What's this? Updating on time? Midday? And it's one of the more longer chapters? What is this foreign concept!

Haha, all joking aside, I'm happy to finally get on track with my uploads! Let's see how long it lasts ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Be More Chill' or any of it's adaptations or content.

Replaced

Chapter XIII

~Another Step~

Michael couldn't help feeling the heavy silence that fell over them as they walked through the mall. It was awkward but he couldn't tell if it was because of what happened before or if they had nothing left to say. He leaned towards the former, the SQUIP never ran out of things to talk about. Seeing out of the corner of his eyes that Reese looked lost in their own thoughts, he decided to cut the tension himself.

"I guess this is your first time in a mall," he commented, hoping the computer would take the bait. The SQUIP looked at him before giving a small grin.

"I was born here." Michael blinked. His mouth dropped shocked before remembering that they meant the SQUIP, not the human.

"That's different, you weren't doing whatever you wanted. You were working - or being a dick, either one."

"I'm still not doing whatever I want, so is this experience any different?" they questioned, though there was no bitterness to their voice.

"After we get what we came for we can do something you want. Look around or whatever," the teen offered.

"I'll settle on a drink. I've never had anything other than Mountain Dew or water, and Jeremy wasn't hugely experimental either. Encouraged by me, of course," Reese answered, looking down to the next floor where the food court could be seen. Michael glanced down too before grinning at the computer.

"I'm up for a drink. There are so many things down there you got to try, its crazy!" he exclaimed. The SQUIP smiled at the shorter's enthusiasm.

"I look forward to it then." Michael couldn't help grinning widely, excited now at the possibilities. But his smile quickly faded when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He looked down at it surprised as he pulled it out. He was so used to the distant vibration in his hoodie that it felt weird in his pant pocket. Looking at the screen he saw that it was a text. He read it.

'Hey Mikey…I know you're mad at me and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or…or anything! Please believe me. I can't do this without you and I need your help. Can we please meet?'

Rich.

Michael sighed before showing the text to the waiting SQUIP. They hummed. "He's trying," they pointed out. The teen rolled his eyes.

"What should I say?"

"You want advice?"

"Non Tic Tac advice, yeah." Reese thought about it for a moment.

"You'll never know how genuine he is over the phone. Why don't we meet him?"

"Here?"

"Where else? That way I can be present should you need me." Michael stared at them graciously for a moment, a small smirk spreading across his lips before he looked back at his phone. He took a deep breath.

"I can do this," he whispered to himself in encouragement as he typed a response.

"You can," Reese agreed. Michael gave a small nod as he sent the message.

"…Sent," he informed quietly. It took only seconds for Rich to confirm he was on his way. Michael sighed as he pocketed the device. Mind lost in thought he was surprised when the SQUIP placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. The teen tensed for a moment, processing the gesture, before relaxing. He let the contact sooth his mind. He was not alone.

In turn, he surprised the computer when he not only accepted the comfort but then moved to take their wrist into his own hand.

"Come with me," Michael commanded as he readjusted his hold to pull the SQUIP along by their sleeve. Reese blinked bewildered, following the teen without any resistance.

"Where?" they questioned.

"I want that drink," the shorter answered, pulling the SQUIP down the stairs towards the food court. Reese looked down at the teen's hand for a moment.

"What did you have in mind?" they questioned, though their mind was far from the conversation. Michael glanced around at the various drink shops around them as they reached the bottom step. His eyes stopped at one of the stands that served a variety of drinks and a reasonable line up.

"Wait over here," he instructed as he motioned to the table closest to them. Reese obeyed but didn't hide the confusion from their face, especially when they were motioned to sit facing away from most of the food court.

"Shouldn't I come?" they asked, sitting down. Michael shook his head.

"I have an idea for a new game."

"Now it's my turn to be afraid," Reese joked with a huge grin. Michael smirked.

