Author's Note: Hey guys! This chapter is the first in a series of flashback chapters. Each chapter centers on one of the four main characters and starts around the time Loki won the Nobel Prize, twelve years prior to most of the oneshots. As always, feel free to let me know what you think! And thanks so much for reading! :D

Snapshots From A New Strangetown

Chapter Eleven – Flashbacks: Vidcund Edition

It's a shiny Saturday morning at the Curious residence, and a thirty-one-year-old Vidcund Curious is face planting on the kitchen counter, groaning into the linoleum surface, his arms spread out in front of him. Intrigued, Pascal approaches him, holding a baby Tycho in his arms. "Hey, Vidcund!" Pascal beams, staring curiously down at his brother, "Typical Saturday, huh?" Vidcund sighs and rolls his head over to face him. Pascal raises an eyebrow, "What's the matter, Vid? I thought you'd be happy that Loki is finally being recognized by the scientific community."

"I am," Vidcund replies, lifting his head up from the counter, "It's just…I know he's going to dump me."

"Now come on," Pascal begins, "you don't know that."

"Yes, I do," Vidcund says, staring down at the floor somberly, "Loki told me last night that now that he's famous, he doesn't need a boyfriend anymore," he confesses, playing with his hands, looking as though he is about to cry, "Let's face it, Pascal, a Nobel Prize winner needs a stellar partner, and you and I both know Circe fits that bill better than I do."

Pascal steps forward, placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "Cheer up, Vid. Maybe this won't be so bad," he tells him, "I mean, now that you're gonna be single again, you can pursue that guy you were always interested in."

"Jason?" Vidcund squeaks; Pascal nods. "Nah, he's married," he answers, quickly waving away the thought, "And, trust me, after Loki dumps me, I'm not going to want to pursue anyone else for a while."

…

Three hours later, Vidcund is sitting at one of the lavishly-decorated tables near the center of the Nobel Prize Banquet Hall matching the crowd's formal attire, watching as the man of the hour prepares to walk up to the podium to make his speech. Vidcund sighs, staring across the room at Circe, who is sitting at the grand table with the council of voters, chatting them up, dressed in a luxurious emerald gown. Even though he is long over her, Vidcund can't argue that Circe is the most elegant one in the room.

"Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to thank you all for coming to honor me, the greatest human being that the world has ever known," Loki begins, gazing out at the crowd as he holds up the award, "I'd like to thank myself for this prestigious award because, let's face it, my scientific successes were a result of me alone…"

Vidcund sighs as he thinks back to the last words Loki said to him Friday night…

…

Loki and Vidcund are standing beside the outside door that leads to Vidcund's bedroom, the door opened slightly to let in the crisp desert air. Vidcund steps forward, the clock on the wall behind him close to midnight. "But…where does that leave me?" he wonders, halfway through what may likely be the toughest conversation of his life.

Loki stares down at the sand, his hands in his pockets, his face devoid of all emotion, "Now that I've won the Nobel Prize, Vidcund, I don't want a boyfriend anymore."

"Oh," Vidcund squeaks, his eyes trailing to the floor as he fails to mask his disappointment. Loki moves forward and pecks him gently on the lips before rubbing Vidcund once on the arm. Vidcund can't tell if the action is affectionate or friendly.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Loki greets.

Vidcund sighs as he watches Loki walk down the hill and disappear into the night. The clock chiming midnight in Vidcund's bedroom.

…

Back in the present day, Loki continues with his speech, getting more enthusiastic with each sentence, the entire town hanging on his every word, "And now that I have successfully achieved everything I could ever want career-wise, it's time for me to finally be myself and do what I've always wanted. Circe," Loki begins, staring down at his adoring wife. At his acknowledgment, Circe sits up straighter in her seat and stares lovingly at him, "We're through!" he declares, "I'm sick of you using me to boost your career, and I'm in love with Vidcund!"

The crowd collectively gasps as Circe starts wailing from the front table. She blurts into tears and runs out of the room, igniting total pandemonium behind her. In front of Loki, the council members look stunned, but no one is more stunned than Vidcund. The plant biologist slowly stands up from the table when he eyes Loki jumping off the stage. Loki joins him at the back of the room.

Loki scans the area, raising his eyebrows at the panicked sims around them. "Huh. I didn't think they'd take it this bad."

"Loki, what are you doing?" Vidcund wonders, still shocked from this whole ordeal, "I thought you said you didn't want a boyfriend."

"I don't," Loki confirms, placing his hands back into his pockets as a small fire erupts in the corner of the room, "So, uh, you wanna be my husband?"

Vidcund blushes slightly as he backs into the corner. A few plates exploding in the nearby flames, "Uh…okay."

