Chapter 2 this be, and I can't believe how easy it was to write. Even performing the tricky task of taking the basic plotline of "Pagliacci" and making it fit with "Monsters University", some parts practically wrote themselves. Anyway, this chapter is equivalent to Nedda and Silvio's scene in the opera, so the focus is entirely on Randy's relationship with - now I can say it - Johnny Worthington. Also, as before, I've marked the part of the text which aligns with the aria from this part of the opera - "E allor perché, di', tu m'hai stregato" - with an 8 at the beginning and the end.

That's about all that needs to be said for now, so let's proceed:

Randy felt his legs liquefy beneath him the moment he was face to face with the monster who'd overheard his conversation with himself. None other than the very monster with whom he sought near-nightly refuge from the stress in his friendship with Mike. The very monster who could make his heart backflip with a single grin, or his scales spark with electricity with the slightest grazing of a paw. None other than the president of the top fraternity of the university, Roar Omega Roar.

"Johnny," Randy spoke his name, not realizing how much his voice had changed to a breathy whisper for the moment. "I - I thought you'd've already been gone by now!"

"Being the son of the Worthington clan has its perks, you know," Johnny smirked in that charming way he had. "Thanks to my trusted Roars-Royce* I leave when I choose, not when the bus chooses."

Randy laughed quietly, glancing down to his left, then back at the frat leader again.

"So, how've things been with you and that Wazowski guy?" Johnny inquired, uttering Mike's name with distasteful nonchalance. With faux concern he added, a hand over his chest, "I hope he didn't have to turn to the bottle to cope with the loss."

Randy rolled his eyes. "Mike doesn't drink - I don't think he does." He folded both sets of arms, shuffling his feet for a second and ogling the floor.

"Hey," Johnny said in a more serious tone, gently cupping the smaller monster's chin and turning his face up to meet his gaze. "He's not being difficult with you, is he?"

"Mike? No - no, we're cool and all."

"Randy."

"About the only thing that got him away from me after that exam was the bus that took him home," Randy confessed, not hiding his displeasure over it.

Johnny muttered something which sounded like calling out one or both of Mike's parents.

"Don't be like that, Johnny," Randy insisted, resuming his uninvested analysis of the floor. "He's upset about not continuing in the Scare program, and he just doesn't want to lose anything else that matters to him. You can't fault him for that."

"It's no surprise Hardscrabble kicked him out," Johnny replied with a shrug, "What's amazing is that he lasted a whole semester." His voice was neutral, as if he were stating one of the base facts of life.

Continuing with the point, Randy went on, "I try to be a good friend to him, Johnny, but it's just… different from how it was at the start of the year. You know, after that party the JOXs held on the first night, when I told Mike about what happened with my cupcakes, he was so mad. You don't want to know all the things he said he'd do if we ever found out who made that happen."* Randy laughed, the mood being a little lighter now.

"Hmm, I'd be very interested to know what that beach ball thinks he could do to anyone," Johnny replied, leaning against the wall.

"You know, he hasn't let me go to a party since that night. Not a one." Clasping his hands all behind his back, he began to pace back and forth in front of Johnny. "Most of the time, he had a good excuse. We did need to study after all."

"Randy, you're not obliged to put up with the guy's obsession over you," Johnny chided. "He has no right to keep you from going to a party if you want to go."

"You don't understand, Johnny," Randy shook his head. "He has this way of making you feel so… so guilty if you don't stay with him. And all he ever wants to do is study, reflect on what we've studied, talk about grades, or about showing that Sullivan jerk up - I - I mean -" Randy caught himself and looked warily at Johnny. Sullivan may not be with the RORs anymore, but he wasn't sure if it was alright to denounce him in front of a former brother even now. Johnny just gave a careless shrug, so Randy went on. "It's like we've entered some sort of a rut that he doesn't want to get out of, and thinks I shouldn't either. You know, sometimes you'd think we were married," he mused, scoffing at his own remark. He'd said this once before to Johnny, during one of their late-night get-togethers, when he'd happened to confide his suspicions that Mike was also gay. That time, Johnny had approved of the insinuation, and satisfactorily declared that that would make what they had an "affair".

This time, the conspiracy Johnny presented caught Randy a bit off-guard. "Then I think it's time you filed for divorce, Randy."

"What?" Randy wheeled around, wearing a face of bemusement.

"Seriously, Randy, you're letting this guy own you. You've already said he disregards your wants and tries to control you, and you tell me all the time that you're not happy."

"I do not!" Randy interrupted with indignance. "Once or twice, but that's it!"

