Estimated Reading Time: 15 Minutes

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Boyz Chillin

Toon: "So uh, how's it goin' guys?"

Popo: "Yeah, what's happenin'?"

Pit: "I've been doing great!"

Ness: "Everything is fine."

Sonic: "Tch!"

Ness: "What?"

Sonic: "Yeah okay."

Ness: "It seems like you're not okay. I wonder what's up?"

Sonic: "Me? I'm fantastic."

Toon: "Uh… right. Anyway, I brought some drinks."

Popo: "Fuck yeah! You're the best Toonie."

Lucas: "Toonie?"

Popo: "It's my new nickname for him."

Pit: "That's cute."

Sonic: "Are you two fuckin'?"

Toon: "Eww, hell no."

Popo: "Haaahaa! Nah." *Takes a hit*

Toon Link casually tossed a can of beer to each of them, grinning as he cracked open his own. Ness and Lucas exchanged a quick glance, their cheeks tinting pink in unison. Without a word, they both placed their unopened cans on the coffee table, neither daring to take a sip.

Toon: "Aww, c'mon, you guys drank last time."

Pit: "Wait, wha?"

Sonic: "What's wrong? Afraid you'll kiss him again?"

Pit: "What!"

Lucas: "!"

Ness shot Sonic a sharp, pointed glare, his irritation evident. The hedgehog met his eyes, unfazed, casually sipping on his drink as if daring Ness to say something.

Toon Link watched the tense exchange, his brow furrowing in confusion. Normally, their back-and-forth was lighthearted, just playful banter. But this… this felt different—more serious, and definitely not fun.

Toon: "Ugh, are you two okay?"

Sonic: "I'm doin' great."

Ness: "Same."

Sonic: "You sure about that? 'Cause lately you've been a lil mopey."

Ness: "No I haven't."

Sonic: "Mhm. Sure."

Popo: "Haaahaaa. Anyway-

Pit: "Wait, hold on. They kissed? What happened while I was gone?"

Toon: "We played truth or dare."

Popo: "Drunk truth or dare. It was awesome." *Takes a hit*

Pit: "Ness got drunk and kissed Lucas?!"

Ness: "I was-

Sonic: "He sure did."

Pit: "And I missed it?"

Popo: "Yup."

Pit: "Darn it!"

Toon: "Should've been here, mate."

Pit: "I know but Sora and I had a sleepover."

Popo: "How was that?"

Ness: ["I was drunk…"]

Pit: "It was awesome! The two of us did karaoke and puzzles."

Lucas: "That sounds like fun."

Pit: "It is! I'll invite you next time, Lucas."

Lucas: "Uh, y-yeah maybe."

Pit: "Aww, why maybe?"

Ness: "He's not really a social person."

Sonic: "Bro, let him speak for himself."

Ness: "Lucas is too shy to tell people off."

Sonic: "So you always needa talk for him?"

Ness: "Pretty much yeah."

Sonic: "How's he ever gonna learn to stick up for himself?"

Ness: "I…"

Sonic: "You?"

Ness: "What's your problem with me, huh?"

Sonic: "You know exactly why I'm upset with you."

Pit: "Mom, Dad, please stop fighting."

Ness: "Sonic is being an asshole like always."

Sonic: "Right. I'm the asshole."

Ness: "You are! We're fighting because Sonic over here thinks it's perfectly okay to break into my room without my permission."

Sonic: "That's not why we're fighting!"

Pit: "Wait, what? He breaks into your room?"

Sonic: "He loves my company. But that's besides the point. He's mad at me because I called him out on his bullshit."

Toon: "Wouldn't be the first time."

Ness: "Toon!"

Pit: "I'm so confused."

Popo: "Haaaahaaa… m-maybe we should talk about this another time."

Sonic: "No. I'm tired of Ness always bein' excused for never addressing issues!"

Ness: "It's none of your business what I do."

Sonic: "You're hurtin' people!"

Ness: "No I'm not. Guys, am I hurting you?"

Sonic: "And be honest."

