Chapter Text
(Quincy POV)
And so, there it was.
Melon had won another battle, capturing Ostigon easily and glancing back at the other two with a slight uneasy grin.
They had usually won battles, the only times they 'lost' being when they surrendered and then came back a little later, wiping the floor with the oppenent. They had gained a bit of confidence about their fighting skills, and having obtained the second key, soon the third, their confidence was evident.
Quincy scoffed, glancing towards Erika for a moment, who looked about the same as ever, her expression unwavering, yet he could tell she was impressed. Everyone was. Thats how it was, hanging with the tamer who seemed to be perfect in all aspects.
What an ass. They just waltz around all the time, winning and winning..its embarassing, to be so useless around a poor tamer like them.
..it was a little unnerving, to be honest.
Quincy felt like it were wrong somehow, he was skeptical at this point, and more interested in what was going on with Melon. His mind droning on in confusion and blocking out Erika as she talked about Elders and keys.
Everytime they wandered and explored, Melon would be volun-told to battle someone, and this weird, far off look would settle in their eyes. It..seemed weirdly blue, in a way. A glint of a colour no human possessed in their pupil.
It..was..weird. Thats for sure.
With a sharp inhale, Quincy glanced towards TJ, he wondered if he should mention it. The two of them had both quietly talked about it before, but TJ looked too amazed at the treasure that lay in the vault to notice Quincy's gaze resting on him. Quincy supposed someone like TJ would probably just want to horde it all for himself.
"You think we can take any of that?" TJ excitedly whisper-yelled to Quincy. He crossed his arms, glancing at the riches scattered across the cavern. "My weekly allowance makes this look like soggy cardboard." He boasted.
TJ's excitement seemed to fade a little, an annoyed expression forming vaguely on his features. "Do you do anything but talk about how rich you are?"
Quincy had to admit, seeing that he made TJ annoyed made him feel a little guilty. He glanced back towards the glistening riches before looking back at TJ. "..No. I don't think you should steal any." ..God. He really softened up towards TJ in a way, usually when someone was rude to him or annoyed about him, he'd be just as rude back..but with TJ it seemed like he couldn't. Not without feeling guilty.
"Huh? Why? No one would know!"
"Except for me."
"..fine."
..God, he annoys me.
Yet that thought made guilt sink into his chest. Why? He didn't care for TJ. Never did.
There was nothing that boy offered him.
..I have to admit though, I like him a lot more than the others. If I had to choose between Melon, Portia and TJ, it would be TJ. Always.
..
Always?
Blinking back into reality, Quincy noticed that Erika and Melon seemed to be dealing with someone new.
What now?
He stepped a little backwards from his original spot, staring down the strange-looking boy wearing red. He..seemed so familiar. Something about the hair, the eye..it freaked him out. What a joke. Not to mention the otherworldly looking Doodle he possessed next to him..Quincy had never seen it before.
Quincy glanced back at TJ for a moment, who looked equally as confused. Gritting his teeth, Quincy vaguely shifted infront of TJ.
He wasn't going to wonder why he did that.
"Finally! No Portia or Riffraff to teleport you all away..I've gotten you all cornered!" His gaze traveled across the group, looking pleased. Cheesy. Who even is this guy? "I suppose after everything..you're still going after the keys, Melon? You know..Erika holds the third key."
Quincy's eyes widened, not that it was all that visable past his glasses.
Erika was the next guardian? When was she planning on telling them that?! He let out another scoff, glaring over at Erika. "Why didn't you tell that to us before, huh? Actually--how would you even know that?!"
Directing his anger towards the newcomer was easy, because he was starting to like Erika. A little. And attacking him felt easier than hurting someone he found grew on him like a tumour.
"..I'm sorry. I was going to tell you all eventually--I just.."
The boy in red cut her off, "You made the same mistake last time." He pointed out, "What happened to you wasn't pretty..thats for sure. But this time? I rewound it perfectly, I think. It should be perfect."
