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Dev's learned something new about himself lately.
He liked purple.
Whenever an option of color was offered. His eyes would look for the purple option first. Periwinkle was his preferred shade.
Deep teal was his other choice, but the color was pretty rare. So it was a silent favorite.
He can't explain it. That's just how he was.
Pop-it toys intrigued him. Dev didn't own any, he had no interest in actually using one. He just liked looking at them.
Dev recalled owning headphones once. Purple ones. They disappeared one day. He liked them. It was a dumb attachment he hadn't forgotten.
All these things invaded the recesses of his mind. They stayed, awaiting attention. Dev couldn't place their affiliation.
His heart ached. Angry. The fact he cared about all these little things.. made him sick. It was humiliating, feeling so emotional. Feelings kept coming at him, without his permission.
Take for example, Hazel being his friend. The friendship was a happy accident, a nice change. Now, that girl made him sick too. With guilt. It just appeared one day.
He used to hate playing outside. The world was too messy and full of unknown. Not worth interacting with. Hazel thought otherwise. So Dev got used to it.
The memories with her were a mixed bag. They played a lot of pretend. Dev even took the lead once. A big dog chased, and nearly bit them that time. The dog's owner got mad. Some neighbors of Hazel's had to help them escape.
The outcomes of their games would vary, but he wanted to play again. It was fun, but he worried it wouldn't be the same. Hazel stopped playing pretend with him one day. Her friends took his place.
Dev missed when she'd play that special game with him. And only him. It was like a secret.
The guilt lingered with Hazel.
After all this time, he still couldn't understand it. Dev knew it was something he did, during a game of pretend. The context couldn't be provided any further with his memory. The sick in his stomach would return, but he'd still have no answer.
Jasmine and Winn began to try to befriend him. Try.
Their annoying kindness was disgusting. They knew something. Their eyes spoke for them.
Them knowing, and telling him nothing pissed him off. The advances were quickly rejected.
Hazel must have told them. About whatever he did.
That truth snapped his heart like a twig. She didn't confide in him anymore. Hazel was done with him. Officially.
Dev wasn't done with her. He likely never will, but that was fine. It had to be. Hazel was important. Too important to let go.
Why was she dropping him? How bad could that last game be?
The last moments of that playdate, he swore he could remember. The last connected feeling in his memory was.. acceptance. That wasn't a bad feeling. Was it?
"Hazel."
She jumped as she exited her desk, their classmates had already left. Her backpack hung off her shoulders. Pop-its attached. Hazel was ready to leave.
Him. Leave him. Alone.
"Oh! Heeey, Dev! How are youu?" Hazel played with the straps of her backpack.
Just like how she played with the strings of his heart.
He ignored the question.
"We need to talk. Right now." He refused to state any of his words like a question. She will not escape this conversation. Not optional.
"Uh." The prett-
The girl eyed the exit. She wanted to leave. Not surprising. Hazel did that a lot now.
Shame he wasn't going to let that happen.
"Stay. Talk to me. Explain what's wrong between us." Dev just needed to know. It might make him feel better again. She used to make everything feel better.
"Dev.. I don't even know. How to explain? It's hard to say. I don't know.. how to hang out with you." Her eyes blinked slow and soft. Her stance was still tense.
Hazel didn't want to be near him anymore?
Ow. Heartache aside..
He couldn't stand it. Hazel was doing that thing with her eyes, gentle and kind.
She won't soften him. He can't do that anymore.
"Try. I just want us.. to have fun again." He hide his hands in the pockets of his jacket. His sunglasses stayed on. Apathetic was the goal.
Hazel hummed, "I'd like to know what you mean by fun. What does that mean.. to you?"
Did she forget? Was he that boring? Ow! Stop hurting..
"Our pretending games! Don't you remember?! We played those games all the time! Didn't you like them, too?! You asked me to play!"
His voice rose without his permission.
"T-then, your neighbors would sometimes play with us!? They'd help us too! L..like at that museum trip once?! When kids were wearing the property masks? A-and some adult was.. wearing that costume? When we made up!? R-remember!?"
In all the time he's known her,
Hazel's eyes never looked so heartbroken before. Absolutely crushed hearing his words.
