Chapter Text
It was a usual dark morning on Pluto, the long 144-hour night stretching on a little further than what was necessary. The little bit of sunlight the planet received lit-up the house just enough that Oglethorpe could see his own movements through his blurred vision. But despite the little natural sunlight, there was a noticeable glint that he could see through the crack of his door. A soft, yellow and artificial light, coming from what seemed to be the kitchen of the house. It took him a few seconds to think about what it could possibly come from, but then he realized.
Oglethorpe felt his hearts twitch in his chest, anticipation and fear filling his stomach. His parents were awake. Well, his dad was. His father, the well-kept Reinhardt, usually kept the lights off. But he always turned them on when he was about to head off to work, or when he was coming home from work.
Oglethorpe grunted, frustrated with himself for forgetting such a detail. He couldn't just back out now, though. He was sure he could sneak out without his father knowing, he had managed to before.. at least he thought he did. Plus he had already packed.
He lifted his overnight bag over his chest, hugging it close to his body. There were noticeable peeks of fabric through the barely zipped-up bag, threatening to fall over onto the ground whenever he moved. He didn't pay any mind to it, though. He held the bag close to his body, sneaking out of his dark room the best he could.
He wasn't thinking about how his parents would definitely notice if he was gone, instead his mind just filled with excitement at what he was doing. Disobeying his parents was still a new thing to him, still something he wasn't used to.
He snaked his way around the hallway, his body moving slower than it usually did. He wanted to be careful, which was something he didn't think of being often. He peeked over the edge of the hallway, his blurry eyes scanning for any sight of his father.
His eyes searched. He didn't catch a single glimpse of his father, a sense of relief filling him. This was going easier than he thought it would. He sped up, eagerly approaching the door–
".. Oglethorpe." He jumped, his spiky arm slipping off the smooth doorknob. The lights were now fully on, the living room's darkness evaporating. Oglethorpe's immediate reaction was to hide the heavy satchel behind the orange, spiky mass that was his body, but it did little to hide what he was doing.
Reinhardt stared at him, his face contorting into a deep scowl, emphasizing the wrinkles on his face. The much older, darker with age Plutonian watched his son silently, waiting silently. It took Oglethorpe a few seconds to realize his father was expecting him to explain himself. Oglethorpe didn't respond.
".. Oglethorpe, what are you doing." The young Plutonian resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his father, too stunned by the shock to do much except stare. His father grew more agitated.
"I asked you a question, young man! What do you think you're doing?" The frustration in his father's tone was evident, his volume rising just a little more than necessary. Oglethorpe flinched, but only for a second.
He was still getting used to his father yelling at him. It used to be a rare occurrence that only happened when he did something especially wrong. But now, it felt like it happened nearly all the time. His father was gradually getting more impatient with his new behavior, unable to handle his son acting out in ways that were out of character for him. Even Oglethorpe understood that much, but he was changing. He was a teenager, he wasn't old like his dad was. But his dad didn't care.
"Nothing!" He quickly lied, pressing his back against the door. His father stepped closer to him, and though his demeanor was more stern than full-on threatening, Oglethorpe still felt his stomach drop. He really didn't want to be grounded again.
His father had already grounded him before, preventing him from doing anything but going to school and coming back home, it sucked so hard. He was risking a lot by lying to his father, but he wasn't thinking.
".. Oglethorpe." His father sighed, his stern tone still present in his voice. "You know I don't appreciate it when you lie to me. Be honest, you were sneaking out. Weren't you?"
Oglethorpe shook his head, though his spiky arm was unsubtly shaking the smooth doorknob, attempting to open it. His determination to sneak out wasn't faltering, even when his father had caught him.
"Oglethorpe, stop. I will not let you leave this house! Sei nicht so stur!" The younger, chubbier Plutonian didn't resist the urge to roll his eyes now, doing it in a purposefully dramatic way to make sure his father would notice.
Reinhardt just groaned, knowing his son was tuning his words out. His frustration was starting to rise further, his near endless patience the only thing keeping him at bay.
"Oglethorpe, I know what you were sneaking out for. Do not think I am so naïve." Reinhardt could see his son didn't understand him, so he clarified. "..You were sneaking off to see that juvie boy, were you not?"
