Reviews :

Snake557 : Hey, thanks friend, I REALLY appreciate your kind words and support, there. I likely will just give warnings, then. Seems like that would be the best thing to do, huh. Best of both worlds.

Romantic Sapp : So sorry about that! Maybe next time, instead of a 5 chapter warning, I'll go ahead and do it 10 chapters out, so to give everyone enough time. This story will likely be well over 150 chapters long, so no danger in not being able to vote for the next few chapter comics I do! Thank you friend!


Song Listened To :

Out My Mind ft. Riley Clemmons [Shaun Frank Remix] by Tritonal

Also, the same song, but the Giiants Remix (for the end of the chapter)


A/N : Hey guys, sorry this chapter is so massive. I didn't feel like halving or prolonging Berri's birthday party any more, so I figured I'd give you one gooey chapter of fun. The plot will begin to pick up here shortly. I also have an important upload announcement at the end of this chapter, so be sure to check that out!


*Chapter 52*

"Annnd, never mind. We didn't have to find her, she came finding her way RIGHT to you," Koko chimed in gentle sweetness as her and Nox finally eased into Berri's and Turbo's bubble.

"The entirety of our friendship," Berri eased in girly, sarcastic delight as she rolled her eyes, though she gave Turbo a warm smile as if to insinuate she was only pulling his leg.

"What the heck man?" Theo suddenly blurt in whole excitement, and it was with Theo's gentle outburst did Turbo broaden his bubble beyond him and Berri; he was entirely floored to see that a lazy gathering of curious onlookers had gathered, some of which happily began to push their way to the adorable scene. Turbo blurt a nervous laugh as Theo came up, and with a firm high five that morphed into a brotherly handshake, Theo pat Turbo's upper arm and shook his head, his gap-tooth smile was wide in boyish disbelief, "I had no clue you were coming, I would've never guessed in a million years you'd show up here!"

Turbo smiled and suddenly felt a wash of realization come over him, something that he so dutifully noted, and it was with Theo's words did Turbo gloss his eyes past Theo and straight into Wren's sly, approaching, knowing demeanor. Wren cocked an eyebrow, teasing looked up, sagged his masculine hands into the front pockets of his nice slacks and shrugged his shoulders through his handsome, dark blue button up and cute, white bowtie of an accent. Turbo huffed a grateful chuckle, looked down to his feet for a moment and was now entirely certain that alongside gaining Berri's trust and friendship, he was floored to see that Wren's promising amount of loyalty was something that could go far with Turbo, as well. He gave Wren a knowing smile, and before he could open his mouth and thank Wren, Wren gently gestured to himself and sagged into their bubble.

"I may have a bit of a loud mouth on me, but..." Wren softened and softly glanced to Berri, "I know how to keep a secret."

"I appreciate it," Turbo concluded with a nod, though Berri furrowed her brow and pointed to Wren in a stagger of now girly authority.

"Wait a second... You knew Turbo was going to be coming to my party all along?" Berri pressed, Wren bobbed a nod and gave Berri a cheeky smile, as if to insinuate that even though he was successful in keeping all of her secrets, he could easily do it for another promising friend.

"YOU KNEW?" Theo barked in annoyance, to which Wren wildly flinched and secured his palm tight about Theo's much larger wrist.

"Okay... How many drinks have you had so far?" Wren urged in whole annoyance; Berri, Nox, Koko and Turbo were lost in laughter.

"Turbo, welcome to the fun," Vanellope stated in a lilt of cute happiness as she passed by, closely tailed by Taffyta and Orph; all three waved as they passed by, clearly en route to a different area of the party.

"Hey, guys," Turbo eased, though it was very clear he was incredibly nervous for the amount of volleyed glances through the curious crowd, smiles and whispers and gentle notions of surprise were abundant, though he desperately kept his attention tight to his friend's little circle, before him.

"C'mon, I'm sure you're in need of a drink," Berri chimed to Turbo, she gave him a knowing, girly smile and shook her head, "You're probably out of sorts, right now. Liking all eyes on you?"

"Not even for a second," Turbo muttered, though as Berri eased another giggle, he felt the barriers of continued curious glances just beam down from the blinding light Berri was emitting, her whole figure just shone like the sun, it was something Turbo was genuinely curious about, his eyes couldn't help but continue to be drawn back to her; like a moth to a light.

