King had a lot of problems with Silver. He couldn't really bring it out to them, since…they were dead, but their impact on Purple was what really made him want to hunt them down in the afterlife and make them pay for what they did to Purple.

Since the battle at Rocket Corp, Purple had been…distant, was a good way for him to put it. He didn't know how to put it, but he'd just been…avoiding him. A lot.

King didn't know what to think of it. He'd had numerous theories about it, but he didn't know which one to actually go with and believe:

A, the entire adoption thing was getting to him. King knew of Purple's very intense and present fear of abandonment, so the thing with King officially adopting him was probably clashing with his personal issues, and he wasn't taking the battle well.

B, King knew of his mother's death. Perhaps the anniversary of Purple's mom's death was coming and it was a sensitive time for Purple.

C, Silver's death had screwed him over. They may have kidnapped and threatened him, bashed his entire family right to his face, and then tried to kill him, but the two were still family. Purple was still their cousin, and he still cared about them.

King felt terrible, even if whatever was wrong with Purple wasn't his fault. The kid was fifteen, for God's sake! He'd already gone through enough! He'd gotten himself killed because of King's own selfish actions, almost died at the hands of the fucking Chosen One, nearly gotten thrown into a pit of lava because of King's lack of judgement, gotten a concussion because King let a teenage Piglin Brute take hold of his staff, and was almost killed by his cousin because King couldn't protect him.

God knows what could happen to him if King couldn't protect him.

Purple was not taking the entire Rocket Corp battle very well.

It didn't surprise him at how badly he had taken the entire thing.

It hadn't been the fact that the fucking Dark Lord had randomly shown up, or the fact that King had adoption papers on hand and was going to sign them and take full custody of Purple(Though Purple was sure his dad didn't have any interest in reconnecting with him), it was Silver.

They just had to show up and ruin everything Purple had so worked hard to bring back up.

Purple tried as hard as he could to fight against the rough grip the guards had around his forearms. He fought against the feeling to completely shut down. The hands felt just like his father's whenever he was mad. Cold and hard and unforgiving.

God, he missed King. He might as well be held for ransom right now. Although he'd gotten himself into this mess by agreeing to help Green.

"And they're carrying you to the doom you set yourself up to end up in."

Again, he found he couldn't tell the voice to shut up. He wanted to so badly, but couldn't. On top of being at the mercy of his cousin, he didn't want anyone else thinking he was crazy.

As much as he wanted to believe that he was

"Well, well, well. My dear cousin, somehow still alive. Being entirely honest, I'm surprised you lasted this long. Figured a couple of years on the streets and you'd be toast."

"I was almost toast after two years on the streets, asshole," Purple grumbled. "After your dumb uncle abandoned the family."

"Oh, but didn't your mom die a couple years later? Oh, right, she did. Leaving a poor nine-year-old boy to fend for himself."

"Shut up. I'm doing just fine."

"Oh, please, a twelve year old was doing just fine being a servant to some egotistical maniac? I'm surprised you've survived the last three years."

"Of course you are. Nobody in your stupid family came to help, so what was I supposed to do? Move to another city? Kill myself?! What kind of person are you?!"

"Now, now, they're your family too."

"YOUR NOT MY FAMILY!" Purple screamed.

"Why? Because we abandoned you? Because we thought you were weak and worthless?! Because the entire family thought it better for you guys to just die anyway?! God, your dad was doing something right for himself! You and your whore mother were holding Navy back from being something he could be worth living for! And here you are, turning this around on my uncle like he was acting like an asshole?!"

"BECAUSE HE WAS! You weren't there, Silver! You don't know what me and my mother went through! We were abused in more ways than you can think of! I was thrown into a wall so often, every moment felt like my ribs were going to fucking break! He stormed out on us! All of us! Because he thought all of us were weak and undeserving of life! Be grateful that I'm still alive eight years later because I knew that I had a life worth living for! This is you eight years later! Defending an abuser and, if things had gone any more south, a murderer! You're defending your uncle, who walked out on all of us! How long has it been since you heard a word from the asshole?!"

Silver flinched. "Eight years..."

"Exactly! And your defending him when he walks out on you just like he walked out on me! Wow, you really are his sister's daughter."

Silver snarled. "Your whore mother-"

"Call my mother a whore one more fucking time, I will stab you." Purple snarled.

"You and your mother are just victims of manipulation. You were manipulated." Silver said simply.

It was taking all of Purple's willpower not to go through with his threat.

"The hell are you talking about?" He seethed.

"Your father manipulated you into believing that you were being abused."

Now Purple wanted to fulfill his threat. The hell were they on about?

"No the fuck he was not. You should have seen how we were afterwards. I almost broke numerous bones being thrashed around by that pitiful excuse of a father. My mother suffered the same. We were bruised beyond imaginable belief, and none of you came to help us. I'm surprised mother thought of you guys as family still, even after that. Hell, she expected one of you to take me in after she died."

