******************* PART TWO - 2 – For Part One look up the tag #Jekylldude ******************* Not many weeks had passed and Jackson found himself seeking out the aid of his voodoo capable friend a lot more than he'd intended. It at first had begun more like the other way around, in which it was Hoodude who seemed to always know exactly right…and sometimes wrong moments to pop up.

However, truly to his surprise, eventually it became easier to approach him. On such days when he'd be feeling particularly glum over lost love again, or on other days during which he'd be forced to take the repercussions of something Holt did previously to his abrupt awakening, and so on, he would find himself becoming accustomed to sneaking off to discreetly seek consolation and comfort with the sentimental doll.

Hoodude in all honesty was simply grateful for the attention, and it wasn't long before a familiar feeling from within began to take hold of his senses and grasp his mind, as was so easy to do when your sole intention in life was to love.

"Psst…hey, buddy…" Jackson whispered from under a shrub of many other tall, rectangular shrubs that configured around in twisted formations to create the labyrinth like maze in which they both had run into one another.

And were both helplessly lost in, not to mention.

Hoodude gasped, and whirled around. He flung his head in every direction attempting to locate the direction of Jackson's voice, and eventually lost his balance and toppled to the ground where they met face to face.

They stared at each other for a moment and then broke out in silly grins, snickering.

"Ah, I just got away from El Toro back there… I didn't know you were lost in here too!" Jackson commented and he heaved himself out of the bush even further. The prickly branches scratched down his clothing and poked through to his skin unapologetically.

"Here let me help." Hoodude offered, breaking away twigs that seemed to be proving the most uncomfortable and obstructive.

"Thanks, Dude." He muttered and Hoodude smiled softly at the nickname. It wasn't really all that special, since lots of people called him that, but he knew Jackson specifically was using it as a reference to his full name. Most monsters don't even bother to learn it.

"Manny Taur really needs to manage his anger more efficiently!" The voodoo doll declared after Jackson finally was freed from under the hedge.

Jackson snorted, "yeah, try to tell that to his face!" He readjusted his glasses and then sat up, "Some people will just never change."

But Hoodude didn't like that, under his breath he added, "Oh I'm sure a little gentle persuasion could change his mind." As he eyed the many sharp, long pins and needles that protruded from his body.

Luckily Jackson didn't seem to take notice. He patted the ground next to him, inviting him to join him on the grassy ground.

He plopped down gracelessly and leaned his head on his shoulder out of habit, "so, you think we can wait out this physical deaducation class? I'm pretty sure they send out rescue gargoyles to retrieve lost students at the end of class." He said, hoping that they could just sit there and talk, undisturbed and isolated.

Looking around them, the normie hummed in agreement, quite frankly too tired to do much more.

"Well, at least I won't be lost and alone." He said.

They sat quietly for a while. They did this most often, usually because it was less the talking by now, and more simply the company that they enjoyed from each other.

"I just don't get why people are so mean to you" Hoodude said finally, mindlessly reaching up and gently touching his human friend's scraped and grazed face, "it just isn't fair. You're such a good person!" He said.

Jackson blushed and shifted a little, still unused to the forward gestures of affection Hoodude was prone to expressing. Well, actually, in the back of his mind he'd been craving the cuddles as the memory of their first hug was still fresh in his mind.

He'd sought out several more since then, but for some reason it only was embarrassing when Hoodude was fussing over him like this.

"I'll be f-fine…" He fought back, weakly. He grabbed the dolls hand from his face and they dropped their arms to the space between them on the ground, still connected at the hand.

His blush hadn't waned yet and he stiffly sat there debating whether or not he wanted to let go. He eventually did pull himself free from the friendly grasp and then folded his arms. He really didn't want to let go.

Honestly, with all the spare lessons wasted cuddling and chattering away, and all the close calls they'd wriggled themselves out of only to be stuck in a locker or a dungeon or a maze for sometimes hours, it was safe to say… He might just have a little, liiiiiiiittle crush on him.

Hoodude didn't, for once, let his displeasure go unnoticed as their hands were separated this time however but allowed it anyway. Jackson held back his amusement, and cleared his throat discreetly.

"You say you'll be fine, but it's bothering me anyway." He protested. "I've got a couple of things I'd like to do to all these jerks who push you around! If I didn't know any better I'd fight them myself." He continued.

Jackson looked at him for a moment, concerned. He'd acted on silly ideas like that before and it had landed them both in the nurses office getting stitches.

"Hoodude, they're stronger than both of us, and I don't want you fighting my battles. Besides, I don't like how they treat YOU either. So you're best bet is to just let them stay jerks." He said.

"Uh, no…" Hoodude responded, spitting out a kind of sass that Jackson wasn't used to seeing, "I know my policies don't allow for violent reactions, but when it's personal I think I can make a few exceptions! And I don't care if you don't want me getting involved." He crossed his arms dramatically and huffed at him.

He was truly taken aback, his mouth ajar and unaware of how to respond for a moment. Then gradually the blush from before began to rise up and he grinned a tiny bit, "Personal, huh? You really fuss over me too much, Dude" he chided teasingly.

The doll huffed again and looked away, blatantly ignoring his cuteness. Or at least that's what he kept chanting in his head to do.

Jackson laughed a little and then unapologetically yanked him in to his arms and hugged him tightly, sitting a little further upright and taking him by genuine surprise, "Look, I've already tried revenge and it only gets me in more trouble. But, really, I am glad you care so much. But just trust me, I'll be okay." He spoke into his shoulder.

Softened, and ultimately unable to stay cross at him for very long, he wriggled his arms free and squished them around him as tight as he could.

"Oh, I'm sorry I got carried away. I can't help but care about people too much. It's a curse." He admitted.

Jackson drew back his face and looked at him, knowingly, "Oh, I think you wouldn't be this outraged about just ANY person…" He said, placing a hand on his cheek, flicking his thumb across a grass smudge on his fabric face.

"Oh, stop it! You're making me blush!" He protested, before remembering that was physically impossible, "well, at least I would be if I could!" He corrected.

Jackson smirked and then hugged him again before letting go and they both flopped onto their backs on the ground.

They linked hands, a little less afraid to now. It was nice, actually, Jackson thought. It was nice to have a friend that he could just cuddle up to and hold hands with and talk about feels with and not have to worry about judgement.

They were just two dudes, that liked each other a lot and it was as simple as that.

The thoughts of taking it further did cross Jackson's mind here and there, but to be honest, he didn't want to ruin the tempo of their friendship by trying to rock the boat too early. The voyage had only just set sail, and the seas were calm for now so there was no need to rush.

"Jackson, really though, if your ever in trouble and I'm nearby, I'm willing to do whatever I can to help." Hoodude said finally.

"Ha, yeah, don't worry," he smirked, "I already know how you 'conveniently' fall over and smash your hands into lockers to buy me time. Real slick, Mr. Voodoo." He responded.

Hoodude chuckled and waved his free hand at him, "At least I'm getting good practice on learning to control my powers!" He retorted.

They both laughed and then returned to silence as they awaited the class to end.

******************* Authors Notes- *******************

So! Part two of my casual fic (with little to no plot, just fluff) is finally done. I messed around with the setting and outcome of this little ficlet about four times before settling on pure, semi-platonic fluff. No stitched smooches yet, just hand holding and squishy cuddles because taking your time is important in a relationship IMO