Disclaimer: Mac/Bloo-ness (one sided) in the beginning scene. If you didn't see it coming, shame on you. Who else did you think that song was about? At any rate, if you don't like that idea, skip the first scene.
As usual, Foster's does not belong to me.
Chapter Eight: Home Sickness
Mac's fingers drummed absently on the back of Bloo's chair as he listened to him rehearse for what felt like the millionth time. A month had passed since he'd become Bloo's personal assistant and he hadn't yet hammered a plan for his escape. At least he was eating better, but only because Mac practically had to force food down his throat. If he didn't sit next to him, Bloo threw it out. He'd muttered "I'm going to die anyway" whenever he protested and Mac had finally smacked him. Stunned, Bloo ate every drop.
"I know I've never been completely honest with you
"But some of these emotions split me into two
I wanna tell you how I feel
But then I wonder if it's real
"I've spent sleepless nights thinking about it
How the world would throw a fit
What they'd say about you and me
Only one belongs in this reality
(Chorus, repeated twice)
"You fought for me when no one else would
You forced me when no one else could
But for me, time's steadily running out
How can I make these last few hours count?
"I know you'll never love me back
I'd have better luck with a sack
I steal glances when you look away
I tell myself today's the day
"But I can't open my mouth to speak
I can feel my knees get weak
I want them to know what I feel inside
But every time I try, I run and hide
(Chorus)
(Last verse)
"I want you more than I can stand
If it's not too much, touch my hand
I'm in love with you
And I'm completely blue
(Chorus twice until end)
"I'm in love with you, Mac…" Bloo whispered, gripping the microphone tightly. His creator, spacing out, heard none of it. In fact, he hadn't listened to "Unrequited Symphony" once since he started singing it. The sad truth of the matter was he was going to die without him knowing how he felt about him. Then again, he reminded himself steely; he probably didn't want to hear that anyway. He sighed, wondering if he'd notice if he kissed him on the lips. Probably not.
Mac lifted his head just then and blinked at his creation. The magazine in his hands, open to an article on R.D.'s love interest, fell out. Instead of claiming one particular interest, it listed all of the possibilities. There at the very bottom was a picture of Mac cradling Bloo and the color drained from his face. Without even asking, he snatched it off the floor and shoved in a drawer. If he wasn't going to listen to his songs, then he shouldn't know from outside sources. Right now, he thought he preferred he didn't know anything, period.
"Were you talking to me?" he asked politely, wondering why Bloo had shoved his paper in there. He enjoyed reading the incorrect opinions of others on Bloo's love life. Of course, he'd seen the articles about him being in love with his creator, but he considered them trash like the rest. After all, if they were important, Bloo would have pointed them out to him.
Well, I did just sing a love song to you and confess my feelings, but no, I guess I didn't say anything. Goddamn it, Mac! Wordlessly, he flung himself on the chair beside him, grabbed water, and guzzled it. His hands were shaking and his eyes narrowed to slits. So he'd die without him finding out. Well, he didn't stand a chance anyway. What did it matter?
"You've been acting really strange," he frowned, touching Bloo's arm. Bloo jumped, cursing himself inwardly for minimizing contact. He'd been acting like this for two weeks, jumping out of his skin when Mac touched him. It was that he wanted the touch to last so badly, he ended up shortening it instead. His arm tingled where his fingers brushed it.
"I wanna kiss you so badly, Mac…" Bloo whispered, blushing scarlet. He was barely audible and Mac frowned, wondering if he'd said what he thought he had. The instant he opened his mouth to ask him to repeat it, his phone rang. Part of his compensation for only spending one night with R.D. instead of a whole day was a new cell phone, free for a year. Frankie had told him she'd call if she found anything out or figured anything out.
Relieved and frustrated at once, Bloo watched Mac walk into his bathroom and shut the door so he wouldn't be overheard. Both feared Kip would beat the truth out of Bloo, thus, only Mac knew what Frankie and he discussed. Miserable and fatigued, he curled up in the chair Mac formerly occupied and waited. He hadn't heard Frankie's voice in four years. Part of him thought if he did, he might go insane with homesickness.
