The Aaron Household

 

Naser

 

There’s a lot of things you don’t wanna do with a father, two examples being to disappoint him and anger him. Guess what the fuck I did. I feel the point of my crest being pinched. A special interrogative maneuver by my dad where it can’t do any physical injuries; but it does hurt like hell. I haven’t been here for the past year or so and this is what I get as a welcome?

 

“Hello son, you and I have a lot to talk about.” He gritted his teeth like his patience had already boiled over.

 

“H-hi dad.” I wince in pain. My brain still hurts ugh, can’t think straight. I’m surprised I even managed to find my way here.

 

“Oh Naser! So glad to see you again dear!” She hugs me dearly even though dad is still pinching me, guess she knows I deserve it. “Let me cook up something for you, you must be starving.” I do feel my stomach rumble as Dad finally lets go.

 

Man, been a while since I’ve been in the house. Aside from new pieces of furniture and some old ones being rearranged someplace else, not much has changed. New photos of Lucy and I, from graduation to our jobs. Damn I wonder how my old room is.

 

The sounds of the kitchen come to life, the sizzling fills the air with the most amazing smells mixed with spices and salts. Her body dances through her ballroom like a waltz, a professional at their peak, the best mom ever. I’ve missed this, It’s enough to bring a tear to my eye. I sit with Dad in the living room, beer in hand as he groaned in his patriarchal chair.

 

Wrinkles adorn him like medals on a war general, I also noticed some white specks on his hair. It being more noticeable on mom, it gives me a slight sense of dread, knowing I might outlive them. Dad spoke up, I didn’t even notice that my leg was stimming.

 

“What the hell were you doing?” He narrowed his eyes.

 

“What?” I couldn’t quite catch what he said.

 

He inhaled in a quiet fury, I know he can’t get too angry nowadays because of his High Blood Pressure; but it’s still something I gotta be careful of. 

 

“I said, what the hell were you doing? For the past weeks and such, disappearing off to somewhere and coming up with excuses to me and the rest of your family. We’ve been handling your paperwork, your new housing, yet you don’t even have the gall to bother us of what’s been going on with you. So I ask this again, what the hell were you doing?” His voice was interrogative like his maneuver, yet there was this hint of empathy. Empathy of knowing that I can tell him things, that I can talk about whatever problems I have yet…I can’t. Not to him, not to anyone else. Other than…her.

 

Sweat trickles down my neck, my clothes feel tight as well. The walls feel like they close in on me with my dad blocking the way out. Oh god does he know? Fuck me he’s always been a loyal guy, to his job, to his friend and especially to his family. And considering the fact that he was loyal to Anon for having Lucy in good faith after their marriage, and how supportive he was of Ganon, I’d be breaking that loyalty he always vowed and preached throughout the Aaron family. Fuck…everything feels so light.

 

“Yoohoo! Dinner’s ready!” My mom rang.

 

My dad grumbled, both about his stomach and about the current situation.

 

“We’ll pick this up later, just glad you’re here now at least.” He pats my back.

 

The uneasiness doesn’t stop, the dizziness doesn’t either, fuck I gotta get out!

 

“Yeah uhh hold on mom I forgot my phone in my car!”

 

Dad stops himself in his tracks, looking back at me with a suspicious gaze. God just let me change my clothes please? He steps forward to the door and opens it.

 

“Stay for dinner wouldja? Watching you.” Dad gave a wary look.

 

“I’m not leaving.” I stated.

 

He raised his eyebrow, judging my words as I walked out. I take a deep breath, it’s tense and unalleviating. It’s hard to be calm when you’re watched; but I push on anyway Dad likes a man who doesn’t pussy out. Hey there’s the truck he talked about, pretty big storage. I approached my car, then I pulled out my backup bag in the backseat. Before we put the stained bedsheet into the laundry, Naomi gave me some spare shirts that Tommy doesn’t use anymore. I undressed and grabbed one of them, hey that’s funny ; this looks like one of the old shirts I used to wear at highschool. Pretty weird, but pretty neat that the guy has good taste. 

 

With a bit of sleight of hand, I managed to pretend I found my phone before returning back to him.

 

“Still like those shirts huh?” He closes the door as we walk towards mom.

 

“Yeah? They’re comfortable.” I pat the shirt down to get rid of the excess wrinkles.

 

“Glad to see my son’s got good taste.” I could barely make out a smirk from him but I know he’s smiling. He just won’t show it.

 

Mom claps her hands in a fast, rhythmic pattern I’ve seen her do throughout my life. It’s like a stim for her, a sign that she’s excited and wants us to be ready for something. I don’t think she even knows she does it intentionally, just a habit. 

 

“Ooh you’ll love dinner Naser! But first let’s bow our heads and pray.” She smiled as she ordered.

 

We sit down, hold hands in grace for Raptor Jesus. We whisper the words, but my mind goes elsewhere. Something that itches me, that one thing that’s bothering me. 

 

A couple hours earlier…

 

The new stores are pretty fancy, I remember Little Troodon being a bit more…dirty? All over the place basically, there’s that bookstore Naomi and I used to go to. Now it’s a veterinarian place called “Irwin’s Clinic”, there’s also that restaurant me and the guys used to eat at after class. Now it’s a salon, “Freeman’s Beautique”. The only place I know that hasn’t changed yet is the gym, man I feel bad having my dumbbells gather dust. Alright, I’ll work out once I have my stuff, might as well.

 

I entered the electronics store, “Zzzzapsalis” was the name. With the logo being representative of the species; some of the usual stuff are here like cords, cases and whatever. Some are things I only ever saw on the news or RexRox like “HOT-mugs” where it’s both a thermos and a coffee machine at the same time. Wow, technology’s so wack, I’ll never buy one of these hunks of junk. Already met enough “CUMBros” to know that shit is full of scams, only an idiot would buy these.

 

Alright, charger, charger, charger…

 

“Naser?” The voice awes.

 

I hear a bubbly woman’s voice call out to me, someone that faintly resounds something in my memory. Must be an employee, I turn around only to realize…it’s not.

 

“Oh my god Naser! How have you been!” She glees.

 

She gives me a hug, something I didn’t expect as I lightly push her away. Now that I realize it, why would an employee say your name? That’s dumb.

 

It takes a moment for me to realize who she is; a Stego Woman in her early 40s, long green hair tied loosely, hanging on her right shoulder with bangs on each side and only a few short hairs kept loose on her forehead. She wears a cream-colored sweater with frilled sleeves and a long red skirt with a white apron and small tan boots. A small watch with pale pastel green,blue and red striped pattern on the straps was on her wrist,  Oh I remember now!

 

“Oh Stella, how’ve you been?” I greeted.

 

“Never better, just buying pens for my little Cynthy.” She showed me one of those art pens used for tablets.

 

“Cynthy?” I asked.

 

“Cynthia!” She happily said before stopping herself, correcting her mistake. “My daughter.”

 

Damn, that guy managed to settle down?

 

“Oh shit, you and Chad are married?” I lean against a counter, a display case for VR headsets underneath the glass.

“No,” She shook her head. “Things didn’t work out well for us. I dated someone else instead and we ended up marrying and have a kid!”

 

Well he was kind of a douchebag, so I’ll give him that.

 

“Oh I'm sorry for that. Not for your marriage, congrats by the way, I meant it not working out.” I clarified.

 

She giggles at my tribulations of words, man having a thesaurus is neat but I should use it more outside my head.

 

“It's alright, sometimes things don't work out. We just decided to stop, even if it hurt. What matters is how you learn from it. Nowadays he runs a gym! The one right over a few buildings I think you just passed.”

 

Hmm…Wow that’s surprisingly deep from her, I didn’t know her well back then and I sure as hell don’t now. 

 

“Hmm, I guess that’s something to consider. But I should get back to my business now, I got some stuff to take care of.”

 

“Oh I see, well if you ever want to hangout again. Here’s my Faceboop!” She quickly taps on her phone to reveal her profile. The profile picture being of some anime thing, looks too pink for my eyes. The banner being a winter trip with her, a fat human guy that I’ll assume is her husband and a really grumpy mini stego.

 

I nod as I pull out my phone, glance at her name before sending a Friend Request on the app. 

 

“Got it! It was nice seeing you again Naser!” She waves as she turns to leave.

 

“No problem…” I slow myself down, my eyes catching a certain device I’ve been searching for this whole damn time.

 

…what if some things don’t work out after all? I do love her right? Even though I was just…tired? My thoughts feel convoluted, fuzzy from exhaustion and whatever else. But there are pieces that I know are right…like…what I genuinely feel about myself.

 

Back to the Present

 

I stare back into the plate, the wafty steam flows through my nose like a genie in a rubbed bottle. Ribeye steak that has a small slice of butter on top, mashed potatoes sauced with gravy. Next to the plate is a simple glass of juice, it’s my favorite food. She still remembers after all this time, extras were made for the occasion. Though I suppose those were made to sate our hunger, my lazy ass caused anyway.

 

“Son.” Dad speaks up.

 

He stands up, grabbing a packet from a cabinet and pours it onto a drink. Offering it to me with a tap.

 

“W-what’s this?” I fuzzed out.

 

“Blowfish, helps out with hangovers. Great for drunk idiots, teens and drivers, or all three when it’s that bad. Anon told me you drank last night at the party.” I look over his shoulder and at the cabinet, a box full of 'em with a few being gone.

 

I take a sip, oh fuck that helps alot. My mind felt clearer, dunno if it’s a placebo effect or what but I do feel a bit sharper now. My thoughts come into my head a lot more welcomingly than I expected, just people saying Hi rather than screaming at me. 

