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Chapter Text

Joe slowly sat himself up as he rubbed his eyes. He looked around him and noticed it was quiet. Frowning, he decided to stand up and wander around for a bit. He was in a park, but it seemed to not be so busy. The trees swayed in the wind, and the sun was just starting to rise in the sky. He took a quick look at himself. Joe noticed he had on a pair of jeans, a sky blue shirt, and a pair of old shoes. He frowned again before focusing intensely on himself for a bit longer. Soon stopping, he shook his head. Trying but failing to piece together anything else he could about where he was. He considered asking around, but nobody was here. Joe decided to continue walking. At this point it was all he could do to keep himself from getting upset. He walked for hours, now passing by the many people roaming around. It was getting busier, and he was getting more hopeless by the minute. With each step he felt so out of place, but he knew he had to keep going on. Eventually Joe gathered up the courage to figure things out. He stopped to ask someone where he was, the woman laughing after he had asked the question. She told him anyway, and a sense of curiosity wrapped around him while she walked off. "Staten Island, never heard of it", Joe muttered to himself. Relieved to at least know where he was now, he decided to make his way out of the park and into the city around him. It wasn't that much different than the park, Joe thought to himself. Noticing the hustle and bustle of the city was much like where he just was. Joe saw everyone around him with things to do, places to be, family and friends. It brought a hint of sadness to his face. He was very alone and it was a feeling he did not like. Before he could do anything else, his stomach growled. Joe put a hand to his stomach in hopes the noise would dissipate. However, it growled again. He frowned, trying his best to ignore the cries from his stomach as he continued to walk. The pain wouldn't let up, so he decided to find somewhere quiet to take a breather. A thought soon came to mind as he found himself in an empty alley way. He looked around for a moment before determining it to be the perfect spot. Joe felt around his pockets for anything he could have on himself, but found nothing. A frown soon formed on his face, and he furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Who am I?" Joe questioned to himself as his face was painted with a look of sadness.

Chapter Text

It was afternoon the next day, and Joe found himself still in the alleyway. He just had woken up and rubbed his eyes. Joe stretched before looking around him, getting used to his surroundings again. He wanted to stay still there for a while longer but a shouting rung at his ears. Joe found himself running off as a man berated him for standing on his property. He frowned, making sure he was far enough away from the man so there'd be no more trouble. Sighing, he managed to put the incident behind him and continue on. Walking for a long while not even resting one moment. People stared at him, but he didn't mind it. Joe just wanted some awnsers, and he wanted to find them out on his own. Walking was all he could do. Taking in the sights to see if anything familiar came to mind. With every passing building he recognized nothing and with every passing person he recognized no one. Joe frowned, looking down at the ground as he continued on. Not wanting to take another look at anything else for the day. Without even realizing it he bumped into someone after a while.

"Oh sorry." Joe murmured as the man smiled at him.

"There's no need to be sorry." The man spoke. He took notice of the other man's outfit. It was simple, he liked that. He noted as the man wandered away. The man also took note of his tone of voice, it felt sad. "I hope he's alright." He spoke when he found himself far away from the guy. Joe soon found himself alone again, that notice the only positive interaction he has had thus far. He had hoped maybe, just maybe this person would be kind enough to help him. Although Joe wanted to find his memories on his own, he still needed a job and a stable place to stay. The streets couldn't hold him forever. The realization hit him that he wouldn't see this man again. He noted the mass amount of people who roamed around here. A tear fell on Joe's cheek as he wiped it away. Joe was sure maybe somebody else would be so nice to him, but that wasn't the case. He tried to find somewhere else to relax, but he soon found himself dodging an array of food waste that was thrown at him. When Joe then found somewhere else a bit later, a similar incident happened. He was shooed away again, not even a single hint of a positive interaction to be found. The sadness he felt earlier was now even stronger, and the pain in his heart grew more. His stomach growled too, but he learned to ignore it. Knowing full well nobody would be giving him anything. Not even a single drop of water or scraps of food. Joe finally found himself in an area with a few trees. He decided to sit down and mull things over, before eventually curling up in a ball. Slowly drifting off to sleep as the sun set around him.

Chapter Text

The next day came about rather quickly, and Joe found himself wandering around the city again. He still looked like a clueless child, but nobody wanted to help him. It had been three days now since he woke up, and nothing came to mind. Everything to him was still a big blank and it really made him upset. He frowned as he found himself back to a familiar place again. Joe looked around for a bit. He noticed a restraunt nearby and decided to hide. Hopeful maybe somebody would throw away some food he could eat. Or at least, take some pity on him and get him some help. However, he knew that nobody would be willing enough to help him, and that made him sad. Thinking about it, he didn't really want much help anyways, just a bite to eat. Joe sighed. He decided to shake himself from his thoughts and focus on his task at hand. He perked up a bit as he heard voices. Upon closer inspection he noticed the man he ran into the other day was here, and with some friends. They seemed to be having a good time. He frowned again, as he decided to listen in on their conversation. Longing for the relationship they all had together. Maybe he had that too with people, he thought as he listened to them.

"Look I'm telling you, going big is better." One man remarked.

"I don't think so. Don't be an idiot." The man Joe knew responded.

"The only idiot here is you Murr, you fucking dope." The guy retorted. Murr rolled his eyes. So that's his name, Joe thought as he continued to listen in. After a bit Murr decided to get up, and he spotted Joe. A hint of confusion lined Murr's face as he spoke to Joe.

"Huh? Are you..." Murr trailed off. "Hey wait a minute I remember you, from the other day. You bumped into me." Murr remarked as Joe nodded before looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry." Joe spoke, a hint of sadness in his voice. Murr felt bad for him, and let out a soft smile. Putting a hand on his shoulder as Joe looked up to see the man smiling.

"You don't need to be sorry for that I told you." Murr responded as Joe shook his head.

"For watching you, I'm sorry. I'll go." Joe spoke while Murr reached out and grabbed his hand.

"You don't have to leave, come, have a seat." Murr guided him to the table. The two friends of Murr's looking up at the new invited guest.

"So I see we're just inviting anyone now." One guy remarked as the other playfully shoved him.

"These idiot lovebirds are my friends, Q and Sal." Murr responded as Q and Sal kissed. They quickly broke away.

"You better watch it Murr." Sal remarked, causing Joe to laugh. Q took Sal's hand in his.

"It's nice to meet you again uh..." Murr trailed off. Joe looked at him for a moment in confusion, before blurting out the first name that came to his mind.

"Joe." He responded.

"That's a nice name." Murr responded with a smile.

"Thank you." Joe spoke. His tummy growled, and the trio noticed. Joe looked embarassed as he glanced at the trio.

"Hungry? You can have this, I won't be finishing it anyway." Q remarked, sliding the food over to Joe. He smiled as he took a bite.

"Weren't you wearing that yesterday?" Murr asked, taking notice of Joe's appearance.

"Uh... uhm no." Joe lied, causing Murr to raise an eyebrow. Q and Sal laughed at the interaction.

"You shouldn't lie to people, just a heads up." Murr responded.

"Sorry." Joe responded.

"You don't have to be sorry. For anything." Murr remarked. Joe smiled as he finished his food. Watching as the three friends kept talking. Eventually stopping as they noticed Joe had finished. He soon got up and waved at the trio.

"Thank you, bye." Joe spoke, but Q was quick to stop him.

"Why the rush to leave?" Q asked.

"I am going home." Joe lied.

"Well alright then, see you around I guess." Sal responded and walked off.

"HEY ASSHOLE WAIT UP!" Q shouted as he ran after Sal. Catching up to him as he took his hand in his.

"I better get going too, bye." Murr spoke, hurrying to catch up with his friends. Joe found himself alone again. Murr looked back at him.

"I think he's homeless." Murr remarked.

"Well what are we gonna do? We're just three losers." Sal spoke. Mur rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Two losers." Q cut in.

"Uh I don't think so. You being a fireman on call doesn't make you cool." Sal retorted as the trio laughed.

"I feel so bad for him." Murr spoke. Breaking the quick silence that soon followed their laughter.

"We don't even know if it's true." Sal responded.

"Well there's only one way to find out." Q remarked. Taking Sal's hand in his as the trio set off to find him. It didn't take them long to track down Joe again, who had only walked a bit away from the restraunt.

"Need a lift?" Sal asked. The trio looked at Joe as he shook his head.

"I'm fine, thank you." Joe lied. "Bye." He waved and wandered off. Going out of sight as Q frowned.

"That wasn't very reassuring." Q responded.

"I hope he really is alright." Murr spoke under his breath as the trio wandered away. Joe found himself alone again, the thoughts racing through his head as he took in what had just happened. People being nice to him, what an odd occurance, he thought. Deciding to go take a rest as the sky started to turn dark.

Chapter Text

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Murr spoke upon noticing the man trying to dig out of the trash. Joe was shocked at the sudden noise he had heard. He soon looked up at Murr and his friends sheepishly. It was the next day during the afternoon as Joe stood near a garbage can. He was digging through it moments ago to try to find something to eat, but came up empty. This was the same routine for his whole entire day so far, and it disappointed him that he still couldn't find any food to eat. Joe stopped his searching when he heard Murr and his friends. They stood right next to him with shocked looks on their faces. Joe was upset that he was both caught and interupted from his activity thanks to these three.

"But..." Joe trailed off as the trio looked at him full of concern and worry.

"So that's why you were so hungry yesterday. It all makes sense." Sal responded. Joe shook his head and stammered a bit. The three still looked at him, awaiting a response. Joe tried to come up with something clever but couldn't get anything to come to mind.

"I uh no you see uh... fuck." Joe spoke, causing the three to laugh. Joe put a hand behind his head and frowned. His stomach soon growled, and he rushed to cover it with his hand. The trio took notice of this. Q then spoke.

"If everything is not alright, you can always let us know. No need to resort to doing... that." Q pointed at the trash can Joe just dug out of. Joe let out a quick scoff.

"Seems better than whatever the hell your doing." Joe retorted. Q rolled his eyes. Murr and Sal just watched the two, and laughed a little bit. Joe was not amused by this laughter he had just heard.

"I'd much rather bother you than dig for trash." Q responded. Joe frowned. Wishing that the three would go away so he could be in peace, somewhat. However, he knew that wouldn't really be possible.

"I think I'd go dumpster diving." Murr responded, causing Sal to look at him in disgust.

"Oh yeah, and what would you find? Yourself?" Sal retorted. Murr rolled his eyes as Q laughed alongside Sal. Joe looked at the three in envy and awe of their close friendship. He wanted something just like that, he thought to himself as the conversation continued.

"Laugh all you want now but someday your gonna regret saying that." Murr joked. Playfully shoving Sal while Q started to get annoyed.

"Back on topic..." Q trailed off. Murr and Sal looked at Q for a moment before the realization hit them. Joe was amused at how quickly the three could be so silly. He kept that thought in mind as he thought about what to do. A voice soon shook him from his thoughts.

"OH! Sorry!" Murr exclaimed. Sal put a hand behind his head nervously. Q frowned.

