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Scar didn’t consider himself rich anymore.
His parents were,
But he was determined to make his own name outside of his parent’s legacy.
He had been making good progress too-
He got a decent job,
Was making some really good friends.
It wasn’t glamorous or comfortable.
But it was fun.
After being given everything he could ever want- Scar wanted to experience life inside.
Much to his parents dismay.
Don’t get him Wrong, Scar did love his parents, but they just didn’t understand his ambitions.
They wanted him to be their perfect little heir.
Easily controlled and contained.
And well…
They got their wish…
Scar was sick.
Like permanently admitted to the hospital until further notice sick.
His parents had him put on a nice room with good doctors.
But he likely wasn’t going to walk, or live on his own ever again.
The despair overtook him easily.
His parents would visit occasionally.
But they’d never stay long.
The only warmth and hope he had was from his work friends coming to visit and play games with him.
The three of them all joined the company around the same time.
Becoming fast friends.
-Skizz would entertain the group with stories and jokes
-Zedaph would come up with weird games for them to play
-And Scar would find a clever way to cheat at said games.
But at the end of the day Scar was thankful for them.
Thankful that they would come and spend multiple days with him when they had time off.
Thankful that they fought with their collective boss to not fire Scar because of his illness.
Instead setting him up with the right equipment to do consumer analysis from his hospital room.
Skizz and Zed had been there for him in more ways than his own parents had been.
Not that he would say that out loud-
He couldn’t.
Not after everything they’d done for him with the hospital and doctors-
Not after everything they do to take care of him.
Which is why when the next time his parents came to visit home while brandishing a small wrapped box.
He smiled and told them everything was fine.
“I don’t know why you still have to work dear.”
His mother was saying “your sick and their still working you to the bone-“
“Mom, I told you before. I want to work, it helps me feel productive-“
“You don’t need to be productive son, you need to let us take care of you-“
His Father chimed in-
“Dad, I’m probably not going to walk again, I need to be able to DO something.”
“That’s the beauty of it son! It’s a perfectly legitimate excuse!”
“I don’t need an excuse Dad- I want to work, so I am- this makes me happy.”
“Okay both of you-“ Mum interrupted “we didn’t come here to argue! Now darling don’t you have a gift for Scar there?”
His father huffed “yes of course-“ before he handed over the small wrapped gift box to Scar- “don’t jostle it too much, it was very expensive and fragile.”
Scar’s frowned, yet another expensive gift instead of spending time with him?? How original.
Still he un-did the bow and opened the box peering inside.
Then his stomach dropped
The box was empty all for all small little creature in the corner laying unconscious.
it was human shaped but small!!
He had wiry tail with a green tuft of fur on the end of it. And his cloths looked torn and ratty
Scar stared down at the little person in horror, waiting till he saw his chest rise and fall before looking back up at his parents.
“We thought you could use a little friend!” His mother cheered “this is a borrower they are very rare and very expensive, your father bought it an auction for you! Isn’t that nice?”
Scar didn’t have any words, his parents just bought a person!
A living breathing person!!!
His Father Peered into the box, “oh- looked like it’s passed out, perhaps we should have poked holes in that box.”
Scar realized in terror the implications of carelessness his parents had for another person.
But was to slow to stop his Father’s hand from reaching into the box and pulling the small person out in a closed fist
“Hey wait, don’t hurt him-!” Scar tried to protest and reach for his Father’s hand but he didn’t have the mobility to reach.
“Awww attached already, I knew this was a good idea Honey.” His Mother peppered excitedly.
“Yes, you were right darling, and relax Scar I won’t hurt it, I’m just waking it up for you.”
Scar winces unable to stop his Father form lightly shaking his fist and jostling the little person’s head around.
Until they woke up screaming.
And Scar’s heart broke-
How could his parents not realize this wasn’t just an animal, but an actual person!!!!
“There ya go, good as new- a little pet for you to take care of. This should help you feel accomplished in a day Son-“
Without any further warning Scar’s father dropped the. Borrower into his cupped hands without any fanfare or gentleness.
The tiny little guy scrambled around, trying to scratch his way out of Scar’s hands.
A wish Scar would happily oblige once his parents were gone.
“Take good care of it dear, it wasn’t cheep to come by- and if you let it escape we’ll be very cross.” His mother said this all with a sweet smile on her face that wouldn’t made scar throw up if he had anything in his stomach at the moment.
“We’ll be having a modified bird cage sent up for you to keep it in while you aren’t playing-
But try to keep it out of sight of the doctors and nurses.
Not everyone is as understanding and caring for these little critters as we are son.”
Scar looked back down at the little borrower, the tiny person in his hands.
He had given up scratching already, instead now cowering and tucking himself into the biggest nook he could find- which wasn’t that big at all.
Big glossy eyes stared back up at him, holding fear and dread.
This was not someone who had been taken care of well in any regards.
But still he responded to his parents the way they wanted to hear it.
For the sake of getting them to leave quicker.
“Yes Father, I’ll make sure to keep him safe.”
“Good on you my boy-“ with that his Father pat his head, before turning to leave.