The room fell into an uneasy silence as the group exchanged worried glances. No one knew what had gotten into Ness and Sonic, but the tension between them was impossible to ignore.

Toon: "I mean Ness, you have been a lil neglectful lately."

Popo: "But of course we get it. You're an introvert and all."

Pit: "I haven't run into any problems with you."

Lucas: "Y-yeah. Me too…"

Ness: "Hmph~!"

Sonic: "Are you guys fuckin' serious?!"

Toon: "I mean… Ness, I wish you would talk to me more."

Ness: "I've been busy."

Toon: "Doin' what? Tina?"

Lucas: "!"

Ness: "No! Doing my own thing. Is it a crime to want to be alone sometimes?"

Lucas: "What about Tina?"

Toon: "Oh you haven't noticed? This lil shit is always goin' to the music hall to see her."

Ness: "Whatever. Sure, I like to hang out with her. Who cares?"

Toon: "We do!"

Popo: "I mean it's chill if you also wanna hang out with her, but ya know, sometimes some small talk would be nice."

Ness: "Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"

Toon: "But it feels forced…"

Ness: *Sighs* "I'm sorry. But you guys do have to understand that I have other friends too."

Toon: "Wow…"

Ness: "I still like to hang out with you guys."

Lucas: ["Sure."]

Ness: "There's just a lot going on with me right now."

Toon: "Yeah? Like what?"

Ness: "I already told Sonic and Lucas, but it's about Leaf. My other friend."

Popo: "Oh shit."

Ness: "We got into an argument and it's been bumming me out. She's been ignoring me. Sorry that I haven't been at my best, but I can't always be perfect."

Sonic: "Tch!"

Ness: "What?"

Popo: "Hey, hey, let's keep it calm. Sonic, thanks for vouchin' for us. Ness, thanks for talkin' about your problem."

Toon: ["For once."]

Popo: "But hey, how about we wind down and play a game. Relax and have fun."

Pit: "Oooh! Can we play truth or dare since I missed out last time?"

Popo: "I mean I'm down."

Toon: "Sounds like fun."

Ness: "I…"

Sonic: "What? Don't feel comfortable? Afraid you'll be dared to kiss Lucas again?"

Lucas: "Sonic, let's not-

Sonic: "Afraid you'll like it? "Cause boy didya linger."

Ness: "Shut up!"

Sonic: "Someone's a lil embarrassed."

Toon: ["I mean… he did linger…"]

Ness: "It was a dare."

Toon: "But I wouldn't have done that…"

Ness: "I was drunk. It didn't mean anything."

Sonic: "I don't buy it."

Lucas: "..."

Pit: "Wait, was it like full on make out or…?"

Ness: "No! Let's talk about something else."

Popo: "Yeah, let's not."

Pit: "Aww, but I wanted to play truth or dare."

Popo: "It's fine. We'll play another time when we're all in a better mood. In the meantime, we can talk about shit that's been goin' on. Like for example, last time I hiked in the mountains I tripped and fell pretty hard, but I found this sick mushroom and totally got high off of it. Worth."

Toon: "That doesn't surprise me."

Popo: "Ayye, Toon, didya ever go to the movies with Tetra?"

Sonic: "Oh yeah? How'd that go?"

Toon: "It went great. We watched a comedy and it was genuinely funny."

Lucas: "That's nice…"

Toon: "Yeah! The food was amazing too."

Popo: "Movie theater food is like my favorite."

Pit: "That and fair food."

Popo: "Haaahaaa~ So you guys didn't kiss?"

Toon: "Unfortunately no."

Sonic: "Ya gotta ask her out, dude."

Toon: "I know… but what if she says no?"

Sonic: "Well then you get to have fun drinkin' with the boys."

Toon: "Great. Now I have more anxiety."

The group shared a laugh.

Popo: "Anything else new happenin' with y'all?" *Chugs drink*

Sonic: "Nothing new. Just doin' the same thing everyday."

Popo: "What about you, Lucas?"

Lucas: "M-me?"

