It's been a month! Sorry guys, real life got in the way and writing chapters is kind of draining. Oddly I was able to write very silly unedited oneshots if you follow me on tumblr, but those don't take as much out of me. That being said thatdoodlebug now owns my soul unfortunately.
Also RobotAuction- hope this is a welcome break for you. Hopefully. I'm always so nervous about releasing chapters!
Chapter Summary: Randall has no life outside of work. Fungus and Sulley might just try to change that.
Fungus- Monday- After lunch
Randall rounded on the smaller Assistant. "Fungus for the gods' sake, pay attention for once- I said-" He began to raise his voice but was then cut off as he felt an all too familiar stare. Sulley was looking at them from across his own door station, and looking rather exasperated.
He snapped his mouth shut. "Never mind."
"Randall?" Fungus said sounding confused.
"Just, just drop it okay… and be prepared for a big haul okay? This one sometimes has sleepovers."
"… I just said that sir." He whispered glancing down at the paper work as he scratched his head underneath his helmet.
Randall said nothing to this, only growling in response.
As Randall stomped through the next door, the Assistant looked on at Sulley. He shrugged his shoulders.
Sulley just shrugged his own shoulders back just as helplessly before Mike tapped his arm, regaining his attention.
Fungus- Monday night
The coffee cup clinked against the tray. Fungus fumbled with his hands after he put it down next to what would soon be the console of the extractor.
His Scarer had been on edge all day and on some level he thought it would be best to leave this topic until a later date. Still, protocol dictated that you gave around two weeks notice for time off, and despite the fact this particular project was very much off the books he felt like he had to say something.
"Uh… Randall?"
"… what." Flat, no emotion betrayed at all.
Fungus winced. He'd been like this almost all day. Rather than being his usually hyperactive and snappy self it seemed almost as if he was just going through the motions, his mind elsewhere entirely. Before they had both come to be here he'd stared down at the long dark hallway which lead down to the extractor as if wondering if he should be there at all. But while he continued to work on the machine he seemed…slow as well as overly cautious.
That was preferential to how he used to be certainly. Randall tended to involve himself with the wires and electrical pieces of the machine and on the whole was often careless from what Fungus had seen. He moved too fast and didn't wear protective gear when he should, complaining that such things got in the way, and while no doubt having more pairs of hands helped, there were only so many tasks he could complete at the same time before he could become confused, particularly if they were complicated, or if he was already tired.
"What is it Fungus?"
Realising he'd been drifting off the small Assistant began to stammer:
"It's-It's just uh… the S-Summer solstice holidays are uh, coming up… I was wondering if- do we still come here…?"
Randall scoffed, it was a seemingly ridiculous question. With a whole week off from regular work hours, of course the Extractor wouldn't be put on stand-by.
"You can't take the full week off from this machine." Randall said stoutly. "I mean… if you want a day or two with your little… chums I won't stop you." He went back to staring at the machine. He folded his second pair of arms. He began scratching his chin with his first right hand, but even as his eyes were on the machine they seemed to glaze over.
Fungus had expected less than that as it happened, but while feeling reasonably cheered at the fact he may get to have some time off Fungus then stopped and frowned:
"What about you?"
"Huh?"
"Are uh, you doing anything for the holidays?"
Randall sniffed.
"Like I have the time."
"Sir… I…"
"WHAT Fungus?"
Ah there was some of the old Randall.
"Sir." Fungus put his hands on what may have been hips, refusing to show the intense desire to back down. "You only eat, sleep and work… I… is that really healthy?" he prodded.
Randall stared at him.
"Have you been talking to Sullivan?"
Fungus looked briefly confused at this, to which Randall gave a ragged sigh.
"I'm fine Fungus, maybe I can… have a social life when this damn thing is finished."
Then he froze. It was as if he was just remembering something.
Then he started to laugh for no apparent reason.
But it was bitter and rolling and Fungus felt his stomach turn to ice as it echoed throughout the entire chamber.
"You go have your fun Wildman." He said, at first wheezing as he ran a hand through his own fronds. "Just for a day or two though." He said for emphasis, as if he would forget.
"Sir… I don't feel right just leaving you here on your own." Fungus said carefully, unsure of what to make of this strange behaviour. His three eyes began to dart up and down towards the other monster. "Why don't you come with me? For an hour or two? I mean there's lots of block parties no matter where you go and…"
"I said NO." Randall suddenly snapped, on the defensive once again. "Now hand me that set of pliers and we'll go home for the night okay?!"
Fungus sighed and did as he was told.
In the end the next coming weeks would drag on on such a level which would become unbearable. Randall would need a break, whether he liked it or not.
