Author's Note: Hi guys, just a heads up, this is a Detentionaire slash fic starring the Serpent, Lee Ping and other characters from the series. Mainly this story revolves around the Serpent and Lee, where the both of them are brothers and that Serpent's name is Chase (because honestly, he looks like a Chase to me).
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Detentionaire characters mentioned in this story, nor do I own any music that I may mention either as the story progresses. Without further a due, let's begin.
Chapter 7: The Calm before the Storm
Previously on the Serpent and the Tazelwurm;
"And I dunno what to say, like you give me these butterflies and frogs in my belly and it makes me all nervous but happy at the same time. You're loyal, pretty, and smart, there's so much about you that make me appreciate you more. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I-"
Brandy sealed Cam's lips with a kiss, she pulled away and Cam was completely dumbfounded.
"I know Cam and just between us, I feel the same way too" replied Brandy.
Cam was absolutely elated! He kissed Brandy one more time before lifting her off her feet and twirled her around like a madman. Yes, he may seem crazy, but he was a love-struck fool who won the heart of his princess.
5:45am: Ping Residence – The Master Bedroom
Mrs. Ping shifted in her sleep, the sound of the blaring alarm of the bedside alarm clock was disturbing her sleep. She groaned and smacked the bedside table until she hit the 'off' button on the alarm clock. With one last moan she got herself off the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Another day, another grade to give. After stripping herself from her pajamas, she went into the shower and turned on the tap. After fifteen minutes of taking her shower, she walked back to the bedroom.
Alfred was next to wake up from his sleep, when he cracked an eye open and saw his half naked wife he smiled and asked.
"Eager to go for another round my lotus flower?"
Mrs. Ping chuckled and shook her head, her husband can be just adorable at times.
"No, dear. I just took a bath, but I wouldn't mind going for another round when I get back from work" said Mrs. Ping. Alfred simply nodded his head and returned to sleep. Once she got herself ready, she was about to call Lee to get ready for school, but Alfred stopped her in her tracks with one statement alone.
"Dear, you do know it's Sunday, right?"
Mrs. Ping paused for a moment and walked towards the bedside table where a calendar stood beside the annoying alarm clock. It was indeed a Sunday morning. She smacked herself in the face for being so foolish and her husband chuckled.
"5 more minutes?"
"Make it 15"
Alfred nodded and pulled his wife back into the bed with him, Mrs. Ping snuggled closer to her husband and Alfred pulled her closer to him, and both went back to their uninterrupted sleep. That is until they receive their morning 'kisses' from a certain red tazelwurm.
Lee's Room
Lee woke up 2 hours later, he walked downstairs with a drowsy Taz behind him, which was probably in need to go outside to do his 'business' or have breakfast. Lee opened the back door and told Taz to go.
"There you go Taz, go do your business and stay clear from mom's rose bushes" Taz nodded and slithered out. Lee walked towards the fridge and retrieved his favorite box of cereal and a carton of milk. Next, he retrieved Taz's pet bowl and pet chow. After filling up the bowls, he called Taz to come in for breakfast. The tazelwurm happily slithered to his pet bowl and chowed down on his meal. Lee smiled at him and petted him on the head lovingly, Taz purred happily when Lee pets him.
"Mmm, what's for breakfast?" asked Chase, who came in the kitchen wearing nothing but his pajama pants.
"Anything, mom and dad are still asleep" answered Lee with his mouth full of cereal. Chase wrapped his strong arms around Lee and nibbled the back of his ear.
"Can I have you for breakfast, then?" asked Chase, however, he was cut from his question by an angry tatzelwurm who hissed and nearly clawed his pants to shreds. Lee chuckled and petted Taz to calm down, and within a minute Taz returned to his normal self and nuzzled Lee's hand affectionately.
"Looks like Taz gave you an answer" chuckled Lee as he continued eating his bowl of cereal. Chase rolled his eyes at his brother and his pet tatzelwurm and retrieved two eggs from the fridge to make scrambled eggs.
"Any plans for today, Lee?" asked Chase.