Before Turbo could just blindly agree to anything she suggested, anything she wanted, he huffed a stagger of a breath and felt the dusty cogs in his brain desperately try to turn the second Berri's warm hand slipped into his. With a gentle pull, as if to try and lead the ever-so-stubborn and elusive Orion City keeper, Berri gingerly tugged him in the direction of the kitchen and peered her innocent, curious and dewy blue eyes over her shoulder. In the lock of their gaze, Turbo felt as if his coding was now running wild, he was entirely uncertain of just where his sanity went, everything about this whole entire ordeal was something he simultaneously craved and hated, all in one fell swoop. The splay of Berri's gorgeous, long blue hair cascading down her back as she turned to correction, softness like velvet that draped over their conjoined hands and wrists, Turbo held his breath and easily followed her lead, he knew he would do so blindly, at this point. She could be headed straight for a sheer cliff and he knew it'd be the best damn free fall he'd ever endure.

"Is Chester like the bar keeper or something?" Nox blurt a hard laugh as their entire little group finally melted into the massive kitchen; with a huge, curved counter that hugged the interior of the kitchen and eventually acted as a kitchen island, multiple people loitered about the area in casual, excitable conversation, half empty drinks in hand, spirits were lively and the music was just loud enough to easily hear the murmur of chatter over.

"Guess so," Wren shrugged, though as they approached the blunt end of the nearly two dozen foot long counter and island, everyone noticed that Chester's whole demeanor and perked-ear attention was eagle-eyed for Turbo, as if to show interest in him, simply as if he was dutifully reminded just what happened the last time Chester was in Turbo's presence.

"Bud, y'remember Turbo, right?" Berri blurt a small chuckle as she finally released Turbo's warm hand and sagged into the vicinity of Chester's much taller figure, due to him sitting upright on his hindquarters.

Just as Turbo was prepared to nervously hold his hand out, everyone jolted in surprise as Chester urgently leaned forward, huffed a few urgent sniffles in Turbo's gravity, and after merely a split second of confident assessment of Turbo, Chester firmly nuzzled his whole head and snout into Turbo's center. Turbo blurt a gentle laugh, wobbled, rolled his eyes and lovingly began to scratch behind Chester's ears. After a moment, Chester's whole posture and spine sagged in dreamy relief, the wrists of his tucked wings suddenly thud to the tiles underneath, and as Chester lulled his eyes closed, he relaxed tight into Turbo's code-numbing ear and skull scratches.

"Ohhh I think it's clear that he remembers Turbo," Koko blurt a giggle as Berri eagerly watched the cuteness unfold, she crossed her arms and was floored Chester had grown so fond of someone so quickly; especially a full blown stranger.

"Who could forget someone like Turbo?" Nox encouraged in a gentle mutter, nearly only for Turbo's ears, and as Turbo raised his eyebrows, he shot his little brother a grateful look as Nox lovingly nudged Turbo's arm, "See'yah 'round, bro."

"Thanks, Nox," Turbo eased with the utmost show of gratitude and humility, and as Nox gently winked and hooked his arm about Koko's waist, the two strolled away, so to return to the previous friend group she was chatting with on the other side of the hall.

"Acts as if he hasn't had head scratches, ever," Turbo blurt a chuckle as Chester finally accepted the fact that Turbo's hands were slowing down. Turbo firmly rubbed and pat Chester's head, and in typical dog fashion, Chester finally stood up straight and tenderly began to sniffle at Turbo's jaw and cheek. Turbo scrunched his face and just barely backed his head away as Chester softly lapped at his jaw in a show of cute gratitude. Turbo laughed and warmly pat Chester's broad chest as he eased off of Turbo, once and for all, "I'm pretty positive he's not deprived, right?"

"No, not at all... He just really likes you," Berri shrugged, "It's a good thing. You don't want to be on Chester's bad side."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Wren muttered, though Berri long blinked in annoyance and gestured to the gash above Wren's left eye.

"Wren, he swiped you on accident, Chester wasn't angry with you," Berri blurt a laugh, though Turbo raised his eyebrows in now readied teasing, and as him and Wren caught eyes, Turbo crossed his arms and tilted his head in cocky dismay.

"Okay, so now I know the true story," Turbo joked with a smile, Wren rolled his eyes and tidied his hair in an annoyed fashion.

"Yeah, yeah, tell the media," Wren muttered as he looked off.

"Look alive," Tessa's voice suddenly chimed in tender cuteness, and as the small group eagerly peered down the long swoop of a counter top and kitchen island, Tessa had successfully slid two frothy glasses brimmed with Tapper's root beer, one for Turbo and one for Berri. With quick reflexes, they each caught their own glasses as they came sliding to a gentle halt, and with Berri's and Turbo's loft of cute, knowing eye contact, Tessa winked at the two, waved her fingers and softly turned to continue chatting with her small friend group, which consisted of Tammy, Emery, Swizzle and Penny, "Behave, you two."

