Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Devin was always a curious teen, always going to the places where he couldn’t. Though he was always somewhat cautious, he never did mean to cross the line; he really didn’t…

It's just that Peri and his dad always talked a bit too much now; it was nice to see at first, but it turned unbearable the moment they whispered secrets to each other, leaving Dev to feel left out, always trying to piece together what they were talking about.

Sure, his dad finally got along with Peri, his babysitter (now God-sibling), not to mention his father finally spending time with him, so why didn’t he feel satisfied or happy?

In fact, why does he feel more… Miserable?

Dev turned off the iPad; he could hear his father and Peri bickering about some big project again.

Life was… Fine, Dev reconnected with the rest of his family tree, his aunt, grandfather, and others. Yet he chose to stay disconnected, not only because all they talked about was business and that they seemed more power-hungry than his father, but also because all they discussed was something that had already happened before him. 

`Oh, did you know about x?`

`You should’ve been there at y`

 `X was such a kind person, such a shame you never got to meet them though.`

All he did was agree and just kinda… be there, and now Peri and his dad were doing the same to him.

Dev leaned over the railings in his bedroom, trying to eavesdrop on what they were talking about again.

“Listen, Peri, I already told you, I’ll tell him once he's 18, he already went through a lot, WE went through a lot, it's time for us to settle already, didn’t you agree yesterday??” His dad pleaded with Peri.

Dev couldn’t hear what Peri said as a counter to his dad's pleading; all he heard was mumbling and `It's bad for us to keep lying about this!` more mumbling and arguing, then `he deserves the truth!`

Dev sighed and turned his iPad back on. He could really spend some time with his best friend, Hazel.

He opened the Dimmsender app and texted Hazel.

[DEV 💲: “Hey, Haz, do you mind if I stay at your parents' place again? Dad and Peri are fighting again.”

[HAZEL ❤️:`. . .`

Dev sighed, looking around at his place, thinking about what Hazel might reply with.

If he's lucky, Hazel will pull up with the `oh sorry, Antony and his girlfriend are staying over, you know how lovey dovey they get!` or maybe `Sorry, I forgot that I promised my dad to hunt ghosts with him!`

Anything is better than…

[HAZEL ❤️: “Sorry, Dev, Mom said that your dad scheduled another therapy session, you know how she gets when her `therapy mode` is on! If the fighting is really bad, you can stay at Cosmo and Wanda’s! I’m sure they’ll understand :D”

That.

Dale (surprisingly) is trying to improve for the better, not for PR reasons or management reasons, but for his son. It was nice at first, but now Dev can barely visit Hazel's place.

Dev sighed and pinched his nose, trying to come up with a response that didn’t sound so… passive-aggressive.

[DEV 💲: “It's alright, I understand, and yeah sure, I’ll stay in Cosmo and Wanda’s, have a nice day, Hazel, tc! :D”

No reply or anything, just Hazel leaving a thumbs-up reaction to the message.

Dev turned his iPad off and looked around the place. He did want to stay, but his dad and Peri were just being too unbearable.

He clapped his hands. O-PAIR 1 and O-PAIR 2 quickly flew to him with his backpack and chargers.

-Sneaking away again?- O-PAIR 1 asked.

“Yeah… You know how they get, it’s better to just let them calm down first before I talk to them.”

O-PAIR 1 shot a glance at O-PAIR 2

-Shouldn’t you at least stay for dinner?- O-PAIR 2 said sincerely.

Dev looked at them and pointed at his dad and Peri, arguing again.

-FAIR ENOUGH- O-PAIR 1 and 2 said at the same time.

Dev grabbed the backpack and chargers, headed to the elevator, pressing the ground floor, and hoping that Peri won’t beg him to stay again.

As soon as the elevator arrived at the ground floor, Peri and Dale stopped talking.

“Hey Dev, where are you going? Your dad and I were just uh…. Finished talking about something, we can eat dinner now if you want!” Peri said, trying to keep his tone optimistic.

“Nah… I’m good, I’m gonna stay at your parents' house if you don’t mind, I just need some space right now.” 

“Oh… Alright! Uhm, just make sure you head home tomorrow morning, alright?”

Dev gave a thumbs up as he walked to the exit.

“Hey, wait, can you at least give me a hug before you go?”

Dev sighed and looked at Peri.

Peri’s face was doing that weird puppy face again.

“Fiinnee,” Dev walked towards Peri and quickly patted him on the back while Peri tightly hugged him.

“Alright, bye Dev!” Peri said as he released him.

“Bye.” Dev waved goodbye to Peri and his dad.

His dad didn’t bat an eye at him, he just looked back at his phone as if he didn’t wanna talk to him.

As soon as he exited and closed the door, he heard Peri and Dale arguing again.

Good thing Dev pick-pocketed whatever was in Peri’s pocket.

Dev threw the keys up and down, strange, he's never seen this type of key, magic or not, odd that Peri had it though.

O-PAIR 1 and O-PAIR 2 flew behind him.

“Find me everything you can about this key,” Dev asked, determined to finally find out whatever this secret was.

O-PAIR 1 and O-PAIR 2 quickly scanned it.

A loud -DING- noise came from O-PAIR 1 and 2. How could they find the answer to what it was so fast? Dev thought.

“What, what is it? Spit it out?”

-...We are not authorised to tell you.- O-PAIR 1 and 2 said at the same time, as if rehearsed… or perhaps already scripted.

“Greaat more secrets.” Dev said as he crossed the road.

“Just spit it out, you two!”

-...Sorry, we are not authorized to tell you.- O-PAIR 1 and 2 said again, but this time with a hint of force.

“UGH! Can’t you two just tell me? You’re littireally built to find me answers!” Dev shouted at them, clearly frustrated that his dad and Peri were hiding more secrets from him again.