Loki smiles and pulls Vidcund into a warm embrace, his eyes widening as he sees Crystal exiting the hall with Lazlo across the room. Loki steps back and points his thumb over his shoulder. "I have to use the bathroom. Just back up your stuff, and I'll see you at the castle."

"Okay," Vidcund replies, in disbelief that this is actually happening. Loki races out the door as Vidcund lingers behind him, stopping at the exit door. Vidcund sighs as he gazes back at the empty banquet hall, which now looks like a tornado has run through the middle of it, thinking about how surprisingly grateful he is to be in this moment. A few peaceful moments pass before Vidcund turns towards the exit. He steps back when Circe stomps into the doorway, her tearful expression shifting to unbridled rage when she locks eyes with the man who stole her husband.

"You know, Vidcund," Circe hisses, crossing her arms over her chest, "a civil sim would congratulate you for winning my husband, but you should know by now that Loki is no prize," she growls. Circe leans menacingly towards him and lowers her voice to a sinister register, "And you will never be enough for him."

Vidcund shivers, watching as Circe leans back, swerves on her heel, and trudges off the premises. Lazlo walks through the doorway, puzzled by the fuming woman who has just walked past him. He shrugs it off and races over to his brother, his mind clearly on other matters.

"Vidcund! Thank God I found you!" Lazlo chimes, a deeply-troubled expression on his face, "Look, I know this day has been insane for you, but it's about to get weirder," he tells him. Lazlo steps back and breathes a heavy exhale, nervously running his fingers through his hair. "Crystal just told me Loki hit on her after the ceremony," Lazlo confesses, "I'm sorry."

"What?" Vidcund squeaks, "Come on, Lazlo. There's no way that happened."

"Vidcund, it's true," Lazlo assures him, "Do you really think I would lie to you?"

Vidcund rolls his eyes and steps back, folding his arms over his torso, "Why can't you just admit that you never liked him? Ever since Loki and I started dating, you kept finding excuses for us to split up!"

"They weren't excuses, they were good reasons," Lazlo argues, "And I can't believe that you think that I would make up lies to ruin your relationship!"

"Well, I do think that because you are," Vidcund counters, turning away from him, "And if you can't respect the fact that Loki and I are together, then I don't want to see you anymore!"

"That's perfect. That works out great," Lazlo retorts, "Cause guess what, buddy? Crystal and I are already moving to Veronaville, so don't you have to worry about seeing me ever again!"

"Wait, what?!" a familiar voice chimes in behind them.

Vidcund and Lazlo immediately turn around only to find Pascal standing in the doorway a few feet away from them, looking positively broken inside.

"Oh…uh, I'm leaving, Pascal," Lazlo tells him as he slowly walks over to his oldest brother, "Crystal and I are moving to Veronaville. She says she really needs a fresh start."

"Wow, that's great, Lazlo," Pascal replies, doing his best to conceal his sadness, "I'm really happy for you. Vidcund and I will miss having you around."

"Yeah…about that, Pascal," Vidcund begins, anxiously rubbing the back of his head, "I'm leaving too. After this, I'm going to pack my things and move in with Loki," he confesses, "But at least I'll still be in town, right?"

Pascal stands in place, holding in tears, "Oh, perfect," he squeaks, "I, uh, gotta go."

"Wait, I'll go too," Lazlo speaks up before turning to glare at Vidcund, "It'll be more worth my time than what I was doing before," he quips.

Vidcund glares at Lazlo as he exits the room, Vidcund's youngest brother passing by Loki in the doorway.

"Hey, where have you been?" Vidcund wonders.

"Oh, um," Loki stutters, Vidcund's question taking him slightly off-guard, "I was in the bathroom, remember?" he asks, "Now, let's get your stuff."

…

Vidcund smiles, giving a huge sigh of relief as he packs up his last box at the Curious residence. The biologist steps back and stares wondrously at his old bedroom, which is now down to its bare essentials. He walks out into the hallway, slamming the door shut before the memories convince him to stay. Vidcund steps into the kitchen and sets the box on the counter, Circe storming right past him and into the hallway, catching his eye. Vidcund turns to Pascal, who is standing at the edge of the counter with his arms crossed, "Was that Circe?" Vidcund wonders.

Pascal says nothing and wraps his arms around his brother. He bursts into tears.

"Whoa, Pascal, it's okay," Vidcund consoles as he hugs him back, attempting to soothe him, "It's not like we're never going to see each other again."

"I know," Pascal squeaks, pulling away from Vidcund to wipe the tears away from his eyes, "It just feels like it's the end of an era."

…

"Oh man, I am so happy," Loki beams, spooning Vidcund that night on the living room sofa. The room is surprisingly calm and peaceful around them as the flame from the fireplace lights up the area with a soft, golden hue, "I can't wait to marry you."

Vidcund sits up on the sofa slightly, a chill tingling down his spine. He doesn't know why, but for some reason his heart sinks at these words.

