, huddled together like they were each other's hordes. This is what it was meant to be like, this was family, and when the revived kids got back to their parents, the island could exist as a family.

“I love you all,” one of them murmered in a sleepy voice. They didn’t know who said it, but it was met by numerous other sleepy voices proclaiming their love, and one by one, they fell asleep, protecting by the aura of the house they found comfort in, and the belief that they would never let their family be separated again.

Chapter Text

Mariana was used to heaven, his home. She had her complaints, but who didn’t? The other angels were stuck up, and they often taunted saying how free from sin they were. Mariana thought it was all bullshit. They weren’t completely free from sin, he’s heard of the sexual acts they’ve done, and while he hadn’t read the rulebook in many years, he’s certain the taunting and boasting is a sin as well. The main thing is that no one cares if you’ve done smaller sins, sins are what allow for purity and forgiveness, as long as you don’t do a detrimental sin that could override all of your pure parts, you were fine, and allowed in heaven.

Considering she knew the true nature of sin and purity, he was quickly able to rise up in angel rankings and often got to work beside God themself. These roles were not chosen by purity, as Mariana had let himself indulge in a few sins, some of which he believed in strong enough that he hadn't asked forgiveness for, but instead by how well they understood that purity wasn’t always most important. With the system they were trying to implant that would allow weaker demons to atone for their sins and move to heaven, it was a useful trait to have, and one the higher ups greatly admired.

Due to his high status among angels, he was often one they went to when something was wrong. This led him to one of the best and worst decisions of his life.

“Mariana, we have something we want to discuss with you,” she heard another angel say as they walked into her home. Mariana was annoyed, as he had work to be doing, so she looked up at them to ask them to make it quick but was met with an interesting sight.

Between two angels hands’ was a demon. He had seen a fair share of demons due to the atonement project, but they were weak, had teetered just slightly over the edge of being too sinful. The demon before him was powerful, had sin instead of matter.

“What is he doing here?” he asked.

“He somehow snuck away from hell and ended up here, it was difficult, but we managed to beat him, and we were told to bring him to the closest higher up so they could prepare him for his meeting with God,” one of the angels explained.

Mariana didn’t know what to do. Weak, harmless demons who just wanted to atone for the details that cast them down to hell by a whisker were easy to deal with, they were polite, and wanted to co-operate. This man, however, gave off the power of sin that told him he was on the same level of power as him. As a less structured wasteland, power was given off by how sinful someone was in Hell.

“You can leave now, I’ll deal with him.” Mariana didn't fully trust the words coming from her mouth, but she’d work with them. The angels gave a glance in each other's directions before letting go of the demon, causing him to fall to the ground, and left.

The demon glared at him from behind cracked glasses. “What do you want?” he snarled.

“What’s your name?” Mariana asked. Everything would be easier if he could find some kind of record of the demon.

The man continued to glare at her, but eventually spoke. “Slime Cicle.” Mariana nodded and quickly looked him up in Hell’s folder, which he had been given access to so he could find if a demon would be able to atone. She quickly found information about him. He had always been more rebellious than cruel, and despite his power, tended to get overlooked. He had escaped a few times, and they seemed to simply be for attention. She didn’t want to deal with this.

“Just leave, I’ll tell God I dealt with you, and we can both move on from this.” It would be for the best of both of them.

“I would, but you angels can fight, and I can’t really walk anymore, really thought you angels would be too caught up in staying pure than getting your hands dirty.” His words made Mariana realise the state he was in. There were obviously injuries he couldn’t see, but there were also obvious ones he was shocked that he hadn't realised. A horn was broken in two, and his wings were torn to shit. He was in no state to go back to Hell, he’d be ripped to shreds.

Mariana took a deep breath and stood up, moving over to the demon. “Then I guess we have no option,” he spoke before lifting Slime up, causing him to shriek. “You’ll stay with me until you heal, or at least your leg heals.”

Slime weakly hit Mariana, but the damage that had been done to him by the other angels made him weak. “Let me go!” he screamed.

“No, I’m helping you.” He wanted to drop him and show him that he couldn’t do much, but not dropping him was easier than asking for forgiveness for injuring an injured person further.

He placed Slime on his bed and let him sit there while he gathered some first aid stuff. It wasn’t often injury happened in Heaven, but it was easier to just have the stuff than worry when the time came.

Slime was annoyed but was still sitting on his bed when he got back to him and let her patch him up. His leg looked like shit but would be healed in a few weeks. His horn and wings, however, would take a few months at best.

“There, do you feel any better?” he asked Slime.]

“Barely,” he complained.

“Well fuck you,” Mariana responded.

Slime looked at her weirdly. “Better not let God hear you, wouldn’t want to lose your status because of me,” he teased.

“Despite what people think, swearing isn’t a sin.” There were some annoying sins, but luckily swearing wasn’t one of them, or else she’d lose half her vocabulary or spend half her time asking for forgiveness.

Slime looked somewhat shocked. “It isn’t?”

“No, I just said that.” Mariana was expecting to want to kick him out, but the statement that should have been annoying just simply wasn’t for some reason. He must have been playing demon tricks on him.

“Is sin just a lie then?” he asked.

Mariana face palmed. “No, sin exists, there’s just a lot of things people get wrong about it.” He’d had these sorts of conversations with people before, demons who wanted to atone mostly, but no one before had ever asked if sin was fake, especially since sin was the reason Heaven and Hell existed.

“Huh,” was all Slime said. “Teach me more in the morning, I’m tired, getting the shit beat out of you does that apparently, and I need to sleep, goodnight.” He then crawled under Mariana’s covers and fell asleep.

Mariana wanted to complain, but she had work to do, so she went back to her computer and continued with what she was doing before she was interrupted by the demon who was now living with her. It suddenly hit him what his situation was. A demon was his roommate. Sure, it was so he could heal, and any good angel would have done so, but it didn’t feel like the kind of situation he thought he would ever be in.

He tried to just push past it and move on with his work, and soon it became pretty easy to ignore the demon residing in his bed. That was until he was done, and it was time to sleep. She went over to her bed and planned to just face plant down onto it, but suddenly remembered it was currently belonging to a demon. He didn’t know the logistics of if it were sinful to share a bed with a demon, but he was thinking it now. Surely if there was no sex it would be fine, right? He tried his best to believe that was the case as he slipped in beside the demon. Annoyingly, she fell asleep quickly, and it was the best sleep she had gotten since as long as she could remember.

When she woke up, she thought she was still dreaming. Arms wrapped around him in a cuddle. It had been so long since he was touched in more than a platonic way. He opened his eyes to see who his dreams had made up for his romance, but screamed as he remembered the state, he went to bed in. Slime was the one cuddling him. He was cuddling with a demon.

He tried to push him away, but the sleep and extra energy he gained from it made it so he could keep a death grip on her. She resorted to banging her fists on his shoulder. While staying in the hug was something he somewhat wanted, it felt so nice, cuddling with a demon felt like something he had to ask forgiveness for even if it wasn’t explicitly a sin.

After a few moments of hitting Slime, he heard him speak. “Is this how we’re gonna wake up from now on?” he asked.

“No,” he said harshly. “I’m getting you your own bed.”

“Shame,” Slime said as he finally let Mariana go. It felt strange. He wanted the touch despite it feeling sinful. Although he knows that’s what sin is supposed to be. Mariana used this to get out of bed and away from the temping sin.

“I’ll make us breakfast,” she said quickly, trying to push the images of cuddling for longer (and other sinful activities) from her mind.

“What a great housewife I've gotten.” He ignored Slime’s comment and went to cook breakfast, hoping it would help him stop thinking about the demon in such confusing ways.

It didn’t, but they ended up having a relatively normal day despite the changes they experienced. Mariana got deep into his work, and Slime read some books that she had with minimal complaints about how it lacked anything sinful in it. Eventually they made it to the end of the day without talking too much, and they got to the point in the day where they had to go to sleep.

Mariana stared at the bed that still held the injured demon in it, chastising himself for not actually getting Slime a bed of his own.

“It’s not a big deal, just get into bed,” Slime complained.

“Fuck you,” she said once again.

“Can’t do that if you don’t get in bed with me,” he teased, snickering at the way her face turned red.

“I don’t want to get into bed even more now.” She should just kick him out at this point, screw being a good person.

“Stop complaining.” Without a second to compute what was happening, Slime reached out and pulled Mariana into bed, making him fall on top of him. He felt more sinful than ever.

“What the fuck is your problem?!” she screamed.

Slime grimaced at the position he put the two in. “You’re the one with the problem, you can get off of me, but you haven't.” Shit, he was right.

Mariana crawled over him quickly and got under the covers, going to the very edge of the bed and looking away from the demon. Slime could deal with his wings being in his face. “Goodnight,” she said, not letting Slie argue. He luckily didn’t, and their argument stopped.

Mariana was in bed for half an hour trying to fall asleep, but he couldn’t. His thoughts were consumed by the memory of Slime’s touch against him. This demon was going to be the death of him.

He carefully turned around and looked at Slime. He looked to be deep in sleep, so surely, he wouldn’t mind if...

She got closer to Slime and cuddled into his arms, feeling them wrap around him. If he asked, she could always say they accidentally ended up like that. Yeah, that worked. She was finally able to fall asleep.

Weeks passed by, and Mariana never got Slime his own bed. Slime never asked about it, and Mariana stopped complaining about having to share her own. It was almost pathetic how she struggled to sleep without cuddling Slime.

“I can’t believe my leg’s already completely better,” Slime spoke as they were getting ready for the day. Mariana was happy that his care for the man lead to him healing, but there was also a small, sinful part of him that wished it had taken long.

“Yeah, you can walk around pretty easily now, right?” Slime had limped around a bit before, but the past few days had him walking normally.

“Yep,” he twirled around a bit to show off his new mobility. “I’ll be out of your hair before you know it, won’t have to be my housewife any longer.”

The way he called her his housewife always managed to tick Mariana off, but the idea of no longer being called his wife, getting teased, sharing banter with the demon, it left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn’t want to let Slime go, and he knew that this greed he was feeling was nothing but sin, but he knows that the reason people sin is because its addicting, and this normalcy he has with the demon is more than addicting.

“Don't you think you should stay until you fully heal?” she asked without thinking.

Slime tilted his head. “I am healed?” he said with confusion.

“It’s just, your wings, and horn, don’t you think it would be best to stay somewhere safe until they heal as well?” He doesn’t know why he’s digging this grave deeper. He should have just backed down and told Slime he could leave, but he didn’t want to.

“Last time I checked, Heaven isn't the safest place for demons.” He was right on that one. Other angels had come over during the past week and Slime had to hide every time. As far as everyone else knew, Mariana had been kind and let him go without having to go to God and wasn’t currently living with said demon and being his ‘housewife’.

“Safer than Hell,” he tried to argue.

“For some it would be, but I’m strong, it’s safe for me.”

Mariana hated how disappointed she was that she couldn’t convince him to stay. “Well, if you want to leave now, I’ll help you leave.” The words hurt to say, but there was nothing he could do.

Slime stared at her for a few moments before sighing. “Guess I’m stuck with the old ball and chain for a few more months.” Mariana tilted his head at Slime’s words. “I’m staying until I fully heal,” Slime explained.

Mariana struggled to hide his joy. Instead, he simply said, “Good, you need the extra healing.”

And so, they fell back into their routine again. Except this time, Slime offered to help clean and do other chores. It really did feel like they were married, and it made Mariana’s heart beat faster. Mariana wasn’t sure how to feel about any of this, but Slime was staying for a little while longer, so he’d take his victories.

A few days after Slime made his decision to stay, Mariana had to meet up with God again to discuss the atonement project again. It would be the first time he left Slime alone in the house for more than an hour, so he was skeptical, but he couldn’t just cancel on God.

“Don't break anything,” he reminded the demon.

“It’s my house as well, why would I break anything?”

“To be a little shit.”

Slime sighed. “I won't, the house will be as good as you left it when you come back.”

Mariana believed his words and head off to talk to God. Their meeting started like usual, with God informing him of the dozens of demons that had atoned over the past week alongside any who had acted up as soon as they atoned and were sent back to Hell.

“And we recently had an Angel that performed too many sins and had to be cast down to Hell,” God stated.

Mariana became confused. Not once had God ever stated about the angels that fell. She knew it happened, had heard other angels talk about it, but God had never spoken of it before unless they were warning the angels.

“Are we trying to get them back?” It was the only reason Mariana could guess that God would inform her about it.