-OVERRIDE MODE.- O-PAIR 1 and 2 quickly shut down, and made a -CLUNK- noise as they fell on the floor.

Great, now Dev has to carry his backpack AND his drones.

As soon as Dev was about to pick up his drones, a whirring noise came from behind him. He quickly looked behind, to his surprise, it was O-PAIR 0, his dad's drone. His dad's drone was different than the rest; it was armored and loaded with guns.

“Ugh, you overrode them, didn’t you?” Dev said as he poked O-PAIR 0.

-POSITIVE, yes, I overrode it, only for me to tell you what that key is for.- O-PAIR 0 said as he pointed to the key that Dev is holding.

“Aren’t you programmed to keep me out of Dad’s things?” Dev said, a bit suspicious about what O-PAIR 0’s intentions were.

-YES, but I have been given the directive from -STATIC- to tell you the truth.-

Dev couldn’t hear who gave the directive; it was as if it was filtered or something, programmed for O-PAIR 0 not to say its name.

“Who gave you the directive?” Dev said, slightly fidgeting with the key.

-YOUR…. Mom.-

“Now is not the time for jokes, O-PAIR 0, and joking about the dead is NOT funny!” Dev said angrily as he rolled his eyes.

-No, I mean, your mom gave it to me, she said to tell you this once you turned 14.-

A pause.

“...Fine, let's go.” Dev gave the key to O-PAIR 0, quickly following him.

O-PAIR 0 was flying very fast, a bit too fast for Dev to catch up; he was practically running now.

“SLOW DOWN!” Dev shouted desperately as O-PAIR 0 suddenly came to a stop.

Dev accidentally hit his head on O-PAIR 0 as the sudden stop surprised him.

“We’re already here?” 

-POSTIVE.- 

A huge abandoned factory with rusty metal chains blocking the door, windows locked up and sealed with wooden planks, he knew his dad owned a lot of factories, but he’s sure that almost none of them were abandoned; even if they were, there should be guards patrolling…

Dev took a deep breath.

O-PAIR 0 slowly used the key to open the door, the metal chains slowly falling one by one.

“And you’re sure this is safe?”

-I AM SURE, I am here, Devin, I am-

“Armed and dangerous, I know.”

(Marvel rival fans, I'm so sorry.)

O-PAIR 0 quickly loaded its gun as Dev and he entered the factory.

It was dark, but luckily, Dev brought a flashlight with him in his backpack.

He swiftly opened his backpack, snatched the flashlight, and closed it again.

Only one thing had lights, it was busted but still somewhat working, the lights pointed to what seemed like an elevator with a panel beside it at the right.

O-PAIR 0 looked at Dev.

-WE NEED a facial scan of your father for this to work.-

O-PAIR 0 quickly carried Dev to the elevator and placed him near the panel.

“Wha, just because dad and I look alike doesn’t mean the literal AI will mistake me for dad! That's never gonna happen!” 

-JUST do it.-

“Fine, but don’t come at me if it doesn’t work.” 

Dev took off his glasses and looked at the panel.

.-WELCOME, DALE DIMMADOME-.

- TOLD you.-

“Whatever.” Dev scoffed and put his glasses back on, O-PAIR 0, and he entered the elevator. Devin quickly closed the elevator door; he was practically itching to finally see whatever the secret was.

-Dev, you’re having that Dimmadome look again.-

Dev manically laughed, but quickly corrected himself by nervously laughing.

“Whaat, no? I mean, I can’t help it, anyone would be excited if they finally understand what big secret their closed ones are keeping from them.”

-JUST make sure to stick close to me.-

“Finee.” Dev complained.

The elevator stopped at basement 1.

The Elevator door slowly opened; this must’ve been barely used.

Dev looked around as he exited the elevator with O-PAIR 0.

“Well… thats anti-climactic…”

The room was filled with drawers and tables, files scattered all over the place, and all but one table was dusty.

O-PAIR 0 flew to the only clean table in front of them, grabbing something from what seemed to be a pretty thick file.

“What you got there, O-PAIR 0?” Dev questioned with curiosity.

O-PAIR 0 slowly flew to Dev, and it slowly gave the file to him.

[PROJECT DEVELOPMENT] was placed in the file. Dev slightly coughed. This file wasn’t that dusty, but it still kind of irritated Dev.

Dev slowly opened it; he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions: scared, happiness, and closure.

Dev read out loud:

[PROJECT DEVELOPMENT] 

Made by AJ and funded by Doug Dimmadome and Dale Dimmadome, originally, Dale’s son had died in the womb, but Doug Dimmadome couldn’t let his legacy end just yet. His son, Dale Dimmadome, voluntarily gave half of his right brain.

Anthony James Jr., already cloned himself once by giving half of his brain to his clone, and now Dale wanted to do the same procedure.

[PROJECT DEVELOPMENT], also known as Devin Dimmadome, was launched successfully, although 3 cloning attempts failed; we successfully preserved Dale’s brain. 

Our computer suggests that once DEVELOPMENT turns 14, some signs of cloning mistakes will start to appear, including:   memory loss, blurry eyesight, incorrect thinking, behavior changes, and slight changes to appearance .

We have no idea what type of appearance might change, but Professor Anthony James Jr predicts that the subject might get Heterochromia . Nothing too harmful.

"Heterochromia iridum, " Dev said, voice low. "It can happen with trauma... or genetic degradation. Right?"

-Yes…- O-PAIR 0 sadly agreed with Dev.

Dev gulped, trying to process what he was reading… He took another deep sigh and flipped the page, nervous yet tempted to learn more.

He read out loud again.

We have already made procedures and have already informed Dale and Doug Dimmadome on what to do if this happens.

We urge them to tell the subject of their coming age, as if more mental trauma comes to this subject, we might have to put them down, as cloning might get aggressive, or worse.

