Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Let this be a valuable lesson, you two. Togetherness makes anything effortless.” Bugbo said. Gerbo kept looking at the ground. 

“Why are you still upset, Gerbo?”

Joe joined Bugbo in looking at him, but thought better of it, deciding to face the window instead. It pictured a dimming scene, with the sun being slowly eaten up by the city’s skyline. He exhaled. He wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight.

“I wanted some more time to look around.”

“I’m sure we’ll return.”

Gerbo sighed lightly. He’d surely add it to his massive list of other places. Just in case. Joe furrowed his brows as imagined that. Maybe another evening. 

“Hmm, it appears as though we have some free time.” If Joe could vocalise, he would’ve growled at Bugbo. Perhaps he’d get his boyfriend to do that for him. He smiled at the idea, or maybe just the thought of hearing Thomas again. 

“I’ll be in the living room.” Bugbo promptly walked past the two, upper body completely still as he moved. Gerbo followed, albeit more animated. He turned around as he reached the doorframe at the end of the hall. 

“Joe?”

Joe shook his head. He signed.

“I’m afraid I don’t have much time.”

“Oh,” Gerbo said, “your date.” 

“Go on now, I think Bugbo needs a companion.” Gerbo then smiled.

“Have a nice time!” Gerbo headed into the room, with a muffled Bugbo presumably greeting him. 

Joe filed into his room, the third one in a row of four coloured doors. He got a tinge of embarrassment at his living situation. Thomas had a whole (albeit small) house to himself while he lived with 3 flatmates. It felt cartoonish. He changed his clothes to something crisper, which to him was basically a reprise of his office wear. The identical shirts were lined up in a neat row in his wardrobe, with pants below. His ties on the other hand, were a real mix, like a dozen vibrantly-coloured snakes. He picked one in the top corner. Worn down and pilling, an alternating light blue and indigo tie. He really wished he didn’t just throw it in with everyone else’s laundry every time it needed washing, but that was a regret he first had years ago. He sighed whilst tying it. He contemplated going for the hundred perfectly smooth ones he had, but thought against it. 

He slid a jacket on. It was a rugged contrast against the tidy uniform. His dad wasn’t the most careful man ever. The leather was worn almost to the elbow and the zipper had a tangle of black stitching along it. Joe’s fighting as a cursed person didn’t do it any good either, with a slash cocooned in thread down one arm. His “fuck off” jacket he called it. He put some black shoes on to match. He didn’t bother with his reflection, simply running his hands through his hair a few times.

He went to leave the apartment, phone in hand. It almost fell out of his hand when he spotted Gerbo. He put it away to sign.

“I’m going now, could you tell Bugbo please?”

“When are you returning?” Gerbo looked to the floor.

“I’ll only be a couple hours, promise.” 

“With him.”

Joe raised a brow.

“He’s not who you think he is.”

Gerbo came in closer. 

“You can meet him sometime.” Joe signed before pulling Gerbo into a hug.

“Bye Joe.”

Joe pulled away.

“See you later.”

Gerbo waved until the door shut on him. Joe pulled his phone out as he reached the base of the stairwell. He was flashed with the time as he unlocked it. It gave him a careful smile. He was ready. Surely. He tapped away at some messages, hastily muting his work. They sometimes got cocky with out-of-hours. And then, Thomas. His heart still juddered when he saw him, even in the digital realm. That was his boyfriend, right there. This sense of comforting nervousness had refreshed since that night. He remembered Thomas’ song. The harrowing voice that jolted and faltered, but it was persistent. Although he was bound to flesh, he could haunt you like a ghost. Joe looked to the side. Would he have dated Thomas if he knew that about him upfront? Would he even believe him if he hadn’t saw his night form in front of his very eyes? He wished that universe’s Joe could see Thomas for who he really was. He bit his tongue as an attempt to stop his thoughts, as he walked down the road. 

The meeting point was only about half a mile. A bench between two trees in a little park. He gazed up at the trees as he waited, the branches were becoming near indistinguishable from the darkening backdrop. The metal of the seat was cold to the touch. It didn’t get much opportunity to warm up as he got up after just a couple minutes.

“Eager to see me?” A voice from behind said. It was raspy and high pitched. Joe instantly smiled, turning around to see an equally pleased Thomas. 

