Archive of Our Own ^beta

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The sound of songbirds can be heard in the distance, disappearing with the morning dew. In thick wood, a commotion can be heard. Gathering neighbors can be spotted through a clearing in the trees, walking away from the soon-to-be noon sun.
"Eddie Dear, did you hear me?" Frank questioned their husband. Not acknowledging their words, Frank snapped their fingers twice in front of Eddie's face. "Huh??" Eddie quickly wondered what pulled him out of his thoughts. He quickly turned his face from confusion to realization as his situation with Frank became apparent. "Oh, my apologies hun, what was that?" Frank huffed with slight annoyance. "Are you alright, Eddie? You've been.. different this morning." Frank didn’t know if they had too much energy for a Sunday morning, or if they were boring Eddie with information they’d already spewed about many times. Either way, Eddie didn’t have his normal demeanor. “Oh, don’t worry about me! I just don’t think I’m used to waking up this early on Sundays.”
It was a lie. Eddie woke up at 6 AM (almost) every day to start work, so he could finish around 3 PM to spend some of the day with his partner. On Sundays though? Sundays were different, being his day off. Normally, he’d be wrapped between blankets & sheets at 10 AM. Not walking through unseen areas with his friends. Sure, Eddie wasn’t used to the new of the neighborhood’s camping trip; but he could adjust easily to it. Even with this uncalculated schedule, it wasn’t the reason Eddie was off. The real reason was his ADHD medication.
All-encompassing Home knew that none of them in the vicinity were allistic... Mostly. The closest allistic neighbor they had was Home herself. But no one knows if he counts, taking into consideration that they’re built of brick & cannot communicate through anything through onomatopoeias, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say they were alike to the rest of the flock.
Frank believed Eddie because they could understand that a change in schedule can be upsetting at times. The group continued to walk, following Julie & Barnaby as the appointed leaders. Julie because she could communicate with nature, & Barnaby because he proclaimed that he could smell the destination. Being the only dog no one could deny or accept this entirely. Nevertheless, he seemed to have some sort of sense of direction.
Eventually, 'round 11:30 they made it to the spot. The designated area was partly set up, with a picnic table, a metal ring to keep a fire in, & some logs around the ring. They'd still need to bring out some chairs or more logs to seat all of them, but it was a wonderful place to relax for a moment after walking since 8 AM sharp then to make it there almost around noon. They all groaned through sweat & heat, Sally being the loudest. The star ripped her luggage off her back & without hesitation fell into the grass below. Poppy & Julie were carefully setting their things onto the picnic table when Poppy scrambled through her bag to look for first aid & water. Barnaby was using his hat as a fan while sitting by a tree stump, his bags on the grass next to him. Howdy & Wally were looking through Howdy's bags for snacks to pass throughout them all as lunch. Wally sat next to Howdy as he rummaged, & much to his hope, Howdy pulled out an apple.
Then, just a bit further, Eddie & Frank were wasting no time setting up the tents. Neither of them took any time to rest yet. Frank didn't rest because they believed they could rest afterward inside & Eddie just.. blindly followed. Sorta. He had been stuck in his head during the entire walk & morning itself. He realized why he was like this, & if he would want to keep up appearances he'd have to stray away a bit & stay busy. If he were to sit & relax someone might try to converse with him in this state! Frank's already worried a bit, he doesn't need anyone else on his tail. So as soon as everyone disbursed, Eddie noticed Frank wasn't going to relax like the others. He wanted something to really focus on, so he told them that it'll be done quicker with another set of hands. & now here we are; with them setting out a tarp & looking for the doorway on the green 2-man tent.

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"Do you have the bag of pegs?" Eddie gave a deep nod of yes to Frank's question. They started making everyone's two-man tents together. Eight campers & four two-man tents.
They started by taking all the tents in their packaging to their designated spot. The tents would become a large half circle when completed with all the entries facing toward each other & the fire pit. Together Eddie & Frank stretched them out listening to the tarp bottom as an indicator of when it bring the tent back in for the pegs. (They brought it in a bit so it wouldn't be too tight.) They settled all four tents before they each had a flat rock (Because Eddie forgot to pack hammers), & eight pegs so they could each secure 2 tents into the ground.
Frank left to the outer right tent while Eddie started on the inner left. Eddie took the small stake to the ground, with the grommet depicting where to pierce the Earth. He began to hit the pole with the thick flat rock, & letting himself get lost in the repetitive motion & his thoughts with it.
“I wonder if this would hurt.” He thought to himself, “I mean, I know it would hurt. But how would the mark act? It could act like a knife injury; not majorly bleeding until the sharp thing is removed.”