 

I bite down onto the dish, oh fuck me that’s good. No, not good. It’s fucking perfect, I usually just order takeout or go out for dinner. I got really sick of that soon and tried cooking myself; where I realized I’m not that good either. Raptor Jesus let that poor omelette rest in peace, because I burned it like it was in hell.  

 

“So Naser! How are you?” Mom says.

 

Times like these I wish I could openly say the most inane shit there was, like I used to as a kid. Tell my dad he’s got a funny hole in his crest. Just…fucking pull out everything from my mind and put it on the table, have it for people on display.  You see that? That’s what’s wrong with me, and you fucking look at it and oh…it’s you. It’s an exact copy of you, right down to the very small intricate detail.

 

That’s what’s been wrong with me lately mom, just…everything. But I can’t tell you that can I? No, I gotta man up. That’s what guys like me do, not be fucking pussies. I’m Naser, I can fucking do anything.

 

“Oh you know, visiting here and there. Doing neighborhood moving hassle stuff, the usual.” I wave my fork around casually to emphasize my points.

 

“Like what?” She prods, both at the topic and the steak.

 

“Talking to Naomi, we’ve been catching up on stuff. How we are now and me making amends and her going “yeah it’s okay I’m alright with what happened.” I gritted out. Knowing my dad is present at the moment.

 

“Oh yes, you’re going to be coworkers in the local hospital right? Ganon owns the place you know!”

 

“Of course he knows honey, right son?” He doesn’t know that I don’t know, okay good.

 

“Yeah course I do, he’s an absolutely big dude.” Now that I think about it, t hanks for the blowfish by the way dad ,  I don’t think I know anything about him.

 

Sure he’s a mammoth, originally from Northern Saberia. He’s as old as Dad but Naomi doesn’t really mind. Sure he’s a talented doctor who’s accomplished more stuff than me. But aside from that, I can’t exactly remember what his personality was. Naomi told me he was a pretty gentle giant but in the end…I don’t know this guy.

 

“Hm, what about the house? How’s that going, mom?”

 

“Oh the usual, you’re getting it sooner now since the mortgage got approved. If you need help with money you know who to ask.” She said with a sweet smile. 

 

“I can handle the mortgage mom, I’m already pretty rich so it’s not like I’m losing out. If anything you guys should ask me for money.” I joke, mom laughs while dad gives a quiet snicker.

 

The rest of dinner continued nicely, man I missed her cooking so much. I’d rather eat here than anywhere else in the world, I’m fucking sick of hotdogs. Okay now…about Dad, what do I say? I try to think of a speech but so far it’s scattered, I gotta connect the dots. As I mentally calculate it, I stand up to clean the dishes but dad stops me.

 

“Hm?” I raise my eyebrows and head in question.

 

“Let’s talk son.” He patted my shoulder.

 

Man, whatever happened to “I cook, you clean. You cook, I clean”? Ah whatever, my head’s clear, my stomach’s full. Let’s do this. We head back to the living room, it’s a lot more comfortable now and more spacious than earlier. Wow I really needed that huh, we sat on our previous seats and I feel a bit more confident now. 

 

“Back to what we were talking about, what were you doing earlier?” I noticed he had a beer in hand now, lightweight stuff huh? That bad?

 

Okay, I got this. I…got this, you’ve thought this through and now’s the chance. I take a breath before speaking.

 

“Well, for the past few weeks I’ve been talking with Naomi. You know she’s been having…problems right? Dealing with her own issues and stuff, like having destructive and pushback tendencies when help is offered?” I pause as he nods, I continue. “Well I’ve been helping her out with that. But it’s got me running ragged all around, like she’s really hard to be with even though we’re good friends again.”

 

I hope this one works, because I don’t know what I’d do if it didn’t. Hope he doesn’t know, hope he really doesn’t know.

 

“Hmm, I don’t quite believe you.”

 

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

 

“That’s not to say I’m entirely distrusting your case, I just want to see the full picture. There’s a side to every story and I’ve heard yours so far, I’ve yet to hear from the rest.” Goddamn police intuition. Just hope it’s not gonna get me found out.

 

“You’re alright son, stop being so jittery.” He smacks my knee lightly. “Take a break once you get your home, find someone new, exercise, anything to soothe your mood.” He points at me before pulling out his phone, wow that thing is old.

 

“I’m going to call Naomi about this, hear her side of the story. You can rest up, we go moving first thing in the morning. Get a full 8 hours, your room has been cleaned.” He waves his hand for me to go. I sigh in relief as I go back to my car, grabbing the laundry and my belongings. This house holds a lot of memories, I go upstairs, here’s when me and Lucy pretended to be swordmasters battling to the death. The stairs acting as a mountain to heaven and hell, how simple it was  back then.

 

Then around the right…the bathroom. Where I once found Lucy having cut herself badly, laying on the bathroom floor. I thought she was dead, I saved her life and she hated me for it. I think we were teenagers back then, she was going through a scenecore phase with her hair being dyed orange. Maybe they weren’t simple back then, just easier to understand in hindsight. But that doesn’t matter now, the tiles aren’t red. They’re white, and so are my teeth. 

 

As I brush with my electric tip, my mind ticks once more. Maybe this whole thing isn’t a mistake? But rather something that we both want in the end, we don’t want it because of the tension. We wanted it because…we’re lonely, and we’re the only people we know. We’re both horrible people though, so I guess that’s where the pushback is coming from.

 

That’s something to consider, I spit out the now spicy paste out of my mouth. Picture perfect smile, good. I get rid of my pants in exchange for a pair of sweatpants, ones I used to jog in. 

 

My bedroom, there’s the dents that Lucy or in this case Fang kicked or punched on the door while I was asleep. I’m glad she’s better now at least, happier than me anyway. I open it and it’s like I never left, aside from the made bed and clean floor, my stuff wasn’t messed with. 

 

Actually…I wonder, okay where is it…nope. Nope. Oh hey my old prom jacket! I quickly try it on but it doesn’t quite fit me as it used to anymore, this suits a more lean build anyway. Yeah gotta work on that, this jacket isn’t what I’m looking for anyway. It’s behind the…yeah there it is. A box, it’s one of Naomi’s pink ribbon things she used to tie on her shirt. I stare at it, memories of her coming in too.

 

“So…that’s what happened to your wing?” She croaked.

She laid on the bed, lightly playing with her ribbon.

 

“Yeah…I don’t think I told anyone else about this story.” I huffed. It was a heavy subject for me.

 

“Oh Naser, I’m so sorry.” She gave a genuinely sincere remark as she hugged me.

 

“It’s fine, I turned out okay. If I can have a cute gf and be on the track team even after all that, then anyone can too.” I say.

 

I lay on the bed, I can’t sleep anyway. Might as well talk to Naomi, even through texts. I can give this back to her tomorrow if I have the time. Maybe this can work out? We just have to…be considerate.

 

Jurassic Park

 

Melissa

 

Pling

 

We’ve been here for a few minutes now, but we finally arrived here. Jurassic Park, a large nature reserve where people can also camp in designated areas. It gets regularly cleaned to the point where it really feels like you’re in nature rather than a park. It’s enforced harshly where littering can cost around 750$ fine but other than that we should be fine, you’d get a warning before you get fined so it’s not like the end of the world. The entrance has a couple of Rexican guys (not an ankylosaurus) guarding it, Hector talked to them and they seemed like friends considering the way they talked. 

 

Plong

 

We passed through and now they’re setting up camp. Amber went off to help with Cynthia’s tent while Hector and Tommy prepared the barbeque stuff. Geez that’s a huge grill! No wonder why the crate was there. I sat around the campfire, lightly lit while I crisscrossed my legs on a picnic blanket. 

 

Pleng

 

And now I’m tuning my guitar, one of Mr.Reed’s old ones. He used to play drums in Mrs.Lucy’s band but they used to try out three guitars by Mrs.Trish’s suggestion, it didn’t quite work out well for them though. It’s been a while since I’ve been comfortable touching music again, but there’s someone special to me that guided me there along the way.

 

Okay what should I play for her? I love seeing her laugh so maybe another MGR song? It has to be this way? Nah that one is a bit hard for me. Stains of time? Ooh yeah! Maybe just the lyrics though, get a giggle out of her. How’d the lyrics go again? I tune to the song, trying to follow along to make a simple rhythm.

 

“And it will come, like a flood of pain.” I whisper the lyrics while I make sense of the notes. “Pouring down on me- wait what’s the other line again?” I stop, pulling out my phone to quickly check the lyrics but not before I get called by one of the girls.

 

“Hey girl!” I see the large tomboy approach me with a couple of beers, oh fuck-

 

I freeze up, not knowing what to do. I mean I know she’s friendly but I hope she doesn’t do anything bad. She won’t do anything bad right? Wait no, don't think that she’s a friend of Amber’s.

 

“Uhh hey.” She offers me a can but I decline, I don’t wanna go through another hangover.

 

She sits beside me, enough to give me some space as I sheepishly place the guitar on my lap. I’m probably giving a nervous smile to her right now, I know I promised Amber I would try to be more social. It’s still going to be a hurdle for me to go through though.

 

“So…you’re Amber’s girlfriend right?” She starts off with the topic.

 

“Um, yeah?” I confirm.

 

“So…” She takes a sip. “What’s it like?” Curiosity lined her voice.

 

“What’s what like?” I was confused by what she meant.

“Y’know, being a lesbian? Like, is it any different from a straight one?” She contextualizes.

 

Oh, that’s certainly a…question. How do you even answer that? How do I even answer that? Okay breathe in and breathe out, you got this. She trusts that you do.