Lee went through his memory for a bit to recall any important dates or plans he has with his friends and there were none. He answered, 'no' to his brother followed by a 'why'. His brother told him that the flower garden in the park was now open to the public, he wanted to check out the rare parasitic plants they have there. Lee nodded and answered he would love to go to the flower garden with him.
"What time should we leave?" Lee asked.
Chase looked at the wall clock and told him that they should probably make a move at 11:30, the exhibition begins at 12 o'clock. Lee agreed with him as he finished his bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice.
9:30am: Martinez Residence – Kitchen
Cam was on cloud nine right now. He had a blastin' time at Brandy's, he danced and partied the night away with his first lady and they shared a kiss together. It was magnífico. He snapped out of his thoughts when his mother called out his name for the 5th time.
"Camillio Esmereldo Martinez, don't dream while you're having breakfast! You have your elbow in your ham and eggs" said his mother as she pointed at his plate. Cam immediately removes his elbow from his plate and wiped it with a clean napkin.
"¡Ah! Lo sentimos mama. I was just thinking of the party at Brandy's last night" sighed Cam dreamily.
"Were you really thinking of the party or were you dreaming of Brandy?" teased his mother as she poured herself another cup of coffee. Cam blushed a bit, but didn't answer, he knew if he lied his mom would find out.
Mrs. Martinez shook her head and messed with Cam's bed hair.
"Promise me that you behave yourself around her, hijo" said Mrs. Martinez.
"Yes mama"
"… Camillio?"
"Yeah ma?"
"… It's nothing, never mind. Just promise me whatever happens, you two will always stick together, alright?" Cam was taken aback by this, he didn't know how to respond to that, but he manages to nod his head as a sign of his understanding.
Meanwhile, at Coco Café
"One mocha frappe with extra chocolate sprinkles for a Mr. Holgaart?" called the barista who was working by the beverage counter. The Norwegian exchange student looked up from his book and lifted his hand when his name was called, as if he was in a classroom and his teacher was calling out his name.
"Here you are sir, hope you enjoy your drink" said the barista cheerfully with a beaming smile on her face that could light up an entire neighborhood. Holger nodded and thanked her before making his way out the door.
They say in his mother's magazine that when you're sad you should eat chocolate. They didn't specify how much chocolate you should consume so Holger guessed an extra-large cup would do the trick. After yesterday's events, he would give anything to forget about his heartache.
He needs to forget about losing his love cheese,
He needs to forget about Steve,
He needs to forget about Greta,
He definitely needs to forget about Greta.
On the contrary, the Gods were being cruel to Holger. Guess who he had the pleasure of bumping into outside the Coco Café? I'll give you a hint, he's big and buff, and has a knack of pretending to be stupid.
"Hey Holg! What's up buddy?" said the jock as he gave Holger a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Of all the people he had to meet today, why must it be Steve?
"Ah… god dag Steve, getting the cup of bean coffee at Coco Café too?" asked Holger hesitantly as he tried to look away from Steve.
"Nah, I don't really like coffee. I'm just here to pick up a tuna mayo bagel and a mocha latte for Greta. Since she's having junior I have to make sure I feed my baby and his baby mama too, but it's all worth it just to see them happy" Steve explained. It's as if Steve was plucking the remaining bits of his shattered heart and crushing it between his strong fingers.
"Oh, that is very good. Steve being the responsible papa must be making sure Greta and tiny Steve get plenty of food and lovecakes" said Holger.
"Yeah, and um… Holg, I hope we're cool with the whole Greta thing. I mean, I know how much she means to you and all…"
Holger raised his hand to stop Steve from continuing. He looked at him with glazed eyes and said.
"Holger be knowing when to step away, Steven. Just be good to Greta and tiny Steve for me, ja?"
"Sure buddy, I'll never forget that" smiled Steve as he gave Holger a friendly hug.
Deep down Holger wanted to vomit, wanted so much to see Steve burn on a stake, but he knew that if Steve could offer Greta a better life than he ever could, who was he to withhold Greta's happiness?
