Chapter Text
~Chapter Song~
💙(https://youtu.be/gEK7Vt5X7CU)💛
"Yo nerds!" Amira yelled from the living room. "Y'all have exactly thirty seconds before me and Brian watch this shit without you."
"She doesn't speak for me." Brian added.
"I do! He just doesn't know it yet!"
Vicky and Oz snickered together. The two dorks were in the kitchen getting ready to place some cookies in the oven.
"Not too close together." Vicky said as Oz placed the dough on the tray. "We don't want any cookie fusions."
"I dunno." Oz chuckled. "Fused cookies are still yummy in my book."
"Be that as it may, I have strict professional guidelines sir."
"Polly says rules are for fools."
"Well, Polly also says the government is run by a giant spork named Sporko Lord the 3rd."
Oz nodded as he slid the tray into the oven and set the timer.
"Fair enough." He said.
"I'm gonna count to three nerds!" Amira shouted.
"Coming!" Vicky sang cheerily.
She very quickly hopped onto Oz's shoulders, which took the shadow off guard. He stumbled, but balanced himself.
"Vicky what are you-"
"There's no time for that!" Vicky exclaimed, pointing towards the living room. "Forward into battle!"
Oz smiled then charged into the living space, Vicky ducking so her noggin didn’t smack the top of the door frame. Amira was sitting on the sofa, and with a swift motion Vicky flew from Oz's shoulders and tackled the djinn.
"Oh bet!" Amira laughed. "Challenge accepted Schmidt!"
Brian stepped out of the bathroom only to find Amira and Vicky rolling around on the living room carpet, wrestling and biting one another.
"Don't headlock her, Vicky!" Oz warned. "She'll just lean her flames into your face! That's it! Bite her ankles! Watch the right hook!"
Brian casually stepped back into the restroom without so much as a peep.
"Okay! Okay!" Vicky giggled, totally pinned to the ground by Amira's grip. "I yield!"
"Damn straight you yield!" Amira gleamed, helping Vicky back to her feet.
"I'll beat you one day." Vicky promised.
"Sure you will. The same day Princess Daisy stops getting kidnapped."
"You mean Princess Peach?" Oz asked.
"Apples and oranges" Amira waved dismissively.
Vicky pouted a bit, crossing her arms.
"I got close!" She protested.
"I'll let you believe that."
"You can at least say I've improved.."
Amira considered this, then smiled.
"Ok ya. You've gotten a lot better. But you should try wrestling other people to build your skill up. You can't always try to climb Everest, you need to conquer a few hills first."
Amira looked at the shadowy shrimp next to Vicky.
"I'm a fucking genius!" Amira beamed. "You two should wrestle next! I'm actually curious to see how Oz will fare against you Vic."
Oz raised his hands in surrender.
"No thank you. That's not a question I need answered."
"Oh come on Ozzy!" Vicky begged, tugging on his sleeve. "We've never wrestled! It'll be fun! I'll go easy on you!"
Oz rubbed the back of his neck.
"I dunno guys.."
"I'll give you a choice Ozzy." Amira said, crossing her arms. "You can wrestle Vicky or you can wrestle me."
Oz shuddered as Amira cracked her knuckles with a sinister grin.
"Ok… I'll give it a shot with Vicky I guess."
Vicky jumped up and down on her heels excitedly.
"I'm so gonna regret this." Oz muttered.
Amira took her spot on the sofa, so she could oversee the fight. With a wave of her hand the match had begun. Oz ceased up as Vicky raced towards him like a viper. He'd forgotten just how fast she could be. In seconds he was on the ground, Vicky's entire weight pressed up against his chest. Oz squirmed and kicked but it did little to shake his friend off him. His mind began to race, and in his panic he instinctively melted. Turning into an inky black ooze he freed himself from Vicky's hold and reassembled himself behind her. Oz quickly tackled Vicky, placing her in a clumsy headlock.
"No fair!" Vicky protested. "I can't pin a liquid!"
"I'll allow it." Amira announced with a grin.
"Of course you would!"
Oz's grip wasn’t strong enough to hold Vicky back, the girl may have been small but she could pack a mean punch. She pulled a reversal on the shadow, straddling him with her legs and pinning his hands down firmly.