"He's a Mooninite Dad!" Oglethorpe quickly snapped, silencing his father.
"Right, Mooninite. That Mooninite." His father clarified, saying the title of Ignignokt's species, and the title he had chosen for himself, with such scorn and venom that Oglethorpe was stunned for a moment. "I do not wish to call him by such a ridiculous title."
Oglethorpe huffed once more, childishly looking away from his father in an act of rebellion. Still, he believed that his father had no idea about his true plans when it came to sneaking out, even though he had given it away.
"I thought I had made it clear I want you to stay away from that boy."
"I willll, Vati!" Oglethorpe dragged on his words in a whiny tone, his normal orange face had a hint of red-purple coating it. A clear sign he was lying. He always was a bad liar, his mother always said she could read him like a book. His father wasn't as well-versed in his emotional responses as his mother was, but he noticed too.
"I would appreciate it if you do not lie to me. Do you consider me a fool?" Oglethorpe stayed silent.
"..I can SEE you holding a bag. What is that for? Tell me."
He still stayed silent.
"..Did you honestly think I would not find out? Oglethorpe, I know.. I know you.. like that boy. But I–"
"N-No, Vati, it's not like that!" Oglethorpe immediately tried to defend. His father's expression softened, just a little, though he remained stern.
"..You misunderstand me. I have no issue. I have an issue with him. That is why I tell you to stay away from him."
Oglethorpe sighed, his defense weakening just a little. He was honestly surprised his father didn't have any issues with him liking a boy, it was his first reasoning to why he didn't want him around Ignignokt. Ignignokt seemed to think the same thing.
"..I just do not understand. I do not understand why." Reinhardt started, grumbling a little underneath his breath. He had to stay calm and explain to his overly emotional son why what he was doing was wrong, but it was so frustrating. Oglethorpe refused to listen to him, clinging onto that Mooninite boy so desperately it made him sick.
"I do not understand why him. I do not understand why you refuse to acknowledge the possibility of other.. potential candidates. Why?"
"Because I love him, Vati! Isn't that enough?! Why can't you just support me?!"
"Because I am your father! I know what is best for you! You need a proper partner, one to help you grow and learn, not some.. hoodlum! Him and his little friend are nothing but trouble! I do not wish for my son to be involved in their.. whatever they do!"
"W-Well, that's not–" Oglethorpe sputtered, his defenses weakening further under his father's stern words. Reinhardt continued.
"That boy has no future, Oglethorpe. None. And he is affecting you. I am not stupid, Oglethorpe, I can smell you whenever you come home from visiting him!"
Oglethorpe opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it. He had nothing to say, not even a defense of himself.
"He is a bad influence on you! Do you ever think a boy like that could ever help you accomplish your goals? He would never do anything but help himself! He is useless to what you need to achieve in life! You have so much potential, Oglethorpe, but you're–"
"Just shut up, Vati!" Oglethorpe snapped, his voice rising in pitch and cracking like a toddler throwing a tantrum. It hadn't been the first time Oglethorpe had snapped at his father for trying to take away something he really wanted, but Reinhardt usually cracked down on his behavior quickly. He had usually explained himself, he had kept a level head.
Oglethorpe usually got to see his father's reasonable and patient side. But now, he just seemed angry and disappointed, the most angry Oglethorpe had ever seen him in his life. His father was staring at him for so long Oglethorpe was almost afraid he would hit him for the very first time. He knew he wouldn't, but the thought was still there.
His father just stared, before averting his gaze in a sigh. He was holding his tongue, but he clearly wanted to say more. Oglethorpe wasn't aware enough to try and figure out why, he was just relieved he wasn't on him anymore, that the argument had ended abruptly before escalating.
His father didn't stop him from opening the door now, though he stayed staring at him.
"..Do not come crawling to me when anything happens."
That was the last thing he heard when he shoved himself out of the house, slamming the door behind him. He was starting to dwell on the things his father said, but he quickly pushed the thoughts out of his mind. What did Dad know anyway.
And besides.. his ride was here.