He just hope that Greta and the baby live a happy and normal life, even if it means it will have to be with Steve.
10:45am: McAdams Residence – Kimmie's Bedroom
Kimmie was currently watching the local news on her flat screen TV while having her nails done by her maid. It seems there's a floral exhibit happening in the park and tropical never-before-seen flowers will bloom from their buds at noon. Will she go alone? Nah, too many perverts. What about the other members of the Glamazons? Druscilla is getting her wisdom tooth removed, McKenzie has the chicken pox, and Brandy… Yea, no, there's no way she'll spend the rest of her day with Silver. So who will she call? Biffy of course!
She picked up her cell phone and dialled his number on the tab. There was a moment of slow beeps until a familiar voice answered the phone.
"Yeah? What's up?" asked Biffy.
"Hey, there's this flower exhibition happening in the park today at noon, you wanna come?" asked Kimmie.
"Why me?"
"Because I need a bouncer to shove big mean people out of my way" replied Kimmie flatly.
If only she could see Biffy rolling his eyes at the other end of the receiver.
"Yeah, never gonna happen princess. I'm not your bodyguard"
"Of course not, you're my boyfriend" answered Kimmie teasingly. She could hear him smacking his face with the palm of his hand. How cute.
"(Grumble) Fine, I'll take you to see the girly flowers, but we're stopping for cakes after we leave the park, deal?"
"I love it when you do food play with me" teased Kimmie for the last time.
"Shut up!" cried Biffy.
11:50am: Park – The Flower Exhibit's Entrance
The group of flora enthusiasts were excited to see the rare-tropical plants which will be displayed in the park today, such as the Adenium Obesum, Hedychium 'Elizabeth', and the Scadoxus Multiflorus. Some decided to have a picnic around the park while others prefer to get a close encounter with these rare tropical specimens. It's not every day you get to see these plants blooming in your own park!
Chase and Lee walked towards the crowd which were gathering around the podium where the mayor stood proudly with a big pair of scissors. He tapped the microphone and cleared his voice before he spoke up.
"Good afternoon everyone, it is with great honor that I, Mayor Barneby, initiate the Flora Exhibition in our beautiful park today. So, without further a due, I proclaim the Flora Exhibition, open!" said Mayor Barneby as he snipped the ribbon of the entrance and everyone gave a round of applause. The photographers were snapping pictures, and the crowd made their way into the exhibition, not including Lee and Chase.
The mayor walked over to the pair with a big smile on his round face.
"Well snap me down and call me 'Jenga', if it isn't the owner of the Hydra, Mr. Serpent. How delightful of you to join in the event" said the mayor as he pleasantly shook Chase's hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, mayor" smiled Chase.
"So what brings a fine man like you here? Taking your little friend here to see the rare displays?" asked the mayor curiously as he eyed Lee. Lee fidgeted a little when the mayor stared at him intently.
Chase placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"This is my brother, Lee. I promised him that I'd take him to the park whenever I was free from work. By the way mayor, I haven't seen you around the Hydra lately. Having trouble with lady luck?"
Instead of putting up an angry fit, the mayor laughed heartily.
"Hah, you do know how to tickle an ol' man's funny bone. I've been a little busy lately, since I was elected mayor of this fine town I've been kept busy every day. Hope my package arrived to your office"
Chase nodded.
"Yes, it did. Thank you very much for your gift, I'll remember to make a generous contribution to your foundation next week" smiled Chase. The two said their goodbyes and walked away.
Lee turned to Chase and asked him how he knew the mayor.
"Him? He was a regular gambler at my casino, always played a fortune against the big leagues" answered Chase as he held Lee's hand and guide him into the exhibit.
"By big leagues you mean yourself?" Lee asked.
Chase nodded.
"But, between you and I, little brother. He had an awful gambling problem" said Chase as he sniffed the rare Amazonian Lily.
Lee quirked an eyebrow at that but did not press the matter more, today was just going to be a nice outing with his brother by his side, or so he thought.
