Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You know, one thing Ponk loved about his new home was the way the sun shone on the grass. Oddly specific, he knows, but he couldn’t help it. It lit the grass up to a beautiful, warm green that was bright enough to catch your eye, but not enough to hurt your eyes when you exited your house. In the morning’s the grass had a light dew to it, the perfect amount that woke you up when you walked along a field. Which is what he is currently doing, actually. It was about seven thirty in the morning, and he decided it would be a nice day to go to his little secret hideout. Sounds devious, right? He wishes it was- it was just a somewhat run down, tall, colourful building that Ponk had filled to the brim with novels that he liked to re-read, pillows made out of sheep wool, blankets, some paintings along the walls, and a lemonade stand. It was where Ponk ran off to when he didn’t feel like being alone. And well, he still was alone there, he supposed. He didn’t feel alone though, he felt like the characters from all his books were alive around him, comforting him when he cried, hushing him when he was too loud, reprimanding him for wrong doings. He sometimes pretended to talk to these characters, as if they were real. It was the only thing that made him feel safe. When Ponk ran away from his last village, he was always afraid he would regret it. He sure tries not to, but it isn’t easy in the slightest when you left all your friends and family, just to have none here. He had nobody, because in fact he was alone. He just liked to think he wasn’t. 

He means, nobody likes to be alone. It’s probably one of his biggest fears, actually. Not one that had a rhyme or reason, but just because being alone terrified him. The idea of messing up, and having absolutely nobody who would even consider helping? That nobody out there would actually care if you were to die? It scared him half to death. So in some sense, he was living his nightmare. The grass felt nice, though. He was in short’s anyway, black cargo shorts with a baggy orange sweater tucked in nicely. He wore white sneakers with short socks in order to feel the grass against his ankles. With every step he felt his white curls bounce a little, he cracked a smile at the feeling. His mask shifted slightly with the action. Ponk admitted he felt a lot more comfortable here compared to his village. He felt less stressed that he would be caught and hurt, he felt more free. He wouldn’t say he felt safe though, the only place he felt safe was the lemon knook (as he called it). Speaking of which, he was able to see it peaking through the many woven branches of the forest. It was almost like it was playing a game of hide and seek, Ponk being the seeker, and the building being a less-than experienced hider. Or maybe the building just wanted Ponk to find them. He liked that idea almost as much. Ponk hummed happily as he sped up his pace, singing a tune he couldn’t quite place. When he walked into the forest and between the trees, he felt the cool branches scratch along his sides and arms, The wet leaves would catch on his skin and drag along as he walked past. The feeling only made him feel more safe, he felt like he was being swallowed into the lush oak forest. He eventually stopped to observe the tall figure in front of him.

It was much taller than it was wide, and had pale blue shingle siding all along it. It had a few windows, all tall and skinny, with white muntins around them. The roof was one single white point with a thin chimney that never released smoke. All around the house had vines and dirt, Ponk never bothering to really clean it up. He smiled and went up the staircase to the front door, raising his hand to turn the doorknob-

“Who are you?”

Ponk yelped, jumping backwards, tripping on the steps, and proceeding to land flat on his back on the lumpy grass with a loud thud. He let out a cry of pain that morphed into a whiney groan as his ribs felt like they crashed into his spine. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms over his chest as he groaned, the back of his head throbbing.

“Jesus christ, how zoned out were you?” 

Ponk opened his eyes, shooting a glare at the possible figure and squinting his eyes from the sun. Vaguely he was able to make out a hand- and an arm. An arm that was reaching outwards to him in an offer to help him up. Ponk narrowed his eyes and stood up himself, ignoring the offering. 

“Who the fuck just sneaks up on a stranger who is clearly unaware of their presence, and bloody alerts them full force?!” he spat, brushing some dirt off of his shoulders. The girls' brows furrowed.

“Yea? Well who thinks that walking off into the middle of the woods at the same spot at the same time every day when they just moved here wouldn’t raise suspicion?” She shot back, straightening her back to meet his eyes. She was a bit taller than him, had somewhat ashey, long blond hair that went down her shoulder blades. She had turquoise eyes and a mask covering her lower face that matched the colour of her dark grey, striped sleeve sweater. She also had on some pale ripped jeans. 

Touche, he thought.

“Mhm? What idiot opts to not see what said person is doing before launching themselves like an attack dog at ‘em?” He returned.