“If they choose to atone, we will try and help them, I am just trying to warn you of what happens when you sin too much without asking for forgiveness.” God’s words struck fear into his heart.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked carefully.

“It has been quite some time since you last asked for forgiveness, and while I don’t expect you to ask for forgiveness for nothing, you have an aura of sin around you, why is that?” Mariana feared that the cuddling had been a sin, until he remembered that lying was a sin. He had lied so much over the past month, and it was bound to show.

“I’ve been very stressed, and I do things I regret.” His excuse would work. It wasn’t a lie as he had been stressed, over how he was feeling for Slime, but it didn’t give away the exact reason.

“You are a useful angel, I would hate it if you got cast down to Hell, so please, when you can, ask for my forgiveness.” Mariana nodded and got back to work.

His house was still intact when he got home, and they moved on with the day like Mariana wasn’t scared to shit. When they were in bed that night, Mariana lay awake simply staring at Slime. Normally she would find her way into his arms, but with God’s previous words, she was hesitant.

Slime changed her. He was once confident in the idea that he would never fall from grace, but Slime made it easy, desirable. Slime could offer anything sinful, and Mariana would take it. Had Slime gone into Heaven to make an angel fall? Or was Mariana doing this to himself, falling deeper into sin simply because Slime was sin himself. Or perhaps he was falling for Slime because he was sin himself. The latter sounded more plausible.

Love was in no way a sin, but an angel falling in love with a demon was nothing but sin. He hadn’t realised it, but his action could have only driven by love. He made a mistake, committed a sin, by inviting Slime to stay in his home, and now he was going to suffer for it. A permanent sin he could never atone for.

“Why are you still awake?” Mariana jumped slightly at the voice.

“Why are you still awake?” he asked back.

“I couldn’t sleep with you staring and my face like that,” Slime explained.

Mariana quickly turned over to face the wall. “Well now you can sleep, goodnight,” he hissed out.

He felt movement behind him, and a weight was on his wings before arms were once again wrapped around his waist. “We’ve been roommates for a while and I don’t know what bothers you other than me, so why don’t you tell me?” If only Slime knew.

Mariana hesitated for a few moments before speaking. “Why did you choose sin?” he asked.

He felt Slime tense behind him. “It was fun I guess, I’m not the worst demon out there, it was mostly just small sins until I entered Hell, then it was a kill or be killed world,” Slime explained slowly.

“Do you wish you hadn't sinned as much sometimes?” Mariana kept pushing.

“Not really,” Slime answered easily. “It seems like you angels are on edge all the time about being too sinful, and that stress just isn't something I’m interested in.” Mariana hummed in response. Perhaps he was looking for an answer that said he wanted salvation, and that being an angel was a dream he desired, but the answer he gave upset him. He’d always be an angel longing for a demon until he fell too far and had his worst nightmare become reality. “Why’d you ask?”

“I feel like I sin too much, God noticed it today and said it’s best I ask for forgiveness soon since they don’t want to lose me as an angel.” Mariana shouldn’t be discussing this, but she was already in love, how much more harm could being Slime’s friend be?

Slime hummed. “You like being an angel, so why don’t you just ask for forgiveness?” he asked.

“Asking for forgiveness would mean telling God my sin, and I don’t want him to know.”

“What was your sin?” Slime asked carefully, and for a few moments Mariana could almost forget that the man behind him was a demon with how pure he sounded.

“I fell in love.” There was so much more to his sin, but those were the words that came from his mouth.

“With a man?” Slime had been told that the homosexuality is a sin thing was a lie, but it’s hard to reteach yourself these things.

“With a demon.” The words were said before Mariana could think and he immediately regretted it.

“And who is that demon?” Slime was tense after Mariana’s answer.

“You know the answer.” Mariana couldn’t bear to actually admit it.

Silence filled the room for several minutes afterwards. Mariana knew she had ruined everything, and she just wanted it to be over. Eventually, it was, with Slime saying, “Go to sleep.” Neither an acceptance nor a rejection. It felt worse than a rejection. Still, she went to sleep, hoping that when she woke up, they could go back to normal.

When Mariana woke up, there were no arms around her, and she panicked. Slime had been freaked out by his confession and left. He should be happy, no more being tempted into sin, but demon or not, he still loved Slime. Having someone you love run away will always hurt.

He pulled himself from his bed and knew that even after a demon leaves your life, it continues, he still had to make breakfast.

He entered the kitchen and was immediately surprised by the sight of Slime still there and putting food onto plates no less. “Slime?” he said.

Slime looked over at him and gave an awkward smile. “Good morning.”

Mariana stepped closer to the table. “Why are you cooking? I do that.” Slime hadn't cooked their meals before this.

“I thought I’d cook breakfast today, it was a pretty shit thing to do to leave it all to my roommate.” The word hurt Mariana. Roommate. No longer his ‘housewife’, but his roommate.

Still, he managed to get out a ‘thank you’ and they sat down for a quiet breakfast.

The next few days were nothing but strange. Slime would take care of Mariana wherever he could, and it just confused Mariana more. Was he just doing this to push him further into sin? Had Mariana trusted him just for him to take advantage of him the second he showed a weakness? It likely didn’t help that the weakness was Slime.

Still, they lived with each other and went to bed together every night. Mariana wouldn’t crawl into Slime’s arms anymore, but he’d still wake up in them. If things were easier there would only be one answer as to why Slime was acting like this, but life isn't easy.

He once again had to work directly with God, and he gave the same talk to Slime as he had before, but this time Slime was nicer. It irked him.

Again, with repetition, God told her the progress and asked why she hadn't asked for forgiveness yet.

“I’m very busy,” she said. She could already feel the sin of lying being picked up by them.

“Why lie in front of me? Retribution is important, its why I made this program, so why can’t you simply tell me your sins so I can forgive you?” God could never understand.

“Because I don’t even like saying my sin to myself, lying is the only thing I can do.”

“I’m disappointed in you.” The words struck deep. “I suggest you don’t continue down this path, or else you could end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”

“Of course.” As if he hadn't been fearing that fate already.

He ended up working late that day, his mind so full. He had to stop himself from crying several times. She didn’t want to end up in Hell, she wouldn’t survive. When she finally got home, she ignored Slime and went straight to their bed.

She was curled up when she heard the door open and remained curled up even when footsteps approached. “Mariana, what’s wrong?” Slime asked.

“I’m scared.” There was no point in lying to Slime, especially when it would just speed up his demise.

“About what?” Slime pushed.

“I’m scared to go to Hell, anywhere but Hell.” He knew insulting Slime's home wasn’t the best thing, but even demons could understand that Hell wasn’t desirable.

“Oh, right,” Slime started. “Your sin.” How dare Slime act as if he could forget his confession.

“I don’t want this, I don’t want to go to Hell, I don’t want to be in this situation, I don’t want to love you.” The pain that existed when he spoke of his love again was only a fraction of what he would feel in Hell.

He felt Slime’s hand on his cheek, and he flinched. “You don’t want to love me?” Slime asked, voice soft.

“Of course, I don’t, my feelings are ruining my life and the worst part of it all is that you don’t even care that I love you.” Mariana just wanted to cry more, his life was so simple before Slime, and now it’s a complicated and painful mess.

“Mariana,” Slime spoke clearly. “Look at me.” Mariana didn’t want to, but she looked up at him. It was the first time she had looked at him since Slime came in, and Mariana felt her heart beat faster. Slime’s face was covered in soft worry, and in that moment, Mariana felt like she was Heaven. “I do care that you love me, why do you think I’ve been taking more of a role in our house lately?”

“Because you want me to fall deeper into sin and get cast down to Hell?” Saying it out loud made him realise how stupid the thought actually was.

Slime’s face fell at her words. “I don’t want you in Hell, even if it meant I’d get to keep you.”

“Keep me?” she repeated.

“I want to have you, but I know you can’t choose being both an angel and my boyfriend, so, I started to try and be better, maybe hoping that my small acts could make me worthy of being an angel, or at least worthy of an angel, but I don’t think people like me can get atonement.” The words set Mariana’s heart ablaze. This was somehow worse, Slime loved him back. “So please, just say you choose being an angel and I will be out of your hair.”

Mariana placed her hand atop Slime's. “I want to choose you.” It was dumb, choosing him would ruin her life, but the way Slime looked at her was too much. Here in heaven, she was a high angel, useful, but to Slime? She was the God here, and he would worship her like the sinner looking for atonement he was.

There was a flash in Slime's eyes, and Mariana knew they were getting to a point where purity could no longer exist between the two. “Take it back, or I’ll take is as the truth.”

Mariana was being given the option to atone, and keep his life here is heaven, but giving into Slime’s sin felt like more than just the right choice, but the only choice. He would regret this sooner rather than later, but he could only speak a single option. “No.”

Within a second, lips were on her own, and she was willingly giving in to the demon. Maybe she was never meant for Heaven, maybe she was always meant to make her own with Slime. A heaven with no purity and only the sin of love.

They pulled away from each other breathing heavily. “I love you, and I don’t care how wrong Heaven thinks the love between us is, I’ll murder God to be with you if I have to.” This was the demon he had yet to see, this is the demon that rose the ranks of Hell. And now it was her demon.

Mariana couldn’t speak before Slime was on him again, and sin was performed in that very bed.

When they woke up, Mariana found himself plagued by visions. This was a common occurrence when God needed to tell him a message, so he let the visions happen without a fight.

“I trusted you, you were an amazing angel, but to lie with another before marriage? And with a demon no less? You have done too much, and you will no longer be accepted in Heaven, I will not force you entirely, even if you did betray me, but I expect you in front of me in an hour, and I assure you this is the last time you will see me.”

Mariana screamed at what was being said to her. She fucked up, she fucked up big time. Arms wrapped around her.

“What’s wrong?” Slime asked. Why couldn’t she have taken the way out? She knows she did this to herself and that it was a stupid move, but all she wanted was love.

“I’m being sent to Hell, God knows I slept with you.” Mariana was shaking. Why did he let this happen?

Slime looked horrified at the news. “Is there no way to stay?” he asked.

“No, and even then, you wouldn’t be able to stay.” Despite the mess she was in now, she still wanted Slime. “No matter what route we take, it’s always going to be a bad ending, no matter if it’s in Heaven or Hell.” They truly were doomed from the beginning.

Slime was silent for a few moments before he spoke. “How long do we have until we have to leave?”

“Almost an hour.” Almost an hour until they began their end.

Slime got out of bed and pulled Mariana up and close to him. Mariana was confused but before he could speak, Slime spoke. “What if our ending doesn’t have to be in Heaven or Hell?”

Mariana’s face twisted in confusion. “Slime, now isn't the time for jokes.” He was in serious distress here.

“I'm not joking,” Slime responded. “I’ve snuck into heaven enough times to know how to get between realms, so what would you say if I said I knew how to get to Earth?”

The words felt like a lie, but Slime didn’t look like he was lying. “You don’t.”

“I do,” he responded. “The question is, do you want to go there with me?”

This was a big question for him. He didn’t remember Earth well, and it had been so long since he had been alive. Going to Earth would mean uprooting everything he knew. Although, that’s what was already happening, and Earth had to be safer than Hell, so...

“Yes, I’ll go with you,” he finally got out.

Slime smiled at him. “It’ll be different from everything else we know, but we’ll have each other, right?”

Slime had been in his life for such a short amount of time, yet Mariana trusted him more than anyone. He’d follow Slime through Heaven, Hell and Earth if he asked. “Always.”

Slime leaned in to kiss him once again. Everything was going fast, but right now they only had an hour to plan where their lives were heading, and they’d rather have each other than anything else, so to Earth together they go.

Chapter Text

Missa knew he had missed a lot, through leaving and getting lost and going into their strange hibernations, luckily, his husband was always willing to tell him everything that he had missed.

“I’m not too sure about what happened next, I was in a cage.” Phil was describing events and they had gotten to Mexico’s Independance day, a day he had been there for, but had quickly fallen into hibernation after.

Missa was shocked at the words. “A cage?” He asked for specifications on.

“Yeah, I was told to go to this bird house, and it was a trap and I got stuck for a bit,” Phil explained as if this wasn’t a horrifying thing to happen. It sounded dehumanising, putting anyone in a birdhouse like that, but especially if they were a bird hybrid.

“And you didn’t tell me sooner?” Missa asked.

Phil shrugged. “The federation has always had a bit of a fascination with me, I should have expected it would happen at some point, will probably happen again.”