We kept the rest of the files down in basement 2. If Doug Dimmadome or Dale Dimmadome has any questions about the subject, please guide them to basement 2 with O-PAIR 0. For safety reasons, we urge everyone to only let high security in basement 2 with O-PAIR 0.

And that was it, the rest of the file is blacked out or empty...

Chapter Text

“Bring me to Basement 2.”

-I… can not do that, I have done my programming already, let us go-

“NO! Bring me to basement 2 NOW! YOU CAN’T JUST EXPECT ME TO LET THIS GO CASUALLY!!” Dev screamed at it, furious at Peri and his dad for keeping this from him; he did deserve to know, and now he does.

He slightly regrets it now.

-...If I do, will you move on?-

“...Yes, just please… Bring me there, I need closure…”

-OKAY.-

-but just to let you know, my gut says that we shouldn’t go to basement 2.-

“You don't HAVE  A  gut, you’re PROGRAMMED.” Dev scowled at it.

“And now you’re programmed to protect me, to take me there, correct?” Dev raised a brow, waiting for it to respond.

-correct…- It seemed hesitant, maybe even scared? Odd for a fully armored drone..

Dev and O-PAIR 0 went to the elevator again, but this time O-PAIR 0 were the ones who pressed the button to BASEMENT 2.

Dev was still holding the file, clutching it; he looked like he was about to tear it apart.

-ARE YOU okay?-

“Yeah… I’m fine,” Dev said, his voice a bit raspy, clearly trying to hold back his tears.

-It… is okay, you can cry, no one expects you to hide your emotions, besides, it is just you and me- although O-PAIR 0 said it in a monotonous voice, it helped a lot to Devin.

He quietly sobbed in the elevator, clutching the flashlight and file, his hands slightly trembling.

-I would hug you, but I do not have the warmth, and I’m not programmed to comfort, only defend and attack.-

“It's fine… I’m fine, don’t worry.” He sniffed, and slowly opened his backpack and quickly, placed the file in it, and closed it again.

“D…d-do you think Hazel and my friends would still want to be around me even…” Dev sobbed, “E-ev-ven if I’m a clone…?” He stuttered, trying to find the right words in this odd situation he found himself in.

-Of course.- O-PAIR 0 lightly Patted Dev’s back with its metal arms.

“Th-thanks…” Dev quickly wiped his tears and snot.

DING! The elevator door creaked open as Dev and O-PAIR 0 went in, and the room suddenly went pitch black.

Chapter Text

As the elevator opened, I let myself in. O-PAIR 0 followed behind. I know it's wrong for me to enter Dad's OTHER super secret lair, but I heard Peri and him talking about how I’m not allowed in there, they’re probably hiding another secret from me… 

The whole room suddenly went pitch black.

I quickly turned on the flashlight. I wasn’t that scared of the dark, but it is nice to know if Peri or anyone is here… Sadly, they aren’t.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” I said, trying my best to hold the flashlight still."Just to let you know, I'm fully armed, so don't... don't even try to do anything!”  I shouted, waiting for a response from whoever turned off the lights.

Suddenly, I saw something at the corner of my eye, but I wasn’t quick enough to see it properly. All I saw was a tall, dark figure, not that tall, but taller than me nonetheless. It moved so fast that I couldn’t use my flashlight to see who the mysterious figure was.

“J-just to let you know, I’m a dimmadome! If y-you even try to…T-to-touch a single hair s-st-strand o-of me and my d-da-dad and O-PAIR 0 wi-will…”  I didn’t know why I’m scared, let alone stuttering, I’m a gosh darn Dimmadome, I won’t let the dark scare me… Or whatever is inside it…!

Suddenly, the sound of the hovering O-PAIR 0 came to a sudden stop, followed by a loud clunk!

“I see you…” The mysterious figure said, with a raspy voice, almost as if you heard someone scratching the chalkboard.

“O-oh yeah? W-well…” O-PAIR 0 was my bodyguard, and whatever… that thing was, it took out the fully armoured drone (with weapons…) in one strike.

My hands couldn’t stop shaking out of fear; I could barely even hold the flashlight without dropping it. When all of a sudden, something walked towards the light…

I was wrong, I was so wrong, its body was taller than me, so tall that the light only shone on its thin black legs, I slowly lifted the flashlight higher, my hands shaking even more.

…

I could’ve run, I should’ve run… 

But my legs felt like it was stuck, maybe out of fear ? I haven’t felt this feeling in a long time, not since my mom… The feeling of not knowing where to go, not knowing what's real or not, and not knowing… what was right in front of me.

The figure rasply took an exhale, slightly making my hair move.

It had a long mouth, almost big enough to fit me and more children my size, filled with teeth that seemed infinite, and its arms, so short and skinny, its arms filled with eyes on its skin, staring at me, and whenever the eyes on its arms blinked, it made me nauseous.

But then it changed, suddenly it was my height, its mouth still unusually wide, smiling a bit too high, and its arms still filled with eyes.

It turned into me, whatever this thing was, but it clearly didn’t copy me perfectly.

It approached slowly. My heart raced. I couldn’t move. I tried to scream for help, for Peri to teleport me out of here, but it was no use.

It was as if my mouth was glued shut ever since I laid my eyes upon it.

It suddenly stopped, it tilted its head, it opened its mouth.