Though at least, in Fungus' case, in realising this very real fact he wasn't alone.
Randall- Tuesday
He banged two left hands on the coffee machine. It had eaten his change. Just the cherry on top of an already terrible day. His feet gripped the at the carpet underneath his feet and he rubbed his head.
"Uh… Randall are you okay?" Great- yet another hairy monster determined to stick his nose into the situation. (Well he didn't really have a nose but that was besides the point.)
"Sanderson, don't tell me you're trying to pull a Sullivan here." He said narrowing his eyes.
George looked him up and down his eyelid twitching. "…No." His expression however really said it all.
"For the last time Sanderson WE ARE NOT TOGETHER."
"…. Look I know breakups are hard but-"
Randall slid a hand down his face. He couldn't believe this. He stalked away. Hell really was other people. Sometimes.
He pushed past Ted who looked as if he was signing his name. What was with people today? Had Sullivan recruited more mindless drones to do his bidding?
Randall didn't need this. He didn't need Sullivan. He didn't need anybody. His hands began to tremble. He gripped them into fists.
Randall-Wednesday
He glanced down at himself in the locker room and scowled hideously. In his bid to get away, he'd actually knocked himself against what he'd once considered the bane of his existence and his scales were now a blend of blue and purple polka dots.
Involuntarily blending to a pattern he didn't want in front of countless people he'd have to face tomorrow. That had to ring some bells. He clenched his fists, straightened his back as much as he could manage and stared him in the eyes:
"...Is this my life now. Some sort of joke, where you're always the punchline?!" he hissed, unable to help himself. Composure wasn't something he needed around this particular monster anymore. He'd seen enough. The nosy big blue idiot had enough on him already.
Sullivan shuffled on his feet at first, scratched the back of his head and then gripped his hands behind his back.
"Randall look about-"
His fronds flared upwards again.
No. He vanished. Properly this time. Whether it was about college (as if he'd ever noticed) or more recent events he didn't want to hear it. Not now.
Randall- Thursday
The CEO held his head in his hands within the office. The fan began to beat down overhead, being only too noticeable in the silence before he finally began to speak: "Are you sure he doesn't know anything?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SIR."
"… Oh yes, shout, yell! I'm sure that won't draw anyone's attention! Do you even understand the concept of an indoor voice?" he hissed. Then he sighed.
"… why in blue-blazes is he so interested in you then if he doesn't suspect anything?"
Oddly… the elderly monster almost sounded… jealous. Though perhaps that was just his imagination.
Randall
Not again. He was even smiling as if nothing was wrong, as if he did this all the time.
"Hey Randall I was wondering if you wanted to-"
"No."
"But I-I didn't even-" Sullivan began to stammer.
"I don't care what it is. The answer is still no."
Randall- Friday
He stared at her through the office window. He refused to beg. Randall Boggs did not beg. Or at least he didn't in public. He had some dignity left.
"Look Roz can't I work something out? I don't want to work next to the guy anymore."
She blinked. Slowly.
"The two top Scarers…. always have their door stations together. That's the way… it has to be… "
He folded his first pair of arms, wringing his second pair, his fronds flaring up and down. "I could report this… I'm… I'm important here you know."
No he wasn't. Well Sullivan maybe thought he was important but… no…he wasn't going to think about that.
It was a trick, a game, a ploy. He wanted something out of him. That was all there was to it. Even if his dratted sub-conscious was determined to believe the big blue idiot, he had to hold on to the facts (as he saw them) for dear life.
Randall-The following Monday
On weekdays, avoiding Sullivan was impossible, utterly impossible. He was always there. And even when he wasn't Randall sometimes found himself wanting him to be. All weekend he'd been deep down almost expecting to run into the guy as he moved around the factory to clear his head, and found himself feeling… disappointed.
He hated himself for it. And yet no matter what he did, that was how it was.
He wanted to bash his own head against the wall.
Instead he decided to settle for almost-but-not -quite resting his head on Sulley's chest. It was at least more comfortable. And like hell would he say anything about it, the guy was obsessed. Hell, maybe the guy had a crush on him all was said and done. He laughed morbidly. As if that was something to worry about. You'd have to be pretty messed up in the head to find Randall Boggs attractive, he thought, stewing deeply in his own self-loathing.
He was just a jerk, a bitter nobody. Everyone knew that. Why was this guy even bothering with him?
He didn't hate Sullivan somehow, not any more. He didn't even hate Fungus, and even for him there was only so much hatred he could aim at a certain green eyeball. But hatred came part and parcel when it came to him and his life. It had to go somewhere.
