Estimated Reading Time: 27 Minutes

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SNES

Ness made it back to his room, finally feeling the relief of the end of a long day. He walked to the bathroom, quickly brushing his teeth and preparing for the evening. After changing into his lounge shirt, fresh boxers, and a pair of comfortable basketball shorts—his usual idea of pajamas—he felt more at ease.

Next, he sent Lucky, his Espeon, out of his Pokéball. He poured some Pokémon food into a bowl, and Lucky, as usual, happily trotted over to his meal. "Espii!" Lucky mewed with delight, his tail flicking in contentment as he began to eat.

"Glad you like it," Ness said, a small smile tugging at his lips as he turned off the main light and switched on the softer glow of his bedside lamp.

He plopped down onto the bed, feeling the soft mattress beneath him. Lucky immediately jumped up to nestle on Ness's stomach, settling in as if it was the most natural place in the world. Ness let out a contented sigh, petted his Pokemon and took out his phone. He started scrolling through Reddit, avoiding the chaos of his Twitter feed, which was a little too much to handle at the moment. Instead, he engaged in some light-hearted interactions on the subreddits he followed, the quiet hum of his lamp and Lucky's gentle purring, the perfect background to unwind.

Ding!

For a split second, Ness's heart skipped a beat as he thought it was Lucas who had texted him. His mind immediately went to the blonde, wondering if everything was okay. But when he saw the name Leaf instead, a small pang of disappointment tugged at him. He had been so worried about Lucas. They haven't spoken all day. It was unusual for the two to be this quiet.

However, as Ness opened Leaf's message, the disappointment quickly faded. A smile slowly formed on his lips as he read the cheerful text.

[- Leaf

Leaf: Having you over was really fun!

Ness: Thanks! I had a good time too.

Leaf: I can't wait for you to come over again

Ness: Same here! I'm definitely bringing the game next time.

Leaf: Is it on steam?

Ness: Yeah. Don't worry I already own it. I'll bring my laptop over.

Leaf: Nice! Can't wait to get into it. I've never played a dating sim b4

Ness: That surprises me.

Leaf: How so?

Ness: You seem like the type who would love dating sims.

Leaf: I'm not a gamer

Ness: Fair enough.

Leaf: But you're right. It's totes my thing. I love reading romantic novels so I'm pretty sure if it's anything like the ooks I read then I'll enjouy it

Ness: The what?

Leaf: *Books

Ness: Oh, I'm positive you'll enjoy the one I'm bringing over. It's not inappropriate or anything, but it does get sappy and romantic.

Leaf: I bet you play the ones that are inappropriate huh

Ness: No comment.

Leaf: Lmao I hate you

Ness: I hate me too.

Leaf: Are all men like this

Ness: Yeaaah…

Leaf: I hate men

Ness: We hate us too.

Leaf: Lol! Well I can't wait for next time. Goodnight

Ness: Goodnight!

…

Ness couldn't help but smile wider as he finished texting Leaf. He was genuinely glad he'd decided to go over to her place that night. The way she had shown him her drawings, so personal and full of heart, made him feel closer to her in a way he hadn't expected. And her room—so cozy and uniquely hers—was a glimpse into a side of Leaf he hadn't seen before. It was a big step in their friendship, one that felt genuine and comforting.

Before closing his eyes he shot Lucas a quick text.

[-Lucas

DM

Ness: Goodnight! Will I see you tomorrow?

…

Ness waited for a bit, but he never received a response. He sadly closed his eyes, the weight of the day finally catching up to him. He lay still, listening to the quiet hum of the room, the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Lucky, once purring softly, had settled into a peaceful slumber, his small body still against Ness's. The only sound was the faint rustle of sheets as the Espeon curled into his usual spot.

Ness let his thoughts wander for a few moments longer, but soon, the pull of sleep became too strong. His breathing slowed, and the tension in his muscles melted away. With Lucky's steady presence beside him, he finally surrendered to the darkness, his mind drifting off into a peaceful sleep. It didn't take long before he was fully out, the quiet of the night surrounding him like a gentle embrace.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ness groggily woke up to the persistent buzzing of his alarm. He reached for his phone, his hand still heavy with sleep, and turned it off. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the world outside. He laid there for a while, half lost in the warmth of the sheets, staring at the ceiling. Thirty minutes passed before he finally mustered the energy to get up. The grogginess still clung to him as he went through his usual morning routine—brushing his teeth, changing into his skater look, and splashing water on his face to shake off the drowsiness.