…

Five months later, Loki and Vidcund are standing at the front of the fanciest church in Strangetown holding hands, dressed head to toe in formal attire, while half of Strangetown watches them exchange their vows in front of a priest on their wedding day.

"And do you, Vidcund, take Loki to be your husband?" the priest asks.

Vidcund turns to the side and stares out at the crowd, looking positively terrified. "I-uh…" Vidcund stalls, feeling like his world is spinning out of control as the thought of forever floods his mind, "I…OH GOD!" Vidcund cries, letting go of Loki's hands and racing off the stage, leaving everyone in a stunned silence.

Loki crouches down at the altar, feeling like someone just stabbed him in the chest. "I just spent a hundred thousand simoleons to get dumped," he mutters, utterly devastated.

Pascal stands up from his seat in the front row and walks over to him. He sits down next to Loki. "So, uh, I know this may not be the appropriate time to ask this, but…can we still eat the free food?" he wonders. Loki slowly lifts his head up and shoots daggers at him.

…

A few days later, after surviving the most disastrous wedding in Strangetown, Vidcund is back living with his brothers in the Curious estate. Upon finding out that Vidcund finally came to his senses and left Loki, Lazlo has temporarily moved back into his old room for a month to offer emotional support.

"Well, look at it this way, Vid," Pascal tells his middle brother as the three of them eat at the kitchen island one morning, "at least you got out before you potentially made the biggest mistake of your life," he states.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Vidcund replies, somberly shifting around his cereal with his spoon, "I guess it's better to be content and single than miserable and tied down."

Lazlo nods, "I'm so glad you're out of that relationship, Vidcund," he grins, "Loki is so controlling. He's no good for you."

Vidcund gives a small laugh, "Huh. Yeah," he states. Vidcund continues to fiddle with his cereal, giving a small wave as his brothers both exit the premises for two different destinations. Vidcund scans the area and pushes his bowl of cereal away from him, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out his cell phone, presses one on his speed dial, and holds the device up to his ear.

"Hey, come over," Vidcund pleads once the sim picks up.

A mere five minutes later, Loki arrives at the door outside of Vidcund's bedroom, carefully scanning the area a few times before pounding on the door. Vidcund swings open the door and kisses Loki, pulling him into the residence.

"This doesn't mean anything," Vidcund reminds him as he stares into his ex-fiance's eyes.

Loki nods, still holding onto him, "Right. Of course not," he confirms before the pair continue their passionate tryst.

…

After a few weeks of the same old story, Vidcund yawns as he sits at his seat in front of the microwave, exhausted from the night before. Pascal sighs as he pours Vidcund a cup of coffee. He hands it to his middle brother before pouring one for Lazlo, who is sitting in the TV room.

"Geez, Vid," Pascal says, shaking his head as Vidcund struggles to keep his eyes open, "I know you and Loki just broke up, but you don't need to keep Woohooing random dudes at three in the morning!"

"Sorry," Vidcund mutters, taking a sip of his coffee.

Pascal pauses, waiting until Lazlo exits into the hallway before leaning down and narrowing his eyes at Vidcund. "I know you're back with Loki!" Pascal whisper-hisses.

"What?! How?" Vidcund squeaks, his face flushed.

Pascal sighs, "Your room smells like his bodywash."

Vidcund cocks an eyebrow, "How do you know what his bodywash smells like?"

"We lived with him for three months a year ago," Pascal reminds him, "Why does everyone keep forgetting that?"

Vidcund sighs as he carefully sets his coffee cup on top of the microwave, now knowing he has no choice but to confess, "Okay, fine. I'm back with Loki," Vidcund reveals, "Please don't tell Lazlo."

"So, what are you doing? Just stringing him along?" Pascal squeaks, "Cause you left him at the altar three weeks ago. I gotta imagine that pain is still fresh for him."

"I don't know what I'm doing, Pascal," Vidcund answers honestly.

Pascal sighs and stares down at his brother, face filled with sincere worry, "Well, you better figure it out soon before you both get hurt."

…

Later that night, Vidcund is sitting on his bed, still mulling over Pascal's advice from that morning. Vidcund sits up on the bed, a light knock disrupting his thoughts. Vidcund sighs as he opens the doorway, Loki's face lighting up when he sees him.

"There you are!" Loki beams, moving towards him, "God, I'm so horny. I've been wanting you all day-" Vidcund holds his hand up, stopping Loki from entering his bedroom, "Uh, what are you doing?" Loki wonders.

"Loki," Vidcund sighs, "I think we need to talk."

"Oh no," Loki replies, his face falling at this announcement, "Let me guess: You're having a microscopic sliver of doubt, so you're going to dump me before you get hurt?" Loki completes for him, turning towards the vast desert, "Great. Thanks, Vid," he sarcastically spews, "I'm so glad you told me this after I built my feelings up again!"