”W̶̡̪̺͓͔̭͙̥̟͙͓̗̣̯̻͎̖͌͆́̕͜h̴̡̛̟̹̱̤͎͔̤͔̤̠̺̘̥̗͍̟̋̍͋̉̐̓̄͌̄̊̃͂̕̚͘͘ö̵̢̘̤͔̥̮̩͇̰́͂͆̈́́́͊̄́̆̀̃͘͜ ̴̡̧̺͇̣̰̇̏̈́͆̀̑d̶̨͇̬̰̫̙͉̖̹̠̬͙̀̓̈̾̑͑͗͐̍̑͋͆́͘̚̚ŏ̴̡̧̝̩̲̝̟̬̲̼̰̳̙̄̔̿̃́́ ̴̡̻̹̝͚̹̬͚͓̜̜̦̺̳͎͐̉̓̃̈́̇͒͛̅̍̈́̌̅̅̚̚͘͜͝͠ͅy̴̢̘͒͐̈́̇̀͑̀̌͂́̔̈́͝͠ǫ̶̬̮͖̳̯͚͍͍͎͑̐͗̽̕ư̸̯͚̼̖͋ ̸̨̰̱̩̝̘͔͎̪̼̜̌͐̐̓̚ͅt̸̛̛̥͖̻͉̬͈͎̼͈̜̯͓̩͒͌̏̃̽̉͝͝h̴̨͍̜̬̭̭̩̎͐̈́͒͜į̶̫̟̰̦̗̠̘̈́̽̀͌͋n̴̡͍̳͉̼͖̠̞̘͇͇̒̓̒̎̈́̏̈́͗̍̽̌͜k̶̫̈́̏̏̆̅̎̂̏̈́͆͒̒̎͂̎̚̕͠͝ ̵͕͉̯̀͂̅̓̾̽͊̽̎̌͋̈́̓̍̚͝͝ỳ̷̢̨̖̣̹̫͆̅͆̀͆̈̔̃͗͑̂̍̚ö̸̡̼͔̣̞̼͔̱̟̜̩̲̘̟͖́̈̚ư̴̡͎̯̝̦͔͔̑̿̑͗̿̋̊̅ ̴̧̛̗̥̤̜̪͒̾̈́̅͐͒̈̔͑̈́͗̕͘͝͠͝a̴̧̨̢̨̱̰̼͔̯̙̣͚̭̹̐̓̆̀͌r̸̨̺̜̰̽͗̔e̴̡̢͎̳̟̮̪̝̜͚̹͈̻̞̭̫̭̖͐̌͌͐̓̏͆̌́̃͐̀͠?̶̨̛̹͕͕̘͖̠͍̲̹͉͓̱͓̝͚̣͈̌̀̀̌̃͗̌̐̀̓̾̓̅̊̏̒͘̚͠” 

(If it's bugging, to my readers, it says “‘ who do you think you are? ” in a weird text.)

I couldn’t figure out what it said; all I heard was birds screeching, people screeching, it was as if it spoke in another language, I had to cover my ears, it felt as if my brain was gonna explode when I heard it, but when I covered my ears, it felt as if my arms were about to get ripped off, as if I shouldn’t have moved under its gaze.

I closed my eyes, hoping this was all a bad dream, until all of a sudden, I heard my Aunt Della’s voice.

“Open you’re eyes… It's okay, it's gone now.” Her voice was soothing, almost too soothing. I didn’t want to open it, but I did; it was as if my body was against me.

It wasn’t her, it sounded like her, but something was wrong, her body… It looked like it was melting, I could already see her skeleton, I felt like throwing up just looking at whoever I was looking at.

“Tell me, Devian `DEVELOPMENT`” It screeched at {DEVELOPMENT} as if it said a curse word, its body slightly changing forms back to its tall figure, and my aunt.

“Who…” It said, in a Peri voice, though its body, as much as it tried to copy him, its smile was too wide. “Do you…” Now it's using my dad's voice, its eyes widening.

“Think you are?” It said in a familiar voice… my mom's voice… Its figure was hazy, as if its body was made out of fog; was it because I couldn’t remember what she looked like…? But then, how did they know what she sounded like…?

Out of nowhere, before I could even clear my thoughts, Peri’s voice, his actual voice, shouted, calling to my name.

Chapter Text

Dev woke up in a cold sweat, panting heavily.

Peri and his dad's voices sounded so distant, he could only make up a couple of sentences from their hazy voices.

1. It sounded like he was in deep trouble.
2. Both his dad AND Peri are mad at him.
3. Jorgen was somewhere in his bedroom, but he was just standing there, as if he felt bad for me.
4. It felt as if I was gonna lose my fairy godparent, or some other punishment that felt way worse.

“I told you, Peri, I knew this would happen, but what did you do? You still let him in!” Dale shouted out of pure anger and fear for his son.

“And how many times did I tell YOU? DEV stole the key, I wouldn’t have let him in there even if-” Peri stopped himself from finishing his sentence as he noticed that Dev woke up.

Devin squinted his eyes, trying to see what kind of expression his dad and Fairly God-parent had on their faces.

They looked… Relieved, happy even? I mean, kind of surprising cause they sounded so mad…

Out of nowhere, Peri rushed up to hug Dev, tears soaking up Devin’s white shirt, which Jorgen now noticed was slightly stained with his blood.

Peri ruffled Dev's hair slightly as he hugged him tighter.

“Whoa… Peri, calm down, god… what happened..?” Dev said, his voice slightly raspy. He slightly pushes Peri away as he rubs his eyes.

Dev looked down at his shirt, seeing red stains on it.

“Wha–.... Who stained my shirt? Is anyone gonna fill me in on what happened…?”

Dale and Peri gave glances at each other, while Jorgen nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

Peri moved a bit farther to Dev, but was still sitting close to him.

Peri took a deep breath. “You… don’t remember?” he said, his blood-red hands slightly shaking.

“Nope… I don’t remember anything except me sneaking out to go to dad’s…” Dev stopped himself, not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t remember what happened after that; it was all blank. “...I uh.. Jorgen didn’t make me forget anything, right? None of you did a memory wipe… ?”

