Chapter Text
Michael was once more lying/sitting in his arcade machine. Pondering about that strange word Darin said to him the day before. He kept wondering and wondering, homophobic...What could it mean? Surely it's some word that's used against conspiracy theorists, but that was just some speculation Michael made up beforehand. There's a chance that it couldn't be true! But...from what Michael heard, it seemed the town was against conspiracy theorists! That sucks! They're all nice in their own way!
Ehh, maybe if Darin comes back Michael can maybe learn what this weird word means.
If there was one thing Michael liked about being in this arcade machine was that he liked seeing a different face every day. A different person, a different...well, he couldn't really say personality because of the hypnotism, BUT! People act in their own way! You see, it's the way that they press buttons! The way some of them button mash and how some others strategically press each and every control! They still get it wrong, no one can beat Michael, but it's fun to see them try! And sometimes, there's a mix of both! Sometimes, there's someone who strategically presses the buttons, but when push comes to shove, they start button mashing. Which is understandable!
And there's always something in common that they mutter!..
Or...at least SOME people mutter it. He doesn't really pay attention to that, why would he?
But that's not important! But do you know what is important and just came through the door?
Darin!!!!!
Michael internally squeals like a schoolgirl as he watches the brown-haired man walk in, and walk straight TO him!! His glasses still remain a little bit cracked, but that still makes him even more pretty!!
"Hey there, Michael!" He smiles and oh my GODDDD if that isn't the most beautiful thing Michael has seen. Sure, he'd seen the man smile before, but he was smiling TO him! To him!!
"..h-hi.." Michael quietly replies, internally kicking himself because his vocal cords betray him. He doesn't sound...excited to see him! Which is the complete opposite! Michael is literally metaphorically kicking his feet like a little schoolgirl for this man!
"So, how's it been?" Darin starts, sitting in front of the machine, "Oh! By the way," he interjects, "is there anyway I could...see you? I mean, you can't just be a voicebox, that'd be...cool but, I think a 'lil impossible." Darin rambles, "Sorry,"
"..n-no, it'sokay.." Michael stutters. "...i-i have...a...body." Shaking with all of the material inside of him, he touches the glass. "..i-i c-can't...get...out.."
"..You can't get out? Does that mean you want to get out? Do you not like being Polybius?"
God damn it, Darin.
As much as Michael loves this man, making him talk more is not working for him.
"...a-actu—ally..." Michael coughs and hears some coins fall out of him, "..i-i like...b-beinnng Pol—Polybiiius.." He struggles to speak as he feels more coins start to come up and out of his throat.
"Can I ask why?"
"...n-no.." Michael says, on the verge of choking on these damn coins.
"Hrmm...okayyy. But do you ever want to get out?"
Michael coughs again.
"...i-idon'tknow!!" He speaks fast and starts to panic—these coins are coming up and they're coming up fast. He keeps coughing and he can't seem to stop, and the amount of coins coming out of him is concerning. When he first coughed earlier, it was only two coins—but now it's about six per cough!
"Woah!—Hey!" Darin jumps, his shoulders tensing at the sound of coughing and coins. "What's going on??"
"..i-i—k-keep—cou—HCKK!—ghhingg—u-up—c—oin—NGH!—ss.." He manages to string out.
"...What."
...
Oh, did Michael forget to tell the man about where he stores his coins? Oh yeah, silly him. Anyways, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THESE COINS HURT.