Chapter Text
The sky was clear, which was peculiar for the situation Purpled found himself in. His brothers words hung heavy in his ears like moss, clogging them inside and sending them swirling throughout his head.
The grass was warm from the sun beneath him, sweat starting to form beneath his purple hoodie, his black cargo pants for once rolled up to his knees, showing off tan skin with thin strands of dirty blond hair.
His arms were spread out at his side, his fingers twitching as grass brushed them, his purple eyes flicking in slight fear of it being a bug before turning back to the blue sky.
He didn’t know whether he just didn't hear or whether he ignored the footsteps approaching him until his vision was swamped with eyes the same colour as the sky, but shone ten times as bright. Curls of golden hair fell around a pretty face, a grin too happy for Purpled’s liking spread across the boys face as he stood with his feet either side of Purpled’s waist, hands on his hips.
“Heya, Purpled,” he grinned, eyes glinting with something Purpled wasn't in the mood for. The boys long red tail flicked behind him, the spade at the end curling in over itself over and over with some emotion Purpled couldn't recognise.
“What do you want, Tommy,” Purpled sighed, forcing his eyes away from the 18 year old's face, back towards the sky.
Tommy’s face turned to a mock pout as a car rumbled past on the highway.
“To talk, bitch, why the fuck are you sulking in the middle of a field,” Tommy laughed, plonking himself onto the ground beside in, laid on his side facing Purpled with his head leaning against his open hand, supported by his elbow digging into the dirt.
Purpled huffed in response, his purple fluff tipped tail flicking against the grass, collecting little burrs and seeds he’d have to pick out later. He shifted to face Tommy properly, both resting on their sides. Tommy looked at him in anticipation, his own red tail wounding around his leg.
“Had an argument with Punz,” Purpled mumbled, not meeting Tommy’s eyes. Tommy’s soft lips threatened to tug down into a frown, but he forced a smile back onto his face, inching closer to Purpled.
“So what? He’s a dickhead Purps, that’s been obvious for the past 18 years,” Tommy snorted, eyes flicking over Purpled, taking him in, studying his expression too closely for Purpled’s comfort. He rolled onto his stomach, kicking his feet lightly behind him, eyes still on them. “What’d you even argue about, anyway?”
Purpled’s expression turned even more sour at his words, his tail giving an agitated lash as he glared at the grass, he remembered how mad Punz had been when he mentioned being queer, how he was thinking about telling their parents. Purpled doesn’t want to keep it a secret from them, he already has kept the secret for 2 years, but Punz seemed to think that they wouldn’t support him.
He recalled how a few years ago Punz had brought a boy from school over, what was his name? Dream? Despite Purpled having stayed in his room the entire time, he’d heard the raised voices from below from his parents and Punz, the snippets of “disgrace!” “disappointment!” “Against God!” drifting up through Purpled's floorboards as he’d laid on the floor, ear pressed against the wood. The slam of the front door afterwards had cemented the gap between their brother and their family.
“Nothing,” Purpled muttered, sharp claws curling into the earth. “And don’t call me that.”
Tommy rolled his eyes at the objection of the nickname, inching closer again until they were an arms length apart. “Surely it was something if your so pissy,” Tommy coaxed, edging even closer towards Purpled, making them groan and run a hand through their hair.
“Fuck off, Tommy, this doesn’t even concern you,” Purpled snaps, shoving him away, though they don’t move to stand. Tommy rears back in response, eyes narrowing as he slaps Purpled’s shoulder.
“Stop being a dickhead! I’m trying to talk to you and be a good friend and your being a horrible friend!” Tommy hissed, moving into a sitting position and hovering over Purpled.
“Just lay the fuck down and be quiet Tommy,” Purpled snarled back. Tommy’s mouth opened to protest before he made a noise of frustration and laid back down on his back beside them. Purpled rolled onto their back again, gazing up at the sky.
Purpled didn’t know if they laid there for a few minutes or a few hours, the occasional stray cloud drifting past them in the sky, until the guilt in chest swelled enough to leave his mouth, eyebrows furrowing.
“Sorry. I know you were trying to help. I had an argument with Punz about whether or not to come out to our parents,” he mumbled, barley loud enough for Tommy to hear over the rumble of yet another passing car.
He heard Tommy hum softly in response and his hand brush against Purpled’s, so soft despite the scars marring them. A soft smile threatened to pull Purpled’s lips upwards but his hand drew away, just enough so they were no longer touching.
Purpled didn't know why he couldn't bring himself to pull away fully, perhaps he just like the sun, the sun the same colour as Tommy’s golden hair. Or he just like looking at the sky, the beautiful blue sky, the same blue as Tommy’s-
No.
He couldn't.
He can't.
Tommy let out a shaky breath from beside him.
“I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have been so pushy.”