“I should’ve known. I guess I might leave even earlier next time.” He took a few paces up to the bench. Joe signed.

“Then I’ll leave earlier than that.”

Thomas giggled before giving Joe a hug.

“Try me.” He squeezed his boyfriend tight, before letting him go.

“Try you, that’s an effortless task.”

Thomas raised his brows and gasped, before grinning.

“You’d be quite surprised of what I’m capable.”

“Maybe later.”

Thomas crossed his arms quite arrogantly.

“Backing down already? You were never challenge to begin with.”

Joe pushed him and he stumbled backward. Thomas went to do the same, but his strength was no match for Joe’s. His feet dragged across gravel as he stabilised himself. 

“Push me one once, and I might just fall over. Push me twice, and you’re too late.” Thomas said. Joe tested that theory, and was bewildered to find that he just couldn’t knock Thomas off his feet.

Thomas simply giggled with each attempt. At one point, he started to wobble, doing dramatic motions with his arms.

“Woah.” He feigned falling over and landing on his back. After the subtle impact, he looked up to Joe with squinted eyes, “Well done darling.”

“I hate you.”

Thomas put a hand on his chest. “I hate you too.” Joe offered a hand, which Thomas gleefully accepted. He felt a much stronger force pulling him up than usual, but was stopped by Joe’s hands sandwiching his head, just centimetres from Joe’s own. He closed his eyes for the next part, which lasted a good couple seconds.

“Oh look at you. So lovesick it makes me ill myself.” Joe signed. Thomas was completely dazed, gazing at Joe’s face. He chuckled weakly. 

“Well, well,” He swayed from side to side a little, “you’re just so, splendid, my dear.” It was like all the heat in Joe’s body had risen to his head. 

“Yeah.” He gave a smile, embracing the warmth as it spread down his neck and into his ears. “You’re the best.”

“No, you.”

Joe snickered and gave Thomas a nudge. “Nah.” 

Thomas still looked completely spaced out, a pink haze cast over his brain. 

“Sureeee. You, win.” He shook his head. A sharper, more intense look was now drawn on his face. “For now.” 

“Funny thing you are.” Joe was starting to cool down. Thomas pulled up his watch. He grimaced.

“Wretched.” 

“Hey,” Joe leaned over Thomas’ forearm, “it’s a long time.”

“Depends what you define as long.”

“We’ve got hours, Thomas.” Thomas looked at him with furrowed brows. 

“You’ll stay, the whole time, right?”

“Of course I will.” Joe held his hand. 

“Good, good.”

They walked side by side, away from the bench to towards some restaurants.

“Just don’t sing radiohead again.”  

“Even just a little? Their songs are the most marvellous works of art.” Thomas squeezed Joe’s hand.

“Do you dare?” 

“Heh, you’ll see.”

“I better not.”

“You’ll seeee.”

Joe pushed him again. Thomas didn’t budge.

“You’re so stubborn.”

“Stubborn? Me?” Thomas could barely resist a sweet giggle. Joe rolled his eyes.

“Should we get a bite to eat?”

Thomas eyed up the strip of restaurants. “I’m quite peckish.”

“This one looks nice.” Joe pointed at one.

“Nah.”

Joe exhaled. “You ruined it.”

Thomas paused for a second. “What do you mean?”

“What’s so bad about it?”

“I don’t want pastries tonight.” 

“That all?”

“Yeah.”

Joe pointed at another.

“How about this?”

“Grub?”

Joe thought about it for a second, then immediately pointed again.

“Hmm.” Thomas squinted before relaxing his eyelids. “Sure.” He kept eying the sign as they walked in however.

Chapter Text

Joe went up first, grabbing his notepad out of his pocket. The lights in the restaurant made his red lettering hard to make out. The place was relatively quiet, with a hushed tune projected from old speakers. There were various posters on the walls. Thomas looked around as Joe was exchanging notes with the cashier. He liked the more sharp and intense designs. He could look at them for hours, which is what he may have done if Joe didn’t grab his shoulder. He sighed, turning around to instantly forget them. 

“Oh come on now.” Joe signed.

Thomas snickered. “You.” He put a hand on Joe’s shoulder and rubbed it. “I’m going to order now.” Joe smiled.

