Chapter Text
Arackulele hasn’t gone out in a couple days, too nervous about Humbug, even though they weren’t exactly on good terms. He kept checking his phone every couple minutes in search of a response to the message he sent hours ago.
Humbug wasn’t responding, and it was worrying him. Arackulele just needed to know if they were okay.
He was so worried about them, that he was willing to skip playing music, which is something that they really can’t do without facing consequences from Zarroë.
He was willing to face the punishment if it meant being able to see if and when they sent a message.
But it hasn’t happened so far.
And even though he knew he should get out of his room at least once, the fear that something bad would happen to them was overwhelming.
As Arackulele made some instant noodles because he at least acknowledged that he needed to eat, someone knocked on his door.
“Ugh, what do you want?” he sneers.
“Shut up! It’s literally just me.” A familiar voice retorted.
He slammed down the electric kettle he had onto his desk, yelled, “Get the fuck outta here, Fung Pray!”
He heard more knocks on the door, “Come out of your damn room first, idiot!” Just regular rival banter.
Arackulele groaned and reluctantly stomped over to his bedroom door to open it. Fung Pray was at the other side, arms crossed and a not-very amused look on her face.
“What do you want?” he asked.
Fung Pray didn’t answer, instead made her way inside to his room.
“And your problem is..?”
Fung Pray just leaned on the bed and didn’t say anything for about three minutes, almost as if she was trying to think of the words to say.
Arackulele was trying to not lose his patience but Fung Pray just being there in his space without saying anything was pissing him off.
“You’re being a weirdo,” Fung Pray finally said, honestly making Arackulele even angrier.
“Is that seriously all you came to say?” He asked, tiredly, “just… just get out.”
“Can you not interrupt me? I’m trying to say something here!”
“Well, hurry up. My patience is running thin with you.”
Fung Pray sighed, and looked around the room again, before saying, though very hesitantly, “You’re being a weirdo. You can’t stay in your room all the time. It’s not healthy.”
Arackulele looked at her with a shocked expression, “Healthy..? Since when do you care if I’m being healthy or not?”
“…look, just please go out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses your company.”
“No, I can’t, not until… Wait, you?” Arackulele asked, confused. Then he laughed a little. “You? Missing me? Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I… hate to admit it. But I’m not.”
“I enjoyed our rivalry. It was kind of fun when we weren’t throwing insults. And you… look kind of cute when you’re getting competitive.” Fung Pray confessed, cheeks flushing slightly.
Arackulele’s cheeks also flushed. He has been feeling the same way. Or so he thought. It was weird, and he hated it.
“Just fucking get out of here. Please.”
“Wait, nonono… uhm sorry for saying all that. I just wanted to ask what was up. I won’t get that personal if… if you don’t want to!”
“Look, it’s fine, whatever.”
…
“So… do you want to vent?”
“Sure. I guess.”
~~~~
About an hour went by where Arackulele was venting to Fung Pray piece by piece while trying not to cry.
“Done?” Fung Pray asked, gently patting Arackulele’s back.
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Sorry that I’ve been such an asshole to you. I just couldn’t really stand the fact that I was just born and you immediately started to be mean to me.” Fung Pray rubbed her head nervously, the bottom of her mushroom-like cap glowing slightly. “I know I could’ve been the better one and just not engage but… yeah.”
Arackulele just observed as the faint glow emitted from her cap, before almost murmuring, “Hm. I see. I’ll take your apology.”
“You don’t need to forgive me. Not right now if you don’t want to. I know you have bigger things on your mind right now.”
“Why do you talk so much?” He suddenly asked, “Like, not to be mean, but you always start rambling and…”
Arackulele didn’t finish his thoughts, just trailed off as the tension between them grew.
“I’ll just… go even though you wanted me out a long time ago-”
“Don’t go! I don’t want you to go anymore. I also want to apologize. I’m sorry that I was such a bitch just because I thought you were going to replace me. Everyone LOVED you when you hatched and I felt kind of… overshadowed.” He gave an awkward hug to Fung Pray with his arms, giving her a little squeeze.
She also hugged him back. “I forgive you.”
Nobody really let go for a few moments, and once someone did, it was very reluctant.
“I haven’t really forgotten what you said. Before I started venting. I thought about it a bit and… I guess I kinda agree?”
“Like I did enjoy the rivalry as well. Not a lot but… I mean…”
Fung Pray leaned against Arackulele, her head below his. “Go on…”
“Don’t?! Do that?”
“Relax, I’m not doing anything.”
“Fine! Whatever. You stink.”
“Wow. That’s a new insult.” Fung Pray giggled, leaving from her spot. “Usually you tell me to fuck off or something-”
And then, Arackulele just kissed Fung Pray out of the blue. Fung Pray, though shocked that he would do something like that, didn’t pull away.
He pulled away about a minute later, then walked away, opening his room’s door. “You taste disgusting, by the way.”
Fung Pray rolled her eyes and replied, “You love me!”
And then he left the room and slammed the door. Fung Pray rolled her eyes again, since he just slammed the door to his own room with her still inside. She’d leave once Arackulele realized what he’d done.
For now, she would meditate until that happened…