Eddie was deep in his slightly concerning thoughts, to the point he didn’t notice Frank approaching him until a hand was on his shoulder. Eddie was anchored by the touch, back to the real world. He went to look at his partner but they spoke first. “Where’s the stake gone to?”
Frank & Eddie looked in front of the ginger man as Eddie realized he made it look like the metal had been eaten by the Earth’s crust. Eddie took a hand to brush away some dirt so Frank could see the shine of metal in the sun. With Eddie’s silent response, Frank nodded. Eddie could feel Frank’s confusion, “I uh, made sure it was extra secure... A tornado couldn’t come to take whoever’s sleeping in here!” Eddie tried to be cheery, but it seemed faltering.
Frank wanted to comfort their husband. His earlier annoyance from during the hike filled them with guilt like a leaky faucet; slowly but surely filling. “Oh Dear, a hurricane could come through & Barnaby would be sleeping like a dog in there,” Looking back to their husband, they continued, "& the only reason he wouldn't fly away is because you made the Earth have a death grip on him." It was Frank’s own autistic way of calling his husband strong. Eddie smiled at Frank's effort, closing his eyes to flash a full smile at him. Frank's cheeks were suddenly lightly dusted with pink. Eddie reached up for Frank's hand to enclose it with his own from the ground he was sitting on. "You did your part, why don't you go relax with some water?" He gestured to Poppy, Julie, Sally, & at some point Barnaby joined them.
They each got two bottles of water. Sally had downed one in hopes that Poppy would let her have an energy drink afterward. But Poppy was finishing her second bottle & looking refreshed from the hydration. Julie & Barnaby were actually challenging each other at the moment, to see who could chug all their water first. “Sally, Poppy, could you guys time us? Pleaseeee?” Julie begged. Poppy sighed, “Sorry Shug, I would but Sally’s like a mosquito for her Alani.” Below Poppy’s tall build was Sally, poking the bird every two seconds for her energy drink. Poppy beckoned Julie to come close so she could whisper, & Julie obeyed. “I don’t think she packed it. & she doesn’t realize it won’t be cold.” Poppy pulled away with a worried look (for her safety) while Julie giggled.
Julie looked around, before spotting Frank & Eddie. Frank looked like he was only conversing with their husband. & yet keeping him from doing his part! “For shame!” Julie thought. “FRANK!!” He yelled. He could kill two birds with one stone! By having Frank stopwatch Barnaby & herself, Eddie could get back to his job!! “FRANK! Come here!” Barnaby understood what Julie was doing, & joined her howling for Frank’s attendance. “C’mon bud!”
After Eddie had made his suggestion verbal it seemed like the universe agreed with him, as Julie & Barnaby started screeching for Frank. They turned their heads to the table containing the shenanigans. “It seems like they agree with me” Eddie chuckled at their antics. Frank turned their head back & forth between Eddie & the goofy yelling. He turned their head back to their husband, “Are you sure? I can stay & help if you want.” They started picking up the rock again when Eddie took their hands in his own. “It’s fine, you look like you could use some water anyway.” Frank looked around a bit more, like they could find the answer around them in the thick forest. Frank defeatedly gave the sedimentary to Eddie. They ruffled Eddie’s hair lightly before walking away with a worried look in their eyes.
Eddie went from corner to corner of the tents, spending all too much time on it than he should’ve. But he couldn’t help it! Something was so inviting about staying & thinking in his head today. But the trip was so interesting, but something engulfed his mind.

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Frank didn’t know what to think of Eddie’s leaving. On one hand, Eddie could be actually getting firewood but with his demeanor of today, Frank couldn’t help but doubt it. Should Frank go find him? Is Eddie okay? “I should’ve said something to him sooner,” Frank thought. He was taken out of his thoughts when Julie skipped his way to him with a s'more in hand. “Made one just for you Frankie!” Frank could see what he meant by this, anything too burnt was seemingly gone, ripped off by Julie’s sticky fingers. “Thank you, Julie dear.” Taking the sweet sandwich from his hands to his own. She skipped away back in Sally’s direction. Sally was setting up for a game of chubby bunny between herself, Barnaby, & Howdy. Frank could already guess that Poppy was worrying her feathers to a grey. But they didn’t expect her worry to be for Eddie’s whereabouts.
“Anyone seen the postman?” Poppy questioned the group. Wally spoke up over the crowd to answer Ms. Partridge “Barnaby said he went to get firewood.” He pointed to the direction that Eddie left in half an hour ago before focusing on watching the game again. Normally Poppy would be concerned that 3 of her friends had 27 marshmallows in their faces & were planning on adding more. But she knows where they’re at, but has no idea where Eddie is. The idealism of his departure being a little more permanent than it should frighten her more. Plus, Julie knew the Hemlick maneuver, after practicing on Poppy herself.