"Melt on me again and you're going in a jar." Vicky warned.
The two stayed there for a moment, panting. Oz tried to squirm a little, but in truth he had accepted defeat. Vicky giggled seeing him wiggle under her. Oz met Vicky's stare, and all was silent.
"Um.. Vicky wins." Amira deadpanned. "Were y'all just waiting for me to announce it or..?"
Both Oz and Vicky flushed as they scrambled to their feet. How long had they just been laying there staring at each other?
Brian exited the restroom for a second time.
"Are we done destroying the living room?" He asked.
"Yup! Hundred percent! Nothing happening out here no sir!" Vicky shouted.
"Right you are Vicky! As always! Nothing weird and or awkward going on around these parts, I can tell you that!" Oz concurred.
Brian raised an eyebrow.
"Umm you sure?"
"Positive!" Oz and Vicky said at the same time.
Amira shrugged and Brian returned the gesture.
"So what are we watching again?" Brian asked. "I kinda zoned out for a bit."
"Only the most epic of classics!" Amira said, proudly raising the CD case. "Cassy The Shirtless Ghost!"
Brian squinted at the cover art, then blushed.
"I'm pretty sure that's a porn parody, Amira." He said plainly.
"What?! No! Get your mind outta the gutter Brian! I'll have you know that this is one of the best horror flicks ever put to film. It's got everything you could ever want out of a cinematic experience. Blood, foul language, big ghostly tits. It's the complete package!"
"I'm assuming that suggesting another film is out of the question?" Brian asked. "Like literally any other film?"
"Yes." Amira nodded. "Completely out of the question. Now everyone plant their asses down. I'm popping this bad boy in!"
The four of them piled onto the couch. Brian and Amira took the ends while Oz and Vicky sat in the middle. This was the usual sofa order as decided by the Color Crew long ago. About halfway through the movie Oz continued to cringe away from the screen. He was a fan of boobs. (Not that he'd ever admit that out loud) However, he wasn't very fond of intense gore, which this film had in spades.
"Now that you've seen my humongous spooky bongos!" Cassy wailed from the screen. "I'm afraid I cannot let you live to see the dawn!"
Cassy proceeded to chainsaw some poor frat boy in half and Oz jumped, clutching Vicky's hand for support. This wasn't a new thing for the two, they had been friends since before middle school. Vicky was Oz's buddy for every field trip, always there to help him overcome his nerves. They held hands because they were close, because they trusted one another unconditionally. But as Oz tightened his grip, a strange feeling washed over the shadow. Her hand felt foriegn, unexplored. The little wrestling match they had earlier was only in good fun, after all the Color Crew was no stranger to wacky misadventures. Honestly in comparison to their prom pursuits wrestling was down right mundane. But that didn't change this new feeling. Oz enjoyed the way Vicky had straddled him. The way she looked down and smiled that wonderful caring smile. Without realizing it Oz had began to stare at her, taking in the blue of her eyes.
Her hair was really pretty too. He thought.
Oz looked at the movie then back to Vicky.
Vicky's bongos are definitely better than…
Guilt struck Oz like a heavyweight champion. Did he just mentally admire his best friend's boobs? Who does that?! Did that make him shallow? Did that make him a shitty person? Or worse, a shitty friend?
"I'm g-gonna go into th-the kitchen!" Oz blurted, jolting out of his seat.
"Are you ok?" Vicky asked.
"I'm f-f-fine. The movie was just a bit too m-much. Need a breather."
"I can come with you." Vicky suggested, starting to get up.
"N-No! That's OK! Enjoy the m-movie! I'll be back soon."
Vicky's expression was laced with confusion as she slowly sank back onto the sofa. Panic attacks were normal for Oz, but he'd very rarely ever refused her help. When they were newer friends, Oz would feel guilty about ruining the mood. As if Vicky cared more about the vibe then her friends' well being. It had taken her awhile to convince him that he was never a burden to her or his pals. That it was ok to be overstimulated, to need a break. Vicky knew Oz, probably better than anyone. Something was definitely bothering him, and she didn't feel right just sitting idly by. Knowing in her heart he was getting lost in his head, daming himself for Goddess knows what.
I'll give him some space. She decided. Then I'll find a way to help.