"Kip came here today to claim anything Bloo might have left behind and file an official adoption notice with Herriman. He threw him out- I've never heard him defend Bloo before, but he started saying how much he's ruined him and how he should be ashamed of himself. Ed had to physically hoist him out, 'cuz I think he threatened Mr. H," Frankie said after they'd exchanged pleasantries. Behind the cheerfulness, he caught omnipresent anxiety. At least Mac was with Bloo- Frankie had to hear everything after the fact.
"Mac, I think we might have less time than we thought. I think he's planning on striking soon."
Mac sighed, gripping the phone tightly. He opened the door to glance at Bloo, arms wrapped around his knees. Since he'd become his assistant, he'd seen him more vulnerable than ever before. It wasn't hard to imagine Kip striking while the iron was hot and hurting him when he looked so juvenile. His heart panged.
"We have to do something," he replied, shutting the door. On the other side, Frankie sighed and then relayed to him their best course of action. She'd pinpointed the day Kip planned to carry the deed out thanks to his argument with Herriman and how Ed, Coco, Wilt, Herriman, and she would arrange to arrive then. He nodded, then, remembering she couldn't see it, affirmed aloud.
"Mac…can I talk to Bloo?"
Taken aback, he quickly said yes and retrieved him. The odd thing was, Frankie insisted to speak with Bloo in private, leaving Mac to retrieve his paper and rifle through it. Within the glossy pages, he located the article and began to read evidence "Unrequited Symphony" was secretly about him. He snickered, greatly amused.
"Frankie!" Bloo cried, a mix of exhilaration at hearing her voice again and constant exhaustion. On the other side, she smiled softly and clasped her hands together. What she was about to say wasn't going to be pleasant for either of them, but Mac had been so busy preventing Kip from attacking Bloo and seeking weaknesses to delve into it. That and she really wanted him to understand the truth of the matter. Sometimes, an objective perspective helped.
"Hey, Bloo. It's been a while," she replied, wishing she could hold this conversation face to face. It was easier to lie over the phone and she was willing to bet once she hit a nerve, Bloo would start up immediately.
"I…" He wanted to say he missed Foster's, he really did, but admitting that meant admitting he wanted to go back. Blinking furiously, he rubbed his eyes with his free hand. If he never returned to Foster's, he'd never see Frankie again. Would he miss her that much? She'd never been anything but sweet to him, except when he misbehaved. Even then, she'd been fairer than Herriman.
"Foster's hasn't been the same without you. Everyone's too well behaved," she teased and a lump formed in Bloo's throat. He did miss her and the rest of Foster's. Tears blurred his vision and, stubbornly, he wiped his face. Hearing her voice made him dreadfully homesick and he suddenly longed to run out of the studio, to the nearest airport, and fly to Foster's to fling himself at her. He was having a hard time keeping calm.
"Herriman even tells imaginary friends off for taking you too lightly. He insists you were at the top of your form four years ago and you'll come back to wreak more havoc than we can ever dream of. In fact, he's preparing now."
It was amazing- he'd hated Herriman, but the mere mention of his name in Frankie's voice brought tears closer to the surface. He swallowed hard again, wishing he could stop caring. Tears slid down his cheeks and he hugged himself with one arm. How could he care what happened to his old friends? How could listening to Frankie make him this miserable? Shouldn't he be apathetic? Was she awakening the part of him that didn't want to die?
He meant to say he wouldn't have a chance to prepare because he'd be dead before then, but the words got lost on the way to his mouth. Instead, between sobs, he choked, "I miss you! I miss all of you! I wanna go home!"
Silence passed- Frankie yearned to reach through the phone wires and cradle Bloo like she had his creator. His sobs were tearing her up inside. What was worse was she had their conversation on speaker in case she choked up. Herriman could hear him weeping. However, when the rabbit spoke (she found herself strangely at a loss), it was surprisingly gentle. Madame Foster had been right- he was concerned.