“Yeah. Go do that.” Thomas started sliding backward toward the desk. Joe struggled not to cover his eyes in embarrassment. “You’re so silly.”

“The more sophisticated word is whimsical.”

“I don’t care!”

“Hmpf.”

Thomas went up to order. His smile dropped when he approached. The cashier was tapping their fingers on the desk. It didn’t put him at ease.

“Hello, umm.” He said. The cashier just looked at him.

“I’d like a,” more staring, “grilled cheese, please.” His words were high pitched and pleading. 

“Mmmhmm.” The cashier said. They had a feminine voice of someone in their mid twenties. “Anything else?”

“No, thank you.” Thomas’ voice dropped to a low murmur. He sighed. The price came up on the screen and he payed it without words. He returned to Joe. His back was turned as he looked out of the window. Thomas stood beside him. He caught Joe’s hand in the corner of his eye.

“Should we eat outside?” Joe signed.

“Sure.”

Joe gently slid his fingers into Thomas’. 

“This place is cold anyhow.”

Joe pulled Thomas in by his arm, resting his head on his chest. Thomas put his hands on Joe’s back, leaning in and placing his chin on his head.

“My darling furnace you are. Fiery in the heart and warm to the touch.”

Joe rubbed his back. He loved his corny boyfriend. It was a nice ten minutes, just held in that pose. Thomas babbled about a random assortment of things, mostly Joe. Joe just closed his eyes and listened. The darkness had completely settled in by now, but he seemed to have distracted him. He turned his watch to face him and just gazed at it. So be it. He leaned into Thomas further, who was now talking about his job.

“Oh, want more cuddles? How gluttonous?” Thomas said, caving into the tyrant’s desires. He wrapped his arms tighter. “I’m afraid we have to eat soon.” 

The sound of the cashier’s voice made Thomas’ embrace go tense. Joe took that as a signal to stop, and slipped out of his arms. 

“Should I get it?” Joe asked.

“Don’t worry about it dear.” Thomas immediately went over. His strides were small and reserved. The cashier locked eyes with him for a moment. He looked down, avoiding their piercing stare. He weaved his fingers through the handles of a paper bag. A look of disappointment was presented to him as he looked up again. They quickly dipped their head toward his ear.

“Piece of shit.” 

A wash of dread spilled over Thomas’ heart. He hardly managed to keep a still expression.

“Thank you very much. Have a good evening.”

He turned away. Joe went over him and he was relieved of the bag in his hand. It was replaced by a stable warmth. He sighed. They walked out the door, to be faced with almost complete darkness. The street lamps were dim, barely illuminating the gravel beneath. Thomas carefully put one foot out in front of the other. He watched the rhythm of his walking with great scrutiny, putting all his mind onto the task. After all, the noise of shifting gravel was calming to him. Joe was beside him. He was gazing upward at the night sky. But despite the beautiful constellation above, his facial expression was absent. His footwork was sloppy against Thomas’. He slid on some loose gravel, where he caught a glimpse of Thomas. He stopped walking. 

Thomas’ arm tugged at his shoulder as he found himself unable to move further. He turned around, hand gripped firmly in place.

“Joe?”

Joe’s gaze was off to the side. He signed.

“Hey.”

Thomas just stared. He blinked rapidly a few times. Not right now. Joe continued.

“You’re not-“ He hesitated before the next sign, “that.”

Thomas looked away, letting his teeth grip his tongue like a vice. He squeezed Joe’s hand, and tugged at it. Joe’s displeased expression was kept to himself as Thomas tried to keep walking. He clenched his front teeth slightly as Thomas, rather, pathetically, dragged his feet through the gravel. He nearly fell forward as the steps from behind resumed. Keeping his posture tidy, he allowed Joe to come back alongside him, and breathed. It was shaky. He sighed. Imagining eating under a lap-lit tree calmed him a little. They continued to walk up the hill to find somewhere to sit. A quaint little park was the perfect spot. The chilled grass brushed up against their ankles as they settled. Thomas combed his hand through it, watching the blades siphon through his fingers. 

“I apologise.” He kept his head down. Joe reached over and lightly pinched his chin. He promptly looked straight at him. Joe removed his hand.

“It’s fine.” 

Thomas gazed at him a little longer. Placing his hand up to Joe’s face, he lightly brushed a finger along his cheek. Joe’s dark eyes against the warm glow of the lamp made his breathing shallow.