"Wait here, I'll be right back." He barely waited for a nod of approval before heading off to the stand. The teen waited in line until he was able to order the two drinks he wanted. When he received them he then moved on to another shop and did the same. Only then did he return to the table. He made sure to step up beside the SQUIP so that they saw he returned but kept his arms outstretched behind them so they couldn't see what he bought.

"Alright, close your eyes, no cheating," he instructed.

"So it's that kind of game," Reese replied amused while closing their eyes. Michael rolled his eyes as he slowly put the drinks down and sat across from the computer. He waved a hand in front of their face to make sure they weren't cheating. They didn't flinch.

"You didn't know I was going to do this?" he questioned with a smirk as he pulled out the first drink.

"I did. I just needed it to be confirmed."

"You scared?"

"I doubt there is any drink in here I should be afraid of." The teen opened his mouth to inform them that Mountain Dew Red was sold nearby but quickly shut his mouth. If he said that the SQUIP would no doubt lose any sense of comfort or trust in him.

"There's probably something you don't like here," he recovered with a shrug. Placing the drink down, he slid it in front of the computer. "I tried to be nice and didn't pick the most ridiculous stuff. I'll do that next time."

"There's going to be a next time?"

"Sure. There's a lot of things you haven't tried yet." Michael took Reese's good hand and guided it to the drink. The SQUIP took a moment, feeling the cup's surface before picking it up.

"This is a normal drink?" they questioned doubtfully.

"Promise. Nice drinks," the teen vowed. The computer gave a small nod as they took their time trying to find the straw with their mouth. Once they found it they sipped.

Immediately they made a choking sound, pulling back to cough violently. "Careful!" Michael exclaimed as he leaned over to pat them on the back - now alarmed.

"What is that?" Reese gasped, their voice weary as they slowly managed to get their coughing to subside. Their face was filled with confused displeasure, how they didn't open their eyes to see what they were drinking the teen didn't know but he was glad they were still playing along.

"It's - uh…it's Red Bean Bubble Tea," he answered sheepishly.

"Tapioca," the SQUIP cursed under their breath, "You should have warned me of a choking hazard."

"Yeah, sorry, it's the only one. Do you at least like it?" Reese took another reluctant sip before sliding the drink away.

"That's unpleasant."

"Really? Huh, thought that'd be the one you'd like."

"Why?"

"I don't know. You look like someone who'd enjoy having candy in their drink."

"It's not candy."

"It's chewy like candy."

"I'm terrified of your other choices now."

"I said I was nice with my picks."

"You also tried to choke me."

"Don't be a baby. Here," Michael passed them the next drink, returning the first one to the side. Reese scrunched their brows up wearily as they held the drink in their hand. Hesitantly they sipped. A surprised sound escaped their throat as they unintentionally took in more liquid than they intended, immediately pulling away.

"That's cold!"

"What'd you expect?"

"Ah, that went straight to my brain," the computer grimaced as they gripped their head in pain. Michael gave a small laugh.

"Brain freeze already? Better be careful with the next one," he teased with a grin.

"This is quite something," Reese commented as they took another careful sip of their drink, "Much improvement. This is…I really like it."

"Really? I mean, I'm not too surprised cause its awesome and all, but still."

"What is it?"

"Green Tea Smoothie."

"Really? That's really refreshing."

"Yeah, its great. But I have to say I left the best for last so be prepared."

"I doubt that, but go ahead." Michael carefully took the drink from the SQUIP and switched it out with the last item. He couldn't stop the grin from his face as he watched the computer sip at the straw. They paused, evaluating the taste before their face dropped, a brow raised skeptically.

"Cherry slushie," they guessed easily, a small smirk spreading across their face.

"The best of the best," Michael praised. "Well, that's a lie. I like my 7/11 slushies the best."

"I suppose it wouldn't be a proper 'Michael' outing without a slushie," Reese commented as they opened their eyes to look at the red drink. "If you wanted to win me over, though, you should have gotten the Mountain Dew flavour. It exists, you know."