Berri huffed a small, bashful giggle, raised her glass just a little, in a silent thank you to her mother, and finally drew back to Turbo's surprised expression. He finally choked a small laugh as Wren and Theo eagerly grappled for their own half empty glasses, and as they each raised their spirit, Berri cleared her throat and prepared a small toast.

"To, uh... To avoiding hangovers!" Berri blurt a giggle as she raised her glass a little higher; all three boys bobbed nods of nervous agreeing, and raised their glasses as well.

"To avoiding hangovers," All three boys eased, though Turbo only mumbled his in whole, cheeky awareness, knowing full well she was referring to the night the two had gotten drunk together.

In tender delight, the four clinked their glasses together in a dainty show of cheers, and upon Turbo's and Berri's first sips, Wren and Theo were already half way done with their share, due to them having their drinks a little longer. Berri bugged her eyes in nervous surprise and then finally scrunched in a show of impending regret, she shook her head and heaved a gentle giggle, and as her and Turbo locked eyes in apprehensive, teasing knowing, Turbo bobbed a nod in her direction and gestured his glass to her, gently.

"I'm serious, Berri, if I don't see you eat something or drink water at least once tonight, I will have to cut you off," Turbo eased in boyish delight, something that had Berri totally taken aback, how quickly he was able to feel comfortable in this massive group of people.

"I don't know, you didn't cut me off the other night," Berri shrugged, though Wren and Theo raised their eyebrows in collected surprise and now began to sip their drinks as if to be watching a show unfold; Berri could see Turbo nearly always on the brink of being check mated with all eyes on him, though she was surprised to see him inhale a deep breath, look off and mutter his conclusion into the rim of his frothy, ice cold beverage.

"Oh I definitely tried," Turbo mumbled, he took a gentle sip and gently lofted his creepy gaze right into hers, a dark, masculine, cheeky look that stabbed straight into her heart, "Who am I to say no to the birthday girl."

"It's easy, watch," Wren stabbed with a small chuckle, he flattened his hand and pointed it in Berri's direction, "NO. DOWN. Y'BAD."

"You're just jealous you missed out," Berri sneered, though Theo looked down in a teasing show of moping and bobbed a lazy, sullen nod.

"Yeah," He sighed hard, though Wren swat his arm as all three boys blurt out in laughter.

"You guys can come over next time I get a thing of Tapper's," Turbo warmly encouraged, the glow from his eyes was a sure fire sign that he was already having the time of his life, "It'll be great."

"Do my eyes deceive me?" Came a booming voice from across the entirety of the hall, and it was here did Turbo scrunch his shoulders, peer off in an aimless remembrance of startled fear and freeze, as if he had now switched from a big, bad predator to meek, helpless prey.

Berri, Wren and Theo eagerly lofted their eyes off to the other, more secluded area of the hall, the long corridor in which Turbo had arrived from, said open-aired corridor included a different section of a more lower-ceilinged room that held a few billiards tables, another bar, a lounging area and an incredible outdoor deck that was covered in untouched, piercingly white snow. Ralph stood with Zed, Rancis, Finn, Calhoun and Throttle, all five of them held onto pool cues and easily hovered about a single pool table that had the different variety of colored balls haphazardly splayed about, clearly mid-game. Although Ralph's booming voice called for Turbo's attention, he knew not to push it any further, only simply hoping he'd get Berri's attention, alongside the ever so elusive TurboTime boy that no one ever saw.

"You're okay, Bo," Berri eased warmly, her gentle hand soaked to the outside of his upper arm in a small show of comfort, though as they caught eyes, Berri was floored to find the mysterious golden glow, in his eyes, had basically vanished. What was now a wash of shy, matte grey that matched his skin tone, dull and lacked any glow, Berri gave him a warm, apologetic smile and leaned in a little closer, so to give him a tighter bout of one-on-one assurance, "It's just papa-Ralph, no one else is looking except for the small group he's with."

"I-I... I'm way out of my element," Turbo staggered with a bashful, unsure chuckle, he visibly swallowed hard, tugged on his collar a little and cocked an eyebrow, so to slowly turn heel and peer across the hall, in the direction of Ralph and his small group.

"It's all good, we won't leave y'hangin'," Wren assured with a nod as he waved to Ralph's group, though he grit his teeth in a nervous smile as he noticed Ralph calmly wave the four over, as if to show that he wanted to further love on the fact that Turbo bravely came to a social event.

"You alright? We can go over there for a second and just say hi, but we don't have to if you don't want to," Berri warmly suggested, she was encouraged to see the faint glow finally return to Turbo's nervous, unsure eyes and demeanor.

"Yeah, my dad and Zed are over there," Wren concluded with a nod, knowing full well that of any other people attending this party, Zed and Rancis were likely the only other two people Turbo was in tight contact with on an almost daily basis, seeing as Turbo shared Sugar Rush responsibilities with them.

