Nicknames, Donuts, and Smacks
The group slowly traversed up the central column in the kindergarten. Fluorite slowly kept slithering upwards to make sure the group hanging onto her back stayed safe. Rhodonite had Padparadscha hanging in her grip. The sapphire had been delighted to see what their home looked at a different perspective. Meanwhile, the Rutile twins had one hand holding onto the massive caterpillar, and the other securing Lars' grip to make sure the boy didn't fall. His eyes were wide as he held onto Fluorite; one look at him, and you could tell he was terrified.
Lars had no clue how long they had been going up, but he hated every second of it. He felt like at any moment his grip would loosen, and result in a pancake version of himself. Those worries were lessened when he felt a familiar hand reinforcing his hold. When he looked up at the twin gem, he tried to give a smile of thanks. However, he doubted his smile helped because the look she gave, told him otherwise.
Rutile was getting worried about the pink boy. At the start of their journey, he seemed scared of hurting Fluorite with his grip. This consequently, led him to have a loose grasp. Lars had nearly fallen off a few times in the few hours expedition upward. Rutile almost lost her grip with the last near fall. Which resulted in a small, but heated debate between the twin heads. The right didn't want to baby the boy to much, in case he decided he didn't like them, but the left head wouldn't hear it. She demanded they do something to help him, even if it was just to calm their nerves. With the small debate between the twins over with, Lars now had a steady anchor to the giant fusion.
As Fluorite made her way up, she was careful to keep everyone from falling; the fusion couldn't help but notice that they were approaching another mass kindergarten cavern. While they were getting closer to the surface of Homeworld, the massive fusion couldn't help the rising nerves she had. When the human Lars had nearly fallen off the last time, she had grown quite worried about the little gemling. The more she thought about it, the more determined she was to take a rest at the upcoming cavern and check on everyone.
With one last push, the massive fusion slithered around the pillar, crawling onto the floor of the newest area. She came to a stop and slowly tilted her body, so the group could safely hop off, and stretch their limbs. She noticed Rhodonite had Padparadscha in a tight hold. The small sapphire was enclosed around the larger gem's arms, and held against Rhodonite's side. They always seemed to get along well, and seeing their bond made the large fusion grin. Although, Rhodonite's relationship with the small sapphire is cute, Rutile's growing bond with the human is equally adorable.
Rutile had slowly detached from Fluorite and was now grabbing Lars to lift the boy up, and get him off the caterpillar safely. What she hadn't intended was for the boy's face to erupt in a blush upon being set on the ground. He rubbed the back of his neck and quietly mumbled a "thank you" and went to explore the cavern. Both heads smirked as they watched the gemling walk to one of the many holes decorating the area.
The twin gem walked around the caterpillar's body to try and talk to her. Similarly, Rhodonite had set Padparadscha off to walk around as well. The smaller off colors would be exploring, while the taller members conversed.
Lars didn't know how to feel about everything going on. He felt like he was losing his snarky edge, but the warm feeling from earlier seemed to make up for it. Rutile's gentle hold and soft words made his worries disappear. It caused a swarm of butterflies to dance in his stomach. His parents tried to be a presence in his short life, but they never gave him a sense of comfort. They let him do his own things and in return, he abides by their rules. Warm feelings and comfort were things that didn't exist in his previous life, and he thought he was fine with that, but was he?
"I predict human Lars will have internal struggles," the small peach sapphire exclaimed, knocking Lars from his conflict.
"Hey Padparadscha?"
"Yes human Lars?" She hummed in response.
"One you can just call me Lars." He smirked at the little gem, before continuing on. "Two, do you have a nickname?"
The small gem looked at Lars quizzically. What was this nickname he spoke of? Was it an Earth tradition? If it was, then she wanted one! Earth sounded so magical, a safe place for off colors. No need for worrying about being shattered. Yes, she would indulge in this Earth tradition.
"No… Lars," calling him one name, made her mouth feel weird, unnatural, but she continued, "I do not have this Earth custom. Nickname." Lars smiled again at the gem.
"You do now… Paddy." Lars rustled the little gems hair, causing a small shriek of glee from the newly dubbed Paddy. Lars could get used to this new group. No judgement, only acceptance, and happiness. He was beginning to see that maybe this is what his previous life was missing.
Rhodonite stopped talking mid-sentence when she heard a screech. It wasn't until she processed the noise being a sound of glee, that Rhodnoite's nerves settled… slightly. Being on the run, made it so her nerves were always aflame with worry. Plus, looking after the little sapphire, only caused her anxiety to sky rocket. However, the moments of happiness they shared, made up for it.