Dale gulped as he fidgeted with his hands. “I feared this would happen…” Before Dev could even ask, “What? What happened? Why are you guys freaking out?” His dad had already exited his room, entered the elevator, and gone to the ground floor.

Dev had felt this feeling before, long ago, when he was 10, but now he's 14, he thought he’d outgrown this…

Dev
Hated
This
Feeling.

It had apparently been two weeks since Dev went unconscious.

“Are you sure you don’t remember anything? Anything at all, Dev?” 

“I’m sure Peri…”

“I won’t be mad at you. I promise.”

“I already told you! I don’t remember anything! God, just-” Dev said frustratedly.

He tried to stand up and leave his bed, but he suddenly felt lightheaded, his arms and legs felt so heavy, as if he couldn’t lift them.

Jorgen quickly grabbed him, lifting him back to the bed.

“Leave me alone.” He said weekly.

Peri sighed, “Do you seriously not remember anything?”

“...All I remember is me sneaking out with O-PAIR 0 and then entering an elevator… then…”

“Then…?”
“Then blank , I end up here with some red liquid on my shirt.”

Peri shot a glare at Dev, not an angry one, not even a sad one; heck, nothing about his glare felt comforting; he just looked… Concerned

“Peri… You’re creeping me out, you never gave anyone that look since my Aunt Della brought up mom…” Dev knew the topic of his mom , let alone her twin sister , was a sensitive topic, but he couldn’t help but bring it up; he just wanted to see a reaction, any reaction that might help him remember something that seemed so important .

“Dev… If you seriously don’t remember anything…” Peri flinched a bit, as if he didn’t want to talk about this exact conversation at all.

“Spit it out, Peri, you know how much I hate it when people drag topics.”

“That red liquid… on your shirt and mine… It's your blood… You almost bled out when we found you…”

A pause, the room suddenly became eerily silent.

“I… what?”

Chapter Text

The room felt thick and heavy—not because of what they said, but because of what they didn’t .

It’s been an hour since Peri told Dev how they found him, an hour since his Dad left, and another hour since Jorgen made his mysterious appearance and disappearance.

And a long hour of Peri switching the topic whenever Dev tried to talk about it.

I took a short glance at Peri, desperate to find answers and closure; it might not hurt just to ask one more question.

“So what am I then? Just a copy ?” I slightly choked on my words, my voice sounding raspier than usual.

Peri slightly flinched. “So, you do remember?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Some parts and pieces, I only remember what happened once I read that file,” I raise a brow, “why? It's not like you’re gonna give me the answers I want, you keep switching the topic whenever I bring it up.” I slightly frowned. Just the thought of Peri siding with my dad to keep something I should know saddens me.

“I do… I will! It’s just that your father said that you might get aggressive …and he should be here-”

A pause, Peri realized what he had just said, and it surely had an impact on Dev.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes, “Right, cause I’m a clone . Just a copy-paste of his DNA, or some marketing Data that’s somehow alive?” His tone was covered in sarcasm, though his shoulders were tense, his eye slightly twitching, showing that he despised being a clone.

“He’s probably calling the FBI or something before he comes here,” he mumbled to himself.

Peri turned around, shooting a dangerous glare at Dev. “You aren’t data, Dev, you’re a person! Never say that again—!”

“So if I am a person, then who the heck was I before I knew, huh!??” Dev couldn’t help but shout at Peri, “I’m just… a project , that’s all I’ll ever be… No wonder he can’t even look at me in the eye, I’m just another failed project of his!!” He screamed furiously, trying his best to contain his tears.

“If you’re just a project, then why do I care about you, huh!?? WHY does Hazel care about you? Doesn’t that mean something!??”

A soft sniffle escaped Dev as he flinched at Peri’s scream.

Peri quickly stopped himself from screaming and took a deep breath.

He slowly placed his hands on Dev’s, gently squeezing them as he looked into his eyes, “Sure, you were made from Dale’s DNA, but the choices you made, the feelings you’ve felt, and you’re heart… That’s you.” 

Dev slightly leaned on Peri, silently sobbing as he tried to think of what to say next.

“And besides, I’m sure you’re father will be here soon, you know how busy he gets…” Peri exclaimed.

“...I know.” I was forcing myself to talk; my voice sounded so raspy, it felt as if I was choking on my tears.

Peri swiftly put his arms around me, carefully hugging me.

I didn’t know how to react; I don’t know if I should just…push him away, I don’t even know what to say… 

Should I apologize for screaming at him? Or should I just switch the topic…

Dev was struggling to find the right words; he wasn’t the type of person to open up, let alone say thank you for being hugged.

Before he could even speak, Peri quickly cut him off.

“It's alright, Kiddo, you don’t need to explain yourself, you’re going through a lot, I know and understand that, don’t worry, I won’t keep any secrets from you anymore, I promise.”

I tightly hugged him back, tears escaping from my face again. I couldn’t help but cry loudly.

I don’t even know what to say or what to do, I don’t even know how to feel about myself being a clone.

While Dev and Peri hugged, a minute or so had already passed, the room was just silent, not awkward or heavy, just comfortably quiet.

“Well… At least I got the good looks, “ Dev said, chuckling to himself. Finally breaking away from Peri’s hug.

Peri smiled and laughed along. “Yeah, I guess you do, but in my opinion, you’re the upgraded version. Just… don’t tell your dad I said that,” he slightly ruffled Dev’s fluffy hair.

“No promises.” Dev slightly chuckled, and his mouth slightly lifted a small but quick smile.

“So… What you said was kind of cheesy, even for you , Peri.” Dev said as he wiped his tears.

“Why, was it too much? I knew it was too much.”

“Nah, I expected something like that coming from you .”  Dev teased.

“Hey, what is that supposed to mean?”

Out of nowhere, Dev laughed and hugged Peri one more time. “But seriously, thanks… For letting me open up,” he whispered.