"Hell no. I cant drink it if it's possessed," Michael retorted as he took the slushie back and sipped at it. Reese blinked surprised at the straw.

"Mountain Dew isn't possessed."

"It helps make people possessed. I'm not risking it – Why are you giving that look?" the teen questioned confused, looking from the SQUIP to the slushie when their expression didn't change. Reese forced their eyes away and offered an awkward shrug in response.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie."

"I'm just surprised. I didn't take you as the type to share drinks…with me," they answered slowly, motioning to the slushie. Michael paused, eyes shifting to the straw. His face immediately heated up as he quickly put the drink as far from himself as possible.

"Why'd you make it weird?!" he accused, hating how the drink felt contaminated now.

"I thought you knew," Reese defended.

"I didn't think about it!"

"Why are you banishing it? You already drank from it, it's harmless."

"Now it's weird!"

"Why? Please don't say you're influenced by schoolyard taunts and think that we 'kissed' cause we shared saliva. You used to share drinks all the time with Jeremy even before your admiration for him," the SQUIP pointed out. Michael's face burned redder, sputtering as he tried to figure out what to say next.

"I-It's not like that! Fuck, just keep making it weirder, why don't you? It's not weird enough!"

"Alright." Without a second thought Reese grabbed the slushie and drank from it. The teen let out a loud unintelligible noise as he quickly snatched the drink back.

"Quit it!"

"You dared me."

"I did not! It was sarcastic!"

"If we're following schoolyard rules then I did what was appropriate."

"Stop it with the schoolyard shit! Geez," Michael sank back into his seat, letting out a huff. Reluctantly he forced himself to sip from the straw again, his eyes daring the SQUIP to say anything about it. Reese grinned mockingly before taking back the smoothie and happily drinking from it again.

"You're too easy to fluster, Michael," they commented amused.

"Must be easy to say when you know almost everything about me. You are literally a Tic Tac, you can't make a computer embarrassed!" Michael retorted with another huff. Reese shrugged.

"I'm sure Kert would beg to differ. They've seen me tongue tied before."

"Yeah? How?"

"They know what buttons to press."

"Like…?"

"I'm not giving you ammunition, Michael."

"Come on, it's got to be fair!"

"Life isn't fair."

"Don't be an asshole. Come on, what makes you flustered?"

"There are many things that get a rise out of me. You'll have to learn what those things are."

"Getting a 'rise out of you' is different than being flustered," the teen argued.

"It's similar enough."

"I'm not gonna let it go until you tell me."

"I can be patient."

"I can be annoying."

"Why do you want to fluster me?" Reese questioned, "Isn't teasing enough for you?" Michael paused, thinking about it for a moment.

"It'd be funny to see, and would make you look like less of a robot," he answered with a shrug.

"This robot can already feel," the SQUIP retorted, raising their broken hand as reference.

"Speaking of which…" The teen dug around his pockets until he found the small Ziploc bag he shoved in there earlier. Pulling it out he opened it and took the small pills out. "Your meds," he informed as he careful placed them in the SQUIP's good hand. Reese thanked him as they quickly popped the medication in their mouth, swallowing them down with the help of their smoothie.

"How's your hand?" Michael asked concerned, motioning to the injured limb with his head.

"I want to rip it off my arm," Reese replied unhappily.

"You never told me how you broke it." The two stared at each other for a long moment as silence fell over them. The SQUIP opened their mouth to answer but quickly closed it, biting the inside of their lip indecisively. Michael could sense they were unsure of sharing. "…Is it part of your secret?"

"Minorly," they answered quietly.

"If you don't want to tell me you don't have to. I was just asking," the teen assured. The computer was quiet, looking at their hand distantly. Michael started to rack his brain for a change in topic, immediately regretting asking about the subject at all. Looking at the table he tried to think of something to say, but the SQUIP spoke first.