His demeanor quickly brightened up once he saw the giant, pixelated purple space ship, swerving a little. He had to wave his arm out, motioning for it to come closer. It came to a screeching halt, leaving large black tire marks on his 'lawn.' He kept the stupid, crooked-teeth smile on his face when the ship's door slid open at an agonizingly slow pace. He quickly lifted the overnight bag he had packed into his arms, pressing it close to his chest. Ignignokt always told him he looked like an absolute nerd carrying stuff like that, but Oglethorpe always thought it was in an endearing sense.
He slid himself up the makeshift ramp Ignignokt (more like Err, but forced by Ignignokt nevertheless) had built for him and threw in front of the ship door. He couldn't jump as high as the two Mooninites could.
He quickly made his way inside the ship, staining the 'carpet' a little and dropping his bag onto the floor with a much too loud thud.
Ignignokt made no comment about the noise, nor did he even greet Oglethorpe. It was a little odd, but he never thought much about it.
"H-Hey dude!" Ignignokt stayed silent.
"..So, like– Haha, you're not gonna believe this–" He started, dragging the bag across the carpet with a loud noise he somehow didn't notice. "My dad didn't want me to leave, can you believe that?! I mean, l-like.. uh.."
That seemed to catch Ignignokt's attention.
"Oh? Why not?" Oglethorpe scoffed softly to himself. Ignignokt should know the answer, it was a bit cute how stupid he could be sometimes..
"U-Uh, I don't know! He just doesn't want to see me happy or something! He's always on my case.. a-all, up in my grill.."
"..Mhm." The green Mooninite replied absentmindedly, pressing a few buttons on some panel to lift up the ramp and close the ship door. Though he took a moment to stare down at the Plutonian's house for longer than necessary, looking at something Oglethorpe couldn't quite see.
"..Soooo, I was all like, eff you, Dad! I can do what I want! You can't control me anymore, ehehe–" Oglethorpe looked over at Ignignokt, hoping for a hint of pride to show in the Mooninite. Ignignokt had expressed to him so much joy and praise whenever he did something 'bad.' Oglethorpe thought it was funny, how easy Ignignokt was to please. But now, the Mooninite just stood silent.
"..Uh, so I said like, I'm off to college soon, Dad! Like, you can't control me, und.. und.." Oglethorpe trailed off, quickly running out of things to say.
"So how was your day, huh?!" He quickly changed the subject, speaking with more vigor and excitement in his voice than what was warranted. The Mooninite stood silent again, and Oglethorpe was beginning to wonder if something was seriously wrong. Everything felt so silent now. It was weird, for Ignignokt was usually so talkative.. no, wait.. that wasn't him. Was it? No.. it was a smaller Mooninite..
Oh.
"..Oh, uhm, sayyy, where is your uh.. uh.." He looked around, trying to see if he had somehow missed the little pink guy who always hung around Ignignokt. He didn't want to be rude and just assume he wasn't there when he actually was. That would be embarrassing.
"Err?" Ignignokt questioned, fully locking the entire ship down with some random hitting on the panel. Ignignokt didn't give him time to answer, already knowing that was what Oglethorpe meant. He just knew him so well like that!
".. He's.. away for today. He's back at his.. Well, I asked him to leave."
Oglethorpe paused. Even though he had forgotten Err for a brief moment, it felt a little off without him here. Err usually stuck around on their.. adventures? Whatever, he was just there usually. Him and Ignignokt were always latched to the hip, and Ignignokt always shut down Oglethorpe's requests to be alone completely with him, despite their 'status' as a 'couple.' It felt weird to Oglethorpe to call their relationship that, since Ignignokt never referred to him as his boyfriend. But he didn't mind.
But with that.. Ignignokt wanting to be completely alone with him for once felt.. well, it felt good.. but also so weird! His face was beginning to mix into that gross red-purple color again, and he knew Ignignokt could see it from the little chuckle he heard.
"Oh, relax. It's not a big deal. You're just alone with me." Oglethorpe still wasn't sure, his stomach sac felt all twisty. It usually got that way around Ignignokt, but it felt more extreme this time. He didn't know if he wanted to be completely alone with Ignignokt.. what if he got all weird and Ignignokt didn't want to talk to him anymore? Or something else happened? He didn't know, but despite his anxiety he did want to stay, and Ignignokt's smooth and relaxing voice was helping that feeling win him over.