“You’re stunning.”

Joe signed. “That’s sweet, dear.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“I need to worry about you.”

“Why?”

“Do you not worry about me?”

Thomas frowned. He placed a hand on Joe’s.

“Her.”

Joe remained silent. He let some of their trash blow away in the wind. He’d grab it later.

“I was reckless. So reckless.” He shook his head. “I am reckless. Still.” He took a deep breath. “Her father. I guess he told her, or she found out.”

Joe stared. Thomas’ eyes began to fill. 

“How do you witness my violence, and still see me as,” he looked down, “worthy?”

Joe rubbed his back a little, closing his eyes as he thought.

“I relate to it.”

“In what way?”

“The temper. It’s the outbursts.”

“I see.”

“We need to work on it, I know. But, sometimes, it’s powerful, helpful even.”

Thomas smiled at that, but his face quickly returned to one of dismay.

“This wasn’t one of those times. I was unhinged. Terribly.” 

Joe held his hand between both of his own. 

“I was way too harsh on him.”

There was a pause for a while. Joe slowly let go of Thomas’ hand and looked him in the eye. His beautiful brown eyes made him uncertain about what he was about to sign to him. Thomas simply sat expectantly. 

“We need to work on this. That’s all I have for you.” Joe was stern and rigid as he signed. Thomas sighed, placing a hand on Joe’s shoulder.

“Thank you.”

“And I mean it!” Joe suddenly loosened up. “I love you!”

“Oh darling.” Thomas scooped him up into a hug. He nuzzled him before Joe pecked him on the cheek. He let him down after reciprocating. Joe grinned jovially. 

“How are you so full of energy? It’s nearly-” He immediately ceased signing.

Thomas stared at him blankly. His watch suddenly constricted itself around his wrist. He got a burning urge to check it, but his arm was just welded in place. Joe reached out to him, but his arm snapped backward before he even got near. He pivoted on his heel and bolted. Joe reached out again, but Thomas kept running. Joe wheezed just looking at how fast he ran. He stood there for a minute or two, ruminating over his mistake. But he didn’t fidget or look away. He knew it. He’d screw up eventually. He grimaced. Stupid. No. A fixable error. He was a man of action, right?

So go on and fix it.

He pulled up his watch, and almost stumbled backward. He began running. He wasn’t fast, but his strides were hefty and directed. Following what he observed of Thomas, he found his way into a tight alley. His feet were barely visible due to the darkness, but the sounds of peeling shoes made him acutely aware of the wet floor. It was a perilous little cranny, with an assortment of mystery gases billowing out from the scrambled pipes along the walls. They fogged up the whole space. Joe breathed through his collar. He went along the corridor, peering down each gap as he approached them. His expression became more and more tired as the rectangle of light on the other side grew larger. Each empty hall was a pain. He clutched his forehead as he reached another, retracting his head into his collar and breathing from there again, but the headache didn’t leave. He felt like crying. Slimy bricks rubbed up against his coat as he slid onto the ground. The pain had spread to his whole head as he patched it up with his hands. When he removed them, his head was none but a black and white orb. The white in the centre was a shy point. It drifted around the surface frantically, before settling and dilating to a larger, softer circle. He stood up and walked slowly through the rest of the alley. The glow of his point, frustratingly, only seemed to light up the steam that surrounded him. He waded through it for a minute or two, until he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

A yelp squeaked from behind. So small, and pained. That was enough to unsettle him. He raised his shoulders. Turning around, he quietly snuck up to the source. To be fair, there was another gap right opposite, but missing it was still a betrayal. The muck below was still completely obscured when he tilted his head down. He liked to think his gradient wasn’t blue (it was) as he approached. A hand gripped the sludge painted brickwork. Blue plastic sliced through the slimy coating as it tried to find a good point to latch on to. It was like Joe had sprained his heart when he caught sight of the weird form. But he watched patiently. The hand was attached to an arm that didn’t exact soothe him of guilt. The shirt sleeve it wore draped down, a loose fit. It pulled out a strange person from behind the corner. Joe’s shirt pulled in toward his hand as he gripped it. Thomas emerged. His eyes were piercing, expression fierce, but apprehensive. Turning into such a thing, with all that snapping, melting and shifting, always had him this way. Despite the anger spitting off him like hot oil in a pan, Joe shuffled nearer. The glowing points of his pupils darted up to his “face”. He could never hold that glare for long anyway. A shocked expression replaced it when Joe lifted him up into his arms and rested his head in the crook of his neck. I’m sorry. He promptly wrapped his legs around Joe’s, crossing them over and relaxing in his embrace. He mumbled as he placed his flat head on top of Joe’s. Apologies, resting. Joe started walking towards an exit. This was no place to rest. He didn’t even bother letting Thomas down. The metal of his skeleton was a little uncomfortable when it pressed onto him, but he didn’t care.