"Hey are… uh… you okay?" Sullivan was clearly uncomfortable, physical contact was hardly something Randall initiated, but he was also clearly, if badly, trying to hide it. This was the first proper conversation they'd had in almost a week. Randall supposed he was taking what he could get.
He felt like a chore. He felt like an inconvenience and this guy just didn't give up.
"...why.. couldn't you have just let me hate you." Randall finally muttered. Take from that what he wanted, he didn't care in that moment. Then he tore his head away and looked up at him angrily clenching his fists. Sulley was simply tilting his head at him, then he reached a paw forward.
"… Randall."
The other monster's fronds flared.
"Look- I don't want to feel this way okay?! I don't want to… want this… I mean I don't want to…want your friendship. I don't want to like you. You have everything you want as it is!" His voice and throat began to scratch and singe in pain.
"… not everything." The larger monster placed his paws on his shoulders. "There's…I…" he seemed to struggle with the words. Or thought it better not to say what he was about to.
"Randall… I just… I want you to be happy. But I don't know how." Somehow, Sullivan's honesty caused Randall's throat to burn even more than his own.
He pushed him away all the same.
Sulley
He frowned as he watched him walk away.
Happiness was an odd thing, he thought. If you kept chasing it, the further away it would seem. It was the small things which made you happy along the way that mattered. He'd come to understand that over time. But it was still something else to see someone run away from it.
Though on some level he could understand it too. This was after all Randall, he never liked to make things easy. Not even perhaps for himself.
Fungus had the right idea, he decided. This called for more drastic measures later. For now though he would just have to wait. No matter how frustrating that may have been.
Sulley (Thursday- 4 and a half months until Boo)
A popcorn kernel missed the couple comprising of two female monsters in front of them by inches.
"Betty: stop doing that." Sulley said in a low voice.
"Shh, you're messing with my aim. It's dark enough in here." she muttered back. The advertisements hadn't even started yet and it was already pretty dark, but that was more part in parcel for this particular screen from what he could recall. It was an older one, and probably only just this side of health and safety legislation in some respects.
He squeaked uncomfortably in his seat. Ugh, the seats in Screen 6 were never big enough for him.
He grabbed her left hand as she seemed to be going to retract her arm again. "Betty, remind me. How old are you again?"
"…. 23. "
Sulley snorted.
"What? That just means my mind hasn't fully developed yet for at least another year. I'm not over hill like you Mr-late-20s. I'm practically a kid!
He leaned his right arm on the arm rest, balled his hand into a fist and rested the side of his head on it as he looked down at her.
"… you're telling me."
She threw the next kernel at him instead.
He plucked it from his fur and then began munching on it with a shrug of his shoulders. Betty snorted this time.
"I'm allowed to act up and be a jerk. I'm rejected and alone. I could be on a hot date but no she bails and I'm stuck with you. So who cares about who else I run down along the way?" she then said pretended to sob. Sulley rolled his eyes.
"I feel so used." he said with a sniff, pretending to play along however briefly (with no doubt, he felt, better acting talent then the sappy romance movie he was about to be subjected to.)
He then however raised an eyebrow.
Wait…
"You're… still hacked off at Randall for earlier today aren't you." It wasn't a question.
She gestured with her thumb and index finger, putting them close together. "Little bit."
Sulley scratched his head. "….right." He then looked down at her again. "You could have… been nicer about it though."
Betty gave him a rather disgusted look. "I have to deal with that sort of thing on the odd occasion myself. I don't play nice with people who treat people badly because they're…gay."
On the whole, Betty had grown to become rather protective of Fungus in quite a short space of time. He supposed he could get why, but he wondered if she was getting the wrong end of the stick as she played the big sister role.
"…It's getting better."
He then held up his hands defensively as she glared.
"I mean it's still not okay but it's getting there and…I don't really think he's ever treated Fungus badly because of that Betty."
"How can you be sure? It might have played a part in it, even sub-consciously. I mean come on man, we all know people don't have to scream 'I hate you because you're well… whatever' for things like that to play some part. Things aren't as obvious as that." She scowled again as she looked to the side, gripping the cup tightly. "He was yelling at Fungus today over those rumours, seems to me the guy is pretty hung up on the idea of being seen as interested with guys. Just saying."
Sulley rubbed his head. "I think that it had less to do with the fact I'm well, a guy, but more because it's me, Betty."
"Why what's wrong with you?"
"…Betty."
"I guess I'm just teasing." She said with a small smirk. "And… well, maybe you have a point. He's hardly been your biggest fan." Though she still looked to the side, folding her arms. She then looked at the screen, though there was nothing to see, not now.
"Betty… what was it really about? I mean you and Fungus you were talking about something and… you seemed ticked off before we even ran into the guy. You even surprised Mike."