Missa struggled to find words to respond, and Phil used his silence to move on with his explaining. Missa didn’t bring the topic back to the cage, and instead let Phil catch him up, but he still couldn’t let go of what Phil said. It was bound to happen? It would likely happen again? Missa hadn't been the best husband, even if he was a platonic one, so he knew he had to do something about this. He didn’t want Phil to be put in a cage again, so he had to.

Evetually the catch up was over and they went to bed, but Missa was awake longer than Phil, thinking of what he had to do to save Phil.

When the morning came, Missa was first awake, and he used that time while Phil would be asleep to go and talk to Cucurucho. It wasn’t hard to find him, and it was almost like he was expecting Missa to come and talk to him.

“Hello,” Cucurucho said.

“Hi,” Missa replied, still thinking of how to bring the subject up.

“Are you here to talk to me about Philza?” Cucurucho guessed.

Missa’s eyes widened behind his mask. “Yeah, how did you know?” he asked.

“Classified.” Well, that was useful.

“Well,” Missa started. “Did you actually lock Phil in a bird house?” He didn’t know if Cucurucho would be truthful, but it gave him a start into the conversation.

“Yes,” Cucurucho replied without a hint of hesitation.

“Oh.” Missa was not expecting it to be that straightforward of an answer. “Could you not do that in the future?” The answer had shocked Missa and his words ended up coming out more awkward than he had wanted.

“Maybe,” Cucurucho responded.

“What do I have to do to make that answer a yes?” Missa wanted to keep Phil safe, and he would do anything, because Phil would certainly do the same for him.

Cucurucho tilted his head in thought and was silent for a few moments. “Is there anything else you’d want instead?”

It was a strange question. “Not unless it’s that and also Phil gets his wings healed enough to fly.” He had heard Phil lament enough about how his wings were clipped to know he’d also be willing to do anything to get them back as well.

Cucurucho tilted his head to the other side, seemingly in disappointment. “Is there not anything else you would like?”

Missa confidently shook his head. Confidence would do good here. Cucurucho was giving him an option, which meant he would likely be willing to give something in return, which meant he was likely able to get it.

“This is a big ask, us leaving your husband alone and giving him his wings back, but I think we have the right price, if you are willing to pay.”

Missa immediately lit up. Him confronting Cucurucho meant something and had caused something to happen. “I’m willing.”

“Hahahaha,” the robotic voice went. “You don’t even know what you are giving up.”

“I don’t care, I want Phil to be safe and happy.” It was a stupid decision, but he didn’t care.

“Well for that to happen, we need to inject you with something, we have been curating it for a while and have been looking for a test subject, good thing you came along.” The words struck fear through Missa. They couldn’t even tell him what it was? Surely it was dangerous if it was enough to ensure safety and more freedom that they had been willing to give any islander other than Jaiden.

Still, he needed to do this. He needed to be a good husband and give Phil what he would give to Missa if he so asked. “I’ll do it, but you promise you won’t hurt him at all, lock him up anywhere, do anything that could make him too upset, and you’ll give him his wings?” Missa spoke.

Cucurucho nodded. “I promise.” He then pulled out a contract. “And I’ll show you that I promise.”

The contract was handed to Missa and he read it through. Everything did say he would do so, so it had to be legally binding, right? He doesn’t know how it existed so quickly, but Missa signed it, saying he’d be used as a test subject for the injection, and as soon as it happened, Phil would be given wings and safety.

The contract was handed back and put into Cucurucho’s inventory. “Come back tomorrow morning and we’ll get you set up.” Missa nodded and went back home.

Phil was just waking up and he didn’t question where Missa had been. He didn’t know if it was appropriate to say what he had done, so he’d stay silent. It wasn’t the most important to know what Missa had done, as long as it had been done.

The day passed by, and Missa was constantly thinking about what he had agreed to. The idea was scary, but if it was for Phil, he’d be fine.

Eventually the next day came around and Missa left while Phil was still in bed, going where he had met up with Cucurucho the day before.

“Good to see you still want Phil to be happy,” Cucurucho spoke and Missa stood in front of him.

“Always.” The answer was set in stone as long as it was Phil.

Missa was about to ask what needed to be done when he was suddenly warped and was sitting on a medical table.

“Take your cloak off.” He looked over to his side to see Cucurucho standing next to him with a syringe in his hand. The situation felt a lot like getting a vaccine, maybe that’s what it was? Missa did what he was asked and removed his cloak, leaving his arm bare for Cucurucho. He didn’t get a warning before the syringe was in his arm and the liquid inside was being injected. It stung like a syringe normally would, and it was over before he knew it.

“Is that all?” he asked as he put his cloak back on.

“Yes,” Cucurucho stated. “Feel free to go home now, your husband will have his wings intact.”

Without being able to answer, Missa was back where he was standing beforehand. It was strange to be warped so quickly, but he pulled out his own stone and warped home again, eager to see his husband’s reaction.

Phil was waking up when he got home, and he leaned over the edge of the bed and spoke. “Phil, your wings.”

Phil tilted his head before moving his wing into his vision, immediately gasping at the sight of all the feathers there. “Holy shit! My wings are fixed?!” The excitement that Phil had was worth the injection to begin with, the fact he was now permanently safe was an added benefit.

“Think you’ll be able to fly again?” Missa asked. He knew how much he missed taking to the skies, and he hoped he was happy he’d be able to do so again from now on.

Phil immediately leaped out of their nest. “I fucking hope so,” he said, happiness etching into his voice.

Phil did fly that day, and seeing his husband so happy made him happy as well. It would be one of his last few days of pure happiness, he had yet to realise.

The next day Missa woke up feeling a bit sick. It wasn’t too bad, just a bit of a cold, but it was annoying. Phil was a bit worried for him, but he said he was fine and he’d be okay in a few days. If he was right about that injection being a vaccine, he was just building up his immune system and he’d be better than ever soon.

It was why he didn’t question the fact he was sick for a few days afterwards, but he also began to worry when he awoke after a week of sickness, feeling worst than before.

“Mate, maybe you should stay in bed today,” Phil suggested.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” Missa wanted to get better, and being up and about wouldn’t help him a whole lot.

“You’ll feel better in the morning, I know it.” He didn’t feel better in the morning, and that was the last time Missa got out of bed.

Missa only got sicker and sicker, and he knew it was Cucurucho’s fault. He should have asked more questions about what was being injected into him, as now he was left delirious for a majority of the day. After a few weeks of this, Missa accepted he was never getting better, and that in an attempt to make Phil happier, he had started the journey to his death.

Missa knew he didn’t have long left, so for the day he asked Phil to just stay, maybe he could help him feel better, even if deep down he knew there was no hope left for him.

“Okay,” Phil had responded, and they stayed together for that day. Sometimes their time spent was silent, other times it was full of conversation. Phil read to Missa and he told him about plans the two could do once Missa was out of bed. It was bitter-sweet when Missa knew he was never getting out of this bed again.

Eventually night time came, and they laid in the nest together.

“Can you come closer?” Missa managed to get out. Phil nodded and he did move closer. “Can you hug me? I want a hug.” He wanted to be close to Phil, as close as he could get.

Phil nodded again. “If that’s what you want.” Arms wrapped around Missa, and he was happy this was going to be one of their last memories together.

“Thank you, this means so much to me.”

“It’s just a hug, I’d do it anytime,” Phil responded.

“I meant for everything you’ve done for me, since the moment we met until now.” Missa let himself say all his thoughts to Phil, it may be his last night with him. “You’ve always made me feel loved, and you waited for me even when it looked like there was no hope, no one has ever cared for me so much, and I would do anything to give back that love.”

“You can get better for me,” Phil joked. If only.

“I wish we had spent more time together,” Missa wished. He wished he had stayed and maybe he and Phil could have made more memories that he could part this earth with.

“I wish that too.”

Sickness made Missa more tired, and he was about to pass out, but Missa didn’t want to sleep without speaking one last thing. “When I’m gone, know that you’re safe, and I did everything I could.” He fell asleep after that, not knowing he’d never wake up again.

When Phil woke up he planned to ask Missa what he meant. He knew he disappeared randomly, but what did that have to do with his safety? Phil sat up in bed and was confused when Missa wasn’t there, or anywhere in the house.

He was about to message Missa when he heard a knock at his door. He got up and answered it and was confused to see that it was Cucurucho at his door.

“What brings you here?” he asked.

“This,” Cucurucho simply stated, holding out a note. Phil took it and Cucurucho left without a goodbye. Phil was confused but read the letter, dropping it shortly after, shocked, and miserable.

‘We give you this note to inform you about your husband, Missa Sinfonia’s death. He passed peacefully in his sleep to a disease that had been eating at his immune system for the past several weeks. If you need any help processing his death, the Federation is here to help.

Enjoy the island.’

He couldn’t believe it. His husband was dead. Did he know about this? Did he say all those things last night because he knew he wouldn’t have another chance?

Phil slumped against the door, feeling broken. He thought after he got his wings he’d get to have a happier life, but he couldn’t have a happy life without Missa in it. His brain was racing and he couldn’t think clearly, but one thought stuck out.

Did his wings have to do with how Missa got sick?

Chapter Text

They couldn’t believe that Phil had been kidnapped again. Luckily, Tubbo and Fit were able to find the place where he was kept easily, and now they just had to bring him home.

“Come on, it’s time to go home,” Tubbo spoke as he shook the curled-up figure that was in the bed. He was only met with a grumble that he couldn’t decipher.

Fit sighed and picked up the man, who didn’t fight the action. “If you won't get up, I’ll just take you home myself.” Phil once again didn’t reply, unless you count a mumble that had inaudible words as a reply.

They warped to Phil’s home, and he was sat down. He was very shaken up so they decided that it would be a good idea to stay around for a few hours and help him get back on his feet.

“Alright, food, are you hungry?” Tubbo asked. Who knows if they fed him.

“Hungry.” This made them happy, a response, even if it was a single word, was progress from what they had before.

Fit pulled some food from his backpack and extended his arm for Phil to take it. “Here you go, it’s not much, but it’s something.”

They expected Phil to take it, but instead he just stared for several seconds. Tubbo and Fit were confused. Why wasn’t he eating? He just said he was hungry.

“Are you going to take it?” Tubbo asked. Phil shook his head, and Fit retracted his arm, although he did not put the food away. They watched as Phil reached into his backpack and pulled out a pile of seeds. They were confused, and their confusion only grew as they watched him pour the pile into his mouth, eating the seeds as though he were fully a bird.

They didn’t know what to do, so Tubbo just tried to move on. “Um, good job? For eating.” He didn’t know what he was supposed to do in this situation.

Phil had a strange look in his eyes at the words. “Good?” he repeated.

“Yeah, good.” Fit also didn’t know what to do, so he followed Tubbo’s lead. A soft smile covered Phil’s face, and he reached into his backpack once again. They thought he would bring out more seeds, but instead his hand was clutched around a golden apple, which he began to eat as well. It was better than the seeds at least, but too many could affect his brain even more than what the kidnapping had already done to it.

They decided that maybe they should move forward from food, and Tubbo spoke again. “So, what happened when you were kidnapped?” It would give them a good idea of what damage they’d be dealing with.

Phil froze at the words, and they were expecting to hear stories of pain and suffering, but instead all they heard was a quiet, “No.”

“No?” Fit repeated as a question.

“No,” Phil said again.

“Do you not want to talk about it?” Tubbo asked.

“No,” Phil repeated.

“Okay then, we don’t have to talk about it today.” The two looked at each other in worry over Phil. Whatever happened had changed him, and there's no saying how to fix it until Phil lets them know what happened. They stayed a few more hours but nothing got easier around Phil, and when they left, they were just more worried than ever.

“Will he be okay?” Tubbo asked.

“I don’t know,” was all Fit could answer. “I hope he will be.”

Tubbo gave an uncertain smile. “Yeah, me too, but we’ll do everything in our power to make sure he ends up okay, right?”

“Of course.” The unspoken question was just how much could they even do?

The days passed by, and Phil still refused to talk to them about what happened during his kidnapping. The other islanders began to notice the change as well, Niki and Roier even went out of their way to say it looked as though he may be going through a depressive episode. It really did look like it.

Phil was on edge and quiet all the time, mostly refusing to leave his house unless someone forced him. He barely ate and when he finally did, he would only eat leaves or the rare golden apple they sometimes saw. Everyone was worried about him, but no one knew how to help him.

