Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Maybe it was the streetlights shining through his window, or maybe it was the lunk of a boy who couldn’t go one night without his “emotional support human” as Jay liked to call him, pressed against his side. It also could have been the deep rumble of a dog he loathed from the pits of Hell, snoring beside him that kept the freckled boy awake. He leered at the white Pomeranian that was his mother’s pride and joy, before turning over and pulling the covers up and over the mass of hair his friends’ loved more than he could ever understand. 

The boy opted to get up, go for his usual nightly walk, but that would mean waking up not only Jay, but the damn dog. 

He sighed, debating if he really wanted to go through the trouble of waking up his future husband and trying to get a groggy giant up and out without accidently setting the house on fire. 

An angry pomeranian…

A half awakened clumsy oaf…

Grumbling to himself, he leaned his head back to survey the long haired mess his companion cherished so much. It flowed in the wind much like a Disney princess during one of those dramatic scenes he gagged at as a child. It was soft, almost coarse from what he could remember as Jay didn’t let many touch his hair often. Sometimes Evie, when the time came to brush it, but right now while he was asleep…maybe. Being that it was nearly sunrise and the two crashed on the bed as soon as their search ended for the time being, it was hard to really tell in spite of the redhead’s slow and steady breathing. 

He continued to stare at the enticing locs, reaching up only to grab his own wrist and snatch it away. 

Another attempt would have been made if it weren’t for the subtle buzz of two phones on the nearby nightstand. Much to his horror, the beefier boy shot up reaching for his device before the freckled boy could sigh in relief at the mistake he was bound to make. 

‘Dodged a bullet.’

Not wanting to seem as if he were up to something, he tilted his head up to look at the dazed eyed young adult. 

“What’s—-”

He was barely able to utter a word before Jay jumped out of bed and began scouring the room for his items; the first being a mask he was hardly seen without.The commotion was enough to awaken the creature he needn’t think less about tossing numerous times, but thankfully it didn’t seem bothered, simply curling further into the covers. He rolled his eyes, sitting up in time for a jacket to be tossed in his face. Sputtering then huffing, he grabbed the article of clothing to glare half-heartedly at his soon to be ex-husband.

His annoyance seemed to catch the now fully clothed boy’s attention because Jay looked at him with confusion then muttered an apology, walking away from the dresser where he located his pants to peck the fraternal eyed boy on the forehead.

“I’ll give you a formal apology later. We need to go, CnC.”

Carlos hummed his approval at getting the much welcomed affection. But it was only short lived, as a shirt was then tossed in his face again. This time, though slightly annoyed, he balled the attire before nailing the culprit in the back of his head.

“Will you tell me what’s going on first?”

Jay paused for a second.

The frown lines that adorned his forehead creased into deeper ones as his head tilted in the ever so cute way that made Carlos want to smother him in kisses. He refrained.

“You didn’t see the text?” Jay questioned as he pointed to the nightstand.

“Considering I’m still in the same spot, no,” he chuckled. “I was going to but someone jumped out of bed and worried me before I could.” 

‘Lies, you were staring at his ass again.’

He ignored the truth of his mind. It wasn’t easy given how often Jay would sit on his lap or let him fondle the assets as often as he pleased.

The soon to be perverted thoughts evaporated seeing the small pout on his friend’s face, his cheeks puffed as did his bottom lip jut out and his eyes…gods how could someone bigger than him be so cute? Carlos smiled nonetheless, accepting the unneeded apology as he held his hand out and rotated it slowly much to Jay’s delight. He opened his mouth, gripping the shirt thrown back at him. 

“Mal...found Evie.”

Though his voice was small, Jay spoke clearly, somewhat digging his bare toes into the hardwood with his head slightly hung low, as his eyes were forced to stay on his peppered haired friend. Carlos swore his heart would’ve popped out of his chest. Not only did he hold eye contact, but Jay even raised his voice a little so his buddy could hear. 

It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t, Carlos made sure to always hear his friend. 

The swell of pride in how far Jay had come quickly shifted into one of alarm with the news of their blue haired friend registering.

“Wait...did you just say, ‘Mal found Evie?’ ”

A shy nod. 

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?!”

It was Carlos’ turn to jump out of bed and throw on a pair of whatever was in sight at the time. The baggy clothes he wore the day before along with Harry’s jacket that he refused to give back. 

“I thought I did!”

“Yeah! In your head dummy! I can’t read minds.”

Now feeding off of his energy, the redhead smiled and moved to the unlocked window, opening it and climbing halfway out while offering a hand to his frazzled companion.

“W-Well…I just figured you could this time!”

Carlos, in the midst of putting on a much-needed headband, slowly turned his head to harden his gaze at the boy.

“Horse faeces.”

That was all it took for Jay to slap a hand on his mouth, ceasing a bark of laughter threatening to erupt from the bowels of his soul. Rolling his eyes, the smaller of the two took the hand offered to him before being pulled into the jumping chest of the boy he so desperately wanted to marry at that moment. Carlos had always been hyper focused on his Strawberry Milkshake as they were friends since long before moving to the city but he didn’t need time to tell the small things about Jay. 

Just a few seconds and he could read his anxious, adorable buddy in a heartbeat without trying. 

It wasn’t until he was pulled into his lap and their faces were within a short distance did he almost make the mistake of kissing his best friend. Thankfully, Jay had his eyes on the ground while setting Carlos on the other side of the window to his feet. Once he was sure the peppered haired boy was settled, he jumped down himself; landing beside him. He didn’t even have to smile as his eyes mirrored the sun’s rays whenever he was in a good mood. 

Once again, Carlos could feel his face warming at the sight, but it was soon short lived when Jay turned away from him to check his phone. 

A part of him died a little.

‘Get it together…it’s not even that big a deal.’

His melancholy thoughts were then interrupted by a gentle nudge to get his attention. Gods why did Jay have to be...him, it was distracting, it was annoying, it was-

“-and Mal asks if we can pick up her thing from the Tunnel.” 

He didn’t hear everything he said. Carlos cursed under his breath, subtly leaning over to view the device before nodding. 

“They’re half way across town so we’ll have time”

“I think so too and maybe we can get Evie her favourite ice cream?”

Jay spoke with a hopeful pitch in his voice, one that undoubtedly had the power to stop this boy’s heart. How could he say no to that? It was a low blow, one that Carlos bypassed by grabbing his crush’s hand and dragging him over to their bikes. Despite giving the obvious answer, the taller bean still had the undying question in his eyes to which Carlos turned away to give his heart a break.

“Yes, we can get her ice cream.”

He smiled as Jay cheered and opened his mouth to make a smart comment, when large arms encircled his waist from behind and pulled the freckled boy into a bear hug. 

“She’s going to love it, C!”

Jay beamed as he set his friend down on the back of his bike before hopping on the seat himself and beginning to peddle down the street. All the freckled boy could do was hold on tight and lay his head against the redhead’s back as he vented his worries and hopes for their Blueberry Muffin. But in the meantime, Carlos revelled in being oh so close to his favourite person.

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

Between the warmth emitting from his back, and the vibrations from Jay talking for the past thirty minutes it took them to get to the group’s hangout, Carlos had fallen asleep. Their search for a certain bluenette had taken a toll on him and ruined his sleep schedule but he wouldn’t tell her that. 

Today.

In his groggy state, the pepper haired boy sat up, allowing Jay to get up and run inside the tunnel leading to their hideout, grabbing whatever it was that was needed. No one else was around, save for a few others who were in on the news of Evie. 

As if on cue, the leading member of another group strolled by on a pair of roller blades with two others trailing behind on their bikes. He caught the eye of the boy who couldn’t put his money where his mouth was, and gave a stiff nod before continuing on.