"Maybe you don't always use words," Johnny reasoned, delivering Randy another one of those pulse-motivating smiles. He stood up from the wall and approached the lizard, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder and smiling fondly at the way the fronds atop his head went limp and relaxed in reply. Softly, he extended the invitation which made up half the reason he'd wanted to find Randy before leaving the university. "Randy, I think you should join us after the break."

Wide-eyed, Randy looked up into Johnny's eyes. Eyes which usually were chock-full of pride, arrogance and dominance, but specially for him now harboured care, compassion, and desire. His heart leaped at the prospect the frat leader was offering him. Not only would it score his dream of joining a high-ranking fraternity and gaining all the privileges which came complimentary to that, but it would bring him closer to the monster he loved, and was reciprocated by. Oh, how that "yes" burned the tip of his tongue, to shame his hesitancy! And yet, right before he'd let it depart, an image of Mike popped up in his mind. Mike in the classroom of Scaring 101, looking so vulnerable and confused after Hardscrabble shattered his dream. Then Mike's heart wrenching face as he stepped out of the School of Scaring afterwards. Then Mike during one of their more enjoyable past studying jaunts.

"Johnny, I…" he began, fussing over the best way to say this. Finding the task too overwhelming he finally rushed in with a dismissive, "I'm sorry, but I just can't!"

Johnny dropped his hand from Randy's shoulder and stepped back, unprepared for the rejection. Then, smiling once again, he made to beguile the lizard. "Come on, Randy, it's just the chance you need. You'd be away from Wazowski, and you'd have everything you want. 'Attending all the parties, going places, meeting people, getting respect!' And of course, you know what the best incentive the RΩRs can offer you is!" Johnny grinned, making a grand show of adjusting the collar to his windbreaker.

Randy had to cover his eyes so he would not melt over that seductive charm. "No Johnny, please stop tempting me! I can't just tell Mike I'll be here for him when the next semester starts, and then go back on my word by joining the RΩRs. No offence, but you guys are kind of at odds with him -"

"None taken."

"Imagine what it'd be like for him if his best friend sided with the enemy!"

"Ah, I was hoping I wouldn't have to play this card. Are you really going to force me to list all the VIP passes you'll get just by being associated with a Worthington?"

"Please, Johnny! Don't make this any harder!" Randy cried in desperation, his body flickering in and out of view. "And for goodness sakes, quit painting me as some kind of golddigger! Do you think that's all you are to me? Do you think I'm just using you as a tool in some ambitious scheme?"

"Earlier, you stated quite clearly how much you want to be at the top of the hierarchy here," Johnny shrugged and turned away, now displaying a coolness which made Randy's stomach twist into knots. "You've got a real way with words when you're thinking out loud, by the way."

"Johnny, you know how I feel about you!" Randy pleaded.

"8 How am I supposed to know that when you've just turned me down for Wazowski?" Johnny snapped, spinning around and scowling. Any other monster would've fallen to their knees and begged for mercy under such a glare from such a monster - Randy Boggs before falling in love with Johnny Worthington would have been no different - but the monster made no secret of his anguish, in his expression. Having to see that was worse than being scared senseless, without a doubt.

Seeing his lover's head lower in remorse, Johnny went soft again. Damn the bewitching little guy, he couldn't control himself around him. He observed as Randy turned meekly away and leant against the wall, face resting in his upper arms, and faded from sight.

Sighing, he came over, just behind the lizard. "Why do you do this to me, Randy? Why make me feel stronger than I've ever felt for any other monster, and then just dismiss me for a little green eyeball you're not even happy with anymore? Do you know what happens to me when I just look at you? How many times I've nearly embarrassed myself in public just by thinking about you? The way you fit in my arms, the way the moonlight shines on your scales at night, the way you whisper my name? Do you know how hard it is, knowing that your dorm is so far away from my frat? That I can't just go the length of a bed, or even the length of a hall to be near you? Let me tell you, my family psychiatrist is in for a field day pretty soon!"

There was a heavy silence, then finally Randy spoke, somewhat amused. "Now who's got a way with words?" he asked, still invisible. Then he reappeared and faced Johnny.

"Look Johnny, I know all those feelings - they've hit me with a vengeance too. I want to go with you so badly, honest. And it's got nothing to do with my personal goals either. I just… I just want to give Mike a little time to get used to things, that's all. He really has been a good friend, for the most part. It's the least I can do for him. Maybe our sophomore year," he offered, meeting Johnny's eyes with his own. "Please, Johnny."

Johnny frowned, then sighed. "Well, I am going to take postgraduate studies, anyway," he reasoned, disappointment still rendering his tone bittersweet. Then a new gleam entered his eyes as he delivered a new proposition. "The Scare Games!"

"Huh?" Randy, lost in the ache in his heart, almost did not hear him.

"Join me and the guys for the Scare Games. We'll need a sixth member to qualify, and it still gives you time to prepare Wazowski for the blow, if that's so important."