“More hugs? Where do you even get them from? This is wizardry.” Thomas said. 

The grass wasn’t the best blanket, but it hardly mattered if you were in each other’s arms. Joe pulled back.

“I keep a stash.” He signed.

“A stash? That’s all? That seems inadequate.”

“Yeah, but I pack them in tight.”

“For me?”

“Yes, anything for your comfort dear.”

Thomas rubbed his arm.

“Really?”

“Of course!”

“I’m-“ Thomas looked back at Joe, “thank you.”

Joe nudged him.

“Oh come on, it’s the bare minimum.”

“I know I just-“ Thomas looked down, “I’m most surprised by that.”

Joe blinked slowly. “Don’t be surprised, you deserve it.”

“All that for a freakish thing like me?”

Joe’s gradient dimmed. His chest raised as he took a deep breath.

“Who said those don’t deserve love too?” 

A warmth flared up on Joe’s back as he went pink. He never cared if he were unusual, besides, he was too. They were a team. Thomas’ eyes widened at that. He looked at himself, at his hands, each little odd detail. He flicked his forked tongue. 

“You should, become a poet darling.” He wiped his eyes with his sleeve. There was a pinch on Joe’s shoulders as Thomas grabbed them. His long arms made it a little awkward at first, but he adjusted them into something smarter.

“You’re so splendid. Splendid, splendid, splendid. That’s what I need you know. Never forget that.” 

“I won’t.” 

“Excellent.” He took his hands off Joe’s shoulders.

“You like to draw, right?” Joe signed. Thomas chuckled.

“Oh, when did I ever say that?” He brushed his hand through the grass once more, but moved it away when he noticed the flyswatter gaps were ripping pieces off. He flicked the bits away. “Anyway, everyone draws. It’s not really a unique skill.”

“I mean, everyone writes. I guess poetry isn’t a unique skill either.” 

Thomas gripped the grass slightly. “Errugh, don’t mince my words.” 

Joe pulled his hand away from the grass.

“I do poetry. Already.”

Thomas stared at him like a sad puppy. His dizzying eyes didn’t exactly emulate the effect well, but his wobbly mouth was cute. Joe pushed him away gently.

“Yes.” He heaved. “You can read some.”

Thomas smiled. Wide. The crowded meeting of sharp points in his mouth made Joe take back what he thought of his puppy face. 

“Later.” The teeth disappeared behind a curtain of lips.

“Suppose I did, in fact, draw. Would you?”

“Yes.” 

“Hmm.” Thomas grinned once more. “Heheheh.” He looked at Joe playfully.

“Oh stop it. One mention of my writing and you’re already acting up.”

“I have some drawings, at home.” He covered his face with his hands. “For you.”

“As if I haven’t written anything about you either, sweetheart.” 

“Great. Then we can share!” Thomas’ voice was higher than it had even been. The pelting of his heart rumbled in his chest.

“So when are you free?”

“Tonight’s just begun dear.” Joe squeezed Thomas’ hand. Gazing to the side, Thomas feigned disappointment like a child who was denied a toy.

“But I love scheming, especially with you.”

Joe checked his watch.

“We’ll do it later, please.”

“Fine.”

The sky remained pitch black. Joe managed to resist Thomas derailing the conversation into discussing art about four times. He preferred the discussions about engineering, and them propping up each other’s egos. That eventually ended in a hug.