"I broke it to escape my restraints," they said quietly, surprising the teen. Michael's jaw dropped, shocked.

"Restraints?!" he exclaimed, trying to keep his voice down to not alert those around them.

"Yes," Reese confirmed, brows furrowed slightly in confusion, "Why does that surprise you?"

"I…I don't know. If they were the ones to put you in a human body why would they restrain you? Did they know you'd run? I…I just didn't expect you to say that," Michael confessed, concern in his eyes as he looked the SQUIP over as though to find new wounds.

"…You believe too lightly of the situation," Reese whispered, looking down at the drink in their hand. It was quiet and Michael felt guilty for ever asking, and now more curious than ever to learn the computer's past. But he knew not to ask.

Taking a deep breath he slowly reached over and comfortingly patted the SQUIP's good hand, resting it over theirs afterwards. "You don't have to tell me," he whispered, squeezing their hand lightly in assurance. He understood not wanting to talk about past injuries, earlier he had done the same. He wouldn't force Reese to talk, but he wanted to make them know he was there just as they had. Reese stared at his hand shocked. Slowly, they brought their broken hand over and lightly traced Michael's fingers with their own.

"I woke up in a preservation pod completely restrained," they continued, barely loud enough for the teen to hear. Michael found it hard to listen when his eyes were so distracted by the hand barely touching his. Should he say something about it? Should he tell them to stop? Even when they're opening up to him? Would they close off if he did? Did he want them to stop?

"Pod?" he echoed, his own voice distant and quiet. His eyes still refused to meet theirs, and in his peripheral their eyes were the same. Reese nodded.

"I didn't know where I was, and…I was scared. I was far from Jeremy and trapped inside something so small…I knew that if I could just break my hand I'd be able to fit it through the restraint," they explained softly. Michael's breath hitched as he finally shifted his eyes to meet theirs. They looked so lost, their blue eyes filled with the fright and pain of the memory. They slowly continued, "As you know I wasn't fully connected to my abilities, but I was able to nerve block myself long enough to function with my hand. They must have been giving us Mountain Dew if I was able to do that." Michael opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. What could he say? That he had no idea? That this was all so shocking to him? How insensitive would that be after he literally picked the SQUIP up looking like hell. Or maybe he didn't want to know how they were hurt…didn't want to feel the guilt he felt now.

"I should have done more to help you," he quietly admitted. He's done nothing but fail the SQUIP since they first arrived. He'll never understand why they don't hate him.

"There was no way you could have understood or sympathized with me then. Not when I've hidden so much from you…and have caused you great pain. I blame you for none of it," Reese answered, finally meeting Michael's eyes.

"…Did you ever block out the feelings? The…emotional ones?" the teen questioned, his voice a whisper. Reese was quiet for a moment.

"Yes," they finally breathed, "It was the only way…"

"I don't blame you. That must have been…" Michael couldn't even think of a word that was strong enough to describe the computer's situation. Reese only nodded.

"I've tried not to think about it. It's in the past now and I successfully escaped. But...sometimes at night my mind lingers on it, remembering. I tried to convince myself that I'm just reminding myself of why I need to stay safe, but I don't know if that's the truth."

"Minds do that, think about scary things or things we regret," the teen explained. The SQUIP nodded again.

"…I feel a little bit at ease being able to share this. One less thing I'm hiding and one more thing I can talk about with you," they said with a small smile. The teen returned it.

"Does Kert know?"

"They were there."

"Right…"

"We share everything with one another either way, but even though that's true…It's nice to have someone who's…"

"…Not a Tic Tac?"

"Has emotional priorities and experience, yes," Reese grinned.

"Lots of experience," Michael emphasized dramatically. The SQUIP let out a small chuckle, opening their mouth to continue but paused, smile fading.