"..Unless you feel nervous around me for some reason?" Ignignokt's words hit him hard, the burning mix of color on his face growing deeper. The Mooninite sounded amused, entertained by how shy the Plutonian was around him. It only made Oglethorpe more anxious.
"That's.." The Mooninite paused for a moment, trying to pick his words carefully. "..cute, I suppose."
"H-Huh? Really?!" Oglethorpe smiled, his yellowing, crooked teeth showing once more.
"..Yes, quite." Ignignokt had to resist the urge to giggle.
"H-Heh, well– is there a reason you wanted to be alone with me?" Oglethorpe tried to sound seductive, but his voice was so rough and cracky that it didn't come out as smooth as he hoped. Instead of flirtation, it sounded like he was asking a genuine question. Which he was, in some way.
"Do I need a reason?" Ignignokt questioned. Oglethorpe's brief moment of confidence at Ignignokt calling him 'cute' quickly faltered. He didn't know how to respond to that, he wasn't sure if Ignignokt was being serious or responding back to his flirting.
"..Uh, no.. I guess.."
Oglethorpe hoped Ignignokt wasn't disappointed in his response. He could never tell what emotions the Mooninite felt. He struggled to do that in general, but Ignignokt was so unbothered and neutral about everything that it was impossible.
"..Right, well.. I was not planning on picking you up so early. But you insisted." It wasn't a lie. As embarrassing as it was, Oglethorpe was scared of the dark. Even though it was always dark, the days on Pluto had a little bit of sunlight. Not as much as the Moon did, though..
"Y-Yeah, sorry, dude.. we can still do fun stuff!"
"There is not much "fun" to be had during the day."
Oglethorpe slumped.
"..But, luckily for you, your.. planet is different. It's still night on Earth."
Earth?
"..Wait.. Earth? Uhm.. what about Earth?"
Ignignokt ignored his question at first, turning on the ship. Oglethorpe still didn't know how his ship worked, and Ignignokt refused to let him touch the controls.
"We're going to Earth." Ignignokt replied casually after fixing.. whatever he was doing. Though there was something in his voice that sounded strained. Oglethorpe chose to ignore it, unsure of what to make of it.
"Yeah, but like.. why?" He didn't want to say outright he didn't want to go. Honestly, he was scared. He's never been outside of his planet before, nor has he been interested in other planets. But it seemed like Ignignokt really wanted to go, for whatever reason. He didn't know Ignignokt was so interested in Earthling culture.. he never got that way about Pluto.
"Because," Ignignokt sighed, the strain in his voice getting more noticeable. "Because Earth has more.. things to do. Earth has more.. opportunity."
...
".. Don't get me wrong, Pluto is fine.. it's great. But Earth is something everyone should experience once in their lives. I wish to take you there. I believe you would find it.. enjoyable." As Ignignokt spoke, the strain his words had before disappeared, his voice melting back into that smooth, calm tone.
"..I don't know, dude.. My dad will, be like.. pissed.."
Ignignokt scoffed.
"Your dad is already pissed. Seriously, you cannot let him ruin all your fun. Well, if you don't want to go.. I suppose that's fine, Err and I–"
"No!" Oglethorpe interrupted, waving his spiky arms around the best he could in protest. "No, no! That is fine! I can go!"
"Ahh, well, that's fine too I suppose. Don't worry, it won't take too long."
Despite what Ignignokt said, it did take too long. Pluto was a lot further away from Earth than Oglethorpe thought. He had complained a few times, whined and asked how long it would be until they arrived. But Ignignokt always shut him down with a false promise of 'We'll be there soon,' or just ignored his complaints outright.
".. We're just making our way past the Asteroid Belt right about now.."
Oglethorpe groaned loudly. Though he was frustrated it was taking so long, a part of him was begging for him to tell Ignignokt to pull the ship back to Pluto.
He huffed, frustrated and confused at himself. It wasn't that big of a deal. Sure, he was far away from home, and he wouldn't be able to go back to his father in time if he were hurt.. but he was here with Ignignokt. Ignignokt would help him if he were hurt.. or scared, or something. He wasn't that now, though.. so it didn't even matter.
"..I suggest unzipping your.. ahem.." Ignignokt took a moment to gather himself. "..bag. You did bring what I asked of you, yes?"