Carlos’ eyes shifted to the other two but otherwise didn’t feel threatened. It wasn’t new to have someone go missing and even though they were rival groups, when the time came for it, everyone pulled through in the end and when the dust settled things went back to the way it was before. Fighting, insults, berating each other as if they hadn’t spent hours prior in search of someone they couldn’t care less for. 

Once everyone was well rested, well fed and clear headed, that same teen would be met with a tire iron if Carlos had anything to say about it. The other two would of course jump in, as would Uma and Mal or maybe Jay given he was always closest to him. 

“Looks like Audrey sent out the alert.”

The pepper head jumped slightly. Not from the sudden appearance but from the coldness of Jay’s hand touching the back of his neck. Carlos swatted at the limb, catching the cold look in his friend’s face as he too watched the three boys ride by; one in particular pedalling faster the moment his eyes landed on the too tall to be 21 year old. One could only assume the nervous boy remembered he and Jay’s last altercation.

“Wasn’t it Titan last week?” Carlos voiced his curiosity, being met with a solemn nod and a gentle back rub.

“Yeah...and the week before that it was Harry, before that it was Kinnedy from that weird White Fang group.”

“Things are getting way too...what’s the word for it?”

“Fucked up?” Jay snorted, mounting his bike again, smiling as Carlos’ laughed, ‘Perfect’ and kicking off the ground to pedal further into the decrepit downtown area. 

“Well, it’s always been that way, C…it was bound to happen to one of us again anyway”, Jay shrugged solemnly as Carlos sighed, resting his cheek onto the redhead’s back. Life had always been hard for any child in Auradon Central, but it didn’t have to be. The two rode throughout the market district for some time in silence, either engaging in small talk with themselves or bumping into another teen that was lucky enough to make it to their later years. It was refreshing at times. Seeing enemies work together for a common problem. 

Carlos was grateful of course, seeing how many cared about the situation and gave their all to help.

While sitting and waiting for Jay to exit the ice cream shop, the young teen surveyed the scenery. Despite seeing it hundreds of times as it was the route to Mal, Audrey and Evie’s homes respectively, he still enjoyed seeing younger children act as if nothing in their little worlds could go wrong. The gazebo stood tall as any, some from another group sat underneath, graffitied little cartoon characters or couples made their marks as he could remember Uma and Audrey doing at some point.

He fondly remembered their time a year ago, when they were fresh out of school and neither in their group wanted to go home.

“Let’s go to the park.”

Mal suggested with a shrug. 

Uncommon coming from the shortest member in their group, but it was an evening filled with so much carefree laughter. Carlos unknowingly smiled when catching the lovesick glances his berry haired girls traded with one another underneath the gazebo, while the others merrily played some feet away in the jungle gym.

‘At least some of us are getting our happy endings.’ 

He reminisced with his arms resting on the handlebars and chin on top of his forearm.

Sighing, Carlos made the mistake of fantasising about his own fairytale ending with a certain maroon haired cutie. Try as he might, he couldn’t picture himself confessing. Jay never showed interest in anything romantic, only once when confessing to the group that love was a scary topic for him. No matter if he desired to or not, the pepper haired boy was happy simply existing in Jay’s world. Just the thought alone was almost enough to make him-

“Carlos!”

The sound of Jay’s, ‘I discovered something new’ voice, startled him out of his brooding. Carlos quickly wiped his eyes before turning to see his friend. Cone in hand and ice cream already dripping down the long haired boy’s chin. With a roll of his eyes, he reached up to wipe the milky contents away when suddenly a hand on his stomach disturbed the constant butterflies fluttering around each other. ‘Why does he keep doing that?!’ His inner voice screeched followed by a warming of his cheeks that was quickly snuffed out in an effort to face his friend. Refusing to turn around, trying to calm the olympic level speed his heart raced at, the pepper haired boy took a few deep breaths before tilting his head back expecting to see another stone faced Jay, but was instead met with a starry eyed lug happily licking away at what he assumed was some variant of Rainbow Sherbert. 

“I thought you were getting that for Evie.”

Jay paused mid lick as if caught doing something he really shouldn’t have been doing, then turned his hand over to reveal a cup being held up by a pinky and clutched on tightly with a middle and ring finger, while the cone was latched tightly between his index and thumb.

“I’d never forget about our Christmas Eve.”

He stated matter of factly, once again getting on the bike for the last time until reaching Mal’s home.

“You know if she were here when you said that, she’d deck you right?”

“Totally worth it!”

Carlos snickered into Jay’s broad back, arms circling his somewhat shaped frame ending with his hands near his chest. It took every ounce of self-control to stop himself from gripping the bubble pecks he knew were there, instead choosing to focus on the string of messages he’d missed in their group chat.

Had they gotten everything? Probably not, considering it was 8AM when he glanced at the time on his phone as he reread their group chat. Not all the merchant stores were open. Knowing this, Carlos nibbled on his bottom lip as he ‘tsked’ with a frown in place.

CuddlyHotAss Today at 3:56

Evie’s safe

Head to my place

Grab clothes, doesn't matter from who

Plums

Food (Evie’s comfort food)

Gtg Evie needs me </3 

LankyBoiGoBrrrrr Today at 4:00

Evie!!

My bebe livs!!

I’ll get her food

After i SLEEP <3 <3 <3

MiseryComfortsMe Today at 4:00

Daz gay lol

See you hoes in an hour <3

Nvm @10 Audrey’s tired but sends love

iTSpUpCuPP Today at 7:57

Be there soon

Got Eve Ice Cream :3

Put clothes on nasties

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:01

Fuck off flat ass

Thanks for the ice cream <33333

Jay’s laugh pulled his attention away from his phone.

“What?”

“Nothing…just think you’re funny.”

Carlos leaned back to stare at the back of his friend’s head in wonder. His chest swelled, thighs rubbing together as a too wide smile spread across his features. Despite knowing the taller boy couldn’t see, he still leaned forward pressing his forehead into the centre of the redhead’s back to hide his now glowing features.

Unbeknownst to him, Jay saw his smile and it was enough to make his own pull against his mask.

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

Though their journey wasn’t as long as he wished, the boys made it in record time. Jay felt a pang of guilt knowing he’d have to wake up Carlos, who had taken every opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Deciding to sit and text their group chat for a moment, the redhead stayed as still as possible to not stir his companion. 

HugMeImStillScared Today at 8:27

im depresso espresso 

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:27

whts new?

com up windw open

HugMeImStillScared Today at 8:28

One hand? 

Why the window?

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:30

bc E on tip

stfu nasti

on arm 2

i refuse 2 wec her

frnt dor lckd 

HugMeImStillScared         Today at 8:33

no comment ;3

cuddle pile?!?!?!?

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:34

u wec her uo 

i wll snatch u

HugMeImStillScared Today at 8:34

the only word i could understand was ‘snatch’ lol

it’s hard to take your threats seriously when you can’t type

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:36

fuk u

com up so I cn kik ur ass

HugMeImStillScared Today at 8:38

you love my thicc boi ass 

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:40

id luv ti stab it rn

btw u forgot 2 cc s

thicccc boi ass

HugMeImStillScared Today at 8:41

fuck yeah

it chonk

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:41

te chonki o chonks lol

iTSpUpCuPP Today at 8:41

Go flirt in dms i'm trying to sleep

CuddlyHotAss Today at 8:42

lol

she woke up

bite my shiny metal ass!!!!

Jay caught a glimpse of Mal’s text before turning to see the giggling boy slowly lift his head. He couldn’t help but stare at the exposed part of his stomach when Carlos lifted his arms to stretch. Wondering briefly if he’d get the chance to give his friend belly rubs like the freckled boy had done for him many times before. Carlos, yawning, looking around the surrounding area then his eyes gazed at the row houses they were stationed in front of.