After feeding Lucky breakfast, he glanced at his phone, hoping for a message from Lucas, but there was nothing. His frown deepened. He'd been waiting to hear from the blonde, but he didn't want to come across as too pushy. In the past, he had been too insistent, and he had learned the hard way that sometimes space was needed. Ness sighed and put the phone down.

Instead of sending another message, he decided to distract himself. He went over to his desk and powered up his computer. Logging into League, and checking his Discord, hoping that Nate would be around to play. Gaming was the perfect way to clear his mind, and he needed something to focus on. He leaned back in his chair and waited, hoping the distraction would help him stop thinking about Lucas for a while.

[- Discord

Ness: Hey, are you down to play League?

Nate: omg hiiiii

Ness: Hello.

Nate: i havent herd from u in a while!

Ness: I know, sorry. I've been busy.

Nate: das ok! and yeah im down to play. loggin on rn

…

Ness and Nate dove into their League session, the familiar excitement of the game settling over them. They played a few rounds, each one filled with quick decisions, tense moments, and the usual banter between friends. Two hours flew by as they battled through the games. They won two of them, each victory adding a burst of energy and satisfaction to the mix.

But their final match, the one that had come after their streak of wins, didn't go as planned. They fought hard, but in the end, they lost. The game was close, and they both felt the sting of defeat, especially since it had been their last match.

"Ugh, that was so close," Ness groaned, slumping back in his chair as the post-game screen loaded. "We had it, too."

[- Discord

On call

Nate: "We got too cocky in the end there."

Ness: "We weren't cocky. Our mid-laner threw."

Nate: "Truuue. Although you sure didn't help. You kept typing."

Ness: "I have to tell them what they did wrong."

Nate: "Oh you…"

Ness: "What? How else are they going to improve?"

Nate: "You're not helping them improve. You sound like an asshole every time."

Ness: "No I don't."

Nate: "Yes you do."

Ness: "Whatever. I was only trying to help."

Nate: "I know. Anyway I think that was my last one."

Ness: "Whaaat?"

Nate: "Yeah, sorry. I have to wake up early tomorrow."

Ness: "For what?"

Nate: "Work."

Ness: "Wait, you got a new job?"

Nate: "Oh right. I didn't tell you. I work at a bakery now."

Ness: "Onett's finest bakery?"

Nate: "How'd you know?"

Ness: "It's the only one in Onett."

Nate: "Oh."

Ness: "That place is pretty good. I like their cinnamon rolls."

Nate: "I know how to make it by scratch~"

Ness: "Knowing you, it's probably awful."

Nate: "Hey!"

Ness: "Hahaha! I'm kidding."

Nate: "Next time I see you, I'll make you one."

Ness: "I'm scared."

Nate: "You're scared to admit that it's delicious and I'm better than you at something."

Ness: "Ha! As if."

Nate: "I'm gonna make sure it's the best cinnamon roll you've ever had."

Ness: "Good luck with that. I'm a critic."

Nate: "Don't worry. I'll show you my badass baking skills."

Ness: "Yeah, yeah."

Nate: "Anyway, see ya~ I love youuu."

Ness: "Y-yeah, me too. Goodnight."

You're alone in this call.

…

Ness smiled, despite the loss. Playing with Nate was always fun, even when things didn't go perfectly. The game had distracted him for a while, but now, with the session over, his thoughts were back on Lucas. He sighed softly, wondering if he should reach out again, but part of him hesitated.

"Should I just go over to his place?" Ness asked aloud, his voice breaking the silence of the room. He paced back and forth, his mind racing as he tried to decide what to do.

?: "Yooo, what up?"

Ness: "Aah! S-Sonic?!"

Ness blinked in surprise as Sonic casually slid the window netting aside and hopped into the room. The blue hedgehog made himself right at home, heading straight for the mini fridge. Ness watched in disbelief as Sonic rummaged through it, finally pulling out a rice ball.

"Mm~ Delicious as ever," Sonic said, taking a bite and savoring the flavor. "Although I would appreciate it if you stored chili dogs instead."

Ness: "Is this going to be a normal thing?"

Sonic: "Yep."

Ness: "You can't be doing this. This is my room!"

Sonic: "Whaaat, yours? I had no idea! I thought it was Lucas's room."

Ness: "You can get out now."