They could only make guesses, and while some made sense, they could never know unless he said something to them.

Their current theory was that there was something to do with the kids, especially Chayanne and Tallulah. They had tried to talk about them to him, trying to come up with something, but every time their names or disappearances were brought up, he’d go quiet, twitchy, before he’d walk away without another word. Not like he would say much in the conversations beforehand, but still. After that he would usually refuse to even look at golden apples, going back to a seed only diet.

Eventually the lack of actual food he had been eating, other than golden apples which had their own problems in his diet, he crashed in front of them. They knew things would only get worse if they didn’t solve anything but seeing him functioning as he had the past few weeks and then suddenly seeing him on the floor worried them. Fit checked for a pulse and let out a sigh of relief once he found it. He once again picked him up and they brought him home.

“He’s going to keep doing this if he doesn’t say what happened so we can help,” Fit brought up.

“He’s not going to anytime soon; I think we may just have to force him to tell us.” Tubbo had brought up the option several times, and now Fit was starting to think that might be what they have to do.

“Is that a good idea?” Fit asked.

“It might be our only option,” Tubbo responded. He was right. As Fit looked over to Phil, he knew they had to do something soon, or else he may actually die of malnutrition.

They noticed some movement from Phil and stopped their conversation, eager to see Phil wake up. With a mumble he opened his eyes and looked up at them, a pained expression on his face. He didn’t greet them, but instead mumbled out another, “Hungry.” They had removed his backpack earlier, so they would have to give him food.

Fit pulled some food, real food, out of his backpack and handed it to Phil as he sat up, forcing it into his hands. He just looked at the food, not eating again.

“Eat it, you said you were hungry,” Tubbo urged.

“No.” They’d been through this before.

“We’re not taking that as an answer, eat it or you’ll die.” It was half a threat and half the truth they wished wasn’t true.

Phil shook his head, saying, “No.” They were about to argue back when he spoke again. “I’m not good enough for human food.”

The words shocked them, and they were silent in confusion for a few moments before Tubbo spoke. “What do you mean you’re not good enough for human food?”

“I don’t deserve it,” Phil answered, not getting them anywhere.

“Why don’t you deserve food?” Fit hoped his question would actually get them an answer they could work with.

Phil hesitated for a few moments before answering. “I ruined everything; the kids are gone because of me.” Before they could ask what, he meant, he continued anyway, speaking more words than he had in a while. “I shouldn’t have gone on that trip, if I had just stayed, the kids would be safe, and they wouldn’t have been taken.”

The words were a huge shock to Fit and Tubbo. Was this what had been told to him during his kidnapping? “It wasn’t your fault,” Tubbo started. “I was looking after them and I did everything I thought I could, and they still were gone.”

“I’m a horrible father, I could have done more than you could have if I had just stayed.” Whatever had been said to Phil had ruined him.

“Hey,” Fit used the word to catch his attention as well as putting his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Other parents did their best too and they couldn’t do anything, so you not being able to do anything doesn’t make you a bad father.”

The words seem to have finally gotten to Phil. “I still wish I could have done something,” he muttered.

“We all wish we could,” Fit responded.

“Now eat, please, we want you to be alive so you can see your kids again,” Tubbo used the weakness of the moment to try and get Phil to take care of himself. It worked, as after a few seconds of hesitancy, Phil began to eat the food he was given. They let him eat for a few minutes before he became full, and he looked more alive than he had for the past few weeks, whether that was from there being less guilt, or the food, or both, they were just happy he looked it.

“Think you can tell us what happened while you were kidnapped finally?” They were making a lot of progress and Fit hoped they could make more.

Phil stared down at his lap. “So much, but I don’t remember much.”

“Tell us what you do remember,” Tubbo urged.

“It involved being trained like I was an animal,” Phil started, scaring the two. Many people had been kidnapped on the island, and being treated like a test dummy was expected, but Phil had repeatedly been treated like an animal. “They told me what to say and what to do, and if I didn’t, they’d feed me the bare minimum in seeds, but if I did and said what they told me, they’d give me golden apples, eventually I began to believe what they told me to say because why else would I be rewarded?”

“Do you still believe what they said?” Fit asked.

Hesitancy happened again, and Phil ended up responding, “I don’t know.” The answer was worrying. “I feel horrible for contradicting what I was told, but it makes sense, but I don’t know how to tell myself the federation was lying.” The stuff that the federation had done messed with Phil’s brain far too much.

“Anything that could help you learn to convince you?” Tubbo asked.

“Time mostly,” Phil started before thinking again. “And therapy.”

“Then we’ll get you into therapy,” Fit stated.

“It’ll take a long time,” Phil responded.

“It’ll be quicker than working through it yourself, and we’ll be you’re your side the entire time,” Tubbo explained.

Phil gave them a soft smile. “Yeah, you’re right, thanks for helping me come out about this stuff, and feeding me, and saving me.”

“We’d do it anytime,” Fit responded.

“Yeah, always for you,” Tubbo added.

So, over the next few months Phil began going to therapy to help with his contradicting thoughts and his remaining struggles with eating, and a lot of the time Fit and Tubbo would attempt to talk to him after it. It was nice knowing he had them and the rest of the island as a support network, and when he finally had his last therapy session for the matter, he invited them over to dinner as thanks, and they were grateful, just as Phil had been to them over the past few months.

They didn’t quite enjoy the seed and golden apple pie he made them, but it was worth it for the reaction.

Chapter Text

“I love you; I have and always will,” Missa confessed.

“Missa...” Phil knew this routine, as did Missa, but they still continued to do it despite the fact it hurt both of them.

“I want to be more with you, I want to be able to kiss you and hold you like a lover would, if you would just give me the chance,” Missa continued, spurting words he had said several times before.

“Please, just stop, what we have is fine, and I’m not going to let it be anything more.” He said they were platonic husbands at the start for a reason, and no matter how many times Missa tried to make it romantic, he wouldn’t let him.

The first time had been a shock, the confession seemingly came from nowhere, and when he rejected him, he expected things to go back to normal from how easy Missa accepted the rejection. It was normal for a week, until he confessed again, and so the routine was made. He feared he had another Forever on his hands, but things were almost normal except for the times when Missa would confess. Phil didn’t know how to feel.

Missa looked dejected, but let out a, “You’re right.” He wouldn’t think he was right in a week when he would once again confess.

They let their day continue after that, as was part of their routine. Phil felt off for the rest of the day. He wanted Missa to be happy with the person he loved, but he couldn’t let that happen when the person he was in love with was him. He already had a romantic partner, and he didn’t need another, no matter how many times Kristen said it would be useful to pick up a partner in the living realm. So, all they would be able to do is continue their routine for however long it lasts.

This was what caused Phil to be on edge an hour later when it was time for the two to sleep and he had yet to be confessed to. He watched as Missa climbed into their nest, thinking that maybe he was waiting until now for some reason. Except he wasn’t, and he said his goodnights and he went to sleep, leaving Phil confused.

Why didn’t it happen tonight? Had Missa finally accepted his answer? It was a good thing, for Missa to no longer desire him, but it made Phil feel off. He had gotten used to Missa’s feelings even if he didn’t reciprocate them, and having them so suddenly leave made Phil feel anxious with the idea that he had done something wrong. He went to sleep that night feeling off, and he dreamed of the crows whispering about how he fucked up.

The next week passed and there was no late confession, and Phil just began to feel worse and worse. He shouldn’t be this caught up on Missa no longer loving him, but he was. Even Kristen sent a message with a crow asking if he was okay. He lied and said he was, because he didn’t even know how to start explaining why he was feeling this way. Maybe he would come out with the lie once he understood himself more.

Three weeks after the last confession, Missa came up to him and said he had something he had to tell Phil. Phil thought that he was finally going to confess again and their routine would start up again, so he said he could tell him.

“You remember how I used to confess to you a bunch?” How could he forget when it’s all that had been on his mind for the past three weeks.

“Yes,” was all he said.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore.” The words felt like a punch, and before Phil could ask what he meant, Missa continued speaking. “I’ve met someone, and they’re really cool, and we’ve started dating recently.”

Phil’s first instinct was to scream asking who they were so he could go and kill them, but he reminded himself he can’t abuse Missa’s feelings to feed his own ego. Especially now that there were no feelings. Instead, he managed to calmly ask, “Who are they?”

“They’re a new islander, their name is Liere,” Missa explained happily.

Phil tilted his head, he hadn’t heard of a new islander. “When did they come?”

“About three weeks ago, they’re pretty shy, so they haven’t shown their face to many people yet,” he explained.

Phil still didn’t know how to feel, but he feigned happiness. “Good for you for finding someone special, I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy too.” Missa’s voice was soft and loving. “Thanks for being on my side, I thought it might pose a problem with our marriage.”

Phil pretended to not care with a shrug. “I have a wife; it would be hypocritical of me to not let you date.”

“You’ll get to meet them soon, and I’m sure you’ll be good friends.” Phil ignored the voice in his head that stated that he’d rather die than be friends with them.

The day continue and the gnawing in his chest continued, not letting him have a moment where he wasn’t thinking about how he no longer had Missa’s feelings. It shouldn’t have been so consuming, but having Missa no longer love him felt wrong. He was supposed to be happy this happened, but he just felt upset. The feeling didn’t go away when the next morning came and Liere was there to meet him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Liere stated.

“All good things I hope.” He didn’t know how to interact with them when he just wanted to question everything about them and pick about every bad trait and convince Missa to break up with them.

“Yes, all good, I wouldn’t expect my boyfriend to say bad things about his own husband.” So, they knew about the marriage, maybe he could use that to scare them away when Missa was gone.

“It’s nice to see he found love.” Phil had to continue being civil.

Liere hummed and nodded. “I really do love him, I’m surprised no one else snatched him up, what a loss for anyone who would pass him up,” they mocked. So, they also knew of Missa’s previous feelings.

Phil didn’t like the way they spoke, so he was about to let his words become more harsh, but Missa spoke instead. “I’m really glad I’ve managed to meet such amazing people on this island.” His words stopped any argument that may have formed, and an hour later the two had left for a date.

Phil decided he didn’t like Liere one bit, and was happy that he could plan to break them up without just going off of the want for Missa’s feelings to stroke his ego.

As he was wondering how, he felt a tickling sensation on his brain. Kristen wanted to talk. He moved over to his nest, ready to take a nap so he could talk to Kristen. His plan could wait. As soon as he gave into the sensation, he was asleep and his consciousness was before Kristen.

The towering goddess looked down at him with a smile on her face. “It’s been a while,” she spoke.

“It has been.” Usually, the sight of her would come him from everything, but the gnawing at his heart stayed strong. What was wrong with him?

Kristen picked up on his mood. “Missa’s new partner causing you any trouble?”

Phil nodded. “I don’t think they’re a good match for him.” There was more to it, but he didn’t know what more there was.

“Do you think he should date someone else?” she continued the questions.

“Yes, he deserves someone better.” There was just something that felt so off about them.

“Someone like you?” The words shocked Phil.

“Why would that be something I’d think?” Where did it even come from?

Kristen laid down on her side, her head in her arms, so now she could more clearly look Phil in the eye. “Is that not what you want? I’ve seen the way you look at him, and since he’s not acted like he’s interested in you, you’ve been acting so strange.”

“I can’t date him, I have you.” He realized that his words didn’t state he had no feelings for the man, just that he couldn’t date him.

Kristen made a disapproving noise. “If you want to date him, I shouldn’t be an obstacle, I’ve expressed my opinion on this before.” It’s true, she has attempted to set him up with others in the past. Still, that felt different in his head, he didn’t feel like this towards any of them, Missa was different.

“Even if I wanted to, I can’t date him,” he explained.

Kristen tilted her head. “Why not?”

“because he isn’t interested in me anymore, he has Liere.” The reasoning should have been obvious.

“I wouldn’t say he isn’t interested just because he has them, you love me and him don’t you?” Phil didn’t answer, still not ready to accept his feelings for Missa. “And I wouldn’t expect Liere to stick around for much longer.”

The words felt dark. “You cant take someone into the afterlife early just to give me another chance at love,” Phil stated.

“I would never do that,” Kristen explained. “I would simply be bringing them back; they did come from the afterlife after all.”

The words were just confusing to Phil. “What do you mean by that?”

Kristen smiled. “You would have never understood your feelings unless something got in the way, so I simply borrowed someone’s spirit and placed them on the island for a bit,” she explained.