 

“How does a straight one work?” I returned the question back to her, the double question method as my mom called it. Bring it back to them if you’re confused about a subject.

 

“Well I once dated this guy, a cute small trike dude. I think I was 16 at the time, he was pretty sweet and nice. Gives me gifts whenever he has money. But we stopped after a couple of months since I was too busy because of my job. I still see him around but he’s got someone new sadly.” She sighed as she reminisced.

 

Alright, I can work with that.     

 

“Well…” I start off, thinking of the ways that it’s different. But then I realize something, this is my first relationship. And what she vaguely described is…the same as what me and Amber do. Huh…I look back at her and she looks back at me patiently. Maybe just be honest about it?

 

“I guess it’s not that different from a straight one?” I shrug and smile.

 

She looks disappointed but in a way that isn’t hurtful or anything, just mildly inconvenienced. Amelia then rubs her chin, having thought of another question.

 

“How does she make you feel then?” She’s still pretty curious about it.

 

Hmm…I think about it, memories lapse by me. I do remember how she was to me, amongst the many others. How at first I just wanted to be left alone when we moved in, just be forgotten like how my past dads forgot about me. Just pass by life, get my highschool degree and move on. But she was there, and she showed me what kindness really was. How it feels so…sweet.

 

“She’s…nice. Like genuinely the nicest person I’ve ever met, in a way it felt endearing. I really liked hanging out with her just to get out of the house at first, but the more and more we went on…I realized something. I loved her, and she loved me back. There’s just something about her that makes me feel safe, like I can be myself rather than whatever mom wants me to be at the moment. Sure I feel scared about how other people would react but if she told you guys…then I guess you guys are okay too.” I finish off. I didn’t even notice my heart was racing.

 

“Wow! Pretty poignant girl.” She plays it off in a friendly way. She laughs heartily while I chuckle lightly.

 

“And…she helps me take my mind off things, sometimes bad things.” I didn’t even realize I said it until she repeated it.

 

“Oh damn, what kind of bad things?” I’m surprised as I freeze up again.

 

“Err..uhm…” 

 

“Okay sorry, let me back up a little.” She does it literally and figuratively as she scooches away even though it’s okay by me.

“...What bad things?” She tries again.

 

 I need to make more friends, this is the way to do it right? …Maybe.

 

“Well. I guess something’s bothering me, just something family related.” I doublespeak. She doesn’t need to know yet, just something between me and Amber to deal with.

 

“Ah, is it out of your control? Or are you able to do something about it?” 

 

The heck does that mean? Is it out of my control? I mean yeah she’s fucking cheating on Dad! Am I able to do something about it? Hm…

 

“I guess it’s…both?”

 

“Ah,” She takes one last sip, gracefully tossing the can onto a plastic bag before giving her full attention to me. “See when you say both. It usually means something that feels too tall to beat, like it’s just something you can’t overcome like uhh…cancer.” Her eyes glazed with sadness and grief for the tiniest split second there.  “Just support your family’s decisions the way through but if you can guide them to the right direction then don’t hesitate to do that.” 

 

I sat there for a moment, taking her words in. Support my family’s decisions? Well for one thing I’m certainly not supporting mom, she’s done enough damage. However, to dad and Tommy, definitely. But they have to know about it, Dad tomorrow since he’s kinda similar to Tommy handling sensitive stuff. Alright…maybe this is good.

 

“T-thanks.” I tentatively say.

 

“No problem amigo, thanks for the insight too. Things aren’t that different huh.” She gave a thumbs up.

 

Alright, the plan, tell Tommy the truth and try my best to calm him down.

 

“Can you actually help me with something?” I lightly crack my knuckles in hesitation.

 

“Oh sure, what is it?” She leans against a tree.

 

“I need to talk with Amber and she’s helping out Hector, just need some time with her.” 

 

“Alright, sure.” She smiles.

 

I mouth out a “Thank you” as I quickly sprint to the two of them. She follows afterwards as I see them conversing.

 

“Oh c’mon, we’re not throwing away the nuggies right?!.” She reasoned to Hector, she carried a box of veggies.

 

“Amber, there’s better foods than nuggets… But I can heat these up and add some spices”. Hector sighed as he put the nugs in the fridge instead, him holding a crate of frozen meats. 

 

“Nugs are the best food.” She grumbled before she notices me, she smiles as Amelia takes her place.

 

“I’ll take it from here, your girl needs you man.” Amelia and Amber both fistbumped.

 

We ended up walking away from them, near our own shared tent. 

 

“Sup babe, what’s shakin?” She asks.

 

I take a deep breath, this was gonna be something serious. 

 

“I know we went here for some…stress relief and stuff, but…it’s something related to Mom cheating.”

 

She takes a more serious stance, holding my hand in case I need comfort. It’s sweet when she does this, I continue as I use my thumb to feel her. 

 

“It’s…time I actually confront it, like really face it. It’s just…why? Why would she do something like this? Like I have to face it and the first thing I’m going to do is tell Tommy about it, like if he reacts the wrong way then I’ll try my best to help him process it.” I huff. 

 

She nods along, continuing to be supportive. 

 

“Need me to do something?” She offers.

 

“I’ll tell you.” We both hug it out, I give her a quick peck before exhaling.

 

“Alright…here I go.” I felt determined, I was ready for it.

 

“Good luck babe.” She returns the peck I gave her.

 

I giggle before regaining my composure once more, letting go of the hand to get to Tommy. Now where is he…I see him with Sera, showing off a robot thing. 

 

I came closer, seeing that it was something roomba shaped before it transformed into a moth-like being. It flutters with fiberglass wings as it quickly swoops up, spins around before returning to Sera in an amazing display.

 

“-And I’ll release em with a remote control that only I have access to, been readying these babies to show off those techhead asshats! Oh hi Melissa!” 

 

I wave back at her. Tommy is still amazed by the robot, I have to shake him out of it before he notices me. 

 

“Hey Tommy?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“You’re okay right? Like you’ve been okay being in the house for the past few weeks?” 

 

I still felt bad for leaving him alone, we’re usually together most of the time since I do have to watch him. But I’m glad Dad has been using his free hours to spend time with him, knowing what happened to him back when we were kids.

 

“Yeah I’m fine, I just watched anime Cynthia talked about when we met her. It’s not something I understand but it is something that intrigues me.” He shrugs.

 

“Ah.” Not sure what he sees in her. She’s pretty much a goblin. “Mind coming with me? It’s something important.” I say with a tone that it’s not something to ignore right now, knowing his tendency to get distracted.

 

Sera understands the situation and waves goodbye in a friendly manner, returning to a picnic table to do her tech stuff. We walked away from the camp, I could see Amber being aware of us but giving us enough space to warrant privacy. How do I approach this?  

 

“…you know about our mom right?” I start off.

 

“Yeah…? Like how she is right now?” He questions.

 

“No, like, you know what she’s been through her whole life right? What we’ve been through with her? We know she’s losing it, that she can’t accept any help because well…”What would you return to when you’ve gotten better, life is still awful and there’s plenty of fish in the sea with awful, awful fish.” like she once said.” I cynically toned out.

 

I could tell he’s getting impatient, I stop him at that in a calm manner. With an open palm connected to his, I let him breathe.

“And how she’s been doing whatever to soothe her mind? Alcohol? Money? Whatever else? …what if it became a person, someone that she used to do anything to? For selfish reasons.”

 

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing? Like she’s talking to friends and stuff like your girlfriend’s aunt.” He added.

 

“Not in this context.” Here it is, don’t get nervous now. “I-I know this is gonna be hard for you to take but…I think she's cheating on Dad.” I finally dropped the bomb.

 

“...what?” Disbelief hits him.

 

It takes a while for him to take it in as I can see the words repeating in his head. He looks uneasy, he becomes dizzy at this. 

 

“Yes, I’m not lying. You know I don’t lie around you, I just…I’m sorry I took so long to tell you.” I could feel small pinpricks of tears swelling up.

 

“W-why didn't you tell me?!” His voice raises, he lowers it when he remembers where he is. “W…why didn’t you tell me? When? How long has this been happening?” He stammers over his words, speaking too fast to get what he wants.

 

I hold his hands, he shakes and stops. Breathing still heavy, everything goes through his head again. Panic swelling up in both of us but I’m still doing my best to calm him down.

 

“I…I didn’t want to hurt you. I’m sorry I really am, I’ve been so selfish for the past few weeks. Leaving you alone with Mom just to go with Amber, I couldn’t handle being around that house anymore. Especially when it’s with her.” My composure starts falling apart, it’s hard to think now. 

 

But he hugs me, we haven’t hugged in a long time. This feels…strange, in a good way. 

 

“What do we do?” His throat felt dry.

 

I start shivering and cry, the tears flow down mine and I could feel my own shoulder get wet. He doesn’t like it when I see him cry, but that’s alright. 

 

“I-I don't know…But Amber is helping me out, we’re telling dad when we get home. In person. And see what can be done. She’s telling her parents about it, considering who the person is.”

 

“...so who is it?” He sounded pretty jaded and angry, like he’s ready to hit the guy.

 

“...Amber’s uncle. She’s just as betrayed as me and you, but believe me when I say that she had no part in the cheating alright?”

 

We both squeeze against each other as we separate. Tommy looks distraught and I guess the same could go for me. 

 

“What?!” He exasperated.

 

I nod, he goes through emotions once more. I was afraid he might be angry at her, that she brought all of this. But I know she didn’t, I trust her.

 

“I-...raptor jesus why…” He slumps down onto the ground. At a loss for words.

