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 8: Dirty Little Secrets
Previously on the Serpent and the Tazelwurm;
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.
Lee's Room
Think about the worst situation you could be in right now.
Being late for class,
A bully cornering you in mess hall,
Your crush ripping that love letter you've been working hard for in front of you,
Now think of that situation, times by 10.
That's how it feels for our main man; Lee Ping at the moment.
Where we last left off, Lee stood in his room like a deer in headlights while his brother casually leaned over his door-frame at the mention of his name. Lee could hear his heart thumping loud in his ear, as if it was a drum.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His pulse was racing, his heart feeling as if it could burst out from his rib cage at any moment. Alright, so that was a bit excessive. However, no one can deny that he was feeling a bit trapped in the moment. There by the door, stood his brother, Chase. A man of many mysteries. And one of those mysteries was in the palm of his hand, a bug.
Could the bug be used to track Lee's every move? Did Chase really plant it under his bed? Questions after questions bubbled in his mind as the evidence was trapped within his grasp. Lee tightens his grasp on the bug, hoping that his brother does not see it, however, his action did not go unnoticed Chase had the eyes of a hawk. A very handsome and creepy hawk, mind you. The moment he saw Lee's hand gripping into a tight hold over something in the palm of his hand, he began to question him.
"What do you have there, Lil' bro?" Chase asked as he quirked an eyebrow at Lee.
Lee mentally cursed himself, what was he supposed to answer? Oh, nothing. Just a tracker I found under my bed. You don't by any chance know anything about this, do you? He had to get rid of the bug, or at least hide it from Chase's view until he examines it further. He remembered his gift for Taz, a bag of sakura treats. Lee looked over his shoulder where Taz rested on his bed, and gave him an apologetic look.
"I'm so sorry, Taz" thought Lee as he held his fist up.
Lee looked at Chase and told him it was a sakura treat he brought for Taz. Chase looked at Lee suspiciously as if not believing a word his brother said. As if on cue, Taz leapt off the bed and wagged his tail in the air while his body was positioned in a begging stance. Was Taz trying to help Lee? Lee pets Taz on the head before he offered the 'treat' to Taz's mouth. Lee made sure he cupped his hand so that Chase wouldn't see the bug, but would assume it was a treat.
Taz immediately gobbled the bug in his mouth, and scurried off downstairs. Lee gave a relief sigh and told Chase that it was just a treat, nothing out of the ordinary.
Chase made his way towards Lee and asked him why he called his name.
"Oh, that? I called to ask you if you wanted another treat. So, do you want some?" Lee asked, as he held the bag of sakura treats out for Chase.
Chase smiled softly and accepted a few treats from Lee, before he kissed him on the forehead and thanked him. Once Chase had left his room, Lee counted to five before he walked over to his door and examined the hallway.
Yup, he's gone.
Lee proceeded to close his bedroom door firmly, once he was alone, he reexamined the caller ID Lynch used to contact him. Aside from the lame name "NutsboutYou", Lee noticed that he could not recall Lynch. Apparently, he has to follow what the nutjob says and call him at 8.
Perfect.
Just freaking perfect.
There has got to be something about that bug Lynch wasn't telling him. And what did he mean there was something going down in town? Whatever, no more games Lynch. I'm gonna find you and when I do, you're gonna start answering some of my questions.
Because darn it! I am sick of playing your twisted games! Wasn't a year in high school enough, you sicko?!
3:05pm: Martinez Residence – Cam's Room
Bored.
Bored.
Bored.
So, bored~.
There was nothing good to watch on TV, Cam has already finished watching a marathon of "The Love and the Loveless" Seasons 1 to 4, and he's written a paragraph of his autobiography; "Heart of a Lion, and Legs of a Chihuahua". It was official, he has done absolutely everything on his mental list.
Well, all except cleaning his room. He'll do that another day.
"Urgh, so bored!" said Cam as he slammed his pillow to his face in boredom.
Just then, his phone began vibrating and was playing a familiar tune which he customized to easily identify his callers' ID. It was Lee! Cam hurriedly ran for his phone, nearly tripping along the way and snatched it from the table and answered it,
"Lee! Finally, it's been forever bro! What's the 411 homeboy?" Cam asked excitedly, he missed Lee so much and hearing his best friend's voice again made him gleeful.
"Whoa! Miss me much?" Lee chuckled.
Cam laughed and told him he wouldn't miss him, if he hadn't gone MIA for nearly two days. Lee laughed at that and apologized to Cam, he asked him what it was he wanted to discuss with him about Holger. Cam bit the bottom of his lip, then he explained everything to Lee. Greta. Steve's baby. Including their trip to the hospital.
