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“Cmon Sixer! You’re not scared of a little water, right?”
The two ran towards the water. It was the middle of summer. The sun was just beginning to set. It had been Noob’s idea to go to the beach. The sound of the waves were soothing and relaxing. The cool water helped battle the immense heatwave the small town had been going through.
The two weren’t in swim suits, just simple t-shirts and shorts. Noob ran into the water, immediately sighing as it cooled down their scorching skin. Guest followed behind them. The water was rather soothing, but so was the sound of Noob’s laugh. Guest swore there wasn’t a sound that could rival it.
The two were closer than ever. Where one went, the other followed. They both dyed matching stripes into their hair, they had matching outfits and bracelets, everything about them told people one thing.
These two were best friends. They were inseparable.
And Guest just had to ruin it all.
They acted selfishly. They were jealous of their own partner, and they let that get between them. They lost everything. They had been so blinded by their envy that they got greedy. They lost everything. They lost them.
And they had nobody to blame but themself.
…
They didn’t like the sound of water anymore.
Every time they heard it, it brought them back to that day. That day on the beach. Once a happy memory had turned bittersweet. It reminded them of everything they had. Everything they could have kept, had they not been so selfish.
When they had been under the Spectre’s control, they continued to act selfishly.
They hurt Noob. Both physically and mentally. They were terrible to them. They terrorized them. Just thinking about it made bile rise in their throat. It pained them to think of how awful they were to the one good thing they had in life. They were an awful, terrible person.
Yet Noob still forgave them.
When the Spectre’s control finally broke, the first thing Noob had done was hug them. They remembered the paralyzing shock they felt. Then the tears that had begun to flow. They remembered the agony they felt, having so many apologies to say, yet not having the voice to say any of them. They wanted to beg for Noob’s forgiveness, but they couldn’t get a single word out. All they could do was hug them and sob.
Now, things were somewhat better between them.
Things were still a bit tense, but they were getting better. The two would go on dates, they’d spend the night at each other’s apartments, things were getting better.
But Noob had noticed Guest’s poor hygiene.
The flashbacks they got from showers were unbearable. They would attempt a bath, but they’d still have to run the water, and not to mention how uncomfortable it was. While their body was smaller than it had been in the purgatory, they were still larger. While they once stood right beside Noob, they were now a full head taller. They were broader now. Sitting in the bathtub was far too uncomfortable and cramped.
Noob had noticed how oily and tangled their fur was getting, as well as the way they used perfume to hide the smell before they went out in public. But they weren’t disgusted. They weren’t ashamed. They didn’t find it embarrassing. In fact, they understood.
Noob had gone through a rough patch before they got forsakened (something that Guest still harbored guilt for). Sometimes they couldn’t bring themself to bathe, or even get up. They would go weeks on end without bathing. They rarely went outside. They lost sleep.
They couldn’t stand the idea of letting their partner suffer similar problems.
“You know…I could help you.” They spoke quietly one day. Guest looked at them with a surprised expression. The two were sitting on the sofa in Guest’s apartment. There was some cheesy romance movie playing, one that Noob had picked out. Noob had noticed Guest’s claws getting caught on knots within the fur around their neck. Immediately, Guest turned sheepish.
They shook their head quickly. They didn’t want to accept that sort of help. Hell, they didn’t deserve any help from Noob after everything they had done. Not to mention it would mean having to let Noob see their now deformed body.
Sixer hated how their body was morphed by the Spectre. They hated the thick fur that caused them to overheat, the tail and horns befitting of a demon, the chains that hung off of their arms, the vicious claws that tore through flesh with ease, their now weak knees that threatened to give out underneath them at random moments. They hated everything about their new body. They didn’t want Noob to have to look at it.
Noob intertwined their hands, looking up with a shy smile. “Sixer, I really don’t mind. I want to help you.” They reached up and cupped Guest’s cheek, an action they knew the taller adored. Just as they expected, Guest melted into their hand and gave a low rumble that almost sounded like a purr. Noob couldn’t help but let their smile widen. “Please, just let me help you, just this once.” They pleaded.
Guest was a weak person.
Here they were now, alone in the bathroom. Noob was outside the door, grabbing clothes for them to change into. Guest should have put up more of a fight. They shouldn’t have agreed so easily, but even years later, Noob still had the ability to break down all of their walls within seconds. It was annoying, but so, so endearing.
Noob had already filled the bathtub before Guest got in, ensuring they wouldn’t have to hear the sound of it running. They slowly settled into the water, trying their best not to splash water everywhere. It was filled with bubbles, which at least helped hide some of their body.
They cringed at the sound of their hooves scraping against porcelain. It was just another reminder that they were no longer human.
Noob opened the door and approached slowly. They grabbed the two bottles that their partner kept around, that being shampoo and body wash. Noob would have to remember to get their friend conditioner at some point.
Noob started with washing the fur around their neck. It was red and scraggly. They watched as Guest relaxed into their touch, allowing their eyes to slip shut as Noob scrubbed away all the dirt and knots in their mane. The sensation was heavenly.