Joe held Thomas in his embrace. They swayed from side to side a couple times. Thomas began to hum, a tune that seemed sweet at first, until it was Radiohead. But Joe continued to rock with their subtle motions. Thomas quickly switched tracks as Joe leaned in to him further. For a moment, it seemed as though an impenetrable barrier had formed around them; nothing could possibly enter, not even the wind, or sound or light. Joe almost couldn’t stand it. This was absurd! Him and the fiend. But it wasn’t his fiend, was it? Thomas’ tune rambled on. He cracked his eyes open, peering past his arm. Thankfully Thomas didn’t take notice of his shudder. He stared at the two figures in the near distance to the point his eye stung. 

Bugbo. Why.

His heart sank when Gerbo walked out in front of him. He tried to slip a hand out of his hug, slashing his neck with his index finger repeatedly. Bugbo tilted his head in a smooth, linear motion. Do not. He held his hand out and flicked it, winding it back and making as big of a motion as possible. His panicked when he could only hear his shuffling, Thomas silent. In a flash, he pinched Thomas’ face with both hands and dragged it down to his own. Thomas, a little surprised, just began closing his eyes, leaning in once again. 

“What are you doing out at this hour, Joe?” 

Chapter Text

Thomas’ eyes snapped open. Joe’s gradient went blue. Thomas slowly turned his head, not even leaving his hunched position. Joe waved his hands in his face, but it was two late. Bugbo remained completely still as Thomas let out a nasty, drawn out growl. An intense stare reciprocated, freakish green met black and white. 

“Hello, Tom.” 

Thomas remained in place, he took one look at Joe, which made him take a step back in fear. He breathed.

“Leave.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m afraid you’re being-“

“Errrugh.” Thomas kicked the ground. His shoe got tangled in some grass blades, which he tore to release it. “Do you ever shut up?”

“Of course! I believe the there is always a time where you need to quieten down and listen.”

Thomas nodded condescendingly as he spoke.

“Listening is the foundation of strong communication. As you know.”

Thomas’ eyes narrowed, his pupils barely shining through. 

“How interesting.” He began to pace. “I’m enjoying this communication of ours.”

“That’s awfully strange, Swatterman. You don’t tend to like me talking to you. I must ask, are you alright?”

“I suppose I am, yes.” Bugbo’s expression was unflinching. “Yes.”

Joe ran over to Gerbo while they were distracted. His gradient remained blue as he approached.

“I’m sorry.” 

Gerbo looked at him, at least his eyes were bearable to look at.

“I knew I should’ve just looked for you on my own.” Gerbo turned to look at Thomas and Bugbo’s argument.

“Don’t worry about it.” Joe signed, “I should’ve kept track of the time.” 

“But you weren’t going to be gone for two hours, were you?”

Joe paused, shuffling some grass around with his foot whilst he thought of a response.

“I thought no one would notice, I’m sorry.”

“Why not?” Gerbo looked mildly offended, but mostly sad.

“I’m sorry.”

Gerbo looked over to Thomas once more. His sharp expression and unsettling eyes made him look away.

“I know. I was thinking about it earlier.” Joe signed.

“Promise you’ll tell the truth next time?”

“I do.”

Gerbo looked at him suspiciously, before nodding. Joe found the bobbing of his bright green antennae to be amusing.

Gerbo pointed at the other two. “I’ll try to get rid of Bugbo. Have a nice evening.”

“Thank you.” Joe leaned in to hug him. But for once a hug from Thomas would be more comfortable. He couldn’t feel worse. He’d actually done it, he hurt Gerbo’s trust. That was a gnarly pit in his stomach. He thought of Gerbo’s list of places, and placing them on his own agenda. This feeling didn’t improve when he looked over at Thomas and Bugbo.

“S-stop. What have you done- to me?” Thomas was, well, crying at this point. 

“Would you like a tissue? Tears can irritate your eyes if they settle for too long.”

“You’re a monster! Compelled to harass me at no end!” Thomas sprinted over in a fit of rage and upset. He pounced at, and climbed onto Bugbo, wrapping his hands around his neck. The surface was as fixed as a tree wound into the Earth. Thomas’ feet slid along it as he scrambled up, breath hissing has he heaved.

“I’m sorry that you feel this way, but all I asked was for you to share your introspection.”

Thomas pulled at Bugbo’s neck, bringing his face in closer. His barbs for teeth made Bugbo’s irises darken slightly.

“Question after question after question. Do you ever stop, Bugbo? I beg.” Thomas tightened his hands. No effect. Bugbo spoke clear as ever.