"So what should we do?" Q asked the two. Murr shrugged his shoulders as a joke. This did not amuse Q, who just wanted to handle the situation in a normal fashion. He figured they'd have time to joke around later anyway.

"About what?" Sal asked. Q slapped him on the shoulder. Now not caring anymore about being so serious. Letting it lose a bit right in front of Joe. Sal winced in pain as Q let out a small chuckle. Murr rolled his eyes at his friends antics.

"Pay attention you dunce." Q retorted. Sal stuck his tounge out. Murr laughed at Sal, and in response Sal stuck up the middle finger at him. Murr pretended to be shocked at that gesture, before turning his attention back to the matter at hand. He looked at Joe in full seriousness now. Not breaking away despite the fact that Sal kept trying to tease him. Q slapped Sal on the cheek to get him to stop it, but Murr was still focused on Joe. Sal stopped trying to tease Murr and instead frowned. He and Q stared at Joe now, waiting for what was to come next.

"Why are you still out here? The full truth, don't lie to me." Murr spoke. Joe looked at the ground and frowned, before looking up to face Murr.

"Um... I don't... I'm sorry." Joe spoke, a hint of sadness in his tone of voice. Murr and his friends looked at Joe with both concern and worry once more. Noticing the sad tone of his voice, and the upset look plastered on his face. Joe had to hold back his tears as the trio listened to him.

"For what?" Murr asked. Joe sighed, deciding to open up to them and come clean. It couldn't hurt, he thought to himself. Thinking back to a moment earlier and what he observed. Maybe he could trust these three, he remarked to himself.

"I am sorry for not telling you the truth. I don't have anywhere to go. I'll leave, bye." Joe walked off but Murr quickly grabbed his arm. Sal and Q just stood there dumbfounded at Murr's sudden burst of movement.

"Your not going anywhere, come on buddy. Let's go home." Murr responded. Joe looked at the trio in a bout of confusion for a moment. Before he decided to question what Murr had just said to him.

"Home?" Joe questioned the response as Murr nodded. Q let out a smile, and Sal put a thumbs up. The two trying to lighten the mood while Murr was speaking to Joe.

"Yeah, our apartment. We've always got room for one more." Murr responded. Joe smiled at the trio, his new found friends. He let his thoughts run wild in regards to this. Excited that he finally had people that would help him and care about him in this tough time.

"Thanks." Joe remarked as the trio smiled at him. Q ruffled his hair while they walked off.

Chapter Text

"Again with that outfit?" Q asks. It was a few hours later. The four of them were in the living room. The three of them sat on the couch as Joe wandered into the room. Wearing the same outfit he woke up in, much to the annoyance of his friends. Joe loved this outfit, and figured it would help him remember his past. However, his friends didn't know that. It was a secret he wanted to keep, and he wondered how long he'd be able to hide it from them. He didn't stay to his thoughts very long, as he wanted to speak with his friends. He composed himself as he looked at the trio.

"Yes it's mine." Joe comments. The three groan and look at him. They are unamused by his comment, but Joe wasn't intrested in hearing about his outfit for the upteenth time. Instead, he hoped the topic would soon change. However, he was still being hounded for it, much to his annoyance on the subject.

"You've worn that for like two weeks." Murr retorted. Joe didn't care, and rolled his eyes. He knew nothing they said to him would get him to put on something else, and he was content with that.

"So?" Joe responded. Murr sighed, knowing he wouldn't be able to convince the man to change. Q and Sal meanwhile looked annoyed at their friend.

"Whatever at least your dressed. Come on." Murr responded. Joe felt good that he secured a small victory.

"Where are we going?" Joe asked, confused. Sal decided to have a little fun with Joe by teasing him. In hopes that the negative energy would be dispersed.

"We are staying here you idiot, but dinner is ready." Sal responded. All four of them started to laugh. Including Joe, who was amused by the comment more than the others were. Sal was ecstatic in his head that he was able to secure a small, positive moment amidst all the bad.

"Stop being a douche." Murr retorted back. Sal rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a douchebag." Sal responded.

"We're all douchbags Sal." Murr spoke.

"Even me!? I'm offended." Joe joked as Q playfully slapped him. The rest of the evening was spent in this fashion. The four making jokes and having a good time. However, when it was time to wind down, Q noticed Joe was looking down. He pulled Sal and Murr to the side for a moment to talk. Concerned and worried for his new friend.

"Hey you guys notice Joe? He seems... off." Q spoke. Murr and Sal both shook their heads.

"Well he was fine earlier." Murr remarked before looking at Joe. He saw how upset Joe now looked, and felt bad.

"He seems so sad and lonely." Sal frowned, now noticing how glum he looked.

"Beneath that hidden exterior is a heart full of laughter. What we just witnessed is proof of that." Murr spoke. Q and Sal both nodded in agreement.

"Yeah but... he doesn't deserve any of this. He should be happy and laughing all the time." Q responded.

"If only life worked that way Q." Sal remarked.

"Well it's better he's here, more of a possibility for that." Murr commented.

"You think we should go check on him at least?" Sal asked. Breaking the short silence that followed Murr's comment.

"If you want, I'm going to bed." Murr responded. Sal wasn't amused by this, and punched Murr in the shoulder. Murr silently called out in pain before glaring at Sal, whom was laughing. Q let out a sigh at his friends ridiculous antics. Usually he tolerated them, but in this moment he grew annoyed.

"No the fuck you are not. Get over here." Sal retorted, grabbing Murr's arm and dragging him towards Joe. Q was already there, having left moments ago to avoid Sal and Murr's ridiculous nonsence.

"Oh hi." Joe responded. The three looked at him in both concern and worry.

"This ugly looking ferret would like to talk to you." Sal sneared, breaking his look in favor of a quick laugh. Hopeful this would give Joe some amusement. Murr grew angry at this comment.

"I am not ugly! You dick." Murr retorted. Joe laughed and smiled at his friends.

"You three are hilarious." Joe responded. The trio smiled and were amused.

"As always." Q remarked. The four sat and talked again for a bit, making sure Joe was alright before heading off to go lay down. As Joe lay on the couch, he let his mind wander. Hopeful that something would come back to him, but nothing ever did. All he wanted was his memories to return, and he couldn't stand it anymore that he felt so empty. It broke his heart that he couldn't remember anything, not a single thing. Every time he tried to think, he came up blank. Not even a single positive thought rushed through his head. Just a pitch black emptiness where his memories once stood. Nobody could understand him, what he was going though, what he is experiencing. Not even his friends could understand his pain, and this also upset him. Joe felt so isolated and alone, he just wanted to feel better. He had his friends, but he figured they'd just ditch him after he told them the truth. People don't take too kindly to liars anyway, he felt. Joe's thoughts just kept wandering for a while, it was a constant non stop rush of negative emotions one after another. He soon had enough of this. Frustrated, he closed his eyes. Wrapping a blanket around himself as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

"I think it's best if you wear something else. People are gonna start thinking your crazy." Murr remarked. It was two weeks later after they had decided to take Joe home with them. Murr didn't hesitate to help him after noticing he was homeless. However, he didn't think his new friend would continue to wear his same outfit, and not take advantage of being in a safer space. This upset him, but at least Joe was safe, and that mattered a lot to him. Currently the four were in the living room chatting for a while. Joe had wandered into the room a bit ago after getting cleaned up a bit, and the three couldn't help but bother him again about his clothes. For two weeks now, Joe wore the same outfit in their apartment, everyday, every moment, it was a constant non stop with this outfit. It really did annoy his friends, but he didn't care. He felt comfortable, and knew he'd remember himself soon enough. Joe shook his head at Murr's comment.

"Dude I think people already think that." Sal retorted as Joe rolled his eyes.

"Yeah buddy you've been wearing that outfit for at least a month, it's a bit much." Q remarked. Joe however still didn't care. His friends were full of worry and concern for him because of this.

"So? It's mine." Joe responded. Hopeful that his friends would just drop the subject already. He was sick and tired of hearing about it from them, it made him angry and annoyed. His friends didn't care, and insisted on bothering him about changing every chance they could get.

"That's what you said the last time." Q responded. Sal and Murr nodded in agreement.

"Just go change man it's not that difficult." Murr commented. Joe still remained firm on his idea to keep wearing these clothes. Nothing they could say or do would make him change his mind.

"No thanks." Joe remarked. The trio were not satisfied with that response. Murr had an idea.

"Suit yourself." Murr spoke. Quickly rushing over to Joe and pulling his pants down. Joe was shocked at what just had happened to him.

"HEY!" Joe shouted as the trio laughed at him. He pulled his pants up and shoved Murr.

"Will you seriously please change? It's both concerning and annoying." Q remarked. Joe still refused to change his clothes. They were his after all, and all he had to his name. He still wanted to remember who he is, and figured these clothes would help him. As much as they haven't helped him yet he still held out hope. However, his friends still didn't know this was his reason for constantly wearing them.

"I said no." Joe responded before walking away. Murr was fustrated with Joe and his instance on wearing that outfit once again. He sighed before turning to face his friends.

"What's his deal?" Murr asked. Sal and Q shrugged their shoulders in response.

"Don't know don't care sick and tired of washing that shirt, and those pants." Sal responded.

"I'm sure eventually he'll get tired of it, right?" Q nervously chuckled. Murr frowned.

"I doubt it. He seems dead set on wearing that for the rest of his life." Murr remarked.

"We should do something about it." Q responded. Sal looked at Q and shook his head.

"What do you mean we? Deal with it yourself dickweed." Sal retorted. Q went wide eyed at his response.

"I thought you said you were sick and tired of washing his clothes." Q spoke.

"Oh I am, but that doesn't mean I wanna do anything. Too tired." Sal responded. Q didn't buy this, and decided to chew out Sal.

"No your not, fucking liar. Q retorted. Murr laughed. Sal rolled his eyes.

"You two are so silly." Murr responded. Q smiled in response.

"You too ferret." Sal retorted back. Murr frowned at the mention of being called a ferret.

"Again with the ferret nonsense? Come on give me a break." Murr remarked. Sal and Q shook their heads.

"You know you love it." Sal teased his friend. Murr rolled his eyes.

"Well I mean..." Murr trailed off and sighed. "Yeah I'm a ferret laugh it up." He responded.

"Told you." Sal remarked.

"Guys this isn't the point." Q pointed out, then glared at Sal who gulped.

"Fuck what do we do?" Sal asked.

"You just said you didn't wanna help and now your gonna help?" Murr retorted.

"We have to do something." Sal responded.

"Your only saying that so Q doesn't kick your ass." Murr remarked.

"That's not true... uh..." Sal spoke.

"Come on, we've got some ideas to think up." Murr remarked as the trio wandered off into another room so that Joe couldn't hear them. He would change soon enough, Murr thought to himself.

Chapter Text

"Joe, do you have a moment?" Murr asked. "Joe?" He walked over to the couch and noticed he was still sleeping. It was the next day during the morning time. Murr smiled as he watched Joe stir a bit before locking eyes with him.

"Mhhm... Murr..." Joe rubbed his eyes. He soon sat up.

"Hey buddy. How you feeling?" Murr asked.

"I'm good mhhm." Joe responded.