Betty was silent for a moment.
Sulley waved his hand. "I mean it's okay if you can't tell me, if Fungus-"
"Nah, he said it was okay to tell you. Just was wondering if it was the best time." She glanced around the more or less empty theatre and the completely disinterested couple of girls lost in the pools of their own eyes several rows front of them.
"…oh?" he raised his eyebrows surprised.
"Guess the little guy has taken a shine to you." She smirked. "Not in that way." She quickly added.
Sulley rolled his eyes. "I never assumed that."
"See? That's good. You're not assuming things like that but for Fungus…" she gripped one of the arm rests.
"… what?"
"Ugh, with Fungus, well he used to be an Assistant to someone else and… it didn't work out too well…"
"Oh?"
"… It was in Fear Co…not here. " she hissed and the continued as she glanced up at Sulley. "Anyway he managed to become this Assistant for this old seasoned Scarer there. Male- around 20 years older than you guys. Semi-popular- though not on your level. But as it happened a complete and utter asshole who would… make assumptions like that. Fungus decided to come out to him like a year after being his Assistant."
Sulley twitched an eyebrow at this looking surprised, and Betty took this as her cue to continue.
"So as it happens Fungus ended up out of a job because well Mr. Asshole decided he couldn't work with someone with those sorts of 'inclinations'. And well, he came here. The higher ups know the… issues and Fungus outside this incident did seem to be competent at his job- so he came to Inc when a position opened, after, well, Randall's last Assistant quit. Fungus just wanted to be his last Scarer's friend, to trust him with something which was really difficult for him but he… dropped him like a hot potato."
Sulley groaned as he thought of the various social occasions that sometimes occurred between the various companies. "…have I met this guy? Please say I haven't."
"Couldn't say. It's sort of been kept under wraps- like I said he was semi-popular, and Fungus refuses to name him. He was good Scarer though, even if he wasn't a good person. Enough so that Fungus got booted instead even if by rights, his Scarer should have been simply marked down and Fungus transferred, given the whole appropriate conduct thing you guys have ragging on you- I mean Randall is at least on thin ice because of it right? Stupid Fear Co."
She grumbled. Sulley swallowed back the tempting statement that M.I wasn't always peaches and cream either, thinking better of it. That would lead to questions he couldn't answer, especially not here.
"Fungus is an utter mess isn't he." Sulley simply settled for saying with a ragged sigh.
"… well, I like to think he's a little better now. But he's a bundle of nerves and sticking him with someone like Randall was… less than wise. He's hardly Mr. Sensitive."
"Betty, I promise you, I know he's sometimes…" he grappled with the words. "...abrasive?"
"You mean a jerk."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Betty." He repeated.
"Sorry, sorry, continue." She said gesturing at him with the palm of her hand.
"Anyway- I don't think it's down to something like that." Sulley said with a shake of his head "I mean… I've never noticed anything that suggests that he thinks like that…" Then he looked to the side. "But then when have I been that good at noticing anything?" he muttered as the lights managed to dim even further and an advertisement finally began to play.
Betty looked up at him apprehensively.
"Oh gods no, is this angst-all-over-Betty day? Sulley- don't go all guilt ridden on me. I know Fungus is like a sack of sadness and all and you're worried about Randall but please." she said over the jingle about snacks with mutated popcorn on legs.
"…. Sorry." He said, looking even more annoyed. He propped his head with his left hand this way, and stared at the screen with a scowl. The tip of his tail began to tap on the ground.
"… I was kidding, Sulley." she said touching his hand. He looked down at her. "Look maybe this is just a… a transitional phase. That's not always the easiest time. Remember… puberty?" Even as she said this last part, she gave a grimace.
He briefly recalled rather painful memories of when his horns first came in. All the same he had to smirk. "I think most people try to forget it."
"Well it was worth it in the end though, right? You got through the other side anyway." She shrugged.
"Ah yes, alone watching a romantic movie with an annoying blue bean. I sure as hell have."
She threw a popcorn kernel at him again. He laughed. The couple in front at this stage turned around and hissed at them to be quiet.
"It'll be okay Sulley you'll think of something." She said in a low voice.
"It's more that-"
"Shhhhh." Hissed the couple again.
Sulley lowered his voice again. "… I think I might know a way, it's uh, partly Fungus' idea- it's kind of a long-shot though."
"Go for it, whatever it is. Something has got to give sooner or later." She managed to pop a kernel in her mouth at this stage.
The couple glared again. Sulley raised his hands up with a small smile as a sign of surrender and they both settled down.
