Chapter Text
Four in the morning.
It was four in the morning when they heard it.
Last night had been wonderful. Prom was alright, and the teens’ confrontation was immensely stressful, but through Kris’ wingpersoning (and a terrifying freudian slip), they had not only gotten their friends to finally confess to each other, but had in turn confessed to them, and with all feelings reciprocated, the three had found love.
After blowing that popsicle stand, they had gone to the Dreemurr household to rest. The trio had fallen asleep together on the couch. They were sleeping soundly until about five hours later…
It was four in the morning when Kris heard it.
Kris. Please. Wake up.
Eyes snapping wide awake, Kris jolted upright. That voice… It can’t be…
Please…
I wish it weren’t. But please. Go to the bathroom.
Were they mistaken? Was their bladder haunting them now?
Enter the bathroom. You’ll want the privacy.
Carefully extracting themself from the cuddle pile, they made their way to the bathroom.
Please. Please let this just be a nightmare…
I wish it were.
Stop talking.
As you wish.
As they enter the bathroom, they turn to look at the mirror above the sink, closing the door behind them.
Bare your soul, Kris.
No.
Kris, you have to do this.
No, I don’t.
And here I thought you said that Noelle was the one who was good at running?
…
How did you know I said that?
Oops.
Kris quickly tore their soul out and threw it forcefully behind them, hitting a wall it couldn’t see. As it floated there, Kris came to a harrowing realization. It was no longer the soft purple of the replacement they had grown accustomed to over the last four months. Instead, hovering before their eyes was their old possessor, glowing a haunting crimson.
“Why!? Why are you here!? I thought you were finally gonna leave me alone! You kept claiming you just wanted what was best for me the whole time! I might’ve believed you if you had just left me alone!”
“Kris. Please. Don’t wake them. Wish I wasn’t here. Wanted to leave. Promise.”
Well. That was new. Since when could it talk with anything but their voice?
“Don’t know why I’m back. Hard to talk… like this. But… had it coming.”
It had that right. Finally, they had control back, and now this thing wanted to go for round two?
No. Never again.
“Kris. Can’t hear you think… out here. Have to talk.”
“And why should I?”
“Still not a fan… of communication… I see.”
“Hilarious. Why are you here?”
“Already said… don’t know. He didn’t say much. Just that I… need to warn… the heroes.”
“Who’s ‘He’?”
“Not sure. He doesn’t say. Think I might know. Might also… just be crazy.”
“What does ‘He’ want to warn us about?”
“He only said… The Vessel needs… to help… The Artist… turned Knight.”
“How helpful. And ominous.”
“Wish I knew… enough to help…”
“Remind me never to give you a genie.”
“Hilarious. Can’t talk… much more… out here. Feeling… not great.”
“And what would you have me do about that?”
“Could talk… better… inside.”
“What else should I have expected? The moment I need more from you, you try to take control. Again. Naturally.”
“This takes… a toll… on you… too, Kris.”
“And why exactly should I let you control me again?”
“Because… I can’t. To my… great joy… I can’t… hurt you. I swear. Please, Kris.”
This night has already been a lot. Two girlfriends at the cost of the return of their possessor. And it can talk now, but supposedly can’t control them anymore. It was right, though. This was taking too long. They haven’t taken their soul out in months. It was starting to take a serious toll.
Fine. One more question.
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because… I’ve been… here for… eight hours.”
EIGHT!? But that would put its arrival well before prom, and Kris made every decision themself that night! There’s no question, they didn’t feel the tug of their SOUL as it would drag them across Hometown and to every corner of every Dark World. It really couldn’t control them.
It’s telling the truth.
“Okay. But I promise you this, if you do anything– and I mean anything I don’t like, I will find a way to put my knife through you without killing myself. Do you understand?”
“I do. Now please…”
“Alright. Quit your whining.”
Kris picked the SOUL up from where it floated a few inches off the ground. Maybe they were too harsh. It hadn’t really done anything yet to betray their trust, even from the beginning. Sure, possessing them put it pretty deep in the red– no pun intended– but from what it said all those months ago, it wasn’t by choice.
Yet, as they lifted it to their chest, they faltered. Did they really want to tempt fate? What if it was lying about having been here so long? No, wait. That couldn't be right; it heard what they said at prom. Still, even if it was kind in the past, a benevolent puppeteer is still a puppeteer.
They moved over to sit on the edge of the bathtub, just to give their legs a break.
But… did they really have a choice? They’re fading by the moment. It’s time to cut their losses.
As they pushed the SOUL back into its cage their ribcage, they felt their heart skip a beat and then settle into a much more natural rhythm than it had over the past few minutes.
That’s much better. Thank you, Kris.
Uh-huh. No problem, bestest buddy!
Look, Kris. We need to have a serious talk.
Oh, whatever for?
Kris, please, I thought during my departure, I’d made it clear to you that everything I did was to leave you with the best possible outcome!
Did it have to involve possessing me?
That still wasn’t my decision, Kris. I’ve told you this!
Would you quit saying my name? I know who you’re talking to.
This is no casual conversation. I’m not gonna call you “dude” or “kid”. And certainly not “child”, I’m not your mother.
Real wonderful circumstances for professionalism.
Cut the sass, young they.
I take it all back.
That’s what I thought. Now, if we could get back to the topic at hand?
Can we save the big, important talks until after I get some sleep?
Yes, alright, I suppose they should wait. I apologise for not picking a more convenient time, but this was better kept behind closed doors. You should tell your partners, though. You know how Susie feels about dishonesty, even by omission. Especially by omission.
I will. Tomorrow.
Good. And if you don’t, I’ll harass you until you do. Or, until you rip me out again, but this time, I can, in fact, tattle on you, so choose wisely.
Hooray.
They stood from the edge of the tub and walked back to the living room couch. Seeing that Noelle and Susie had moved closer together in their sleep, they sit in the space next to Noelle and lean in the opposite direction, their head lying on the armrest. They could answer any questions in the morning. Now was the time for sleep.
Goodnight, sweet prinx.
Shut up.
Understood.
…
Good night.