“Have you considered talking about it with your parents?”

Those words cleared the noise from Thomas’ mind. He glared at him, his breathing heavy and beating with ire. Alas, no reaction from Bugbo.

“Yoooouuuu.” His speech more so resembled an angered puma. He let go of Bugbo’s neck and dropped to the floor, landing perfectly just below. 

“I’m done. I’m done.” There was still a lump in his throat. 

“I’m not quite sure if you are. You still seem rather upset.” 

Thomas grunted again, attempting to push Bugbo with one hand, but that just ended up pushing him away from him. He bent the plastic of his hands to clench them. His teeth felt like they were going to snap. But just before he threw a swatter up, Joe grabbed it. He nearly fell over with the force of it being pulled back down. He kept staring at Bugbo, who opted for looking at Gerbo.

With Bugbo and Gerbo dispatched, unbothered and utterly disturbed looks respectively, Joe and Thomas settled back down, if you could even say they were settled. Thomas was curled up into a wire ball and Joe sat still, eye glued to the grass below. It was like this for 15 minutes.

Joe tapped Thomas on the shoulder, which made that shoulder jostle slightly. 

“How do you bear him?” Thomas asked.

Joe rubbed Thomas’ back, which loosened him up like a woodlouse uncurling. He looked down, circle falling to the base of his orb head. 

“He helps us. I don’t know how to explain it.” 

No response. Thomas put a hand up to his chin. The feel of plastic on plastic was still odd. 

“He’s my friend Thomas.” 

“Perhaps I’ll leave talking to Bugbo with you from now on.”

“That’s a shame.”

Thomas flung his hands up.

“Oh you’re right, I’ll never stop talking to him.”

“Excuse me?”

He placed them back down, tightly wrapping his arms around his torso.

“It’s stupid, I know. I accuse him of not being able to shut up yet I’m the same.”

“Shut up?”

“Yes, such a loudmouth I am, never think before I talk. It’s how I always get into these messes.”

Joe grabbed his hand. Thomas looked away, at nothing in particular.

“You don’t,” His speaking was slow and muted, “find me too much, too loud, too annoying, do you?” His eyes had tears in them once more. Joe squeezed his hand.

“Never. Never ever ever. I promise.” 

Thomas wiped his eyes with his sleeve. 

“You’ll tell me if I do, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“But I know you never will.”

Thomas didn’t respond.

“Come on, I can hold you accountable.”

“What did you talk about with the spider?”

“His name is Gerbo, dear.”

“Gerbo. Yes.”

“Not much.”

Thomas observed how Joe’s back was completely straight against the tree they leaned on. He shallowed, remembering his argument with Bugbo. He only got a couple glimpses of his love the whole time. Focus. He exhaled.

“Would you like to stay at mine tonight?”

“That would be great, but, another night, thank you.” 

Thomas raised a brow. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Joe’s gradient went dim, “I’m too busy tomorrow.”

Thomas put a hand on top of his. 

“Busy?”

“I have to run a few errands. With them.”

“Ah.”

“Perhaps you can meet Gerbo someday.”

“Perhaps?”

Joe breathed. “He’s afraid of you.”

Afraid. Thomas bit his tongue. He was scary. But Bugbo brought it out of him! It was his fault! He imagined those blaring eyes, that smile seemingly hooked up to his eyelids. Those seething green beams left a frustrated mark on his mind.

“That’s understandable.”

Joe held his response for a moment. 

“I know it sounds stupid, but I wish we could all just be friends.”

“If only.”

“Don’t you feel lonely? In that house and all?”

“What would you define as lonely?”

“When you need people, but you don’t have anyone.”

“I tend to go about things alone. For better or worse. You?”

Joe shrugged. “I’ve changed my thoughts.”

“Hmm?”

“They praised me for being independent. But there are just some things you can’t do alone.”

Joe paused for a moment. “Bugbo made me realise that.”

“Well, well, does togetherness really make anything effortless?” Thomas giggled. He squeaked a little when Joe nudged him, hard.

“It might.” Thomas was caught up in his gradient pupil, “Look, I’m not saying you need to be friends with, or even tolerate Bugbo.”

“Mmmhmm.”

“But, I need to prove to Gerbo that, you’re not,” he looked down, “that guy.”