"Sure, it's okay," Turbo concluded deeply with a nod, though it took Berri, Wren and Theo softly stepping out for Turbo to finally un-anchor his feet from the ground; Chester diligently followed suit.

In the slow mosey through the crowd, Turbo gently trailed behind Theo, Wren and Berri, he could swear his heart was due to pounding its way out of his chest in entire anxiety, a roll of angry storm clouds that shroud his heart, he furrowed his brow and felt a whole slew of conflicting feelings hit him. The amount of still lofted glances of surprised attention, he nearly felt as if he was parting the crowd, though in the same instance this feeling hit his heart, he glossed his eyes over the three individuals he diligently followed. It was clear that the birthday girl was the one dutifully parting the crowd, she was the center of attention tonight, the true feeling of the beginning trickles of acceptance finally began to dig into Turbo's skin with hot knowing. The glow of smiling, happy faces in the gentle lighting of their destination, he lulled his eyes closed in a long blink and felt decade-old memories just gloss over his heart.

Turbo could swear he could still hear the old Sweet Streets crew excitedly welcoming him to parties they'd throw, formals and fun events the game would hold, just years of dusty memories, sealed away, something he could've sworn he'd never get the chance to revisit, in real life. Like flushing said memories down a coded drain, he almost forgot about his past life, his life prior to losing Libby of Sweet Streets, his life prior to becoming an entire nightmare with Lash tight by his side, he felt as if he was having an out of body experience, as if he was absolutely certain he'd never be allowed to these feelings, ever again. As his eyes eased past the group they still approached, he furrowed his brow in a strike of whole realization as he peered to the back of Berri's head; all the things she had now dutifully reminded him that he was allowed to, the whole fact that second and third and fourth chances were real, unlimited forgiveness was something he was entirely grateful that she harbored, even having the dreadful information she had.

"I'm floored you're here, dude," Ralph grumbled with a knowing smile, he side-eyed Turbo as the four approached, and as Ralph gently reached his massive hand out and pat the whole of Turbo's upper back, he shook his head and continued to give Turbo a knowing look, "I know coming here was probably very hard for you... Takes guts, man."

"Yeah, we're glad you made it," Zed stated in whole kindness, a look of knowing care was written all over his face.

"I-It was hard," Turbo nodded in humility, he looked down and eased a bashful smirk, "I-I... I'm not one to miss a friend's birthday party. No matter what."

"You missed my birthday," Theo mumbled, which caused Zed and Rancis to blurt into laughter.

"Yeah, and mine," Wren gently swat Turbo's arm, and in such, Turbo flinched and finally beamed Wren a sneaky, widening smile of playfulness, "Aren't we friends? Come on. You can trust me with secrets, surely you could show up to my birthday."

"We weren't friends yet, over your birthday," Turbo choked a laugh, he slowly began to open up a little bit more, and with such, Ralph, Zed, Rancis, Finn, Throttle and Calhoun finally eased away from the small group of four and began to see about continuing with their unfinished game of pool.

"It's okay, maybe we can throw a separate party for us four, make up for mine and Theo's birthdays," Wren shrugged as him and Turbo relaxed in each other's presence; Theo and Berri eased to the other side of the table and began to quietly bicker with Throttle, in a playful manner. Once Berri was out of earshot, and the crew began to softly converse in gentle quips of banter, Wren cocked an eyebrow and finally side-eyed Turbo in a knowing way, "Dude, I don't think I've ever seen her ditch a conversation with me faster, in my entire life."

"What do you mean?" Turbo wondered gently, he furrowed his brow, crossed his arms and hovered tight to Wren's brotherly presence.

"I mean, the second she saw you, she dropped absolutely everything she was doing," Wren eased quietly as he gestured a little, their tender conversation drummed quiet enough underneath the main group's much louder, playful conversation, "She really cares about you, man. Hopefully this isn't a one and done kind of thing? You, uh... You think you can afford three new friends?"

"I've already afforded myself such things," Turbo eased deeply with a nod, and as him and Wren softly caught eyes, Turbo shrugged and felt his exterior walls crumple just a little more, "Yeah, it's been... Really weird, and really hard, but... I'm grateful. You guys are welcome over at my house any time."

"I'm so glad you said that, cause I'm pretty sure us three would've just attacked your teleport pad daily, anyhow," Wren choked a laugh and shook his head, causing Turbo to beam a small smile and gloss his eyes to the ground in cute knowing. Wren softened a little more, he was well aware Berri likely had a much softer approach to Turbo, with much more influence due to their flirtatious friendship, though he still wondered if he could budge his way into Turbo's heart from a different angle, a new perspective, a brother that could potentially deliver a much cleaner cut of advice and critique on this path to introducing Turbo back into society, "Well... I at least know Berri would, every day, but... I-I guess, you just say the word and we can leave you be."