“How long have we been sitting?”

Jay shrugged. “About ten-twelve minutes.”

“You let me sleep for a bit longer?”

“Well…I figured you were still tired so why not?”

Carlos didn’t miss a beat, leaning forward to give his friend a brief hug. It was short, it was simple, the redhead could even feel Carlos’ lips pressing against the centre of his back, but it ended too quickly. It was too short, not long enough to embrace the tender hug that let him know who it was that was touching him. Jay didn’t move from his spot as the boy now stood beside him; eyes glued to his phone while he yawned, muttering an ‘excuse me’ when the freckled boy hadn’t covered his mouth.

His mouth. 

His lips.

The adorable curve that bore the scar of a burn from when his partner in crime couldn’t wait for his soup to cool.

‘I wonder if we'd last long…’ Jay settled into his melancholy thoughts. He let them swarm his mind, wrap around him like bindings against his wrists, neck and ankles while attached to chains weighed him down. When he opened his eyes, it was as if the hole in his chest felt like it should. 

Home.

The redhead allowed numbness to lock away feelings he knew were wrong. Not because of his father’s word or his mother’s concerns, but Carlos would be better off with a king. A towering, strong and passionate person who wasn’t trapped in their mind and hid behind a mask. Tears threatened to fall. They only turned hot as they reminded the boy of why he knew his friend should never find out his inner thoughts. His doubts, his urges to cuddle with the boy day in and day out. He’d always been soft hearted.

‘Pathetic.’ The larger of the two reached up, pretending to fix his hair under the beanie in order to wipe the single tear that didn’t listen like the others did.

His harmful thoughts reached their limit for the day. Anymore and he wouldn’t be able to shut off his mind. 

‘Thinking too much about him is dangerous.’ Jay outwardly sighed and leaned back against Carlos’ chest, happy to let his little Cookies ‘n Cream wrap slender yet muscular arms around his shoulder with hands draped over his chest.

Being able to be like this.

It was enough.

It had to be enough…

After a moment of the two basking in each other’s presence, Carlos, like many times before, took the first steps guiding the two to their next destination. Jay happily followed, walking his bike to the back of the purplette’s home with ease and resting it on the side of the tree that was as tall, if not more than the barely standing two flat house. 

The taller of the two briefly wondered if the girls could see them. He knew it wouldn’t be hard considering the window sat just on the side of the home but, Jay had seen Mal stick her head out of it enough times to know she could see the front of the house if she tried. 

“Dammit Mal…”

Jay settled at his spot, right next to Carlos. 

Always next to his friend.

The redhead grimaced. That word felt like the last time he was punched in the mouth and all he could taste was iron for a few days.

“Something wrong?” he asked nonchalantly with a tilt of his head.

Carlos avoided looking at him but pointed up the two-story building and with a grunt said, “she knows damn well I can’t climb.”

Chapter Text

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A chuckle.

A small giggle.

A poorly concealed laugh.

A very distinct laugh that allowed the wounded soldier to awaken from her slumber with a much-needed smile. Evie didn’t remember falling asleep on her Knight’s chest, nor could she recall how she’d gotten to Mal’s house in the first place. But having her first view of the day be the faintest of smiles while dusty green hues focused on a TV in the corner of her room was…poetic. Nothing Emily Dickinson could have written, but maybe Edger Alan Poe? No. No one could recreate how enraptured she became whenever the two were alone. Nor could they understand how Evie’s fingers twitched just to caress, no, hover over Mal's space since the fear of tainting someone so magnetic was too much. 

Rather, that was until memories of last night began to filter into the bluenette’s mind like the trickling of rain sliding off of a tree trunk.

Evie’s brow furrowed. Eyes squinted momentarily. Finally, a redness took over tanned cheeks and with widening eyes, the bluenette replayed the previous night’s events her mind revealed in her wakening stages.

‘I couldn’t have at least five more minutes, could I?’

In her fading daze, she gripped the Mal's sports bra in order to—

Evie only then realised Mal was shirtless. As if controlled by an outerforce, her gaze snapped to the young woman's torso, lingering for a brief moment on the bookworm’s athletic build. The growing redness felt hotter compared to the warmth that slowly accumulated in the seconds she spent ogling at her Knight. Not wanting to appear like a starved dog staring intently at the top of soft creamy mounds directly in front of her, Evie settled for lifting her head ever so slightly to push her face into Mal’s neck.

This time, Evie could feel the lift in the purplette’s cheeks as her faint smile shifted to a delighted grin. 

“Morning, Panda.” The girl’s head titled, resting the side of her jaw against the top of Evie’s head. 

“How’d you know I was awake?”

“When you see something you like, your gaze feels like a hand hovering over an open flame”—Mal laid her phone down on her stomach before resting the same hand on the one still gripping her bra—“plus you always do this when you’re waking up.”

A faint sprinkle of pink spread across the bridge of her nose and once more, Mal relished in how easy it was to make the bluenette lose what little was left of her mind. 

“I do not.” Her friend’s shoulder shook from bubbling laughter.

Mal’s grin remained but the silent beat of her heart began to quicken at the sight. The snort in her laugh, the subtle yet present smile lines…gods even the crinkle in her nose…all of it took the purplette’s will to live and gave reason to it.

Evie was…breathtaking.

Unlike her current bedmate, Mal reached out, gently tucking fallen strands behind her ear. And with a lack of filter as well as an amount of boldness that could rival Jay’s height, asked, “has anyone ever told you, you look like the sun and moon had a love child?” Not letting Evie’s confusion last very long, she continued with a phrase that left wedding bells ringing in her ears.

“I ask because, like the harvest moon, beauty like yours comes around once every three years and yet…” Mal paused, breathing faintly whilst staring into her Blue Panda’s eyes. “It feels like I get to witness yours for a lifetime.”

As per usual of the purplette’s charm, she ended by taking Evie’s hand and kissing the base of her palm.

“How is it that every morning you’re able to make me melt?” Evie smiled drunkenly watching her Knight lace their fingers together and gods did she want to be closer.

Mal always treated her as if they’d only have one more day to bask in each other’s space. Evie thrived in the attention she received, and none could compare to the way her dragon cradled her world in her arms, kissed the back of her hand or…or took care of the wounds she knew would leave a permanent reminder of how little she was loved. The lids of her eyes lowered as more memories of the previous day continued to flood her mind. The drive…the screaming…the begging to not be left behind, fear and self-loathing tried to eat away at her tender heart only for it to be shoved aside when roughened lips pressed against her forehead and another against the sad girl’s nose. It was then that Evie began to swoon again. 

The tenderness, the promises, the kiss…all of it was enough for Evie to look at this ethereal young woman with a yearning for something greater than physical bonding. There was something else or maybe it was just her way with words.

Setting her phone aside to turn and lay on her side, Mal leaned in to press a still bandaged forehead against her princess’ bare one. 

‘So, it wasn’t a dream…’ her thoughts trailed while reaching up to gently cradle the side of Mal’s head and rub a thumb tenderly over the blood-stained cotton.

Her brow furrowed and eyes took a knowing look once her friend grabbed her hand and resumed their hand hold. 

“It’s not hard when my reason is right here in front of me.”

By the gods she wished her legs would move. Evie would give anything to climb on top of the girl of her dreams so that well built arms could encircle her waist, but that wouldn’t happen again for a long time. Thus, the more wounded of the two settled for using Mal’s bicep as a pillow when offered. Her lids shut once she could feel their bond encasing the two in a galaxy of their own. With an arm draped over the bluenette’s side and the other gently scritching the back of her head, Evie nestled back into Mal’s chest, only this time she could hear her Knight’s heart pound as loud as her own did whenever they were alone. It felt as if nothing else mattered but them.