“Have a wonderful time with your new pet sweetheart, try not to break any of its bones- or lose it, we’ll be checking in on you guys-
oh! And I’ll have our seamstress send you some cute cloths for it too.” She kisses the top of his head and Scar felt dizzy.
“Thanks Mom.”
His parents said their final goodbyes, but Scar could barely register what had just happened.
He knew his parents could be self absorbed at times
But he never could’ve believed…
Again his gaze drifted back down the to borrower in his palms.
And the poor little guy flinched.
Scar didn’t blame him.
He had to start slow and gentle.
Scar made sure to speak softer and uncurl his fingers to let in more light.
“I am so sorry about that little guy- I wasn’t …. I didn’t know that they-…. You’re a tiny person-! Not a pet. I promise I’m not like them.”
The borrower’s wide fear filled eyes shifted into uncertainty at Scar’s words.
“My name’s Scar… do… you have a name? Can-… do we speak the same language?? I actually don’t know-“
Scar let the question hang in the air for a while, not expecting much but still giving space for the borrower to answer.
But after that while had gone on even longer He was about to speak again-
when he heard a tiny voice speak up instead.
“Bdubs… … . That’s my name…”
“Bdubs?…. That’s a cool name-…”
The borrower murmured something that Scar could quite make out but judging from the tone it was filled with sass and spite.
“Listen.. uh- Bdubs… I am really really reeeeeeaaaalllyyy sorry for what my parents did to you.
That’s not fair or nice….”
“But you still wanna keep me Dontcha!” Suddenly very loud the borrower stood unsteadily up in Scar’s palms, pointing accusatorially at the human.
“Wanna put me in that cage and lock me up!!”
“Wha-?? No! Of course not!”
“Then let me go!!”
“I-“ Scar’s voice caught in his throat. As he thought about what his parents said bout not losing this borrower
“I don’t want to keep you as a pet! But…
My parents…”
“You scared of your stupid parents?!! You’re a giant human bean for crying out loud! You’ll live!! I won’t!”
Scar wilted at the words, “I can’t-“
“You can’t?! Or you won’t !!! you get to walk out of here with your freedom in tact meanwhile here I AM JUST-!”
“I don’t-“ Scar interrupted the loud speech the little guy was making-
“What??? The heck you mean you don’t??”
“I don’t get to have my freedom… and I won’t be walking out of here Bdubs… I’m sick-
Can’t use my legs… and won’t be able to live on my own….”
The borrower then went silent, staring up at Scar.
“If I lose you then… they have all the more reason to take away more freedom-
They’d say stuff like
‘If I can’t even look ever someone the size of your pinky then it’s a good thing you’ll stay with us forever!-‘
And I-
I can’t do that-“
“I didn’t realize….” Bdub’s voice was softer now, with just a hint of guilt.
“It’s… okay… you have every right to be mad… honestly… they probably gave you to me just so that I’d lose you….” The realization stuck him like a bolt of lighting. That’s exactly why they got him a borrower-
“I mean… if you ran away I couldn’t catch you… being stuck in this bed and everything…”
“Yeah well… normal parents buy their kids a cat-“
Scar actually laughed at that- “gosh I wish I had a cat, that would be so much nicer-… oh, um no offence just… really don’t like the idea of keeping a person as a pet.”
“I won’t take offence to that- I wish you got a cat too- but.. then I’d probably be somewhere worse so…” Bdubs shrugged and Scar realized what he said was true.
If Bdubs wasn’t bought by his father, someone else at that auction would have snatched him up.
Scar at least had empathy and compassion for him.
At least Scar had the conscious to know keeping people as pets was wrong and-
And-
He could set him free…
Gosh he almost did turn into his parents there.!
“I-… really can’t ask you to stay Bdubs…” as he spoke Scar lowered his hands and opened them till that were flat.
“I shouldn’t take away your freedom just for the sake of mine.-“
Bdubs stared up at Scar with those big wide eyes “wait really??”
Scar nodded, “I can’t keep you- I won’t. It’s not right… I’m sorry for suggesting other wise.”
Bdubs quickly left Scar’s hands before he could change his mind.
“I-… thank you Scar- you…. You’re nice.”
Scar smiled, and then watched as Bdubs made his to the edge of the bed, and used the sheets to climb down-
Once he was out of sight Scar’s smile fell.
His parents wouldn’t be happy-
And they would probably force him to live with them.
But…
At least he could help one last person before he did.
<>
About an hour went by before his Mother came back into the hospital room.
And Scar’s whole body tensed.
“Here sweetie, I brought you that cage for your little- oh- hey where’s your borrower Scar?”
“I-“ Scar tried to speak but his mother wouldn’t let him.
“You didn’t lose it already now?? It’s been less than an hour??! Those new medications must really be taking a toll on you sweetheart-“
“Mom please-“
“No no sweetheart, it was only the size of your pinky-“
Uh oh-
Here it came-
“Honestly if you can’t look after something so small how do you expect to look after yourself most of the time- we should-“
“HEY!” A very loud voice shouted from Scar’s side table-
And both humans looked over in shock.
