Chapter Text
Vic told Alan what Chosen had said later that night. Vic was pretty horrified to hear all of that and although Chosen seemed to have been reassured by Alan, Alan still wants to make sure she’s fine. She needs attention, preferably without Dark around since theyd just be making sure she doesn’t die. Or that they don’t kill each other.
So, after a bit of arguing, they decided Vic would take Chosen to do something fun. Maybe to the park and then to get ice cream. Alan knows that Chosen’s doubts were mostly with him and maybe it’d be better if it was him who took her for a walk but he also wants Vic to feel better. And for Vic to feel better, he needs to feel useful. And Chosen and Vic have a previous relationship and right now Chosen is easier to handle. Not that Dark is problematic! She’s just… still getting used to being a person. Alan’s used to that, he’s already seen two people go through that so he has experience.
Besides, he wants to check up on Dark, see how she’s adjusting. She was thrust into the real world way earlier than Vic and Chosen; he really hopes it wasn’t terrible for her development.
“C-c-c-c-chosen? A-are you re-ready?” Vic asks, patiently waiting by the door.
Chosen finishes tying her shoes and looks up at Alan for his approval. He gives her a thumbs up and she stands up. “Yup!”
Vic smiles softly at her. “G-good. Uhm, sssee y-you in a bit, Alan.”
Alan raises his hand. “See you.” Before Chosen can exit the house, he pats her head. “Have fun, Cho.”
She giggles and waves her hand at him. “Bye, dad!”
Vic closes the door before Alan can respond and he hears them run down the stairs as they laugh. Alan huffs in annoyance. The audacity!
“T-t-that was hilarious.” Vic laughs as they run down the stairs.
“Thanks!” Chosen grins.
They walk in silence towards the park (it’s the first time they’re going to this park so Vic is trying not to get lost). Vic almost offered her to make her fly out of instinct but bit his tongue just in time. It feels weird doing this without Alan and Vic wishes he was with them. But someone had to take care of Dark while they’re gone.
“I miss Kiel.” Chosen says unprompted.
Vic squeezes her hand. “I-I-I know. H-h-h-have you true m-making friends in y-y-your class? M-m-maybe that would help.”
“Have you tried making a friend now that Grace isn’t here?” Chosen deadpans.
“I- we-well. No. No, I h-haven’t.” Vic rubs the back of his neck. “I guess y-y-you’re right. B-b-but what about D-dark? Are thing still t-t-t-tense between you t-t-two?”
Chosen rolls her eyes in a way that reminds Vic of Alan a year ago. “Yes. She’s designed to make me upset. We’re never going to get along.”
Vic hums. “I once thought that would happen with me and A-A-Alan.”
Chosen looks up at him. “Alan said he was mean to you. When you escaped the computer. Was he really that mean?”
Vic nods, slowly. “Yeah… he was…” He shakes his head before the memories of the first few days out of the computer can resurface. “But h-h-h-he changed. A-a-and now I have the b-b-best o-older brother ever.” He chuckles fondly. “I n-n-n-needed that. And I t-t-t-thing he needed me too. In a way we b-b-both h-helped each o-o-other.” He gently tugs at her hand. “M-m-maybe that’s what you and D-Dark need.”
Chosen frowns and looks away. “I don’t know… She kind of creeps me out.”
Vic shrugs. “I t-t-t-think we were all a l-l-l-little off putting a-a-at first.”
Chosen scrunches her face in doubt. “I don’t think I was off putting.”
Vic lets out a laugh. “That’s b-b-b-because you d-didn’t see yourself. Y-y-you should’ve seen h-h-h-how you looked at A-Alan.” He smiles fondly. “A-a-and used. To say I was c-c-creepy too, I t-t-t-think. Or w-w-weird at least.”
Chosen looks at her shoes as they walk. “I still don’t like her.”
“That’s o-o-o-o-okay.” Vic assures her. “S-sibling are hard.”
“Yeah…”
“B-b-b-but don't give up o-o-on being her f-f-friend entirely.” He looks at her. “Maybe s-she’s not as b-b-b-bad as you think she is.”
Chosen doesn’t respond and Vic doesn't demand an answer. They continue in silence until they get to the park.
It’s full of kids and Chosen makes a face of disgust. She likes the park because it’s outdoors but it’s too loud for her. She would prefer going to the mountains where Kiel took her too.
“A-a-a-a-are you ok?” Vic asks her.
Chosen can't stop the hiss that escapes her when a kid runs too close to them and she gets closer to Vic. “I don’t want to be with all those kids…”
Vic looks at her for a second before smiling. “W-w-w-want to play tag?”
Chosen’s eyes light up. “Yes! I’m going to win!”
Vic stretches his arms with a smug smile. “D-don’t be so sure. I-it’ll be nice to p-p-play with someone who c-c-can actually m-match my speed.”
Chosen lowers her body in anticipation. “Yeah, I agree.”
Vic smirks. “Ok. You’re it!” He says and bolts away.
Chosen chuckles and lets out a very animal-like noise. She runs in pursuit of Vic, giving him an extra second to distance himself.
He’s really fast but Chosen is faster, after a while Chosen is right behind him but not close enough to tag him. If Chosen’s legs were just a little bit longer then she would win but as it is, Vic has the advantage.
Chosen does end up tagging him and then it’s Vic’s turn. Chosen has the advantage of being way smaller and therefore having it easy to maneuver.
They stop playing when they get too tired and the chill wind of October starts to bite at their sweaty skin. The ice cream doesn't sound like such a good idea now that it’s getting colder so Vic grabs Chosen’s hand and takes her to get hot chocolate.
“D-d-did you have fun?” Vic asks her as they sit inside a coffee shop.
Chosen smiles at him with a chocolate mustache on her face. “Yes! Thanks…” she looks down at her half finished drink.
Vic smiles warmly at her. “N-n-no p-problem. Y-y-you’re my s-s-sister, I like spending t-time with you.” He pauses. “W-we should do it more o-o-often. H-hang out like t-this.”
Chosen beams at him. “Yes! We have to!!”