“Before you open that snake mouth of yours again,” she snorted when Mal gawked, feigning offence, encouraging the bluenette to smack her chest and ignore the bark of laughter. 

“What are your pronouns, today?”

Mal hadn’t the slightest clue and already used the remaining braincell she shared with Harry to come up a corny line for Evie, she opened her mouth to respond but words were quickly apprehended by a yawn and soon forgotten in the span of a few seconds. Not wanting to be rude, she turned her head to release the offending thief then turned back to a snickering girl.

“Give me an hour and I’ll figure it ou—damnit!”

Another yawn so rudely snatched the remainder of her sentence much to Evie’s amusement. 

“Apparently I'm still asleep,” she grumbled.

It was Mal’s turn to feel the warmth of Evie’s palm against her cheek; fingertips slowly brushed the underside of her jaw then back up, finding a home in the curve to settle behind her ear. Those same fingertips started toying with the bottom of her lobe. Now those pale cheeks Evie loved to colour with various makeups of her Knight’s choosing burned a rosy pink. Green eyes glossed over once the corner of Evie’s bottom lip was caught between sharper than normal canines.

Mal was sure she would’ve drooled if it weren’t for the playful tone as her Blue Panda spoke just loud enough to hear over the buzz of her brain shutting off.

“You are awake, silly.”

Evie giggled, much to the dismay of Mal, who begged for her mind to function for two seconds around this woman.

Though she fought a good fight, nothing could’ve prepared for the low blow delivered in a way that left the shorter being defenceless. Her Princess gently gripped the side of her face, tugging ever so lightly until their noses pressed against one another as they did last night.

“I know because I’m talking to the most enchanting being I’ve ever set my eyes on.”, Evie said whilst snuggling closer into her chest then looking up at her with eyes that left the poor woman’s heart in a defenceless state.

If they were in a cartoon, Evie swore steam would have out her friend’s ears like a roaring engine. Mal, with widened eyes, released a close-mouthed scream before turning away and ignoring her cackling best friend to hide the bright red she knew covered her face. 

Mal was sure her soul would somehow explode.

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

“Mal?”

Evie cursed the smallness in her voice, but Mal didn’t seem perturbed by it. In fact, the shorter of the two turned away from old cartoons to give her full attention. After much bargaining with her mind to restart her heart, Mal’s previous dying inside had since simmered down but there was still a hint of pink over the bridge of her cute small nose. Sadly, this was the part where the bluenette would get so excited she’d pounce on her friend for providing the bare minimum, but now wasn’t the time. 

With as much self-restraint as she could muster, Evie leaned back slightly to view the object of her fantasies’ reaction.

“What are we?”

Without missing a beat, Mal, again, looked to her lips then back up to meet her gaze. 

“Bold of you to assume I have the slightest idea.”

A silent invitation was offered but she couldn’t. Not just yet. Something told the blue haired girl to wait.

“I have a few…thoughts.”

“Are they bad thoughts or cute thoughts?” Mal’s voice wavered with a slightly creased brow and followed by a clearing of her throat as they enquired with faux confidence. 

The taller of the two eyed the swell of her lips, tracing over the scar received from hot soup, down to the conflicting emotions that swarmed in her Knight’s eyes. 

Gods, what Evie would give to caress those baby soft cheeks again and kiss away the fear, the doubt, the…maybe not the desire behind such an intoxicating gaze…or how pupils dilated once they travelled lower than her nose. Another blush rose to the surface, but the fluster was easily brushed away once a craving took over and Evie slid her hand down to rest on her friend’s athletic stomach. She giggled with a closed mouth when the muscles jumped at her delicate turning firm touch.

“Whenever I think of you, I have thoughts ,” she resisted the impulse to groan, “but none are bad thoughts.”

Mal once again gaped at Evie and rather than responding like a normal human being, the purplette stared bug eyed at the boldness of the girl in her arms.

“Since when did you get so bold?” she teased.

“Since I became best friends with you.” 

Evie’s little cat biting cardboard smile sparked that familiar feeling of wanting to smother the poor girl but hearing that word.

Being called a ‘friend’ was like being spit on in her mind. It left a sour taste in her mouth, one that made Mal grimace but understanding. She blamed it on habit considering they grew up together and decided to focus on how adorable the girl in her arms looked with the incoming light shining down on her.

She was sure somewhere it was illegal for someone to look at her with lidded eyes softened at the edges, a hand on her chest preventing any form of escape, and the confident curve of her lips. Maybe the implication was to tease or maybe Evie was no longer holding herself back.

That question alone both scared and enticed Mal to lean in and kiss the girl’s forehead.

‘When she’s ready.’

Although they missed the instinctual following of her lips, she heard the girl of her dreams sigh lovingly while melting against her affections, and Mal was left with a feeling of pride. 

“I’m not sure what we are but I know one thing.”

“What?”

“That we’re a team and no one can take that away from us.”

Nodding, though not too happy, they couldn’t come up with something right then and there. The taller girl resumed her position of laying pressed into the side of a slim-fit body. Granted, a lot did happen in the span of 32 hours and Evie was more than positive her purple haired companion hadn’t actually let herself feel everything that transpired. One minute she was in the car being dropped off to meet up with said girl and the next, she was—

“Shit,” she hissed, hand flying down to grip the back of her knee since touching her calves was out of the question. But for a second, the bluenette noticed how white the bandages were. Momentarily she’d forgotten her pain realising the one on Mal’s forehead was still blood caked and falling off at the edges.

‘Why didn’t she—’

A part of her wanted to be upset, unable to adjust herself without bumping her legs together, but as soon as another hiss of pain escaped, calloused hands braced the back of her thigh and carefully lifted her right leg. The throbbing lingered somewhat but that ounce of frustration was quickly replaced with a giddy feeling. 

“What’s wrong?”

Her Knight’s demeanour changed completely.

No longer was Mal calm, jokey and relaxed, now she was the doting dragon that once travelled to the far North of the city to the only store that carried her Princess’ favourite flowers. Then brought them to her in the dead of night, in the middle of a rainstorm, to apologise for an argument; all because she thought Evie was hurt by her words.

“What do you need, Panda? I’ll get it for you.” Not a second passed of Mal observing the bane of Evie’s current existence when speaking again in a rushed tone, “are you uncomfortable? I can massage your legs again—-or are they stiff? Because if they are I can help you move them around a bit…or are you just hungry? Shit! I forgot HareBear’s coming back with your food!”

Not giving her Blue Panda, the chance to speak, Mal reached for her forgotten phone to text the orange haired boy. Widened eyes were packed with alarm and urgency while one hand was used to type messily and the other braced against the blue haired girl’s thigh to help keep her legs from touching. 

“I’ll tell him to get you some—?!”

A hand grabbed her chin and turned it to face the amused girl. Evie smiled endearingly, moving said appendage to smooth out the furrow in Mal’s brow with her thumb, then shifted slightly to cup the frantic girl’s cheek.

“Settle down, my Dragon,” she cooed whilst propping herself up to kiss the tension out of such a caring yet panic-struck mind. Evie whispered softly, unable to fix her saddened expression coming face to face with a dirty bandage. “I’m fine, I just wish-”, her eyes flitted between the gauze and fret filled eyes, before mustering up what she hoped was a smile. “-I could lay on you is all.”

“But, that could hurt you…”

At least the feeling was mutual. 

