Chapter Text
Victor was hitting a roadblock.
With all the effort he was putting in to finding out who created him and why, New York was not giving him the answers he needed at the moment. Sure the ritual would hopefully help him but that was still being set up before the big day, calling forth more people day by day for this grand showing and battle between the two gods that are trying to win their favor. He was ready to get his answer but even still, if he was on the losing side then he would never get to know the truth and needed to make a back up plan. There was a few people he could think of, but one man stood out as he started his trek over to where he was stationed.
Knocking on the double doors of a nearby planning hall, built before even Victor had arrived to the ritual for a certain man to win his favor as he could hear a rustle of papers and knew the man was in as his voice soon came out.
"Come in my friend! Door is open," Kelvin answered and looked up as the undead man stepped inside the room he was situated in, looking around at the maps that were strung up and yarn connection on them for future plans. "Ah, my macabre friend! What can I do for you."
"Hello, Kelvin. I was wanting your help in after this is done finding out where the man who created me is should I not get my answer." Victor said plainly as he reached the main table that housed the arctic man, looking him over and… squinting a bit.
The man looked… bigger. He couldn't tell if it was his parka, but the man took up more space since he last saw him he thought, as his ideas were soon proven true as Kelvin huffed getting up from his seat. He was wider and fatter yet hid it well enough that no one had noticed till now mostly likely as he was only half listening.
"Ah ha! I have no issues with that! If you have any leads or the like we can make some quicker work of it all! It would be a fun journey and trek to figure these things out, self-knowledge is very important after all and I'm aware it is something you need," Kelvin said with a grin as he quickly moved over to grab a nearby book. "I will try all I can for you of course, we need to stick together yes?"
"Have you gotten fatter, Kelvin?" Victor asked plainly, not meaning anything rude by it but needing his own confirmations. It was a thought eating at his mind and needed to be asked before anything else at the moment.
"I see you've noticed. I may have gained… some weight. More than some, with the time we have had while the ritual is being set up I couldn't help myself to explore this city and what it had for us all," Kelvin said with a comforting smile as he set the book down, and patting his doughy stomach through his dense parka. "The food here is very good, and like I've said to you before. We have a second chance of life, why squander it while we twiddle our thumbs waiting for answers and instead go ahead and enjoy what we can now."
"That's one way of looking at it I suppose," Victor noted as he slowly walked over to the man, taking in all of him and how he basically as wide as two of him now. His clothes hugging him somewhat tightly but the parka and beard he had made it less obvious he was fat now, hiding those features easily. "You've been enjoying this life very much it seems like."
"Guilty as charged. Helped keep my brain working, good food, a quiet space, and expedition books and logs as far as I can read. None about my expedition of course, but ones to help me rekindle that exploration once we are out of here," He noted with a nod before looking back at the table. "Now about your issue, do you have any leads my friend?"
"… not that I'm aware of. I know who they are, but not where they are"
"Ah, a lead is still a lead! Knowing a name could help us slowly unravel where they are located! We can take it one step at a time. We will be able to give you some peace my friend, you are free to drop by here anytime to work with me on the expedition to find yourself."
"I… thanks. Not sure I'm gonna wanna be here long seeing the changes it's done for you." Victor mentioned usher to the weight Kelvin was carrying, said man looking down let out a laugh.
"Haha! You might be right there, I will make sure if we order food it's a normal portion size not to worry. Just because I have been overindulgence doesn't mean you will be made to." Kelvin guffawed as his body slightly wobbled under his parka and Victors eyes were almost immediately drawn into it.
He could almost feel his mind start turning and gears reacting more than they should at the sight. If it was anyone else there was a chance he wouldn't care, if they got fat before the ritual that was on them for being in a less physical form overall. Yet with Kelvin, it was almost… charming in a way. He carried the weight well and it didn't seem out of place for the man, he had to guess the patrons were doing their part and making it so his parka could fit no matter how large he got seeing how that is assumably his life force. Yet even if he couldn't see the mans heftier torso or face, his thighs and legs were more on display. Not being fully hidden as they were very much rubbing against one another while he walked around, the back of his parka being curved out for his softer and larger ass, he felt like a moron for looking at his lower half for so long yet Kelvin never spoke up. Either he didn't know or didn't care, he wasn't sure but he cleared his throat and looked back up to the man.
"I… will take that offer. Better than running around not getting answers," He eventually spoke up. "… I feel calmer around you. No idea why."
"Maybe it is for my charming personality, or that we understand one another in a sense. Not fully but, same issue of being dead yet alive at the same time. Either way, it is good to have a place one can feel relaxed, I am happy to share this space with you should you need so, you are free to come by anytime without worry Victor."
He just looked at the man as he calmly went back to looking through the book he put down a few minutes ago, taking notes of locations inside of it that maybe he wished to see one day or places to look for his own answers. Victor wasn't sure but took his own time to sit besides the man and look over the map himself. He didn't know what he looking for, maybe it was just something to keep himself busy and not let his thoughts bunch up inside his head about how soothing Kelvin was feeling to him. He could feel the cold radiating off of him a bit stronger since he gained weight, just like an inverse of normal body heat and it just made Victors body feel limp in a good way. As if he was able to easily relax and not worry about the shocks that ran throughout his body, it was an odd feeling but one he felt welcomed too… for the most part.