"No, I don't want that," Turbo sighed, he shook his head and glanced his eyes into Wren's caring dark blue orbs, "I enjoy your guys' company. Really, I do."

"Well, us for you, as well," Wren nodded, "Hopefully things will get easier for you, now, don't you think?"

Turbo inhaled a deep breath, cocked an eyebrow and softly volleyed his eyes across the dimmer room; Theo was awkwardly holding a pool cue, angled at the pool table, and there beside him, with her arms gently angled about his lower arms, stood Berri, teasingly trying to show Theo just how to hold a pool cue. Throttle and Rancis stood near, absolutely lost in laughter, Berri volleyed teasing notions at Theo and purposefully tried to make him uncomfortable, a light, loving banter she radiated, even in teasing, Turbo could see the wholesome intent in her loving eyes, her contagious smile, Turbo nearly caught a breath and bobbed a small nod as his eyes got lost in her beauty.

"Definitely," Turbo staggered through a shaky sigh as he tried not to make it too obvious that he was longingly peering in her direction; he was well aware Wren had likely caught on, though he knew at this point that even his poor attempt at hiding his feelings was likely futile from here on out.

After about an hour of the small group loudly playing different rounds of pool, changing teams, bodies swayed about the table, Berri finally eased her cue into the tiles underneath and bobbed a small nod to her grandfather. She gestured to him, cocked an eyebrow and finally gripped Zed's upper arm in a further show of impending, teasing banter.

"Alright, grandpa, I think you and dad should definitely NOT be on the same team, anymore," Berri blurt a laugh, though Zed frowned and shot Berri an annoyed, sullen look of defeat.

"Nooo, we're winning," Zed complained, which had Rancis loudly laughing and flagging his hand towards Zed in further irritation.

"EXACTLY! Be on my team, this time," Rancis quipped as he playfully grappled Zed's other upper arm and jostled him.

"NO that's not fair, what about me and Wren?" Theo urged in annoyance.

"Guys, remember grandpa needs a teammate," Berri eased with a girly giggle as she gestured towards Ralph, though as her eyes glossed the group, she felt her heart immediately sink in hot knowing; Turbo was nowhere to be found. Berri inhaled a sharp, silent breath, sagged her shoulders and looked about in now cold urgency, though just as she was about to start scouring the whole rest of the party and drop everything she was doing, Throttle lovingly held his hand to her upper back in tender support and leaned closer to her.

"He's still here, he just went upstairs for a few minutes, just to take a mental breather," Throttle quietly assured to her, Ralph, Zed, Theo and Rancis loudly bickered over the top of Berri's and Throttle's much quieter conversation. Berri heaved a sigh of relief, bobbed a nod and sagged her shoulders, though Throttle shrugged a little and tilted his head towards the gaping exit of the massive, sprawling room they were in, "Why don't you go check on him? He's been gone for almost ten minutes now. He may need some encouragement to come back to the party."

"Thank you, Throttle," Berri eased to him in kind, girly quietness, she peered to him in cute politeness, bobbed him a nod of gratitude, softly handed him her pool cue, and slipped out of the group successfully unseen.

With heels that continued to quickly clack their way through her own birthday party, she noticed the chaos of the party wasn't subsiding, something she was elated about, though as she moved through the noise, she began to feel a pang of sorrow hit her skin. She knew this must've been extremely hard for Turbo to do, to come to such a lively party with nearly every single one of his peers. She felt gratitude hit her heart, as well as a whole swathe of girly knowing; she was thrilled she could now ease her calm spirit upstairs and have a few minutes alone with Turbo. She knew it was this instance where she was excited to privately tell Turbo just how much she valued his show of bravery. As quickly as she could, without seeming to be in too much of a rush, she found the private alcove of a staircase, near the recreational hall's back teleportation pad, and softly head up the stairs in pursuit of Sugar Rush's still number one recluse, something no one could properly rival.

Although the upstairs was much smaller than the hall's first floor, it still held a hefty amount of space; it had yet another lounge area with a few bigger bedrooms, fully furnished. It was a nice place to escape for parties and sleepovers, and although the upstairs was a section of the hall, it was dead quiet due to all the fun being downstairs. The party could still be heard, though as Berri came to the final landing of the second story, she eased her shoulders and now was finally realizing how grateful she was to slip away, as well, a gentle recharge she didn't know she needed. Berri knew she could also learn a thing or two from Turbo, in this fragile ordeal. Upon the landing was a small entrance to a little hub of a sky room, a little domed room that was entirely glass, a dark sitting area that proudly showed Sugar Rush's starry night, as well as it's tender flits of falling snow. Berri merely glanced into the darker dome of a room, and just as she was about to write off the fact that Turbo wasn't in said hull of a room, she double-took as she saw a dark figure faced away from her, the glow of gold cascaded against a small section of the glass dome; she halted her footwork and tenderly peered inside.