She became red, a dam was falling in her eyes.
He wasn't far behind. His eyes stung hard, still hiding under his shades.
"What.. what did I do? Why are you crying.. Hazel. Please help me. Understand you. Please.." His ears started ringing. The room became too big.
Hazel was his only comfort now. He wanted her close. Dev attempted to come closer.
"Hazel? Can we..?"
His movement halted at Hazel's weeping. He flinched at her volume.
Hazel hid her wet eyes away, she word vomited.
"I..am..I-I'm sorry! So sowwry. Uh..You.. you d-didn't.. de..serve this. Y-you.. did bad! But I.. like y..you.. s-still. Like lots..You! D..did the right t-thing.. in tha.. the end, Deev.." Her voice ended in a strained whine.
She said too much. But still so little was solved. Hazel was holding back. Purposeful or not. He didn't know anymore..
Now he wanted to vomit. His eyes couldn't see anymore, too full of tears. Of relief? Concern? Anger?
All the above, he guessed.
He ripped his sunglasses off. The feeling they brought was too unbearable for him now, "H-hazel.. what the heck.. am I s.. supposed to take from that? Are we.. still friends or not?!" His foot thumped the ground.
She looked into his eyes quietly. Her body was going to topple over any second. The world was too loud and large for them.
The crying, and the confusion was so draining. Too much for their little bodies to take.
Hazel weakly closed the gap between them. She took Dev into a snug hug, her body leaned into his, "We.. were always.. friends, Dev. Always will.. be. Did you forget to- that? ..Forget that?" Her voice was strained from her long cry.
Her voice was a whisper, a comfort to his ears. He held her desperately. Apathy be damned.
"Then.. why leave me? I was scared.. that you hated me. Why do you play with everyone else.. but me?" His voice was breaking harder now.
His heart hurt more than he'd ever admit.
She snuggled close, keeping her voice soft, "I never wanted to leave. I could never hate you.. we should play again, maybe today? I don't know what tho.." Hazel pet his hair, gentle.
Dev hummed, acceptance.
He'll accept this. For now. Dev just needed to know he was cared for. Hazel still wanted him. The games would come back. It wouldn't be the end of his little happiness. This was all he had.
Dev felt heavy. His body wanted to lie down. The goal of the day was achieved.
Hazel tilted her weight, he now leaned on her. Dev was still awake, just sluggish. His grip on her told a different story. She wouldn't escape him.
"Au Pair One? Take me.. and Hazel home." Instead, she'll be going home with him. His dear gasped.
"A-are you sure you want me-?" Hazel started.
"Positive." The Au Pair soon set them on it's top. Hazel stayed clinging to him, nervous. Dev liked the attention.
Not wanting Hazel to panic too much, he ordered the Au Pair to stay near the ground. The bot flew them to his residence, carefully. The two stayed close.
The girl eyed the Au Pair's material. Tapping at it. Dev witnessed her curiosity during the flight.
His Au Pair finally stopped it's journey, in Dev's bedroom. The bot piloted down to his floor, creating a safe place to dismount the machine.
Hazel patted the bot, sweetly, "You did good, One! Thank you." She tried to leave it's metal surface. Failing, she clung on awkwardly. Dev left without a problem.
"Just. Doing. My. Job." Au Pair One established. It stayed low to the ground, unmoving.
"Yeah.. Hazel, you don't need to thank it?" He offered his hand for her to take. A polite gentleman gesture.
She took his hand, eager to get off the bot, "Aww, but it's so cute tho! Don't you think it's voice is cute?" Her eyes sparkled. So sweet.
"Uh, I guess. I don't really think about that. I'm with them 24/7." Hazel finally got off the machine.
Once it's occupants dismounted, the bot quickly left. Hazel waved goodbye to the Au Pair. She and Dev stayed together.
"Hmm.. that makes sense.." She scanned the room. Her search came to a quick stop.
"You have a lot.. of periwinkle here." Hazel said quietly, dropping her bag to the floor.
She knew the exact shade's name? Impressive.