"Oh God! How did I not know?! Is Holg okay?" Lee asked as his voice was laced with concern.
"No, amigo. He's been sulking in his room all day, and he's really looking blue since that day at the hospital" Cam said sadly. He will never forget the look of devastation and anguish in the eyes of his foreign friend. It was simply too sad.
"God, I feel awful. First, his cheese and now his lady? Holger really needs a break from all this drama" said Lee as he made his way to his desk.
"What do you have in mind?" Cam asked.
Lee looked over his desk to search for anything he could think of that may cheer Holger up. Hmm, cake store flier, exotic exhibition in the park, poetry slam at Coco Café. Lee had a brilliant idea! Why not surprise Holger with a little get together of just the three of them? Lee and Cam could bake him a cake, and surprise Holger with a trip to the gym. Holger loves the gym!
"Yo, got an idea? I could smell your brain frying something up" Cam joked.
Lee rolled his eyes and told him of his plan.
"Dude! That's a great idea!"
"I know, right? Alright, I'll be by your place in 20 minutes. Oh yeah, do you have any idea what flavor of cake Holger likes?" Lee asked as he made his way downstairs with a pencil and paper and into the kitchen.
Come to think of it, Cam had no clue what Holger likes. Does he like chocolate? Strawberry? Gooseberry? Hmm, he'll have to think about it for a bit. He told Lee he'll get back to him on that and ended his call.
Maybe Ma could help me with picking a flavor of Holger's cake?
Cam made his way downstairs and called out for his mother.
"Ma, do you know what flavor cake Holger likes? Ma, you there?" Cam called. He examined the living room, his lounge room; which is the basement, and the kitchen. But, there was no sign of her. Perhaps she went out to pick up Angelina from her playdate at Suzie's place. Cam was about to return to his room when a stack of white envelopes were left unattended on the floor to his front door.
Oh, the mail just came!
Cam walked over to the pile of mail on the floor and checked if there were any mail for him.
Water bill,
Promotion for a new vacuum,
Women's Weekly Magazine for Mom's,
Postcard from Uncle Roscoe,
And a letter for mom?
Cam examined the letter further and found that it was from a man named Richardson. Was he a friend of mom? He's pretty sure he has never heard that name before. Suddenly, the front door opened to reveal his mother with Angelina in hand. Angelina scurried over to Cam, demanding that he play with her. Cam smiled at her and told her he'll be with her in a minute and headed towards their mother.
"Hello son. Is there anything in the mail?"
"Nah, just some promotions, bills and your subscription to 'Women's Weekly'. Oh yeah, here's a letter for you from a dude named Richardson. He a friend of yours, ma?" Cam asked as he handed the envelope to his mother.
Mrs. Martinez looked at the letter and told him he was just an old friend she hadn't heard from for years.
"Never mind about him, hijo. Was there something you needed?" Mrs. Martinez made her way to the kitchen and opened the fridge to retrieve a jug of lemonade and a plastic wrapped meatloaf from the top counter.
"Ah, yeah. Do you know what flavor cake Lee and I should make for Holger's get-well cake?" Cam asked as he sat by the kitchen counter.
"Doesn't Holger like fish? Why not make him fishcakes?" suggested Mrs. Martinez as she plopped the meatloaf in the microwave.
"Really ma? Fishcakes?"
"Well, you could always go for chocolate cake"
"…Chocolate isn't a really bad idea. Maybe we could make him both?"
"It's up to you, hijo. Just make sure you do not burn-down my kitchen again, I just had the counter fixed" said Mrs. Martinez as she gave him a smooch on the forehead.
"Ma… I was 10, how was I supposed to know you can't put wrapping foil in the microwave?" said Cam as he pouted.
3:15pm: Holgaart Residence – Living Room
Since his little run-in with Steve, Holger has been feeling all blue the whole day. He had two servings of chocolate ice cream, took a long bubble bath with lavender-scented candles, but nothing seems to be working. There was a gray cloud looming over him, and he needed a ray of sunshine to make it go away.
Thankfully, his wish was granted when an incoming call from Lee appeared on his phone's screen.
"Hey, Holg! Long time no see" said Lee as he did his best to cheer Holger up.
"Lee! Holger be missing you very much! Why you no call Holger? Holger worried Lee gone and get in trouble" said Holger as his voice was laced with concern over his missing Asian friend.
"Sorry Holg, I had to help Chase at the Hydra the whole day, and I'm still bruised from our fight with Lynch" said Lee as he rubbed the swollen part on the small of his back where the box crate left on him.