"Do you have a moment buddy? We wanna talk to you." Murr asked.

"Oh?" Joe was confused. He nodded as he looked at Murr.

"It's quite important..." Murr trailed off as Q and Sal came into the room.

"I see doofus is awake." Sal joked. Joe glared at Sal.

"Not now babe." Q whined. Sal rolled his eyes and gave him a quick kiss before speaking.

"Why not now? Now is a prime opportunity to make jokes at Joe's expense." Sal remarked.

"Now is also a prime opportunity for me to kick your ass, I bet you'd like that too." Q retorted.

"Nobody is kicking anybody's ass, at least not this morning." Murr responded.

"Sounds much more entertaining then talking to Joe." Q joked. Joe playfully shoved him and rolled his eyes.

"So this is the important thing you wanted to talk to me about?" Joe asked.

"No I uh I apologize about those two dickweeds." Murr responded.

"HEY SHUT UP FERRET FACE!" Sal shouted. Joe was startled by the shouting that had just occured.

"The shouting is a bit much don't you think?" Q responded. Taking Sal's hand in his.

"It was funny, and got my point across." Sal responded.

"What point?" Murr retorted.

"That your a ferret and a loser." Sal remarked.

"I'm not a loser and me looking like a ferret is not the point of this conversation." Murr responded. Sal giggled.

"Should be." Sal muttered under his breath.

"Anyway, back on point. Joe, we care about you. Like, a lot. To see you sitting here, wearing that all the time concerns me." Murr spoke.

"But why? These are my clothes and I like them." Joe responded sadly.

"I know you like them but, Sal can't keep washing them every single day almost. It's quite tiring. Not to mention the fact that your not on the streets anymore. You can change, you don't have to be wearing that for days on end." Murr remarked.

"I like it, I won't change." Joe responded firmly.

"What a bust." Sal responded.

"Murr's right you know? We do care about you, all three of us. Even if we don't always show it." Q responded.

"Uh what Q said." Sal remarked as Q slapped him. "OW!"

"That's what you get." Q retorted. Sal kissed his cheek and took Q's hand in his before turning to look at Joe.

"We just want you to be alright. What your doing now it makes me feel something isn't fine." Sal responded.

"What do you mean?" Joe asked.

"You would tell us if something is wrong, wouldn't you?" Sal asked. Joe nodded.

"Yes." Joe responded.

"Your our best friend, we want you to be happy but also healthy." Murr responded.

"Best friend?" Joe questioned.

"Yeah buddy, best friends." Q remarked.

"I like the sound of that." Joe smiled.

"Happy to hear it." Murr remarked. Joe questioned things in his head for a moment before making a decisian. He knew things needed to change, and he couldn't hide the truth from them any longer. They were his best friends, and deserved to know what was going on.

"Guys, can we talk?" Joe asked.

Chapter Text

"What's up?" Q asked. The trio were in the living room still. Looking at Joe as he felt down.

"My best friends." Joe spoke. The trio smiled at him.

"Aw he called us his best friends." Murr remarked. Q jokingly rolled his eyes, so Joe decided to playfully shove him before getting back on point.

"Best friends don't keep secrets from each other." Joe spoke.

"That's right, they don't. Which is why if something is wrong we'd apprechiate if you told us." Murr spoke.

"I don't wanna change." Joe remarked.

"We kinda figured." Murr retorted.

"Don't worry buddy we won't make you wear something else." Q spoke.

"Yeah I'm sorry we've been pushing you." Sal responded.

"Maybe it will help me remember." Joe spoke.

"Remember what?" Sal asked.

"Everything." Joe remarked.

"What...?" Murr looked confused, as did Sal and Q.

"I'm sorry, for lying, it wasn't right." Joe responded. "I understand if you want me to leave."

"Why would we want you to leave? You did nothing wrong." Murr remarked.

"I lied." Joe responded.

"You lied plenty of times, so what?" Sal responded.

"I shouldn't have." Joe remarked and frowned.

"You said wearing this will help you remember? I don't understand." Q remarked, getting back to the original comment at hand.

"When I woke up, I was in some park somewhere. I don't know, I don't understand what happened to me. I'm confused, I'm scared, I can't..." Joe trailed off.

"It's alright don't worry calm deep breaths buddy." Sal responded.

"Why did this have to happen to me?" Joe questioned, tears streaming down his face.

"There's no need to cry man we've got you." Q remarked as the trio pulled him into a hug.

"I just wanna remember. It hurts, everything's empty." Joe responded.

"What do you mean?" Sal asked.

"I don't know who I am, I have no memories." Joe spoke coldly.

"I... I don't know what to say." Murr remarked.

"There's no need to say anything. We're best friends, it's only right I told you the truth." Joe responded.

"I have to say you did quite an impressive job of hiding that from us as long as you did." Q teased. Joe rolled his eyes.

"Wasn't worth it." Joe bluntly responded.

"You were scared, I'm sure anyone in this situation would have done the same if not similar." Q responded.

"No need to comfort me or feel sorry for me. I should just go." Joe remarked.

"No please, we need you." Murr responded.

"You'll be fine, all of you." Joe responded as he walked over and opened the door.

"No, your staying put right here." Murr remarked. Closing the door as he dragged Joe back to the living room. "Your our best friend, and best friends, don't walk out on each other."

"Thanks." Joe smiled. The thought of leaving still weighing on his mind as the trio pulled him in for a hug once again.

Chapter Text

It was morning time the next day as Joe got up. He made sure no one was in sight before he opened the door. Joe sighed as he took a look back at the apartment which he now called his home. He had made the descian last night to leave them once and for all. Wasting no time as to make sure he was gone before they had woken up. He took one final glance before closing the door to the apartment. Setting out now to find a new place in the world. He didn't wanna burden his former best friends anymore. Joe felt sick and tired of being pathetic and took matters into his own hands. He found himself walking a bit until he found his way out of the apartment complex and into the bustling street below. Joe made sure he was far away from the building so he wouldn't be found. It was a difficult choice, but one he knew he needed to make. Meanwhile, a bit later Murr started to stir. He decided to be annoying and wake the lovebirds up. Sal groaned as he threw a pillow at the door.

"Not now. Mhhm..." Sal muttered. Murr rolled his eyes as he threw the pillow back at the duo. Q, in an act of annoyance stuck up the middle finger at Murr, who laughed in response.

"Fuck off ferret." Q muttered. Sal let out a small chuckle as he held Q a bit closer now. Burying his face in Q's neck, trying to fall back asleep as Murr sighed.

"Gonna miss breakfast." Murr remarked. Sal shot up and looked at the ferret man.

"Since when do you cook?" Sal retorted.

"Maybe he just wants to burn the house down." Q huffed out a quick response to Sal's question. Murr rolled his eyes.

"I wasn't going to cook anything dumbass." Murr responded.

"Thank goodness. We don't need my co-workers rescuing you." Q teased. The duo got out of bed and followed Murr into the kitchen.

"Joe buddy, time to get up. Don't wanna sleep in too late now!" Murr shouted.

"He's right there, no need for that." Sal responded and rolled his eyes.

"I don't think so." Q remarked.

"What do you mean?" Murr asked.

"I mean Joe isn't here." Q responded.

"WHAT!?" Murr shouted, anxiety soon forming in his chest.

"He must have ran off, like he said he wanted to do last night." Sal commented.

"He's our best friend, I didn't want him to leave." Murr sobbed.

"I know, but maybe we'll find him and convince him to come back home." Q responded.

"He's out there all alone, scared, and with no memory, not even a clue of who he is. We are all he's got." Sal remarked.

"Which is all the more reason he needs to come home. We have to find him, and fast." Q commented.

"Right, let's finish up here and go." Murr responded.

"Uh, I think you might wanna reconsider when we leave." Sal commented as he looked at Murr, who was just in a pair of underwear.

"Fucking shit." Murr muttered in embarassment before he rushed to his room to change. He emerged a few minutes later, running to the front door as Sal threw a banana at him.

"Catch dumbass!" Sal shouted. Murr caught the banana and smiled before opening the door.

"Come on you dorks we have to go now!" Murr shouted. The duo sighed and caught up to Murr. Rushing out the door of the apartment complex. The trio now stood on the busy streets, taking a quick glance around.

"How do we go about this? Together? Separately?" Sal asked.

"What do you think!?" Q sarcastically responded, causing Sal to stick his tounge out at his lover. Murr meanwhile, just rolled his eyes.

"Stay together, and behave. No time for stupid jokes." Murr sternly responded.

"But... but I like being funny." Q joked.

"Yeah it's like, our whole personalities." Sal responded.

"Whatever." Murr remarked in annoyance. Spending hours with his friends trying to find Joe but with no luck.

"It's been hours, we'll never find him at this point." Sal complained.

"Well we have to try. Best friends never give up on each other." Murr remarked.

"Murr's right, come on Sally. Don't lose hope." Q remarked.

"Your so cute when you call me Sally." Sal responded, giving Q a quick kiss before taking his hands in his. Q let out a giggle before Murr shushed them.

"Do you hear that?" Murr asked. Q and Sal shrugged their shoulders.

"Hear what?" Q asked. Sal started to get a bit nervous.

"I heard something, over there." Murr pointed to a nearby alleyway. He urged the duo to follow him.

"I swear if I get jumped it's so over for you Murray." Sal remarked. When the trio arrived they noticed a man laying on the ground. It didn't take much time for them to know who it was.

"Joe..." Murr trailed off, watching as the man was peacefully sleeping on top of a dirty newspaper. Joe fluttered his eyes and started to stir a bit. Looking up for the sound that had bothered him. Joe saw Murr, and looked confused. He sat up now, as the trio decided to sit next to him. Pulling Joe in for a tight hug.

"We love you buddy, there was no need for you to run off like that." Sal spoke.

"Why would you run off? You know how much we care about you." Q remarked.

"You don't need me, your all fine." Joe spoke.

"No the fuck we are not. You know how long it took us to find you? We were so worried about you, and heartbroken that you were gone. So don't give me that we'll be fine bullshit." Murr responded, anger in his voice as Joe frowned.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want to be a burden." Joe responded.

"Your not a burden Joe, you never have been." Q remarked.

"Your our best friend, best friends aren't burdens." Sal responded.

"Well, maybe Sal is." Murr retorted. Causing Sal to shove him. Joe laughed as he looked at his friends.

"So I stay?" Joe asked.

"Yeah buddy, you stay, with us. At home." Q spoke.

"It's okay?" Joe asked.

"It's more than okay man." Sal responded.

"We still love you buddy." Murr remarked.

"Love you too, my best friends." Joe perked up. The four hugged again before setting out to go back home.

Chapter Text

Joe smiled and rubbed his eyes. Waking up the next day, he felt more at ease now. He stretched a bit before noticing Murr in the kitchen. He seemed a bit stressed. Without a care in the world how he appeared Joe got off the couch. Wandering into the kitchen to go check on Murr. Locking eyes with the ferret looking man before he spoke.

"Oh hi buddy." Murr quickly flashed a fake smile as Joe saw right through it.