Already set on accepting her fate, it seemed as if her purple haired Flurry had other plans. Much like the previous night, Mal treated her body as if it’d shatter at the slightest motion, as if being too quick or too rough would cause even a dollop of pain. With the gentleness of someone transporting glass, the shorter of the two sat up quickly to shift her lower half while scooping Evie’s legs and carefully laying them between her own. She made sure to keep Evie’s left propped up. Mal then laid back down after grabbing her Blue Panda’s right leg and pulled it higher to rest at her upper thigh. Afterwards she slid a right arm under Evie and lifted her so that she could somewhat lay on her favourite spot.

Once again settled comfortably, her left hand rested on the underside of her friend’s thigh, beaming at her Princess with a silent request for praise.

“Better?”

‘Don’tScreamDon’tScreamDon’tScreamDon’tScream Don’t. You. Fucking. Scream ,’ her inner voice chanted. Evie couldn’t help but stare, resting her chin against the top of her Dragon’s chest.

Between the waggle in her brows, the strength she had to not only lift her but to do it laying down, and the care it took to do so, Evie felt as if her heart would burst.

Mal was…she snorted seeing such an adorable childlike expression and the wide eyed look of an achievement accomplished in her eyes. The ombre girl laughed, fighting the urge to kiss the dork in front of her till neither had breath to give.

“Much much better, thank you for being so amazing to me, my baby dragon~”

“Again with the compliments!”

Mal fought with her throat to not make the same sound as before, being able to barely swallow the noise and expelling her fluster through slightly flared nostrils.

Evie burst into a loud, belly rolling laugh, her eyes filled with flowing purple hearts. Mal was…so cute.

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

“Where are the boys?”

Evie, still settled into her now calm friend? Friend with benefits? She shuddered at the thought. No, absolutely not something she’d wish on anyone. They were much more than that basic title. Something with a little more than just pleasure to gain. Mal wasn't the type and she didn’t treat her as if they were an arrangement despite the two only kissing three times; once under the gazebo when they were sure no one was there to witness and twice last night when…when Mal made her feel as if every little bad thing was nothing in comparison. 

“It’s only been twenty minutes since you woke up. They should be here,” Mal said with a knit in her brow and checked her phone.

Still, Evie was more than happy to keep those memories under lock and key.

There was too much of what Mal was willing to give for them to just be friends. Or maybe, just maybe her future wife was waiting for her. 

“They could be giving us some extra alone time~” Evie teased.

“I wish,” Mal snorted, not looking away from her phone, but she soon set it aside once confirming their ‘alone time’ would be short lived. She huffed, turning her torso back to wrap a free arm around the blue haired girl’s waist and play in her hair.

“Uma, Aud, and Harry are on their way and the soft bois are outside.” she grumbled softly, trailing off as if lost in a world unknown to the living.

Although the gentle pets were very much welcomed, Evie grimaced thinking she was in no position to have someone play in her dirty hair. Trying to let it last as long as possible, it wasn’t until deft fingers found their way into the roots of her hair to massage the base of her skull did Evie reach and reluctantly pat Mal’s right hand away. The sudden action paused her ministrations which earned a look of a kicked puppy.

Grey eyes offered an apology while her lips pulled into a sheepish smile.

“I know, I know, I need to clean it.” Sighing and not wanting to face the girl of her daydreams, she pushed her nose further into the space where the shoulder and purple hair met. At least, that’s what she attempted to do. It seemed as if Mal had other plans with the way her head reared back to view the conflict on her face that she knew was there. 

“Your hair is clean, though.”

Not believing it at first, Evie eyed her bedmate skeptically while she grabbed a loc of hair and smelled. Eyes widening half a centimetre, the young woman pushed till she sat up running fingers through soft black and blue ombre hair that smelled of walking through a forest after it rained. She smelled again, this time closing her eyes to allow the many memories of the two going off on their own because Mal wanted to show her something cool. Again. It was the time Mal came running out of class just to carry her books. Again. Mal beamed with pride and a bloody nose from doing something stupid. Again. Her eyes had opened, a ghost of a smile making its way to the girl’s face as she slowly turned to view her worried future wife.

Not even giving the shorter girl a chance to speak, Evie asked breathlessly, “You washed my hair? When?”

Going so far as to pull the bundle in her grasp to marvel at just how soft it felt to the touch, she concluded that yes, Mal, in fact, washed it. The girl even brushed it the way she liked!

“Last night when you fell asleep in the tub.”

With Mal laying down and her propped up on one arm, looking at the girl was as if she were in the presence of someone from another world. Purple hair splayed out on the dark blue silk pillow in short waves transitioning from the whites of barely kept roots to a preferred shade of a dark royal purple. While Mal was busy inspecting the black to blue ombre hair cascading down onto the covers, she was deafened by the sound of wedding bells and hard rock music.

“I need to brush it again,” Mal spoke mindlessly stroking her hair.

This was her breaking point.

“You washed it the way I do.” Evie said thoughtfully, continuing to effortlessly run her fingers through the strands that were once covered in dirt and sweat.

“I’ve watched you enough times to know how to do it by now.”

Her Knight chuckled, cutting the charming sound when a pair of hands braced on either side of the purplette’s head. Whether it was due to the surprise of Evie now hovering over or if Mal was just as smitten as she was, the shorter girl exhaled slowly unable to stop the affections she was oh so ready to give from showing through her eyes, allowing herself to be drawn in as if it were she who had been bewitched. 

Such a silly, true thought.

“C-Can I kiss you?”

Despite her Forever on the verge of tears, Mal did nothing to dry them. In fact, she looked up at Evie with an unreadable expression. 

‘Was it too much?’ Evie nearly panicked, poor memories attempted to flood her mind reminding her of why she was abandoned until another crooked smile broke through her Knight’s shock. That same one that eased her fears as it did when they were younger.

“You can kiss me whenever you want, Panda,” Mal spoke, leaning into Evie’s palm.

“W-What if I want to give you more than one?”, she rushed out unable to catch her thoughts forming another blush that swarmed her cheeks.

The hands on her pillows trembled. They shook and gripped ever so lightly as if wanting to move but something held the taller one back. Understandably Mal carefully pulled her Panda down to lay back on her front. Once Evie seemed to relax a little, she took her hands and placed them on either side of her face where the bluenette had a habit of grabbing. Evie froze, the bottom of her lip slipping between her teeth, afraid she’d accidentally harm the pale skin in her grasp but it ceased the second Mal cradled them in her own. She gently caressed Evie’s palms with soft-rough thumbs that seemed to soothe the nerves beginning to eat away at her girl. 

Her girl…

‘That has a nice ring to it,’ Mal thought with a hum.

Evie had always belonged to her, not officially yet, but it never ceased to amaze just how long her Blue Panda stuck by her. The times they fought, they made up, they laughed…all of that went out the window in mere minutes when her other half disappeared. All of it would have been a plague on her mind if she sat by and did nothing. If this beautifully talented and relentless girl hadn’t shown up on her doorstep, Mal was positive she’d never return until she was able to hold her again. 

Unlike the fairest in the land who couldn’t hide her feelings as well as Mal could, she cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and grabbed the back of Evie’s head, pulling until their lips were only a fraction apart. The sudden motion was enough to startle her poor Panda, but with the ever-growing ego that powered her poetic nature to a possibly unhealthy degree, she spoke softly against those lips worth living for, “Then give me enough to return my breath to the heavens.”

‘Always let her make the first move…’

Mal fought the instinct to devour her frie—her girl, she couldn’t wait any longer. The hunger. Her thoughts had been consumed by the blue haired girl willing yet hesitant to cross that line again. The girl’s eyes held that same fear in them, the uncertainty, the same yearning she’d seen since the two grew close. Her Princess just needed a little push is all and always being the one to encourage Evie to go for what she wanted; Mal took Evie’s hand down from her face to rest against her chest, right against her heart.