Turbo stood with his head tilted up, he quietly peered to the stars and recharged his very limited supply of mental, socializing power. His hands were casually in his front two pockets, he stood almost frozen still. Berri inhaled a quiet, readied breath, and as slowly and quietly as she could, she eased into the darker room and tucked her hands behind her back in presuming, girly delight. Her eyes gently glossed the incredible show of Sugar Rush stars, through the snowy clouds that littered the sky in a gorgeous show of white cotton candy. As her heels ever so tenderly and slowly clacked onto the marble tiles of the miniature sky room, she felt her heart leap as Turbo's figure just softly stiffened, came back to reality, and almost nervously glanced over his shoulder to see just who was approaching. The second he glossed the gentle glow of his eyes in Berri's entire direction, he peaked a bashful smile and sagged his shoulders in relief.

"I-I... I had to come up here and be alone, for a second," Turbo quietly rushed to justify himself, "I was hoping you didn't think I left, but I-I figured someone would tell you that I just slipped away for a second."

"No harm done, I really don't blame you," Berri heaved a soft sigh, bobbed a nod and finally stood next to Turbo, the gap of about two or three feet. She smiled and looked up to the gorgeous, dark sky overhead, "The party is fun, but it's nice to break away for a second. Good idea."

"Thank you," Turbo faltered as he eyed her gently, though he followed her idea and peered up to the stars and dark, lovely sky, once more, "This party is a lot of fun... I-I'm... I'm really glad I came."

"I am too, honestly," Berri smiled, and as Turbo could tell that her voice was now directly easing into his skin, he long blinked in tender understanding and volleyed his glowing gaze into hers. He finally postured himself so he was facing her a little more, she bashfully continued on, "Turbo, can I be honest with you?"

"... Of course," Turbo's deep voice volleyed in tender, loving quietness as he narrowed his gaze in now peaked curiosity, though he desperately tried to conceal it.

"I just wanted to let you know that..." Berri trailed off, looked down to her twiddling fingers, and shrugged her cute shoulders. After a moment of trying to build up courage, she finally sagged her shoulders in the reveal of her tender feelings as she gave Turbo a knowing, bashful look of humble understanding, "The candle I blew out at your house the other night, on my birthday? I... Well... I wished that you would make it to my party."

Turbo raised his eyebrows in cute surprise and did everything he could to not beam her a wide smile of hot knowing. He was successful in concealing it to a tender smirk of conclusion, he bobbed a nod in understanding and, with his hands now politely and lazily tucked behind his back, he looked off and down to the gorgeous splay of marble tiles, his golden eyes casted an eternity of warmth across the ground. Berri blurt a gentle, shaky giggle and shrugged, and as Turbo casted his glowing gaze back to hers in a gentle spike of confidence, he was entirely floored to see her almost begin to crumple with a swathe of girly, adoring shyness she didn't even know what to do with. He honed tight to her being and felt his heart swell, the gentle tremble of her hands she was unsuccessful in hiding, the cute quake in her girly voice, he was wholly floored to see her navigate this new wave of emotions coming at her, from all angles.

"You made it so my wish came true, and... I really appreciate this," Berri smiled with a nod, to which Turbo also volleyed in return, "I'm sure it took absolutely everything in you, and I just need you to know how much this means to me. Thank you..."

"You're more than welcome," Turbo chimed in sweetness; somehow the show of her crumpling, bashful spirit was enough to give him that kiss of confidence, an ironic twist of now feeling as if he was here to save her rushing thoughts and feelings, he was entirely floored to accept this responsibility. He was well aware her little notions were going in a certain direction, though he tried his very hardest to somehow silently convey that she owed him absolutely nothing, "You've given me that nudge I didn't know I needed. It's about time I stop being such a recluse and make some friends, see some new faces."

"It's big of you, for how convoluted and crazy of a past that you've had," Berri nodded as she nervously looked down to her hands, once more. She inhaled a shaky breath and now kept her eyes down, a cute show of vulnerability she hoped was safe in Turbo's hands, "Because you made my wish come true, I figured I'd return the favor... You made a wish on that candle, as well."

"Berri, you really don't... Have to," Turbo staggered as he narrowed his gaze and peered to her in a show of gentlemanly understanding, he knew he had teased her on the night of her birthday, though he hoped that she didn't feel obliged to return the heavy favor.