This guy is getting on my nerves. It seemed Quincy wasn't the only one, because TJ let out an annoyed hum from behind him. Atleast someone here shares my thoughts!
But upon hearing TJ, the boy paused, his gaze stuck to TJ with a surreal-like look of fear.
"..No. No. You're not supposed to be here. You weren't here at all before..why now? Whats going on?" He stammered. "..You..you must be from an Alternate timeline..you..you're not from here. This messes everything up!"
Quincy furrowed his brow, glancing back at TJ for a moment, who looked equally as confused. "..I'm just a perfectly normal guy from Lakewood, born to two normal parents. There's nothing weird with me."
Exactly! What is this freak on about? Rewinding time? Alternate timelines? Whats going on?
Yet the boy seemed to disregard what TJ said, glancing back at the Doodle who Quincy guessed was helping with this whole..thing. If it was true.
"Chronos--Get rid of him!"
Quincy jumped, a small gasp escaping him, and almost instinctively, he stepped further out infront of TJ as the boy behind him grunted with surprise. He could almost hear TJ's thoughts; "Is he protecting me? For real?" Yes, TJ! He is! Shut up!
Yet the mysterious doodle, Chronos? Stayed put, seemingly ignoring the guy's demand, and Quincy almost felt guilty at the crushed look that adorned him because of it.
Why am I so soft now? This guy was trying to kill TJ. It's a good thing its going wrong for him.
"..I suppose it would be going directly against the Elder for Chronos to kill you..but I still have five perfectly good doodles to battle with! You!" He jabbed out a finger to Melon, who to be fair, did not seem surprised at all that they were chosen to fight, grabbing their capsule and throwing it eagerly to battle.
Quincy tried not to roll his eyes, glancing back at TJ, who's mouth hung slightly agape with surprise.
Quincy stood straight again, facing TJ in worry as the noise of battle rung behind him. Yeah, he was still curious about why Melon seemingly was a super-tamer with blue pupils whenever they battled, but TJ was number one on his list of concerns right now.
"TJ?" He whispered urgently, watching as TJ finally seemed to snap back into reality, looking slightly down at Quincy. "You..ugh..you okay?" Again, he got softer and softer the longer he hung around the Lakewood boy. It was humilating!
TJ grit his teeth, even though he was looking directly at him, his eyes told Quincy his mind was far away. "..Yeah. Sure." His voice was hollow, and Quincy was taken by surprise at how he went from excited to..this. "..You..can tell me, y'know. The others are too focused on battling and keys and bullshit to even notice us." Quincy hated being nice like this, it made him feel sickly, but at the same time, being anything less to TJ made him feel rotten.
"..its nothing. Just watch the battle."
"TJ, c'mon-"
"Knock it off." TJ seemed to click back into reality, snapping at Quincy with words that were spoken with venom.
Quincy grumbled, moving to stand next to TJ, crossing his arms once more. This was so humiliating! He should keep pressing! Get mad at him back! Do something!
Yet Quincy could only grit his teeth.
He watched the battle, Melon's Incinelisk that they insisted naming 'Slime' hissing loudly at the oppenent. Again, their eyes looked strange. That blue pulling and swirling, yet it could only be seen if he really, really focused.
Their movements, their expression, it seemed like they were being puppeted by something Quincy didn't quite understand. It was creepy. The way they didn't even call to their Doodles and the Doodles seemed to understand what they wanted, their unique battling style of what Quincy called 'the most annoying tactic ever' of switching Doodles constantly.
Its like they knew what was effective, what was perfect, what moves would hit and hit hard and what moves would hit their own doodles hard. Switching out constantly to ensure every doodle had a chance and was usually left alive by the end.
"..Sorry." TJ mumbled, catching Quincy's attention once more. "..I just..I didn't mean to get angry at you. Its nothing, don't worry. I was just thinking."
Yeah. I'd assumed. About what is what I wanna know, TJ.
