Estimated Reading Time: 22 Minutes

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Boyz Chillin

Popo woke up in the middle of the night. He had a nightmare. It was about Nana and Nate having sex in his bathroom. He was tied up and forced to watch it.

He sat on his chair that was out on the balcony. He took out a joint and smoked it. Ah, yes. This is better. Everything's better when he's high. He watched the night sky and listened to music.

He was so out of it that he didn't realize he was slowly passing out on his chair. The next morning, he woke up and felt terrible. It must be because he didn't get quality sleep, but that's normal. He doesn't remember the last time he had a good night's rest.

He got up and his entire body ached. Especially his poor neck. He grunted in pain and limped toward the kitchen. He saw that the area was a mess, but he didn't have the motivation to clean it. He never did. The important part is that his living room is clean. He didn't want his guests thinking that he's dirty.

He made top ramen for himself and went to the living room to watch tv. He rolled up another joint and started smoking that shit again. Ah, that's better. Now the soreness won't hurt as much.

He continued to watch tv until he heard a notification sound from his phone. He checked and saw that it was Toon Link. He smiled and texted him back.

[- Toon Link

DM

Toon: Hey m8 wana go explorin

Popo: shiiiiiit hell yeaah dude!

Toon: where r ya thnkin

Popo: idkk dude we could go hikin on spiral mt

Toon: sure i'm down

…

Popo got dressed. He put on a simple white t-shirt with cargo pants. He didn't forget his signature blue parka.

He left his room and met up with Toon Link at Spiral Mountain. They dapped each other up and started walking up the trail.

Popo: "How're ya hangin'?"

Toon: *Huffs* "I'm tired already."

Popo: "Whaaaat we just started."

Toon: "Are you kidding me? We've been walking for half an hour now."

Popo: "We just started. Haahaaa!"

Toon: "You're killin' me."

Popo: "Ok, ok we can take a break."

The two found a giant rock to sit on. Toon Link took out a gourd and started chugging it. Meanwhile Popo smoked a joint.

Toon: "Really? You're smoking while we're hiking?"

Popo: *Coughs* "Hell yeah dude!"

Toon: "Isn't that dangerous?"

Popo: "Nah, I do this shit all the time."

Toon: "But your lungs…"

Popo: "It's allll goood I got strong lungs."

Toon: "I think you should drink water. Here."

Toon Link handed the ice climber his gourd. Popo started laughing.

Popo: "Haaahaa. Nah, dude. I'm all good. I can last a while without water."

Toon: "That's not healthy."

Popo: "Don't worry. I got it all under control. I've climbed mountains worse than this and I've survived."

Toon: "You better be ok or else I'm gonna kill ya."

Popo: "Don't worryyy, Broskii."

The two continued on their hike. After an hour, they had to stop and walk back because Toon Link couldn't take it anymore.

Toon: *Huffs* "I'm sorry. *Huffs* I can't."

Popo: "All good, Broski."

Toon: "Aren't you tired?"

Popo: "Hell nah. I can do this shit all daaay." *Coughs*

Toon: "How?!"

Popo: "I'm built for it. Haaahaaa."

Toon: "You're crazy."

Popo: "The more we do this, the tougher you'll get."

Toon: "Think I'll get abs?"

Popo: "Oh one hundred percent." *Smokes a joint*

Toon: "Seriously?"

Popo: *Coughs*

Toon: "Ok, dude. I think you got a serious problem."

Popo: "Whatcha mean?"

Toon: "You smoke way too much."

Popo: "Nah, I'm good, homie."

Toon: "I dunno."

Popo: "I got strong lungs. I could smoke all day and night!"

Toon: "Popo…"

Popo: "Whooo! Let's get back to the mansion and eat some fuckin' foooood!"

Toon Link watched Popo sped off. He frowned and ran with him. When the two made it back to the mansion, they went to the food court and ordered sustenance.

Toon Link watched Popo gobble down the food like it was nothing. He knows the ice climber climbs mountains for fun. He's definitely built. Buff men need to eat a lot. However, something about the amount and the speed of Popo eating felt wrong.

Popo: "You good, Broski?"

Toon: "I'm fine."

Suddenly Popo held his stomach and cringed.

Popo: "Aww, shit. Hold up. I gotta use it. I'll be back."

Toon Link watched Popo hobble his way over to the restroom. He sat there in silence worried about his friend.

Tap tap!

Toon Link jumped and turned around. He frowned when he realized who tapped his shoulder.

Nana: "Hi, Toonie."

Toon: "Ugh, it's you. What do you want?"

Nana: "I've noticed you and Popo have been pretty close lately."

Toon: "Yeah, we've been hanging out. So what?"

Nana: "I think that's cool. It's nice to know that Popo has a good friend."

Toon: "Uh, yeah."