"Rich's here," they informed, glancing to the side to see something the teen couldn't. Michael gave a small nod, trying to hide the disappointment from his face. He wanted to know what they were going to say, whether it was another compliment or more to share. But he wouldn't force them to keep talking, especially if they're making it clear they don't want to risk Rich hearing. Slowly his eyes shifted down, noticing his hand was still on theirs. Awkwardly he pulled it away, his face heating up at the implication of having kept it there this whole time. When he saw the SQUIP look down at where his hand just was with hurt disappointment he felt the need to assure them.

"I don't want Rich to get the wrong idea. We have enough to deal with already without him assuming…" he explained awkwardly, hoping the computer would understand. Reese gave a small nod.

"Yes…you're right, it would only make it worse. I think he'd flip a table if he thought I was 'taking advantage' of you," they agreed with a forced smile.

"That's putting it lightly," Michael mumbled, sipping his slushie again as a distraction. The two sat in uncomfortable silence as they waited for the teen to arrive. They didn't have to wait long before the voice of said teen was heard nearby.

"Michael?" Michael and Reese looked at the new comer. Rich stood a short distance away from their table flabbergasted, looking at the other teen with wide, surprised eyes. Michael was confused at their expression until he looked down at himself and realized he was still in his 'chill' clothes, and the SQUIP was still in theirs.

"...Hey," he greeted awkwardly, not wanting to address the obvious question coming. Instead he looked at the surprising addition to the group: Kert. He hadn't expected them to come too - still disguised, as always - but there they stood quietly behind their human, looking at the two with slight interest. He understood now how Reese knew Rich was there. Michael frowned at the SQUIP. Kert didn't seem like themselves, being paler than normal and their stance less confident. Their shoulders were slouched forward as though in anxious defense, something Jeremy did a lot. This only reminded Michael that something happened in the time that the two SQUIP's took their alcohol, something that Reese didn't want to share.

"What are you wearing?" Rich questioned as he approached the two dumbfounded. Michael blinked as he moved his gaze from Kert to their human. Realizing the question he glanced towards Reese uncertainly, trying to think of something to say. Before he could a 'tsk' came from Kert, causing Rich to immediately stiffen. Looking at the SQUIP he awkwardly began scratching the back of his head guiltily as he turned back to the other teen. "Right, sorry. I'm - uh…here to apologize…Can we talk alone?" Michael stared at him, swallowing hard. He was uncertain if he wanted to talk with Rich alone, especially now that he had someone with him, someone reliable. He glanced at Reese and the computer met his eyes, giving a small nod. It was safe.

"...Sure," he agreed, debating if he should be trusting the SQUIP's guidance. Then again if anyone would be able to read the situation it would the super computer. Slowly he got up and faced Reese, "I can - uh…go get what we need with Rich. Stay here, okay?"

"I wont move," Reese promised, their eyes unwavering in assurance. The teen nodded before walking away from the table with Rich by his side. Taking a small glance back he noticed Kert taking his seat across from Reese. The blue eyed computer moved to lean against the table, talking quietly to them, their face concerned. Kert gave a small shake of their head. What had happened?

"Michael?" Rich called, bringing his attention back to the shorter teen. Michael looked at him. Rich's eyes shifted to the ground as he shoved his hands in his pocket, kicking a little bit at the ground as they walked, "…I'm really sorry."

"...I know."

"No, you don't! I…I really fucked up! I didn't mean to be like…you know, like that! You're my friend and I really like you. I thought, you know, what I said could be laughed at or something. You know how you look back on stupid things you did and laugh? I thought it would ease the tension…I didn't think the idea of…of us was that awful…" Michael saw hurt and regret pass over Rich's face and felt guilty. He looked down at the ground himself.

"It's not…Rich, I didn't think of you like that. You haven't been my friend long and even then I didn't think you were really…you know, you were Jeremy's friend, not mine. You two were Tic Tac buddies…you'd make jokes that I could never make because it still hurts. I didn't even know if I was sure that I forgave you for hurting me and Jeremy…I think that this whole thing has made us closer but I still didn't…I didn't think you thought of me like that. And I never thought of you like that…especially when I've barely had you being kind to me," he confessed. Rich gave a small nod.

