Work Text:
The Floating Garden has been decorated for the holiday that had come to Anti-Paris. No one really knows what they are celebrating but everyone really wanted to make changes to the city when the snow had started. Chat Blanc had found himself staring out at the shining city from his spot on the island for the past week.
It was where he was until Stoneheart came and got him; asking Chat Blanc to come help him with something farther into the garden. It turned out that Stoneheart and Horrificator had put together a dinner; it was mostly stuff from the garden like potatoes, peas, corn, and whatever else Stoneheart had decided to make.
“What’s the celebration?” Chat Blanc asks.
Horrificator gently guides Chat Blanc to sit down – ruffling his hair by standing on her hind legs before walking off like that, getting a giggle out of him. A series of clay plates have already been set around; the set was made by Gorizilla, who tried to make them as perfect as he could but you can easily find the imperfections but it made the plates better somehow.
The cups were designed and made by Stoneheart due to the different flowers on each cup.
Stoneheart has been stirring a large pot of something over a fire. It’s not like the Floating Garden had much in the way of technology roaming about. Probably one of Chat Blanc’s favourite things, allowing himself a break from the overwhelming city.
“Can’t we just have a nice dinner?” Stoneheart jokes.
Chat Blanc looks around the table, taking note of each place setting. There’s one for Stoneheart, Feast, and Horrificator than himself before another two places have been laid out. One is probably for Gorizilla since he had started hanging around here more often since Chat Blanc showed up but he has no idea who that last placing is for.
He doesn’t have many friends so it could be anyone since Stoneheart and Horrificator are quite popular around Anti-Paris. Both for different reasons but everyone knows who they are.
“I just think we should celebrate being together that’s what everyone else is doing.” Stoneheart shrugs. “We can do something else if you want. Maybe go to Weredad’s Bakery and get some treats, watch the lights, maybe explore the new museum that some of the others are putting together?”
It all sounds quite nice but Chat Blanc just isn’t in the mood to leave the Island tonight.
“If it’s okay with you, I think dinner with everyone is better.”
Stoneheart looked back at him with a strange look, one that Chat Blanc had only seen on a few others before. Guitar Villain and Animan had that look on their faces whenever they looked at their families, even Evillustrator and Gamer towards Sandboy and Robostus. They are proud of the Akumas that they are looking at.
And that’s the look Stoneheart is giving him now.
“Chat!”
A shout causes Chat Blanc to jump, whipping around in his chair to see Party Crasher walking over with Gorizilla. The Akuma was waving at him, grinning brightly, and Chat Blanc couldn’t help waving back.
Party Crasher didn’t hold him at arm’s length like other Akumas who were hurt by someone’s Counterpart. Actually, the Akuma was the first to make himself known when Chat Blanc started making trips into town. Never staying for long but always having a good memory to look back on. It doesn’t make much sense but Chat Blanc doesn’t want to ask because he’s worried that he would destroy their friendship.
Chat Blanc turned his chair a bit when Party Crasher sat down in the chair next to him.
“So, I heard that there’s a party later, you want to go?” Party Crasher looks excited with his moustache acting like it's grinning. However, the look suddenly softens and the Akuma leans back in his chair, having second thoughts. “Actually, Evillustrator and Reverser are doing a new lighting display later. How about we watch that instead?”
In the beginning, Chat Blanc would be quick to take up on other people’s requests but he realize that just harms him just as much as other Akumas. Party Crasher has become quite good at reading him even when Chat Blanc doesn’t even say anything.
“I heard that Sandboy helped out this time,” Chat Blanc said. “There might even be fireworks from Bubbler.”
“Bubbler is always up to something these days.” Stoneheart came over with a tray of wooden bowls that he put down in front of each person’s plate. Save for Feast’s plate since the Akuma doesn’t like any kind of soup. “Maybe you should see if you can help out with one, Party Crasher.”
His friend gasps and nods excitedly.
If Chat Blanc remembers Party Crasher had only been here for a few weeks just before he arrived. The two are basically the newest of the group with the way that they have been figuring out where they belong in a world where people and things have already figured themselves out. Maybe that’s why Chat Blanc likes hanging out with him so much.