Silver glared at him. "We tried.."

"Did you?! If you had tried, as you claim you did, would I be here right now, better off than I ever have been, happier than I was before the abuse started, and with friends?! Would I have a guardian who wouldn't hurt me, who swears on his life to protect me, who treats me like I'm a person who deserves to live and be happy?! Or would I be here, working alongside you as a husk for a tyrannical maniac who wants an innocent man?"

"Now, Chosen is not innocent-"

"You sure? Because with how your acting, it seems like your trying to perform your family's trait of guilt tripping. Turning everything around so it's someone else's fault, and not yours." Purple asked, most of his statements laced with as much sarcasm as he had left.

"Now, listen here, you little-"

"Whoreson? Worthless, weak, pathetic brat? Are those the statements about to come out of your mouth?" Purple was already reaching for his knife. He was thankful they hadn't taken his stuff.

Also surprised at how stupid they were for not. He had just threatened to stab Silver five minutes ago, and nobody had the nerves to even comment on it.

Jesus, these guys were stupid. What did they think he had in there?

Silver spluttered. "Now, listen."

"No, I think I've heard enough. Now, King, my friends, and I are leaving. And you and your stupid little plot are going to leave me and my family alone."

"But-"

"No." The word was bit out. Purple stared at Silver with a hardened glare. "Don't even try it. You and the people you love are nowhere close to family to me. King and the others are my family, not you."

Silver slumped against the wall, defeated. "Suit yourself."

Purple opened the door, calmly stepping out. That was the lightest he'd felt in years.

He had stood up to the embodiment of the worst figure in his life, and it was the best feeling of his life.

It all came crashing down from there.

Something was stabbing into his arm as he left, and before he had a chance to even question what the hell was going on, he blacked out, collapsing to the floor.

Only then did Silver grab the satchel slung around his shoulder. "I'm sorry it had to be this way, Purple," They cooed. "I truly wish we could've been a team."

"Because, boy, would we have made a good one. Take him to a holding cell. I'm sure Victim will want to speak to him. Personally."

"Yes, Agent Silver."

Purple didn't want to think of that fateful argument between him and Silver. It was not his favorite thing to think about, and he wanted to forget it.

Unfortunately, he had to. It had been so recent, so fresh, and he hated how much he had to think about it.

Thank God Silver was dead.

He didn't think he'd be able to see another member of his biological family for the rest of his life.

King was really starting to worry about Purple.

It was as if every day that passed, Purple seemed more and more distant. It was the adoption, he knew that(Purple had been downright ecstatic learning King wanted to adopt him), and it wasn't Orchid's death(That wasn't for another couple of months, and King had been well past prepared to work with that), so that left one other option.

Silver.

King still didn't know how to react to that. Hell, he was still confused on how Silver had even learned about what Purple had been up to, or why Silver even went after Purple in the first place.

It was one of the most annoying thoughts going through King's head.

Silver had hurt him enough. King wanted Silver to leave Purple alone, even if they were dead.

God, was King grateful that they were dead. That feeling of relief surely wouldn't leave him.

"Hey, Purple? You okay?"

King stared at him with concern, worry, and relief all mixed together.

"I...What happened?"

"Silver threw some ball at you and you've been out ever since," Green explained. "That was barely a few minutes ago, and the whole place exploded after that. We all survived, given your still in the uncloaked box, but we're all still alive."

"So your telling me I went through all of that in a span of a few minutes?"

"Yeah?"

"And the entire building exploded in that span of time?"

"Yeah?"

"Jesus Christ, what the hell did I miss?"

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Silver's dead." Green said, shrugging his shoulders like it was no big deal.

"Huh."

"Yeah, sorry."

"No, it's fine."

"We should get out of here before someone catches attention to the explosion," Second said. "It was big."

"Good idea."

He didn't know what he'd do if he had lost Purple in that entire battle.

"Hey, Purple, you okay?"

Purple was caught completely off guard by the question.

"...What?"

King had to have noticed his disorientation. No wonder he'd asked the question. "You okay?"

Purple had to admit, the question did make sense...in one way or another. Except it didn't at the same time. The jeering voice in his head had finally left, thank God, but he had just had to reunite with the cousin he had tried to get help from but was turned down like he had been, practically disown himself from his biological family, and then watch his cousin die.

It was like watching his mom die all over again, even if he didn't have to actually see Silver die.

"...Purple?"

Purple snapped back into reality. "I'm fine, King. I'm fine."

"You sure? You're a little...distant and closed off...you have been. Since the thing with-"

"Don't mention them." Purple snapped.

Get out of my head, you stupid bitch.

I fucking hate you.

"Purple, you know you can talk to me."

"I know, King. I'm fine. If I wanted to talk, I'd be having a breakdown right now."

"Purple-"

God damn it, was he already have a breakdown?

Fuck.

Purple looked back at King, slowly backing up when King took another step closer.