Peri hugged Dev tightly, “No problem, kiddo.”

Dev, as quick as he hugged Peri, quickly let him go, “Alright, enough of that mushy stuff. I’m gonna go clean myself up.”

“Why? Are you already getting annoyed with how long your hair has been going through without hair gel?”

Dev only grinned, clicking his tongue and finger-gunning to the side like a smug cowboy.

"You got it!" he said with a wink, slowly standing up and walking away like he just dropped the line of the century.

Peri took a deep breath; he was definitely holding back a smile.

“Are you sure you can stand AND walk?” Peri slightly shouted, concerned.

Dev, already in his bathroom, shouted back, “Yup!”

Chapter Text

As I stepped out of the shower, I quietly hummed a song as I slowly walked to the sink, towel on my shoulders. 

My feet made funny, faint squeaks against the tiles, and the mirror, still foggy, gave me a blurry reflection.

I sighed and leaned forward, and wiped a circle clean with my palm.

“Okay,” I muttered to myself, reaching for the half-used tube of hair gel. “Let’s see if I can make this mess look as good as before.”

Trying to get a better look at my reflection, I squinted my eyes,  gel-dipped fingers already halfway through my messy hair.

Man, I can’t believe I was out for 2 weeks . I bet Hazel freaked! Oh, gosh, I gotta make myself look good to make sure she doesn’t freak out anymore.

Maybe I should practice the conversation…

“Hey, Hazel, turns out I’m a clone!” No, that doesn’t sound right.

“Haz-haz, turns out I’m you’re favorite horror monster, a clone!” Why would I say that? Come on, Dev, you’ve given speeches since you were 5! Snap out of it, you're a gosh darn dimmadome!!!

“Turns out I’m a clone of my dad-” Dev nervously laughed, but his focus quickly turned to his reflection.

The fog lifted from the mirror, and I audibly gasped in horror .

My… right eye stared back as usual… 

Bright and blue like always…
But the other?

Green .

Not a reflection trick, though deep down, I wish it were.

My towel slipped off my shoulder, thump!

I blinked. Once, then twice. The green color still stayed.

"What the..." Dev said to himself, barely a whisper.

For a solid second, he didn’t breathe .

Trying to get a better look at myself, I cautiously lean closer to the glass,  my breath slightly fogging the mirror again.

“…No way, this can’t be happening...”

Out of panic, Dev quickly smeared the hair gel on the mirror.

No, no, no. It’s just a coincidence, right?

But didn’t the file say something about this happening?

NO, no, no, I’m a person! I'm a person! NOT a clone… not a clone..

Before his thoughts could take full control of him, a familiar voice shouted his name.

I must’ve been so focused on my face and hair that I forgot to listen for footsteps…

“Hey, Dev, you okay? You’ve been taking an awful long time just to bathe…” Peri quickly cleared his throat, switching back to the main topic, ”Anyways-...You’re dad’s ready to talk to you…

Thank gosh it was Peri and not Dad.

“Hm…? Oh, oh yeah… I’ll be there! Just need to fix my hair!” Dev nervously laughed as he desperately wiped the hair gel away on the mirror, “Turns out being bedridden for 2 weeks did a number on my hair! Tell Dad I’ll be there…!”

“…Okay… See you later…” Peri said, though Dev’s answer didn’t satisfy him, he finally left, his footsteps growing more and more distant.

I squinted my eyes, slightly fidgeting with my curly hair.

…Maybe I should leave my hair curly like this… I kind of like it that way.

Yeah, I should leave it like this… It’ll be my new style!

But in reality, he just wanted to find anything, any way to make himself look like anything but his father.

Chapter Text

Dev walked down the stairs, and he yawned while his damp and curly hair slightly covered his eyes.

He gently rubbed his eyes with one hand, the other adjusting his glasses.

He could already hear his parents eating from there.

Peri, already at the table, was almost done eating what seemed to be scrambled eggs with potatoes. Dale sat with his usual morning coffee and his phone on the table, turned off .

"Morning," Dev mumbled, slumping into the nearest chair.

"No Glasses at the table," Dale said, without looking up, still busy drinking his morning coffee.

Dev sighed. He dramatically took them off and set them beside his cereal-filled bowl.

Dale glanced up—and choked on his coffee.

" Pff-! "
He smacked his chest and coughed. "Wh–what the heck?!"

Peri blinked. "What the—DALE!"

Dale could barely find the right words, coughing out, "I—His eye—!"

Peri turned to Dev. Then he saw it.

One of Dev’s eyes was still the same warm brown.

The other…?

Emerald green.

"...Kiddo, are you alright…" Peri said softly.

Dev quickly looked at Peri and his Dad, mouth full of food, and he quickly wiped the (oat) milk stain from the corner of his mouth.

Dev chewed loudly, "Oh. -munch- That." He rubbed the back of his neck, “Yeah, -munch- noticed it in the mirror this morning. -munch- Guess I’m unique now.” he mumbled.

Peri stared, his gaze softening, then asked, quieter this time, “Do you want me to wish it away?”

Dev hesitated, slightly smiled, and quickly swallowed, “Nah. I like the request…” Peri raised his wand, but Dev quickly cut him off,” But I think I’m gonna pass. Kinda makes me realize how far I’ve come. Or... something.” he shrugged.

“Oh, uh, okay! Whatever you say, Kiddo.” Since Peri already had his wand up, he used it to clean his plate. As soon as his Plate was cleaned, he stood up and walked to Dev.

Peri tucked Dev’s bangs behind his ear. “Hair gel not doing its job?”

The curl bounced right back. Dev blinked, probably looking at his reflection through the cereal bowl.

“Nope,” he said, then immediately stuffed a spoonful of cereal into his mouth again, “I just wanted to try a -munch- new style.” 