"I believe… That human Lars… Will be… An effective… Scout," Fluorite spoke. Though the wizened fusion could tell that Rutile wasn't quite comfortable with the plan. If her constant gazes at the little boy said anything, it says how much she cares for the little human. Fluorite could only try to constrain the smile that wanted to blossom on her face. Rutile, who was caring and compassionate, was a perfect fit with the young boy. She would stop him from putting his life at risk to protect our family. The little gemling wanted to prove himself so badly… he will have many chances, but the willingness to die for them needed to be stopped. Rutile would see to that.
Rutile was staring at her gemling. The boy looked so carefree, and happy talking to the small sapphire. Rutile promised herself that her little gem would be more than happy no matter what. Letting out a sigh, the left head quietly asked the right if they should make sure their charge got some rest. The right contemplated, then did a quick nod. Rutile gave both Fluorite and Rhodonite a quick pat before walking towards the smaller off colors.
"Yeah, some are circular, and some are elongated. Donuts come in many shapes and sizes, but your favorites will be the ones with chocolate." Lars was trying to tell Paddy all about the Big Donut, until he realized she didn't know what a donut was. "Sadies' favorite was always-"
Lars was cut off when two arms ensnared him, and started lifting the boy off his feet. He then turned to see Rutile clutching him against herself. Before he could question the twins, Paddy made an announcement.
"The twins of Rutile will pick up best friend Lars." She beamed up at her friend, hoping he was proud of her. Lars could only internally grumble, but smiled outwardly at his little companion.
"Good job Padparadscha-"
"But it's time-"
"For this gemling-"
"To get some sleep." Lars blushed at being told he had a mandatory nap time, but Paddy seemed to wave goodbye and skip away towards Rhodonite. Whom seemed to have opened both sets of arms to hug the little gem.
Whatever the fusion would do with the little gem, would remain a mystery as Rutile carried Lars to a gem deposit. Lars tried to twist in her grip, but felt a light swat to the seat of his pants. He stilled his movements immediately, and had his eyes grow, looking at the smug look on the twins' face. The rest of the walk was subdued, and quiet until Rutile sat Lars down.
"We want to-"
"Make sure you-"
"Get enough rest" Lars felt that warm feeling return to his stomach, and he couldn't quite hate it. Although, he did mumble a response.
"I'm not tired, not even exhausted. In fact I feel perfect." To prove himself, Lars let out a beaming smile. The twins thought to themselves for a few seconds, and then the heads turned to each other to discuss. Lars waited patiently until they turned to him with a stern expression.
"You do not need-"
"-to rest. Although-"
"We feel that-"
"The three of us-"
"-should have a-"
"-serious discussion."
The twins softened their features slightly, as they took in the desolate look the youth bore. They put a hand onto his shoulder, and gave it a light squeeze. He looked so afraid. To afraid.
"What kind of serious discussion?" Lars could barely get the question out around his dry throat. When the gem had smacked his bottom like a disobedient child, he had tensed up immediately. He had just met them, and he was already causing trouble. The serious tone in conversation only added to his nerves.
"For now, just rules and punishments." The right head informed.
"Things to keep you safe." The left hastily added.
"Though something-"
"-seems wrong-"
"-what's wrong?-"
"-little gemling," they finished together. Both faces had concern etched in. Lars looked at the floor, and droplets of water splashed on the ground. Something happened to the little boy.
The pink human mumbled something, but neither head could hear his answer. Frowning, the conjoined twins implemented the best strategy that had worked so far. Cupping his chin, the boy's eyes slowly rolled to look at the maternal gem.
"I… I was reminded of some bad memories." Lars couldn't maintain eye contact with the gem, after admitting it.
Rutile's frown deepened if at all possible. What kind of bad memories? He was so young. Just a little gemling. What bad things could have happened to him?
"What happened?" Both heads had asked simultaneously. Lars had to swallow a lump in his throat to continue.
"It's nothing. Nothing important." Lars mumbled. He wouldn't tell Rutile. It would only make him look even more weak than he already was.
Rutile gently pulled the boy into her lap, and had him sit in her embrace to comfort the small alien. They would talk later, but Lars needed to trust her more. She started to stroke his pink mane, and hum slightly. She could feel him relax slightly in her hold, before the gem started speaking again.
"Why don't you get some sleep now?"
"We'll continue talking when you wake up." The gem tried to sound encouraging, and let the boy rest his head on her chest until his breath evened out, and he was sound asleep.