Elsewhere in the Flower Exhibition
Kimmie and Biffy were examining the Malaysian Rafflesia, a massive flower which was well-known for its foul odor. Well, except for Biffy who has no clue of the flower's pungent stench.
"What does it smell like?" Kimmie asked as she took pictures with her phone. Biffy read the card but it didn't mention the smell.
"Dunno, it didn't say anything about it"
"Well, take a whiff"
"Why don't you do it?"
"And have guys looking between my bosoms when I bend down? No, thank you" answered Kimmie as she crossed her arms.
Biffy leaned forward and took a whiff of the massive flower, the minute the smell entered his nasal cavity he pulled away and nearly hurled his breakfast on the ground. Kimmie was chortling by his side, she could not believe he did that!
"Urgh! That was gnarly!" said Biffy as he tried to snuff the smell out of his nose.
Kimmie wheezed her last laugh before pulling out her perfume bottle and spraying it on her hand. She rubbed her wrists together and stretched her hand forward so that Biffy could take a whiff of it. Biffy was reluctant at first, but sniffed the wrist eventually. It smelled of potpourri, peaches, and vanilla.
"There, the smell is gone. So you don't have to whine about it later" said Kimmie as she deposits her perfume into her bag.
"Oh, you are so gonna get it when we leave this park" growled Biffy.
"Ooh~ is the big bad Biffy gonna huff and puff at little Kimmie?" teased Kimmie as she leads him to the next display. Biffy simply smiled and shook his head as he followed her to the next rare specimen. Not too far behind, Chase was explaining to Lee all the scientific terms for each rare flower they pass by.
"Hmm, I wonder how long they had to preserve the flowers before they plant them for the exhibition" questioned Lee as he examined the hibiscus. His brother shrugged his shoulders and answered.
"Probably for a month or two" to be honest, he wasn't really interested in the flowers. He asked Lee out to the park so that they could have some quality time together, and perhaps continue with where they left off at the Hydra. When Lee stood beside the hibiscus, Chase couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful his brother looked among them. Sometimes he cursed the notion of his brother being swept away from him by other men or women. Which is why he needed to claim Lee as his own. Lee was his, and there was no way he's about to give his brother up to any tramp that worms his or her way into their lives!
"Earth to Chase, yoo-hoo" called Lee as he waves his hand at his brother.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"You were zoning out, are you feeling alright?" Lee asked with concern.
Chase nodded his head and told his brother to not worry about him, he just hadn't had much sleep since last night.
"Probably dreaming of flying assassins and punch monsters" joked Lee as he walked beside his brother down the rose pathways.
"Not really, was actually thinking how cute you'd look with a flower in your hair" Chase said as he picked a hibiscus and placed it behind Lee's ear. Lee blushed and smacked his brother lightly.
"Jerk, I'm not a girl" murmured Lee as he tried to brush the flower off his hair.
Chase stopped his brother from brushing the flower away.
"You look cute with it there, leave it be" said Chase softly.
In the end Lee listened to his brother and left the flower where it was. That is until they get home so he could place it in a bowl of water.
Back to Kimmie & Biffy
The duo exited the exhibition once they were content with seeing all the rare flowers there. They decided to take a break by the lakeside, while Biffy went to purchase hot dogs at the kiosk. After purchasing the hot dogs from the vendor, Biffy returned to Kimmie who was sitting on a bench opposite of the lake, but was stopped in his tracks when he saw Kimmie talking to a little girl of five years old.
The girl was wearing a white dress with patterns of ducklings on them, a red cardigan, and a pair of pink shoes.
The little girl waved goodbye to Kimmie and made way towards her father who was reaching his hand out to her. Father and daughter walked off, and Biffy walked towards Kimmie and offered her a hotdog which she took.
"What was that about?" asked Biffy as he munched on his hotdog.
"The kid said I was pretty and asked if I was a model" answered Kimmie.
"Not that hard to believe. So, what did you say?"
"I said I was, and that the big beefy guy I was with was my bodyguard" Kimmie said as she munched on her hot dog.