"You all good?" Joe asked, anticipating the fake response that Murr was going to create.

"Yeah I'm all good thanks." Murr lied. Joe raised an eyebrow.

"Don't lie." Joe responded, causing Murr to laugh.

"Says the guy who did that for many weeks straight." Murr retorted.

"Fair point." Joe responded. Murr giggled. "Your so silly." Joe remarked.

"I'm glad you think so." Murr responded. Joe smiled, but soon Murr sighed. "I missed you very much you know?"

"I know you did." Joe responded.

"It broke my heart when I heard you were gone." Murr remarked.

"I just didn't wanna be a burden." Joe responded.

"You aren't one." Murr commented.

"I know buddy, I understand that now." Joe remarked.

"I'm glad to hear it." Murr responded.

"I feel much safer here." Joe commented.

"You seem to feel much more at home on the streets, and safer there too." Murr joked, causing Joe to roll his eyes.

"If only people there were as nice as you three." Joe remarked. After a bit of silence Joe looked Murr in the eyes. Noticing Murr was deep in thought. Before he could say anything, Murr spoke first.

"If you weren't here I..." Murr trailed off. Joe could sense the panic in his friend, and set to calm him down.

"Shh don't worry." Joe responded. Pulling Murr in for a tight hug. Murr buried his face in Joe's chest. Quickly looking up soon to face the smiling man.

"Please don't run off again, please I can't..." Murr blubbered as Joe shushed him.

"I stay here." Joe responded, causing the ferret looking man to sniffle.

"I'd be beside myself if you left again." Murr spoke. Joe used his thumb to wipe away some of Murr's tears. The younger man apprechiated this, and let out a soft smile. Joe soon pressed his forehead to Murr's, softly humming before locking his eyes on his.

"You don't need to be sad." Joe whispered as he bit his lip.

"Why not?" Murr responded as Joe let his lips brush against Murr's. Placing a quick peck before nuzzling his nose.

"Because I'm here." Joe remarked. Causing Murr to blush. The pair locked lips again. Quickly breaking away as two voices bothered them.

"Took you long enough." Sal spoke. Q rolled his eyes and snorted at Sal's response.

"Not surprised. Happy for you ferret." Q responded.

"You finally found love, I didn't think you had it in you." Sal teased, as Joe threw a plastic spoon at him.

"Aw you protected me, so cute!" Murr gushed as he wrapped his arms around Joe's waist.

"Your cute." Joe giggled. Sal soon threw the spoon back at Joe. He rolled his eyes as the spoon fell to the floor with a thud.

"Missed me!" Joe teased.

"Not for long." Sal remarked, grabbing a pillow from the living room and throwing it from Joe. Hitting him as he and Murr fell to the floor. Joe picked up the pillow and threw it back at Sal, who was now holding Q close. The duo also fell to the floor, and started laughing. Murr and Joe laughed too, snuggling close as they looked in each others eyes.

"Even without memories your adorable." Murr remarked as Joe giggled. Kissing his forehead before resting his head on Murr's shoulder.

"Maybe I'll be even more adorable when my memories come back." Joe responded.

"Your already super adorable, having your memories back would just be an added bonus." Murr remarked. Joe hummed at this response and kissed Murr again, this time on the lips. They were soon interupted by the other pair of lovebirds in the room.

"So are we gonna eat or?" Sal asked. The duo quickly shot up, looking at Sal and Q nervously.

"Had to ruin the moment didn't you?" Q asked Sal.

"I'm hungry." Sal responded. Q playfully punched him in the shoulder.

"Stop being a fucking bitch." Q joked. Sal rolled his eyes.

"You two are hilarious." Joe responded.

"I dunno, I think all four of us are." Murr commented.

"You really think so?" Joe asked Murr, as the ferret looking man nodded.

"I know so babe." Murr commented, causing Joe to light up.

"Come here!" Joe exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Murr. Giggling for a bit as the four sat and talked for a while over breakfast.

Chapter Text

It was the next day as Joe found himself waking up in a bed this time, laying next to someone. He quickly realized it was Murr, and smiled. Joe tried to sit up, but his arm was draped around Murr's chest. The ferret looking man had a death grip on Joe's arm and he found himself stuck. Joe rolled his eyes, planting a kiss on Murr's forehead as the man started to stir just a little bit.

"Mhhm... Joe..." Murr mumbled. Joe giggled as Murr fluttered his eyes open. He stared at Joe and hummed before trying to go back to sleep. Joe wouldn't allow this, and tried to get Murr to open his eyes for good.

"It's time to wake up ferret." Joe remarked, trying to get the ferret looking man to wake up. Murr shook his head.

"No mhhm... just... just five more minutes." Murr mumbled softly as Joe smiled.

"But if you sleep in for five more minutes then I can't do this." Joe nuzzled Murr's nose, and he giggled. Murr looked deeply into Joe's eyes now. Joe hummed in content, satisfied that his lover was so happy.

"I'll wake up." Murr responded with a smile. He then yawned, and covered his mouth. Joe kissed his cheek before they both sat up. Rubbing their eyes and stretching before putting shirts on. They both walked out into the kitchen to see the other lovebirds already awake. The two were kissing before they looked up at Joe and Murr, who had just walked in.

"Look who the cat dragged in." Q quipped.

"Hey you two, good rest?" Sal asked. They both nodded.

"So what's the agenda for today?" Joe asked while grabbing an apple.

"No idea, and I don't care either." Murr responded.

"Could lay in bed all day." Joe remarked, to which Murr immediately shot that down.

"I'd rather be productive, or have fun." Murr remarked.

"Laying in bed can be fun." Joe said with a smirk. Murr playfully shoved him.

"Maybe later babe." Murr responded.

"Your lucky your mega cute." Joe remarked.

"So what your saying is, I'm cuter than you? Impossible!" Murr exclaimed. He looked at Joe and giggled.

"Nothing's impossible. Even my memories returning." Joe remarked.

"Speaking of memories, has anything come back to you yet?" Murr asked. Joe shook his head.

"Only minor things. Nothing tangible enough to be considered a core memory." Joe frowned as Murr kissed his temple.

"Maybe soon." Murr spoke, rubbing Joe's back as he shook his head.

"Probably not, but it's fine." Joe remarked.

"Your fine being so empty? I could never." Sal remarked.

"I wish I could say I was, but at the end of the day I can't really do anything about it. I'm just lucky I'm in the company of three great caretakers." Joe commented. The trio pulled him in for a tight hug.

"I'm lucky you bumped into me, all those weeks ago. We really aren't the same anymore." Murr remarked. The hug was over with now.

"I think Joe adds a much needed charm to the group." Q spoke.

"He's much better than Sal that's for sure." Murr joked, causing Sal to punch him playfully.

"Fucking jerk." Sal joked. Q laughed as he took Sal's hand in his. Joe then took Murr's hand in his.

"I could still be outside right about now." Joe commented.

"I wouldn't like that very much, none of us would." Sal remarked.

"Thank goodness. When I was out there it was horrible." Joe responded.

"Yet you still went back out there." Q commented. Joe frowned at the reminder of that moment.

"That was a horrible mistake." Joe remarked.

"Horrible for everyone involved." Murr added. Joe rolled his eyes and kissed Murr on the cheek.

"Glad I came to my senses." Joe remarked.

"If you didn't I would have slapped you silly." Murr responded. Joe scoffed.

"I don't think so, you wouldn't hurt a fly." Joe quipped.

"I would do anything to make my lover not be a dick." Murr remarked.

"Anything?" Joe asked, raising his eyebrows as Murr rolled his eyes.

"You know what I ment dumbass." Murr responded.

"No I don't think so can you please explain?" Joe joked. Murr playfully shoved him as Joe did the same back.

"Shut up fatso." Murr joked. Joe jokingly gasped, before responding.

"I'm your fatso. Just so you know." Joe quipped.

"I know, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Murr responded, kissing Joe on the lips.

"Oh get a room." Q joked as he kissed Sal on the lips.

"Weirdos." Murr joked back.

"Could say the same about you. Ferret looking doofus." Sal retorted.

"At least I don't look stupid." Murr jokingly remarked back.

"I think we all look stupid, to some degree." Q remarked.

"Fair point." Joe responded.

"Especially Joe, still with that outfit, really man?" Sal joked.

"It's mine and I like it." Joe remarked while the other three groaned in annoyance.

"It took so much convincing last night for him to be in underwear." Murr hummed. Joe looked shocked at the comment just made.

"Gross, shut up you dick." Q joked.

"Hey I did not need convincing." Joe retorted.

"I highly doubt that." Sal remarked. Joe frowned.

"You two are ridiculous." Q joked. Pointing at Murr and Joe.

"I could say the same for you two." Joe retorted.

"You sleep in your clothes, weirdo." Sal joked.

"You sleep with a douchebag." Joe jokingly remarked.

"He's my douchebag, and I wouldn't have that any other way." Sal responded, kissing Q,

"Intresting how you copied what I said earlier." Joe remarked.

"So? Who cares? Moron." Sal joked. Joe playfully punched him in retaliation, then Sal did the same back. The four soon found themselves playfighting. Lasting for a while before they all fell to the floor in a fit of giggles. Joe soon broke the silence that followed when the laughter ended.

"You all are my best friends, and I really wouldn't have it any other way." Joe remarked.

Chapter Text

Joe found himself in an unfamiliar place. Voices shouted at him, things he couldn't understand. He wanted to leave, but he some how couldn't. The words kept coming, the noises more immanent. Everything he did just made the whole situation worse, and before he could do anything else he felt himself being shaken.

"Joe, babe wake up. Come on wake up." Murr whispered, causing Joe to soon open his eyes. He looked around him for the source of the disturbance and laid his eyes on Murr. The ferret looking man full of concern as he took Joe's hands in his. Soon laying back down, urging Joe to do the same. Joe lay back down now too, locking eyes once again with his lover.

"What happened? I'm back here..." Joe trailed off, as the realization he was in a nightmare hit him like a ton of bricks. "Oh..." He muttered.

"Are you alright?" Murr asked. Joe shook his head. Murr rubbed Joe's hands in an attempt to make him feel better. However, Joe still was worried. Murr frowned and gave Joe a quick kissed on the forehead. Joe soon broke the quick silence that followed the kiss.

"What time is it?" Joe asked.

"2 AM, way too early to start the day." Murr remarked. Joe buried his face in Murr's neck as tears started to fall.

"It was awful, people kept shouting at me. Things I didn't understand, voices I didn't know." Joe blubbered. Murr put a hand through Joe's hair as he kissed his forehead.

"Shhh it's okay, everything is going to be okay I promise. I love you." Murr responded. Joe cooed and then sniffled. Letting his lover's voice calm him down. Murr used his hand to wipe away Joe's falling tears before planting a kiss on his lips. Joe hummed in response, causing Murr to smile.

"You really think so?" Joe responded, now feeling more relaxed. The tears disappeared, and Murr felt more at ease now upon noticing.

"I know so. Maybe it's just a sign." Murr remarked.

"A sign of what?" Joe asked.

"Memories returning. Manifesting themselves into a nightmare." Murr remarked. Joe shook his head at Murr's response.