 

I follow him slowly, laying down on the dirt and grass. He looks so tired, I feel so bad bringing this up to him now. Especially something he thought was going to be really exciting.

 

“I don’t know why…but if I had to guess, she’s hurting again. And this is how she’s working through that pain, but I know it’s not going to work out. It never does, nothing she chooses is healthy.” I lowered my brows, bitter at everything.

 

I hear steps towards me, Amber and Hector. Worried being written on their faces, one out of love and one out of broship respectively. Amber hugs me before helping me get up, I wipe the dirt against my skirt and knees. Hector does the same to Tommy without the hugging part, Amber knows what happens but Hector looks confused.

 

“Something happened?” He asked.

 

“Family issues, it’s uhh…something between us at the moment.” Amber interjected.

 

“Ah, can I know about it or…” He looks pretty curious like Amelia.

 

“Err…” Amber looks at me.

 

“Not yet, we’ll tell you when we’re ready for it. It’s something pretty heavy.” I add.

 

Hector respects that, wow Tommy was right. Hector’s a bro, I guess Amelia too?

 

Oh wow there’s something cooking...that smells delicious holy fuck. I notice my stomach grumbling, I only ate lunch so I’m looking forward to this. 

 

“My barbeque!” Hector quickly runs off to the smell’s direction. 

 

Amber shakes her head in a “Oh silly little Hector” type of way, with a smirk on top of it. 

 

“I’ll give you the time you need.” Amber gives me a quick kiss before following Hector.

 

The sounds of the camp are in the air, yet the loudest noise was the quiet between me and Tommy. We both look at eachother, emotionally exhausted. Tired at how our lives went, yet still pushing on for one another. I’m the first to take the step back to our friends, I offer my hand for him to follow. While we’re on the path, I remember something.

 

“Hey Tommy? You know Cynthia likes you right?” I give a sincere smile.

 

“Wait? What?” He stops in his tracks.

 

“Yeah, she totally has a crush on you.” I remember when Amber told me that, I jab at him lightly afterwards.

 

“You’re lying.” The moment he said that, he slapped himself. I only gave a face of smug sincerity.

 

He then “Hmms” to himself, thinking about what I said. Those two have been hanging out more than for the past few weeks, maybe he’s finally getting it. I’m proud of my lil bro.

 

“Hey Melissa!” Hector calls out.

 

I wave goodbye to Tommy as he’s quickly approached by Cynthia. Those two are weird, but they’ll manage it. I hope?

 

I walk towards Hector, working on the grill like it’s a food forge. God those veggies smell so good. And so do the carnivore stuff surprisingly, even though I can’t eat it. 

 

“So Melissa senorita! You know how to cook right?” He flips one of the chickens around, I think that’s inasal if I remember correctly.

 

“Uhh yeah! In my freetime I do.”

 

I always kind of had to cook for my brother, considering how he is. I really liked cooking for most of my life, since we became richer and mom having married dad. I’ve been cooking more exotic foods than ever before in my life. I know Amber can cook but she prefers my cooking way more than even her dad, which is both embarrassing and flattering.

 

“Heh, well then.” He grinned.

 

“Now,” He quickly poses, somehow losing his shirt in the process. “Shall we get cookin?” He grinned. Hell fucking yeah.

 

Confessions

 

Naomi

 

17 years ago

 

“Shoutout to this girl right here folks! She’s been a victim of abuse around last year, where she was assaulted and was left with two kids and not enough people to help her out.” I remember this.

 

It was Kanyesaurus’s presidential campaign, he was throwing around checks like it was nothing. He came around St. Hammond, giving them out to abuse victims since he did proclaim he was abused as a kid once. I didn’t know if it was true, and I was iffy on him casually mentioning my assault. But I was desperate after graduation, finding a job and someone to take care of the kids was stressful. I felt bad depending on Lucy for babysitting despite her saying it was okay but eventually she moved away to Anon. All I had left was my younger sister Mia, and she wasn’t good with kids. Not at all, she was still in college too. 

 

“But we’re gonna help her out!” The crowd cheered, I sat sheepishly on a stool chair as the faces staring at me were overwhelming.  

 

“Hey, man bring the check ere’.”   He whispered to a nearby intern. “There it is!” He took the check with his small stubby arms, passing right onto me. At least 300k dollars, Enough to buy a house, now who’s going to take care of them? 

 

“Right, now Naomi, I know things have been rough for you lately since graduation. But I’m gonna offer you a job, help me with my presidential campaign and you’ll get a consistent paycheck.” The crowd cheered after that, hailing him like a hero. I heard a bell ring afterwards, playing music he made specifically for the event.

 

DING

 

Back to the present

 

DING

 

I snap my eyes open, oh the tofu-loaf is done! I grab mittens to get the tray, oh this smells wonderful~. It’s a nice distraction from the memories, cooking takes my mind off things, I should cook more…but it doesn’t feel the same when you’re alone is it. I miss teaching Melissa how to cook, oh she’s so talented at it now. How I would love a taste of her food once more, how I would love to see her…see me as a mother again.

 

Maybe this isn’t working out, even doing my hobbies isn’t making me happy anymore. Only he does. After a while I started dating Kanyesaurus, we were moving to Volcadera Bluffs to do another sponsorship at Volcano High and we had a student reunion there. I was too busy advertising for the campaign that I couldn’t join Lucy…But it was for my kids I said…yeah…for my kids. He even offered a hand of marriage for me, in private to show good faith. Too bad Kanye turned out to be a racist, a Preddy Supremacist. I still have shudders of what he wanted to do with my lips, botox inflation…eugh.

 

It does feel indicative of how I was in the past, a plastic facade. But there’s two things that separates me and that monster, I was doing it for Naser while he was doing it for selfish illegal gain. I’m not the one in prison am I? No I am not, and that’s that.

 

I hear a heavy knock on the door, Ganon’s here. 

 

“Hey Ripley! Things are going okay…Naser? Who’s Naser? Oh that Naser? My wife’s ex-fling? I’ve never met him yet, would love to though.” He said to the phone, Oh no. Did he slip again? Goddamnit Naser!

 

I open the door, seeing Ganon holding his doctor’s bag and putting it on the desk with a tired huff. He puts his jacket on the coat and he gives me a kiss, I barely feel anything from this. I barely feel anything from being the dream wife I sought out to be.

 

“Hello darling! How are you!” His belarussian accent gruffs out in a happy way. I put on a smile for him, he doesn’t need to know. He SHOULDN’T know.

 

“Oh I’m…fine.”

 

“You know Naomi…you can always talk to me when something’s wrong.” He gave a compassionate voice.

 

“Like I said Ganon. I’m fine.” My compassion died with Arnold.

 

His eyes want to persist further, but knowing me, he stops in defeat. Letting me sulk by myself as we walk to the dining room in this tense silence. He breaks it though, not wanting it to be melancholy especially after being at the hospital for so long.

 

“How’s your leg dear?”

 

“Oh this? Yeah, Naser took care of the leg.” I guess I could doublespeak through this, so there wouldn’t be any suspicions. 

 

“Naser came here?” He notices some leather pillows have been misplaced, to comfort my knee.

 

“Yes, he’s been recently visiting me due to my terrors.” Lying would make things fall apart quickly, but this should buy us some time.

 

“Terrors? You’ve been taking your pills right?” He sits down, taking a nice whiff of the Tofu-Loaf with his furry snout.

 

“I have, it’s still hard coping with…the things that happened.” Buy time for what though? Plans don’t last forever and I gave up on them. Buy time for this fantasy to last longer? Buy time for this delusion to continue? I know it’s going to fall apart, but I just…can’t let it.

 

“Naomi. Last chance to tell me something before we eat, let’s not eat sad honey.” He says with one last determined gruff.

 

I shake, I still have that spark for him. I still want to be with Naser even after all of this, but there’s also this part of me that can’t feel anything. I want to love, be loved, hate, be hated, do everything, do anything. Yet it all comes up…numb. I’m going delusional over this, what am I even saying anymore? Does it matter what I say?

 

“I…I’m just so lonely Ganon.” I admit.

 

“Oh…oh honey I’m so sorry. I know I’ve been too busy but here’s the good news! I’ll try to take the day off tomorrow, make it up to you in any way I can.” He sat closer to me, arms around my shoulder to give me a hug from behind. This is sweet of him, but again, I can’t feel anything from this anymore.

 

“That’s…that’s nice of you sweetheart.” I droned.

 

Our stomachs grumble, the loaf is getting cold. We share one last kiss before we eventually separate and eat at our seats. The nice thing is that I’ve seasoned this to my liking, he likes it too. It makes the sour mood less obvious, just hiding it away. 

 

We eventually finish eating, he cleans up for me. I didn’t eat much despite my hunger from earlier, enough for me to shower without vomiting and eventually sleep.

 

It all blurs to me, I retreat into the shower with Ganon turning on the TV. Russian dialogue murmurs throughout the pink shower, my head still hurts. Ganon had noticed earlier and just told me to sleep it off. Blood trickled down my leg, the knee is still sore.

 

Honestly? I was glad for the pills, I genuinely am glad for the medical cabinet. I have to be careful to not overdose myself, the last time I did that I was sent to the hospital. I remember my kids' faces, Melissa with anger, Tommy with shock… and Ganon with despair. I had the naive thought that pills and therapy would cure my problems, just make them go away. But they’re just tools to help people deal with their issues, Dr. Rudot did tell me to find my guide on dealing with it…but I don’t know how to deal with it. I feel lost, I feel lonely…So I suppose Naser is my guide, a familiar face to see how I could go through them. And even then…I still have no idea what to do with myself do I? He always knew what to do or say, he was the first one to approach me after all. To give me a chance…

 

Barbeque Night

 

Cynthia

 

“Hey gringo girl! You got any of those nice ass tamales?”