The explanation was so unexpected. “You can’t be serious.” That was a new level that Kristen had reached to try and get him to pick up a new partner.

“It helped you, didn’t it?” It was annoyingly true. He felt as though she were right, maybe he did love Missa.

“It did, but it doesn’t change anything, Missa is over me, I rejected him too many times.”

Kristen sighed. “One day you will understand his feelings, even if it’s not today.” She did not dwell on the situation any longer, and instead let the subject go elsewhere until Phil woke up.

The next week was horrible. He understood that he loved Missa, but it was officially too late, and he wouldn’t have a chance with him again. Hearing Missa talk about Liere just made him want to spout his own feelings, but that would simply make everything worse.

It was another night of wallowing in misery over his missed chance when he felt Missa get out of the nest. It was really late, so he wasn’t sure where he would be going, so he sneakily peaked open an eye and watched Missa leave out the door. He knew it wasn’t his place to pry, but he was confused as to what he was doing, so he got out of bed and followed him.

It was only to the front of the wall, where he hid and watched Missa meet up with Liere. The fact he snuck out at night to meet up with them made him beyond pissed, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Why’d you ask me to meet you here?” Missa asked.

“There’s something I wanted to tell you.” This wasn’t something Phil should have been watching, but he couldn’t help it, he needed to know what Missa’s relationship was like.

“What is it?” Missa asked.

“You see, I’m not supposed to be here, on this island,” they started. Holy shit, where they coming clean about being a spirit? “I’ve been dead for a long time.” Turns out they were.

Missa tilted his head. “What?”

“I’m dead, and I don’t have much time before I have to return to the afterlife.” It made sense, they had run out of use after Phil realized his feelings.

“So this is a break up?” Missa’s voice was sad, but not as sad as Phil would have expected it to be after a break up.

Liere shook their head. “No, I really do love you, and I don’t want to let what we have go, so I came up with the idea to kill you so we could be together in the afterlife,” Liere said far too cheerfully. Phil could barely keep his gasp in. Who did they think they were? This wasn’t how anything was supposed to go.

Missa took a step away from Liere, which was discarded by them taking a step forward. “That’s nice, but I’m not ready to die, so maybe it’s best we just go our separate ways.”

Liere didn’t like this answer and became angry. “I thought we had something? Why cant you just let this exist between us?”

“we did have something, but it isn’t something I would die for.” Missa looked visibly scared.

“You fucking asshole!” Liere screamed as they jumped at Missa, pushing him to the ground. “I love you! Why cant you accept that? Is it Phil? Don’t worry, you wont have to worry about him once we’re together in the afterlife.”

Phil wasn’t able to just watch anymore, and left his hiding spot before running up to the two and pulling Liere off of Missa. “Stay the fuck away from him!” he shouted.

Liere looked pissed and tried to jump at Missa again but was stopped by Phil’s sword plunging into their arm, causing them to scream.

Liere looked at Missa, bleeding and pathetic. “Save me!” Missa just got up from the ground and hid behind Phil. Liere looked up at Phil and hissed, “You’ll regret getting in my way!”

He didn’t, and instead pulled his sword out of their arm and plunging it into their chest, killing them and sending them to the afterlife once again.

Phil turned around to face Missa. “Are you alright?” he asked.

Missa nodded. “Terrified, but alright.” Missa looked away from Phil. “Sorry for making you do that.”

“You didn’t make me do anything, I wanted to protect you, I always want to protect you.”

“You cant just say that to people,” Missa muttered.

Phil tilted his head. “Why?”

“Because you’ll add fire to the feelings, they’re trying to get rid of,” Missa answered, still not looking at Phil. The words shocked Phil.

“You still love me?” Phil asked.

Missa nodded. “Even if I tried with Liere, my feelings for you never went away, and now I don’t know what to do but drive myself crazy.”

Phil took a step forward and gathered Missa’s hands into his own. Missa shyly looked at him. “Maybe you don’t need to do that,” Phil started.

“I know I don’t, but there’s not much else I can do when you don’t feel the same,” Missa attempted to joke, but his voice was flat.

“That’s what I mean.” This would be a big moment for Phil, but he had a chance now, and maybe they can make something work for the future. “I do return your feelings.”

Missa tensed. “Are you being serious?” His words were quiet an uncertain.

Phil nodded. “I love you, and I’m sorry it took so long to realize it.” Within the next second, Missa was fully in his arms and his mask was moved out of the way to kiss Phil. Phil immediately kissed back. Yeah, this was what their relationship was supposed to be like.

When they pulled apart, Missa looked at him with a smile. “I love you too.”

Suddenly their routine was being in love, and they enjoyed it. Kristen sent Missa a letter apologizing for Liere, and the three moved past it. Having Missa as a romantic partner was new and strange, but it was something Phil would happily get used to.

Chapter Text

Despite fear and hesitancy, once the first word was said about Missa being the vampire, island life returned to normal. Missa was expecting outrage an fear, but instead came support and apologies. Some people even offered to help Missa with food if he ever needed more. Missa was eternally grateful for the islanders who had become his friends and family.

Of course, not everything was normal, Cellbit occasionally came up to him and asked questions about being a vampire, which Missa had no trouble answering. Forever was quite a bit nicer to him now, even more than the was after his original agreement to back off of Phil. There was also Etoiles, who after hearing about Missa being a vampire for the first time, immediately found them and asked for a fight. Apparently, he was enamored by the super strength and other traits of vampires, and wanted to know if he could beat him even with Missa’s advantage. Missa just responded that he would do so another day, and now Etoiles was patiently waiting for that day to arrive.

Phil was happy that Missa could finally be himself entirely without worrying about what the other islanders could fear about him. It had been a lot to deal with, and Phil thought it would be nice to have a date night to celebrate all that had gone on recently.

Forever had given him all those tips for having a vampire lover, and he could use some of them for a date night, to see if he knew how to use what he had learnt. He opened his list on his comm that had what Forever had told him, and he paid attention to the ones he thought he would end up using, as well as a few more that were a possibility.

“What are you doing?” Missa asked curiously from where he was sitting, watching the kids play.

“I was just thinking we should have a date night tonight, what do you think?” It would be best to ask Missa than to spring it on him.

Missa’s head tilted happily. “I’d love that, what are you thinking?”

“I could cook us a nice dinner, just the two of us.” It would be simple, but it would be nice.

Missa leaned over and moved his mask to give his husband a kiss. “I’d like that, anything you want me to do for it?”

“No, I want this to be a gift for you almost.” Missa deserved it.

Missa hummed. “As long as you still understand this is for you as well, I’ll take the gift.”

Phil got back to the notes, and Missa decided to take the kids out by himself so that Phil could prepare for their date.

He started out with the food, some salad and potato, which Missa enjoyed for their taste even if it gave him no nutritional value, and steak for the two. Steak would be a bit of a lie for Missa’s, as it was more just the cut. He made sure it was as bloody as could be and cooked it until it was barely safe to eat, keeping as much of the blood as he could. Phil found himself finding the kitchen work relaxing, a nice gift for his husband. When it just needed time to cook and he could step away, he got to work setting up where they would eat.

He placed a nice black tablecloth over the table, dark so blood wouldn’t show easily. The then put some candles and cutlery on top of the table to make it look nicer. There were perhaps too many candles, but it would allow for a heat to grow in the room that Missa lacked, and rather enjoyed when he could find a way to regain. He had also heard that heating up a vampire could make them less hungry from Forever, and as Missa would be substituting his normal food for a human’s meal, less hunger would be useful to the both of them.

He added some napkins on the table, and extra amount for Missa for if he decided to become a bat during the meal, and he considered this worm done. Food and meal times when you were thinking about a human’s meal wasn’t something Forever told him much about, as vampires tended to not do human meals, preferring to simply feed when they were hungry, and didn’t regard manners. Still, Missa enjoyed human mealtimes occasionally, and after suffering from hunger for so long he could deal with it a bit better than normal, so substitution didn’t bother him too much.

He went to finish up the food, seasoning what he needed to and making sure nothing included garlic, a process he was still getting used to for the substitution nights. He felt bad for any time garlic was used previously and Missa couldn’t say anything without outing his secret.

He placed the food on plates and placed them on the table, pouring some wine as well. If he had a better access to blood, perhaps he would have poured Missa some blood, but that can always happen next time.

Right on time, Missa arrived. “I dropped the kids off at Bad’s, he’ll keep them until tomorrow morning.” They hadn’t discussed where the kids would go, it was just assumed that Missa would take care of it, which he did.

Phil leaned in and moved Missa’s mask, kissing him. “So, we’ll have the whole night to ourselves?” Missa’s face flushed slightly at the unsaid words.

“Yes,” he stated a bit too quickly. He fully removed his mask and Phil extended his arm for the vampire to take, which he did. Phil led Missa over to the table and helped him sit down before moving and sitting down in his own seat.

Missa licked his lips at the sight of the bloody steak. “This looks amazing, thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

They began to eat and made loving conversation. The blood and the heat made Missa happy and loving, more than usual, and Phil was happy in his own way for seeing Missa so calm.

“A lot has happened on this island,” Missa stated halfway through their meal.

“Yeah, I can’t believe some of the stuff we’ve been through.” There were good and bad things, but Phil would happily take the good.

“Same, but a lot of it I’m happy with, I’m glad I met you and the kids, and I’m glad I’m no longer insecure about being a vampire.” These kinds of things are ones that you cherish. Love in so many ways.

“I’m also happy I got to meet you and the kids, and I’m also happy that I’ve helped you love yourself the way you do now.” Phil reached over and held Missa’s hand in his own, causing Missa to flush and smile wider.

“You were such a big help, and that’s why I want to give you even a fraction of that happiness,” Missa looked away shyly. “I can’t fix what the island has taken from you, but I want to give you an opportunity to have that happiness even for just a few minutes again.” Phil had lost many things on the island. A sense of freedom, people even if it were temporarily, several years off his life, but the one thing that stuck out every time he thought about what he had lost was his wings. Was that what Missa was talking about? How could he even help with that?

“What do you mean by give me an opportunity?” Phil asked curiously.

Missa just smiled. “It’s a surprise, and I promise you’ll like it.” While Phil would like to know now, he accepted Missa’s answer.

The two continued dinner, happily talking and eating, until they had finished. Missa stood up and held his hand out to Phil, which he took. It was so similar to how their night started.

Missa guided Phil out and onto the wall, where he moved him to the edge of the wall.

“The moon is so pretty tonight,” Phil stated.

“I think you’re more pretty,” Missa responded. Phil leaned in and kissed Missa again. The taste of blood, while still unpleasant, was becoming normal to him.

“You’re a charmer,” Phil spoke once they pulled away. “So, do I get to know what my surprise is now?” he asked.

Missa nodded. “I hear that Forever gave you some tips on vampires, right?” Phil nodded. The fact that Missa knew of the conversation wasn’t all that confusing. “What did he tell you about vampires and flight?”

“He just told me that vampires turn into bats, and when I said that I knew that, we abandoned that topic.” His husband’s wording confused him. Why would be say vampires and flight rather than bats?

Missa smiled at his words. “Then you’re in for a surprise.” He used one of his hands to grab onto Phil’s hand, and the other wrapped around his waist. Phil placed his hand on Missa’s shoulder, as though they were about to dance, but they didn’t dance. Instead, Missa backed away and Phil stepped with him, trusting Missa so much that he didn’t take into consideration that behind Missa was pure air.

When their feet left the wall, he almost shouted, expecting the two of them to fall in each other’s arms, but instead Missa stayed at the same height as the wall, flying in the air as Phil clung to him.

Phil pulled himself up using his hand that was simply placed on Missa’s shoulder, now wrapped around his neck.

“Surprise,” Missa said softly.

“Holy shit that terrified me,” Phil said with a chuckle.

“Sorry.” Despite the apology, Missa smiled at him in a way that made him wonder if he really was sorry. Focusing on the smile, it made Phil see how beautiful he was. Missa was looking down at Phil and his head was surrounded by moonlight, forcing soft shadows on his face.

“I can’t believe you can fly like this.” He had to push on from his beauty, or he may pull them both down to the ground attempting to kiss him.

“I know you’re upset that you can’t fly, and I didn’t want you to feel upset that I could fly in my humanoid form and you couldn’t, but I knew I couldn’t hide it forever, and I thought that maybe I could take you out on a flight,” Missa explained.