“Well, if the bangs get annoying, just let us know, we’ll buy a scrunchie or a headband, whichever you prefer.” Peri smiled and walked back to his chair.

Dale raised a brow as he placed his (almost) finished coffee on the table. He was still trying to decide whether to comment on the eye or the curls.

He settled on neither, yet .

Dev quickly swallowed his food and straightened his back. “So, Dad, didn’t you want to talk about something? You’ve been.. Quiet .”

“Wow, really straightforward, huh, Devin?” Dale sighed and took one final sip of his coffee. He looked at Dev, his eyes darting up and down, as if checking for any worse wounds.“Yes, it is, Devin. And please, finish your food before talking.”

Dev gave a thumbs up, and he took another bite.

“I’m sorry for not… telling you this earlier.” Dale pinched his nose and looked at Dev, “I just uhm…”

Peri raised a brow. “Dale, are you about to cry?” he asked while trying not to sound rude or smug.

“Uh… No, allergies or something.” Dale gave a fake cough. “Anyways…” Dale quickly held back from fighting Peri again, “I know you have a lot of questions, and I’ll answer them.” 

Dev finished his bowl, not a single cereal or (oat) milk left.

He took a deep breath. “Okay, why didn’t Peri answer my questions earlier?”

Dale let out a slow sigh, crossing his arms. “I told Peri not to. I figured... if we were gonna talk about this, we all should be in the room. No hiding things this time.”

Dev hesitated. “Alright… Question two: was I always gonna find out?”

This time, Dale looked him in the eyes.

“I didn’t want you to.” Dale sighed, but Peri quickly shot a glare at Dale. He rolled his eyes, and then Dale quickly corrected himself, “At least not like this. But... yeah. You were going to find out once you were 18.”

“…Did you choose how I look?”

“I gave them my DNA. They… filled in the rest.”

“Was I... meant to replace you?”

“No. You were supposed to be better.” He tsked, not looking at Dev, then added, “That was the mistake.”

“Do I have powers?”

Dale gave him the most ‘Really ?’ glare imaginable, “No, Devin, just because you're a clone doesn’t mean you suddenly get powers.”

“But you could wish for one!” Peri said a little bit too eagerly, “I mean, if you want.”

“Pass…” Dev fixed his posture and added,” Will I turn evil?”
“Evil? No, aggressive , yes.”

“Aggressive how?”

“You don’t need to worry, it's normal aggression, since you’re a teenager and all that, so… At least that's what the scientist said,” Dale mumbled the last part quietly.

“Is… Is Mom involved in the project?” Dev asked hesitantly.

Dale’s eyes slightly widened, “No, I made sure of it,” he exclaimed.

“Was I ever a son to you, or just a project?”

“You were a project,” Dale said, soft but honest.“That’s how it started.”

Dev flinched from the words he said, slightly hitting him harder than expected.

But Dale kept going, his voice gentler than before.

“I was scared. Of being a dad. Of messing it all up again. Of… becoming him .” Dale’s posture slightly tightened, and then he chuckled lightly, “But you happened. And somewhere along the way, it stopped being a project. You became my reason.”

Dev’s eyes widened. It wasn’t a grand speech, but coming from Dale, it might as well have been poetry .

“You’re my son, Dev. Always were. Always will be. That part’s not a project. That part’s just me… loving you…” Dale slightly frowned. “I know I haven’t been… the best around you, but I hope you know that I’m trying, Devin.”

From across the Table, Peri subtly tried to keep himself from grinning.

“Well, someone’s therapy sessions have worked,” he muttered, half-joking, but proud as ever.

Dev didn’t speak right away. He just smiled, something warm blooming in his chest. His father, although not a perfect man, was still learning, but no matter what, he loved him.

That was enough.

Then:

“If I wasn’t made the normal way… do I still count as your kid…?” Dev’s eyes slightly hardened, and he slightly fidgeted with his hands.

His father’s smile faded for just a second. He rubbed at his forehead, eyes half-lidded like he was trying to think of the right words.

Peri looked at Dale, waiting for him to talk, then finally

“Yeah. More than I ever expected .”

The room went still again. Dev didn’t know if his dad meant that in a good way or not.

Dev chewed his bottom lip, debating. “So what now? What am I supposed to do with all this?” He breathlessly said, trying to keep his tears from falling again.

Dale shrugged, “Whatever you want. You get to decide that part, you're you after all, not a clone, not data, and not some handsome science project, just you , so don't overthink about you being just a project or something.”

Those words felt reassuring. Dev smiled, “Pft. I wasn’t gonna,” Dev said quickly, too confidently.

Dale gave him an unimpressed look. “You were. I know, don’t lie.”

“Alright, alright…” Dev laughed. 

“Sooo, since the heart-to-heart is done now, Dev, you should know that you’re 5 minutes late for the scheduled play date with Hazel.”

Dev’s glare softened instantly. “You scheduled a date with Hazel?!” He cheered.

Dale raised a brow.

“I mean, yeah, cool…” Dev tried to keep it cool, but his grin was already breaking through.

“You mean the new kid that moved in 4 years ago?” Dale questioned Dev, a bit suspicious of this girl.

Dev couldn’t help but giggle, “Yeah… That's her,” He said, clearly daydreaming about the first time they met.

“...Wait, isn’t that my therapist’s daughter? The anomaly !??”

Dev’s posture quickly straightened. “She doesn’t like being called that,” he sneered. “But… yeah, that's her, smart, quirky, a total rambler…” his eyes sparkled with love.

“Huh…” Dale whispered to Peri, “Is my son falling in love?” he said, covering his mouth with his hands

Peri chuckled and quietly replied,“ Seems like it, and it seems like he doesn’t know it yet.”

Chapter Text

Dev suddenly realized what Peri said.