"Holger understands, when can we be hanging out, again?" Holger asked.
"Actually Holg, could you possibly swing by Cam's place first? Cam needs help with something and he said to come over"
"Ok, Holger will come as soon as Lee gets there. What time we be meeting at Cam's place?" Holger asked.
"Could you come around 5:30pm, Holg?"
"Oh sure, Holger with the speed of Leif Veraakseen, will come to aid friends! This Holger swearsies!"
"Haha, alright Holg. We'll be seeing you there, take care" said Lee as he ended his call.
Yes! Holger's friends be needing his help! This gives Holger the opportunity he needs to get rid of his depression over Steve and Greta. By the power of Captain Strudlellegs, this Holger swearsies!
3:30pm: Martinez Residence – Front Door
As promised, Lee made it to Cam's house before Holger could, so that he and Cam could get a head's start in preparing Holger's surprise get-well cake. Lee approached the front door and gave it a good hard knock, three times. After a minute or two, Mrs. Martinez opened the front door and welcomed Lee in.
"Ah, Lee! Welcome, please come in. Camillio Esmereldo Martinez, you come down here right now and entertain your little friend!" Mrs. Martinez called Cam from the stairway.
"Ma! I'm coming, I'm coming!" cried Cam as he ran down the flight of stairs.
"What did I say about running down the stairs, young man? (Sigh), I'll be out for a few minutes, so please don't make a mess of my kitchen"
"Don't worry ma, me and Lee here are gonna be perfect little angels, right Lee?"
"Totally, at least I'll be" said Lee as he and Mrs. Martinez laughed over the look of Cam's pouty facial expression.
"Alright you two, take care now" said Mrs. Martinez as she walked out the door and into her driveway, where her car is parked.
"So Cam, any ideas for the cake?" Lee asked as they walked into the kitchen.
"Check it home-slice, since Holger is a big fan of fish, why not make him fishcakes, yo? And for dessert, a chocolate molten lava cake. How does that sound?"
"Delicious and perfect for Holg. Wanna list down all the ingredients we should get?" Lee asked as he rummaged through his bag to find a piece of paper and pen.
Cam shook his head and told him it won't be necessary.
"No worries, yo. I checked the recipe, so far we have everything, except salmon and salt" said Cam.
"Cool, we'll just run to Mr. O'Neil's store and grab them. By the way, how's Brandy's party?" Lee asked as they made their way out the door.
"Dude! It was freaking awesome! The band was alive, yo! The chikas were there and…"
Cam looked left and right to make sure no one hears him when he continues. He immediately pulled Lee closer to him and whispered in his right ear.
"Brandy and I kissed!" Lee pulled away from his friend in shock, but gave him a good pat on the back and congratulated him with glee.
"Cam! That's amazing! How was it?"
"Dude, it felt like fireworks and sunshine, with a hint of spit" Cam explained as they reached the bus stop. Cam examined Lee's foot and asked him how's his 'sprain' was. Lee took a moment to understand what Cam meant by that, and it clicked him. He told Cam it was nothing, and that he should just go easy when it comes to running.
"Oh that's cool, yo. Wouldn't want you to get all bruised and stuff. Speaking of old bruises, how's your bruise from that they we fought Lynch? Does it still hurt?" Cam asked as he and Lee walked up to the bus and made their way to their seats.
"Oh that? It's fine. But, get this, Lynch called me last night" Lee whispered.
"What! Like on the phone?!"
"No, online. He said something about not trusting Chase and guess what I found in my room"
"What?"
Lee retrieved the small bug from his bag which was sealed in a vacuum packaging. It was the size of a bouncy ball with a red glass center. Lee handed the package over to Cam, who examined the bug further.
"Dude! Could it be-?"
"I don't know, but whatever is going on I want answers. Like why did someone put a bug in my room, and who stole Holg's cheese"
"Oh yeah! Nearly forgot about the cheese. Any leads?" Cam asked as he tried to open the packaging.
"So far, none. But, Lynch knows something and I intend to find out what it is. I mean, what's his game?"
"I dunno bro, but whatever it is, it smells trouble"
"Exactly, looks like we'll have to chalk that up on our "Mysteries to be Solved" board" Lee said as he turned to his friend, who was struggling to open the packaging.
"Cam no!"
Once Cam managed to open the packaging, a foul scent entered his nostrils and flared his nasal senses. The smell was positively repulsive! Cam immediately closed the packaging and forced his head to the side to breathe in some fresh air. Once he has enough, he turned to Lee and demanded to know why the content of the bag smells like expired milk.