"I don't think my past could have been that bad." Joe responded.

"What if it was?" Murr asked.

"Then it is what it is. At least I got you, Q, and Sal out of it." Joe remarked.

"Your so sweet Joey." Murr responded. Causing Joe to smile at the cute name he was given.

"It's cute that you called me Joey." Joe responded. Booping Murr's nose as the ferret looking man giggled. Murr booped Joe's nose back, and he let out a grin.

"I'm glad you think so." Murr hummed, before pressing his forehead against Joe's. "I just want you to feel better."

"You always make me feel better." Joe remarked.

"Your so cute Joey." Murr responded.

"Your even cuter James." Joe remarked.

"First names now huh? Silly boy." Murr giggled. Pressing his lips against Joe's. Soon nuzzling noses too as the pair lay like that for a minute, not wanting to break away. They soon did, and Joe frowned.

"Come back." Joe whined. Murr rolled his eyes.

"If we kiss forever then I cannot breathe." Murr remarked.

"But your lips are so soft James." Joe pouted. Murr ruffled Joe's hair a bit as he still had his hand in Joe's hair. This caused Joe to lose the pout, and instead smile.

"Your lips are even softer Joey, and don't tell me otherwise." Murr remarked. Proud of himself that he managed to one up Joe.

"It's cute when you try to argue with me." Joe responded.

"Your always cute no matter what you do." Murr hummed, and Joe took this moment to kiss him on the lips. Breaking away as he smiled.

"No, your the cuter one. Don't try to deny it." Joe responded.

"Your silly Joey." Murr remarked.

"Your even more silly James." Joe remarked. Murr giggled at being called his first name again.

"I'm glad your awake." Murr remarked.

"I don't wanna go back to sleep." Joe whined.

"Who says we have to?" Murr responded.

"My body says yes, but my mind says no." Joe huffed out a quick response before finding his lips shushed. Murr's lips were on his and they were kissing once again. Murr giggled when they broke away.

"We can stay awake as long as you need. Anything to take your mind away from that nasty nightmare." Murr responded.

"I just wish everything could come back to me. Instead I'm being haunted when I sleep." Joe quipped.

"I know babe, but it takes time." Murr remarked.

"Sadly." Joe responded.

"It's a good thing I heard you thrashing about." Murr remarked.

"I was that loud?" Joe asked as Murr nodded.

"Luckily you weren't screaming." Murr responded.

"I wouldn't want to wake the other two anyway." Joe responded.

"Worried they might try to tease you again?" Murr joked. Joe giggled.

"I just want them, and you, to sleep." Joe responded.

"But earlier you were alright with me keeping you company." Murr responded. Joe hummed as he kissed his lover. Brushing his lips against Murr's when he finished.

"I love your company, but your health is just as important to me. Rest please babe." Joe responded.

"Only if you hold me close still, and you go back to sleep yourself. No faking it, I can tell." Murr remarked.

"Alright James, anything for you." Joe joked. Murr rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious Joey, it's bed time." Murr responded back.

"What if I don't wanna?" Joe whined. Murr decided to shut him up with an idea that came to mind.

"Too bad, goodnight Joey. I love you." Murr responded and then kissed Joe on the lips. He looked Joe deep in the eyes, who smiled. Surrendering to the fact that he would need to go back to sleep.

"Goodnight James, I love you even more." Joe responded as the pair shut their eyes. Murr's back was now to Joe, and Joe found himself burying his face in Murr's neck. Giving him a quick kiss there before the pair drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

"Hey you two, have a moment?" Murr asked, stretching as he looked at his friends. It was morning time now. Q and Sal sat on the couch and were cuddling each other close. They both looked up when they heard Murr.

"Yeah sure what's up ferret?" Sal responded. He gave Q a quick kiss on the cheek. Murr jokingly gave them a thumbs down, to which Sal responded with an eye roll.

"It's about Joe." Murr remarked.

"Aw, did he sleep in his pants again?" Q teased, causing Murr to throw a pillow at him. The pillow soon fell to the floor, and Q looked at Murr in pretend shock.

"Dumbass." Murr jokingly muttered. Joe wandered into the room and rubbed his eyes. Fixing his shirt and ruffling his hair before looking at his friends. "Good morning sleepyhead." Murr remarked as Joe waved at him. He soon kissed Joe on the lips before he took a place next to Murr on the couch. Joe hummed in content as he cuddled up next to Murr.

"Mhhm hi." Joe smiled, but quickly frowned as he noticed the concerned looks on his friends faces. "Did something happen?"

"Joe..." Murr trailed off. Joe rubbed Murr's back as he looked at his friends. Hesitating before coming clean to Q and Sal about last nights struggle.

"Last night was... rough for me." Joe responded. "I didn't understand what was happening at first. I was in a new place, some people, I couldn't tell who were shouting at me. Some were laughing." There was a hint of sadness that now lined Joe's face. Murr put a hand in Joe's hair, causing Joe to quickly giggle. However, the sadness still lingered. Murr frowned as he noticed Joe was no longer giggling, but instead once again frowning.

"It sounds awful, sorry buddy." Sal responded.

"It's not your fault no need to feel sorry. Joe spoke.

"You really don't deserve this, at all." Sal remarked.

"I know, but it'll be okay. I am sure of it." Joe responded.

"What you described... this nightmare, have you had it before?" Q asked. Joe shook his head.

"Never, but I believe it's connected to me somehow." Joe remarked.

"Like a memory?" Q asked, Joe nodded.

"Yeah I think so." Joe commented.

"Well that's a good thing then, isn't it?" Sal asked.

"It could be, but I'd rather not be spooked in bed." Joe remarked.

"Technically you were." Murr joked. Joe rolled his eyes. The four soon laughed before returning their attention to the conversation at hand.

"I couldn't wake up, everything I did made the whole situation worse. Only reason I got up in the first place is because of Murr." Joe remarked.

"Guilty as charged." Murr hummed. Joe kissed his cheek.

"You two are so annoying." Q joked. Murr glared at Q before sticking his tounge out at him.

"Says you." Murr retorted. Q decided to stick up the middle finger at Murr in response. So Murr playfully shoved him. Sal grew annoyed and looked at his friends in a look of disgust.

"Are we gonna discuss this issue or not?" Sal asked, staring at Murr and Q who decided to derail the conversation once again.

"Oh we're still discussing that?" Q joked. Sal rolled his eyes and playfully punched his lover. He whined before kissing Sal on the lips.

"I'll be alright, I promise." Joe responded. Murr shook his head.

"That's a lie and you know it." Murr retorted, causing Joe to pout.

"It's nice to know my memories potentially can return, but like this... I'd rather stay with amnesia for the rest of my life." Joe responded. The trio looked at him in worry.

"Don't say that. I'm sure you'll over come this soon." Q remarked.

"Q's right, things won't always be this way buddy. We've got your back." Sal responded.

"What if things stay like this forever? I don't think I'd be able to manage it." Joe remarked, tears soon welling up in his eyes.

"This won't be forever, I promise. With us by your side, you can manage anything. Your strong, funny, silly, dependable. Everything you do makes us smile." Murr remarked. Joe smiled before speaking once more. Sadness lining his face again after his smile disappeared.

"Even the time when I ran off?" Joe quipped.

"Don't you dare mention that ever again." Murr joked. He noticed the tears were now more prominent. Falling from Joe at a quicker pace. Murr used his hands to wipe away Joe's tears and planted a kiss on his forehead. Joe hummed and felt more calm now.

"I just wanna remember, and deal with no more pain." Joe remarked.

"I know buddy, and until that day comes we've got your back." Q commented.

"What about after? If I remember everything, I'd have to leave you three behind and I don't want that." Joe commented. Sal shook his head.

"Now who said you have to leave us behind?" Sal asked.

"Well, no one. I just figured I'd have to move on..." Joe trailed off. Sal shook his head.

"No need for that man." Sal commented.

"So I don't have to?" Joe remarked.

"Nah, we're best friends for life. You remembering everything won't change that." Sal remarked. Joe still wasn't convinced.

"What if I'm some horrible piece of shit? Then what?" Joe asked. Q put a hand on Joe's shoulder.

"Trust me, no matter what we have your back. You don't seem like a piece of shit type, then or now." Q responded. Joe smiled at his friends.

"Can't say the same about Sal though, total piece of shit." Murr joked. Sal glared at him before playfully kicking him.

"Bitch ass." Sal jokingly muttered.

"At least I have an ass." Murr responded.

"No you do not. Fucking liar." Sal teased. Murr stuck up the middle finger at him in response.

"So this is what our life has come to." Q quipped.

"You know you like it." Joe teased.

"Yeah, I really do." Q responded. Looking at his friends as they all pulled in together for a hug.

Chapter Text

"You all good?" Murr asked, looking at Joe who was deep in thought. It was later on in the day. Joe soon looked up at Murr who had just spoken to him.

"Yeah I'm all good. I think I'm just going to take a quick nap. I'll see you later babe." Joe responded. Murr nodded as he blew Joe a quick kiss from afar. Joe smiled and giggled in response.

"Love you, see you. If you need anything we're here." Murr responded and waved. Watching as Joe nodded and waved at him. Then closing the door so Joe could take his nap. Joe quickly rested his eyes, but it wasn't going to be as peaceful as he planned it to be. Upon falling asleep a few minutes later, Joe found himself awake in the nightmare again. The same people, the same voices, they all shouted at him. Joe grew quickly concerned. His breathing became heavier, and he noticed he was growing more nervous as the voices carried on. Joe kept shouting at them to stop, but they wouldn't. Everything he did continued to be of no use to him. This time however, he was loudly shouting, and his friends heard the commotion. The trio stopped what they were doing and rushed to the room.

"Joe, Joe wake up!" Q shouted. Opening the door and noticing Joe thrashing about.

"Buddy it's alright come on. They won't hurt you." Sal responded. Shaking Joe. He still didn't budge, and in one final attempt to wake him up Murr slapped him. His eyes soon fluttered awake, and he was face to face with his best friends. Joe rubbed the area where he was slapped. He muttered a quick "ow."

"Lemme nap." Joe protested. Murr shook his head as he got on the bed. Laying next to Joe and holding him close. Q and Sal just stood there for a bit, but then decided to sit on the bed. Looking at Joe, they all notice the worry in his eyes.

"What happened?" Sal asked.

"I was trying to take a nap but... but it didn't turn out as planed." Joe responded coldly.

"I figured as much." Sal remarked.

"Was I shouting?" Joe asked, Q nodded.

"Very loudly. Thank goodness you did." Q remarked. Putting a hand on Joe's back to calm him down. Sal put a hand on his shoulder, and Murr played with Joe's hair. Joe's demeaner soon changed, and he felt more calm. He looked at his friends and sighed before deciding to open up. The three listened.

"I was back there again, with all those people. They kept shouting and laughing at me. This time it was different, I was able to defend myself, speak back. The first time I had this nightmare I wasn't able to do anything." Joe remarked.

"Do you know what they look like now?" Sal asked, but Joe shook his head.