Nana pulled out a chair and sat close to Toon Link. He looked around nervously. If Popo sees Nana he might get angry. Last time they encountered her was when she was being a bitch.

Toon: "What're you doing here?"

Nana: "I wanted to say hello."

Toon: "Ok, hi. Can you go now?"

Nana: "Whoa, rude."

Toon: "You were rude to us last time!"

Nana: "Neither of you wanted to reason with me."

Toon: "It's because we're not friends anymore."

Nana: "Why? I didn't do anything."

Toon: "You did! I heard you cheated on Popo. That's unforgivable."

Nana: "I didn't cheat! I was the one taken advantage of."

Toon: "Ok you know what, I'm not dealing with this. Please fuck off."

Nana: *Scoffs* "Toon, c'mon. It's me."

Toon: "Go away."

Nana: "I was the victim. Nate lied to all of us ya know. Why isn't anyone mad at him?"

Toon: "I'm… A little mad."

Nana: "Did he ever apologize to you guys?"

Toon: "N-no."

Nana: "Do you even know where he is?"

Toon: "No."

Nana: "The dude ran and never bothered to apologize. He's the one that doesn't care about you guys. All those times you guys hung out meant nothing to him."

Toon: "..."

Nana: "He was using you guys for entertainment. At least I'm still here."

Toon: "I guess…"

Nana: "Popo is mad at me because he thinks that I cheated. He doesn't know the full story."

Toon: "He didn't tell me much about what happened."

Nana: "What did he say about me?"

Toon: "He said that you cheated on him with Nate in his bathroom."

Nana: "That's it?"

Toon: "Yeah."

Nana: "Well that's wrong. He heard us having sex through the bathroom door. He assumed I was cheating, but in reality, I was being raped."

Toon: "No, Nate wouldn't do that."

Nana: "Why wouldn't he? He's a cheating liar. He cheated on Lucas AND Leaf. He told everyone that he was Ness and everyone believed it. He's a master manipulator."

Toon: "I-I…"

Nana: "Now that he finally got caught, he left. No apology, no nothing."

Toon: "If he's so bad then Ness would have talked to us about him."

Nana: "Ness hasn't said a word about Nate?"

Toon: "No, not really."

Nana: "Ha! Figures. He's on his side. Ness doesn't care about his friends either. He never wanted to hang out with Popo and I. He always makes excuses because he doesn't care. All cares about is himself."

Toon: "..."

Nana: "Your silence is telling me that it's true. He's probably flaked on you guys recently, has he?"

Toon: "Yeah, but we talked it out."

Nana: "I'm sure he went to talk to you because he wanted to feel better about himself."

He thought everything between Ness and him were ok now because they talked. However, it is weird that Ness finally visited him in his room because he wanted to apologize. He hasn't gone out of his way to visit him in his room in years until that night when he yelled at him.

Her story adds up. Popo is upset with her because he thinks she cheated on him with Nate. The clone did lie to everyone about his identity and instead of talking to them about it, he left. Ness hasn't addressed the Nate situation which that alone is suspicious.

Popo: "What the fuck?"

Popo entered the scene. He took a chair and sat down. He crossed his arms and glared at Nana.

Popo: "Get the fuck outta here."

Nana: "Popo, please I-

Popo: "Don't wanna hear it."

Nana: "I'm not leaving."

Popo: "Fine, then we will."

Popo stood up and started walking away. Toon Link looked at both of them not knowing what to do.

Nana: *Sighs* "You should go comfort him. He's dealing with a lot. But remember our conversation. Be aware of Ness and Nate. They're not as good as people as you think."

With that, Nana got up and walked the opposite direction of Popo. Toon Link was left dumbfounded. What happened? Beware of Ness? No, that's not right. It makes sense with Nate, but not Ness. That guy was his first friend. Although, even though they hang out every Thursday, it still felt like they were strangers. At least from his perspective.

He got up and dragged his feet over to Popo's place. The two sat on the couch and watched tv together. Popo rolled up another joint and started smoking.

Popo: *Coughs* "Want some?"

Toon: "No thanks."

Popo: "You're quiet. Why's that? You good, bro?"

Toon: "I'm… Ok."

Popo: "Shiiiit well ok then."

Toon Link cared about Popo a lot. He hasn't had a friend to hang out with in a while. All he wanted to do was help him with whatever he's going through.

He wanted to talk to Popo about Nana. About everything. Why does he smoke so much? He noticed it got worse ever since he broke up with Nana. Could he be depressed because they're not together or was he always like this? He barely knew the guy. In fact, he barely knew the group. They were still a bunch of strangers. Especially Ness. The guy that he should be closest with, yet he's not. Also now he's down to hang out after all these years? Why? Who is Ness?

Knock! Knock!

Popo happily got up and opened the door.