"Master Blooregard, do you care for us more than yourself?" Mr. Herriman murmured, actually patting Frankie on the shoulder. She smiled weakly, then proceeded to blow her nose noisily on a handkerchief. He sighed, privately thinking there were more courteous ways to blow your nose, but said nothing. Bloo was more important right now.
"I…I don't understand." Leaning heavily against the bathroom mirror, he breathed deeply and attempted to dispel his tears. He heard Frankie sniffle and it only caused more tears to tumble down his cheeks. He'd never wanted to make her cry.
"I know that must seem like an unusual question, considering how much time you spent here proving you were more selfish than selfless. Yet I digress. Masters Wilt, Eduardo, Mac, and Miss Frances and Coco would be incredibly upset were anything…unfortunate to happen to you. I myself would be forced to comfort Miss Frances and persuade her to carry out her usual duties."
"Oh, you stupid rabbit! Tell him you're worried!" Frankie snapped, brandishing her dirty handkerchief. The imaginary rabbit cringed as though she had threatened him with a butcher knife. Indeed, in his mind, it was just as heinous. Surely Madame Foster had taught her granddaughter some manners.
"I most certainly will not! I speak only for the concern of the household!" Mr. Herriman said staunchly and, through his tears, Bloo smiled weakly. He'd missed their arguments too. Frankie would have better luck convincing Kip to publicly confess to his crimes than tricking Herriman into mentioning something so out of character. Still, it'd be nice to hear.
"Damn it, Herriman, you're the one walking up and down the hallways yelling at anyone who dares to listen to his music! You tell people off for talking about his love life and I've heard you mutter about his well-being under your breath. You're constantly ducking into the den to check for news and when Mac calls, you're the first to jump at me for answers. You might not like him, but you're worried sick about him."
Despite the lump in his throat, Bloo chuckled. Another wave of homesickness swept him and he wished he were sitting in Herriman's office instead of simply overhearing their argument. Maybe he didn't want to be dead…maybe he just wanted to see Frankie and Mr. Herriman go at it. Maybe he just wanted to hear Eduardo croon over Baby Paco and listen to Coco trill endlessly. Maybe instead of dying…he just wanted to live with his friends like old times.
"I admit to nothing! Miss Frances, do you really think I would be so naive as to confess to someone with an enormous ego that I care for him? Surely, I would not-"
Frankie was suddenly overtaken by giggles. Fighting bouts, she chimed, grinning from ear to ear, "You just did! And he heard you!"
Disgruntled, displeased with himself, he fell silent. Bloo heard Frankie giggling happily for a few seconds, obviously relishing this. Finally, a grin broke through and he laughed genuinely for the first time in months. Frankie stopped, beaming at the phone. Peculiarly, Bloo could almost feel her radiance on him and he felt like he'd drunk a mug of steaming hot chocolate.
"I'm going to make your life hell, Herriman. Mark my words!" Bloo cackled, swept up in the moment.
Frankie snickered and then calmed. "You aren't going to kill yourself, are you?"
The words hit him like a leaden brick. For the duration of this conversation, he hadn't a single suicidal thought. He'd been busy picturing them sniping at each other and the familiar halls of home. Home…not some stupid coffin, but an actual building…home was with Frankie…
"Are you going to be there when I get there?" he whispered. "Are you guys going to-"
"Yes…but remember we love you. Even Mr. H, who's glaring at the table like it forced him to tell you that. When you feel like no one cares, remember we're still here. Please, Bloo…don't hurt yourself."
"I…I won't." And for once, he believed himself.
Replies to reviews.
Rakal- Too bad one month passed and Kip decided to plunge ahead without much warning. At least Frankie overheard the conversation, because I highly doubt Herriman would have called Bloo on his own. Who didn't see that coming, though? If Bloo's feeling well enough to outsmart him, then who knows what else he'll try?