"You wished I'd tell you why I kept coming back to your tower, and I'm sure it's probably obvious by now but..." Berri smiled in a cute show of teeth, her eyes smiled alongside it, and with their gentle pluck of hot eye contact, Berri warmly concluded her fragile feelings and tried not to get too overcome with trembling, rushing emotion, "You're the reason I keep coming back."

Turbo raised his eyebrows and could swear that he was never going to hear her say these words, only in the secretive mull of his own little day dreams, he was entirely floored to hear it all come out of her figure in truth, something tangible he could hold onto, and it was here did he understand that their little ember of a friendship was due to blossom into something different, something tender and secretive, a slow burn of hot coals, he felt his heart thud in confusion. He was absolutely certain he'd never feel the clench of his stomach be entirely agitated with butterflies, ever again, the fleeting feelings of admiration and adoration were feelings he was absolutely certain he had muted so long ago. The fact that his brain began to dust off lost files of heartfelt tugs, the beat of his heart was a thud of thunder over his whole being, he felt his skin prickle and get hot with the entire thought of this incredible woman before him, just barely confessing the adorable, dainty and fragile beginnings of whatever spectrum of friendship this was.

"There's... There's something about your friendship that I now can't really imagine being without, and I just want you to know that... I really care about you," The shake in Berri's womanly voice began to ever so slowly dwindle into a cute show of mature confidence, a bashful ease of honey that Turbo was almost desperate to drown in, desperate to hear in his ears for the rest of time, and as she continued on, they held tight and loving eye contact, almost too heavy to continue to hold, "I went to Academy expecting to make friends there, to find a best friend outside of my family, but... Little did I know, I got suspended for defending a best friend I didn't even know I had yet."

Turbo now felt his mouth ease a beam of a smile as he glossed her womanly face. He felt the cogs in his heart begin to crank and turn, the cobwebs tore off of the thudding of his now racing heart, the dust began to stir with emotion, he lulled his glowing eyes closed and could swear that if he could muster just a few more ounces of bravery, he'd lean in and ease a kiss of gratitude to her cheek, though he scolded himself and knew he could hardly afford such things, right now. He heaved a hot sigh through his nose, bobbed a nod and sagged his glowing eyes down her arm and to her left hand. He finally inhaled a reviving breath, and although he was well aware there were a few different notions of affection he couldn't afford right now, he knew there were tiny little steps he most definitely could afford, something he now nervously sought to properly convey.

"It stirred up some things, but... I'm really glad to have someone who is willing to loudly defend me, someone who is so important to not only the hierarchy of Sugar Rush, but also to me," Turbo narrowed his gaze and, with a confident show of warmth, he lovingly slipped his right hand into her left one and held on tight. He squeezed and further squinted his narrowed gaze in bittersweet understanding, "You defended me without even knowing me... Without knowing anything about my past... And even after I told you everything, your thoughts on me didn't waver one bit. I owe you a lot, Berri. Really, I do."

Berri gently looked off and shook her head with a smile, as if to silently convey that it was nothing, though just as she was about to open her mouth and tenderly conclude this bubbling topic, she cocked an eyebrow and barely flinched as Turbo so carefully bowed his head lower than hers. She held her breath and felt her heart nearly jolt straight out of her chest the second he warmly filled the gap, lifted her left hand to his face and placed the softest, warmest kiss to the back of her hand, a show of the utmost respect. Berri held her free hand to her collar and chest in floored, girly surprise and hung in his gentlemanly presence, the feel of his stubble against the fragile skin on the back of her hand, she could swear the feel of his hot breath, that slowly splayed on her wrist, was something she was likely going to relive for a long while to come. She nearly choked to catch her breath, her insides did a dance of bashful glee, and as his warm lips gently concluded the pucker of a confident kiss to her hand, he slowly eased his posture to correction and was thrilled to feel her grip his hand in a needy show of whole delight.

"I care about you, as well," Turbo's warm voice almost held a tremble, though his confidence glossed over her in such a way that assured her he most certainly wasn't just keeping face, the rare show of Turbo's warm and gooey side was something she was still entirely floored she earned a front row seat to. Turbo smiled into her blue eyes, the string of glossed enchantment between the two was beyond palpable. He huffed a shaky chuckle and bobbed a nod, as if to insinuate she didn't really truly know just how much he appreciated her, though he concluded his notions of such, nonetheless, "A lot."

In a whole slew of cute bashfulness Berri had absolutely no idea how to contain, she breathed a gentle, silent breath of a giggle, tucked the back of her free hand to her mouth and looked off in blushing madness. She looked off in a flutter of new feelings, she heaved a silent, shaky breath and tried her hardest to relax and remain composed in front of Turbo, though he lovingly squeezed her hand a little harder, tilted his head and in a small show of smiling sweetness, he tried to gain eye contact with her. Once he finally received it, he apologetically wrinkled his nose and narrowed his gaze in boyish, cheeky delight.