"Purple, please. Just talk to me. I know there's something wrong. You can talk to me, you know that."

Purple backed up again. "King, please."

Navy had thrown Purple off his mother and across the room into a wall, where he currently was, covered in blood and bruises.

"NAVY! WHAT THE HELL?! YOU COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE HIM!" Orchid suddenly screamed, gesturing to the young stick.

"Oh, relax, he's fine!"

"You could've killed him. Do you realize how fragile his bones are at thi s age?! He's only seven!"

"He's not that fragile!"

"You could've broken a rib, Navy! Do you have any care for your son whatsoever?!" Orchid screamed.

Navy slapped her so hard she fell to the ground.

"MOM!" Young Purple screamed, desperately trying to get to his feet.

"Why can't you just be happy with what you've got?! Purple doesn't need to be a fighter!"

"He needs to learn to be a fighter! Right now, he's learned that he's NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Navy screamed.

"Purple's always gonna be good enough! If only you could realize that!" Orchid snapped.

"He's not good enough! How do you think he's going to do in life without these skills! My father did this exact same thing and I believed it! If you don't know how to fight, your not good enough!"

Orchid pushed Navy to the ground.

"Well then, your father obviously was just as big a piece of shit as you are," She said angrily. "I wish you could see how proud you'd be of Purple when he's older and living his life the way he wants to be."

Navy growled.

"You know what?! I'm done! I'm leaving! You can rot here with our stupid, useless, worthless son who will never be good enough for anyone in this world!"

"Purple-"

Purple back up again. "Don't...Please, don't..."

That memory hit him full force.

King knew exactly what was going on.

It was Silver. He knew it.

And it had to be bad, since Purple seemed to be practically allergic to physical affection right now.

Seeing as he was backing away from him and having an internal mental breakdown.

And crying.

"Purple?"

Still nothing.

"Purple, honey, please."

Purple still didn't do anything.

"Purple, please, talk to me. I know there's something bothering you, and I can't help unless you talk to me."

Purple glanced up at him. "I..."

That was it before Purple finally broke.

King immediately grabbed Purple and held him.

"It's okay, I gotcha. Your okay..."

His poor kid.

"Purple, love, can you breathe?" He tried to calm the shaking child clutching onto him for dear life.

Slowly, Purple was able to get his breathing back to normal, but he was still shaking and partially crying.

"Hey, Purple? Can you hear me?"

Purple nodded, still holding onto him.

Good. That's a good sign.

Maybe he's calming down?

"Okay. Good. Are you okay?"

Dammit, what was it with him and asking that three-word sentence?!

That wasn't going to get them anywhere?!

...Was it?

"I'm tired...and my head hurts..." Came Purple's quiet voice.

Holy shit.

It did work.

King, you genius.

"Can you sleep for a little bit? That'll help you feel better?" King helped the trembling kid up to his feet, keeping a firm grip on his arms.

Purple gave him a small smile before releasing his arms and walking down the hall.

Well, that was a mental breakdown narrowly avoided.

...Sort of, brain.

It was a sort of avoidance of a mental breakdown that was so close to getting worse.

King collapsed on the couch, sighing in relief.

"Okay, how do we make this work?"

Green ran over to Purple, holding his satchel. "I believe this is yours, my friend."

Purple took it. "Thanks, Green."

He was grateful to know all of his blades, his knife, and his box-cutter were all safe and in one piece.

"Almost forgot I gave you those." King smiled.

"Almost like you forgot about your adoption papers that you had in your bag the entire time." Green smirked.

"Shut up. I'm sure he knew they were in there." Purple said, clearly not taken by surprise.

"When the hell did you know about them?" Green snapped.

"You forget I heard that entire statement King gave while I was stuck in a void." Purple said simply.

"Damn it, forgot about that."

King smiled. "Happy birthday, kid. Although it was kinda...ruined by a secret organization."

Purple returned it. "I've had worse, but this time around I have a great family I can spend it with."

Purple was grateful he'd been given another parent.

Whatever God was up there, he loved them.

Maybe it was his mom. Maybe it was just his pure luck.

Maybe it was something else, but he didn't care.

He'd been blessed with a real family that hopefully wouldn't fall apart the second something was put out of place.

And he was so grateful for that.

King didn't know what the hell he was thinking when he agreed to let Maroon take Purple to work with him.

He really didn't know, and part of him regretted the decision.

Because Maroon was supposed to be off of work and on his way back to their neighborhood with Purple in tow, and he wasn't.

What the hell was taking him so long?

"Come on, Mar..." He whispered to himself, pacing around the living room. "God forbid I lose you both."

That was his son. And his best friend.

He wasn't losing either of them.

A scream from outside. King ran to the window, trying to pinpoint the location.

It was Mar, or Purple, thank the heavens, but it was one of his neighbors, screaming and running away from God knows what.

Wait...

Was that a UFO?