"..Yeah, its fine. Don't worry about it, TJ." Quincy hated the way he so gently accepted his apology, he hated how he loved the look of relief that settled on TJ's face. Quincy couldn't help but stare, studying his features as if he was sizing him up in a way. Yeah, maybe it was a little weird to do this while an intense battle between Melon and a disgruntled boy ensued infront of the two, but he was honestly so tired of the dirty, hot cave.
TJ blinked at him, raising an eyebrow before letting out a small snicker. "Take a picture, it'll last longer." He teased.
Quincy blinked in shock, throwing his gaze away from TJ to the battle once more, what was that?! That stupid--Stupid kid! Quincy's face felt oddly warm, and he aggresively fixed his glasses. TJ chuckled, yet it trickled back into that oddly hollow tone.
Stupid poor person. Thinking he could embarass me like that! God!
Shaking himself out and shoving his hands in his pockets, Quincy returned to watching Melon defeat the strange guy, who let out such a depressed groan Quincy almost wanted to kick Melon for making him sad.
Defeated, the guy retreated, omnimously stating that he'd return for the keys. Quincy rolled his eyes, what was this guys' deal? He was so weird, popping out of nowhere and trying to kill TJ.
Melon let out a sigh, their body seeming to become alive again, stretching and shaking their hands out.
"..Well, now that thats over with..I would just hand you the key, but I gotta battle you. Rules and stuff. This key has honestly been a big bother anyways, I just want to get rid of it." Erika sighed, seemingly unphased by everything that just happened. The key! I forgot about the keys!
Quincy glanced at TJ, as if looking for what to do, but TJ just sighed. "..Whatever."
...weird. TJ really wanted the keys--still does. Whats going on with him?
..I want it too, really badly..but I feel like if i got it now, I'd make TJ really sad. Or something. We're in the same boat here.
Quincy grumbled, "..Ooh nooo..it seems that all my doodles have magically fainted..looks like only Melon can be the one to get the key!" His voice dripping with sarcasm, he noticed TJ glance towards him, equally surprised as he was grateful.
Melon nodded, glancing at Erika with an almost tired expression, before turning their gaze back to Quincy, as if exprecting something.
What? I already gave up this key. Leave me alone.
..Right..Melon did just battle. They probably wanted help healing..ugh. Why were these plebes so needy! He grit his teeth.
"..I can heal your Doodles if you want, before you battle Erika, or whatever."
They gave a smile, gratefully coming up to Quincy so he could patch up their doodles.
How annoying.
The rest of it went by like a blur, Melon fought once more like they were being puppeted, TJ stood next to him, a little close, and Erika congratulated them as she gave them their newly-won key.
It was basically clockwork at this point, almost insufferable. Taking in a deep breath of air, he was ready to just go home and sleep. It had been a long day, full of too much, and though he knew he wouldn't get a full nights rest, he just wanted to be done with this. It seemed like TJ did too.
"..Yay Melon. Good job. Can we leave now?"
Honestly, looking at Melon, they seemed like they needed to go rest too. Through body language, he could tell that something worn them out. Yeah, battling was tiring, but it almost seemed like they were out of breath every time. Its not like they were the one fighting! It was the doodles!
They just nodded, stretching breifly before leaving with Erika, TJ and Quincy left to their own devices in the cave.
"..You really wanna tell me whats going on, TJ?" Quincy moved his arms once more, placing his hands on his hips.
TJ looked at him, studying his face for a moment with that far off look, before just shrugging. "Not really."
Quincy's frown tightened, but he supposed he understood. He didn't like talking to people, either. Especially about his issues.
Checking his phone, it was fairly late. No wonder he was so tired, it was 12:58 PM.
"..Lets just go. Its been a long day."
"Yeah."
There was a pause, the both still. It..was strange. As if neither of them knew what to do.
"..Quincy?"
"What."
TJ stared, that far off look still prominent, yet it seemed like he was almost back. Almost there again.
The silence ate at him, he just wanted TJ to say whatever he was going to, admitting to something? Telling him something? Making a joke? What was it?! It was starting to put him on edge?!