For once, Guest 666 felt, well, vulnerable. Their walls were all down, they were defenseless, they were placing all of their trust into their partner behind them.
Noob’s hands scratched at their scalp in ways that made the urge to purr irresistible. The feeling was relieving, yet intimate. They could feel their aches and struggles leaving their mind as the soap was scrubbed into their skin. They never noticed how touch-starved they had become until now.
They really didn’t deserve Noob.
Guest could feel the slight tremble in the smaller’s wrists. That tremble wasn’t there before. It was yet another thing that Guest had caused for them. They felt guilt pool in their stomach. They had done so many awful things, yet Noob still handled them like a precious treasure. Like they were someone deserving of such gentleness.
Noob poured the water over their head. They scrunched up their nose in a way that made Noob laugh. The water weighed down their fur, but it didn’t feel as uncomfortable as it usually did. Perhaps it was just because Noob was there. Their partner scrubbed the soap into their arms next, all the way down to their sharp claws. They couldn’t help themself. They carefully closed their claws around Noob’s hand, squeezing it gently. They felt them pause, before squeezing back.
“I still care about you, you know that right?” Noob began, starting another one-sided conversation as they covered Guest’s body in soap and bubbles. “You’re still my partner, and my best friend. You made some really, really stupid choices, but I could never stay mad at you.” They smiled weakly. They hugged Guest from behind, no doubt soaking their shirt in the process. They used the opportunity to apply soap to Guest’s torso as well.
They grabbed the nearby cup and poured water over their body, rinsing off the soap. Their partner was already looking to be in much better shape than before. They smiled with pure adoration. They enjoyed doing this for their partner. It reminded them of happy memories in the past. Memories of cuddling under blankets while watching horror movies, baking cakes, going out and partying, dying hair, playing games late at night until they passed out, all of the fleeting moments they missed having.
Guest was all clean by now. They hadn’t even noticed. They didn’t really want to get out yet. They liked basking under Noob’s touch. However, they knew the water was starting to get cold. Noob stepped away from the tub and grabbed a towel, putting it on the counter. They gave Guest a nervous smile as they reached for the door knob. “I’ll give you privacy to change, alright? I’ll just be right in the bedroom.” With that, they shut the door.
Guest stepped out of the tub, dripping water all over the tile. They shook some of the water off in a dog-like manner. They found it the easiest way to dry out the fur they had. They then grabbed the towel Noob had left and began to dry off. The towel was scratchy against their skin. They didn’t like it, but it was better than being completely drenched.
They glanced over at the clothes Noob brought them. It was a simple pair of pajamas. They were fuzzy, almost comforting. They almost forgot they even owned these. They picked up the clothing and slipped them on. They were comfortable, loose. They always bought a size bigger just in case. They felt…clean. Taken care of. Loved.
They stepped out of the bathroom and saw Noob sitting on the bed. They had been looking at their phone, but immediately looked up to give Guest their full attention when they stepped out of the bathroom. They smiled and patted the spot beside them. Guest took the invitation, sitting beside them.
Noob smiled, cupping the side of their face. “You look much better now. I’m glad you let me help, yknow?” They smiled shyly. Guest smiled back, leaning into the touch. They could only nod.
In the past, they might have envied Noob’s stability. They always seemed to keep both themself and Sixer put together. Now, they knew that jealousy would do nothing but hurt them both. They also knew that Noob was truly not as better off as they thought. Noob also had problems they never talked about, insecurities that kept them up at night, regrets that haunted them to this very day.
They were flawed, and somehow that made Guest love them even more.
“You wouldn’t mind if I…spent the night, right? I left Tac enough food at home. I don’t really want to leave yet.” Noob made their request sheepishly, scratching the back of their neck. They looked away, as though fearing rejection. Sixer simply pressed their foreheads together. The simple sweet gesture was enough of an answer for Noob.
Guest leaned back until they were lying down. Noob crawled over and buried their face into the fur at Guest’s neck. It was soft and warm. It always was. Unlike what most might think, Guest made for a very good cuddle partner even now.
Noob could hear the rumbly purrs in their throat. It was a relaxing sound. They scratched the side of Guest’s neck, feeling as they leaned into the touch and shut their eyes. It made Noob happy to see them relaxed. They smiled affectionately, burying their face into the mass of red fluff. Guest smelled far better now with all the scents from the products. It was almost soothing.
Noob could feel themself beginning to drift off already. Their eyes threatened to close. Judging from Guest’s breathing, they were also beginning to slip into unconsciousness. “Goodnight, Sixer. I love you.” Noob murmured, shutting their eyes as they relaxed onto the body below them. They heard Guest’s breath hitch at their words. It was a few seconds of silence before they hesitantly leaned down and pressed a kiss against the top of Noob’s head. Noob smiled. That was enough of a response for them.
The two drifted off in each other’s arms. They were safe and warm. The bad memories and past mistakes couldn’t reach them.
They were at peace.