I just realized Kip wasn't actually in this chapter. (shrugs) At any rate, yes, entertaining in a dark way.
Why wouldn't I keep the characters in character? What's with all the bad fanfiction here, anyway? I won't name names, but some of the plot ideas here are ridiculous. I don't just write them however I want to- I write whatever I feel is right.
Mac's just clueless in everything, isn't he? He doesn't listen to "Unrequited Symphony", he doesn't carefully read the articles about him and Bloo, and he didn't hear him say he wanted to kiss him. Though some of that may be a determination to ignore the facts.
A. Nonymous- It's not that she stood up to him, but that she mentioned the real reason behind his behavior. We rarely see that. Most of the time, we think he's a very uptight rabbit. But now we know he secretly cares…let's hear a group 'aw'!"
Oy, if they don't know who she is, well, let's just say Frankie, Samantha Manson, Vicky, Tootie, Veronica, the little redheaded girl in the arcade…
I see Frankie as being very motherly (as opposed to being a pedophile, ugh. Stories like that make you want to lose confidence in humanity). That's probably why she sticks around Foster's so much- she has to coddle and comfort the imaginary friends. They're like kids, too, so her instincts are pretty strong.
As for the hospital…it's a hospice, first things first. There really are such things, you know. (I learned about it in Health Class, heh). I have no idea what their procedures are, however, since I'm not terminally ill and therefore, ineligible to be treated there.
As for Bloo hearing Mac's voice, yes, it probably was. To hear someone that far away in your ear really creates a sensation of homesickness, as we saw here and I personally experienced. Too bad their conversation got cut short last chapter.
Kip's going to kill Bloo if Mac doesn't (although he has to know Mac would never harm Bloo like that). If he does it in a certain way, he can escape blame and make a bundle off commemorative sales. Agents and producers usually make a cut, but I'm guessing he'd fix it so he'd make almost a hundred percent on sales. Rich bastard.
Now I've heard of Deus Ex Machina. The funny thing is, I use that all the time…and I'm not saying anything else. I've already let too much slip.
Nah, if QuickEdit takes something out, I don't care. You guys are smart enough to tell what was removed and ignore it or fill it in. It's not that big a deal.
I don't like the songs from Avenue Q. They're raunchy and the last time I listened to them, I deleted them after thirty seconds. Then again, that was before I became a South Park fan and raunchy humor wasn't my diet. (shrugs)
Hyper Shaylee- Ooh, a new fan. Welcome, new fan. (smiles)
Everyone keeps priding me on them being in character, but I can't write them being any but that way. As for the emotion, that's another thing that just comes to me naturally. I can't control that either. So praise my muse…don't praise me. I think of myself as a channeler, dispelling whatever they want me to write.
Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with Foster's is freakin' huge. It's about as big as my obsession over Fairly Oddparents was a few years ago (and I still like FOP, but I'm not that into it anymore). At least I brought you to a semi close point. (winks)
I'm updating quickly…ah, I'll tell you. I'm updating quickly because I want to finish these stories soon. As sad as that sounds, I have to go to college in September. I don't want to leave them out to get stale while I struggle through college work. It isn't fair to you guys.
And thanks for reading and reviewing.
lucyrocks73- Er, thanks.
MisterBlue- Obviously, it is. Then again, in this situation, money's only been an issue with Kip. Bloo hasn't seen a dime of his fortune and Mac, of course, hasn't gotten any money at all.
So far, Kip hasn't intercepted it, but at least we have a plan. We don't know what it is yet, but we have a plan.
Kcbs- I just hope my actual version of the chapter wasn't as bad as the original conception. (pulls a face) Running through airports, but that was before I decided to let Frankie and the rest in there.
I know Mac is both too young to have a job and there are child labor laws. There's also such a thing as being paid under the table…or not being paid at all, which is the case with Mac. Yes, folks, he's helping Bloo out pro bono until he rescues him.
And that's it for now! Please continue to read and review.
Until we meet again…