This is a sequel to Built From The Same Stuff because I adore the Della and Boyd dynamic and because I wanted a chance to finally write Dellumbra. This is a one-shot but I want to write at least one more sequel in this little series.
Enjoy!
"This house is a freaking maze," Boyd mumbled to himself as he wandered through the McManor, trying to remember where his friends were. It was one of Webby's sprawling sleepovers, always fun, always exhausting, and Boyd just wanted to get back to Louie and the others, unfortunately, he took a wrong turn and stumbled into movie night.
Donald was snoring in an armchair while Della and Penumbra were curled up on a love seat, the Pixar logo just beginning to play. Boyd thought it was impressive that Donald could fall asleep before a movie even began, but he supposed that it made sense since May and June probably weren't the easiest kids to parent.
Della glanced over at the door and waved him in, Boyd stepped inside cautiously.
"Hey, kiddo! Penumbra, this is Gyro's son Boyd, I believe you two have met? Boyd, do you want to join us for a robot movie?" Della asked, tapping her metal leg in a sort of secret greeting that Boyd reciprocated.
"You said this was a space movie," Penumbra accused.
"It is! It's about robots and space and love."
"It's a love story?" Boyd asked, his interest piqued.
"Mm-hm. One of the best animated love stories of all time. You've never seen Wall-E?"
"I guess not. I could probably watch some of it…" He wasn't sure if anyone from the sleepover would miss him. He squatted down, Della offering him a pillow and some popcorn.
"Where's Daisy?" Boyd asked as Donald continued to snore and Della subtly tossed popcorn at her brother.
"Since May and June are here tonight, Daisy and Donald are doing self-care in their own, separate ways. Maybe she'll join us for movie night when we watch Luca."
"Oh, I love Louie! Luca. I meant Luca." Della smirked at him.
"When are you going to shoot your shot, kiddo?"
"What shot? Is he going to shoot Louie? Why are you encouraging him to shoot your youngest? I know he's a troublemaker but I don't think shooting him is going to fix that, Della." Penumbra was clearly a little confused.
"No one is shooting anyone. What I mean is that Boyd has feelings for Louie and he hasn't confessed yet," Della explained, Boyd blushing hard and slouching further down on the ground.
"Well, confessing feelings for a friend is hard," Penumbra said quietly, glancing imperceptibly at Della. Della didn't notice but Boyd did, not getting the chance to prod further before the movie began.
Boyd was instantly captivated by the film. It was so hopeful and quaint, a picture of humanity prevailing in unexpected ways even at the end of the world. And when the quirky trash robot fell in love, Boyd felt those powerful emotions himself. The yearning, the hopefulness that Wall-E felt. He would really love to hold a hand right now. But Louie probably didn't even realize he was missing from the party, right?
Just as Wall-E blasted into space after EVE, the door cracked open and light flooded in. Boyd glanced back, noticing a sleepy-looking Louie as well as the fact that Della and Penumbra were now holding hands.
"Mom, have you seen Boyd?"
Della pointed at the android, smiling warmly at her son.
"Oh. If you want to keep watching the movie you can, Boyd, but we were gonna make microwave s'mores."
"I want microwave s'mores," Della piped up.
"Mom, you're not invited to the sleepover."
"Uncool, Llewellyn."
Boyd burst out giggling, standing up and looking at Louie, haloed in light.
"Come on, Boyd."
Boyd followed him out, glancing once more at the lovestruck robot on the screen and then back at Louie, who had come to find him.
"Thanks for looking for me," Boyd said softly as Louie led him through the winding halls.
"Oh, yeah, no problem. It's cool that you're friends with my mom, I guess."
"She's really nice. Her girlfriend, too."
"Her what? Who?"
"Penumbra?"
"They're not together…" Louie looked confused and a little troubled.
"Oops."
"Why'd you think she was mom's girlfriend?"
"They just seem close, they were holding hands when you came in."
"I didn't notice." Louie slowed down and then stopped, studying his feet.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"No, it's whatever. I'm being stupid, if mom wants to date Penumbra, that's on her. Penumbra is great."
"So what's the problem?" Boyd prodded.
"I don't know. It just feels weird. Mom's only been in my life for three years. My bio dad has never been in the picture. And it doesn't matter, he doesn't matter. I don't want to meet him. I don't need to. But it just feels weird, to see her moving on. Because she has closure for that relationship with our dad that we never had. And like I said, he doesn't matter, but if she's moving on… It just feels so much more abrupt for me than it probably does for her."
"I don't know if Penumbra has confessed her feelings yet, but I think she wants to. She mentioned tonight that it was hard to confess to a friend. So if something ever comes from that, or any relationship your mom has in the future, you should talk to her about your concerns. Your mom wants to hear about how you feel about things. She's listened to my problems and I'm just some kid."
"You're not just some kid," Louie said instantly, adding, "I wonder why Penny said that thing about confessing if she wasn't going to."
A surge of confidence tore through Boyd.
"Because I might have feelings for a friend, and your mom and Penny were giving me some advice."
Louie's expression darkened.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Do I know them?"
Holding on to his courage, Boyd reached for Louie's hand and squeezed it, offering his friend a smile.
"Yeah, you know him."