"I thought you said I was your boyfriend"
"You are, you just work as my bodyguard part-time"
"So when will I get paid, ma'am?
"When we get to the bakery on our way home, I will pay you in cinnamon buns and moist cake"
"Deal"
Biffy noticed the way Kimmie looked at the moment, he knew there were still thoughts running through her mind, so he asked her again what was wrong.
"It's just, the way that little girl and her dad seem happy together. Must be nice having a parent who loves you unconditionally like that" answered Kimmie. Kimmie never really knew her father, as the heiress of Mann, Wurst, & Finnwich, she often spends most of her childhood with her mother and her business associates. Her mother gave her everything a 16 year old teen girl would ever dream of having, but that was only to pacify her so that she could continue working on advancements for the company.
Cassandra McAdams doesn't express her affection or motherly love towards Kimmie enough, probably due to the fact that she was the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company and that in her profession every day is a competition. You show your weakness, and the world turns against you.
That's what her mother taught her, which is why Kimmie does her best not to show her feelings to anyone. She wouldn't want to disappoint her mother, it's not as if she hadn't disappointed her already.
Her mother never really spent much time with her, except her butler who always had the duty of looking after her and making sure she eats well and does her homework. Sometimes she wonders whatever happened to her father. Did he leave her mom when she was born? Did he have a secret lover, which made her mom mad and wouldn't talk about it?
At times when she's truly alone, she wishes to have a father figure beside her to tell her that everything was going to be alright, or tell her silly dad jokes which were lame. She had everything you could ever ask for.
Everything, but a dad to call her own.
Biffy wrapped his arm around her to comfort her and said.
"Hey, if something is bumming you out you know I'm here for you, right?"
Kimmie smiled and leaned in to the embrace.
"Yeah, but you couldn't give me what I really want" answered Kimmie sadly.
"And what's that?"
"A dad"
Biffy didn't say anymore to Kimmie, he just pulled her closer and offered her the rest of his hotdog. Biffy wished he could do something for Kimmie, he didn't like seeing her all glum like this.
"Maybe I can't give you a dad, but I can give you other things"
"Like what?" asked Kimmie as she looked up at Biffy.
"An ear to listen to your troubles, a shoulder for you to cry on when you're sad, a pair of arms to keep you safe and warm, and a pair of lips to tell you how perfect you are and kiss your tears away" answered Biffy as he stroke her back gently.
"… God, you're corny" smiled Kimmie as she shoved Biffy. Biffy rolled his eyes, but still had his arm around her.
"I'm just saying that I'm here for you, and that you're alright, okay?" said Biffy as he kissed her on the forehead. Kimmie hummed and gave Biffy a big hug in return.
Biffy can be such a lug at times.
But he's her lovable big lug.
2:45pm: Ping Residence – Front Door
Lee and Chase have returned from the park with some souvenirs for their family; for mom and dad a Japanese bonsai plant, for Priscilla a decorative oak log for her home, and for Taz a bag of cherry blossom treats.
"Thanks for the fun time at the park, bro. It was nice to go there for a change" said Lee as he gave his brother a peck on the cheek and retrieved the bag of treats for Taz. However, his brother turned him around and wrapped his arms around his slender waist.
"Don't I get a reward for behaving myself?" Chase asked as he nuzzled Lee, refusing to let his brother go until he gets what he wants.
Lee plopped a sakura treat into his brother's mouth and gave him a chaste kiss.
"Maybe when mom and dad aren't around" said Lee as he caressed his brother's cheek with his right hand and walked up to his room, teasing his brother along the way. The moment he opens the door of his bedroom Taz leapt from the bed and excitedly pounced about the room. Lee smiled when he saw his pet tatzelwurm and called for him, in a second the creature crawled up Lee's body and perched himself on Lee's shoulder so that it could give his human a few licks.
"Hahaha, alright Taz that tickles! Here I've got some treats for you" the mention of treats made Taz very happy, especially when Lee placed them in his treat bowl. The tatzelwurm ate one and rolled around in glee, it tastes so good. Lee petted Taz on the head and made way to his computer to check if he had any e-mails or video calls from his friends. Apparently there were none, but an incoming video call from an unknown number was visible on the top right corner of his screen.