 

“Hijo de la chingada, te golpearé el trasero con la chancla sagrada si sigues diciendo tonterías.” Amelia said with vicious venom. 

 

“...Okay then I’ll assume that’s a yes and I shouldn’t say gringo. Fair enough, although isn’t it latinx instead of gringo that’s more offensive? ” I thought out loud about the last part.

 

“LATINX?!” She roared.

 

“Uh oh.”

 

As if by pure survival instinct, my legs were already moving at a pace I’ve never seen myself in before. Though knowing my diet and exercise routines, it quickly falls flat as I'm immediately exhausted and out of breath. My ramen nutrients do me no favor of survival as Amelia quickly catches up.

 

“YOU DEAD ALA PUTANG GRINGA!!”

 

If there was anything to learn from the Rexicans or Rosa’s family, don’t ever fuck with them. Especially when they know wrestling moves.

 

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

 

Such as Discombobulation.

 

5 minutes later

 

“Ah! My ears burn!” Oh Raptor Jeezus my legs feel like gelatin…

 

I slump down a foldable lawn chair, I have no idea how much they packed into that car of theirs but good grief it’s like a fucking house.  It took a while to get that crazy bitch off me, saying that she isn't done until she was satisfied. Ah yes, satisfied. SATISFIED WITH ME HAVING DIRT IN MY FUCKING MOUTH. Eugh, forest dirt. Amber being a mediator did help her calm down, but fuck me this hurts. I’m still pissed about it even though Sera said “Trigga you instigated it, and she got into a Trigga Moment! You brought this on yourself.” 

 

Hnnggg that stupid smart bitch and being stupidly smart all the time grrr…

 

“You alright?”

 

“NO IM NOT FUCKING AL-”

 

Tommy flinched at my yelling, clearly not expecting that as I stared back at him wide eyed. 

 

“I mean no. I’m not okay. I got my ass beat.”

 

“Okay then.”

 

He then proceeded to drag his chair near mine, taking a sip of apple juice while the Rexican twins drank imported beer. The two dykes declined which was pretty weird but then I remembered about their conversation on Dinocord earlier. I kinda wonder what beer tastes like…speaking of which.

 

“Beer or Juice?” Hector offered me.

 

One is an ice cold Corona and the other is one of those kiddie apple juice drinks that Melissa is now drinking.

 

“Uhh…Beer.” I pick my poison.

 

He hands me one as I pop the tab open, see it fizz before gul- ACK!

 

“EUGH!”

 

“First timer eh homes? Hector chuckled.

 

That…did not taste good. I try more sips of it before realizing…this isn’t for me. I reluctantly take my juice instead, it’s fine but damnit. Hector leaves us alone as he tends to the barbeque, flipping the kebabs and inasals around. Amber brings me the food, an ice pack for my legs even though they’re not bruised surprisingly enough. It’s neat that I’m an omnivore like her, benefits of being half human I guess. Chicken inasal with veggie nugs that got sauce all over them.

 

I get my fill, hey these are pretty good! I need to try more ethnic foods or whatever the fuck they’re called, my mom keeps cooking Wapanese food even though they are pretty tasty. 

 

“So…you’re into anime right?” Tommy leaned near me, Amber already left.

 

“Yeah?” 

 

“Got any recommendations? I only watched One Kick Man so far.”

 

Wow this guy is pretty basic. It’s a kino show to the normies but it’s a classic either way, okay so…what animes? I’m trying to date this guy so I should give him something nice, maybe something I watched recently like-

 

“Uh, are you there?” He waved a hand at me.

 

“Shush, I'm thinking.” I put my finger near his beak.

 

Oh I got it!

 

“Oh there’s Gogogo-go Go-gogo where it’s uhh…it’s uhm…” FUCK THIS SHOULD BE EASY WHY IS THIS SO HARD IT WAS MY CHILDHOOD ANIME OH MY FUCKING GOD I SUCK AT THIS.

 

“Is…that a real anime?”

 

“NO! I mean yes! There’s also Krill-la-krill where they fight like naked ladies with shrimp stuff and-” Okay now that I say this outloud this is the stupidest fucking premise ever WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.

 

“Uhh…” He seems at a loss for what to say or do. SAO?? GENTLEMAN IN THE FRANXX?! THE TIME I WAS REINCARNATED AS A POPULAR AMERICAN ACTOR: HE’S LITERALLY ME?!

 

CMON THINK! USE YOUR RIZZTISM!! 

 

“GOKU NO HERO!” oh my FUCKING GOD YOU BASIC WHORE-

 

“Oh that one? I think I’ve heard of that one before, superheroes fighting aliens sounds kinda cool! Haven’t watched it yet though.”

 

What. That worked? I look at him with judgemental eyes about his tastes in anime before realizing he would call it Kino the moment he laid eyes on it.

 

“Y’know what. Good for you.” I slump back into the seat, I didn’t even notice myself sitting up earlier.

 

“So uhh…know any good places to watch it online?” I was about to say a website like anime9 or wcofun before realizing a better idea.

 

“We could uhh…” Oh come on, spit it out. You already started the idea, just go through it! 

 

“watchitonmylaptop” I manage to say it.

 

“What?” He barely caught on that.

 

“Watch it on my laptop!” I correct louder than necessary. 

 

“Oh, Sounds neat!” He nods.

 

We smile at each other, hey I’m not doing so bad at this romance thing! I can totally date someone! I was about to get up and get it myself. Only before I realized-

 

“OOF!”

 

Tommy manages to catch me before I bonk my crests on the rough ground. Oh jeez, it's like those romance animes. Oh god I hope my breath doesn’t stink, he’s so close to me. Oh god is that what boysmell actually is?  

 

“Do your legs still hurt?”

 

They’re still pretty wobbly so yeah it does, you big tardass.

 

“Alright, I’ll carry you.”

 

Nani? WOAH!

 

He carries me like I weigh nothing, probably because I actually do weigh nothing. God I need to exercise more…

 

I point to where my tent is as he slides me inside like one of those EMI scanner things at a hospital. He gently puts me down on my bed, which is one of those weird onesie bag things that Adventure Hour had. He’s pretty big too so he kinda has to squeeze himself carefully besides me. 

 

I grab my laptop and boot it up, my wallpaper being one of my OC shitpost doodles. I had an animated wallpaper I made myself but this was too funny to pass up the moment I made that one.

 

“You work in animation right?” He asks.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Do you get paid alot for it?”

 

“Course, though my parents take half of it away ugh.” I remember my mom buying an air conditioner with the money I rightfully earned myself.

 

I go through my folders and open up my series folders, all this pirated booty, all mine to own for free. I open up Goku no Hero and we get engrossed in the first episode.

 

We watch through it, Vegeta-ble beating up Deck-U’s fagass. Although I feel like something’s distracting us. An itching feeling that-

 

“Hey Cynthia, you uhh…like me right?” He said out loud.

 

Okay first off that was really straightforward, and secondly WOW.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I mean like…I like you too? Because you’re nice to me and stuff.”

 

“Nice?” Okay I know I’m not nice.

 

I know people hate me, both irl and online. I’m not exactly…prime girlfriend material, yet I’m trying to date him anyway. I’m a shit influence and…Eh fuck it why not. This feels way too soon but I have no idea what I’m doing and neither does he!

 

“Are you saying…you have a crush on me?”

 

“Err…what would you say if I said yes?”

 

“...I’d say I do too.”

 

We both stare at each other after that, oh goddamn I’m really into this now aren’t I?

 

“Why not.” He speaks out loud.

 

“Oh. Oh damn.” I feel myself smiling uncontrollably, this is actually pretty exciting. Ah shit shit shit I’m so bad at this.

 

“Yeah…”

 

Man this is weird, I never thought getting a boyfriend would be like this. I thought it’d be more…romantic? Maybe I could change that?

 

“So do we uhh…kiss or something now?” I ask him.

 

“K-kiss?!”

 

“I mean…okay I’ll do this instead.” This is going on way too fast but this is too exciting to pass up.

 

My body felt out of control, I reached up to his cheek and gave him a quick peck. Oh god this is making me excited and giggle a lot, this feels weird but also so kyaaaaaaaa! OH WAIT FUCK!

 

I can’t stop blushing, oh god I can’t stop blushing. He’s red as a tomato now, oh damn he doesn’t know what to do. 

 

We sit in awkward silence, no longer paying attention to the anime and instead to each other. Taking glances once in a while as I close the laptop, almost too forcefully for its sake.

 

“OKAY UHM…” I squeak out. 

 

Okay I am feeling pretty sleepy now but…what was that thing Amber told me that she does with Melissa?

 

“We should uhh sleep now.”

 

“Oh alright I’ll go to my own place now.” He was about to crawl out before I managed to grab his arm. Or rather try as my arm almost got yanked away by sheer force.

 

“No no! I mean, sleep with me. I MEAN NOT THAT KIND OF SLEEPING BUT THE KIND OF SLEEPING WHERE YOU…sleep.” I nervously smile. God I was doing really well earlier! The fuck happened to me?

 

“I mean yeah sure but I gotta bring my own stuff too.”

 

“Oh yeah sure!” I wave him off as he goes to do his own thing.

 

Now I’m alone again, normally I like being by myself. Treating my parents like they’re my roommates or landlords that fucking barge without knocking. But with him…it’s sort of…lonely. Is this what I was missing out on? I never felt this before? Maybe it’s clinginess or some shit. Oh wait I just realized, I have to actually sleep with someone. Oh god I haven’t slept with any other person other than…my parents when I was 5. Holy shit I'm a loser.