“It’s yours, Princess,” she spoke gently. “Take it”

Evie caressing her cheek that awakened the bees sleeping soundly in Mal’s stomach and mumbled something but with her attention focused on counting the number of eyelashes that had the privilege to be a part of someone she’d starve for, Mal wasn’t given the chance to speak as…

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

Though neither of the boys knew what to expect when coming eye level with Mal’s bedroom window, the last of thoughts that came to mind were seeing a curtain of blue hair blocking their view of the two cuddling on the bed, preventing anyone from breaking the bubble the berry girls were able to create around them. Days could have passed, and they would’ve had no idea if it weren’t for outside forces bringing them back to reality.

Mal wore a fitted sports bra with a pair of Peppa Pig boxers filled with holes and Evie dressed in a footless penguin onesie three times her size; with the legs rolled up to just above her knees revealing gauze wrapped from the top of her knee to leaving just her toes exposed. Aside from his sudden worry for why or how his Berry Mochi had gotten so injured, Carlos had a sneaking suspicion they missed out on something life changing. When Evie finally moved down to rest her chin on the purplette’s chest, both were flushed, inches away from sharing a kiss and Mal had the look of a starved dog in her eyes staring at the girl. But, aside from their usual cuddle position, and the two exchanging hushed words that were only meant for them to hear, there was nothing photo worthy much to the freckled boy’s dismay. 

Though neither boy could hear what they were talking about, whatever it was made Evie laugh loudly, enough that it was heard albeit muffled through the window’s thick glass, and for Mal to grin bashfully.

“Why are you grumbling so much?”

There was humour behind Jay’s muddled voice, as his nose was buried into the fluffy salted pepper curls atop his head, and it made him smile. Had he been making noises? Carlos shrugged at the thought when addressing the redhead, who had him against his front and propped up on one leg, his hands and remaining foot being used to keep them safely on the tree’s thick branch.

“I was-” he began while leaning forward to press against cold, dew covered glass, gripping the front of the strawberry boy’s shirt to shove the window open; mostly startling Evie while at the same time causing Mal to slowly turn her head, just to give them an incredulous look, “hoping that we’d see something blackmail worthy!”

After the initial shock, the purple haired female rolled her eyes and flipped him off. Evie however beamed seeing two of her five favourite miscreants. In all her excitement, she managed to cover her partner’s ears, resting forearms on either of Mal’s shoulders, enough to push up and greet them properly.

“My babies!” she exclaimed rather loudly much to the trio’s amusement. The girls watched their effeminate friend clamber into the room, nearly losing his balance and hilariously trampling over Mal, who protested with colourful language, in an effort to get his hands on the equally excited Bluenette. Meanwhile, Jay climbed in with a little less enthusiasm but was greeted by the amusing sight of Mal accepting her fate. She stared at him with not a soul left in her body as the two energetic bodies somehow nestled against her front.

The much taller boy chuckled, shutting the window and kneeled beside his trapped friend and hovered a bit to avoid getting chinbutt by the two talking adamantly atop of his friend.

“Hey, CuddleBug.” his eyes trailed to the bandage on her forehead before shutting with how wide his smile grew at seeing her.

“Hey-!” Mal wheezed when Carlos adjusted his position to also settle on her chest, “SnuggleBug—SweetKing! You do realise I’m, like, not even that big right?!” she inquired, glaring at the freckled boy who somehow was able to squeeze himself next to Evie without knocking her off the bed. The young man put a finger to her lips continuing his conversation with Evie and, as a result, the long haired twins were lucky enough to witness the first few seconds of ‘did he just-’ and ‘this little bastard ’ run across Mal’s face before she bit it. 

The freckled lad yelped followed by the two adamantly going back and forth over why it was/wasn’t okay to bite your friends. 

While Mal was currently winning the slow growing argument, Carlos began fuming, still clutching his throbbing finger using rabies as an excuse. In the meantime, Jay moved down to greet his other closest friend. Realising there wasn’t much chance to get closer, Evie had the perfect opportunity to watch the gears turn in his head. His eyes scanned the scene before him, travelling from Carlos to her and back before he nodded to himself and lowered down to rest back on his knees then lay the top of his chest, neck and chin against Carlos’ side.

“Hey, Christmas Eve.” He beamed cutely, too focused on the wiggly girl that cupped his face to hear the tiny shriek from his new neck rest or the hysterical cackle from Mal. 

“Hey, BunBun.” She grasped his cloth covered cheeks squishing them together, cooing at her adorable Easter Bunny.

Jay’s eyes closed, leaning into the warmth of her palms, internally sighing. The redhead held her wrists and pushed his face deeper into the hands that were always there to comfort him on nights when the streetlights wouldn’t come on, and the rooms of their hangout were much too cold to rest in. Feeling her thumbs stroke and smush his face coaxed the smallest laugh out of him, one he was sure Mal would’ve teased him for if she heard. In fact, Mal would’ve poked and tickled at his sides, turning his shy laughter into one that would echo off the thin walls of the rundown house, making his CuddleBug satisfied with her work. Jay nestled further into Carlos’ side, trying his best to be as close to his friends as possible to indulge in their space, but the fullness that inflated the smaller man's chest soon disappeared. His heart dragged into his stomach when he noticed the bandages on her legs. Upon further inspection, the strawberry haired boy glanced towards the bucket in the corner of the room to find worn, bloody rags with an unreadable expression. His brow creased, turning back to Evie, who looked prepared to either answer his questions or deflect. It was hard to tell, at least until her slightly upbeat mood dissipated the moment, he eyed the embarrassment she desperately wanted to hide.

Unable to withdraw her legs from view like she wanted, Evie settled on a better distraction instead, gasping loudly and widening her eyes followed by her rapidly slapping Mal’s stomach to get her attention. Carlos was startled upright, forcing Jay to rise and shuffle out the way of his Princ–salt peppered friend from rolling over. Either that or it was because Mal shot up and the freckled lad moved to avoid getting headbutt. 

“What? What’s wrong?!” Mal grabbed her hand, holding it and rubbing her thumb across the back in a comforting way. 

Evie would’ve melted if she didn’t remember she was avoiding an embarrassing topic. 

“My phone.” Three quizzical looks went in her direction, and she rolled her eyes. “I need it.”

More blank stares made Evie wonder briefly how long it would take all three of them to screw in a lightbulb. She deadpanned, turning her hand over to squeeze her Knight’s hand. 

“So, I can text the group chat and let the others know I’m awake??” She spoke slowly as if getting a toddler to understand. Only then did it seem as if someone was home in Mal’s brain because she said a silent ‘oh’ before pointing to the fractured table behind her bed. 

“Carlos, you’re closer and lazy. Can you grab it for me?” 

“Ex-cuse me?” 

Before the two could go back and forth again, Jay shook his head, deciding to grab the dusty and bloodied device. After pulling it off the charging port, he paused, briefly inspecting the stone cut screen before passing it on to the boy of his drea–Carlos. His cheeks flushed while he lightly scolded himself for the small mental mistake. 

Thank gods he wore a mask. 

His attention was drawn to the boy so close to him once again. Jay had to fight the urge to bury his face back in the floof of coiled hair that smelled of a pinewood forest. 

‘Carlos’ favourite picnic place,’ the teen prided himself on remembering the small but significant detail. 

He beamed behind his mask noticing his Cookies ‘n’ Cream must’ve had the same thoughts as he did when looking at the phone. His brow was furrowed and his lips pulled into a thin line, but it was soon snatched out of his hand by none other than Mal, who gave both of them a look. The two kept their questions to themselves. For now. 