“I wouldn’t be upset at you having something I lost, flight is amazing, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to be denied the right to fly.” Still, the reasoning was adorable.

“Which is why I want to fly with you, and let you experience it for at least one day more, maybe even more if you’d like to do so again.”

Phil smiled up at his husband. “I’d spend a thousand nights in the sky with you if that’s all you wanted.”

Even of they didn’t reach a thousand nights, they’d at least have this night, night one. Missa twirled the two in the sky and Phil held on tight, letting the two be locked together like they were in a dance.

This night was another start, one not as a vampire and his lover, but simply two lovers. Maybe one day this start would lead to their family being able to fly as one, Missa and Phil teaching Chayanne to fly, and somehow Tallulah would be there too. That was a future dream, but right now, tonight was enough.

Chapter Text

Getting evacuated to a new island was something they didn’t expect, an eye supposedly hijacking the situation was also not expected. Still, no one could say no to what the eye offered.

The four dead kids back.

Roier and Jaiden almost cried at the news, Maxo was stunned into silence at the idea of having Trumpet back, and ElQuackity stayed silent. The parents weren't the only ones excited though. The other islanders were happy that they’d get to have their nieces and nephews back, and the other kids jumped for joy at having their siblings back. All in all, the dead kids coming back was an event everyone was excited for and caused despair at the next words.

The dead kids would only return if the cursed team won, if not, they would truly be lost forever. They didn’t know who the cursed team could possibly be, but if it got them their kids back, they would make sure that team won.

“Are we going to win?” Hope asked as the final day ended, and the island chosen bedtime arrived.

“If we are the cursed team, then yes,” Cellbit responded.

“If we’re not the cursed team I feel sorry for who is,” Tallulah piped up. It’s true they suffered greatly, barely anyone who had been assigned to their team wasn’t in hibernation, and they were left with three kids to look out for as well. Sure, Tallulah was a teen now, but she still needed to be taken care of.

“I’m sure we’ll figure out who the cursed team in, and we’ll let them win if it’s not us, okay?” Phil reassured.

“Anything for my siblings,” Richarlyson stated from his spot at Cellbit’s side. It was lucky that Cellbit got all three of his kids in his group. He would be fine with them in Roier’s group, but leaving Tallulah and Hope in a group without either of their parents wasn’t something he wanted. Richarlyson would have a parent no matter what team he was in, so he didn’t have to worry about him was much.

The other members of the group were a little further away than the Cellbit and his three kids, so even with Phil’s comment, for the little bit longer that they were up, they kept conversation to themselves, eventually ending the day with the kids cuddled to Cellbit’s sides.

“Are you excited to get your siblings back?” Etoiles asked Pomme as she helped him move some stuff around. He was certain that the cursed team would win, and that the siblings would all be reunited.

“Yep, it’s gonna be so cool to meet them.” Pomme, having been born at the time she was, hadn't got to meet any of the dead kids, so she got to have the awesome meeting of reviving them beforehand.

“They’ll love you right away, I’m sure.” Pomme smiled at her papa’s words. She wanted to be the best sister to them.

They arrived to wear their materials needed to be used and saw Fit playing with Ramon’s hair, said boy looking as though he was about to fall asleep.

“Tired?” Etoiles asked Ramon.

“It’s been a lot for him,” Fit answered for his son. It was a bit annoying that Ramon was trying to sleep, as they needed him to pick up the slack. Officially they only had 12 members over the 13 the others had (They technically also had 13, but Flippa never did anything, and wasn’t even the real one to begin with), and they needed even more work to be done for those who were hibernating.

“Speaking about a lot,” Etoiles started. “Have you seen Maxo? He looks horrible.” Maxo wasn’t too far away, so it wasn’t hard to see him now. He was in a daze most of the time and was becoming concerningly pale.

“Maybe he’s just worried about not getting Trumpet back?” Pomme suggested. Even if she didn’t believe it, maybe it was best to think about it that way rather than the idea that he might actually be sick.

“Possibly,” Fit responded. It’s true that no one believed it.

“He’ll be fine, right?” Ramon spoke for the first time in the conversation.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Etoiles spoke. They were all worried for the man, but when they were worrying about bringing the kids back to life, he was low on their list of worries.

“Trumpet’s gonna come back, Trumpet’s gonna come back,” Leo sung to theirself as they skipped alongside Tina.

“We need to make sure the cursed team wins first,” Chayanne brought up.

“And I’m sure they will,” Tina spoke.

“We’ll make sure they win,” Missa added.

Leo put their hands on their hips. “There’s no way they won’t win, everyone wants our siblings back.”

“Chayanne’s right about worrying, what if we think someone’s cursed but then it turns out they aren’t?” They didn’t know where Dapper came from, but suddenly he and Bad wanted to be a part of their conversation.

“I mean, I feel like we are the cursed team, but who’s to say it’s not someone else?” Bad spoke.

“It’s still really early, I’m sure we’ll figure it out before it’s too late.” Barely any time had passed on this island, they had time to figure out who the cursed team was, making that decision based on two days was a dumb idea.

“But what if we do make the wrong choice?” Chayanne was acting strangely, he had been so confident at the start, but now he doubted everything.

“We won’t, why are you so worried about this?” Missa asked carefully. He didn’t want to dismiss his son’s emotions, but it was strange that he was acting this way.

“I feel like something bad is going to happen,” Chayanne admitted.

“Everything will be okay,” Tina stated. Still, Chayanne’s words began to worry her. She’s sure it will all end fine, and everyone will get off this island fine, right?

Time passed by fine, and while some sanity was lost, things were mostly okay. ElQuackity still didn’t care that they were getting the kids back, Maxo was getting worse by the day, and Chayanne was still worried out of his mind, but other than that, things were good.

When the Green Gay Ninjas was eliminated, they were worried for a small period of time, scared that the cursed team had been eliminated, but in the end, they weren’t, and family was reunited a bit. A taste of the happiness they’d get at the end, as long as they played this game right.

It was almost suspicious how easy it was. With a name like purgatory, they expected it to be worse, but after a few days anything too harsh was removed from being a task and the two remaining teams lived in mostly harmony, just trying to figure out who needed to win. They certainly didn’t complain, it was basically a vacation with a reward at the end.

Eventually, the two weeks passed, and as anxiety rose, team BOLAS!?!?! was announced the winner. Anxiety rose higher and higher, until they were told that the kids would be returned to them.

Screams of happiness filled the air, some people genuinely cried, and a sense of completeness filled the air. The next thing they knew, cages were being brought down, and as soon as they were lowered enough, the doors were opened.

They didn’t have to wait long before Bobby was jumping out of his cage and immediately started running towards the group screaming ‘MAMA!’ and the rest ran up to them as well.

Bobby jumped into Jaiden’s arms, crying from happiness, which was copied by Jaiden. “Mama, I missed you so much!”

Jaiden hugged Bobby tightly. “I missed you too, my little Bobby Chingon.”

Roier kneeled beside the two and opened his arms. “I missed you too.” He knew Bobby was a Mama’s boy and didn’t fully expect him to leave her arms for him, but she slowly pulled away from her and gave him a hesitant hug.

“I also missed you for some reason,” Bobby grumbled. Roier grinned at the words and held the boy even tighter.

Richarlyson joined their hug by hugging Bobby from the back, and after a bit of struggle, Bobby managed to turn around to face Richarlyson and hug him back. “I missed you!” Richarlyson cried, “I was so sad that you never got to be around to see us become true siblings, but now you’re here!”

Bobby tilted his head. “True siblings?”

Richarlyson nodded. “Yeah! And Hope and Lulah.”

Cellbit joined his family, kneeling down while Tallulah and Hope stood slightly behind him. “That’s right, a lot has happened while you were gone, Roier and I got married, and now you have three siblings.”

“Why would you marry my dad? He’s lame,” Bobby spoke.

“My son is so mean to me even after so long.” Despite how Roier and Bobby were interacting, they were happy to be back together as family again, and Bobby was excited to have new siblings.

Tilin shyly made their way up to ElQuackity. Despite how they had left things, Tilin still missed him, even if her brain told her not to, and he thought that maybe after his death, ElQuackity would have learnt to be a better dad.

“Papa,” she spoke quietly as he clung to his leg, hoping to be hugged back.

Instead, a hand gripped her hair, and she was painfully tugged off and tossed onto the ground. “Don’t touch me,” ElQuackity hissed.

Tilin was stunned on the ground for a few moments before whispering, “But I missed you, and I love you.” Growth had to have happened right? There’s no way he was the same as how they left him.

There were barely any emotions in his eyes as he looked down at his son as said, “Well I don’t, so get up and stop acting like a fucking child.”

Tilin couldn’t help breaking at that moment. This was worse than what she had feared, he wasn’t just being as bad of a parent as he was before, he was even worse. They burst into tears as they sat on the ground.

“I just told you to stop acting like a child!” ElQuackity screamed. This just caused them to cry more.

Roier caught onto the commotion that was happening in the distance and became enraged. Sure, ElQuackity was Tilin’s dad, but Roier had raised her more than he ever had, so it felt like ElQuackity was insulting his son.

Roier stormed over to the two, Cellbit, Tallulah, Bobby, and Hope following him. Richarlyson had decided to stay with Jaiden and keep her some company.

He placed a hand on ElQuackity’s shoulder and harshly spun him around to face him. “What’s wrong with you?” ElQuackity complained as he felt his shoulder that would surely now bruise.

“What is wrong with you!?” Roier screamed back. “You caused Tilin to cry and you’re not doing anything to stop her tears!”

ElQuackity rolled his eyes. “Tilin needs to learn to grow up.”

Roier wanted to blow up at the man, but Tilin was right there. He went to ElQuackity’s side and picked her up, handing her to Cellbit. “Try and calm her down, I’ll deal with him.” Cellbit nodded and carried Tilin away, the other kids followed him. Roier turned back to ElQuackity.

ElQuackity had his arms crossed. “She didn’t need to be calmed down, she needed to realise she was being childish.”

“He is a child!” Roier shouted. How idiotic could the man be to not understand his child was a child? Probably because Roier cared for them more than he ever did.

“Well, that shouldn’t mean anything, adults can be childish, so a child can act like an adult,” ElQuackity argued as though he was making sense.

“You’re acting like a child right now; you don’t understand anything.” After raising Tilin like his own, seeing how ElQuackity treated her was setting him off.

“How about you stop telling to raise my kid?” ElQuackity was annoyed at how Roier was acting. Roier was livid at the words.

“Your kid?” he asked harshly. “I’m the one who raised her, you have no right to call her your kid, especially after how you treated her!” He didn’t care what her adoption certificate said, Roier was her dad now, and he was going to adopt her the moment they were back home.

“Why don’t you mind your own business? I don’t care how much you raised him; he belongs to me.”

Roier may grow to regret his actions that happened due to rage, but right now, he didn’t care. Without a second though, Roier pulled his arm back and clenched his fist, before driving it straight into ElQuackity’s face. A thump and the sounds of cracking bones graced the air, and a second later ElQuackity was pushed back by the force and almost flew before falling onto the ground. There were gasps as people saw the scene, but Roier just walked away. He had a new son to attend to.

Flippa excitedly ran up to her dad. While she missed her Mama, it was nice that she didn’t have to worry about arguing, ruining the moment with Mariana not being there. “Papa!” she cried, tackling into his chest.

“Flippa?” he said quietly, hesitating a few moments before wrapping his arms around her and repeating, “Flippa!” much louder.

Flippa was confused at the hesitancy before she moved her head slightly and saw a girl who looked like her clone standing a little behind Slime.

“Who’s she?” she asked carefully.

Slime looked behind him, now unsure of what to do. Slowly, he began to speak. “Flippa, this is... Your new sister, who has the same name as you.” Flippa looked at her and saw strange movements in her eyes. The situation was strange, but when it came to Slime, Flippa knew she had to get used to it.

“Hi,” her sister said with a wave.

“Hi,” she waved back.

Slime smiled at the interaction. “So, Flippa,” he gestured to Flippa, “Meet Juana,” he gestured to her sister, “And Juana meet Flippa,” he swapped the gestures.

Juana smiled at her, and while she didn’t completely trust the other girl, Flippa could get used to having a twin sister.

Trumpet had to run the furthest, as Maxo was behind the rest of the group. “Mama!” he screamed as he hugged Maxo’s legs. Maxo maneuvered so he could sit down and hug Trumpet back. His grip wasn’t as tight as the others, but Trumpet didn’t notice. “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too,” Maxo whispered.