 

“Cynthia?”

 

Tommy raised his eyebrow at me. He carries a few of his belongings as well as his bedroll. I pat the spot next to me as he takes his time to organize his stuff. Finalizing with rolling his bed as he lays down beside my space.

 

“So there’s this thing called Spooning! Where you basically hug the person in front of you with the person facing their back against you.” I tried my best to explain.

 

“Since you’re uhh…big. I’ll be the little spoon, which means you’re the one hugging!” His eyes widened at that, I’m surprised at what I said too.

 

We get into our position, pushing our beds together to create a wider mattress. I nudge my back into his torso as he gently wraps my arms around me.

 

“Like this?” He nervously says.

 

This feels cozy actually, no wonder why they do this. I can feel my butt nudge into his pelvis where he uhh…I can feel him shaking lightly, trying to resist his male urges. I feel a bit hot myself but this is too early for that. Especially if we’re in this deep already, oh god.

 

“Well uhh…goodnight?”

 

“Goodnight…babe?” He tries that last part. Wow couple nicknames already? I don’t mind that. 

 

Even though I said goodnight, I can’t fucking sleep. I can sense he can’t sleep either, I just stare at the tent wall. Pretending to sleep, I mean do I love him? We like eachother sure but…I barely know him. At the same time he did give me a chance, despite me literally not being a good influence at all. 

 

Maybe.

 

Maybe this is a sign.

 

A sign to try things out.

 

I’ll see this through, it’s pretty exciting.

 

Anon’s Dadventures

 

Anon

 

It’s night now, playing vidya with my wife. It was a day full of errands as usual, Lucy met up with the new teachers and is basically like a sort of assistant to Mrs.Roberts. Meanwhile I just stayed at home, working on sound design for the newest Galliwood shlock. I might as well make the sound design as good as it gets, would give me more attention from sound producers. She reads a book beside me. I usually game whenever we both can’t sleep for the night.

 

“Hope they’re alright, they grew up so fast don’t you think?” Lucy worried.

 

“They’re gonna be fine honey, we just gotta have faith in em!” C’mon Raiden, show this idiot what your sword can do…

 

“You better be right…Sera took a lot of photos of you rather than the party.” She said with an accusatory tone.

 

“I had a really good outfit for the party.” NO! Fuck this game!

 

“Hmph, you sure did.” She smirks at the game over screen and at my own boasting, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. 

 

“We should sleep now, gotta maintain the sleep schedule for school.” She puts the book aside and turns off the lamp beside us. 

 

“Alright babe.” I stand up to turn off the Pachystation, I know there’s newer models but you can’t beat the classics. I still hate the fact they haven’t made a fucking remaster like c’mon it’s free money for them!

 

But that’s besides the point. Eyes rolled back, snuggled with my neet ptero wife, comfy warm sheets. And after a few minutes or so…everything is gone.

 

Oh hey I’m dreaming, new record! Alright then where’s this gonna lead me? Oh shit memory lane? Les goooooo….

 

…do people still say les go? Raptor Jesus I’m too fucking old for that, but then again, I don’t give a shit. Maybe I’m built different.

 

“Daddy!”

 

Ah, an Amber dream. God it’s still so jarring how I went from just wanting to be left out, not caring about others, to caring about the love of my life and my sweet little daughter. It makes a man cry, in a totally manly way of course. Wait I’m dreaming, why do I have to pretend I have to be manly here? Ah whatever.

 

I see myself in a POV shot, Amber hugging my leg and blowing a raspberry at the elementary principal. I remember this, I was called out of work and drove right out of dodge to see what the hell happened. I had to pick up Lucy on the way as we didn’t have two cars yet. Amber was only 6 at the time and it was her first time going to elementary school. Lucy gave a soft but disapproving look at Amber as the guy recounted the events that transpired.

 

“Mr and Mrs Mous, your daughter was involved in an…incident. Witnesses say that she punched a fellow classmate, stood over him and said… “Show me a good time Jack.”” He said with a confused remark.

 

I almost burst laughing at that, that’s what this was about? Lucy is giving me a confused stare but I couldn’t help but laugh a bit, my best attempt at being professional was pretty garbage considering my composure skills. 

 

“The victim’s parents are on their way and we will discuss your daughter’s behavior.”

 

“Woah woah woah,” Lucy immediately stood up and pointed a finger at him. “There’s a side to every story and I’ve heard yours so far, I’ve yet to hear from Amber.” 

 

“Alright honey…what happened?” I asked Amber who was in my lap. Lucy gave a sympathetic look to her too.

 

We didn’t like being angry at Amber, we didn’t want to mimic our parents behaviors so we tried a softer approach. It’s working out so far so might as well continue with it.

 

“He…called me a spear chucker? And a faggot?” She said those words, I don’t think she even understands what those mean. “And he wouldn’t stop making fun of me…So I hit him like how Jetstream Sam does it!” I still couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

 

“Well…is the boy going to be punished?” Lucy redirected it to the principal.

 

“Yes- But! This isn’t appropriate behavior in the school premises, the two kids are going to have to shake hands. To show a sign of good faith.”

 

This usually happens in the old days when two kids fight and have to apologize, but it never works. Instead it creates resentment and even more bullying. But this wasn’t the old days, nor were we not gonna take a stand for it.

 

“Sir, if you give a shit more about your reputation than the actual wellbeing of kids in YOUR care. Then I’m pretty sure you’re not qualified to run a school, we’re leaving. We’re done with your pathetic excuse of a school.”

 

Lucy immediately leaves in a huff, I follow suit as I carry Amber.

 

“Wait so we’re just changing schools now?” I hurried alongside her.

 

“Yeah, this place is incompetent, I don’t want my daughter to be in a place like this.”

 

“So where next? Cretaceous Public? Janoga Park?” I list them off.

 

“Janoga is quite the drive…” She reasoned, her anger slowly melted off. 

 

“YOU! You big fat meanie!” A kid called out.

 

He was a raptor. He was carried by two parents, an interspecies one like me and Lucy. A sculpted body of a god Brachiosaurus loomed over me while a tiny raptor woman looked angry.

 

“You! Were you the one that hit my boy?” She had a southern accent.

 

“Yeah!” Amber declared with raised fists. Lucy quickly pinched her snoot in embarrassment. 

 

“Well my dad can beat your dad!” The kid shouted.

 

“...Mind if we take this outside?” His voice echoed throughout the hallway, I swear I felt like I was in danger at the time.

 

“Woah hey calm down buddy-” I raised my hands but he was already walking out, leaving the mother and kid alone.

 

“...you got this Anon. Don’t get killed.” She tentatively said. 

 

“Mind if we have a little discussion about what happened?” The raptor woman told Lucy. They go to an empty classroom as me and the brachiosaurus exit. 

 

Welp, I didn’t know how to fight. I still don’t know how to after all this time, I mean I had a switchblade back at highschool but even then my best bet was to not get in a fight in the first place.

 

“He…” The guy starts off, welp, guess I’m dying.

 

“He called me dad! My stepson called me dad!” 

 

What.

 

This burly dude, this guy who looks like he’s from BaKey, is almost in tears of what his son said. He composes himself as he wipes his tears with a napkin.

 

“I-I’m sorry about that, it’s been a stressful couple of months. Little Jason has had a hard time getting used to me being around the house, and my wife hasn’t been taking his tantrums well.” He exhales, and the guy looks tired as he sits on a nearby bench. I follow him as I speak up.

 

“So…you’re newly married?”

 

“Yep, found the love of my life and she has a kid. She didn’t exactly tell me about it but I was still pretty supportive about it. I did my best to research how to be a dad but I didn’t know if I was doing a good job or what. Dad…that’s who I am. Heh, funny, it’s strange how I never thought I’d get to this point and…be content with it.”

 

Wow, that is…really introspective. Pretty similar to my own situation, how this amazing bundle of joy was a result of me trying my best to listen to others. Being empathetic and understanding, not the only person in this world.

 

“So, sorry about my daughter hitting your kid.” I raised my hand in good faith.

 

“What exactly happened?” He asks with a confused face. Like he knows his son wouldn’t do something like this.

 

I whispered it to him, in which case he laughed at how ridiculous it was once I provided context.

 

“You play MGR too? Damn bro, we’re fuckin old.”

 

I’m not that old! I’m…in my early 30s…fuck I am old.

 

“Yep! Name’s Adam by the way. Adam Rain.”

 

“Anon. Anon Y. Mous.” We shook hands, we didn’t end up fighting! That’s nice.

 

We returned back to them, Lucy had ended up talking to the woman that hitting her kid isn’t going to solve anything. She looked at Lucy as if she said something so ridiculous that it’s not possible. Amber ended up talking to Jason about why they called them that, he was dared to by other kids, more rowdy and rough than him. There were rumors of these kids’ parents being actual terrible people which would explain their behavior, we didn’t exactly want to deal with them any further so the four of us agreed to relocate our kids somewhere else. Adam and his wife moved upstate, It was nice that Amber managed to talk it out with him. Not a lot of kids can do that around her age, not even adults older than me. The words still resound in my mind.

 

“So…I’m still mad at you for calling me those things? Why did you say that?”

 

“I was…angry.”

 

“At me?”

 

“At…everything I guess.”

 

“Well I’m sorry for hitting you.”

 

“I’m sorry for calling you those things then.”

 

It felt better than a forced handshake, though it was pretty fucking sad hearing a kid say those things. 