"Unfortunately not. Their faces still aren't clear, and the voices are too jumbled together to make out anything. I just know they are angry at me, for what reason I don't know." Joe responded.

"Your mind really wants you to remember these people." Murr remarked. Joe frowned.

"Well I'd rather forget them since they are causing me this much pain." Joe responded.

"Sometimes we have to remember the bad and the good." Sal commented.

"While I think it's fine to remember the bad, I don't wanna remember all this. It hurts too much to begin with." Joe responded.

"I know buddy but it is how it is. Nothing we can do can change this. It's hard to hold onto pain but we have to do it." Q remarked.

"If you'd like, we can always go out in the city somewhere and make an appointment. Maybe talking it out with someone will help." Murr remarked, but Joe shook his head.

"I'd rather remember on my own." Joe responded.

"You have us, you aren't remembering things alone." Murr remarked. Trying to knock some sense into Joe.

"I was forced into this!" Joe teased. Murr rolled his eyes, quickly giving Joe a kiss on his forehead.

"Are you sure you wanna do this just us four?" Sal asked, Joe nodded.

"I feel safe around you guys. I don't feel as safe out there." Joe remarked.

"Why?" Murr asked, but Joe shook his head.

"I don't know. When I was there, as I mentioned before, most people didn't care to help me. I was totally and utterly alone. People looked at me funny, laughed at me, shouted at me. To a much less degree than what is going on inside my head when I sleep, but it was still bad. I didn't think anyone would be so willing to help me until I met you three. Q you shared your food with me, Murr you introduced me to your friends, and Sal you didn't once treat me like garbage. You three mean the world to me, and even after my memories return you three will still be the most important people in my life. I wouldn't have it any other way." Joe spoke.

"You mean the world to us too. Don't you ever forget that." Q responded.

"We are so much better as four." Sal remarked.

"We really are." Murr remarked.

"Well I think you guys were fine as three." Joe spoke.

"It just doesn't hit the same." Sal remarked.

"Just took us adding one more friend to notice what we were truly missing." Murr spoke.

"Love you guys." Q spoke.

"Love you too buddy." Joe responded.

"More than me? How dare you!" Murr teased. Joe giggled and kissed Murr's lips. Sal meanwhile kissed Q on the lips.

"Could never love anyone more than I love my ferret." Joe teased.

"I'd be devastated if you did." Murr teased.

"I love ya too much to leave you James." Joe remarked.

"I love you way more than you love me Joey." Murr teased.

"Don't lie to everyone!" Joe exclaimed. Causing the four to giggle.

"This is a perfect feeling." Sal remarked, noting how the four felt at ease.

"It really is." Murr responded.

Chapter Text

It was a few days later, and the nightmares still persisted for Joe. Every time all he could do was shout at the people to stop, but they never would. Sal, Q, or Murr would shake him awake. A look of concern plastered upon their faces every time Joe opened his eyes. His friends couldn't bare to see him this way, but didn't know what to do. The trio were out in the living room. Sitting on the couch and talking for a while. Joe soon wandered into the room to join them, still wearing his same outfit from all those months ago.

"Hey buddy." Sal remarked.

"Mhhm... hi Sal. Hi Q, hi ferret." Joe waved and joined them on the couch. Sitting next to Murr as he usually did.

"You alright?" Sal asked. Joe shook his head. His friends looked at him in concern.

"The nightmares aren't going away. I really don't know what to do." Joe remarked. Murr gave him a kiss on his cheek to calm him down. Joe hummed in content at this gesture.

"Maybe talking it out again might help?" Murr remarked.

"I'd rather not discuss it much right now. I just want some comfort." Joe responded.

"Well if your looking for that the bedroom is that way." Q teased. Pointing at the hallway. Joe snorted as he threw the tv remote at Q.

"Fucking douche." Joe teased.

"Isn't that you too?" Sal teased.

"Watch it dumbass." Joe remarked. Sal rolled his eyes. The four quickly had a change in subject. The silence after Joe's remark not lasting long.

"I'm surprised that outfit is still wearable. It gets washed almost everyday." Murr commented.

"It's comfertable, and for me that's good enough." Joe remarked.

"It really does look comfy." Murr remarked.

"Ha, told you so." Joe commented, pointing at Sal.

"Maybe just talking like this for a while will put you more at ease. The nightmares could go away." Q spoke.

"If only it were that simple." Sal remarked.

"Hmm?" Q asked. Taking Sal's hand in his.

"Nightmares are due to trauma, just simply having positive and silly conversations won't do much of anything. As much as I wish it would, I hate seeing Joe this way. Sal responded.

"While you are right, the more positive the interactions he has the more chance he could overcome these nightmares in due time." Q responded.

"I hope so." Joe chimed in. Murr rubbed his back for a bit before taking Joe's hand in his.

"In the meantime is there anything you'd like to do today Joe? Or is just chatting enough?" Q asked. Joe shrugged his shoulders.

"I have no set plans, whatever you guys wanna do I'm cool with." Joe responded.

"Well we have mostly been sitting around here for a few days. Maybe getting out of the house will do us some good." Q remarked.

"But where would we go?" Murr asked.

"That's up to us to decide. I'm fine with anywhere." Q responded.

"Anywhere?" Murr smirked.

"I swear to god Murr if you have me going to a club again I will strangle you." Q teased. Sal went into a fit of laughter.

"Oh heavens no, I learned my lesson the last time." Murr remarked.

"Good. You better have learned a lesson." Q teased.

"Maybe we could go shopping?" Sal asked.

"But what would we buy?" Q asked.

"I dunno, it's just a random thought." Sal spoke.

"Well I for one think it's a good idea. I just don't know what we really need. Murr responded.

"We don't need anything. Just think of it as a fun distraction for Joe." Sal remarked.

"I'm on board. Let's go!" Joe exclaimed.

"You sure we're all ready to go?" Q asked, looking down at Murr who was just in a t-shirt and underwear.

"GOD DAMMIT WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS!?" Murr shouted as he ran off to his bedroom. Grabbing a shirt before quickly running back out to the living room. "Alright let's head out."

"You sure are in a rush to get there buddy." Sal quipped. Murr rolled his eyes.

"I just miss being outside." Murr teased. Q however wasn't buying that response. He decided to be snarky with his friend.

"I think you miss being in bed with Joe more." Q teased. He and Sal high fived.

"Funny you say that. Looks like you and Sal are missing the action more than me." Murr teased, noticing how Q and Sal clung to each other on the couch.

"Bitch ass." Sal muttered jokingly under his breath. Joe soon opened the door and the trio set out for the mall. Hopeful that a day out would put Joe in good spirits. They soon arrived to the mall, and Joe was in shock and everything he was seeing.

"Where do we begin?" Joe asked.

"Where you want. It's all up to you buddy." Q remarked, taking Sal's hand in his. Joe soon took Murr's hand in his. Not a care in the world as the four noticed the weird looks they were getting. They hadn't even stepped far into the mall yet.

"Oh this place looks cool, let's go!" Joe shouted, pointing out a random shop on the map. Murr giggled as Joe ran off, dragging Murr along with him as they still held hands.

"Wait up you dorks!" Sal shouted, running off with Q who was still holding Sal's hand in his.

"Can't catch us!" Joe shouted.

"We'll see about that! Go faster Sal!" Q remarked. Sal nodded.

"Fuck they're gaining on us. Hurry Joey!" Murr remarked, but before they could go any further all four found themselves on the floor.

"Caught you." Sal teased. The four playfully attacking each other and laughing. Not a care in the world as they had a fun day. Even when people were watching. They soon stopped and all looked at each other. The four full of smiles.

"Love ya guys." Murr remarked.

"We love you too ferret." Q responded.

"As best friends should." Sal remarked.

"Best friends forever!" Joe shouted in response.

Chapter Text

It was a few days later. Joe found himself face to face with these people again. The shouting and screaming rung around him as he tried to get them to stop. His actions however still did nothing. The people's faces were still a blur, but the voices became more prominent. These people were wanting him dead. He didn't understand where he was or what was happening to him otherwise. The voices kept shouting, seething in anger. Joe didn't know what he did wrong. Before he could pry any further he was woken up. Joe fluttered his eyes, turning to see who had put a hand on his shoulder, it was Q. He had a worried look on his face, but was ready and willing to comfort Joe.

"Hey buddy it's alright come here." Q got Joe to sit up in bed before pulling him into a tight hug. Sal and Murr soon ran into the room after hearing all the commotion.

"They wanted me dead, I can't I..." Joe started to sob as Murr and Sal came to hug him too. They now all sat on the bed in a hug.

"It's just a nightmare, everything will be alright Joey. I promise babe." Murr remarked trying to comfort his lover. Joe shook his head. The four soon broke away from the hug.

"I heard the voices loud and clear this time, but the faces were still a blur. I don't know where I was, but these people, they were shouting that they wanted me dead. For what reason, I don't know." Joe spoke, a hint of sadness in his tone. Murr wiped away Joe's tears quickly with a finger. Joe soon sniffled.

"Whoever these people are, I hate them with all my heart." Sal seethed. Q took Sal's hand in his in an attempt to calm Sal. It worked, and Sal let out a small smile at his lover. The two soon locked lips. Breaking away a few moments later to look at Joe.

"They won't hurt you, I promise Joey. I'll protect you." Murr remarked.

"Only thing you can protect is a paper clip." Q retorted.

"Haha very funny, you dick." Murr teased.

"I think James is a wonderful protector." Joe remarked. Murr rolled his eyes jokingly.

"Babe your just saying that." Murr teased. Joe kissed Murr on the lips, humming in content as they broke away.

"Your too good for me." Joe remarked.

"I'm glad to hear it." Murr responded. He took Joe's hand in his.

"You feelin any better yet?" Sal asked, but Joe shook his head.

"I am concerned about my nightmare. Other than that, I'm fine." Joe responded.

"You have every right to be concerned but trust me those idiots won't be coming here anytime soon." Sal remarked.

"I know they won't, but that's not why I am concerned. They wanted to kill me, that alone sends shivers down my spine. I couldn't have been that horrible a person. I don't understand what I did wrong." Joe blubbered out, tears falling again.

"Whatever happened I am sure you did nothing wrong." Q responded.

"Hey Joe you said you woke up in a park right?" Sal asked.

"Mhhm, why do you ask?" Joe asked.

"Well maybe... they put you there." Sal spoke.

"You mean the people from his nightmare? That's highly likely." Q responded.

"Or maybe Joe got there himself. Either way it doesn't matter right now. What matters most is making sure Joey stays safe." Murr remarked.

"From what we know, he should be safe here. If for some reason he isn't, then I don't know what we would do." Q remarked.

"All I know is I woke up in a park. I don't know how I got there. I could have gone myself, or maybe they dropped me there. Whatever the reason I am sure will come with time." Joe responded.

"How did you look?" Sal asked. Joe shrugged his shoulders.

"Only thing I could tell is that I felt fine. No bruises, no bleeding, none of that. My clothes all intact too." Joe responded.

"Must have been there a while then, cause there's no way you suddenly woke up feeling fine with no injuries and yet have amnesia." Sal commented.