"...Too much?" Turbo's deep voice warmly pressed, and before Berri could whole heartidly disagree and loudly proclaim that it maybe wasn't enough, she wholly contained herself and confidently shook her head.

"No, you're fine," Berri lovingly assured, she sagged her shoulders, sighed in contentment and looked down to their conjoined hands. She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows in gentle, reeling realization, "I... I just realized that I probably made you pretty uncomfortable by hugging you, in front of everyone, like that."

"Oh, when I first arrived?" Turbo nonchalantly pressed, Berri nervously peered up into his eyes and grit her teeth in an apologetic smile of a grimace. Turbo blurt a small chuckle and shook his head in affirmation, "User, no. You didn't make me uncomfortable. I'm a hugger... No one would know that about me, though."

"Well, I'm glad I do, now," Berri bobbed a nod and relaxed, once more, "Cause, clearly, I'm a hugger too."

"With a running start," Turbo teased, he scrunched his shoulders and beamed a boyish smile as he endured a gentle swat to his upper arm, via the flat of Berri's fingers.

"You surprised me, I had no words," Berri muttered in smiling embarrassment.

"Rare, for you," Turbo continued to tease, though Berri gaped as Turbo further scrunched his shoulders in a tighter roll of an even deeper blossom of a very boyish, teasing and mischievously playful side.

"That is rude, after you were just so nice to me," Berri blurt, though Turbo shook his head amidst their laughter and made sure to squeeze her hand in a tighter show of just simply bantering love.

"I tease because I love," Turbo revealed softly, Berri's eyes hooked to his in tender wonder, the creases of an age-old love letter bravely beginning to unfold, burned at the edges and torn at the seams, Berri froze and was thrilled this rollercoaster of emotion wasn't due to halting anytime soon. Turbo's lovely, raspy, deep voice continued on in a gentlemanly display of secrecy, "It's been awhile since I've had a best friend... Try thirty whole years."

"Well, I'm honored," Berri bobbed a nod of assurance, the two soaked underneath the loving glow of Sugar Rush's winter stars, a promise that this new year to come would definitely hold all sorts of fireworks, "I've always wanted a bad guy best friend."

"Careful what you wish for," Turbo coyly pressed, the recoil of his statement rung true for the evening, one of which was a universal response to her wishing heart, something he now was confident in fulfilling to the best of his shy and reclusive ability.


A/N : Hey guys! Real quick - due to this chapter's extreme length, I think I'm going to hold off uploading for a minute. Also, I have this whole next week off from my art classes that I'm taking, and I'm wondering if I should take the week to hold off on uploading just so I can really get a good load of chapters written, and so I can focus on the comic pages for chapter 46! I am currently about 9 chapters ahead of you guys, so I could easily keep uploading, but my goal is to be a solid 20-25 chapters ahead of the game, just to have content to fall back on when I'm busy or etc. I'll be going to Phoenix Comicon in 3 weeks, and then my mother will be visiting me for a week in July, so instead of one vacation this summer, I will be taking two! Even though one is technically a staycation lol.

ALL to say, I think I will be taking a very mini week-long break from uploading so to write, draw and really unwind. These past 2 weeks has been INCREDIBLY exhausting, and I'm running on fumes. In one week, I put $1,500 worth of fixes in Lickity, we had to sell Hank (Cory's beloved truck, which he is still grieving over), we got Royal, our new hybrid, annnnd on top of that, I was given a 150cc sport scooter as a second mode of transportation, which is hot red and in which I promptly named Orion. I've had to very quickly learn how to drive on a two wheel 60mph firecracker, navigate what that looks like for me in the thick of Tallahassee's unforgiving traffic, get a helmet and gear, all whilst on about 4 hours of sleep a night, waking up at 4-5am for my job, going to class, keeping up with my social/romantic life and attempting to grasp at any sanity I have left. IT'S BEEN A WEEK.

I need a breather, and I hope you guys understand. Chapter 53 will be uploaded on Sunday May 12th, and from there, I will continue on with my every other day uploading format. Thanks for understanding, guys! I know it seems like the whole Turbo-Berri budding friendship climb is taking forever, but I think it's either Chapter 57 or 58 is where things start to really pick up and twist and add suspense and excitement. In more or less words, that's when Gunner is introduced. Thanks for bearing with me! I don't want to rush my writing, and I hope you guys understand.

Thanks again, guys, you're the best :)


ALSO - The first drawn comic page of chapter 46 is up on my deviantART, username Vyntresser. Go check it out ;)