Vicky looked over to Brian, who had passed out awhile ago, then to Amira. She was so laser focused on the movie Vicky doubted she even noticed Oz step away. Vicky sighed, twiddling with her fingers.
You're a smart girl Schmidt. What's upsetting him? It's definitely not just the movie. Oz has sat through way worse on our behalf. What else happened? What else could have-
Her train of thought derailed as a few gears clicked into place. She remembered the wrestling match, or rather its conclusion. Vicky will admit she got a little too excited. Sometimes her more hyperactive side can be hard to keep up with. But that wouldn't be enough to spook Oz. Vicky had pinned him down and held him in place, and for a good while too. No wonder he was itching for space, she had forced him into an awkward position. Oz hadn't wanted to fight in the first place, but she pressured him.
Why did I do that? She wondered. Why would I hold him down like that? I just stared at him as if… oh my Goddess.
Vicky groaned and covered her face.
I can't believe I gave him bedroom eyes! She screamed internally.
Of course he wouldn't have told me to get off! He's too nice! Plus he was probably too confused to respond. I need to apologize somehow.
As if on cue her phone began to buzz. It was the timer for the cookies! Vicky smiled with revived enthusiasm, she could use this to cut the tension, but she had to be smart about it. Poking her head into the kitchen Vicky saw Oz pacing back and forth, mumbling something to himself as his phobias tried to sooth him. She bit her lip, guilt biting into her chest.
"Cookies are ready." She said sweetly, stepping into the kitchen.
Oz jumped a little.
"Oh ya." He said rubbing his neck. "I forgot about those."
"Think you can help me take em out?"
"S-Sure thing!"
Both Vicky and Oz donned a pair of mittens, carefully removing the two steaming trays from the oven.
"Hey Oz." Vicky started, trying her best not to look nervous.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I think I may have crossed a line earlier and it wasn't cool. You should always feel comfortable around me. So if you're beating yourself up, please don't. It isn't your fault by a long shot. And it's also entirely possible that I'm reading into nothing, but still. I'm sorry."
Oz just stood there in shock for a moment, all while Vicky cringed on the inside for not easing into that more.
"Y-You don't n-need to apologize." He stuttered.
"I was the one who m-m-ma-made things w-weird. When we were sitting on th-the sofa I d-d-did something sh-sh-shitty. And that's my own f-fault Vicky. Not yours."
Vicky's expression turned into one of concern.
"Oz what do you mean? You didn't do anything. You just kinda sat up and left. Which is ok!"
"No y-you don't understand. I started to s-stare… at you. And th-then I thought… and I s-s-sorta.. I…"
Vicky tilted her head and Oz let loose a sigh.
"I.. thought your… assets were acceptable?"
"Pardon?"
Oz was shaking like a leaf at this point. Why was he so terrible at this? What even was this?!
He cleared his throat.
"I may or may not have mentally admired your bongos for a few seconds while we were watching that dumb movie and I'm super sorry! I promise I don't do that all the time! N-not to imply I've done that multiple times before! I'm not a shallow jerk! And I know saying that maybe makes me sound like one but I'm super sorry and shallow jerks probably wouldn't be, right? Anyway I completely understand if you hate me forever and honestly I'm right there with you fam! I'm going to leave now because I suddenly realized I'm rambling like a crazy person! I'm not c-crazy! OK bye!"
And with that Oz zoomed passed Vicky like a road runner, the gale force wiping her hair into her face.
She blinked several times.
"My.. bongos?"
Vicky ran after Oz, finding that Amira had joined Brian in passing out. It was probably for the best. She quickly made her way up the stairs, stepping down the hall until she came to Oz's bedroom door.
It was locked.
"Oz? Buddy?" She said, knocking softly. "Could you let me in please? I'm really not upset."
No response.
She held her ear to the door and frowned. He was definitely crying.
"Ozzy please. I know you're thinking all kinds of bad thoughts right now. But they aren't true. You aren't a bad person. Not by a long shot. So please, let me in."
When more silence followed Vicky sighed, but then she had an idea. Heading back downstairs Vicky set up a tray of fresh cookies and milk. With a faint smile she returned to Oz's door and knocked.