"Possibly. However, wouldn't someone have noticed me there?" Joe asked.

"In a place like this, I say it's highly unlikely. People probably thought you were asleep, or didn't go back to where you were." Q commented.

"I remember a woman thought I was joking when I asked her where I was. Looking back on it now, I thought it was quite funny." Joe remarked.

"If I was her I'd laugh too." Sal commented.

"Laughing at me!? How dare you!" Joe teased. Sal rolled his eyes and hit him with a pillow. "You better watch it!"

"I'd rather laugh at Murr, what a loser." Q teased. Murr wasted no time in hitting him with a pillow. A fight soon ensuing between the four that lasted for a few minutes. Once the fight was over the four laughed at each other.

"Everything will be alright buddy." Sal remarked.

"Yeah we've always got your back." Q commented.

"Your the best, you doofus." Murr teased.

"How can I be the best when your the best?" Joe asked, teasing as Murr giggled. Sal and Q groaned. Rolling eyes as they looked at the pair.

"Save it you two you can argue who's better later." Q remarked.

"Yeah we really don't care." Sal teased.

"Do you want to be hit with a pillow again?" Joe asked, teasing Sal.

"I'd rather watch paint dry." Sal teased. The four then looked at each other. A silence soon followed, but was quickly over with thanks to Joe.

"Best friends forever and ever!" Joe shouted. The trio pulled him into a tight hug as the four found themselves now laying in the bed. Falling over from the sitting position they were in a few moments ago.

"We love you very much Joey. Never forget that." Murr remarked. The four laying there for a while just like that.

Chapter Text

Joe looked around him, he was by himself. Left to his own thoughts, his own devices. He rubbed his eyes and groaned. It was a few days later. Before he could get out of bed his head started to hurt. He put his hands to his head, and let the thoughts wash over him. Joe struggled and fought, but still found himself here again. He was in a familiar place, the same from his nightmare. The voices came back, he could still hear them clearly. This time however, he could now see their faces. The group of people looked at him, and still wanted him dead. He screamed at them to leave him alone, unaware the trio could hear him. They rushed to the door and opened it, to see Joe struggling. He screamed a lot.

"PLEASE NO PLEASE DON'T HURT ME YOU DON'T WANNA DO THIS!" Joe shouted as Sal ran over to him first. Shaking him as Joe slapped him.

"OW! Joe come on stop this please." Sal spoke. Joe realized it was him and stopped. His breathing was heavy, and tears streamed down his face.

"Sorry I..." Joe trailed off. Q and Murr were now here too. The three looked at him in concern and worry.

"What happened?" Murr asked. He rubbed Joe's back. Joe frowned as he looked at his lover.

"I was back there again, this time while awake. I saw their faces, heard their voices. They wanted me dead. I still don't understand why." Joe blubbered. "They wouldn't leave me alone, no matter what I did."

"Everything is going to be alright. You don't need to worry they won't hurt you babe." Murr responded. Wiping tears away from Joe's eyes. Joe sniffled.

"I don't wanna remember anything anymore. I'll be fine without memories I am sure of it." Joe remarked. Murr shook his head, as did Q and Sal.

"That's not a very positive way to think." Q remarked. Sal put his thumbs up in agreement with his lover. Murr nodded.

"I don't care this pain I can't take it anymore." Joe responded. The trio rested an arm each on Joe's shoulders, reassuring him that everything would be alright.

"I think what you need is a nice relaxing day." Q commented. The others nodded in agreement.

"What do you suggest we do then?" Joe asked.

"Anything to take your mind off that memory. It's clearly bothering you a great deal." Q remarked.

"Your telling me." Joe grumbled. Murr rubbed Joe's back once more.

"Any ideas?" Sal asked. Q shrugged.

"Hmm we could go for a nice walk." Murr remarked.

"Only you would enjoy that you dumbass." Sal teased. Murr rolled his eyes.

"Got anything better dickweed?" Murr teased back. Sal stammered for a bit before shaking his head.

"Walking it is, let's go!" Sal shouted. Murr rolled his eyes.

"First before we do that I suggest we let Joe compose himself." Q remarked.

"Good idea. We'll be out in the living room whenever your ready buddy." Sal spoke. Joe nodded. Watching as his friends closed the door. He put his pants on, and went to the restroom. Looking at himself in the mirror, and sighing.

"I wish this pain would go away. I want to be better, I want to be complete, it's all I ask." Joe whispered, cleaning himself up quickly before leaving the bathroom. He found his way to the living room a few moments later. The trio was standing there talking. Looking up as they noticed Joe walked into the room. Murr smiled at his lover. Sal and Q giggled.

"You ready to go?" Murr asked. Joe nodded and took Murr's hand in his. Q and Sal also held hands. The four soon walked out the door. Finding their way outside the apartment complex.

"How long do you think we are gonna walk for?" Sal asked. Murr shrugged his shoulders.

"It's just for fun, so no idea. Hopefully it helps Joe clear his mind." Murr remarked.

"Isn't his mind already clear?" Sal teased, causing Joe to playfully shove him with his free hand. Q giggled as a response. Murr meanwhile rolled his eyes.

"Maybe soon it won't be." Joe remarked with a smile.

"Considering what is happening now, wouldn't surprise me." Q responded. The four still walking for a while before Joe stopped. The others stopped too, noticing a gleam in Joe's eyes. He looked so excited and happy.

"Oo that place looks cool!" Joe shouted, pointing to a pizza joint with his free hand.

"You want some pizza buddy?" Sal asked. Joe nodded.

"Come on come on!" Joe shouted. Dragging Murr with him as they ran.

"Hey wait up!" Sal shouted. He ran with Q and caught up to the duo. The four eventually sitting down at a table. Eating and chatting away as the minutes passed by. When they finished and cleaned up, they went back outside. Joe sighed.

"What's wrong?" Q asked.

"It's nothing." Joe lied.

"I don't believe you." Murr remarked.

"I wish you did." Joe teased.

"Maybe when you feel better like you did a bit earlier then I will." Murr responded.

"The pizza was great, this whole walk so far is great, but the fragmented memory keeps playing in my mind. It doesn't want to let go and I don't know what to do." Joe remarked.

"Must be a sign then." Q remarked.

"In the meantime just try to focus on this walk. We've got your back, like we promised. If anything does come up we're here for you." Sal spoke.

"Sal's right, dwelling on it won't make it any better. Love you, just focus on being you." Murr responded. Joe gave Murr a quick kiss on the cheek.

"You always know the right thing to say James." Joe spoke.

"You've said that before." Murr teased.

"I will say it as many times as I want to." Joe teased.

"About how long you think until Joe will shout about us being best friends?" Q asked Sal.

"I would say... right about now." Sal remarked as Joe shouted his usual commentary about best friendship.

Chapter Text

Joe sat on the couch in the living room with his friends. It was the next day. Earlier he had the nightmare in bed again, but he knew what it ment now. Upon waking up, he signaled to Murr that they needed to have a talk. Murr could sense the worry in his partner, and let out a soft sigh. Grabbing Joe's hand as they went out to the living room to sit on the couch. Sal and Q were already there, they were cuddling close. Giggling and laughing too. Only stopping to look up, noticing that Joe and Murr had arrived. Before Joe started to speak, he rested his head on Murr's chest. Letting a feeling of warmth and calmness radiate around him. Joe decided to retell what had happened to his friends, who were attentively listening. With every word his friends grew more worried. Looks of concern plastered on there faces while Joe started to discuss what had happened to him.

"I was there again. The people were shouting at me. I heard their voices loud and clear, one told me I was pathetic and worthless. While another said they were glad to see me being used." Joe sobbed. Murr frowned, as did Sal and Q.

"Those bastards are really gonna get it coming." Sal seethed.

"We don't even know who they are Sally." Q remarked. Sal frowned.

"I don't care, nobody hurts my best bud and gets away with it so easily." Sal responded.

"I am sure in due time everything will come to light." Murr commented, wiping away tears from Joe's eyes.

"I just don't understand what I did wrong." Joe remarked.

"Nothing babe. Those idiots are pathetic and don't see the real you like I do Joey." Murr responded. Causing Joe to giggle. Kissing Murr on the lips before breaking away, then taking his hands in his.

"We all know who you really are, a kind, caring, silly, understanding person. Not a stuck up jerk like those fucking morons are." Q remarked.

"Glad to know my best friends still give a shit about me after all this time." Joe commented. The trio smiled at Joe, who smiled back.

"You know we always will." Q remarked.

"I put you three through so much shit but you still have my back, why?" Joe asked.

"Because that's what best friends do. They are always there for each other through thick and thin." Sal spoke. Putting a free hand on Joe's shoulder for a moment in an act of reassurance. He soon let go.

"I'm just not really anything special." Joe remarked. Murr frowned at this comment.

"You take that back right now Joey." Murr responded, trying to get Joe to change his point of view.

"I'm just saying a true fact." Joe responded. Murr shook his head at his lover.

"No you are not, your lying, stop it." Murr remarked. Joe frowned, annoyed his lover wasn't on his side.

"Everyone is special in their own ways, you included." Q remarked.

"Well I don't think Sal is but that's a story for another day." Murr teased. Sal scowled at Murr in response before speaking.

"Shut up you fucking dope." Sal responded. The trio laughed, and soon Sal joined in. Playfully hitting Murr in the chest, and accidently hitting Joe in the process, who was once again resting his head on Murr's chest. Joe pretended to be annoyed about being hit, and wacked Sal who groaned in protest. Q soon joined in after seeing his friends wacking each other, and decided to wack Murr too. Then, Sal started to wack Q in retaliation, the four playfully fighting each other for a bit before Q decided to continue talking.

"Glad your here buddy." Q spoke. Joe smiled at his friends. Sal now held Q's hand in his. Joe still rested his head on Murr's chest. Murr hummed in content at seeing Joe so happy.

"I found it odd you three took a chance on me, but I'm glad you did." Joe remarked.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Sal spoke.

"I have a feeling things will get better soon." Joe remarked.

"I hope so." Murr responded. Joe smiled.

"I know so." Joe remarked.

"Your being positive for once, what's the occasion!?" Q teased. Joe rolled his eyes.

"I just think, with this memory bothering me, that it's a sign. Something to hold out on and look foreword to. I'm not giving up hope anymore on my memories. I know they will return. Either now or in ten years, they will come back, and when they do I will be right here waiting. Joe remarked. His friends smiled in content.

"That's the spirit buddy!" Sal remarked.

"That's my Joey." Murr spoke. Joe giggled as he kissed Murr.

"Happy to see you so positive about it, finally." Q remarked.

"It's all thanks to you three." Joe responded. The trio smiled at him.

"Aw you flatter me too much babe." Murr remarked. Joe giggled.

"Love you." Joe responded. "That goes for you two dicks as well."

"You can tease us later dumbass." Sal retorted. Joe whined jokingly in protest.

"Murr, Sal and Q won't let me tease them!" Joe teased. Murr rolled his eyes.

"Fuck off moron." Murr teased to Joe. Joe pretended to pout before kissing Murr on the lips. Murr hummed in content as response. "Your lips are so nice." Murr gushed as Joe giggled.