For Sulley, the movie turned out to be not that bad. The action scenes which the main heroine had to go through to save her lady love had at least been fun to watch even if the kissing scenes had made him awkwardly squirm, as all scenes of a romantic nature usually did.
Sulley
Thursday- 20th of June- 4 and a half months until Boo
A week with no work lay ahead of them and it was time to lay their plan into action.
There was no way Sulley was leaving things as they were for that length of time. Not with one more good old college try. Besides, who could resist this? Especially on a day like today. He'd briefly thanked all the gods when he'd heard the weather forecast- clear blue skys and high temperatures throughout. Everyone was sweating up a storm and raring to go when it came to the annual tradition on their particular Scare Floor.
Sulley laughed as he shook his head. His best friend was about to disappear through the front door, a gaggle of other small monsters following after him chattering excitedly.
"We'll get you- be prepared big guy!" He suddenly heard him yell.
"We'll see WAZOWSKI", the unfamiliar use of his best friend's surname rolling off his tongue as he called after him.
"Yeah, yeah, when your wallet is a little lighter, then we'll see whose laughing. It'll be me, drunk off my ass!"
"Your mother would be proud." He yelled with a laugh and a shake of his head.
"Who needs a mom when I have YOU Big Guy!" Mike clicked his fingers at him in and finally left, the other Assistants waving to their own Scarers while looking rather smug. Though given the past few years they had every reason to be.
While the Scarers had lost to them three years in a row at this stage, Sulley did utterly love this time of year. But hopefully with a little luck, this year would be even better. Even if it meant that the next morning he'd often have to deal with a hungover Mike asking (or demanding) he make him his tried and true pancakes. It was worth it. At least it was in this heat.
They needed the release. Everyone did. So on the last day of work, before a week long holiday for the Summer solstice they had continued the tradition.
Randall had never participated.
It was a long shot he knew, and it wouldn't solve everything even if he took to it, but as Betty had said, he couldn't expect to solve everything in one fell swoop anyway. And Fungus had agreed- living a life with nothing but Scaring and the project was just so utterly wrong they didn't know where to begin.
Sulley raised an eyebrow to the Scarers as soon as he saw someone rather small, familiar and red arrive to the scene, looking a little uncertain.
"You guys go on ahead I'll catch up to you- just try and get Mike to hold off until I get there at least."
"We'll try." George said slapping his back. "Come on guys! To sudden death!"
Sulley snorted and shook his head as they disappeared from sight, dragging a helpless new Scarer known as Claw to his doom.
He stretched, the work day beginning to settle into his bones a little, but he still was pumped for what was to come.
"So managed to steal away huh?" he said with a nod as he wandered over to Fungus. Fungus smirked at this and nodded himself. "Told him I left some paperwork behind."
Sulley nodded.
"Good… good….Uh… how's he doing anyway." He rubbed his hands before he put them behind his back, rocking on the heels of his feet. He was trying not to sound too worried.
"A little better." Fungus said with a shrug then he frowned as if thinking more deeply on this. "He's eating better, even sleeping a little better at least anyway…" He then looked vaguely exasperated. If anything the guy looked a little tired himself.
"…He's not happy though is he." Sulley finished.
"He… he needs this I think, he needs a break, and not just sleep. Even if it's just for a little while."
Sulley nodded satisfied. "He's… probably going to get really mad at first you know. Just as a heads up" He cracked his knuckles.
Fungus sighed. "Randall is mad at everything Mr. Sullivan."
He had a point. Sulley shook his head.
"Ready? Been practicing your scream?" he whispered as a few other monsters began spilling across into the hall way, the work day officially over.
Fungus nodded, an unusually mischievous smile spreading across his face.
Sulley then grabbed him cuasing the clipboard he'd been holding the clap down on the hard surface.
"YOU'RE COMING WITH ME FUNGUS!" Sulley suddenly burst out causing most of the other monsters in the tiled entrance to turn around and stare. "IF RANDALL WANTS YOU, HE'LL HAVE TO FIND ME!"
"WHAT!?" Fungus pretended to shriek.
"YOU'RE COMING TO THE PARKING LOT-I CAN CAN SHOW YOU SOMETHING THAT WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD."
At this Fungus smacked him on the head and hissed. "A little too much Mr. Sullivan."
"Sorry." He muttered, also breaking out of character. At this the surrounding monsters started to laugh, now fully aware of the joke, particularly those who were aware of what happened on this particular day of the year.
"You heard it here folks! If Randall wants Fungus- point him to me!" he called out swinging the small red Assistant into a fireman's lift over his shoulder. Fungus was trying very hard not to laugh himself and failing miserably.
He resisted the urge to twist the fur of his upper lift like a moustache. There was such a thing as overdoing it after all.