"We don't have to talk if you don’t want to." She said sweetly. "But you're the best cook around here and I need a second opinion on these bad boys."
Vicky grinned when she heard shuffling coming from the other side of the door. These cookies smelt fucking awesome! And if she and Oz shared anything it was a sweet tooth. He opened the door slowly, his face puffy with tears.
"You c-can come in.." He sniffled, one of his phobias wiping his face with a handkerchief.
Oz sat on his bed, and Vicky quickly took the spot next to him, placing the tray between them. He sheepishly took a cookie a bit into it, not bothering to conceal his sharp teeth.
"It's really good." He mumbled, still half chewing.
"Well of course it is, silly. We made them!"
Oz nodded soberly.
"I'm sorry.." He whispered.
"Why are you sorry?"
He met her gaze and wiped his face again.
"Because I objectified you.."
Vicky stifled a giggle.
"It's not funny.." Oz pouted.
Seeing him pout made her more giggly.
"It's a little funny. Come on buddy! Thinking I got nice boobs doesn't make you a bad person. Honestly I'd be a bit offended if you didn't think I had some groovy bongos."
Oz chuckled.
"See!" Vicky pointed. "It IS funny! Let me ask you this dude. Were you upset when I said you had a nice firm ass last week?"
"Well no." Oz admitted. "But that's different, you were just p-playing around."
"Ya that's true, but I wasn't lying. You got a nice ass! Be proud of those buns!"
Oz began to warm.
"I g-guess you're right. You always are.."
Vicky snatched a cookie and dug in.
"Damn straight." She said while chewing. "Now pass a homegirl some milk."
Oz obliged and they both laughed, finishing off the tray in record time.
"I'm sorry I made such a big deal over something so dumb." Oz said, rubbing his arm.
"I just get so lost in my head sometimes, worrying about what people think of me. I want to be the best version of myself. To be confident and funny and kind. I'm just so fucking terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing. Your opinion of me means everything, Vicky. And I know that isn't h-healthy, but I can't help it. You're so caring, smart, and strong. If you think I'm a loser then it would be true. And all my shitty intrusive thoughts would be true too."
"It's impossible to be perfect, Oz." She said, caressing his back.
"I fuck up all the time. That's just what it means to be a person, to be alive. But if you really want to know what I think I'll tell you. Oz, you are my favorite person in the entire universe. You always put others before yourself, at your own detriment sometimes. You are fun, creative, charming, smart, and bold. Oz there isn't a single ounce of happiness in existence that you don't deserve. You deserve all of it. Every good memory. Every blissful wave. Every single fucking drop of dopamine your big beautiful brain can handle."
Vicky pulled him into a tight hug, squeezing him tight.
"And I'll always be here to remind you that." She said, tearing up. "Even if I have to do it a million times. I'll remind you."
Oz sunk into the embrace, clinging to Vicky like a life preserver. After a good while they released one another.
"Thank you." He said. "For everything."
"You're very welcome."
The two sat there staring at one another, before Oz finally broke the silence.
"You wanna go w-wake the others? Tell em the cookies are done?"
"Not really." She deadpanned, then remembered herself.
"Because they're totally knocked out!" She explained sporadically. "It would be rude to wake them up! Yup! That's the reason!"
"Why are you shouting?" He asked.
"Because I'm passionate about not waking up my friends prematurely!"
"And you express that by shouting? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose-"
She kissed him, sending the empty tray off the mattress and onto the floor. Oz was wide eyed, panicked. His mind raced to process the situation, but instead it only found him falling. Oz closed his eyes and laid back, Vicky's pressure pushing him down.
She tasted so sweet.
Vicky quickly shot off him and grabbed the tray from the floor.
"Wha.. What was that f-for?" He asked, his mind still fuzzy.
"You had cookie crumbs on your face! I was still hungry, obviously. Nothing romantic about that! Anyway I'm gonna go to bed! Sweet dreams! Don't go worrying about anything, you're all good! OK bye!"
And she was gone.
Oz sat there, more confused than he had ever been in his entire life.
"That was.. interesting."
He looked down, flushed, then crossed his legs to hide his erection. The phobia on his shoulder looked at him with a Lenny Face.
"What are y-you looking at! W-we're going t-to bed!"