"Your lips are even nicer." Joe remarked. Sal slapped him in the back playfully. Joe glared at him.

"I'm bored." Q remarked after a quick silence following Joe's comment.

"Go cry about it." Joe teased. Q threw a book at Joe but missed.

"Missed me!" Joe exclaimed. Q groaned in protest.

"You won't be so lucky next time." Q teased. Joe giggled.

"Will there even be a next time?" Sal asked.

"Who knows?" Murr responded.

Chapter Text

"Get up you dork we're going out." Murr spoke, trying to get his lover to wake up to no avail. Joe shifted a bit.

"Mhhm Murr... five more minutes." Joe remarked, muffled into his pillow. Murr was not having it, and started to tease Joe a bit.

"If your not awake I can't kiss you." Murr teased, but Joe still wouldn't budge.

"Five minutes." Joe spoke, still with his head in his pillow. Murr rolled his eyes and lifted the covers off, shocking Joe. Who shot up and looked at his lover in annoyance.

"Love you." Murr teased as he went over to the bed. Stealing a quick kiss on the lips before heading out to the living room. Joe soon followed. Q and Sal already were there, talking with each other on the couch. Murr interupted them.

"I see you two lovebirds are acting normal for once." Murr teased. Sal rolled his eyes, and Q glared at Murr. Joe let out a small chuckle.

"What's today looking like?" Joe asked. Q shrugged.

"It's whatever you guys wanna do, outside preferably." Q remarked.

"I suggest we go to the beach!" Murr shouted in excitement. Q went wide eyed, Joe was a little concerned, and Sal smiled.

"I'm not opposed to that." Sal remarked.

"The beach? But what if..." Q was going to finish speaking but Murr stopped him. Putting a hand to his lips. Not intrested in hearing the nonsence Q was cooking up.

"I don't think anything bad is going to happen Q, lighten up." Murr responded.

"Fine fine your right. I'll go get my stuff." Q responded before wandering off.

"Wait for me!" Sal shouted and followed his lover. The two of them soon came back moments later with their swim suits, and Murr's.

"Here ferret, catch!" Q exclaimed, throwing Murr's suit to him. Joe just looked at the three of them.

"The beach sounds lovely but I don't even have a suit." Joe protested, but Sal smiled.

"You do now, catch!" Sal exclaimed, throwing his old one to Joe. "My old one, but still should work fine."

"Thanks." Joe remarked.

"Anytime man, now come on lets go." Sal spoke.

"Wait shouldn't we change here?" Murr asked.

"Would be quicker." Q remarked.

"Alright alright lets do that first." Sal spoke. The four wandered off for a bit to change before coming back. Everyone looked at Joe in annoyance.

"Dude enough with the shirt give it a rest." Q remarked.

"No." Joe firmly responded before opening the door.

"Fair enough." Q remarked. Sal grabbed the remaining things they would need before meeting up with the others at the door.

"Can't forget sunscreen, and towels." Sal remarked.

"Alright are you clowns done?" Q teased. Sal rolled his eyes and playfully shoved his lover. Stealing a quick cheek kiss. They all soon headed out, spending a bit of time on the road before finding themselves at the beach.

"Ah this is lovely." Murr spoke. The four had gotten out of the car already, and made there way onto the sand.

"Not as lovely as you." Joe commented. Wrapping his arms around his lover before kissing his cheek.

"Oh get a room." Sal teased.

"Your just jealous." Murr teased.

"In your dreams ferret boy." Sal joked.

"I'm gonna go find us a spot, see you dickweeds later." Q teased, taking Sal's hand in his before wandering off.

"HEY DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT US YOU ASSWIPE!" Murr shouted, taking Joe's hand in his and rushing to catch up.

"This spot looks good." Sal remarked, and Q nodded. They set the stuff down. Soon looking up as they noticed Murr and Joe finally arrive.

"You look like you just ran a marathon." Sal teased and pointed at Joe. Joe picked up some sand and threw it at him.

"Fucking dick." Joe teased. Sal giggled.

"Alright I'm going in." Q remarked, taking off his shirt as he went to the water.

"Coming!" Sal shouted, doing the same thing.

"I've got nothing to lose, be right there!" Murr shouted. He followed his friends into the water, but soon noticed Joe still sitting by their stuff. "Hey fatso, you coming?" Murr asked.

"Would be a lot more fun if you were here." Sal added on. Joe hesitated for a moment before taking off his shirt. Running over to join them.

"That's my Joey." Murr remarked. Joe hummed in content as he kissed Murr on the lips. Stopping as he noticed Q doing the same with Sal.

"I don't think people came to the beach to see a make out session." Joe remarked.

"Who cares what other people think?" Sal asked.

"I guess a lot of people, but that doesn't matter too much." Joe responded.

"Exactly, their opinion doesn't matter. If they have a problem with two men kissing then that's on them." Sal spoke.

"Thank goodness we have no problem on that front." Q remarked, Sal nodded.

"Love is such a powerful thing." Sal responded.

"So is this." Murr remarked as he splashed Sal with a wave of water. Sal rolled his eyes and shoved Murr. Causing him to fall into the water. When he came up, he glared at Sal. Q soon joined in and decided to splash Joe. In retaliation, Joe splashed Q back. For a while the four went on like this. Laughing and joking with each other while splashing. They soon got out of the water and laid out on the sand for a while. Joe and Sal were busy burying Murr in the sand, and soon Q joined in. After that the three watched in total amusement as Murr tried to get out of this predicament, to no avail. Eventually Joe helped him up, and as thanks Murr playfully threw some sand at him. The four stayed at the beach until they saw the sun come down. The sunset providing a wonderful backdrop to such a wonderful moment. Sal and Q cuddled together, while Murr and Joe did the same thing together too.

"It's so lovely here I could stay forever." Murr remarked. Joe rested his head on Murr's chest.

"Nothing is as lovely as you." Joe responded, causing Murr to giggle.

"You two are so cute. I love it." Sal remarked. He was playing with Q's hair.

"Your even cuter, I love you." Q responded. Sal kissed his lover on the cheek. Causing Q to blush a little.

"I'm so happy I found you guys. I love you all so much." Joe remarked.

"We love you too buddy." Murr responded.

"Best friends forever and always." Joe spoke.

Chapter Text

Joe tossed and turned as he slept. He found himself in the nightmare again, but he braved it this time. Hearing the voices, seeing the faces, their words didn't matter to him. Upon waking up, he found himself in a positive mood, and nobody could tell what had just happened to him. Joe noticed Murr was fast asleep still next to him. He let out a small giggle before shaking his lover. Murr turned to look at him, glossy eyed, before trying to go back to bed. Joe rolled his eyes and smiled.

"It's time to wake up ferret." Joe spoke, but Murr still insisted on going back to sleep. Joe however wasn't having this, and started to kiss Murr on the neck. Murr soon got the point, and turned back to face Joe again. This time kissing his lips and nuzzling his nose before giggling. "Good morning James." Joe remarked.

"Hi Joey. Slept well?" Murr asked, still a hint of sleepiness in his voice. Joe nodded.

"I'll be in the living room if you need me." Joe responded. Murr sat up and stretched.

"See you in a moment." Murr remarked. Joe let out a soft chuckle before making his way to the living room. Today was different in that Q and Sal weren't there, but as Murr walked into the room so did they.

"Crazy how Joe is the first one awake." Sal teased.

"What a rare occurance." Q remarked. Something felt different today, and Joe could sense it. However, he wasn't so sure his friends could catch on. They all sat on the couch and talked for a while, but Joe's head pounded. He ignored that and continued to hang out with his friends. A voice in his head insisted on bothering him, and the pounding still continued. Joe got up and grabbed some water from the kitchen before coming back to sit on the couch. Murr grew a bit concerned at his lover, and so did Sal and Q, who were worried for their friend.

"Hey is everything all good?" Sal asked, Joe nodded.

"Yeah just a small headache. I'll be fine." Joe remarked.

"If you say so." Q spoke.

"Probably just tired." Joe responded.

"You were up before the rest of us, so I guess that makes sense." Sal spoke.

"Anyway enough about me for a while. Any plans today?" Joe asked, trying to change the topic so his friends wouldn't worry about him. Q shook his head.

"I just wanted to stay here." Q spoke.

"Me too." Joe remarked. The four found themselves laughing and joking for a while. The nagging feeling in Joe's head however wouldn't give him a break, and his friends once again noticed he wasn't feeling too well.

"Do you need to go lay down?" Murr asked, but Joe shook his head.

"I'll be fine, I'll manage." Joe remarked, but Murr wasn't having it.

"It's bad enough you wake up almost every night screaming from nightmares, I don't need you dealing with headaches now too." Murr responded.

"I didn't scream the last time." Joe spoke.

"Did you have another nightmare again?" Murr asked, Joe nodded.

"Last night, but I wasn't scared this time." Joe responded.

"Well that's good at least. Your screaming is quite loud." Murr remarked.

"Sorry." Joe responded. Murr giggled and rested his head on Joe's chest for a bit.

"Maybe I should go make us something to eat." Q spoke.

"I'll help!" Sal exclaimed.

"Me three!" Murr exclaimed.

"You three go ahead, I need a moment." Joe remarked. The three nodded as they wandered off into the kitchen. While they were cooking lunch, Joe decided to take a nap. He found himself back in his nightmare, but this time a light shined through. He followed it and found himself in a different place. Lots of thoughts swirled around, including his nightmare. The people who wanted him dead stared at him and spat, but he brushed them off. The whole moment played in front of him now, and he knew the group despised him. They were only using him so in the end they could hurt somebody. This brought a hint of sadness to Joe's face, but he ignored it. Continuing to find himself watching other moments flash by. So many things flooded his brain, and he started to cry. Tears fell down his face as Murr noticed something was wrong.

"JOE! WAKE UP!" Murr shouted as he rushed over to his lover. Joe couldn't stop moving, and even Murr shaking him did nothing. Sal and Q stopped what they were doing, turning off the stove and rushing over to Joe to make sure he was alright. Joe however, was deep in sleep, and couldn't manage to wake himself up. His friends watched as his emotions kept changing. Meanwhile on the inside, Joe kept moving at a fast pace. Shouting at everything to leave him alone but to no avail. The light from earlier he walked through started to chase after him, and he ran as fast as he could to avoid it. However, he stumbled, and the light engulfed him. Soon things started to piece back together, and he soon found himself opening his eyes. Upon waking up his friends stared at him in both worry and concern. Joe looked at Murr deep in the eyes as he stood up.

"Joe? What's wrong?" Murr asked. Joe said nothing as he still looked at him. Soon a smile formed on his face, and he let out a soft giggle.

"Gatto." Joe responded. Murr looked confused.

"What?" Murr asked.

"My name, I'm Joe Gatto." Joe responded. Murr went wide eyed, as did his friends. They all pulled him into a tight hug before letting go, but Murr still lingered. Now wrapping his arms around his lover's waist.

"I'm happy your back babe." Murr remarked. Joe giggled and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Humming in content as he broke away. Q and Sal also held each other close.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Joe responded.