“Why would he only tell Barnaby? Unless Frank knew too? & if Frank knew why would they let Eddie leave by himself?" Poppy was wrapping her head in confusing questions & worry. "Should I go check him? Ain't no harm in seein' if he's alright." Poppy removed herself from the log, & went to her shared (Her tentmate is Barnaby) tent to retrieve some things. Just some basic things, flashlight, her thick shawl, & opting for some bandaids instead of her whole first aid kit. Just in case Eddie has a splinter. But what if a dead tree fell on him? Or what if he fell & twisted his ankle? What if he’s stuck under the aforementioned tree? Poppy was bringing her feathers into a bunch, while she didn’t realize Frank was reaching out for her. When his hand reached her shoulder it caused a large jerk throughout Poppy, causing her to hit her hand on the already low ceiling of the tent. Her sudden movement scared Frank a bit “Oh jeez, Poppy! I’m awfully sorry about that.” She looked behind from where she was crouched in the tent to see Frank’s worried expression fiddling with their fingers. When Poppy turned to face Frank they noticed how she had made a small mess of herself, a bandage unwrapped around her & the batteries to the flashlight absent, finding solace on the mattress.
“Oh, Frank honey are you okay? Do you need something other than your fingers to mess with? Oh, we don’t want you to peel your felt off, do we?” She went through a pocket in her bag to find fidgets & brought out a slug, yeetec, & a fidget cube. Frank paused because they didn’t expect her worry to make her so, everywhere. Her speed reminded them of Sally & wally before a sugar crash. “Uhm, well” They took the yeetec as they spoke, “I noticed your fret for Eddie’s location.” Poppy was putting her turned way options as she listened to them speak. “Oh yes! I was going to look for him actually, but I couldn’t decide what to bring. Then I was just thinking about everything that might’ve happened to him to be gone for such a long amount of time, & I couldn’t decide anymore.” Frank realized that she caused her own adrenaline, & she could have an anxiety attack. Frank knew how those could be. How could they help prevent such? “..Hey Poppy?” Frank questioned. She turned to Frank at the hearing of her name, & without noticing Frank had crouched to her level. He grabbed her wing while he had the chance, & tried to be the center of her attention; “Let me get your supplies. You need to calm down or all the adrenaline will go to your head. There’s a lantern on at the picnic table, go sit while I grab what you’d need, please.” Frank’s please seemed rather useless because their tone made it sound more like a demand than an ask.
Poppy shimmied out of the tent to the picnic table, her body showing a hint of melancholy with the slight droop of her shoulders, neck, & head. As she left the tent Frank took her place on his knees in front of the slung-around items. As Poppy waited at the picnic table, Frank cleansed the tent’s items back to their places. Shawls to the big pocket, goz to the kit along with pimple blemishes, & fidgets back to the jean bag in the front pocket. Not all were fidgets though & one could perhaps help Eddie. Frank decided it may be of use. Poppy watched as Frank zipped her tent & made their way over with a fanny pack, shawl, & flashlight for her journey. Poppy spoke first as rank made their way up the hill. “I’m real sorry Frank! My worry for Eddie ain’t been no help to him. Nor you too.” Frank wasn’t worried about that though, he just wanted Poppy to be okay. “Poppy. You’re fine. I just want your epinephrine levels to decrease so you’re not so manic.” Poppy grabbed the selected items from Frank. “Besides, if anything I should be sorry. I basically made you haul yourself out of your tent & went through your belongings.” Oh. Poppy hadn’t thought about that part. Hopefully Frank didn’t bring up the estrogen & insulin. But it’s not like it was something they didn’t know about already.
As they both normally did, they apologized constantly to each other before they eventually came to the agreement that they were both sorry & they were both wrong to begin with. (Frank still thought he was unethical.) “Now that we’ve brought such to a conclusion, are you still keen on looking for Eddie? I would participate, but seeing how the only one I’d trust to watch everyone else has 54 marshmallows in his esophagus… I’m concerned for the rest of them.” Poppy turned to see the sparse adults; Julie keeping an eye on Howdy as he tries to turn 54 marshmallows into 55 with difficult internal airflow as Barnaby, Wally, & Sally cheered him on with stuffed faces (Excluding Wally.) "Oh, of course I am dear. I feel like too much time has passed already. He should've been back by now, & I should've been long gone looking for him." Frank showed his agreement with a head nod. Poppy continued, "I'm glad you think that you should stay. Not saying I wouldn't be happy to have you with me, I'd be delighted. But someone's gotta watch them because," Poppy leaned into Frank's ear, Frank listened intently "I think Howdy & Barnaby are buzzed." Frank chuckled a bit, "I'd love to continue the conversation about how alcohol isn't a hushy topic, but you probably already know that. & Eddie's still out there. I don't want to stall you any longer." Poppy sighed. “You’re right, Frank. Thank you.” Frank raised half their unibrow, “Whatever for?” Poppy gave them one last look before heading off in Eddie’s direction. Her look was one that said it was obvious what her thanks were for. “For keeping me on task. Now they better be in bed by the time I get back. Or at least alive.” & with that she was gone to retrieve firewood with Eddie. Or just to retrieve Eddie.