"Dulce madre de la gracia! Why does it stink?!" Cam demanded to know.
Lee rubbed the back of his neck and told him that Taz got a hold of the bug in his mouth and made way with it.
"Ew, tazelwurm slobber, yuck! Dude, really? You had to fish it out from the belly of the beast? Well, that must be a drag trying to get it out of its mouth, huh?"
Lee turned away from Cam when he said that. Cam quirked an eyebrow at Lee's avoidance in answering his question and leaned closer to him.
"It did come out of its mouth, right?"
"… You could say that"
"Lee, where did you get the bug?!"
"… More like the other end, Cam"
Never before in Lee's life has he heard his Cuban friend, cursed such vulgarity and demanded him to never show him the bug ever again until it has been rinsed in soap water for a week.
Oh Cam, when will you ever learn to not open other's package without their consent?
4:10pm: O'Neil's Grocers – Fish Aisle
"Alright Cam, all we need left is the salmon and we're home free" said Lee as he wheeled the cart over to the fish aisle.
"No problem, dude. I've got this, should we get it whole or buy it in packs?" Cam asked.
"I dunno, what did the recipe say?"
"It says to use freshly sliced salmon meat, so should we get the whole fish or just the package with the meat only?"
"Better the package, saves us the time" Lee said as he pulled the cart over to the cash register. Cam told him he'll be right back with the package, and made his way to the other end of the aisle. As he was off searching for a freshly packed salmon, Lee couldn't help but think over what Lynch had said to him online.
"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?"
"Be careful with the people around you, especially that brother of yours"
"You don't have to trust me, but remember to check your bed for monsters once in a while"
Why would Lynch tell him that?
Was Chase really responsible for planting the bug in his room?
But why?
Why would Chase do that?
Lee's thoughts of Lynch and his brother were cut short when Cam came over to the cart and handed him two packages of salmon meat. Seeing his friend deep in thought, Cam asked him what he was thinking about.
"Penny for your thoughts, hombre?"
Lee smiled at his friend and shook his head.
"It's a little complicated, Cam"
"Try me"
"Lynch says Chase is planning something behind my back, but how could I trust him? Lynch, or Radcircles, was the one responsible for framing me for the biggest prank in school"
"True, plus the nutcase is a few screws short of being sane. He's practically loco in the coco if you get me"
Lee and Cam laughed at the thought of that.
"Besides, does peanut-head have any evidence to back that up?" Cam asked.
Lee contemplated about it for a minute, apart from the bug he found under his bed, there were no indications that Chase could be the one who planted the bug under his bed. Let alone spy on him. So, who could have done it?
"Come to think of it, apart from the bug, no"
Cam nodded his head, as he and Lee made their way out the door and to the bus stop. Cam suggested that Lee confront his brother and clear the air. On the contrary, Lee wasn't sure he's ready to approach his brother about the bug, or whether he's planning anything behind his back. He wanted answers that for sure, but how will he do so without ruining his relationship with his brother? His brother may be egotistical, sadistic, and perverted. However, he cares deeply for Lee, and Lee for him.
God, why must he be so complicated?
"If you want some help on that bug, you could ask one of the tech-wiz from our school. Hey, why not ask Grayson? He's great with track-tech" Cam suggested.
"Yeah, you're right! God, nearly forgot we've got a genius on our deck. Hope he could help me with this bug though, the sooner I figure what it does and where it came from, the closer I am in getting my answers"
"Or you could ask Irwin"
"No"
Well, it wouldn't hurt to suggest…
4:30pm: Martinez Residence – Kitchen
Cam and Lee were currently setting up the workplace to prepare Holger's fishcakes, there were freshly peeled potatoes, some healthy yellow lemons, choice of condiments, and flour. Cam was in charge of preparing the meat, while Lee prepared the lemon juice for the batch. All seemed to be going smoothly until a third party showed up and asked what they were doing.
"What are you guys doing?" Angelina asked as she plopped herself on the kitchen counter's chair.
"We're making fishcakes for Holger, wanna help?" Lee asked as he handed her half a lemon. Angelina was delighted to help, but Cam thought otherwise.
"Lee, no! She can't help! She's clumsy in the kitchen, and it's dangerous for Angelina to be here" Angelina puffed her cheeks and pouted, she wasn't clumsy! It was the knife's fault for being slippery! Lee chuckled and calmed his antsy friend, he wouldn't let Angelina near sharp cooking tools, of course. That's why she will be helping him squeeze the lemon juice out of the lemons, instead.