Sonic: "Nah, I'm stayin'. Besides, you're lonely. I can tell."

Ness: "Lonely?"

Sonic: I mean the cat says it all."

Ness: "If anyone is lonely, it's you. I never asked you to come over."

Sonic: "You do in spirit."

Ness: "Wwhat?"

Sonic: "Anyway, speakin' of Lucas, how's he doin'?"

Ness's expression darkened at the mention of Lucas's name, his frown deepening as the familiar knot of worry tightened in his chest. "He's… I don't know," he muttered, his voice quieter now, tinged with frustration and uncertainty. He crossed his arms defensively, his attention shifting away as if avoiding Sonic's perceptive eyes.

Sonic: "Wha?"

Ness: "I don't know!"

Sonic: "What'd you mean you don't know?"

Ness: "He's been distant towards me. We barely talked. It's been a whole day."

Sonic let out an overly exaggerated gasp, placing his hands on his cheeks like he was in a cheesy drama. "Oh no, a whole day!" He said, his voice dripping with mock horror.

Ness, however, just rolled his eyes, unamused by the sarcasm. "I know that doesn't mean anything to you," he said flatly, crossing his arms again. "But last time we talked, he… You know what, never mind."

Sonic tilted his head, his exaggerated expression shifting into something more genuine. "Hey, wait, I was just kidding. What were you gonna say?"

Ness: "No, fuck you. You're just gonna mock me."

Sonic: "No, I won't. Swearsies!"

Ness: "No. Get out of my room, dude."

Sonic: "Aww, c'mon, don't get all emotional."

Ness: "I'm not emotional!"

Sonic: "Damn, I really wanna know what happened between you two. Did you guys fight?"

Ness: "Not saying."

Sonic: "You two totally fought."

Ness: "No we didn't."

Sonic: "Ya know what, I could just ask him myself."

Ness: "What!"

Sonic: "See ya~"

Ness: "Wait, Sonic-

Before Ness could finish his sentence, Sonic disappeared in a flash, leaving nothing but a faint gust of wind in his wake. Ness froze for a split second, realization dawning on him as the situation sank in.

"Ugh! Sonic!" he groaned angrily, running a hand down his face in frustration. Without a second thought, he bolted out of the room, not even bothering to close the door behind him. His only focus was catching up to the blue blur before he caused any trouble.

Ness flung open the door that led to the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time as he rushed downward. His heart raced, not just from the exertion but from the frustration Sonic had sparked. He reached the third floor and pushed open the door, bolting down the hallway with as much speed as his legs could muster.

He skidded to a halt in front of Lucas's door, his breath heavy as he scanned the area. No Sonic.

Ness furrowed his brows, his initial annoyance giving way to confusion. "Was he just joking?" he muttered to himself, glancing around once more. Still nothing. The hallway was eerily quiet, leaving Ness alone with his thoughts.

As the seconds passed, a realization began to form in his mind. "Did he do all this so I could talk to Lucas?" The thought struck him like a jolt. Sonic's antics were usually playful or self-serving, but every now and then, the hedgehog had a way of surprising him with his thoughtfulness.

"Wow," Ness whispered, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "That's… actually kinda smart of him."

He turned his attention to the door in front of him, the reality of the situation sinking in. Sonic's disappearing act had left him with a choice to make: knock and face Lucas, or walk away and let the opportunity pass.

Ness's hand hovered over the door, trembling slightly as his thoughts raced. He hesitated for a moment, his nerves threatening to hold him back, however he knocked despite the negative scenarios invading his mind.

"Lucas?" he called out, his voice soft but steady. The sound echoed faintly in the quiet hallway. To his surprise, the door creaked open a crack, revealing the dimly lit interior.

"It's me, Ness," he continued, stepping closer. "I, uh… wanted to talk."

Before he could say another word, the door suddenly shot open with startling force. Ness staggered back, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the sight before him.

Ness: "S-Sonic?! What're you-

Without warning, Sonic grabbed Ness by the arm, yanking him inside the room. Before Ness could fully process what was happening, the hedgehog had already shut the door behind them, locking it with a sharp click.

"What the hell, Sonic?" Ness growled, shoving the hedgehog away with an annoyed huff.

Sonic barely budged from the shove, crossing his arms with a smug grin. "You're welcome, by the way," he said casually, as if he hadn't just manhandled Ness into the room.