At the end of the table, Gorizilla is sitting back – tiny reading glasses on the bridge of his nose – and reading a book that he’s partway through. The Akuma’s eyes flicker up, smiling softly at the sight of Chat Blanc looking at him. Gorizilla had done a lot to help him out, right alongside Horrificator and Stoneheart.
They became a family in Chat Blanc’s eyes and he wouldn’t change that for the world.
Horrificator came back with Feast by the scruff and easily dropped the smaller Akuma at their spot at the table. There’s no chair in front of her spot that’s mostly because the Akuma doesn’t like to use them, Stoneheart has one at the other end of the table between Chat Blanc and Horrificator. It’s a small one that he made out of wood with the help of Evillustrator.
After Stoneheart put the tray away, he came and took his own seat with them.
“One thing that had happened today,” Stoneheart suggested. “Doesn’t matter what it was, good, bad, ugly, just something that you done.”
“Is this a new thing that we are doing?” Chat Blanc question, poking a bit of fun at Stoneheart’s idea. Though it’s a good starting point, give everyone a chance to say something instead of sitting in silence and getting cut off by someone else. “Because I think it’s a good idea.”
There’s a soft purr from Horrificator draws his attention while nodding towards him to start.
“I’m agreeing with Horrificator on this one.” Stoneheart smiles all loving towards his girlfriend before looking back at Chat Blanc. “How about you go first.”
Different bowls and plates of food is being passed around to everyone; taking what they want and passing on what they don’t want. Chat Blanc was in the middle of getting himself some mixed vegetables when Stoneheart said that; slowly setting the bowl down and having to think what he had done today.
Other than watching the city and writing a bit in his journal, Chat Blanc hasn’t done much.
“I took a lovely walk through the new flower section.”
Mr. Pigeon and Stoneheart have been working together to make that new section with a few other Akumas as well. It was beautiful and nice and Chat Blanc wouldn’t mind taking another stroll through at a later date, maybe someone would come with him next time.
“Oh!” Party Crasher knocks shoulders with Chat Blanc, making a laugh come bubbling out. “I was helping out with setting up the new art classroom at the school that Dark Owl has been working on with the First Ten! You probably got a chance to look at Stoneheart.”
“I have, you and the others are doing a great job.” Stoneheart looks towards Chat Blanc next. “And I’m glad you’ve taken the time to explore the new section, I was worried that no one would like it.”
Chat Blanc uses his spoon to hide his smile, ducking his head down out of view. Not that he needed to go down far to hide himself.
Gorizilla, Feast, and Horrificator each took their own turns; going a bit slower so Chat Blanc and Party Crasher to understand them. They are some of the more unique Akumas with their own language that takes a bit to understand. Thankfully, they have people around them who are determined to learn it.
Chat Blanc only really understands Gorizilla because of their connection. The Akuma had gone on a morning jog with Anasni and Backwarder. However, he has no idea about Feast and Horrificator which just makes him feel horrible.
After dinner, Chat Blanc went back to his little corner to get a break from people. Everyone had sent him away stating that they had the cleanup handled. Chat Blanc would have fought them on it but he didn’t realize just how tired he was until he flops on the bench to stare out into the city.
“It should be starting soon,” Party Crasher said.
His friend takes a seat on the ground and leans back against the bench.
Feast suddenly jumps out of nowhere and Chat Blanc easily goes about cuddling the Akuma, who snuggles into his hold. Letting out a satisfying sigh once Feast settles.
Next to the bench is Gorizilla. A silent protector. Chat Blanc easily poked the Akuma in the arm to get his attention; smiling up at Gorizilla when he did give him the attention that he wanted. Words became useless between them but they never did need them in the first place.
Stoneheart and Horrificator had taken a seat off to the side, though still close by. Horrificator let out a soft sound when Chat Blanc looked towards her, Stoneheart softly smiled at him before looking out towards the city just as the sound of a firework being launched.
When Chat Blanc looks back, the fireworks explode into a million different colours that rain back towards the city leaving them with only a memory. Something that Chat Blanc would gladly hold over his time in Paris…and maybe so do many others.
…
Everyone in Anti-Paris stops what they are doing to watch the fireworks display overhead and together they celebrate the next part of their lives.
Whatever that shall mean to them.