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Hello hello hello!!! I really wish this was an update, but my own displeasure it's not. :((
Recently, where I live, there has been a treacherous storm. My power will be out for 2 days minimum & 1 week maximum. Therefore it's already a struggle to charge my phone; if my Chromebook had battery I'd be more than happy to supply a new chapter. I will not give up on this & my other fic!! I will use the Google documents on my phone when possible.
I'm extremely sorry for this mishap, & I'll definitely try to write some really long chapters as an apology!!

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Poppy trotted in the direction Eddie departed in. She shakily held her flashlight as she followed the shoe prints left in the path. The more she followed, the less sense the muddy stampings made. Not because Eddie was running, of course not! Though he could do cross country if he really wanted to. But the peculiar way Eddie's trail would walk for quite the distance & then abruptly stop (She could tell the difference because of the depth in the foot print) before continuing again. It didn't side track to anything, like a plant or the supposed firewood he went to fetch. It reminded Poppy of when Julie would lag in Roblox.
Sooner or later, Poppy did find the end of the path. There was Eddie, by potential firewood, his ax, flashlight, & his feelings pouring out of him. He turned away into his knees as Poppy shone the light into his already burning eyes.

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Eddie had been on the lookout for dead or fallen trees. Large discarded branches could work as well. But while trying to bring his attention to his surroundings his gaze kept making its way to the sky.
The twinkling lights of gas ever so far away shone in Eddie's eyes as he lost himself in thought to them. Eddie, of course, eventually pulled himself from the night sky. He scoffed at his own actions. "Seriously? We're out here for firewood & we're gon' get firewood." He thought to himself. Eddie brought his walk to a halt to physically pick out details of his surroundings & it was good timing too. A dead tree fallen 9 feet away could be spotted. "That's just perfect!" Eddie verbalized his joy to no one but himself.
With axe in tow Eddie made his path to the passed tree, soon to be cremated. Bringing the weapon to his shoulder, carrying it with both arms & a direction aimed, Eddie swung. Just like the tent stakes, he repeated the motion & began to miss his consciousness from his activity. By the time his eyes ceased their dilation the ax's sharp tip was in the ground between a cut branch. Eddie took one good look at the result & groaned audibly enough to wake the birds.
"Why?? Why am I like this?" He yelled to the sky. His frustration of the day was really getting to him. Concentration just isn't in him. Eddie looked to the stars almost expectantly for an answer. He started again but couldn't finish, "Why can't I just..?" He trailed off into his tears. He collapsed into himself right there with the tree on his back. He brought his palms into his eyes as he wept constantly wiping his tears away as they left. His hands & eyelashes were soaked. The sides of his eyes stung from the hard wiping salt. Eddie continued his melancholy cries of aggrievance, as he whispered a small "help me" from his slobbering lips.

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(N/A: In case it wasn't obvious or you didn't read the notes, the last chapter was a flashback of when Eddie left. This picks up from Chapter 5.)

Poppy turned off her flashlight plunging the both of them into the dark, the only thing illuminating them being the moon. "Oh honey, are you alright?" Poppy went into her sweet motherly tone as she checked on one of her many babes. She brought herself to her knees at Eddie's side, still giving him space. Eddie breathed in deeply trying to clear his nose & mind. He was almost tempted to pretend he scraped himself to deter her worry. But that wouldn't be any good. He didn't have a scab he could quickly peel or anything else he could use. With his exhale, Eddie leaned on Poppy as best as he could from where she sat. He loved Poppy's consideration of space, but he'd rather have a hug right now. "No, & I ain't been all day." He huffed into himself. Poppy inquired about his meaning since he seemed open to talking. "Well, what do you mean by that sweetheart?" She scooted closer so he could lean on her more comfortably.