“I’m right here lady!! Scar let me explore this table some more! I’m not gone-!”
Scar Mom straightened, “oh-…. Well… that’s a surprise-“
“Yeah I know right! Scar is the best owner ever! I don’t want to leave!”
Scar just stared in stunned silence at Bdubs, he should be long gone by now-
Surely.
Why had he come back???
and why was he saying those things-?!!
“Well, I stand corrected Dear, sorry for my abruptness I just assumed- well it’s very loud, and rude- I thought-“
“Thought you gave your son a pet that would just run away as soon as he could!? Your wrong! I like Scar!”
Scar’s Mum pressed her lips into a thin line “I will not argue with a critter, it’s like arguing with a parrot, I’m glad your borrower likes you dear, I’m going to leave its cage right here and em-“
She once again kissed the top of his head and quickly left the room, no doubt to report to Dad the news.
Scar still just stared in shock at Bdubs.
The borrower to his credit didn’t flinch at his gaze this time.
“What? You seem surprised to see me or something??”
This broke Scar out of his stupor “I mean Kinda?? I let you go, your free you didn’t have to-“
“I know- …. but I was thunking bout it some more… and… you were willing to give up your freedom for me… and… so I wanted to come back and check on you….
Then crazy lady came back- talking over you and assuming you already lost me- just like you said and…
It made my blood boil… so- thought might as well right?”
“Wait you’re being serious right now??? but- I can’t keep you- it’s not right!”
“Relax Man- you’re not- I came back cuz I wanted to… you can’t keep someone who wants to be around ya-“
“Oh-“ the information was molasses to Scar’s brain but eventually it reached its conclusion “Like.. friends?”
“I mean… yeah I wouldn’t mind being friends… sounds a heck of a lot better than pet!!”
Scar softly smiled, “yeah it does,”
The borrower nodded softly smiling also.
Scar’a next move was a little risky but, he’s probably do it for any of his friends if that were than small,
he reached over and held out an open palm to Bdubs-
“Wanna join me over here? We could watch a movie or something?”
Bdubs hesitated for a moment before jumping on to Scar’s hand and sitting down- “sure! My brothers and I used to sneak out and watch whatever TV show the humans were watching that night-!”
Scar was suspired how eager the borrower was and how willingly he trusted Scar to hold him-
The Human gently curled his fingers but not by much before bringing Bdubs over to about chest level-
“That seems a bit dangerous Dontcha think? Were you worried you get caught?”
“Pshaw- if you think that’s dangerous you won’t even want to know bout the time we rode around on the family cat-“
Scar chuckled, “your crazy-“
Bdubs shrugged, “gotta be a little bit crazy to be a borrower- also sidetrack for a second, your hands are so waaaarrm-“
As he said this Bdubs melted into Scars palm a little more.
“Oh- I em, didn’t realize- sorry.”
“Don’t be, this place is too cold to live in.”
“Yeah tell me about it-… wait… did you come back just because I’m warm???!”
Bdubs laughed, actually laughed!
“maybe a little bit- but the other stuff I said was true too!”
Scar huffed, “well it feels less nice now that I know I’m just your personal heater.”
“Hey your a very nice heater, don’t undersell yourself-“
Both of them Lightly laughed at this, as Bdubs snuggled further into the hand and Scar brought it closer to his chest.
Soon after Scar opened his computer, “anything you want to watch in particular?”
“Nope- I have no idea what ANYTHING is called!!”
Scared chuckled once more, “alright, Star Wars it is- I also have no idea how you’re that small and so loud.”
“HEY! I’ll have you know I’m an average size for a borrower-“
“See anyone who needs to clarify they are average are typically shorter than average.”
“WHY YOU!” Bdubs swatted Scar’s hand, but there was no effort behind it-
And Scar just giggled-
After a long moment of Scar setting up ‘A New Hope’ Bdubs sighed and Scar looked down at his new friend curiously.
“You would have probably get along good with my brothers…”
The admittance was spoken softly, and felt more tender than anything else the borrower has said before
So Scar hummed softly, and also spoke gently-
“I’m sure I would’ve, maybe someday we could find them???”
“Pfft- nah…. They’re gone… along with everyone else…I’ve…. I’ve accepted that now…”
“I’m sorry…”
“… Thank you…-“
Bdubs curled up further, his tail wrapping around his body like a safety net.
Scar with the lightest of touches ran his thumb up and down Bdub’s back hoping it brought comfort-
Soon enough the borrower’s tail gently wrapped around the large digit and Scar’s heart Soared with warmth.
Then he turned on the movie-
Not Star Wars like he initially planned, but instead some classic Disney, - Robin Hood to be specific
Nothing fancy, nothing harsh.
Just comfort and heroics.
Scar didn’t even realize when Bdubs had fallen asleep, he just kept his thumb lightly pressed on his Friend’s back, with the sound of Robin and little John running through the forest playing in the background.
And Scar was Happy.
His previous despair replaced with a sense of protectiveness and joy over his new friend.