Yet, the time they spent together for the afternoon and melding into evening was simple and easy. No need for needless conversations if there wasn't anything that needed to be said, sure Kelvin spoke up a few times to get a grin out of Victor or to have him roll his eyes at him. Something to incite an emotion from him, making him feel more at home in this spacious room before he finally decided to bite a bullet he had been trying to dance around for a while.
He liked Kelvin. Kelvin was prideful and boastful at times sure, but he did care about the others that cared for him back. Hell, Kelvin was one of the few people who tried to make friends with him back when Victor came for the ritual and being 'macabre' together had stuck in his mind for a while now. Added in with the man getting fatter and the coolness of him being more apparent and how most people most likely couldn't be around him for longer periods of time… except for Victor. He could do it easily since he couldn't feel if it was too harsh, it felt good around him, too good he kept thinking. It had his minding running around more and more as he let out a frustrated groan of annoyance.
"You doing alright there my friend? You have been spaced out for a while now and it is starting to be a smidgen worrying," Kelvin spoke up as he looked back at Victor, the undead man now sitting with his elbows on his knees, head in his hands and body a bit more rigid. "Maybe now would be a good time for a break. Food always helps calm the body down, let's us feel whole."
"… Sure," Victor noted out before getting up. "I can go grab it, I need some fresh air."
"Oh! Well thank you my friend. If you could just head to Roxy's Diner and ask for an order for Kelvin they should know my usual order by this point," He said as he dug through his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "I can pay for us both, as a thank you for spending time here for the day."
"Not needed. I'm fine paying, I don't spend most of what I have anyways."
"Are you quiet sure? It is no problem on my part."
"I'm sure. Just give me some directions."
Not wanting to mince words further as Kelvin could see that Victor had made up his mind, he slowly walked over to one of the tables and grabbed a note of the diner he has been frequenting. Along with rummaging around in his drawers in the room and pulled out a fuzzy jacket. Looking like something that was not suitable for New York before he chuckled to himself and showing it to Victor.
"Better to wear this, don't want you frightening the good people of this town. Not that they would be afraid but, precautions are always necessary… I do not have anything lighter here, I'm sorry to say."
"Alright then..." Victor muttered as he knew damn well this was karma biting him in the ass for making fun of him when they first started talking about his parka.
Grabbing the note and jacket as he stepped out of the mans workshop. Putting the coat on and felt a bit odd wearing it, it wasn't that warm or hot with it on even if it pressed against the bolts against his back. Following the instructions on the note he made his way to 'Diana's Diner' and it surely looked like somewhere he would enjoy, thankfully most people didn't seem to mind him as he walked in to the waiter behind the counter and asked for an order for Kelvin, added in with a simple burger for himself and saw the worker nod before taking payment and telling him he could take a seat at a table while he waited. It wasn't… awful, he could see why Kelvin would come here with how it felt inside. It was a homely to an extent, the chatter going on in the background didn't interest him in particular as he sat and enjoyed the atmosphere. Thinking on Kelvin coming in here on one of his breaks, order a large meal and putting it all away without an issue, maybe with a milkshake all for himself as he helped himself to the point he felt overly full.
Snapping his eyes open at the scene he was thinking of and realized he may truly be fucked with his feelings for the other man. That was a thought that had never crossed his mind and now suddenly it was an idea that just felt like it spouted on his own as his eyebrows furrowed, it was an odd thought that he should pay no mind too. That was until the takeout order was brought to him and his own thoughts somehow came true, the bags put in front of him, one heavier for Kevin and a smaller and lighter one for his own burger. Yet the takeout cup that was set down as well was a milkshake, whipped creme and cherry in all as he was annoyed as hell in his head before thanking the man and heading out. Carefully carrying the food and drink in his hands to make sure he didn't spill it as he could feel the jacket getting slightly caught on the staple in his arm but choosing to ignore it. It's a problem for later as he tried to clear his head the best he could before arriving back at the mans study and entering it.
"Foods here. Where do you want it." He announced as he saw Kelvin look up with a smile.
"Wonderful my friend! Thank you again, you can set it down right over here and we can take a break and eat!" Patting a clear spot on the large table in the middle of the room as he slowly started to close his books to make sure none of his supplies or documents were to get dirty.
Happily scooting his chair over and slowly taking his gloves off after hesitating for a moment, thinking a bit too hard about his current undead situation but sighs in relief that taking them off didn't affect him at the time. Taking his bag and unpacking the doubled patty burger, fries along with the napkins and straw from the bag before using the now emptied bag as a plate of sorts to keep the table clean before digging in. Taking a large bite from his burger, letting out a very content hum at the food as sauce gets into his mustache and wipes his mouth of quickly.
"Just as good as always, these people know their way around good food," Kelvin said happily before putting his straw into his shake, knowing it would be melted somewhat from the walk but paid no mind as he let out a happy sigh. "You can probably see now why I have put on more of a winter coat all over. This food is too good to not enjoy!"