Ness: "Hey, we're here."

Lucas: "Hi."

Popo: "Broskiiis! Come in~"

Popo stepped out of the way. As Ness was about to take a step, a blue blur ran past them as usual. It caused both boys to fall on the floor.

Sonic sat on the love seat and put his feet up on the coffee table.

Ness: "Ugh, Sonic!"

Sonic: "You're too slow~"

Ness: "Are you going to do this every time?"

Sonic: "Yup."

Ness: "Fucking why?"

Sonic: "Can't let you beat me."

Ness: "Then come in earlier? Not last second."

Sonic: "What's the fun in that?"

Ness: "So you don't fucking trip us!"

Sonic: "But this is waaaay funnier. Hahaha!"

Ness: "You're a jerk!"

Sonic: "I know~"

Ness: "You can bully me, that's fine, but why Lucas?"

Lucas: "I bring you chili dogs."

Sonic: "Sorry, Lucas, no hard feelings. I'm not out to get ya. It's just Ness."

Ness: "Why me in particular?"

Sonic: "Because it's fun to mess with ya."

Ness: "One of these days I'm going to trip you and then we'll see who's laughing."

Sonic: "I'd like to see you try~"

Ness and Lucas made their inside and sat on the couch next to Toon Link. The young swordsman scooted away and glared at Ness who didn't seem to realize.

.

The Clone

Nate woke up alone like usual. Instead of getting up right away, he laid there for a bit. He used to always wake up next to Lucas. He remembered seeing him curled up in a ball facing the other way. Nate would try to spoon him, but his ex wouldn't have it and push him off. He wasn't much of a cuddler once he fell asleep. Which is fine. It made him more adorable somehow.

He sat up and combed his bangs back. He sighed and went to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror as he was brushing his teeth. He hated seeing his reflection. He looked exactly like Ness. He was a perfect copy and it irritated him. He wished that there was at least a beauty mark out of place, but no. Everything about their physical appearance was the same.

After brushing his teeth, he took a shower. He put a towel around his neck, so that the droplets wouldn't get his shirt soaked. He went downstairs and made himself a shitty omelet. He sat down by himself and started eating.

Ness's mom was at work, and his sister Tracy was at school. He was completely alone. Whenever he was alone, his energy would drop. He would feel depressed and scared. If only Lucas were here to comfort him.

Nate imagined him and Lucas living in a small place together. He would get up first and start cooking breakfast for the both of them. Once Lucas comes down, the two would eat together. After that they would watch something on the tv while cuddling. That sounds like a dream. Too bad not all dreams can come true. That's just the reality.

Ding!

He checked his phone and saw that Electra texted him.

[- Electra

DM

Electra: Heyyy

Nate: hi! sorry rn im not in the mood to chat

Electra: Aww ok I'll ttyl then hope you feel betterr

Nate: ty sorry

…

He sat on the couch and watched tv until it was time to go to work. He went back to his room and put on his work uniform. He then left the place and went to work.

As he got there, the place was busy. Kimberly was screaming at kitchen and the customers were angry. Nate went to his register and started taking orders.

It was a frustrating day. He kept messing up. Lots of customers became frustrated with him and yelled. He doesn't do well with getting yelled at, so sometimes he would go to the bathroom and cry.

Kimberly was getting frustrated with him because he kept asking to go to the bathroom. She would give him these mean looks, which made him feel worse.

Once the rush hour died down, the atmosphere was calmer. He heard Trey in the back talking to Ben about whatever topic. Since it's slow, Nate decided to sneak in there and chat a little.

Nate: "Hey, guys."

Trey: "Wassup, bro."

Ben: "Hey, dude."

Nate: "How's it goin'?"

Ben: "It was crazy busy. Fuckin' Kimberly kept screaming at us."

Nate: "I know. I heard."

Trey: "Man, fuck that bitch."

Nate: "She was even yelling at me…"

Trey: "She a bitch to her favorites too. She used to yell at Aiden all the time and then suddenly after the rush hour died, she got all friendly again."

Ben: "She don't do well under a lot of stress."

Nate: "She's a manager…"

Trey: "All managers are like that."

Ben: "The requirements of being a manager is to be a bitch I swear."

Trey: "And no patience."

Nate: "So dumb."

Ben: "For real. Why can't Trey be a manager? He'd be cool."

Trey: "Fuck that."

Ben: "I'd rather have you in charge than that brunette bitch."

Nate: "You're no longer interested in her?"

Ben: "I mean if she wanna fuck she still gettin' this dick."

Trey: "Ben is a simple creature."

Ben: "C'mon, like you wouldn't hit?"

Trey: "Hell nah. I got a girlfriend."

Ben: "But if you didn't."

Trey: "I'd rather die."

Nate: "Damn, she's not that bad."