"..You think I'm meant to be here?"
Well..out of everything, he wasn't expecting a question to make him have to choose his words carefully to make sure TJ didn't think Quincy wanted him dead.
He paused. What was this even about? Was it about what that other guy said? Quincy didn't even catch his name, he was so unimportant. Why would TJ care about that lunatic?
"..I..mean, yeah. Probably. You are here, after all. Plus..it would be weird if not. Its better like this. It would be boring without your stupid plebian jokes."
..shit. Was that too mean?
But TJ nodded, not visably hurt. More like he was thinking about what he just said. "..Yeah. I guess. Thanks, Quince."
Who gave you permission to call me that?!
Yet he couldn't bring himself to get mad at the boy, nodding before starting to move out of the cave. He needed to get to bed, beauty sleep was number one. Or two. He supposed TJ was number one on his list out of everything right now...or something.
They walked, stars glinting above and streetlights shining down, DoodleCo High looking awfully dead. But he supposed that was just because it was so late. Only a few people were out and about right now, including himself and TJ.
The silence as they walked felt comfortable, yet Quincy was brimming with questions to ask TJ. He just wanted to know what was making him act so oddly.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to. It felt too..mean.
"..TJ."
"..Yeah?"
"Where are you staying tonight."
He glanced towards TJ, the streetlights lighting up his features delicately. Quincy clenched his jaw, as if he was trying to stop it from falling open at the sight. TJ looked back at him with those same, far away eyes. Yet they glinted with care.
"Back in Lakewood. I just use the Subway, but honestly..I really don't feel like walking or going any further right now. Y'know?" TJ answered quietly, stopping to look out at the water. Quincy looked back at him, then out at the water as well.
"Yeah. I get it. Its late." Quincy sighed, moving backwards and up next to TJ again to look out at the water, the moon reflecting and turning it a beautiful silver. "Its probably about one right now."
TJ hummed, seeming like he was focused entirely on the beautiful view infront of himself. Yet Quincy could tell he was thinking.
The smell of cold saltwater filled his nose as a gentle breeze passed by, and Quincy couldn't help but feel calm, in a way.
"..I uh, got a hotel room nearby. Its big. If you just wanted to come with me there--its late so I wouldn't wanna wake up your parents by sending you back to Lakewood." Quincy admittedly was horrified at how nice he was being, and really the offer made his face heat.
He was expecting TJ to reject his offer, but eventually he quietly nodded. "Yeah..good idea. Thanks."
Quincy was definetely taken by surprise, but he supposed he wasn't complaining. TJ was lucky he liked him as much as he did.
"..Well then, lets get going, TJ." Quincy started to walk once more, eventually hearing TJ catching up.
__________________
It didn't take them long to get to the hotel, Quincy placing his Doodle capsules in a drawer for tomorrow. TJ had placed his capsules and stuff just to the side, already tucked into bed, lying on his side.
"..Sorry if its a bit weird. I thought the room had two beds. Its a suite, after all." Quincy murmured.
"..Whatever, its big enough. I've slept in the same bed with a bunch of friends before."
Well, he supposed it was fine, then. Quincy wasn't really used to..that kind of stuff. Sleepovers, slumber parties, whatever you called them..or just in general, friends.
Dubiously getting in the bed as well, Quincy lied facing away from TJ, too embarassed for the opposite. He let his eyes drift closed, when TJ's voice broke into the silence once more.
"You've changed a lot since I've met you." He mumbled, Quincy guessed he was tired. "..You really think?" He asked.
"..Yeah. You're a lot nicer..thanks for uh. Being my friend, Quincy."
Friend.
A real, true, friend.
He blinked.
"..Okay, TJ. Goodnight."
Quincy stared at his hands, eyes wide with surprise and a bit of confusion.
He supposed it was just a long day, thats why he said that. TJ was tired, and Quincy was too. Whatever either of them felt right now, it was probably nothing.
Quincy sighed, tomorrow will be better, he thought.
Tomorrow will be better.