Randall was going to kill him for this if things didn't go as planned.
Oh well. Scaring was always a risky business anyway.
Sulley
He grinned as he noticed the long familiar shape step through the entrance door. Well, that hadn't taken long. The gossipy town that was Monsters Incorporated definitely had some use.
Randall paused for a moment as the other monster waved him down, seemingly cheerful in spite of his own dour expression. Randall folded his two arms and tapped one of his feet impatiently, trying it seemed to maintain his composure.
"Hey there Randall, want to join us?"
"Join what I-" He shook his head and clenched his fists, getting to the matter at hand. "Cut the crap Sullivan, where is my Assistant? Where are you stashing him?" he looked behind him as if the small red monster must have been directly behind him, trembling away.
Sulley looked thoughtful and then put his hands on his hips, still smiling. "I believe he's tying water balloons on the roof around now."
Randall looked even more annoyed at this.
"What are you babbling on about Sulli-"
Sulley jumped as he heard the first splash and then felt the second against the side of his own head. He snorted through the wet fur covering his eyes, pulling it aside as he turned around, to get a better look up at the perpetrator from above.
Ah. No big surprise there.
"Got you big guy! Had enough of hiding then you big coward?" Mike yelled out from the roof. "Oh hey Randall." he said in a tone which was all too innocent in Sulley's opinion, as if he hadn't seen the other monster.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"I called a time out Mikey that doesn't even count."
"Ugh fine. But I'll get you next time. You'll be begging for mercy. Just… you…watch" he pointed a finger to his one eye and then back at him before edging away from the side, now out of sight. Sulley chuckled at this and then turned back to Randall.
Who was now emotionally fighting between surprise and utter outrage at this point if the look on his face was any indication. Sulley for a brief moment felt his optimism drain away, but he was determined to keep hold of it.
"So uh, do you want to join us?" he pointed his right thumb over his shoulder. "It's Scarers versus Assistants and uh, well we're technically one short. With Fungus I mean."
"And whose fault is that then?" Randall said slicking the water from his fronds, flicking the water on the scorching hot tarmac, it evaporating almost immediately.
Sulley shrugged in full and silent admittance of his guilt, maintaining his smile.
"Guy's probably more of a liability for the other team anyway…" Randall muttered, sounding annoyed. He seemed to be fighting the urge to pout as he crossed two pairs of arms and looked away. Sulley found this hilarious for some reason (though he valiantly fought back a chuckle, instead hiding his smile with a cough as he brought a paw to his face).
Randall wanted to join in. He could just tell. He was just too proud to admit it. Besides, he was wrong about Fungus in every possible way.
"Fungus is pretty much creaming us right now. Little guy has got near perfect aim."
Randall looked taken aback, his fronds began to rise up:
"… Fungus is the main threat to you guys? Little guy, looks like a red bean, hell of a stammer, him?"
Sulley shrugged.
"He uh, seems to be really good at math. He keeps muttering things about angles and wind velocity and… some other things before he aims…" Sulley trailed off looking to the side. "It's kind of… scary actually." He shook his head pushing these thoughts aside. As someone who had never taken to numbers particularly well it did remind him of certain nightmares of his youth as it happened.
Randall however continued to look incredulously at him.
Sulley twiddled with this thumbs, pretending to appear innocent, though he got the impression he wasn't doing a very good job at this when Randall narrowed his eyes further at him. This called for drastic measures. He pointed a finger at the smaller monster:
"It would be a good way to get back at Mike as it happens. He's Captain of the other team."
That did it. It made Randall snap to attention at least, though he quickly tried to hide it again when Sulley began smiling down at him again. He'd hooked him at this stage, all he had to do was reel him in. He hoped to do a certain fraternity member proud.
'I'm in your hands now Squishy' He thought, as he grinned.
"Oh let-let me guess, you're Captain of this one?" Randall said, trying very hard not to look him in the eye.
Always the fighter. But still Sulley at this point wasn't going to falter.
"We're a democracy Randall." His smile continued to spread. At this Randall finally met his eyes.
"Oh for heaven's sake, no wonder you're getting creamed. Stand back Sullivan, I'm going to show you guys how it's done!"
Sulley bit back a laugh as he was gently pushed aside. Randall looked around him in eagerly.
"So where's your base of operations?"
He'd have said something at this statement, but the other Scarers were taking it even more seriously than Randall was. Oh well.
Sulley
"So the Assistants got the roof?" Randall repeated.
"Pretty much, we're sitting ducks except… well here." Sulley shrugged, "We're sort of sheltered here." He nodded towards a group of air vents jutting out over the side.