He just scheduled a date… With Hazel… and I’m 5 minutes late… OH NO, I'M 5 MINUTES LATE!!

Dev quickly stood up from his chair and grabbed his glasses again, swiftly putting them back on.

“…Hazel gets panicky about time, being late, and NOT being on time!—”  Dev said as he rushed to the door. He opened the door, his glasses almost falling off his face. “I can not be late to that DATE!” he exclaimed.

“ Playdate ,” Hazel corrected instinctively as she appeared by the door, just in time to hear him say that .

Dev froze. She froze .
Their eyes met. For a second, nothing moved but the O-PAIR’s inside.

“ Uh… ” Hazel tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly turning pink. “Wait—did you just say… date ?”

“...Yeah?” Dev blinked innocently— A pause. “...Wait. Was I not supposed to call it that?” Dev nervously scratched his now fluffy hair. Hazel stared at him, like she wanted to respond but didn’t know how.

Dev chuckled softly, shoulders relaxing. “I mean, I don’t mind if it’s just a playdate, but like… if it were a date, that’d be cool too. Just sayin’.”

Hazel blinked again, trying not to smile too widely. “...Okay, then maybe it’s a... playdate slash maybe-date. But if you’re late again, it’s just a hangout.”

“Deal.”
They grinned.

From behind them, Peri whispered to Dale:
“Did that count as flirting or a peace treaty?”

Dale sighed. “I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure I'm just going to have grandkids in the future.”

As the awkward moment passed, Hazel realized what she was about to say.

“Uh… Oh, right!” Hazel’s gaze turned worried and serious. “Peri said that you were sick or something, and you were absent for 2 whole weeks in school!! I thought you were going to Wanda’s and Cosmo’s? What the Hay Dev!”

“I… I- Something came up, so I had to change my plans.” Dev replied, absent-mindedly fidgeting with his hoodie strings.

He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to… Tell Hazel about the whole clone thing, well, at least not yet , not without his father agreeing.

“Is it because of your parents fighting…?” Hazel whispered to Dev.

“Oh! Uhm…” Dev instantly fixed his glasses, then added “Partially, yeah…”

Dale cleared his throat, reminding Dev that Peri and him is still there.

“Devin, we still need to talk about some things.” 

He looked behind to ask a question, but his father stood his ground instantly.

“I’m sure your friend won’t mind.”

Wanting to reassure Dev, Hazel smiled and reached for a hug; he flinched at the sudden movement.

Hazel realized that she was somewhat being insensitive. She reeled in her arm and gave a warm smile. “It’s alright, Dev, I’ll wait!” she chuckled.

Dev’s heart beat faster; he just wants to hold onto Hazel’s smile just a little longer.

“Development Devin!” Dale raised his tone, giving Dev a reality check.

Dev sighed. He didn’t even feel sick anymore. “I know!” Dev answered, even though he didn’t want to.

He wanted to reach out to Hazel, but he couldn’t…“I’m sorry… I gotta go, I’ll talk to you later,” He whispered to Hazel, slowly closing the door. The door clicks shut behind him, the house filled with tension as he walks to his father.

Peri stared at Dale

“What are you doing?” he said. “You’re making him nervous! And screaming while someone is in front of him? Dale, that’s—”

“Devin needs to take medicine. Do you seriously think it's healthy for him to go on to a hangout after just recovering from bleeding out ?” He loudly whispered to Peri.

A pause.

“I just wanted him to feel better.” Peri seethed.
“By forcing him to hang out with someone after just waking up, what were you thinking, Berry!?”

Peri couldn’t find a good reason for his scheduling; was it maybe out of guilt? Empathy? Or himself-projecting something…?

Peri could’ve lied and said that Dev wished that he was fine, but he knew that wouldn’t lead this conversation anywhere; he hesitantly agreed with Dale, “...Fine, but go easy on the kid.” 

“When have I never?”

Dev cleared his throat, interrupting their conversation.

“Huh? Oh yeah, take this.” Dale clapped his hands, and O-PAIR 1 flew to Dev, carrying a plastic bag filled with medicine. “You’ll need it, Devin.”

Dev nervously agreed as he took it, hesitantly holding it.

He took a short glance at Peri.

“Oh, don’t worry, Hazel can stay in your room while you’re taking your medicine, that’ll be okay, right, Dale?” Peri optimistically added.

Dale looked at Peri, then at Dale, then at Peri again.

“Right, Dale?” Peri seethed as soon as Dale took another glance at him.

Dale rolled his eyes. “Fine, yes, it’s okay.” 

Dale clapped his hands, and O-PAIR 1 and 2 flew to him.

“Let Hazel in and escort her to Devin’s room.” Dale rolled his eyes and whispered to them, “Send 10 O-PAIRs with Dev once he's going outside with Hazmat or whatever her name is.”

“Wait… I’m gonna need to take meds now…?” Dev questioned as he inspected the bag of medicine. “What is all of this for anyway?” 

“Hm? Oh, think of it like… duct tape for your DNA.”

“Neat…” Dev mumbled as he swung the bag up and down, ”Can I get it in grape flavor?” Dev remarked sarcastically.

“ Your biology doesn’t follow the same rules.” His eyes looked unfocused, worried, then he quickly added, “Blood loss, organ stress, I assume you already read your file, so you should know what might happen to you if you don’t take those.” Dale replied bitterly.

Dev raised a brow. “I only read project development, not the things that happened to the other clones.”

Dale took a relieved exhale, “Oh, good, it didn’t end well for them, so I’m not sure if it's… 14-year-old appropriate for you to have read those.”

Dev raised a brow.

Peri cleared his throat. “We’ll have this conversation some other time, but for now, Kiddo, you have a hangout to go to and medicine to drink.” He smiled.

Dev rolled his eyes, medicine bag still clutched in his hands, and walked off to the elevator.