"Well, today has just had a lotta problems for me because of me." Eddie wiped his snot as he finished his sentence. Poppy internally gagged at the action but kept her appearance solidly caring as she went into the fanny pack to wipe down Eddie's arm. "Do you wanna tell me about it, hun? We got all the time in the world." She cooed as she brought his limb towards herself to rid of the gooey germs. He didn't object to her actions. "Sure. I think it'll make me feel better anyways." Eddie continued sniffling as he explained his treacherous day. How his concentration had yet to be found & what kinds of problems its absence had created. How those issues made him feel aggravated in his own frustration & how he finally made it to his breaking point. Poppy listened to every word with the focus & intent Eddie couldn't grasp. When he finished talking, he tried to smile, but it faltered into tears.
Poppy hugged Eddie as he cling to her side, spewing his emotions. He'd had enough of pushing them away into a bottle. This felt so much better than the bottle. Replacing cold glass were warm soft welcoming feathers. Poppy whispered sweet nothings to Eddie, much like how a mom would with a sleepy toddler. As Eddie's tears began to subside again, he could start to make out what Poppy was saying. But she wasn't saying anything but slightly hummed song lyrics; "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me ha-ppy, when skies are gray." Poppy had begun to rhythmically pat Eddie's back. He relaxed as he listened to Poppy's majestic voice. "Oh please don't take my sunshine awayy." Poppy finished the song before repeating it.
The situation soothed both of them to their cores. Eddie, because he felt how focusing on Poppy brightened his mood, & venting about how he felt lifted something inside of him. The situation smoothed out Poppy's feather's as she stroked Eddie's hair. He knew where he was, & he wasn't physically hurt. He had cried on her shoulder & she was there to make sure he was alright in the end. Poppy begged for no one to take her sunshine away for the last time before slipping them into silence. They stayed like that for a bit in each other's company. Poppy holding Eddie, stroking his hair; Meanwhile, Eddie is calming himself from crying while indulging himself in Poppy’s caring nature. The only sound to be heard were the sounds of the night’s critters & the sweet summer wind hushing in bypass.
The tranquil moment was severed by the sound of Eddie’s broken voice. “‘M sorry about that Pops... Didn’t mean to get all sorrowful again.” Eddie tried to chuckle but wasn’t capable of putting a hearty goodness into it. (Like cereal) Poppy nurturingly caressed Eddie, her eyebrows bent with friendly endearment. “You have nothing to apologize for dearie. If anything I should be begging for pardon for grabbing wet wipes but not tissues.” Poppy tried to lightly joke. It definitely helped as Eddie gave a slight chortle & started paying along to the sitch. “That’s right! You shall pay for your crime. For now, my return to the mass will be miry & my arms will be slimy for my Frankie!” His voice slipped from his Southern accent to a more medieval one as he backed away from Poppy dramatically to showcase his “disappointment.” Poppy gave a jovial laugh at Eddie’s antics. Poppy’s thoughts crossed Frank & how his babysitting was progressing. But then she realized that she had yet to cease Frank's worry over Eddie.
“Speaking of Frank, we’d better head back. I’d bet their head isn’t the only one loose right about now.”
Eddie & Poppy removed themselves from the dead tree, conversing about the game they were missing out on watching & how much fun the group was probably having. Poppy let her anxiety get to her a bit though, reminiscing about how if they choked & died under Frank’s watch she wouldn’t know how she’d go on. Eddie kept reassuring her though, that at worst, someone brunt a marshmallow a little too crisp. Then Poppy went on about fire safety.
Before they knew it they were almost back to camp, they could hear a commotion, but it was probably nothing. Before they went back to the group, Eddie stopped Poppy. To truly appreciate what she’d done. Poppy seemed a bit clueless about Eddie’s meaning though. “Who wouldn’t help a friend in need?” she questioned. But Eddie explained his gratitude. How he would’ve stayed there for another hour or so, how her comfort saved him. Not to mention that she went into the dark afraid & quite literally shone Eddie some light.
Poppy gave Eddie a hug. “Oh no, thank you shug, for letting me help.” She squeezed onto Eddie & he squeezed back. Poppy suddenly started talking in their embrace. “Oh before we go back I remembered somethin’! She went through the fanny pack she’d pulled the wet wipes out of when Eddie fouled his arm. “Frank packed this for you, they said it might help.” With those words, Poppy presented an M-Player with earbuds attached, & the song Eddie & Frank had at their wedding ready to play. Eddie’s face tinted a small amount of pink at the memory of kissing Frank in front of the neighborhood & dancing how they would in their, now shared, living room. Eddie popped in the earbuds & had the music play as background noise. It was so comforting, it made him excited to see their husband again. With newfound pep in his step, he urged Poppy & himself to hurry back now. After all, what could’ve happened while they were gone?