Popo: "Yeah. Anythin' happenin' with you?"

Lucas: "Um, not really no."

Popo: "Aww, c'mon there's gotta be somethin'."

Lucas stole a quick glance at Ness before averting his eyes, his stomach twisting in knots. His fingers instinctively began to fidget, twiddling his thumbs as the creeping weight of anxiety settled over him.

Sonic, meanwhile, shot him a pointed look, his expression silently urging him to act. Lucas swallowed hard—he knew exactly what the hedgehog wanted him to do.

Lucas: "Oh, n-not much."

Sonic: "Are you sure?"

Lucas: "Y-yeah…"

Popo: "Okay, well, whatcha guys wanna talk about?"

Pit: "Foooood!"

Popo: "Hell yeah! Ya know what gets me happy without fail?"

Pit: "Oooh~ What?"

Popo: "Some fuckin' tacos."

Toon: "Tacos are bomb."

Ness: "They're alright."

Popo: "Just alright?!"

Ness: "It's a little too messy for me."

Pit: "You monster!"

Sonic: "Lame."

The group had drifted into a lively conversation about food, laughing and swapping stories. But Lucas wasn't listening. His mind was elsewhere, stuck in a spiraling debate with himself. He wanted so badly to say something—to confront Ness and finally address what was eating at both of them. But fear paralyzed him. What if they find out I'm gay?

Still, this was his chance. Ness wasn't avoiding him this time; he couldn't just slip away. Should I do it? Should I just—

"What do you think, Lucas?" Ness's voice cut through his thoughts like a jolt, pulling him back to reality.

"Huh? I-I'm sorry," Lucas stammered, his cheeks reddening. "I blacked out. What was the question?"

Ness: "Messy foods take the fun out of the flavor, right?"

Lucas: "Oh, uh, y-yeah."

Ness: "See!"

Popo: "But it's still soooo good."

Sonic: "It's 'cause Lucas agrees with whatever you say."

Ness: "That's not true."

Sonic: "Dude, you made me buy you chili dogs. What seems to be the problem?"

Ness: "They're good, but y'know, ramen is better. It's prettier too. Chili dogs are so messy and ugly."

Sonic: "Nah, chili dogs are the best."

Popo: "Sorry, Ness. Chili dogs are better."

Ness: "What!"

Pit: "I can't choose between the two."

Lucas: ["I…"]

Toon: "Nah, ramen all the way. I'm with you Ness."

Ness: "See!"

Lucas: "I…"

Sonic raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze fixed on Lucas. "Somethin' you wanna say, blondie?"

Lucas: "Um…"

Sonic: "Hm?"

Lucas let out a heavy sigh, his chest tightening as he locked eyes with Ness. His glare was sharp, unyielding, demanding an answer without words.

Ness, however, refused to meet it. His gaze dropped to the coffee table, his fingers fidgeting against his knee as he tried to pretend the weight of Lucas's stare didn't burn right through him.

Lucas: "Um… Ness, I-

Ness: "Well, it's getting late. I should probably head back."

Sonic: "Leavin' so early?"

Popo: "Yeah dude. Why the rush? Lucas was tryin' to talk to ya."

Ness: "Sorry guys. Especially you Lucas. I really want to hear what you have to say, but it sounds important and I'm drained. Y'know how I am. Being an introvert sucks. But don't worry, next time for sure."

Popo: "Aww, damn. Well get a lot of rest, okay?"

Ness: "Y-yeah. Thanks."

Toon: ["Yeah sure."]

Ness pushed himself up from the couch abruptly, his movements stiff as he headed toward the door without a word.

Sonic glanced up, let out an exaggerated sigh, and rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he muttered under his breath, pulling out his phone and tapping away.

Beep!

[- Sonic

DM

Sonic: dude r ya gonna let him get away

Sonic: this is your chance

…

At that moment, time seemed to freeze. Lucas's chest tightened as the weight of everyone's stares bore down on him, feeding his spiraling anxiety. He felt like he couldn't breathe.