Scoffing loudly, Ness dragged a hand through his unruly hair, the strands slipping between his fingers as his dark eyes bore into Sonic with an unyielding glare. "What do you think you're doing?" he snapped, his voice sharp with judgment, laced with a hint of suspicion that hung in the air like a storm cloud about to break.

Sonic: "What?"

Ness: "Why're you in Lucas's room?! Also where is he?"

Sonic: "No clue. I came in through the open window. Gee, you Earthbound fucks love leaving your window open."

Ness: "You can't just break into Lucas's room! Especially since he's not even here. This is wrong!"

Sonic: "But isn't it fun?"

Ness: "No! We need to leave."

Sonic: "Nah, dude, chill. Aren't ya curious on what he's hidin'?"

Ness: "He's not hiding anything."

Sonic's eyes drifted toward Lucas's closet, a mischievous glint sparking in his look. A sly grin spread across his face, the kind that sent a shiver of unease crawling down Ness's spine. "Dude, no. We're not looking in there," the brunet said firmly, his tone carrying a sharp edge of warning as he crossed his arms, standing his ground.

Sonic: "Do you know what's in there?"

Ness: "I'm pretty sure it's just a bunch of clothes."

Sonic: "Even looked before?"

Ness: "No. That's fucking weird."

Sonic: "Dude, I know that guy is hidin' somethin' crazy in there."

"No, we're not doing this," Ness snapped, his hand darting out to grab Sonic's wrist in a firm grip. But the blue hedgehog twisted his arm free with a sharp yank, breaking Ness's hold with ease. Before the brunet could react, Sonic gave him a hard shove, sending him stumbling backward.

Ness staggered, his balance faltering for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise. By the time he regained his footing, Sonic had already darted to the closet, slipping inside with reckless speed. Ness's shock quickly melted into anger, his brows knitting into a furious scowl as he stomped toward the closet.

Ness: "Sonic, I swear to god, I'll-

With a sudden jerk, Sonic grabbed Ness and yanked him into the closet. Ness's face twisted in fury as he shoved the blue hedgehog off with a forceful push. "Will you stop grabbing me?!" he shouted, his voice rising in frustration, the anger boiling over as he took a step back, glaring at Sonic with a fierce intensity.

However, Sonic paid no mind to Ness's anger. Instead, his attention locked onto something hanging from the clothes pole. He pointed at it, his finger drawing attention to a particular outfit that was hung up. It was a cute, girly ensemble: a pink plaid camisole paired with a brown frilly skirt.

Both of the boys stood frozen, their jaws dropping in unison as they took in the sight. Ness's face flushed with a mix of disbelief and discomfort, while Sonic's grin only widened, clearly amused by the discovery.

Sonic: "Dude, why does he have that?"

Ness: "I-I don't know."

Sonic: "Do you think it's his, or a girl's?"

Ness: "P-probably a girl."

Sonic: "Nah, dude, it's his. We both know he's gay."

Ness: "He could be holding it for someone."

Sonic: "Yeah? Like who?"

Ness: "Um…"

Sonic: "The only girl I've seen him hang out with is Nana and everyone in our friend group hates her for obvious reasons. He wouldn't hold it for her this long."

Ness: "I-I…"

Sonic walked over to the outfit, a grin still playing on his lips as he picked it up. He checked the tag, raising an eyebrow when he saw it was labeled extra large. A few stray blonde hairs clung to the fabric, and he chuckled under his breath. "Yeah, this is definitely his," he confirmed with a smirk, tossing the outfit back onto the pole with a knowing look, clearly entertained by the revelation.

Ness: "No, it can't be."

Sonic's laughter echoed through the small closet as he took in Ness's expression of pure disbelief, clearly enjoying the brunet's discomfort. As Ness remained rooted in place, still gawking at the outfit, Sonic's eyes drifted around the closet, curiosity piqued. They landed on a medium-sized box tucked away in the corner, partially hidden by a pile of clothes.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Sonic crawled over to it, his movements quick and silent. He popped open the lid, but as soon as he glanced inside, his smile faltered. His eyes widened in shock, the amusement vanishing from his face as he stared down at whatever was inside, completely caught off guard.

Sonic: "N-Ness… Um… Holy shit…"

Ness: "What?"

Sonic: "Dude, ok, yeah we should leave."

Ness: "What? What is it?"

Sonic: "Nah, I don't think you can handle it."