Oglethorpe did as he was told, thinking little of it. His overnight bag was filled with clothes and such, as he expected Ignignokt meant when he asked him to 'pack,' however there was a little extra item there. An item Ignignokt had specified.
At the bottom of the bag, hidden just under his barely washed clothes, was a wallet. His mother's wallet, complete with the little flower embroidery on it. His mother thought little of her son asking for her wallet when he asked for it, though she had forgotten he never returned it.
Oglethorpe felt guilty for lying to his mom, for stealing from her, but he didn't want to express those concerns to Ignignokt. Not when he seemed so pleased.
The Mooninite quickly took the wallet, examining it before opening it. There wasn't much currency in it, but Ignignokt still seemed content.
".. Excellent. This shall be enough."
Oglethorpe had zero clue what that meant. There really wasn't much in it, he didn't have any idea what Ignignokt could even do with that much money.
"Good job." Oglethorpe perked up at the casual praise. Previous thoughts of guilt had melted away at that, replaced with a smug pride at helping his 'friend' out. He was so awesome, and Ignignokt thought so too.
".. I am impressed with how you managed to get this." The Mooninite waved the wallet around. "You used to be so afraid to do anything even mildly disobedient."
Oglethorpe's throat tensed.
"I-I stole it from her while she was asleep, d-duh!"
Ignignokt hummed absentmindedly.
"While she was asleep? That's light work. I've done way more when my uncle was awake." Oglethorpe frowned. The way Ignignokt spoke so casually about it made him feel so inadequate.
"But don't worry.. this will be plenty. Hold onto whatever you can grab hold of, I believe we are intersecting into Earth's orbit right about.. now."
Oglethorpe shook briefly, a strange feeling of vertigo and nausea filling his stomach sac. Ignignokt noticed, his blue, pixel eyebrows raising more.
"Do not vomit in my ship." He sounded firm enough, but there was a small vibrato in his voice that made him sound fearful, in some way.
"I-I won't! Dude, my stomach huuuurts.."
Ignignokt sighed.
"Err got this way too.. first time we visited here. You'll be fine." Oglethorpe gulped, feeling the pressure on his body increasing the further they got into the planet's atmosphere. He wasn't sure how his anatomy worked, but Earth definitely felt different from Pluto. It felt hot, way too hot. Even at night time. He also felt heavier.
"Ughh, this place sucks.."
The green Mooninite ignored him, pressing on the controls and opening the ship door, revealing the sight of what appeared to be a bunch of distant lights to Oglethorpe. It was really bright on the planet.. yet according to Ignignokt, it was nighttime?
"It's your first time here." Ignignokt brushed off his concern with little care, hopping out of the ship. He had forgotten to put the ramp down, so Oglethorpe just ended up falling flat on his side on the surprisingly soft surface.
Oglethorpe knew little of Earth, but he knew that the little green things sticking out the ground were called grass, and it was a LOT softer than Pluto's surface was. He struggled to get himself off the ground. He struggled further to move himself, but he tried when he noticed that Ignignokt had already moved without him.
"H-Hey, wait up!" He yelled after him.
"Shh!" The Mooninite quickly hissed, one of his pixel arms pointing over at something Oglethorpe couldn't quite see. They looked like Earthlings, more specifically Humans of the adolescent variety. Oglethorpe couldn't tell what any of them were doing, gyrating their hips and drinking out of weird plastic capsules.
"I figured you would enjoy a place like this." Ignignokt said casually. Oglethorpe had no idea why he would think that, but he thought it was sweet Ignignokt wanted to do something nice for him. He would have preferred if they didn't have to go to Earth, but this was fine too.
"Follow me." The Mooninite said abruptly, walking off into the darkness and leaving him behind. He quickly sped after him, bewildered.
"..I need you to do something for me." Ignignokt focused his attention on him, pointing over to some.. human. Oglethorpe couldn't see the exact details of the human from the distance they were at, but he appeared to be another adolescent, though a little older than the others. Ignignokt quickly handed him back his mother's wallet, putting his pixel arm on his back and gently pushing him towards the strange human.