"Well if they have the better vantage point we should just go ahead and take it then." Randall nodded in determination.
A few of the other Scarers nodded. While many of them had tilted their heads curiously at Sulley when they saw who he was bringing with him they'd quickly got into the swing of things as Sulley had given them a curt nod just before Randall had launched into his whole spiel of this being the year everything changed.
It helped that they really, really wanted to win. Three straight years of being smugly addressed by your Assistants for weeks and having to buy all their drinks at Gunner's after this event each year did that to you he supposed. (Sulley had to admit that while he just saw it as a bit of fun it would be rather nice to wipe the grin off his best friend's face… if only for this year). And Randall seemed to know what he was talking about. It was if he had always been waiting for this moment, but then again, the other Captain was Mike after all.
Sulley felt an odd twinge of pride. He knew that deep down, this was perhaps only a temporary form of relief for everyone- both from the heat as well as tension that was their lives, but the guy seemed to be in his element.
"I have an idea, I think, I just need to figure out the details." Randall said walking a little while away deciding to use a stick to draw in the dirt.
Sulley bit back a laugh and trundled after several other Scarers who went after him seemingly interested in seeing the 'master' at work.
For a few moments there was only silence.
"You want more advice?" Randall whispered jamming a right thumb over his shoulder as he continued to draw. "Ditch the new guy, he's kind of a liability."
"No soldier gets left behind Randall!" George said (who for some reason was wearing what looked to be a kids toy army hat).
Sulley glanced at the monster in question and winced a little.
Claw (who was currently gripping the sides of his head with his hands), seemed to not be mentally present for any of this, despite technically being the topic itself. He continued to mutter to himself.
"They're out there." Claw whispered desperately as he rocked into a fetal position. "Our Assistants are out there, on that roof, waiting to strike! They know us better than we know ourselves…." He began to tremble at this.
"They know our strengths, our weaknesses, what makes us tick… I-I can't take the pressure!" he shrieked, stood up to attention and ran around the corner.
"Claw! Wait!" Sulley cried out reaching out his arm. But it was too late.
Randall, Sulley and all the other Scarers winced as they heard a period of silence before multiple water balloons were thrown and a thump as no doubt the Scarer had hit the floor. He'd perhaps even fainted from the shock.
Sullley was the first to speak.
"…That was… interesting."
(Sulley was beginning to wonder if Claw and his own Assistant needed their own little talk.)
"I'll go get him." Randall sighed getting up.
"We can't afford to lose you too Randall!" George cried out dramatically. Randall shook his head.
"…You're kidding me, right?" Randall said before turning invisible.
"Oooh nice," George said appreciatively as he nodded.
"Can get some use out of it besides scaring human kids I guess." Though with his mouth still being visible, Sulley could tell he was smiling at this.
He smirked himself.
Then the water balloon missed him by inches.
"Gah, so close." He heard Fungus say over head. "I shouldn't have rounded up that number to two decimal points."
He got Sulley the second time.
At this he began to laugh. Very hard actually. Though Randall had told him to shut up and take this seriously when he got back he could almost see a smile himself. He knew he looked utterly ridiculous especially when, now half dry, it had caused his fur to fluff up on end.
It was okay to look like an idiot, sometimes. It just depended on who with.
Mike
He pumped up his right fist as he held the water balloon is his left hand.
"Okay troops, now we're all winners here, but we want to keep this streak. Now, I can understand if some of you are a little… apprehensive about going after your own Scarers but remember- we are their Assistants so- tough love baby, all the way! We all know who the real top dogs are!" He said as he moved the water balloon between his hands. A few of the Assistants laughed, ah the joy of it all. There was something oddly satisfying with soaking a terrifying or even respected face with water balloons, all dignity gone in that moment. They weren't sure why. Perhaps because they were generally expected to help make them look their best in all other instances.
Mike continued his speech with a smile:
"Now this year we've got new recruits, and I might add Fungus is doing particularly well." He said with a wink. "We could have used you last year buddy, last time was a close call!"
Fungus shuffled his feet looking a little embarrassed. On some level the poor guy was starving for good attention he supposed, though he had become a bit better even in the last couple of weeks alone.
While Mike wasn't still sure about the whole Randall thing, he supposed he could afford being nicer to Fungus. Sulley did have a point there, even if he was going to absolutely destroy him right now as he did every year.
True friendship could survive any war.
"Don't they have Randall now though?" Fungus added, though if anything his own statement caused the corners of his mouth to tug upwards.
"Pfft." Mike waved his hands. "Look, the guy may have lots of arms but the guys as blind as a bat. He's no threat."
"… oh really."
Mike, not looking up at this nodded, not immediately recognizing the familiar sounding voice. Nor did he see the floating water balloon directly above his head.