Trumpet pulled away slightly and smiled brightly at the man. “But now I’m here again, and we can spend all of our time together again, and maybe Daddy can join too, is he back yet?”

Maxo struggled to smile back to his son. He was so excited to be back and spend time with his family, how was he supposed to say that Dan was never coming back? How was he supposed to say he might not even be around for much longer?

Trumpet’s expression dropped slightly. “Mama? Why aren't you answering?” Maxo felt so guilty. He just got his son back, but before either of them could get used to being reunited, Trumpet would be an orphan.

Maxo pulled his son into a hug again, not letting him see the silent tears that fell down his face. “I’m sorry,” was all he was able to get out.

“Is Daddy not coming back?” Trumpet asked.

“No.” There was so much more, but how could he say what other problems there were?

“It’s okay Mama, I’ll be fine as long as I have you,” Trumpet tried to be positive. More tears fell down Maxo’s face.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized again.

“I don’t mind, I didn’t get to know him well anyway.” Trumpet just couldn’t understand.

He didn’t want Trumpet to get too close to him just to lose him, so Maxo understood what he had to do, even if it hurt him. Maxo stood up and picked up Trumpet, although he felt a bit weak to hold him. Maxo looked around, there had to be someone. Pain shot through his heart as his eyes landed on Pierre. He made his mistakes with Pierre, just as he had done with Trumpet, maybe they can heal from those mistakes together.

He walked up to Pierre, greeting him. “Hey, Pierre.”

Pierre looked at him, hurt in his eyes. “Hey Maxo,” he tried to keep conversation civil. “It’s nice to see you have your son back.”

“It is,” Maxo answered before looking down at Trumpet. “This is Pierre, he’s... My ex-boyfriend.” Trumpet glared at him, and Maxo cleared up the words. “I broke up with him, he did nothing wrong.”

“Oh,” Trumpet said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well.” Pierre obviously wanted to be anywhere else, but Maxo had to have this conversation with him.

“I have something very important I have to ask of you,” Maxo started.

Pierre struggled to look Maxo in the eye. “I don’t think I can do that; I think it’s best if we just stay going our separate ways,” Pierre tried to argue.

“We can, but please, you’re the only one who can do this for me.” Perhaps he wasn’t, but at that moment, Pierre was the only one he wanted to do this for him.

Pierre understood the situation was die, so with a small sigh, he asked, “What do you need from me?”

Maxo honestly didn’t know where to go, so he just began to speak. “I want you to adopt Trumpet.”

Pierre’s eyes widened, but Trumpet was the first to speak. “Don’t you want me?” Tears were in Trumpets eyes. Shit, he should have explained.

“I do want you, but I want you to be happy more than anything,” Maxo began to explain. “I’ve already caused two deaths for you, and even then, I’m getting sicker by the day, I don’t know how much longer I have left, and I don’t want you to get used to me just for me to abandon you again.”

Trumpet refused to look at him. He was upset, but at least the truth had been said.

“So, since you won’t be around, you want to give him to me? Why?” Pierre asked.

“You’re a really good person.” Maxo didn’t know why he felt like Pierre was the best option, but as soon as he tried to find a reason, it kept making sense. “You’re good at making people feel like they have something when they thought they had nothing, you made me feel loved and happy, and I know you won’t hesitate to make Trumpet feel that way as well.”

Pierre stared at him for several moments before smiling. It was a pained smile, but a true one. “I’m glad you see me in such a good light.” He hesitated for a few seconds more before finally answering the important question. “Okay, I’ll adopt Trumpet.”

Maxo smiled at Pierre. He looked down at Trumpet once more. “I know you’re upset, but one day you’ll understand why I did this, and by then, I’ll be long gone.” He nudged Trumpet’s head up. “Remember that I love you, okay?” Trumpet nodded, and Maxo passed Trumpet over to Pierre.

“I’ll love him like he’s my own,” Pierre said.

“I know you will.”

After conversations had happened, they saw their comms flash with a warning. They were incredibly confused, and when they saw it land on earthquake, fear struck worse.

Debris began to fall, and the watcher told them to leave the island. They didn’t know what to do, but as more debris fell, they knew they had to listen.

People started to run out, but before they could think, a large piece of debris fell and blocked off where Jaiden and Richarlyson were sitting. Bobby screamed for his Mama before being picked up by Cellbit and being pulled away.

Tallulah panicked and ended up dropping her orb on the floor, and wanted to run and pick it up, but Hope was frozen in shock, so she ran towards her instead and pulled her away, running to their father’s side. Roier quickly caught up and they made it out.

Everyone ran towards the boat, and as soon as the last person in sight was on, the boat began to sail away.

Jaiden and Richarlyson never made it onto the boat. No one had seen ElQuackity move, and due to the fact that Pierre was carrying Trumpet, chances are that neither did Maxo.

Tallulah didn’t know how to process the fact that four islanders were still back on that island. She sat down and curled up. She saw Roier move to be at her side.

“Scared?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

Roier moved closer and wrapped an arm around her, letting her lean in close before extending his hand in front of her. “I was at least able to salvage this.” Tallulah looked at what he was referring to, and she saw he was holding her orb. She reached towards it and took it into her own hands. She ran her thumb along the crack that now covered the thing. “It was crushed a little, but I pulled it out from it’s debris.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Things had gone far too easily, and there was bound to be something that went wrong, it was just that no one guessed that it would mean losing people, leaving them to potentially die. They gained four people back, but had also lost four, and now all they could do was move forward, and wait for the boat to take them home.

Chapter Text

It was hard to sleep after Tallulah finally got back to the island. When what remained of their family got back, they had dinner together, and while they were now joined by Bobby and Tilin, Richarlyson’s absence corrupted the atmosphere. The air of the castle had changed, an everyone was on edge, so Tallulah wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t the only one struggling to sleep.

She twisted and turned in bed, and it was no surprise when the clock ticked over to 3am. She let out a sigh at her sleep struggles, and was wondering if she should just do something else until it was officially time to wake up until she heard an annoying little tingling sound from beside her.

She looked over to her nightstand, where her now cracked orb was. It had started to emit a light, but now puffs of galaxy were leaking out from it. She wouldn’t be surprised if she could only get one more travel out of it before it broke completely. Maybe Rubius wouldn’t mind getting her another for her fourteenth birthday.

Since she wouldn’t be sleeping anyway, she sat up in bed and picked up the orb, placing it on her lap. She ran her thumb over the crack again. The galaxy pouring out was cold and tingly, but other than that, didn’t feel like anything.

If it did end up breaking completely, it would be sad, there were so many other worlds she wanted to be able to go to, and cutting that journey short wasn’t something she wanted. She wanted to see so many things, she wanted to meet her siblings from all other universes, and learn about the. She would never be able to visit them all, but now that her dead siblings were back, and she was missing another, she wanted to see different versions of them.

While she was thinking, the crack grew and a gasp was torn out of her lips. The galaxy spilled out more and began to fill the room. She wouldn’t even get one more chance to see those worlds, it really was the end of the orb. She continued to stare down at the orb and hold it in her hands. The crack continued to spill until all the galaxy had left, and she was left with a black, empty void inside it.

She sighed and looked up to place the orb back on her night stand when she saw that the galaxy had completely covered her room. No walls, flooring, ceiling, or any furniture other than her bed was viewable. She looked around, confused as to how this happened. As she looked to one side of the room, and then moved her head to stare over at the next, she noticed a door had appeared in front of her. It was strange, there was no door there in her room.

She placed the orb down on her bedding and sat on the edge of her bed, carefully sliding off and placing her feet on the galaxy covered floor. She stood up and carefully rounded her bed to see what was happening with the door. She stood in front of it for a few seconds before reaching out and touching it. It felt like wood. She stepped to the side and walked forward, noticing that she could round the door. She finally reached forward and twisted the knob before pushing. It didn’t open. She then pulled. Again, it didn’t open. She rounded the door again until she was on the original side. She reached forward and twisted the knob before pushing, and when nothing happened, she pulled. Finally, it opened.

There was a room beyond the door, and Tallulah was confused as to how it worked. She gave one last look back at her bed, wondering if she should just try to sleep again, before looking back and stepping inside.

The room she entered was blindingly white, but looked like a playroom. She would expect a playroom to be colorful, and it was somewhat with its decorations, but the walls and floor were simply white. It also had ridiculously high ceilings, as they it wasn’t important to be able to reach them somehow.

Overall, the room she entered was quite boring, and she decided it would be best to just go back. She turned around to walk back through the door and was immediately confused by the fact the door she had entered through was now gone. She began to worry. Was she stuck here now? If this was brought on by the orb, she would have no way out, as it was still on her bed, which she now had zero access to.

“Excuse me, who are you?” She heard a young voice behind her. She carefully turned around and saw two little kids standing in front of her. They were tiny, no older than toddlers. They both had light brown hair, glasses, and light green dragon hybrid features with a strip of scales halving their faces. They almost looked like twins, other than a few darker scales on the one with shorter hair, who was also missing a consuming rash. He also had green eyes compared to the others brown.

Tallulah realized she had just been staring at the two and forced herself to answer. “Oh, I’m Tallulah.”

The girl nodded at her while the boy tilted his head. “Like Tallulah Soot?” The name sent shivers down her spine. It’s been a long time since she’s been that, but letting these two know she’s another version of a Tallulah they know could be good.

“I used to be, not anymore,” she answered.

The boy looked at her once again. “Why do you look so old?” Tallulah struggled to not be offended by his words.

“Because I’ve aged a lot, more than your world’s Tallulah.”

The girl tilted her head now. “You’re from another world?” she asked.

“Yep,” Tallulah answered. She would explain what was different about her world, but she didn’t know what was different.

“Is that why you aren’t a dragon?” the boy asked. Well, that was one difference.

“Yes, none of my siblings are dragons in my world, speaking of that, what are your names?” Chances were that the girl was likely either Juana or Flippa, but she couldn’t guess who the boy was.

“I’m Flippa,” the girl introduced herself, proving Tallulah right.

“I’m Gegg,” the boy introduced. The introduction confused her. Gegg was long dead. Was a change in this world that he didn’t die?

“Not Slime?” she asked.

Gegg shook his head. “Nope, he got rid of me,” he explained. Tallulah didn’t quite understand what he meant by his words.

“What do you mean he got rid of you?”

“I’m no longer part of him, I’m his grief of Flippa’s death, and once he stopped grieving, I died, and so I was sent to heaven, where now I get to hang out with Flippa all day.” The explanation hurt Tallulah’s heart. Were the kids not brought back in this universe? At least they went to heaven. She wonders if that means that Richarlyson is still with their family.

“So, you’re dead?” she asked the both of them.

They both nodded. “Are we not dead in your universe?” Flippa asked.

“Flippa just came back, and Gegg was never really a person to begin with,” she explained.

Gegg let out an ‘oh’ at her response. Flippa looked at Gegg sadly, before turning back to Tallulah. “Is your me happy?” she asked.

Tallulah hadn’t really gotten a chance to talk to her, but she looked happy, played with Juana as Slime looked at them both with a soft smile. “I’d say so,” she responded.

Flippa smiled at her response. “How are our siblings?” Tallulah couldn’t help but smile as she referred to her siblings as theirs. No matter what universe she travelled to, she always considered the other versions of her siblings her own.

“They’re happy.” They were happy they had their siblings back, even if they were upset at their losses. It was better to simply say that they were happy than explain that they weren’t.

Gegg smiled again. “That’s good, I wouldn’t want them to be sad.” Which is why Tallulah gave a little white lie.

“I miss our siblings, so it’s good that they’re happy,” Flippa stated. Tallulah remembered back when her siblings were kidnapped, and how alone she had felt. It felt like she’d never get out of that sadness, and now that she got her siblings back and she mostly was, she wouldn’t ever want to go back into that sadness, or leave someone else to experience that sadness. Which is why she felt sorry for the two dragon hybrids. They likely have the other dead kids, but it must be a lonely afterlife, only six people.

“Maybe one day I can take you to see them.” It may never happen, especially since her orb broke, but if it could make the two happy to hear, she would gladly take them if she had the chance.

The two lit up at her words. “Really?” they asked.

Tallulah nodded. “Really.” Heavy on the Maybe though.

The two began to giggle, excited at the idea they may get to see their siblings again.

While Tallulah was watching the two jump in joy, they heard a tingle from behind the younger two. Tallulah looked over them and the dragons looked behind them, where they proceeded to see a door.