 

Man, raising Amber has been quite the journey. It was difficult being a parent but not impossible, there were good and bad moments. The good ones were pretty neat, which was this one. The bad ones were there too, some were funny.

 

In this one, I was taking Amber to her new school. It was a public school this time around, suggested by Stella and Trish. I gave her bubblegum and she tried blowing bubbles. It was difficult due to her unique snout but she managed to make small ones. The question surprised me first and foremost.

 

“Daddy…how was I made?”

 

Internalizing my inner zoomer, I tried my best to explain who she is and how she came to be.

 

“Your mom asked me to be her sigma and she rizzed me up with her bussin W gyatt then she went full banban skibidi zaza style on my Pizza Tower and nine months later you came out.”

 

Unfortunately, she’s not a zoomer by heart. She doesn’t even have a phone! She then told me something I definitely knew Lucy ordered her to say when I say something fucking stupid.

 

“...Daddy, I think God should kill you.” 

 

I dropped her off soon after that, God shall kill me whenever he has the BALLS to do so. Which is to say whenever. I went on a quick date with Lucy afterwards, we browsed phones to replace my shitty old one. I could give her this one, it’s good enough as a hand-me-down.

 

“Okay so do we give her a phone?” Lucy looked at me while we were shopping. Getting the same idea.

 

“Not yet, she’s gonna get brain rot if we do now.”

 

“Well what if we watch her? Like see what she’s watching?” She shrugged.

 

“Maybe? But what would we allow her to watch?” I tap my hands on a tablet, damn these are fancy.

 

“Definitely not cocomelon, fuck that.” She shuddered at the memories of encountering kids who were on Cocomelon withdrawal.

 

“Vines?” I spitballed. Oh crap how do I exit this gaming app? Fuck it’s bluescreening!

“Nah I don’t want a tumblr kid.” She waved the idea away. Warily watching me mishandle the VERY expensive device.

 

hmm…OH!

“The answer’s obvious, duh! Kid shows, pirated!” I immediately put the tablet face down, no one needs to know what happened to it.

 

“Genius.” She snarked.

 

And none were the wiser...EXCEPT FOR PEOPLE WITH EYES.

 

Amber was pretty extroverted, not knowing what to do when she doesn’t have any homework or ideas to draw. She liked hanging out with the other kids like Cynthia and Sera in her new school. After getting child friendly anime and cartoon suggestions from Stella and Bob, she ended up enjoying them a fair bit. Her favorite one was a pony show, which is pretty cringe, but I’m supportive either way. One anime she likes is Pirate Sun, taking a liking to the main characters such as Pirate Neptune. She still plays MGR with me, saying Mistral was her favorite character. 

 

Speaking of being supportive, that day she came out to me. I never really expected this yet it felt pretty obvious in hindsight. She was 12 around this time, I was making Foley in the kitchen. Using the cups to make magical sound effects, I had taken a break when she spoke those words.

 

“...Dad, I'm gay.” 

 

Okay first off, don’t think it don’t say it don’t think it don’t say it- And second off, what?

 

“I uhm…okay nevermind-” She looked really embarrassed and was about to leave but I stop her in time

 

“No no wait, I heard you. It’s just uhm…” 

 

How do you react to this? I know we promised Amber that she can tell us anything and we wouldn’t get mad, and we didn’t! We were reliable to her, it was considered a good thing. But this…did I cause this? With the shows we let her watch and eventually shared my phone with her. 

 

“What led you to say that?” I put my full focus on her.

 

“I uhh…noticed that I like girls, I really like girls. I wasn’t really interested in boys like the other girls and I didn’t want to be a normie.”

 

Hmm…interesting. Girls are indeed pretty. I nod as I let her continue.

 

“A-and…I’m telling you this first because I was afraid Mom might take it the wrong way, like I remember when she told me about her non-binary thing and…I was scared that she might treat it like a phase.” She started rubbing her arm sheepishly, about to cry as I hugged her.

 

C’mon Anon, everyone has their battles. Help her out.

 

“Amber…I’m okay with you being like this. I’m okay with you liking girls and if you need help, I’ll be here. Including telling mom. Remember that okay? I am okay with you sweetie.”

 

I may not be gay or whatever, but I do love my daughter. And I’m gonna help her out through the whole way, whether it’s a phase or not. It’s gonna be alright.

 

She hugs me, I hug her back. I could feel her crying and hastily saying thank you alot. After that she helps me with my Foley work, she’s still my daughter. She’s Amber Mous and I learned something new about her, this doesn’t change much about how I feel about her. We eventually did tell Lucy and she took it well surprisingly enough, and soon throughout her life she had been coming out to new and old family members…well…except one.

 

My own. I never really told Lucy or Amber about them much, just vague retellings of what Rock Bottom was like. I never had them meet each other, they were just ghosts…

 

Then… there was that number, that dreaded and familiar number from way back when. I just called it “Dad” so Lucy would know who it was, if they ever called at all. Back when I had Amber in my arms as a newborn.

 

I recognized his voice. Only one sentence was spoken.

 

“Hey son, are you alright?”

 

You never asked me if I was fucking alright, so i just never bothered to continue it further than that. Sure it’s petty but at this point who cares. They were never there for me, so why bother continuing it now? 

 

God, I never knew how much they weren’t there for me until I’m this old now. Even when I used to be apathetic, I knew that they were parents who never gave a shit and never will. But I never realized how bad it was until that cynical cloud that obscured my vision faded away, they were evil fucks. Not the kind that would kick puppies for fun, but the kind that would leave their son for dead. If I ever was involved in an accident, a school shooting or whatever the fuck, they’re the kind who would never bother to think if their son was okay.

 

But ever since I had Amber, I never wanted to be like them. I really had to make sure of it, there were moments of doubt but Lucy had helped me along the way. Now look at me, I’m a full fledged Dad now. 

 

Dad…that’s who I am now. I’m a father, a man who takes care of the family, a man who’s dependable…a man who’s there and won’t abandon them. I always wondered if I was going to be a good dad, that I was going to be reliable for them. Lucy did say that kids are mirrors of the adults' caretaking skills, which will eventually form into their core personality. 

 

Considering how Amber is now, I’d say me and Lucy did a pretty good damn job. Sure I wasn’t perfect but no parent ever is nor will be, I did my best and we got an amazing fucking daughter.

 

So you know what Dad?

 

Suck it.

 

I’m the best one there is.

 

Deep in the Rocky Woods

 

Amber

 

Sera’s lightshow was genuinely amazing, the holographic tech alongside the cool drone she made looked like a major technological breakthrough. It was a sight to behold when we were eating earlier, I swear she almost cried at the praise we gave her. Not being too modest about it, she exclaimed that half of the work went to Patty who shared some coding insight. Needless to say, she’s a goddamn prodigy.

 

January 6th, Year 201M2040 BC. 

 

Yawn…

 

Ah fuck what time is it?

 

Opening a small flap, I peek out the tent window…still night.

 

Ah great, can’t sleep again. I notice Melissa hugging me tightly, close to her…

 

Okay don’t be weird, even though it’s kinda hot. She’s pretty knocked out cold too, it’s cute seeing her like this. 

 

I quickly kiss her forehead, trying my best to unlock her arms sneakily. I slide out and replace her missing partner with one of my Poner Plushies. The hug tightens with a crushing and loving force, rest in peace Ponker Ponk. Your sacrifice will be remembered.

 

I open the flap as I go out, stretching out my muscles and wings. I usually draw whenever I can’t sleep, my best shit ass doodles typically come from my insomnia. Though there is something distracting me from that, I notice someone’s still awake. 

 

I hear voices coming from the lookout hill, a lone figure laying on the blanketed dirt with a melancholy vibe. I grab a water bottle before slowly approaching my way there, the sounds slowly become clearer with each step and sip I take. 

 

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t come, like honestly! I tried my best but being so busy with work. There’s just no time y'know?”

 

Sera sighed, distraught but understanding all the same. Staring into the laptop as she spoke.

 

“It’s fine. I just…I really missed you okay? I feel guilty for fuckin…mooching off Amber? Is that the right word?” She said the word out of feeling rather than the definition itself.

 

“That’s not mooching, that’s just hanging out. You’re lonely.” Patty corrected. 

 

“Gee thanks.” Sera croaked her sarcasm out.

 

“You’re welcome.” Patty snarked back.  “But! Don’t feel bad about it, you can always talk to her about it right?”

 

“I know!” She yells out, frustrated but blushing as she quickly cupped her snout. “I-I know and it’ll work out and it usually does. But lemme be the bad person for a moment and just…say something.” Sera exasperated.

 

No response, should I even come there? Is this even my right to…

 

“Y’know how our grandma was like “Ooh honey child you goT-Ta be self dependant or else you gon be eatin SHIET for da rest of yo life!” ” Wow that southern impersonation was amazing holy shit. 

 

“Haha! Yeah and then she died and Mom was like “Nah it’s okay to ask for help kids.” ” 

 

“Yeah! And the bad thing is…” She takes a breath. “I agree with grandma. Sure it might sound bad but sometimes I just wanna like…be able to help myself, by myself. Like I just wanna fix things on my own and they’re my own responsibility at the end, like my creations and schematics? They’re the ones that only ever make sense to me. Is that so bad? To think about doing something so selfish?”

 

No response again, probably a nod from Patty for Sera to continue.

 

“And whenever I have problems I can’t fix, it just fucking annoys me to the worst extent. Like there’s this bitch ass trigga Cynthia who’s just a racist attention seeking cuck. No matter what Amber does, she just goes back to the same old routine that she does. Being a shit eating goblin.”