"Hm? Oh, yeah! I started liking the color a while ago." He bounced on the toes of his boots. Attempting to feel cool about the recent development.
"That's sweet.." Hazel responded solemnly. Dev raised an eyebrow at the reaction.
"Do you not like the color?" He nearly considered backpedaling, but chose to remain certain in his color preferences.
Dev liked the girl. But a guy can like a color without judgement, can't he? Hazel wasn't the type..
"No no, I'm glad you like the color. I'm just.. reminded of something important. Someone." Hazel answered sadly. Her face stayed looking away from him.
Anthony? Did her brother like the color, too? That's cool.
"Oh. I'm sorry if the color reminded you of him." Dev apologized, almost automatic. Almost. He was a Dimmadome. That'd be an insane claim to make.
Her face flicked to him, excited, "Whoo?"
She calmed her reaction, remembering something.
A realization reached her eyes, "Oh. Wait, forget I said anything. Sorry.." Hazel's face turned red.
She was embarrassed. By the fact she was caught being sad about her brother? Her reaction was still cute, although a bit odd.
Dev laughed a bit, "Things happen. Don't worry about it." He took her hand, walking them to his bed.
"Right.. things happen." Hazel repeated, allowing her friend to take her wherever.
The two sat on the mattress. This time, Dev was the one to hold her close. She accepted the snuggles, not without a few giggles along the way.
He was doing everything in his power to not freak out right now. This was just abnormal. Dev was playing with fire. A pretty, warm fire. That he wanted to keep for as long as possible. Tossing in some gasoline every now and again was a big ask. But the reward given in return was worth it. He concluded.
"Wanna play still? You look tired.." Hazel asked as she booped his nose. Dev almost sneezed, but caught himself quickly. Face red.
"Uh.. you're already here. This is fun..? Can we stay like this?" He continued to hold her close, not wanting to end the affection early. She hugged him back.
Patting his back, she claimed, "I don't mind. I want you to be happy.. if this makes you happy? I want to keep doing it." Hazel nuzzled into his hair, messing with it's structure. He let it happen, heart fluttering.
Everything would be okay. Hazel A. Wells won't leave him. She cares how he felt. The fun wouldn't end. Not yet. Not when Hazel's around.
His tiredness began to win out, he held onto her. She kept him close, her smile remained soft.
She made him soft, but he loved it. His heart was full of glee when his friend was around.
Hazel's warmth put him to sleep.
He dreamed this time. It used to be a rare occurrence, but that was beginning to change lately. It just happened one day. Without his permission, Dev dreamed of a fluffy pink world. Massive clouds laced the skies.
A man in his favorite purple would accompany him. Insisting he was there to watch, and care for Dev. Even help him feel better. He never believed the man, no matter how real his words sounded. The man carried a yellow cane with him, never explaining its importance.
As common as the dreams would be, Dev had a hard time recounting them. Only pieces of the adventure would remain. Small treasures for his attention deprived mind.
Dev could never recall his name. No matter how much he tired to remember. He'd love to remember.
A pink and green couple would show up sometimes. The man once explained they were his family. That he wanted Dev to be his family, too. But that was a one time thing, the topic never came up again.
Dev wished he could meet this nice man. Maybe they could have been a family. Maybe one day.
- - - - - - - -
Hazel finally cried silently as she held him. Dev peacefully slept in her arms. None the wiser.
It wasn't fair. Da Rules had no mercy for God-children. What was the point? In getting to wish, if it'd all be forgotten eventually?
Dev had it worse than her.
Some of her closest allies knew. Hazel might forget, but her friends and family could remind her. Maybe even be able to prove the memories did happen.
Who would remind Dev? What would he have left over?
This day was nothing, but a small bandaid for her worries. Today would not end her fears. Only enhance them.
Dev had no one, but her now. Peri couldn't help him anymore. Hazel was Dev's only friend. She tried to get Winn and Jasmine on the friendship train. But..
She made him angry with fear. Or did the memory thing screw over his thoughts? Memories? Hazel couldn't tell anymore..
She might never know, but that fine. It had to be. Dev was important. Too important to let go.
Hazel loved him, and their friendship.
Keeping this relationship alive would be her remedy.