"...I'm trying."

"I know."

"...I'm sorry that I tried to do that. I didn't think you disliked me that much. We get along great on our own. I thought we were…friends. Friends do stupid stuff together, so I didn't think you'd hate me for telling you the truth…"

"...I don't hate you. I'm just upset that you…you thought of me as…as an object to get back at Jake."

"I don't see you as an object!"

"Rich-"

"No! I-I know my world is fucked up! It's normal for me to do shit like that! Rebound sex and shit! It's a fucked up world I signed up for because I wanted it! To be like the others! But I never thought of you as a random whatever! No matter what happened we would have still been friends, right? That wouldn't have changed! Cause you're my friend. I just…I don't know how to not see things like they do…I've been like this for two years…I'm trying to change, but…"

"...Jeremy's done it for less and he still hasn't fully rebounded either…I don't know if he ever will," Michael replied quietly, sighing, "I get it. Just…Don't do it again. If…If you actually like me then just say something, or…I don't know. But don't try to drunkenly fuck me. Or trick me into your house."

"I promise," Rich swore, placing a hand over his heart. The taller teen nodded. There was a small pause.

"...You don't actually like me do you?"

"Like, 'like like'?"

"Yeah."

"You're cute, I can see us dating."

"...But you're not asking, right?"

"Nope, I want to be friends. I mean, maybe one day, but not now. I want to be buddies first." The smaller teen draped his arm over Michael's shoulders in a one armed hug and the taller gave an awkward smile. Despite the discomfort at the gesture he was grateful that their relationship seemed to be - somewhat - fixed. Even if there still was discomfort.

After a moment of walking Rich relaxed his arm but kept it around the other's shoulders. "So, where we goin'?"

"The tech store. I'm buying a used tablet for Reese," Michael answered, pointing down the walkway as he shifted awkwardly under the weight of the other's arm. Rich blinked surprised.

"What? Why?"

"So they can use the internet without touching my stuff."

"But isn't that really expensive?"

"Online it said they have an older model that's not too pricey. And it's not going to waste, so…"

"...You think they'll find them? The evil people?" the shorter questioned. Michael thought about it for a moment.

"I hope so."

"Then they'll leave..." The two were quiet. The taller opened and closed his mouth, trying to find his voice to say something, but he couldn't. Reese would leave…

Shaking his head he forced his voice out of his throat, "...That was the plan."

"...Why do they want to find them?" Rich asked unhappily.

"What?"

"If they're so scary and evil why would they want to find them? Shouldn't they be hiding? They just threw them off their sent, shouldn't they be safe? Shouldn't they be finding somewhere to spend the rest of their lives where the evil people can't find them?" Michael thought about it for a moment, his brows furrowing.

"...Maybe it's to make sure they're not ever found?"

"I don't know…It's weird, you know?" He nodded in agreement. He couldn't think of any reason for them to want to look into the organization, especially after Reese claimed they didn't want to expose them.

After a moment passed and the conversation wasn't continued he changed topics, "Rich, you said you needed my help in your text. What's wrong?" Rich's face paled, his eyes immediately finding the ground once more as he slowly slid his arm off of Michael's shoulders.

"...It's Kert," he mumbled quietly.

"What happened to them?" Michael asked concerned.

"I…I don't know. After you told me to go home, I went and…"

"Please, don't - please, don't - don't - please - Rich - Rich? Rich! Rich, don't! I'm sorry! Please, don't! I'm sorry, don't! Don't, please!"

"...They were crying and totally freaking out! I had no idea what the hell they were saying. They were clinging to me and crying and mumbling not to do it," Rich whispered, the trauma of what he saw in his eyes.

"Not to do what?" Michael asked. The shorter teen was quiet.

"Please don't let me burn!"

A/N: For those of you who didn't care what happened to Kert are getting it anyways.