 

She lays on her back, staring into the stars. The moon above shines like a jewel amongst glittered dust, her eyes closing despite the beauty being present.

 

“Then there’s me, who can’t really even ignore her. I know the smart move is to not care but…fuck, I’m a scientist and engineer alright? I analyze things to see what’s wrong and I try to fix it…and the problem lies with me. After talking it out with Amber, there’s the issue I found. I’m obsessive over shit I can’t control, I don’t exactly act ladylike and- …and I can’t fix myself…fuck.”

 

“Sounds a lot of what our mom went through when they were our age. At least most of it. What about our lil cousins though? Do they need fixing?”

 

“No…They’re fine enough for the most part. I mean I’m not fucked up enough to try and manipulate kids into something they’re not, nor do I really want to. Besides, Uncle Riley grew up with senses smacked into him and he eventually became just as good as Uncle Huey. Even though they copy his “gangstalicious” shit.”

 

“Hmm, well I can understand what you’re going through. You’re not a bad person sis! Just really stressed out.

 

“Yeah…I’m just glad to be this with you instead of like, some pretty princess that’s perfect all the fucking time. Yes I’m sexy, Yes I’m smart and yes my fucking inventions are legit. Yet I’m still treated like I’m…trash. Trash like I'm not even worth the time because I’m like this, this kind of person. I don’t wanna feel like this, I wanna get rid of it.”

 

She curls up into a fetal position after tearing up at the last part. Her voice had a lump caught up in her throat, her arms wrapped around the tablet like a friend in need.

 

“I’m sorry for calling you so late-” Sera got interrupted before she could continue.

 

“No no! It’s fine, I was staying up late anyway for programming.”

 

“Does it usually take this long?”

“Nah it’s one of those hours where you decide to be productive because you were originally gonna squash a bug before you forget where it was. Almost done with this one!”

 

“What’s it about?” Sera fiddles with her nose horn.

 

“Oh just a cross species compatibility algorithm that a hospital in your area is running a test trial for so viability tests are easier and faster.”

 

“Ah.” Sera didn’t sound interested but was attentive enough to Patty.

 

“That's also why I'm up! Because that's where the wack ass goblins wake up, aka med students. They’re helping me out too.”

 

“YO CAN YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP I’M TRYNA SLEEP!” A dude’s voice rang out from another room.

 

“EAT MY DICKS TRIGGA!!” Patty roared as Sera covered the speaker out of panic.

 

“Alright I guess that means I gotta go now. We can talk anytime alright?”

 

“...Alright.” She didn’t feel convinced by that.

 

The call ends, damn she looks really exhausted.

 

“...You can come out now.” She calls out to me. 

 

“Yeah I would have guessed you knew I was snooping, sorry about that.” I stand up and walk near her.

 

“It's fine, I let you listen to me. So you can see…this I guess. See what's wrong with me.” She lays on her back, guess I really am a therapist.

 

“See yourself?” I tried to confirm what she said. I laid down right beside her, using my arm as a pillow.

 

“Yeah, I just- I just feel guilty being y'know, selfish? It feels kinda childish but…it’s something I know that I have to deal with. And fuck it’s frustrating being this.” 

 

“No no. It's not childish, it's something we have as people. Like…” I try to think of an example, hmm…

 

“Like me?”

 

Sera raises an eyebrow at me. Her eyes say “Go on.” with questioned curiosity.

 

“We’re both considered gifted kids or perfect princesses or whatever the fuck. Like you said you’re uhh…” I ask with an uneasy tone.

 

“Yeah you can say it.”

 

“Trash. Even though you’re not. And I feel that way sometimes. Like because I worked hard for my shit that resulted in people just going “oh she’s so perfect, she doesn’t have to work hard.” Which is very fucking stupid. Dealing with these kinds of idiots online and near us.”

 

“Hmm…” She looks unsure.

 

“Yes, some have what's called "talent" which is just a fancy word for having a mental upperhand in visualization. But talent doesn't equal success, it’s taking advantage of your current skills and predicament.”

 

“Where are you going with this?” She tried to hide her tone of impatience, though I’m not sure if she actually was.

 

“So…self help and therapy doesn’t equal complete removal of your problems. It’s how you deal with them…like taking advantage of your current skills and predicament!” Nailed it. Noice. 

 

She looks surprised at how I delivered it. 

 

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t go to therapy?” She raised an eyebrow at me, her tone is fucking around a bit.

 

“What? Of course you should. Therapy isn’t only for military guys with ptsd or depressed people, it’s for people who are struggling with how they think and the psychiatrists are there to help organize it.”

 

She fiddled with her own fingers, contemplating what I said.

 

“Hmm…alright.” 

 

“Really? That easily?”

 

“Course not. I gotta take my time with it.”

 

“Need help with it?” She then looks at me with an eye roll and smirk.

 

“...sure.”

She smiled at me, I smiled back. She seems a bit better now, I don’t know why but damn this is pretty nice. Just talking with people, it does tire me out but not in a bad way, I just like helping people.

 

There’s an awkward silence afterwards, Sera yawning before she thinks of a question.

 

“So…How come you’re okay with Cynthia saying slurs and shit. I mean I don’t care about being called a trigga, it’s just really annoying.”

 

“I'm actually not? I mean that I don’t care about it, she's just attention seeking with that bullshit honestly. If you give her any kind of power over you or anyone really then they'll take advantage of it and shit.”

 

Sera hmmed. Looking a bit embarrassed before focusing back on my explanation as I continued.

 

“Well, old gay guys took over “queer” and honestly the word faggot eventually lost its thing when we “claimed” that too,  and when that was done. It really showed how much of it was just y’know…provocation?”

 

I tried my best to explain.

 

“Huh, that’s actually pretty interesting.” Ayy I got it.

 

“Thanks, reading gay history is fun. I still remember the time I finally came out to my dad haha. You wouldn’t believe the panic we both felt.”

 

“Didn’t your dad say a lot of slurs back then?”

 

“Ehh… He was a channie, he grew out of it eventually. He still says them sometimes? But not in like…a malicious sense if that makes sense?”

 

“Ah yes I’m the local trigga that visits, oh look here’s my beautiful fagass daughter.”

 

“BRUH- What?!” I get caught off guard by that as I laugh, flipping her off after I bumped her with my elbow.

 

“Hey c’mon I’m right! Besides, aren’t there new slurs for trikes like spikes? What about you?”

 

“I mean sure there's new slurs like uhh…Pinkers?”

 

She looks stunned by that. In the sense where you don’t understand what the fuck the context is supposed to be. “...I don’t get it.”

 

“Like I said, provocation.” 

 

We both laugh it off as we stand up. It’s fun learning how to be gay and Melissa joining in with me, I’m really glad Sera is supportive too. We both stretch, bones popping as we both yawn. Damn I’m tired.

 

“Hey Amber?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

She hugs me, her head against my shoulder.

 

“...I miss Patty.”

 

“...I miss her too.”

 

We reminisce as we slowly walk back to the tents.

 

“It's hard to believe we’re gonna be in college soon after this.”

 

“Where are you going again?” I ask her.

 

“Upstate, where Patty is. Gonna help her out with my robotics.”  

 

“You?”

 

“St Hammond, wanna hone in my talents at the very least. Cynthia’s coming too but god I dunno if i'm gonna be able to handle her as a roommate.”

 

“Can’t imagine that.” She blew a raspberry.

 

“What about Melissa?” She looks at me.

 

“She's coming with, we planned it out. She can live with Auntie Mia, she's pretty cool.”

 

“Wow, you really do love her huh.” 

 

“Course I do.” God I really am a hopeless romantic.

 

We’re back at the camp, Sera puts her laptop away as I toss the bottle I had earlier away.

 

“Y’know, I'm gonna miss you too even if you’re into my dad.” I tease her.

 

“Yeah…I’m gonna miss your dad.” She retaliates. 

 

I stick out my tongue in mock disgust. I still don’t get why she likes him.

 

“Hey c'mon! He's hot!”

 

“Why him? And why humans??” I exasperate the second part.

 

“Do I need to have a sad reason for liking humans?”

 

…fair

 

“And do you need a reason for liking girls or paras.”

 

I stay silent. She then gives a smug ass shit eating grin, which looks too funny honestly. 

 

We both laugh it out with me lightly punching Sera’s shoulder before retreating back to my tent.

 

Okay I’m tired now, kinda forgot what I was gonna draw about. I open my flap to see Melissa still asleep, I get rid of Ponker Ponk and squeeze into Melissa’s embrace.

 

“ Hnngcmeredarling… ” I proceed to get crushed, man she’s tight- WAIT HOLY SHIT SHE CALLED ME DARLING.

 

“ Yeah I did. ” She whispered into my ear.

 

She giggled before kissing me, returning back to sleep as my eyes were wide awake with shock. 

 

…God she’s hot. I lean myself closer to her as I think about my conversation with Sera.

 

I really am a therapist huh? …Well, maybe I should make my skills better. Learn how to do it better, I still wanna be an industry artist sure but…I’m really curious. About the whole psychiatrist thing.

 

Yeah.

 

Why not!

 

Gonna check it out tomorrow.

 

Goodnight babe.

 

You’re looking at a future therapist.

 

END. 

[NOTES]
    I DID IT! I CAN FINALLY KRILL MYSELF!!!

    I'm gonna take a break, but do expect at least two chapters next month. Just trying my best to pace myself lol

    Shoutout to Deadassspider and Opossumvalley! They're pretty cool friends to talk to and created wonderful pieces of fanart that I never expected to get lol

    I'll draw back for you guys! If I have the time I'll try!