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The sky was dark as Lollipop paced the entrance to the alleyway, gripping their pipe to the point where it hurt their hands.
They shifted their one good eye to his group, a sleeping pile of objects. They were all huddled around Keychain, searching for warmth from her thick fur. He pulled his bandana closer to his face, shivering from the bitter cold.
He peered around the corner, listening intently for any noise.
A noise.
Behind them.
Scurrying.
The noise of claws on brick.
He whirled around, arming themself with their pipe. Lollipop breathed a sigh of relief when he saw who it was.
"Craft Knife." He breathed.
Craft Knife unstuck himself from the wall, wiping the frost off his claws and onto on his leg. He padded over to Lollipop.
"Evenin'." He said, stopping to stand next to them.He reached into a bag that sat on his thigh. The bag that Sign had made for him.
Lollipop rolled their eyes.
Craft Knife pulled out a small box,
"…For you."
Lollipop took the box. As one does.
Lollipop studied the box. As one does.
Lollipop turned over the white and red box. As one does.
He was never one to be silent about his addiction, was he?
Lollipop spoke up after a few seconds, eyes flitting to his survival partner, "…Why?"
"You looked like you needed it." Craft Knife shrugged, putting his hand into his jacket's pocket.
Lollipop shriveled under Craft Knife's genuine gaze. They handed Craft Knife the box back.
"I…I've been trying to stop."
"No worries." Craft Knife said, stuffing the box back into his bag, "It might come in handy anyways!
The two sat in silence for many minutes. Craft Knife settled down on the concrete, tracing a claw lazily into the snow. It fell silently onto the street, coating the concrete in biting cold.
"We can swap, if you want." Craft Knife said, looking up at Lollipop, who was still standing. Lollipop didn't tear their gaze away from the cold, desolate streets.
"Lollipop." Craft Knife said as he stood, "It's sunrise soon, you should rest."
Lollipop's jaw tightened. They glanced back at Keychain and Sign, who were still asleep. Keychain shifted, lifting her paw into the air. Sign snuggled closer.
It… did look warm.
"Not tired." Lollipop said, annoyed. Their gaze returned to the snow-covered street.
Craft Knife rolled his eyes," You're very difficult, Lollipop."
Lollipop froze. He looked down at his boots, and turned his head away. Craft Knife quickly realized that he struck a nerve.
"…Sorry." He stammered, "Uh… please go sleep."
Lollipop sighed dramatically, leaned against the brick wall, then slid to the floor. They curled their knees to his chest.
"…You're terrible, CK." He said, "I don't know how the others don't see it."
Craft Knife frowned.
"You… try too hard to be nice," Lollipop huffed, "You just randomly encountered us in a store, and Keychain liked you so much that she let you join."
"Is that how you see me?" Craft Knife said, voice quiet.
Lollipop turned their gaze away. He pulled his bandana closer to their face.
"I've done nothing but try to be nice to you all," Craft Knife chuckled, his tone reflecting disbelief, "I scout ahead, find you all food and shelter, and you hate me?"
Lollipop didn't respond, but their face faltered.
"Tell me why, Logan." Craft Knife sighed angrily, "Why do you hate me?"
Lollipop didn't respond.
Craft Knife chuckled airily, putting his claws to his face. He was truly surprised, and slightly annoyed.
"I… can't trust you." Lollipop mumbled heartbeats later, their voice muffled by the bandana.
"But you trust Keychain and Sign." Craft Knife commented.
"They're my family."
"Are they?"
Lollipop fell silent again. Craft Knife sighed, and settled down next to them.
"You don't have to like me, but at least come patrol with me." He quietly said. Lollipop tore their gaze away from the street, and looked and Craft Knife.
"When?" Lollipop asked softly.
"Sunrise, we'll scout for stores and food."
Lollipop glanced at Keychain and Sign. Craft Knife looked back too.
"Go get some sleep." He said.
Lollipop stood slowly, staring at Craft Knife as he walked past. He clambered onto the old mattress, pulling up their hood and covering their eyes with their bandana.
Craft Knife watched as it happened, then turned his gaze to the street.
Empty like always, but there may be a day when it's not.