Chapter Text
It had been a few days since the school year began, after every attempt, Pugsley managed to fail socializing. Wednesday was busy with another mystery yet again, and he was left alone as usual.
The air was crisp, Pugsley's footsteps crunching the dry leaves that spread across the forest, the greenery surrounding him wasn't as vibrant, it gave a gloomy atmosphere that he usually enjoyed. Trees dull and nearly lifeless, plants withering, flowers decaying, it was as if he entered a realm along with the presence of death.
Pugsley decided to roam around through the woods near Nevermore, hoping to find anything that'll interest him as he was nearly dying of boredom. He didn't really have much of a choice, Eugene declined his offer to hang out. Again. I guess he's too busy being popular, thought Pugsley.
Sauntering briskly through the woods, his last thoughts trailing behind him like a wisp of smokey memory. One he'd rather dissipate than remind. He's always been rejected by people, often because he is weird, most people assuming he's another freak like his sister. But, this time, it's the type of rejection that holds so much pain, the kind of pain he doesn't really like. Sure, he's been tortured countless times, although this torture didn't seem to satisfy him, disliked by others...all he wanted was to gain a friend, at least one. Yet it was so clear that no one wants to interact with a weirdo that has no proper control of himself, his feelings, his actions. A pang of loneliness in his chest, a wave of frustration, being misunderstood, always seen overshadowed by his sister. Whenever people saw him they only saw Wednesday. Except, she wasn't as enthusiastic yet she gained countless people liking her. Him? He's desparate for someone to notice him, not as a copy of her, but as himself. His own person. The irony drives him insane.
...
A pause, Pugsley was too focused on his own thoughts he nearly forgot where he was going. He lets out a heavy sigh of disappointment, how could his own mind betray him? He rolls his eyes, giving up, the sun was almost setting, he's been walking around for hours he didn't even realize he was still there.
Walking back again, his pace speeding up. The night came, the sun vanished, the moon began to rise.
Alas, he returned to the dormitories. Within the empty halls, each step he made with his leather shoes echoes throughout the silent corridors, approaching his dorm room, door creaking eerily as he pushed it open subtly.
Pugsley had a bland, tired look displayed on his face. Didn't utter a single word as he stepped inside, walking over to his side of the room. Eugene noticed this strange shift in behaviour, he expected him to be a bit...energetic and talkative as earlier morning. A curious expression featured on him, lips parted, hesitating to speak up, gaze averting elsewhere, looking away from him, Eugene just shook his head and turned to his own side, minding his own business.
Pugsley took off his blazer and sat on his bed, wide eyes staring at the floor weirdly, focus drifted back in his thoughts.
Eugene let out a light sigh as he looked over to his bugs,
-'So...'
He began speaking.
Pugsley snapped out of his thoughts, taking a glance at Eugene, watching him attempt to control a new species of insects inside one of his glass boxes.
-'so?' Replied Pugsley.
-'I haven't seen you all afternoon, why'd you randomly disappear?'
-'...Right.' His gaze shifting back to the wooden floors.
-'Why do you even care, anyway? I mean, you were busy with your new friends.'
Eugene paused.
He stopped controlling the insects, straightened his posture, turned to Pugsley's direction.
-'look, I didn't mean to sound a bit rude earlier, it's just...it's my first time finally being seen, and...not as a weirdo, like, people think I'm cool now.'
-'Oh, I get it. Is that all it takes to be noticed? Saving the school, almost sacrificing yourself? Just to seem, y'know, cool?'
Pugsley instantly stood up from the mattress, a bitter tone came from him, words sharp.
The statement revealed how much Eugene emphasized his actions, making it his whole personality, showing off.
-'is that all it takes to be noticed?' He repeated. As if Eugene couldn't hear it the first time.
-'I-I didn't mean it like that, not at all!' He stuttered. Beginning to tense up.
A pang of guilt hit Eugene for a brief moment, realizing how much he exaggerated the way he saved everyone, I mean, it was heroic, but this wasn't really the right moment. Especially since he's talking to someone who actually wants to socialize, to make a real friend.
-'whatever. I'm going to bed early, I was just walking around campus, that's all.' He lied.
Pugsley sat back on the mattress, comfortably laying down, turning away from Eugene's view.
Eugene only stood silent, not daring to utter another word. He felt bad for making Pugsley think that way. Just when it hit, he realized how mean and distant he was ever since he arrived, it made him feel like some sort of villain, which he didn't want to been seen as.
He only stood there, shoulders relaxed. Remembering the moments when he was rude. Guilt has never felt this heavy, especially since he was once like Pugsley. It was like karma stung him back.
After a while, Eugene prepared for bed, lay on his mattress, facing the direction of Pugsley once more,
Staring at his back, the way he didn't want to face him hurt even more.
Can we please try again?
He kept thinking to himself over and over again until his eyes slowly shut, moonlight filtering through their curtains, casting upon the space between them.
---
Morning arrived, sunlight blinding Pugsley as he rose from his slumber, groaning as he shoved his blanket away from him. While he stood and stretched, he took a short glance at the sight of Eugene still asleep. He continued to get ready for school, entering the bathroom.
After a quick shower he got dressed, put on his blazer, and left early for breakfast.
He began strolling through the halls, leaving the door 3 inches open and his bed unmade.
Eugene woke up a little later than usual, perhaps due to the fact he stayed late cause of a few thoughts plagueing his mind last night. He hated himself alot after that certain conversation. He lifted himself up a little, looking around the dorm room, eyes searching for his roommate. After scanning, he got up.
Quick shower, splashed cold water on his face to wake himself up, and shoved his glasses on after getting dressed.
Eugene noticed the unmade bed of Pugsley, exhaled a light sigh, and decided to fix it for him. At least this once, just to be forgiven, as guilt already burdened him.
He took some time, but as he was late enough, he had to skip breakfast.
It was worth it, he let out another accomplished sigh as he finished.
He left the dorm room, shut the door properly, and walked around campus.
Eugene happened to spot Pugsley around the corners, hesitating whether or not to approach him, he just stays still until he makes his decision.
He watches him make a few little electrical zaps with his fingers, possibly fidgeting out of boredom. Observing closely, he notices he really is alone. And so,
-'Hey, Pugsley!' He called out to him, approaching briskly. A subtle grin on his face as he got closer.
Pugsley's attention shifted to Eugene.
Slightly confused as to why he wants to talk to him. He expected him to be talking to one of his other friends. But he isn't mad either.
-'I was just thinking of maybe hanging out later?...like, for real this time.'
-'I've been kind of an asshole lately and I'm sorry for realizing it just now...' His voice dropping quieter, a softer, much more genuine tone underlying.
Pugsley was unsure, he felt...happy. But, it's like some sort of dream.
-'did you lose a bet?' He asked.
Eugene frowned at the query.
-'no, I'm being...serious...' He said slowly, more guilt stirring within.
-'Are we gonna hang out with your other friends or something?'
-'I was thinking...'
Eyes looking away, the moment felt awkward and rushed.
-'Maybe just the two of us?'
He waited for a response.
-'I mean, we were on bad terms last night and, I wanna make it up to you.'
A curve began to form on the sides of his lips, Pugsley felt a bit better, a bit happier. A small spark also formed, as the two were merely a meter away from each other, a zap happened between them.
Pugsley's electricity appeared mostly during moments when he was excited. It was obvious—the way he felt when Eugene was willing to finally hang out with him.