Evie smiled gratefully, taking the phone from her also curious Knight and busying herself with reading over the missed messages first before sending a lengthy detailed message to their group chat.

~~~~~~

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 9:56

I lived bitches!!!

ItsBuildABitch      Today at 9:56

ASHDAHISABCUSAMY BITCH!

MOTHERFUCKER WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!

ITSPUpCuPP      Today at 9:57

LANGUAGE

ItsBuildABitch      Today at 9:58

Listen bottom 

My girl has been gone for too fucking long do NOT start with me!

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 9:59

She’s my girl too you know! 

And if I recall i’m not the only bottom here

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:00

u 2 ar dum

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:00 

Speaking of one 

protest when you can type lol

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:01

It’s called a service dom you fuck

You are literally right next to me

Dont make me strangle you

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:02

How when Evie’s on your lap! (denial was a river in egypt)

Aren’t her legs like snapped in half or something?

It’d be a crime to move such a fragile baby :’)

ItsBuildABitch      Today at 10:03

YOUR LEGS ARE BROKEN?!

WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?! 

wait you’re too smart to do Mal, Uma and Harry shenanigans 

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU?!

MiseryComfortsMe      Today at 10:04

@ItsBuildABitch babe…I am RIGHT NEXT TO YOU! 

WHAT DID I DO?! 

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:05

WHO’RE YOU CALLING FRAGILE?!

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:05

You, miss sobbing over a HORROR MOVIE

LankyBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:06

@ItsBuildABitch I’m just trying to exist TwT

Why the fuck did I get dragged into this?! Also Mal I’m at your front door <3

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:06

It’s called being sensitive pick up a dictionary 

AND MY LEGS ARE NOT BROKEN

I can’t move them! huge difference 

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:07

BITCH YOU CRIED OVER SOMEONE GETTING CUT IN HALF

LankyBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:07

@CuddlyHotAss Maaaallll let me iiiin

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:08

FUCK THE GIRL

THERE WAS AN ADORABLE PUPPY IN THE BACKGROUND THAT WAS KICKED!  

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:09

Tbh I can’t complain

I do do dumb shit 

But I make it cute so fuck off

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:09

As true as that is, stop it. get some help

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:10

*sobbing*

In my defence

It’s mostly bc im clumsy af

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:11

I know and for some reason I find it adorable 

Also very concerning but at least I get to catch you~

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:11

No comment… <3

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:10

@Moooom they’re flirting again ;-;

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:12

I will throw you >_>

@LankyBoiGoBrrrr KK Carlos on his way down

Give him a sec he tumbled 

ItsBuildABitch      Today at 10:14

@ITSpUpCuPP i got this son 

Wait…so @SoftBoiGoBrrrr your legs are just really sore?

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:17

Yes! 

They aren’t broken! I can’t move them for some reason and it’s annoying!

I’m like partially crippled or something 

….that felt offensive on so many levels ;-; I’ll cry about it later 

ItsBuildABitch       Today at 10:18

So basically…Mal was just way too rough with you?

Oh okay btw Mal we’re down the street <3

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:18

WAHT KINA CONFLUSION IS THT?!

MiseryComfortsMe      Today at 10:18

I nearly had a stroke trying to read that XDDDDD

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:20

////////

Compared to what actually happened i’d take that in a heartbeat 

CuddlyHotAss      Today at 10:20

PANDA U’R NIT HLPING! 

SoftBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:21

Well what was I SUPPOSED to do?

Lie!

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I HATE LYING!

ITSpUpCuPP      Today at 10:22

Sooo what DID happen? and why do i hear the sound of a train whistle?

btw i didn’t tumble I tripped THEN tumbled 

Get it right babes :*

MiseryComfortsMe      Today at 10:22

Didn’t trains go extinct back in 2022? XD

LankyBoiGoBrrrr      Today at 10:24

I saw it through the front window I give that landing a 10/10

Lol yeah I heard it too and I’m outside…wtf was that?

RIP bruda’s ass tho

HugMeImStillScared      Today at 10:28

I think you guys broke Mal she’s not breathing

And her face is extremely red now she’s covering it with a pillow

And screaming

HugMeImStillScared      Today at 10:32

Wait trains can go extinct?

~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

After staring at his freckled fiend for a short while through the cracked entryway window and rightfully laughing his ass off watching the poor wounded soldier belly-crawl the rest of the way to the door, Harry stared at his fellow survivor with a snickering grin. 

“You alright there BoyBoy?” he asked, crouching down to the salt-pepper head’s level.

Carlos, after much silence, lifted his head with a lone tear and outstretched hand trying to make himself appear as helpless as possible. 

“NO!” he wailed, letting his head fall back to the hardwood floor. The sudden yell got another cackle out of the lanky alt boy while his fiend whined about his hindquarters and waved his arm around wanting to be carried. Harry snorted, resting an arm on his knee before pretending to try to grab the boy’s hand. 

No more than ten seconds passed before Carlos glared at him.

“Grab it already!”

“Stop moving it then!” Harry shot back with equal furiosity. 

Finally doing what his BoyBoy wanted, Harry slung his fiend’s arm over his shoulder then scooped the rest of him into his long awaiting arms. Carlos, for all but a moment, made eye contact with his saviour as if he were going to thank him and possibly swoon if it weren’t for the taller jackass tossing him over his shoulder like a ripoff Santa you’d see at the mall. Shocked, betrayed, and feeling like a dead pig on a farmer’s shoulder, Carlos noticed the knapsack in his right hand while his left was hooked around his waist to keep him from falling off. 

After successfully processing what happened, the freckled boy’s face flushed and he bonked the boy on his head while screaming, “PUT ME DOWN!”

“I CAN’T CARRY YOU AND MY BAG!” Harry yelled back humorously.

“I’M WEARING A SKIRT, YOU WHORE!” 

“Wait, isn't that the one we found a week ago at Target?” Evie questioned, partially listening to the usual antics that were The Carlos and Harry Getting Along Show, as she and Jay fanned the bumbling flustered mess that was Mal. At least when she stopped screaming, his Christmas Eve shook her head, finding the girl under her cute. But her attention was brought back by a loud slap followed by more shouting of her friends.

“OW! QUIT HITTING ME!” Harry shouted. 

“THEN PUT ME DOWN!”

“WHAT’S THE ISSUE?”

The two winced hearing another… slap? Was it a slap to the face or the boy’s back? They weren’t too sure but were equally concerned.

“It’s the camouflage one that’s like frilled but not frilled?...like it’s wavy at the bottom and comes to the midthigh,” the strawberry lad tried explaining while pointing to where it would come, using Mal’s leg since Evie’s were hanging over the side of the bed out of reach. “To about here and I noticed him tucking it under while we were on my bike so it didn’t fly up.” Evie snorted when Mal swatted at his hand, finally coming out of her brain fog. 

“Why am I the example?”

“Because you and PupCup are the same height,” he stated matter of factly, shrugging. His CuddlleBug opened her mouth to comment but was cut off by Carlos’ high pitch yelling and all three turned to the door as the footsteps grew closer.

“I CAN FEEL A BREEZE!  PUT ME DOWN!”

“CAN’T, WE’RE GOING UP THE STAIRS!”

“Oh right! I know that one! We found it in Target about a week ago looking for supplies.” Evie smiled fondly, remembering the little trip they’d taken. The building wasn’t too damaged save for most of the roof having caved in, the tops of the walls covered in vines, flowers and the floors were like a small field amongst rubble. While thinking of the spontaneous shopping trip with Carlos and their pink haired fashion icon, the trio jumped, hearing a very loud skin on skin slap followed by a shriek and another noise that sounded very close to a stack of books hitting the floor. 