"Loki, come on," Vidcund pleads, grabbing Loki by the arm and nudging him towards him, "it's not like that. I just don't think it's a good idea for us to get so involved with each other again so soon," he confides, "I think we both need some time apart to heal ourselves. I mean, I just left you at the altar. Aren't you mad at me?"

"No," Loki responds, not even needing to think this question over, "I love you, Vidcund," he states intensely, his eyes watering, "And I just really want you back."

…

Two months later, Vidcund sits on the bed in the master bedroom of the Beaker castle, his hand on his stomach, as he thinks back to all of the decisions that have brought him to this moment. "What if I hadn't have taken him back? What if I hadn't have moved out again? What if I hadn't have looked through that telescope?" he wonders, the life growing inside him almost impossible to bear. Vidcund knows he is psyching himself out, but he also knows there is no way Loki will stay with him now.

"Loki," Vidcund squeaks as his boyfriend sits down next to him on the bed, "I'm pregnant. And you can't tell anyone," he begs.

"You're pregnant?" Loki repeats, unable to process what he is hearing, "When did this happen?"

"It happened the night after I moved in with you…you know, the second time?" Vidcund answers, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, "I got abducted, and I'm pretty sure the pollinators did this to me," he adds. Vidcund stares out at Loki, his partner's expression unreadable, "So, uh…are you gonna dump me? I'm not stupid, Loki," Vidcund reminds him, "I know this may be too much."

Loki shakes his head, this situation surprisingly not fazing him, "No," he states, "I'm not heartless. This doesn't change how I feel about you."

…

Six months later, a very visibly pregnant Vidcund is ducking behind the staircase, doing his best to hide from the maid as she cleans up the house. Vidcund breathes a heavy sigh of relief as she packs up the last of her cleaning supplies and exits the premises, passing by Loki on her way out the door. "Vidcund?" Loki calls out, searching the house for his boyfriend, "Vidcund?"

"I'm down here," Vidcund replies. He watches as Loki trudges down the basement staircase and walks into the room.

Loki sighs as he finds Vidcund in his hiding place behind the staircase. Ever since Vidcund had started showing, he refused to let anyone but Loki see him. "Vidcund, this isn't healthy," Loki states, sounding like a broken record, "And that says a lot coming from me. If you don't go outside and start having a life again, people are going to start thinking that I'm abusing you."

"I know. I'm sorry," Vidcund squeaks, hugging his own body, feeling more anxious by the second, "You know how hard this is for me."

"Viddy," Loki smiles, "you know I think you're sexy," he says, pulling Vidcund towards him and into a comforting embrace, "And nothing's changed. I mean that," Loki reassures him, stepping back slightly to gaze into Vidcund's eyes, holding his hand snugly, "Now come on, come upstairs with me."

Vidcund nods slowly, wiping the tears away from his eyes with his free hand. "Okay."

…

Vidcund shrieks as his water breaks on the living room floor, causing the biologist to immediately shift into a panic. Hearing this, Loki springs up from the kitchen table and races over to him. Loki grabs his boyfriend by the hand, "Vidcund, come on, let's get you to the hospital-"

"No!" Vidcund shouts, pushing Loki away from him, "I can't let anyone see me. I have to have the babies here."

"What?! No! I don't know anything about delivering children," Loki cries, "Damn it! I'm a physicist, Vid, not an obstetrician!"

"I don't care! Just get these things out of me!" Vidcund yells, plopping down on the floor as his contractions start.

Vidcund screams as he goes into labor, the answering machine picking up a call behind them as Loki crouches down to assist Vidcund. Lazlo's voice rings from the machine and echoes throughout the premises, "Hey, Vidcund. I uh, haven't seen you in a while," Lazlo greets, his voice filled with hurt, "Crystal and I had our wedding shower yesterday, and – I don't know – I guess I just really thought you would be there…it was stupid of me to think that, I know, cause I haven't seen you since you got back together with him…but I did," Lazlo pauses and audibly sniffles, "So, um…call me back if you want to. Bye."

Two hours later, after the worst pain of his life, Vidcund is standing a few feet from the sofa, pacing as Loki finishes swaddling the newborn twin alien babies on the cushions. "Aww," Loki states, "You know, they are kind of cute."

"We can't keep them," Vidcund says suddenly, covering his eyes with his hands, unable to even look at the babies, "I have to give them away," he cries, on the verge of tears, "Every time I look into their eyes, I just think about what that pollinator did to me."

"Alright," Loki replies. He walks over to Vidcund and wraps his arm around him, pulling him into a side hug. "It's okay," he says consolingly, knowing he has to be the brave one for the two of them, "I'm sure someone would love to adopt them."