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Ali sped through tight crowds, murmuring half assed apologies as he headed towards the arcade, where he last left Viktor on the pretense of a bad stomach. Ali panted, drenched in sweat that was beginning to feel like icy cold water on his skin.
“Viktor, I'm so sorry.” Ali slurred, slouched with hands on his knees as he raised his head up to meet his best friend. It wasn't the first time this happened, since his recruitment in the earliest of January a few years back, Viktor has been stood up many times. Some days it visibly bothers him, other days, like today, he's accepting, too accepting.
Viktor dismissed his apology, “It's fine.” he assured in his usual carefree way. “But,” he started, eyebrows furrowing slightly. “You shouldn't eat expired food ma, you're rich you can restock just fine right?”
There it is, Viktor’s chiding. A thing he's grown accustomed to in recent days, not that he turned a blind eye before. Viktor was strangely very poetic and advisable.
Ali blushed in embarrassment, peeling his soaked hair away from his forehead as he straightened up. “I didn't know it was expired..” he sheepishly reasoned, earning a sigh from his best friend. “I'll help you out later” Viktor offered without much choice, before taking in his physique. “Look at yourself, absolutely drenched.”
Shit fuck didn’t think he cared.
“The line was huge since most stalls were broken, and you know when there's a lot of people, things start to get hot..” he lied, hoping it seemed legit. Viktor hummed, probably accepting the blatant lie he pulled out of his ass.
Ali bit his lip, slowly approaching Viktor. “I'm sorry for standing you up again.” he apologised for the second time, guilt evident. And for the second time, Viktor brushed him off.
“I thought about getting you something–”
“From what? The toilet stall?”
Ali blinked, utterly shocked by Viktor’s quick wit. “The stall? What kind of gift do you even want there?” Ali sputtered, laughing uncontrollably to which Viktor joined him. “I don't know you, last time you compensated with a single lemon..” Viktor reminisces, the memory alone enough to get him laughing again.
“Well, you said you're getting into sour stuff since it boost your energy—”
“Look Ali, I appreciate your increased focus but if you focused harder, you would have realised I said specifically I started liking sour gummies.”
“Oh.” Ali said in surprise, “Well you said thank you, so I thought you liked it.” he grumbled, not truly angry. “I mean you saved me from having to visit the grocery store, so that's that. And we made use of that lemon for a nice Thai Cocktail.” Viktor explained, Ali’s mouth watered at the memory of the cold drink.
“But anyways, don't beat yourself up or get me another lemon. I managed to make a new friend waiting for you.” the chinese boy boasted proudly, “He helped me with a game and then two and suddenly he's my new best friend.”
Ali scoffed loudly, and Viktor, akin to Ali’s jealousy, immediately corrected himself. “Well, not really my best friend-more like a nice gaming partner—” Ali didn't seem anymore amused so he corrected himself yet again, “Or just a plain normal friend I met at the arcade.”
“Hmph, who?”
“Well he's not from our school since he's much older… but I think you might have seen him around town.” Viktor explained, Ali raised an eyebrow. “And who—” he tried but Viktor cutted him off, waving for someone in the distance. But with such a compacted crowd, Ali didn't see him until he literally was in front of his very eyes.
What the fuck. It’s Neonimus.
“Hi.” he greeted, patting Viktor’s back while staring right at Ali with that smug grin. If Viktor greeted him back, Ali didn't know, he was too busy glaring daggers. “And who’s this? Your little brother?”
Ali’s face heated up greatly, “I'm his age.” he grumbled, “You should kno—”
“Oh! So this is Ali right?” Neonimus asked, pointing at Ali with a smile. Viktor nodded, wrapping an arm around his best friend. “Viktor told me about you during Detektif Jebat, how’s your stomach?” Neonimus asked in fake sweetness, crouching slightly to talk eye to eye.
It hurts, like badly but that's from getting punched in the gut accidentally by his uncle’s gauntlet. “Fine.” he grumbled. “Ali, stop being all grumpy. We went here for fun right? We’ll go pick up some soothing oil or something if your stomach hurts still.”
He gritted his teeth at the sight of Neonimus smirking.
“What are you even doing here?” Ali hissed, slow enough so Viktor wouldn't hear him as he tried his luck to win a Detektif Jebat plush. “Is it so hard to believe I just wanted to have fun?” Neonimus replied coolly, not even meeting his eye. “So? You're trying to get all buddy buddy with Viktor to mess with me? I can get you locked up again, you know.”
“My imprisonment ended a month ago, besides what will you even say? That you're jealous of Viktor having friends that arent you?”
Before Ali could say anything, Neonimus walked towards Viktor and began offering his help. He won of course, when you're a professional hacker capable of messing up whole organisations, a simple claw machine can't stop your grind.
Ali stomped towards them, hearing Viktor praise him greatly as he cuddled the small plush. “Wow, you're so good at this, you need to teach me someday!”
“Yeah, someday.” was Neonimus’s reply, Viktor laughed like it was something funny. “The plush isn't even good.” Ali snarked, making both boys stare at him. Neonimus chuckled, “Are you jealous? Want a plush for your own?” he teased.
“Loh, I wouldn't take you for the plush type, Ali.” Viktor commented. “Me neither.” Ali huffed back, earning a snort. “It's Detektif Jebat, you know I love collecting.” Viktor said matter of factly, “Now that I have Detektif Jebat, my plush lineup is complete!”
Ali pouted, “Good for you.”
“Here you go!” Neonimus suddenly spoke up, shoving a tiny plush in Ali’s grasp. “Yay, now we're matching!” Viktor cheered, placing his own plush next to Ali’s. Ali halted momentarily, staring at the dolls.
“Where would I even put this?” Ali asked, staring right at the doll. “What if there's cameras or something, I need to throw—”
Viktor rolled his eyes, “Overthinking as always.” he started, not even angry. “Don't put it anywhere private ma, you know I have a seperate room for collections. Besides, this could be a nice memory of our friendship. Who knows if I die? Will you just forget me?”
Viktor always was good with words, but this was something that left Ali completely stunned for half a minute. “I guess I can put it in the living room..” he said, voice tiny. “What about Comot?” Viktor chimed. “She doesn't go for plush like these, harder to rip.”
“Just like our friendship, hard to rip!”
Ali laughed awkwardly when Viktor pulled him into a very manly hug, not caring for his sweaty and sticky frame. It was weird Viktor would say that yet it made total sense, despite major slip ups over the years not once did they actually break apart. Ali turned to where Neonimus last stood, embarrassed to be seen to pliant but Neonimus wasn't there.
As if he vanished.
“Where’s your friend?” Ali asked, peeling away from Viktor. “Dunno, maybe he went home.”
Hm.