Trey: "Nah, dude. She's hot, but I ain't fuckin' with that. She probably gots some sort of std."

Ben: "Eww."

Nate: (What's std?)

Trey: "Yeah, still wanna fuck her?"

Ben: "Yes."

Trey: "Bro, quit your yappin'."

Ben: "I don't think she got any stds, bro."

Trey: "Wouldn't put it past her."

Ben: "You just hate her, bro."

Trey: "Damn right I do."

Nate: "C'mon she's not that bad."

Trey: "She yelled at her favorite golden boy today. She is that bad."

Nate: "I was making a lot of mistakes."

Trey: "You told her you ain't good at customer service."

Nate: "She's just dealin' with a lot."

Trey: "Nah, stop backing her up. She a bitch."

Ben: "A sexy bitch."

Trey: "Boy, if you don't shut the fuck up, I'mma slap you upside the head."

Ben: "Do it. I'll moan."

Trey: "What the hell?"

Seeing those two banter lightened Nate's mood. He missed hanging out with the bros. He wanted to have a serious word with Kimberly and beg her to go back to the kitchen, but a part of him knew she wouldn't let him anyway.

Nate: "Oh, Trey, are we hangin' out later tonight?"

Trey: "Aww, bro. I can't."

Nate: "Aww, what!"

Trey: "My girlfriend wants to go to the movies tonight."

Nate: "Aww, but what about me?"

Nate had a pouty face.

Trey: "Tomorrow. I promise."

Ben: "Can I come?"

Trey: "The fuck you mean can you come?"

Ben: "I'll be a third wheel. I don't mind."

Trey: "Bro."

Ben: "I'm kidding!"

Trey: "Why you obsessed with me?"

Ben: "You're kinda cute."

Trey: "Get the fuck outta here with that gay shit."

Ben: "So you'd be gay for Nate but not for me? I'm hurt."

Trey: "Nate's cuter."

Ben: "Aww, c'mon, I'm a good lookin' white boy."

Trey: "Nah, you ugly as hell."

Ben: "Aye, fuck you."

Trey: "Nah get away from me."

Ben puckered his lips and tried to kiss Trey. However, Trey placed his hand on Ben's chest and pushed him away.

Nate: "Can I kiss ya?"

Trey: "Hell yeah."

Ben: "What!"

Nate smirked at Ben. He walked over to Trey and kissed his cheek.

Ben: "That's not fair."

Trey: "Nate and I are datin'."

Nate: "Hell yeah we are."

Ben: "Oi! I've known Trey first."

Nate: "First the worst."

Ben: "Fuck you both."

The boys shared a laugh.

Nate: "Anyway, it was nice seeing you guys. I gotta get back up there unless I wanna hear Kimberly's wrath."

Trey: "That damn bitch."

Ben: "Bro, come back here. We miss ya."

Nate: "I'll try asking again."

Trey and Ben blew him a kiss. Nate walked back to the front. The rest of the shift was uneventful and boring. Once he got back home, Ness's mom made dinner. He ate with the family. They all had a decent conversation and he was finally starting to get comfortable with them.

Once dinner was over, he texted Ness to play league.

[- Ness

Discord

Nate: wanna play loog?

Ness: Sorry, I'm hanging out with a group.

Nate: u have friends?

Ness: Ha ha very funny.

Nate: lol mkay imma head to bed then

Ness: Sorry...

Nate: all good bro

Nate: u better play wit me tmrrw though

Ness: I will!

...

He hopped onto bed. He closed his eyes and that's when his toxic thoughts started to seep in. He thought about Lucas and felt sad. All those terrible things he's done in the past plagued his memories. This was his every night. The guilt, the fear, and the shame.

Ding!

Huh? Is that Ness? He checked his phone and saw that Kimberly texted him. Wait HIS BOSS TEXTED HIM! He honestly didn't expect her to text him at all.

[- Kimberly

DM

Kimberly: Hey sorry about earlier

Nate: its all good i get it

Kimberly: I feel bad for yelling at you

Nate: its fine everyone was stressed it wasnt just u

Kimberly: I don't want you to think I'm a mean boss

Nate: i dont think dat

Kimberly: Thank you. I just have a hard time controlling my emotions when things get tough

Nate: i understand. i also got emotional

Kimberly: You did? I'm sorry if I made things difficult for you

Nate: aww kimberly u dont gotta keep apologizn i forgive u

Kimberly: You're such a good boy. So understanding

Nate: thx i try lol

Kimberly: I don't feel good today

Nate: honestly neither do i

Kimberly: Do you also feel lonely?

Nate: yeah

Kimberly: You don't work tomorrow right?

Nate: no

Kimberly: Do you want to come over? I want someone to talk to

Nate: rn?

Kimberly: Yes if you don't mind

…