Three sets of eyes varying from worry to confusion met in the middle. They wondered if they should help or prepare an early grave for their tangerine haired Toaster Strudel.

It was Jay opening his mouth to voice the thoughts shared between the small portion of their group, but each head quickly turned to the door that was slammed open revealing a very annoyed Carlos holding Harry’s knapsack. But Harry was nowhere to be found. 

Mal peeked behind her SweetKing to see if the tallest boy was on the floor or something, but it was nothing but a barren hallway before the door was shut.

“Are you-” Evie was cut off by the soured look of an extremely frazzled and flustered boy fixing his skirt with a grumble. 

“Sorry about that,” he exhaled once satisfied with his work. Then he beamed innocently, “had to take care of some… business. ”

Shortly after was the sound of boots racing up the stairs. The freckled teen took a step to the left to avoid the door as it slammed open again. Only this time a very out of breath Harry stared daggers at the smiling culprit. 

“Harry…the fuck happened to you?” Mal asked, attempting to sit up from her laid position. But she froze, feeling a hand idly caress her stomach. Not wanting to fight the calming sensation, she chose to stay like she was. No use getting Evie to stop. It felt good. Mal justified herself with the fact that she was no longer interested in the boys’ antics.

‘They can duke it out themselves,’ she thought, bracing a hand on Evie’s waist who was busy looking through the bag of goodies and petting the purplette’s stomach.

“He pushed me down the fucking stairs!” he exclaimed, pointing accusedly at Carlos, now seated with his side pressed against a shy beaming Jay happily munching away on a stale sugar cookie. 

“Yeah! Because you slapped my ass!” Carlos barked back.

“It was a light tap at best!”

“Listen you toe sucker, I hurt my ass when I landed!”

“Who’s fault is that?!”

Carlos pointed at Mal. “Hers for having shitty stairs!”

Mal, who was in heaven at this point, holding the bowl of melted ice cream for her Panda, was taken aback by the accusation. Though she refused to yell with Evie so close to her. 

“How the fuck is that my fault?!” 

“It just is.” Harry ganged up on the annoyed homeowner, high-fiving the salt-peppered teen once they were close enough. The tangerine haired teen, was quick to deflect the girl’s hardened glare in favour of giving his favourite lovebug a much deserved greeting. He leaned in close, waiting for Evie to look away from her sweet treat. When she did, her eyes crossed in an effort to look at him. As a result he gave her a tiny peck on her nose making it crinkle before he was pecked back, leaving a sweet drippy rainbow on the tip of it. 

Harry didn’t mind modifying their normal greeting. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to tell Evie was in no shape to be picked up and slammed onto a soft surface into the tightest hug imaginable. Her average-height-legs wouldn’t be able to handle all of that excited love he had to give, so against his true urges, the tallest lad was more than happy with playing her blue locs; he watched as she did her little happy wiggle when getting good food but noticed something a little different this time. 

The room already divulged into silence, as per usual when food was involved, or they managed to get the TV to work. On any typical day, he’d also find himself lost in his favourite shows, but this time his attention was caught by his sweet and sour fruity friend. Mal wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. She wasn’t feeding Evie or doting on her too much, just simply watching their mutual friend. Maybe he hit his head a bit too hard on that last step. Maybe he was looking for tiny bread crumbs he could eat up that fueled one of his favourite ships. Or maybe, it was the smallest most endearing smile he’d ever witnessed on the purplette’s face. The way her eyes shined when the two locked eyes and the cheesiest grin he’d ever gotten the chance to witness when Evie’s eyes lit up at receiving a cookie from Jay. Well, it was half a cookie but the girl was still happy regardless, given his fellow large boi hardly shared his food. 

He watched as Mal reached up, grabbing Evie’s wrist and pulling till the edge of the cookie met her lips. It was intense from where Harry was observing, his heart pounded in his chest, wondering who would make the first move. Would Evie give in or take back her snack? He wasn’t sure. The anticipation was killing him, the wait only a few seconds but still. He dared not look away and he was happy he didn’t because Evie shoved half of the cookie in the girl’s mouth making Mal sputter but take a bite. She fixated on  the bluenette’s baffled but amused expression. Meanwhile Evie avoided eye contact, nibbling on the remainder of it. 

Harry was also bamboozled, confused, perplexed, by what just happened, but it enticed another round of laughter he struggled to hold back. 

Hearing him choke, the other boys looked at him either annoyed, concerned, or curious as to what was so funny.

The pierced man cleared his throat, blaming a funny memory while taking a few deep breaths to calm himself before propping himself up on an elbow and looking at the two ladies with a conniving smile.

“So what happened?”

Caught off guard by the cheesing cheeto puff, the girls, now invested, eyed him weirdly. 

“With what?” Evie questioned realising he was talking to her, watching the tangerine haired lad plop on the bed while opening her mouth to take another spoon full of Jay’s ‘Welcome Back’ treat.

He’d have made a comment about how cute the two were if it wouldn’t result in him getting hit with a shoe. He’d already bumped his head on the way down from Carlos earlier, he wasn’t ready to earn another bump on the noggin. Instead, he chose a different approach; he opened their group chat on a worn down android that somehow still worked after taking as many beatings as its owner over the years. 

“With this.” He pointed to Audrey’s text with a teasing grin. “What does it mean?” He played coy and once the two caught on to what he was insinuating he was fortunate enough to witness his girls turn into a pair of sputtering messes.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Evie refused, just as red faced as Mal. 

“But I do,” Jay chimed in, short circuiting for a split second when Carlos pushed his head on his chest to get comfortable. “A-Audrey made a comment about them sleeping together.” 

Harry snorted, getting more comfortable scrolling through their chat and with a raised brow and bad intentions he side eyed the two. “I mean…did you?”

The three boys watched as Mal struggled to hold herself back from throwing whatever was in arm's reach, as was her typical reaction. But given the only options were Evie and her ice cream, there was no ammo within range which only left her to use her words.

“NO!” Upon realising how quickly she rejected the idea, Mal looked back at Evie hoping her outburst wasn’t offensive but seeing the dejected look in those grey eyes. “It’s not like I don’t want to!” She quickly tried to fix her mistake, unable to meet her Evie’s gaze missing the small smile in place, “I-I mean it’s…it’s not something we’ve talked about a-and we aren’t even dating yet!!”

Evie, deciding now was the best time to save her rambling girl, began rubbing her stomach again while she covered her eyes wishing she were anywhere but there. “What she means is-”

“Is that she wants to and that’s all that matters!” Harry laughed using his arms to block the pillow Evie assaulted him with. Mal eventually took her weapon of choice away from the cackling jackal and sat up, pulling the bluenette into a hug in order to hide her face in her hair while Evie yelled at their friend to shut up. 

“Bastard,” Grimace Shake grumbled, relaxing once having her Panda snuggled up to her. 

Harry, still laughing at the chaos he successfully caused, reached back, took his bag from Carlos, ignored his fiend’s complaints, and pulled out a ripe plum to hand to her.

“I’m sorry?”

Her eyes narrowed. “No you aren’t.” He giggled when she still snatched it and took a bite. She lowered it to give Evie the rest as he pulled out three more for the two to enjoy. 

“Bastard.” 

Mal cracked a smile when he and the two boys burst into a simulatanious laugh. Shaking her head, she took a bite of another plum while cradling Evie. She made sure the trio with no brain cells weren't looking and pushed her face down to kiss the blue haired’s cheek. As a result, Evie tucked her head under her chin, bumping it up as she got in a more comfortable position to see the TV better. 

“Wait.” The others either turned or tilted their heads back to give Jay their full attention, “Where are Uma and Audrey?”

~~~~~~