Thomas released a breath. 

“Perhaps a compromise is in order.” 

A compromise? Joe could just tell his gradient had warmed a little. This could work.

“Thank you darling.”

Thomas crossed his arms and snickered. “It’s an interesting team you have there. Maybe I could pick up a thing or- no steeeal. Steeeeal their secrets.” Thomas lifted his hands above his head and splayed his fingers. His smile was sickening. Joe rubbed his cheek.

“Sure.”

“Hohohoho. You might have to go over and warn them of my oncoming onslaught.”

He pulled up his watch. “Oh my! You’ll have to hurry up.” Joe’s hand was sandwiched between plastic grates and was pulled up. They then ran across shedding leather as he then wiped any grass off of his coat. Thomas did the same, except he carefully checked around for pieces to pinch and flick off. Joe rolled his eye when he pulled out a small fabric brush. To be honest, the coat demanded that treatment. It was a lovely dark blue, and so long it went down to Thomas’ knees. The material was luxuriously smooth, the lamp above giving it a gentle sheen. Joe followed it to a nearby building.  Thomas’ head tilted upward to the point his face was almost visible to Joe behind. 

“Say,” Thomas said. Joe squinted as Thomas rotated his head to face him. “let’s a play a game.”

“A game, oh joy.”

“Heheheh. A race?”

“Right.”

“Throw me.” Joe’s circle constricted to a pin prick.

“Throw you?”

“Yes. I need a challenge.” Metal struck Joe’s fist as he gave Thomas a light punch. 

“How could I expect any more from you?.” 

“I may be cruel, but I’m fair- ACK!” Thomas yelped as he was whisked off his feet. He chuckled after the surprise had settled. His coat was pulled to his chest in a stable position, before Joe winded back and launched him. It was quick, but he was soon at the peak of his flight. He opened his eyes much higher than where he expected. Not a problem. A small figure roamed the roof of the building. It caught Joe off guard when it started moving, a shadow sliding across the roof. Damnit Thomas! He bolted. Thomas leapt from each building. His coat flowed gracefully behind like a ribbon moving with dance. He appeared like a flea to Joe. Gazing at him from below, he started to slow up. With each jump he grew further away. 

“I think I should call this victory! Ha!”

Joe kicked some loose stones as Thomas blared out. He skidded in front of an alley. He was feeling mean right now.

His gradient has a slight azure tint as he exited the alley on the other side, but he kept running. For once, his relatively low, yet stable speed helped him, as he peacefully weaved through any cursed citizens that approached. Thomas would’ve just rifled through, creating a whole cluster of frightened bugs. That’s what he could remember. After a nice jog, and several annoying corners, he had arrived at his apartment building. He tensed as he looked around each side, and once again for good measure. He became more tense when he found no sign of Thomas. But then the noise returned. A flurry of incoherent remarks bounded above. Joe loosened up as Thomas skidded to a halt on top of a nearby building. And if you could see his face. Bemusement, rage and pride all in one. He climbed over the edge and pressed his feet against the wall of the building. Joe walked forward.

“RAHHHH!” Thomas screamed as he launched forward. A feral expression flashed in Joe’s eyes for a microsecond. He spun around three times just to absorb his momentum upon catching him. Thomas chuckled.

“Oh my, are you alright?” 

Joe dropped him.

“How dare!” He got up and did a whole other procedure to clean his coat.

“How do I cope with you?” Joe signed.

“I don’t know, how do you cope with someone as devilishly handsome and fiendishly agile as I?”

“Oh stop.”

“You must have an idea, please, enlighten me.” 

“I don’t.” Joe pushed him. Nothing happened. “Perhaps you’re just pathetic.”

“Maybe.” The metal of Thomas’ shoulders quickly heated up when two hands rested on them. Enlighten me. Thomas leaned his head toward Joe’s and Joe did the same with his. It was nice just holding that. They may have stood there for hours, just resting together, in spite of everything that surrounded them. Bugbo, their enemies, none of it mattered. Thomas almost couldn’t believe he was capable of such calm, but with Joe, it was hardly surprising. He would surely grow in such warm, bright conditions. That feeling of unity lingered in Joe’s mind well into the morning, and far beyond their encounter the night before.

Until next time, my sweet foe, he thought.

The end.