The human looked at him strangely. Now that Oglethorpe was closer to him, he could see the weird metal that was stuck in his face, poking out of his skin in an oddly frightening way.
Ignignokt nudged him, seeming annoyed with how long he was taking. Oglethorpe still didn't know what to do.
"Give him the money."
"..What?"
Ignignokt sighed.
"..Give him the money, I promise."
Oglethorpe looked incredulously as the metal-faced human, his eyes narrowing. Ignignokt's patience was wearing thin.
"Oglethorpe, just give him the money. Not all of it, though.. just a little."
"Wait, what?" The human suddenly spoke up, his voice oddly gruff for someone of his age group. "What do you mean 'not all of it?'"
"Oops. You weren't meant to hear that."
"You– Look, dude. I have set prices."
"Well, your items aren't of.. high enough caliber for that."
The human appeared more agitated.
"Are you serious? Look, I was willing to do this for you, but if you're gonna be like that–"
"Don't be ridiculous. You don't respect your frequent customers?"
"Nah, dude. I don't even know.. this kid." The human turned his attention to Oglethorpe, though absentmindedly.
"..Him? Oh, please. Don't be so paranoid."
"How do I know he's not gonna.. like, squeal or something.."
Ignignokt paused. Oglethorpe looked over at him. It was taking Ignignokt a second to answer that.
"He won't."
The human rolled his eyes, checking around before nodding.
"Fine, c'mon."
"Excellent."
Ignignokt quickly followed after the human. Oglethorpe debated not doing the same thing, but he was getting weird stares from everyone else in this strange place, so he just ran after them as well.
"I hope you know this was very hard to come by." The human said, going through his jacket pocket. Oglethorpe didn't understand why they had to go down an alleyway just for that.
"..Uh, hey, Igni-.. Ig.. Uh, dude?" Ignignokt turned his attention back to Oglethorpe, but he seemed much more agitated.
"What?"
"..I have to pay this guy? Why?"
".. I'm just picking up an errand while we're here, don't worry about it."
"So why do I have to pay for it.."
Ignignokt ignored him when the human turned back around, holding out a small, miniature bag of something Oglethorpe couldn't see.
".. That's it?"
"You're only paying like, 200 dollars. Duh."
Wait, 200?
"Igni–"
"Quiet, Oglethorpe.. Ahem, I believe we agreed on a lower price."
"Dude, what? Do you know how hard it was to find this? I'm not going to jail for less than 200. Pay up."
"..Hm, well, I don't believe I'm going to be doing that. Apologies."
"Okay, then it's no deal."
Ignignokt sighed.
"I suppose it had to come to this, then."
Oglethorpe heard a small flick, then realized quickly the smaller Mooninite had something in his pixel hand. There was a noticeable glint of metal, and it clicked inside his brain what it was.
He was too stunned for words, as was the human, who stumbled back with his hands up. Oglethorpe backed away out of the alleyway, tuning out the sounds of panicked arguing. His hearts were starting to race, his mind doing the same thing. Ignignokt always said he robbed people, but Oglethorpe never actually saw it with his own eyes until now. He was just willing to pop open a pocket knife on somebody that quickly, for no reason?
When the Mooninite came out, there was nothing different about him, physically at least. He was now just holding a small bag, humming pensively.
"Can't believe this is all he has."
"..U-Uh, so what.. is that.."
"Hmm? You don't know?" Ignignokt seemed genuinely surprised, but quickly collected himself. ".. It's something Err likes.. well.. something he wants to like, I guess."
Oglethorpe paused.
"Y-You wanted me to buy.. that, for Err?"
"..Hm, well, you didn't end up buying it, so.."
"B-But I– I'm not even dating Err.."
Ignignokt fell silent.
"..I stole m-my.. I stole.. for nothing?"
Ignignokt then sighed.
"Don't be so down. You didn't end up buying it. There's still.. other stuff we can do. I promise. We'll have a good time. Hmm.. I think there's a pizza place nearby."
"We could have eaten pizza on Pluto!"
"..That is correct, but–"
"We came down here for nothing?" Oglethorpe was starting to panic a little, realizing Ignignokt was his only ride home and he just saw him rob somebody for some weird powder. For Err, nonetheless. He was beginning to wonder if Ignignokt had lied when he mentioned wanting to go to Earth for him. He couldn't lie, his feelings were hurt.
