"I…don't think that's what an apology sounds like, Maddy."

"Oh, bite me!"

Mettaton and Mad Dummy were taking a stroll down the sidewalk. Normally, the two cousins weren't exactly too keen on hanging out with each other, but they strived to grow closer for Napstablook's sake.

Still, the problem was that Mad Dummy and Mettaton had pretty much nothing in common.

"I still don't think it was appropriate for you to snap at Burgerpants like that," Mettaton frowned.

"Don't you do that all the time?" Mad Dummy huffed, not looking at him.

"Darling, I know he's bad at his job, but I break it to him softly."

Mad Dummy rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Whatever. WHATEVER!"

Mettaton decided to give it a rest. With a sigh, he shook his head. "Forget it, Maddy. Let's just hope you didn't scare off the poor simpleton."

"Like you would care—" Mad Dummy stopped speaking as soon they passed by an alleyway.

"Hm?" Mettaton turned around.

Mad Dummy glanced to his side, hearing a bit of shuffling. "Stay here." He hopped over to see what the deal was.

Mettaton didn't usually take orders, but chose to obey for now.

Mad Dummy could see a silhouette in the shadows. It looked as if it was constantly trying to stand, but failing miserably.

"And just when I thought it was over…HA! What a joke. Who am I kidding…"

"Hey!" Mad Dummy called, and the monster immediately froze.

Upon closer examination, the monster turned out to be Gyftrot. Mad Dummy barely even knew the deer-like creature, only hearing about him from several other monsters. Gyftrot was known as the victim of several pranks—especially involving his tree-like antlers. Unsurprisingly, numerous items and random junk were currently littered across his branches.

Upon seeing Mad Dummy, Gyftrot backed up, but had only fallen over again, not able to withstand the weight of all the 'decorations'. "Go ahead. Just get it over with," the monster hissed, shutting his eyes.

Mad Dummy was silent. He hopped over to Gyftrot and narrowed his eyes for a moment, looking over the creature. Slowly, he took off a shoe that was hanging off one of the branches.

Gyftrot opened his eyes and stared at him. "…What?"

Mad Dummy didn't respond. He took off another item—a package of cotton balls, to be exact.

"…W…what on earth are you doing?" Gyftrot sneered, trying to hold back his tears.

The dummy scowled. "Oh, shut it," he grouched. "Just be glad someone's helping you." He plucked off an old sock, as well as a lunch box.

That quieted down Gyftrot for a moment, but he still didn't understand. "You. I've heard that you're one of the most hostile people around here." Mad Dummy paused as he raised a brow. "…Threatening to stab whoever's in your way…shouting at everyone when you don't get what you want…" Gyftrot stared at the ground. "Yet…why? Why help me? You of ALL people?"

Mad Dummy pursed his lips, taking off a plastic bag. "Let's just say I know first-hand what it's like to be picked on, mocked, and bullied." He took off the last item—a small birdhouse—and tossed it aside. "There. That's the last one."

Gyftrot took this opportunity to stand up, pleased by the weight that had been lifted off him. "…Thank you." He smiled before hobbling off.

"No one else should endure what I've gone through," Mad Dummy muttered, turning around to leave. As soon as he stepped foot out of the alley, there Mettaton stood, waiting for him.

"Maddy…" The robot's grin was wide.

"Wha—I thought I told you to stay back!" Mad Dummy hollered, but Mettaton ignored his shout.

"And to think I thought we had nothing in common!" Mettaton pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

Mad Dummy struggled, but eventually gave up. "Fine fine FINE! …Just…don't tell anyone about this…'kay?" he grumbled.