"Yeah, Cam! I'm a great juicer, look!" said Angelina as she forced her grip on the lemon and squeezed the juice out of the fruit. The force was strong enough to squeeze the juice out, however, some managed to fly out of the fruit and into someone's eye.
Specifically, Cam's.
Cam howled in pain and clutched his eye, Lee and Angelina laughed for a bit before rushing Cam over to the sink and washing his eye thoroughly. Once all traces of lemon juice were washed off his eye, Cam gave both Lee and Angelina a deathly glare with one puffy red eye.
Lee snickered and told Angelina to come back to the kitchen later, she'll be a good help in decorating Holger's surprise chocolate molten lava cake instead. Angelina perked up from her seat and gave Lee a big hug, before rushing out of the kitchen and into the living room to watch her favorite shows. Lee turned to Cam and patted him on the shoulder.
"C'mon Cam, it was an accident, lighten up"
Cam glared daggers at Lee.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you the one who had his eye seared with lemon juice by his only sibling?" seethed Cam. Lee rolled his eyes and told him they should get back to work. Remember, no drama during Holger's surprise party.
After 40 minutes have passed, both Holger's fishcakes and chocolate molten lava cake were done, all was left was to decorate the chocolate cake and what better way to decorate such a beauty than to let a preschooler do the honors? Angelina had fun decorating the chocolate cake with icing and sprinkles, especially with Cam and Lee. The fun didn't end there, they had a sprinkle fight! Lee and Angelina against Cam and the icing bag. It was the fight of the century. The trio were now completely caked in icing and sprinkles.
"We should probably call him"
"Yeah, you're right. Yo, Angelina, toss me my phone!" said Cam. Angelina went over to his bag and tossed the phone to him.
Cam dialed Holger's number and waited for three consecutive seconds before a familiar voice spoke on the other end of the receiver.
"Hello friend Cam! This is Holger from school! You bee needing me at your house, ja?"
"Yeah Holg, just swing by my crib. Lee and I are here waiting for you" Cam said over the line.
"Okay! Holger be seeing you soonsies, bye-bye" said Holger as he closed his phone.
Alright, the plan was in motion. The trio immediately made their way to the pantry where the cleaning supplies were and cleared the mess they made. All was left was to surprise their Norwegian best friend and scarf down some delicious looking cakes!
5:10pm: Martinez Residence – Front Porch
Oh gosh he was late!
Well, better late than never, I guess.
Holger ran up to the door and gave it a few knocks. When no one answered, he began to call his friends' names.
"Lee? Cam? Little Cam?"
No one answered.
Did they not hear him?
Holger turned the knob of the front door and realized it was unlocked. So there was someone home then. As he made his way into the house, he continued to call for his friends. He heard a rattle coming from the kitchen and asked if there was someone there.
"Cam? Lee? You be in kitchen?"
Lee was the first to answer him.
"Yeah Holg! Come in, we're all here"
Holger hoped his friends were alright, why did they not answer him when he called? Were they listening to music? Holger thought all the possible reasons behind the silence and why his friends needed him to be at Cam's home.
Painting the room,
Moving stuff,
Cleaning the house,
He thought it all. All except for his friends gathering around the kitchen counter with two beautifully decorated cakes in front of them while they beamed at his presence. They cheered and cried 'Surprise' at Holger and proceeded to hug him. There was so much feelings going on in him right now.
Joy,
Love,
Surprise,
There were so many, but if he had to choose. He would choose love right now. His friends were worried about him, and they wanted to cheer him up. Tears of happiness streaked his cheeks as he hugged his best friends tightly. His friends.
His wonderful, amazing, and loving friends.
How could he live without them?
He and his friends celebrated his get well party and they crashed on Cam's couch in his lounge room. With their bellies filled with cake and grins plastered on their faces, they proceeded to watch one of Holger's favorite movies; "Power-tastic Unicorn 2: Ultra Rainbow Rescue" which was Angelina's favorite too.
With Holger in the middle, Lee to his right and Cam and Angelina on his left. Today was a fantastic day for Holger. A fantastic day to spend with his favorite people.
And perhaps…
A day to move on…
To be continued...
Finally the real Chapter 8 is up! Wow! That was the longest writer's block I've ever had. Thank you for all your support, and Chapter 9 will be up shortly after. Kudos to the people who understood my references, and a bonus to those who could identify my easter egg (Hee hee). Just wanted a nice fluffy chapter to wash down all those drama-llamas we've been having. It's a nice pace, but there are more questions to be answered! Who is this Richardson? Will Lee get his answers? Is Chase really to blame? Will I ever stop procrastinating? A fraction of it will be answered in Chapter 9! Gimme some reviews too, please :D