“Would you risk said person being a murderer and you being in their proximity?”

“W-Would you walk right up to said potential murderer and think you would survive ?” Ponk responded, stammering a bit to formulate a sturdy reply. The girl paused before nodding slightly. 

“Fair enough.”

He sighed and adjusted the hem of his sweater.

“Answer the question.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked back up at her. “Aren’t you the one that just jumped me?”

“I didn’t jump you, but true. My name is Alyssa.” the girl- Alyssa- responded.

Ponk nodded, storing the name in his archive. “Nice name.” He said, spinning around on his heel just to snort slightly at the groan he got in response.  “Chill, I’m just going to sit on the step.” He said, doing so and facing Alyssa. 

“Why are you staring?”

“Oh my- what is your name?!” she cried, exasperated at his antics. 

“Oh, yeah. My name is Ponk.”

“Okay, Pink-”

“Ponk.”

“ Pink , why are you here?”

He offered a short glare. “To go inside this building. As I normally do. It’s like a fort of sorts to me. A treehouse on the ground.”

“Stupid.”

“Considering you are the one who thought I was a murderer, I would call you stupid, stoopid.” 

She acknowledged it slightly. “When did you move here?”

“Three months ago.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you want to take me out to dinner first?”

She mock gagged, “Not my type. How old are you?”

“Fifteen, you?”

“Sixteen.”

Ponk nodded. So this girl was about his age, and was clearly equally reckless if she ran at him thinking he was a murderer. 

“I’m not a killer.” He specified.

“Yeah, no shit.” 

He rolled his eyes. “Do you want like…something to eat?” He offered. He had scones inside.

She paused and hummed. “Sure, if you can, thanks. Can I stay out here?”

He shrugged, why not. Not like she could run away and hurt him emotionally. “Yeah, sure. One sec.” He said, standing up, blinking as his vision blurred and his head spun briefly. He winced as his knees cracked. They ached dully as he jumped the steps and went inside, this time uninterrupted. He closed the door behind him and leant against it, relishing the coolness against his apparently sweating back. He hadn’t really spoken to anyone yet here. The room was simple, and it looked somewhat dulled with grey hue. There were three bean bag chairs even though only one person came in. One chair was a light blue, one a light orange, and one a light green. The floors were white splintered wood and there was one rig in the center, coloured with a dull, rich purple, orange, and pink. It was a scarce room for sure, but that was okay. There was a self-made bookshelf all along the wall opposite from him and even so there were stacks of novels beside the orange bean bag chair. He let out a long exhale, feeling his stomach deflate as his nerves soothed with it, before pushing off of the wall and walking over to a ladder. The ladder led to the upstairs and was in the far right corner from his entrance, but the bag of schones was right behind it. Ponk crouched down, winching again, and opened the bag to examine what was inside. One strawberry cranberry scone, one double chocolate, two lemon poppyseeds, and one sugar icing scone. Delicious. He stood back upright and ignored the crack of his joints and walked back outside, making sure to shut the door nicely. Alyssa was sitting on the steps, hence why Ponk joined her.

“We have double chocolate, sugar icing, lemon poppyseed, and strawberry cranberry scones.” He said, holding the bag out in an offering. She smiled slightly and looked inside before picking the sugar icing one. Ponk pulled the bag bag and peeked in, choosing the strawberry cranberry one for himself. He took a bite and hummed softly. It was soft and moist, the strawberry taste was lovely. Alyssa seemed to like the taste as well. 

“So, Pink-”

“Are you just going to keep calling me that?”

“Is your favourite colour pink?”

“No, it’s orange.”

“Then yes, for the irony. Anyway, Pink, why did you move here?”

He shrugged. “I ran away.” He said, taking another bite. Her eyes widened.

“From your family?”
“No, from my old village. I lived alone there too, so I’m used to that part of it.”

“..Why?”

He shrugged again, lowering his scone from his mouth. “I just didn’t feel safe there anymore, you know? Too violent. Too unpredictable, yet predictable at the same time, all in the worst ways.”

She went silent, looking down. “That…wow, and I thought you were going to kill me.” she said, chuckling awkwardly and pushing the hair out of her eyes. Ponk giggled slightly himself,

“Yeah, no. I couldn't hurt a fly. Or rather I wouldn’t want to.”

“I like you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because your first impression didn’t say much.”