But beneath the nerves, something else began to simmer—anger. It bubbled up steadily, hotter with every passing second. Ness… he's just going to keep doing this, Lucas thought, his hands clenching into fists on his lap. He's going to keep running away, like always.

"Bye, guys. See you next week," Ness muttered, his voice low and detached as he opened the door and stepped out, shutting it firmly behind him.

Lucas's breath hitched. He gasped softly, his heart sinking as the door clicked shut. I… I let him go. Even with all the fire and frustration burning inside him, he couldn't find the strength to speak up, to stop him.

A heavy, sinking feeling settled in his chest, pooling deep in his stomach. The anger was still there, but now it tangled with guilt and helplessness, leaving him frozen in place.

Pit: "Aww, I'm so sad he left."

Sonic: "You know him, he loves to avoid responsibilities."

Pit: "Okay, something's definitely going on. What responsibilities? Did the three of you fight?"

Sonic: "He and I fought earlier."

Pit: "What? Why?"

Sonic: "He's a dick."

Pit: "How? He seems nice to me."

Sonic: "Did you hear how he was talkin' to me earlier? Bro's a fuckin' sassy bitch."

Pit: "Well he said it's because he had a tough week. I'd be grumpy too if I was being bothered."

Sonic: "You don't get it."

Pit: "I want to. Please explain."

Sonic: "He's not bein' honest with his feelings, and he likes to prioritize Tina over us."

Pit: "Who?"

Sonic: "His crush who doesn't even want him."

Pit: "He has a crush?"

Toon: "Yeah, it's so obvious."

Popo: "I didn't wanna say anything, but yeah. He follows her around often."

Pit: "What's wrong with that? I follow Pittoo everywhere, but I don't like him that way."

Popo: "It's—different."

Pit: "I don't get you humans."

Toon: "You're just slow."

Pit: "Hey!"

Sonic: "I dunno why he's chasin' her. They live two different lifestyles. I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen. He says he can 'fix her'. Even though he can't even fix himself."

Toon: "Tell me about it."

Popo: "It is a lil weird that he would crush on Tina of all people. I thought he'd wanna go after that Pokemon girl."

Lucas: "Tch!"

Lucas stood up abruptly. Without thinking, he swung the door open, his eyes locking onto Ness's retreating figure down the hall.

He gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched in frustration. His fists tightened at his sides, nails digging into his palms. No more running, he thought fiercely, every ounce of his resolve pushing him forward. He wasn't going to let Ness walk away again.

Popo: "Uh… Lucas?"

NESS!" Lucas's voice rang out through the hall, sharp and commanding.

Ness paused, just for a moment, his shoulders stiffening as he clearly heard his name. But instead of turning around, he pretended not to notice and continued walking.

Lucas's frustration surged, and in a split second, he tapped into his psychic power. His eyes glowed with intensity, a storm brewing in his mind. He threw his arm forward, as if reaching for Ness himself.

The group stared in shock, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. Ness, who had been walking away, was suddenly yanked off the ground. His eyes widened in alarm as he was dragged forcefully back into the room, crashing into the couch with a painful thud, his head hitting the armrest.

"Ow!" Ness yelped, his hand flying to the back of his head as he winced in pain.

The group gasped in unison, eyes wide in disbelief. Even Sonic, the ever-cool and collected hedgehog, looked utterly flabbergasted, his mouth slightly agape as he watched the scene unfold. The tension in the room was thick, everyone stunned by the sudden outburst from Lucas.

Ness: "Lucas, what the hell! Y-you used your powers on me?!"

Lucas: "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!"

Ness: "!"

Lucas: "HUH?!"

Ness: "I-I-I don't understand. Why're you so mad?"

Popo: "Uhh… Lucas, broskii, want some weed? It'll help calm-

Lucas: "NO!"

Ness: "Lucas, calm down. Let's-

Lucas: "DON'T TELL ME TO FUCKING CALM DOWN. I'M TIRED OF YOUR SHIT, NESS! I... I HATE YOU!"