A/N: Yayayayay, someone finally reviewed! and literally, his or her name is Someone! let's see what they have to say!

/Someone: Hahah, I'm glad you're wrong in this case too! I was going to chalk this one up to a loss but I see people are actually reading and enjoying it, so I decided to continue despite the lack of verbal attention. But I'm so glad you reviewed! you have no idea how happy you made me! :3

Now, enough of that, let's get to this chapter!

The Unexpected
Chapter Five: A Blessing

One thing Larry could say about this new body was that he didn't feel tired at all. He felt like a firecracker, pure energy itself, and it suited him for what he did best. That must have been because, well, it was a new body. And it was one who most definitely rested a lot, if what Sadie and his parents had been saying was correct. Sadie had watched as the influx of customers came in, and how Lars was taking care of every single one of them. It was with a smile, something she'd rarely seen on Lars while working.

Something was off. She simply could not shake it. Something was terribly off, and before she could question if Steven took over again, there the boy was walking in a few minutes before closing time, looking a little ragged. But of course, Steven couldn't have taken over. Lars had a newfound knowledge of working he'd never before displayed. Especially at restaurants. Not that Steven didn't have any knowledge. He was the one to calm down the restaurant war after all.

The young half-Gem hummed as he smiled, much like Gumball had done, and despite this, Larry greeted him with a smile, remembering the television show's promo he'd seen prior to this, "Why, hello, Steven! what would you like today?"

Steven's eyes sparkled as he clasped his hands, "You're acting a lot different. I'd never seen you this happy before, Lars! it looks great on you!"

"Oh," he gave a flourish of his hand, as Sadie watched quietly, "why, thank you."

The boy nodded, "I'd like the usual please!" and thankfully pointed at the donut of his choice. Sadie stopped him before he could reach for it.

"I'll get it this time, Lars," she spoke up, reaching for it and bagging it. "Anything else?"

"Hm… Garnet wants to try chocolate," the boy placed a hand upon his chin, smiling softly up at them. Larry could get used to this. Nobody tried to destroy the store. Nobody tried to ruin his day. Things were finally looking up.

This time, the lanky young man reached for the chocolate donut and placed it in the bag as well, still grinning gently, "Will that be all, Steven?"

Sadie had to note that the constant grin was freaking her out. It just didn't look natural on Lars. She made a vow to tell him about that. But it was a shaky vow. She only thought it didn't because she wasn't used to it. So maybe after a few days it'd be okay. Steven nodded, "Yep! thank you!" as he put the money needed on the counter.

"Anytime!" Lars waved to him as Steven hurried back to his home. He then turned to Sadie after putting up the money, sighing and wiping his forehead, and grinned, "So, it's about that time to close up, isn't it?"

"And it's still sunny out too," Sadie glanced out the window. It had to be no later than five in the afternoon. Stores also closed early since it was a holiday, so people tended to get whatever they needed way beforehand. Except Steven, of course. It was nice though. "Maybe we could do something?"

Here was where Larry began to get a little nervous, "Um, what do you mean?"

"Like.. watch classic movies or play games - the usual?" the blonde watched him carefully with those eyes, and he barely noticed the scar below one of them.

"Games..?" all he knew was work after he turned over the Laziest Person in Elmore title to Richard. So he was a bit put off by this, eyebrow raised.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lars?" she walked out from behind the counter with Larry in tow, as she grabbed a mop and began mopping. The young man grabbed a broom and began sweeping, sighing. "You've been acting so strange today."

"I suppose my one-eighty in one night wasn't exactly believable, was it?" Lars frowned for the first time during these hours.

She shook her head, "No one can change that quickly. But," then she shrugged, "I'm not sure."

A part of him wanted so badly to say that she was right but at the same time he didn't want to face the facts. He didn't want to face the consequences. He wanted to face them later, but not while he was having such a good time. Finally getting respect, working without annoyances, it was all such a blessing to him. And he wasn't one to use the word "blessing".

"Well, I did have a good night's sleep," he decided to say, smiling softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder as they met up cleaning the place. "That could change a person's life quickly."

Sadie laughed and leaned into him, which prompted his eyes to widen and a flush to cross his face. Not out of affection, but out of shock. Karen. The blonde then replied, "I guess you're right, Lars."

Larry simply stood there, scratching his head awkwardly and pursing his lips, "Yeah…"

Now that was the Lars she knew. Soon enough, though, he pulled away from her, "Um, well, I'd like to see how it's like. That's all."

"Oh," Sadie seemed disappointed, but nodded all the same, smiling, "alright then."

She then continued to mop, and he continued to sweep, and soon the building was ready to close. Larry sighed inwardly. He hated doing this, but.. no, he wasn't selfish. Still, he was disappointing Sadie. But he had Karen. No matter whose body this was, he was still attached to Elmore, especially his girlfriend. He only hoped Lars, wherever he was, was treating her right.

He soon exited the store, holding the door open for the plump blonde, and locked it afterwards, humming a soft tune to himself. He then turned to Sadie, "Mind if I bake more goods before we start?"

Sadie simply shrugged, and Larry feared he may have messed up their friendship or whatever it was. She took a deep breath, and there was that smile again, "Alright, Lars. You can use my kitchen."

"Woah, we're going to your house?" Sadie shot him a confused look, and he quickly fixed it, "I, uh, I mean, sure! thank you!"

An eyebrow rose, but she walked down the boardwalk, with Larry again following her with his bike, like some lost puppy this time. It felt so warm out, and these work clothes weren't quite so stiff like the ones he wore almost all the time. He just noticed all that. Maybe working his life away wasn't the smart thing to do, but he had no choice but to keep working, because of the Wattersons. All these jobs were keeping the world from spontaneously collapsing. He had no choice.

"Lars? are you okay?"

This broke through his thoughts, and his face felt wet for some reason. He lifted a hand to it, and pulled it away upon feeling a cold moisture. Was he.. crying? quickly, he wiped them away, and nodded, "I'm fine. I was just thinking."

The lady kept staring at him. Worry, concern, maybe even a little anger, were in her eyes. He didn't know much longer he'd be able to keep this from her.

A/N: And that's that. I hope you all liked this chapter. I will have the next one up over the weekend or next week, depending. I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Yesterday was my last day of school so now I'm out for the summer! woooo!