"… I suppose so," Victor noted unwrapping his own burger. It was much plainer than Kelvin's but taking a bite and chewing thoroughly he nodded a bit. "Better than I expected I will say at the very least."
Hearing the small amount of praise at the food Kelvin had started to like just made him feel a bit happier at sharing the moment with Victor, happy the man was atleast enjoying the moment if anything before he turned his attention back to his own meal. Savoring the burger and fried before washing down his bites with his milkshake, it was something that he loved dearly and made him happy he was allowed to be alive again, sure it had made him put on more weight than he would've expected but he didn't mind. He was given another chance at life and he was going to savor it as much as he could, much like how he could see out of the corner of his eyes that Victor was focusing more on him than his own meal.
While yes the macabre man was eating his food, Kelvin watched carefully at how the mans eyes drifted over his expansive body. Taking in how much room he took up sitting down and how his stomach sat on his thighs, like a walking behemoth or yeti but friendlier. It was reassuring at the very least that his friend was fine, and interested by the looks of it towards his weight but that was a conversation to be had after they ate. Taking bigger bites out of his own burger and trying to be careful to not get sauce or condiments into his mustaches or beard, a futile effort as he was thankful the gave him a decent amount of napkins to keep himself tidy for the most part.
Not long after he finished his meal and readjusted himself in his seat to give his stomach a bit more breathing room, he noticed Victor was up and out the door. Presumably throwing their trash out for them both seeing how the table was cleared off quickly and throwing it into the dumpster nearby instead of the trash can Kelvin had in his work room. He could take a guess why but it wasn't his business ultimately as he relaxed to digest his meal before looking over plans to help the man.
Victor though leaned against the wall outside the door, trash done and dusted as he had his hand over his face and thinking how ridiculous this all was. He shouldn't be getting distracted or sidetracked at all in what he came here for, he was to win the favor of the patrons and learn who created him. Nothing more, nothing less, yet the time he spent with the large arctic man today he could feel a jolt of electricity trying to jump start his already slowly beating heart. He felt like an idiot for getting a crush on him, or what he was to presume was a crush if he had to put a name to it. Seeing him so much… bigger, still as jovial and dedicated to his work, how his weight wasn't stopping any plans he had moving forwards with the life he was planning after the ritual was completed. It was respectable in a way, but was something Victor was going to try to keep to himself as the last thing he needed was to make the one person he needed help from to not be around him.
Steeling his own nerves he pushing the doors open and walked back into the room, seeing Kelvin relaxing and reading through a book. Using his stomach to help keep it propped up for easier reading as he looked down at it. Ok yeah, he was fucked as he could feel that jolt resurge in him but needed to play it calmly as he crossed back to his seat as the man looked up with a smile and set the book down.
"Thank you for taking that trash out my friend, always good to get out and clear the head eh?" Kelvin asked, not to mock him but knew the man was most likely stressed from a multitude of things.
"Yeah. Beats being holed up for hours on end. Moving around does me some good to not feel stiff as a board." Responding simply and plainly, keeping it easy for himself to not slip up.
"Good good, I can open the windows if you'd like as well. It's supposed to be chilly later but well… I don't think either of us will have any issues with a bit of cold now would we?"
"Suppose not, but I think I'm gonna head back. Gonna try and look for more clues or a better lead for you to work with since you wanna help me with all this."
"Sounds like a solid plan. I will do my best to see if I can find anything in the meantime as well," Kelvin nodded before patting the man on his shoulder. "We will find the man you're searching for. I believe in it. You will get your answers even if it we need to keep looking after the ritual is over."
"Surprised you're gonna work with me on this for that long, wouldn't that be wasting your own time."
"Whose to say it's a waste of my time? It's something important to you, no? Plus it gives me more of an excuse to keep looking forwards to expeditions once we are out of this city, a new place to visit and explore! Doesn't sound like a waste of time to me now does it?"
"Whatever you say. I'll be back here later this week to share if I found anything."
Standing up slowly, he knew he needed to remove himself now before he blurted out something he would regret but still appreciated the mans hand on his shoulder to ground him a bit. Taking a deep breathe before slowly making his way out.
"Ah, and before you leave my friend!" Kelvin called back as he slowly got up, walking to one of the desks and grabbing an empty journal and pen, slowly turning over and walking his way towards the man. "Here, use this to write anything you find. Don't want to be forgetting something important overnight yes?"
"Right… I'll keep this in mind. Thanks."
"Not a problem, have a safe night then Victor."
"You too, Kelvin."
Fully taking his leave as he walked back to the apartment he was given for the ritual, a small complex meant to house everyone that was being built up day by day. His room was simple, the basic necessities around neatly as he looked down at the journal. Taking a seat on his bed and flipped to one of the last few pages and began writing, trying to make sense of his feelings for the man and just hoping these pages will stay hidden for as long as he lives. He was in it for the long haul now working together with him, being around him in their own quiet workshop that hardly anyone comes by. At least that was one thing in his life that would be a constant and something he could understand and look forwards to. Just had to figure out how to navigate these feelings that were developing which would be the hard part, but he hoped slowly but surely everything would work out. It had to…