"Well you know Wazowski there's a simple solution to aiming issues- just get closer."
Mike yelped as it rained down on him.
The Assistants starting laughing at this.
They then started shrieking when Randall found their water balloon supply. Tearing up through the ladders the other Scarer's finally joined in, the distraction having worked.
For a moment it was complete and utter chaos. The Assistants screamed as, as planned Scarers specifically went after their own Assistants. Claw starting screaming manically as he rained down with the hose on his own Assistant (as well as many others, sometimes even his own team mates), George poured a bucket over Charlie and Sulley tore after Mike just as Randall brushed past him going after his apparent 'master shooter' of an Assistant. Fungus screamed, but despite not being able to see him, it was clearly not out of terror.
"Do you give up?" Sulley said his eyes flashing, getting caught up in the moment as Mike scrambled away, until his back hit a wall, the internal entrance to the roof itself.
"Never Sullivan, never!" Mike yelled dramatically.
At this Randall appeared, a dripping Fungus in tow. Sulley and Randall glanced at one another and nodded in mutual understanding.
Mike insisted that two against one wasn't fair, but it didn't matter. He ended up being the most soaked of them all until he finally submitted. (Though grabbing a balloon from Randall's hands had been impressive).
Sulley had to admit, the little guy still had guts. He told him this to his face who batted him away. "Yeah, yeah drinks on us I guess. I guess you guys had to luck out at some point."
"I think you'll find it was pure and utter skill Wazowski."
"Yeah. SURE Randall."
He had to admit though, he was a little impressed. And it took a lot to impress Mike Wazowski.
Randall
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Sullivan pointed his thumb over his shoulder to the retreating shapes.
"Yeah Randall come with us!" Sanderson began to yell. "Fungus has to buy your drinks- that's the deal!"
"Uh… thanks, but we have to go." He pushed Fungus forwards who was laughing at him. Smug little twerp. Randall knew he'd been played, somehow, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Perhaps it had been the heat getting to him. Perhaps it had just been curiosity.
After all was said and done, he wasn't quite sure what had come over him today, but if anything, Sullivan sounded genuinely interested in having him there.
He'd had fun too he supposed.
He had no clue what was going on. But then maybe that didn't always have to be a bad thing.
It could be nice to just forget and pretend he was a normal Scarer for once. Really. Though he knew he would have been pushing it if he left with them.
"Hey wait up." He blinked and turned around, and smirked. Sullivan was an utter mess now, especially since Wazowski had decided to rain a hose down after him, even after the war was officially over.
"Sullivan could you let up? You know I can't go with you guys…."
"Look it's okay Randall I get it… I mean" he looked away and back again.
"Okay so this whole situation you're in it… isn't okay, but I think you are. Or you will be. I mean… it takes time. But you'll get through it."
Randall eyed him curiously.
"You're getting better at the whole lying thing Sullivan."
"Randall, learn to take a compliment however small or so help me." He said sounding exasperated
"...Sorry."
"Hey I don't blame you for it."
He glanced upwards towards the factory, looking lost in thought.
"Look Randall… It's okay if you can't or if you can't stay long and all but uh… where I live they're having this block party, but then so is everyone. Uh, I was wondering if you and Fungus would want to go. It uh starts tomorrow- well, like everyone's does."
Sullivan suddenly looked rather nervous at this. Fungus only nodded silently.
Randall swallowed. "I… uh… I really couldn't stay long. You've got that right."
"So you'll come?!" He sounded surprised but pleased all the same.
Randall tilted his head. He felt surprised too.
"…. I guess. But I can't stay long." He repeated.
"I understand."
And in some way it seemed like he really did. Randall waved him off as he left again, and he wasn't quite sure what had happened in that moment.
Randall heaved a sigh as he stared at his own hand. It wasn't so bad having someone on the outside know some things he supposed. Even if he couldn't know everything. Even if he was still an idiot. And he was still kind of mad at him. An utter idiot who didn't know when to quit.
Fungus was smirking. Randall flicked him with one of his fingers and shook his head. "Come on Fungus you lazy bum. I fought a war to get you back, I hope you're grateful."
"Excuse me while I swoon." He rolled his three eyes as he moved forwards.
He flicked him again. Okay, this guy was just pushing his luck at this stage.
A/n: End of Release.
As said this isn't the end of all their issues (hardly, they've still got things), but a part of me is just screaming 'Finally' at this right now. It's a start anyway. Even though it's clearly not the end. I hope it seemed realistic!
I will try to aim for the next chapter for the 1st of September at the latest, but as my life has gotten more hectic lately I'll tread carefully.