Out of curiosity, Lee double-clicked the number and the video chat opened to reveal to him his worst enemy; Lynch Webber.
"Lynch… What do you want" growled Lee.
Lynch grinned at batted his eyelashes at him.
"Aww, is that any way to treat your ol' pal, Lee? Can't an amigo call his best friend to ask how he's doing?" said Lynch dreamily as he cupped his head with his hands.
Lee was getting impatient, he wanted so bad to close the window, but he was refused by Lynch.
"Ah ah ah, don't be too rash now" said Lynch as he tut at Lee.
With a whistle, Taz stood on his hind legs and snarled at Lynch, Lynch immediately flinched when he saw the angry red tatzelwurm snarling at him menacingly. The sight of the frighten traitor made Lee smirk.
"I'm sure you remember Taz, big and scary tatzelwurm with rows of sharp teeth. Of course you do, Taz nearly mauled you back at the fair, remember?" said Lee as he stroked Taz's head gently.
"Haahaa, I remember... Good times… we don't really need to go there, and besides I'm just here to give you a friendly warning" Lynch explained nervously as Taz bared his sharp fangs at him. Lee raised his brow at that.
"Warn me?"
"Yea buddy, just wanna tell you to be really careful"
"You're losing my interest Lynch. You have to the count of three to explain yourself or I'll end this conversation. End of story" said Lee as he reached for the cancel call tab above the video chat. As he counted backwards, Lynch immediately gave in and explained himself.
"Alright! Alright! We'll play it your way, daddy'o. There's been something fishy going on around town and I have a sneaking suspicion your big brother may be a part of the whole shin'dig, you digging me?"
"No, I don't"
"Look, just trust me on this and be careful with the people around you, especially that brother of yours"
"Chase? Why would I believe anything you have to say. If you haven't noticed, you were the reason I was stuck with a whole year of detention and nearly had my butt annihilated by Barrage, angry blue tatzelwurms, and cleaners. Does any of that ring a bell!" sensing Lee's fury, Taz snarled at Lynch and whipped his tail angrily in the air.
"Trust me Lee, I may be crazy, but I follow orders. That prank was all Vice-Principal Victoria's idea, not mine. I'm just the mole that does all the dirty work, I know what goes on around the school and town, and I know when something's up. You don't have to trust me, but remember to check your bed for monsters once in a while. If you believe me, just contact me with this number at 8 o'clock and I'll tell you everything" said Lynch.
"What are you talking about?"
"Sorry daddy-o, but I can't tell you more right now. I'm sorta in a detention room of my own at the moment. I'll be seeing ya on the flipside!" said Lynch as he logged out from the chat. Lee tried to call him back, but the line was disconnected. What did Lynch mean by look under his bed for monsters?
Lee walked over to his bed and kneeled down, there were no monsters hidden under his bed, but there was a little blinking red light clinging to one of his bed post. He reached out for it and examined it. It was a bug! Someone planted it in his room when he wasn't around to stalk his every move! But, how? The doors and windows of the house were shut and locked when Lee and his family were out, there was no way anyone could get in, unless they had the house key.
Lee gasped, it did not make any sense! The night he went to the fair with Cam and Holger his parents went out for dinner. The only other person who had any access to the house was…
"Chase?"
"You called?"
When Lee spun around, he felt like he was a deer in headlights. There, standing by his door frame was his big brother, Chase.
With the bug clutched in his hand, Lee had no clue what to do or say at the moment. Whichever move he chooses will determine the outcome of the conversation, but that doesn't matter anymore.
Because Lee knew in the back of his mind.
He was completely screwed.
To be continued…
There you are, Chapter 7! Send a review or two and tell me what you think, my hand hurts from typing for two days, so I'm gonna go and soak it in cold water. Chapter 8 will have to wait for a bit because I have to write a draft for it first, so it may be out in April. See you guys then and take care. Bye!