Ness: *Scoffs* "Yes I can. Move."

Ness, eyes narrowed in irritation, shoved Sonic aside with a quick push. He peered into the box, and his expression immediately fell. His jaw dropped in disbelief, mirroring the shock Sonic had just shown. The contents of the box were too much to process.

The two exchanged a glance, both of them caught in an awkward silence. Their faces were twisted in discomfort, a shared understanding passing between them—the amount of sex toys in that box was something neither of them had expected.

Sonic: "Dude… He's a sexual deviant!"

Ness: (Lucas?)

Sonic: "Bro, got a cock cage!"

Ness: "Oh god…"

Sonic: "Those are a lot of dildos. Holy shit! Is that a dragon one?!"

Ness's hand flew to his mouth in disbelief, his eyes glued to the contents of the box as Sonic began lifting out the toys one by one. Sonic's grin returned, this time more playful and mischievous, as he casually showed off each item with an exaggerated flourish.

Sonic: "Hahaha! A shock collar? Holy shit, that's crazy. This guy's intense."

Ness's breath hitched as his eyes locked onto a collar among the toys, the sight sending a wave of painful memories crashing through him. His mind flashed back to the dark moments with Luigi, and the familiar sting of trauma gripped his chest. Unable to bear it any longer, he squeezed his eyes shut, his hand trembling slightly as he whispered, "Please, put that away. I don't want to see it."

Sonic, noticing the sudden shift in Ness's demeanor, paused. His usual confidence faltered just a little, a flicker of confusion in his expression. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded, silently placing the collar back into the box and turning his attention away, sensing that something deeper had been triggered.

Sonic: "Ness, there's a lot of dildos."

Ness: "I know…"

Sonic: "He's got cuffs too."

Ness: "..."

Sonic: "Bro, got a flogger, a paddle stick, vibrators, buttplugs, nipple clamps, and so much more."

Ness: "I… I don't know what to say."

Sonic: "Bro, what's up with you two?"

Ness: "Me? What'd I do?"

Sonic: "Don't act dumb. I've seen your search history. I know what you're about."

Ness: "Everyone watches porn!"

Sonic: "Yeah, but yours is crazy. Do you got these crazy ass toys too?"

Ness: "No!"

Sonic: "I high-key wanna check your closet now."

Ness: "I don't have any!"

Sonic: "Nah, you definitely do."

Ness: "Oh you like you don't."

Sonic: "So you do have crazy fuckin' sex toys?"

Ness: "I have one and it's nothing like… This…"

Sonic: "Hahaha! Oh god, you two are fuckin' horny."

Ness: "Everyone has at least one toy. Don't act like you don't."

Sonic: "You got me there."

Ness: "See!"

Sonic: "But let's be real, you're just like him."

Ness: "No, I'm not this bad. I don't have a collection. This is… I didn't… I had no idea Lucas… Wow…"

Sonic: "You really had no idea?"

Ness: "No…"

Sonic: "It's always the quiet ones."

Ness: "Wow… I… I don't know if I could see him the same."

Sonic: "I'm on the same boat."

Sonic's ears twitched, a subtle shift that betrayed his sudden unease. He muttered under his breath, "Oh no," barely loud enough for Ness to hear.

Ness turned to him, brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty, not understanding what had shifted so quickly in Sonic's demeanor.

Sonic: "I can hear his footsteps. He's like right at the door."

Ness: "Wwhat!"

Sonic's eyes widened with sudden urgency. Without a word, he swiftly slammed the closet door shut and flicked off the light, plunging the small space into darkness. The two of them scrambled in a frenzy, their hearts racing. Ness dove behind a set of drawers, his movements quick and silent. Sonic followed, ducking behind the same furniture as the clothes hanging nearby draped down, offering just enough cover to hide their presence.

The quiet hung heavily between them, broken only by the sound of their hurried breaths as they tried to keep still, hoping they hadn't been noticed.

The sound of jingling keys pierced the silence, and both Sonic and Ness froze, the tension in the air thickening. They held their breath as the front door creaked open, and the unmistakable sound of it shutting echoed through the room. Then came the steady rhythm of footsteps—Lucas's footsteps—each one louder, closer, as he approached.

The quiet of the closet felt deafening now, every small noise seeming amplified. Ness's heart raced, and even Sonic, usually so composed, tensed, both of them barely moving as they waited, hoping they wouldn't be discovered.