"Johnny -"

"What was that thing you said, 'the change in the winds', something?"

"Winds of change," Randy absentmindedly corrected, then continued, "Johnny I -"

"It's a fine time to go sailing, if you know what I mean," Johnny remarked playfully, though with a serious undertone. "You don't wanna let your boat leave without you," he winked.

Randy gave him a dry look in reply, but thought about what he said. The Scare Games. That should be enough time to let things flow normally for a little while, before following after Johnny.*

Johnny knew Randy's decision the moment he'd made it. "The Scare Games?" he asked again, just to hear it said.

"The Scare Games," Randy agreed, braver about the idea now. "I love you, Johnny," he added.

"Why, so do I, 8" Johnny joked. Randy pretended to sock his arm, to which the larger monster laughed.

All of a sudden, they both could not wait to leave that stretch of hallway. Neither could name it, but there was a distinct feeling of completeness in the air, as if whatever business had to be attended to in that very location was now finished and finished well. As a result, there was no further need to remain there. Never mind that Randy had that bus to catch. Therefore, the pair began their way down the hall in the direction Randy had originally headed before they'd met up, Johnny with his arm around the smaller monster, Randy leaning into the larger monster's side.

When they finally reached the front entrance, Randy realized that in their eventual agreement, something of unquestionable importance had been overlooked. "Johnny, even after I join the RΩRs, Mike can't know about us!"

"Come on," Johnny laughed, "what's he gonna do, run a knife through me?"

"Or me," Randy contended. Getting a look from Johnny, he attempted to explain, "Look, I'm not being cowardly, Johnny. I'm serious. You wouldn't believe all the threats he makes when he thinks something's threatened our friendship."

"You're right," Johnny casually replied. "I don't believe it." Before Randy could argue, he shushed him with a finger to his lips, assuring all the while, "And even if he were capable of doing such a thing, do you really think I couldn't stop him from harming you?"

One look in Johnny's eyes and Randy was flooded with a feeling of safety. Indeed, when he thought about it with this new feeling, it did seem awfully silly. Mike Wazowski, able to take the plunge from jealousy into murderous rage? Come on... right?* "Still, I'd rather he didn't know. Just in case?"

Johnny shook his head in mild exasperation, but now it was Randy's eyes' turn to weave their spell. "Aw, how can I refuse those beautiful emeralds?" he finally submitted. Randy looked deeply relieved to hear that. "You know," Johnny commented, kneeling down and leaning in for a better look, "I daresay there's actually an elusive blue in there!"

Beaming with a sudden happiness, Randy requested of his lover, "Kiss me."

"Thought you'd never ask!" And with that they melded against each other, lips locked by a biological magnetism which in itself enticed them only further. Whenever they did this Randy almost swore he transformed from a reptilian of flesh and bone into a gelatin monster. "So what do they turn into when they feel like this?"

A sudden squeaking-snap sound, followed by the chug of an engine made him jerk away and glance out front, seeing the bus drive off. "Oh great," he muttered. "That was my ride."

"Hmm, this could hardly have turned out better," Johnny said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

"What are you talking about? I've gotta get home!" Randy snapped.

"I mean, now I know for certain you won't refuse me."

Puzzled now, Randy replied, "I already said yes to the -"

"I'm talking about this," Johnny said, procuring his car keys. Randy blinked, not having expected that. Johnny grinned. "How about it? It's right along the way back to my folks, anyway."

"I thought you live on the other side of Monstropolis from my neighbourhood!"

Johnny shrugged. "So I like to joyride. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Randy replied with another kiss, which Johnny was more than happy to share. Pulling apart again, Johnny retrieved Randy's belongings by the door, and the pair left the building and made their way to Johnny's car, feeling that for now at least their problems were resolved.

AN: Seeing as Johnny is our answer to Silvio, here, he has to genuinely care about Randy, but I hope I've kept this side of him realistic, when combined with Johnny as we know him from the film. He was actually a lot easier to write than I thought he was going to be. Anyway, since this chapter's reached its conclusion, I shall detail what is behind those asterisks, once again:

1. For all I know, that might be a canonical name for a luxury car in the monster world, but that was my attempt at guessing what their equivalent to a Rolls-Royce, assuming they have one, would be called.

2. That just seemed funny to me, the concept of Mike wanting to avenge Randy after that cupcake fiasco, without either of them realizing he's the culprit himself!

3. Granted I don't know for sure, but considering how different the climate looks between the "Scream Can Design Class scene" and the "Signups scene", it just looks like a bit of a time lapse has occurred between the two.

4. Ah, 'tis not an idea to be so readily dismissed. Mike is in Canio's role, after all…