“That wasn’t there before,” Flippa stated.

Tallulah walked over to the door, walking around it and saw that is was the same that she had entered through. She was able to leave. She looked back at her siblings, as she decided that they were both her siblings now, she smiled gently. “I would love to stay, but this is my exit, and I have to get going.”

The two frowned at her response. “But you’ll come back, right?” Gegg asked.

“As soon as I can.” There was no promising though.

The two were happy at that answer and waved her off, telling her goodbye. Tallulah turned around and pulled open the door before stepping in and closing it. She wasn’t surrounded by the galaxy as she had been previously, so she looked around again. She was in the castle again, but wasn’t in her room like she had left off. Still, she knew her way around so she walked towards her room, but not before looking back and seeing that the door had once again disappeared. Weird.

It was a quick trip to her room, and she opened the door hoping to finally be able to sleep, but was met with an unfurnished interior. She quickly became worried again. She still wasn’t in her own universe. This wasn’t one where she was adopted by her parents, and so her room went unused.

She looked around the halls, wondering were she should go. She could go see her parents, even if they weren’t her parents here, they were sweet and would accept her explanation. She could also go to Phil, who nine times out of ten way her dad when neither Roier and Cellbit or Wilbur was. She decided she’d test her luck with her parents.

She wandered the castle until she saw Roier, who was looking away from her.

“P-Roier!” No matter how many universe she travelled through, she struggled getting used to calling her parents by their names again.

Roier turned around at her voice, and Tallulah immediately began to worry even more. Roier looked like absolutely shit. There were bags under his eyes, and he looked thinner than ever. This was on amplified by the way she looked at her with fear. “Roier?” she repeated, this time much more worried.

Roier tilted his head. “Tallulah?” His voice was so quiet, as if he barely spoke nowadays, and it was laced in a fear that she doesn’t think she had ever heard.

Tallulah nodded. “Yes, that’s me.” Now wasn’t the time to be asking names, she needed to know why Roier looked so horrible. Roier took a few steps towards her, but then began slightly pushing her. “Hey!” she shouted. Why was he acting so rude to her?

“You need to get out of here, what will Phil think?” Roier’s voice was a beg, and fear permeated it even more.

“Why would Abuelito not wanted here?” She wasn’t really fighting the pushing, she was just so confused.

“He doesn’t want you in the house of a monster,” Roier spoke, voice pained. Monster? What was he talking about. Everything he said just made her more confused.

“He won’t mind.” She didn’t understand anything about this world. Why would Phil not want her here? Why is Roier so scared?

“Even if he doesn’t mind you being here, Gatinho doesn’t want me talking to other people.” Tallulah forced her feet into the ground. What did he mean by that? Was Roier exaggerating what Cellbit said or what the reason Roier like this because of Cellbit?

“I wasn’t here to talk to you.” She tried to make her words sound soft. “I wanted to talk to Cellbit.” It wasn’t her place to meddle with other universes, but if this universes Cellbit was a bad person, she refused to let him hurt her Papi.

Roier looked at her for several moments, thinking, before he answered. “Wait at the entrance, I’ll go get him.” He finally backed away from her and left, leaving her alone. As she walked to the entrance she was scared for Roier. What had Cellbit done to him? What had caused Cellbit to make him like this if this was the case?

She stood outside the castle, a little embarrassed that she was standing in broad daylight in her nightgown. She wished she could have at least brought a jacket. She waited for a few minutes before she saw Cellbit approach, holding Roier’s hand.

“Tallulah, it’s been so long, you’ve grown quite a bit, haven’t you?” Cellbit didn’t seem too different, other than the fact he seemed ridiculously happy. He didn’t see to care about how stiff Roier was at his side, as if he didn’t want to hold his hand but wouldn’t dare pull away. It was a horrible sight, seeing Roier who was usually so in love with Cellbit look as though he’d rather be anywhere else.

“It has been a while.” Tallulah tried to keep her voice from getting to harsh.

Cellbit turned back to Roier. “Thanks for telling me she was here, why don’t you go back to what you were doing before?” He leaned in to give Roier a kiss, and Roier just sort of stood there. Cellbit didn’t seem to care and let go of Roier's hand. “Bye Guapito, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye Gatinho.” Roier’s voice was monotone as he spoke before walking away. Tallulah didn’t like the sight at all.

Cellbit looked back over at Tallulah. “So, what brought you over here? I thought you were terrified of Roier?” Tallulah was more scared of Cellbit right now than anything.

“I wanted to ask some questions.” She hoped Cellbit wouldn’t question why she came to ask them in her nightgown.

“Then come inside, I’ll answer them to the best of my abilities.” Tallulah walked inside and they both went to sit down. Once they were sat down, Cellbit asked. “So, what’s your first question?”

It was difficult to know what would be an appropriate question for her in this world to ask, so she started vague. “Why had Roier been acting so strange lately?” She hoped it was a good question.

Cellbit’s face dropped, as if he were sorry for Roier. “You know how everyone is, ever since Jaiden's death, everyone has been blaming him for it, it’s been getting so lonely without anyone, but don’t worry, I’m taking good care of him, so he won’t need anyone else.” The words were a bullet to the heart. Jaiden was dead in this universe. Was it a similar death to how her Jaiden may have died?

“And Richas?”

Cellbit tilted his head. “I wouldn’t know, ever since I’ve sided with Guapito, the others haven’t let me see him.” So at least this wasn’t like hers. Still, the entire situation felt incredibly off.

“Well, it’s sad that you two have been so alone, maybe I can come and keep you company sometimes.” Anything that could give Roier someone other than Cellbit to talk to.

A strange emotion flashed Cellbit’s eyes. “I don’t think you need to do that.” His voice was harsh, and it was clear that isolating Roier was his goal.

“But I want to.” Tallulah had seen how terrifying Cellbit could be first hand, his last interaction with Cucurucho showed that, yet she still found herself pushing.

The emotion grew stronger in Cellbit’s eyes. “And I don’t think I want you to, or anyone else, do you want to be shunned as we have been? No, I didn’t think so.” Cellbit didn’t even give her a chance to answer.

Tallulah knew that the topic of being Roier’s friend would only go south, so she decided to move on to a new topic. “I have one more question.”

Cellbit wasn’t looking at her as kindly as he had before, but he still said, “Go ahead.”

Her question could very much uproot a bundle of negative reactions, but it was something she needed to know. “Did you kill Jaiden?” The evidence was pointing towards yes, but if she could get Cellbit to confess, she had more to work with if she was ever able to come back here.

The emotion in Cellbit’s eyes only grew stronger. “Why are you asking me that?” he hissed.

“I’m curious.” Tallulah knew she had to stay strong with her emotions, but the way Cellbit was beginning to act was scaring her. She’d never had his anger pointed at her like this, and as it was growing, she simply wanted to run.

“Well maybe you should stop being curious.” Cellbit wasn’t wanting to answer, but as a junior detective, Tallulah would get an answer from him.

“That’s not possible, I will get my answer.”

Cellbit stared at her for several moments before finally speaking. “If you want an answer, you’ll get one then, I did kill her, happy?”

Despite her suspicions, hearing it from his mouth spread a shiver of fear down her spine. “W-Why? Why did you kill her?” Now was not the time to stutter, it would only show weakness, but she couldn’t help it.

“Because she was manipulating Guapito, she tricked him into an platonic partnership so he would cheat on me, so she had to pay.” Tallulah felt bile rise in her throat, but she didn’t let it leave. Was this version of Cellbit so fucked up that he believed that Roier couldn’t want to leave on his own?

“That’s not something you kill someone for!” she screamed.

“It doesn’t matter what you think, because now you’re going to tell people what I said to try and get Guapito away from me, so I can’t let you leave alive.” Before Cellbit could reach over, Tallulah was up out of her seat and running through the halls.

It was a good thing she lived here, because with how he was chasing her, if she didn’t know the layout well she’d be captured easily.

“Get back here!” Cellbit screamed. Tallulah just kept running.

As she turned a corner, she noticed a door in the middle of the hall. Her escape. She used more energy, running even faster, so she could reach the door before Cellbit could catch her. She feared the moments she had to stop to pull open the door and as she ran through it and twisted to pull the door shut, she screamed as Cellbit was right there. Still, she pulled the door shut, and as she heard a bang against it, she quickly turned around before looking at the door again, letting out a breath as she saw it was gone.

She felt guilty, leaving Roier behind like that, but she had to survive. If given the chance, maybe she’ll go back and save him. Still, as she looked around he’d surroundings again, she noticed she still wasn’t home. She was in what looked like a village house. It was small, but well lived in, based on the closet full of clothes, some child some adult, and the mess that scattered lightly.

Tallulah sat on one of the beds, tired after having been awake for so many hours and then being chased by Cellbit. She wanted to lie down and just sleep, but this wasn’t her bed, and she needed to get back home. She just needed to find out where the next door was, and then she’d be on the next step home.

While she was thinking, she noticed the door opening, and a little boy with dragon features entered. He just stood at the door when he noticed her sitting on one of the beds, and they were both silent for several moments before he spoke. “Um, hello?” He was very confused, and Tallulah didn’t blame him. It wasn’t everyday you came back home and saw a girl wearing her pyjamas while sitting on someone else’s bed.

“Hi,” she responded.

The boy carefully took a few steps closer and Tallulah finally took in the propeller hat that be was wearing. This must be this world’s version of Trumpet. She looked around a bit and wondered how he ended up living here, as she expected him to live with either Maxo or Pierre depending on Maxo’s life status.

Trumpet was now in front of her. “Who are you?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

“I’m Tallulah,” she introduced.

Trumpet’s eyes widened. “But I thought you were missing?” he asked. Ah, so this was one of the world’s where she didn’t save the kids. But why would Trumpet be here?

“I’m not this worlds Tallulah, I’m from a completely different one, where only Richas is missing.” Her words hurt. She wished she could say none of them are missing.

Trumpet nodded. He climbed up onto the bed next to her and continued to speak. “I’m the only kid around nowadays, everyone else is either dead or missing.” He said it so matter-of-factly that Tallulah couldn’t help but feel sorry for the boy.

“I know how that feels, I was the only kid around for a while in my world,” she explained, hoping to show that she knew the pain.

Trumpet eased up immediately. Having someone understand how you feel is always nice. “Why were you alone?” he asked.

“When we were getting kidnapped, I ran and hid in my parents bed, so they weren’t able to get me,” she explained. “Why are you alone?” she asked back.

“I wasn’t around when everyone was kidnapped,” Trumpet stated, quietly and looking forward. “I was in a maze when everyone else was kidnapped, and Daddy and I only got out after everyone else was kidnapped, maybe I wouldn’t have been the only kid if we’d been in there longer, maybe some of my other siblings were also in there, but Daddy only found me, so I’m alone.”

“You were trapped in maze?” Tallulah asked.

Trumpet nodded. “Yep, for so many months, I was just trapped in a maze, Daddy was also there, and apparently everyone else was told we were dead, so maybe everyone else pronounced dead was also in there, but they haven’t made it out.” With the fact that her world didn’t know the fates of those they left at the island, they idea that maybe they were just in a maze needing to be saved was one she wanted to be real in her own world.

“So, do you live with your dad?” she asked, wanting to get away from the thought of death.

Trumpet nodded. “Yeah, I’ve spent a few nights at Mama’s house, but most of the time I’m here.” This must be Dan’s bed then. It was strange to think of something belonging to Dan, as he had died so early and had left such a small imprint on the island. “Do I not live with Daddy in your world?”

Tallulah shook her head. “Dan never came back in my world, you only came back yesterday for me.”

“So do I live with Mama?” he asked. “It would be really cool, I like living with Mama.” Tallulah just kept feeling worse and worse as the conversation continued. Trumpet may be missing his siblings, but he had so much here. More than he could have in her world.

Tallulah shook her head again. “No, Maxo isn’t around anymore.” Even if he was still alive, Pierre and her had struck up a conversation on the boat, and he had informed her of what was going to be happening with Trumpet now that Maxo was missing, and apparently he was going to raise Trumpet no matter if Maxo is alive or not.

Trumpet drooped head at this. “Oh,” he let out. He forced his head up after a few seconds. “Who do I live with then?”

“Pierre,” she stated. Trumpet's face twisted in a way that showed he wasn’t the biggest fan of the man. “He’s a good dad, other you will be happy once he stops mourning.”

“Why am I so unlucky in your world?” he asked suddenly.