"Don't be dramatic. There's other things we can do. Like.. uh.. hm."
"I.. I think I want to go home."
Even without the Mooninites' eyes opening, Oglethorpe could still feel his gaze on him.
"..What?" The Mooninite sounded.. oddly soft this time, a tone of disappointment in his normal stoic voice. It almost sounded like sadness. Almost.
"..Yeah, I.. I think this was a bad idea.."
"..But you'll be grounded."
Oglethorpe hesitated. Ignignokt was right about that, he would be grounded, especially if his father found out he went to Earth of all places.
"..Well, yeah, I guess.."
"So.. if you're going to get grounded, why not get grounded for an actual reason? We just got here."
Oglethorpe shrugged. Hearing Ignignokt sound so disappointed made a part of him die a little.
"..Come on, Oglethorpe. Don't be like this."
The pressure on him was starting to increase, Ignignokt's borderline pleading tone rubbing away at his initial anger and disappointment. Maybe he was right. Oglethorpe had never been to Earth before, and even though the planet was unfathomably warm and heavy, the sensation of the grass underneath him was a pleasant feeling. Earth was weird. He wasn't sure if he liked it.
"..Okay, fine.. just take me somewhere nice!" He tried to sound commanding. Whether or not it worked was up for debate, but Ignignokt listened anyway.
"Alright, come on. I believe there is an arcade somewhere around here.. we could actually use that money."
"..Hm.. uh, I don't think my mom would care much about that, maybe.." It wasn't a lie, his mother had zero issue with buying her son entertainment products in the first place. So why would she care if he blew all of her currency on some dingy arcade his boyfriend was taking him to?
"She wouldn't." Ignignokt replied, his tone almost comforting. "Why would she?"
"Well.. maybe she wouldn't.. but my dad would mind.."
"Your dad sucks."
"Yeah, I know, but like.. he's still my dad."
Ignignokt scoffed.
"You said yourself that he didn't want you to come with me. He has something against me."
It wasn't wrong.
"Y-Yeah, I don't know.. I tried to tell him it's my life and stuff.. but he won't listen."
"Luckily, I don't have that. My uncle doesn't care what I do. Who I date."
"..Why?"
The Mooninite didn't respond for a moment.
"He's too old to care. I don't tell him, and he doesn't ask. It's amazing. I couldn't imagine how it feels having someone badgering you all the time."
"..My mom says he does that because he cares. U-Und wants the best for me.."
"..Hm. If he cared he would let you do what you want."
"Well.." Oglethorpe's words died in his throat. He didn't understand why he felt the need to defend his father to the Mooninite, especially when Ignignokt was vocalizing everything he thought all the time.
"We're almost adults. I already think I'm an adult, personally."
...
"He won't be able to control you forever."
Oglethorpe nodded slowly. As well as he could. He didn't want to interrupt Ignignokt. He didn't know what to say, anyway.
"Nobody controls me. Everyone always thinks they can, but they cannot. Your father hates that about me."
".. I don't think it's that."
"Then why?"
Oglethorpe thought for a moment.
"..He tells me you have no future, or.. or something.. you're a criminal. Stuff like that.."
"Please. I have more future than he does. He's old. I'm in my prime. It is not my problem if he doesn't understand what fun is."
Oglethorpe's throat felt tight again.
"..Is robbing people is fun? L-Like.. uhm.. you like doing that, dude?"
The Mooninite laughed softly, taking the question with little consideration. The answer was obvious to him that it came naturally.
"Of course. Isn't it for you?"
"..Nein.. not really."
"Why not?"
"..I don't know.."
"..But you are one too, aren't you? A robber? After all, you did steal.. from your mother."
"..I guess."
"Hey, I think it makes you cooler. Not as lame. Haha."
"..Okay."
The Mooninite hummed. The conversation had ended as it had started, the silence falling between them. It was uneasy, but oddly comforting.
He still wanted to go home, he couldn't lie to himself about that, as much as he wanted to. But Ignignokt was right.
His father would undoubtedly be pissed. Especially when he found out he had stolen his mother's wallet. But he could live with that.
Ignignokt was beside him right now, that's what mattered.