She laughed, her head shifting back slightly. “Yeah, sorry about that. Your back okay?”

“No, but it could be worse. My head hurts more than anything.” He said.

“Sorry.”

“Nah it’s fine, you didn’t have sour intentions. I like you too.” He hummed. She smiled.

“Say, since we both know about this spot…why don't we meet up here. To hang out.”

He hesitated, normally in his old village that would trigger a lot of skepticism. But he wasn’t there anymore, and Alyssa seemed really nice. And chaotic. And somewhat reckless. The perfect friend for him.

“I would like that.” He said quietly, taking another bite of his scone and wiping his hands clean of the crumbs. Ponk swore the food just poofed, he didn’t remember eating it all already!

“Can it be around now though? I like the mornings. The grass feels really nice.” He said, swinging his legs against it, appreciating how soft and delicate the feather touches were.

“Me too! The crisp morning air is amazing.” she grinned widely. “Say every…Tuesday Friday?”

“Sure!” He said, smiling so his fangs poked through. He wasn’t alone anymore! He had a friend. “But, if you call me Pink, I get to call you…Lyss.”

“Lyss?”

“Yeah, short for Alyssa.”

“That’s the worst you got?”

“No, but I like the name for you.” He said with a shrug. Alyssa smiled, finishing her scone as well.

“I like the name too.”

The characters swam around him happily, all from his favourite books. They liked her just as much as he did. 

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Hmmm…” She hummed. “Wanna go pick some berries from my dad's farm? We have raspberries, lemons- which I guess aren't berries- blueberries… and we have a lot of lemonade and three dogs!”

“Oh hell yeah that sounds awesome!”

“Great, well come on!” She said, standing up. Ponk did as well, holding the bag of scones in his hand.

“I’ll give them as a gift?”

“My dad is going to love you so much.” She giggled. He grinned.

Being alone is terrifying to Ponk, because you know you’ll be forgotten. 

Alyssa never forgot him.

Ponk never forgot her.

Chapter Text

Grass tickled his feet in a way that grounded him. The sensation tingled, but it also was alerting. It let him know that he was, in fact, real. It reminded him he wasn’t invincible, and yet he was still here despite that. It reminded him he was alive . It was late at night, later than normal for Ponk to be roaming about outside. He wasn’t scared though, he knew that someone was keeping an eye out for him. The same person he was heading out to meet- the person that without a doubt was always watching from afar. He smiled softly at the thought of them, having a slight bounce in his step. He stepped over a twig, not wanting to disturb the calm, perfect atmosphere of the summer night air. Summer was probably his favourite season to walk in the night. The warm air soothed his skin, he absorbed it and felt moist in the still air. The warmth made him feel eerily calm, the kind of warmth when you first enter a warm bath. It coated his milky dark skin nicely, and the dull sunset made his skin have a golden hue. He raised his arm and opened his hand, a small crumpled piece of paper in his hand. The words were still eligible. 

Hi, Ponkie! It’s me, Sam.

I was wondering if I could talk to you tonight at your special spot. I have something I want to tell you. Don’t worry about mobs, I’ll take care of them. I’ll be there at 8pm, I hope that’s not too late! Hope to see you there :)

Sincerely, SammyWammie123 

Sam had always had messy handwriting, but messy in an elegant way. Messy in a way that was almost comforting. The letters tied together at the base, they spun and winded together to tell a story. Ponk could tell Sam was nervous writing this by the way the e’s were crooked. The way he used the number eight instead of writing it out like he normally did. He could also tell Sam loved him by the way the nickname at the bottom of the note was more slanted, and how the smiley face was darkened from pressure of the charcoal. He was particular, but he was perfect in all the same ways. Said note had been slipped to him on his doorstep when he got back to his house after meeting Alyssa, George and Dream earlier in the day. Mainly Alyssa, George and Dream were flirting the entire time to the point where Ponk could barely register they only just started dating. So, how does one react to having a note on their front doorstep asking them to meet them ‘at your special spot’. For Ponk, he goes to meet Sam because if he knew his special spot, he thinks it’s safe to assume that they are either stalking him, or a friend of his. He hopes the latter, but if someone is stalking him he would find that interesting. He glanced up at the moon with a soft smile, it was almost pitch black, but not quite, so you could still see the world around you. All the flowers, the bits of cotton that would tickle his nose and make him sneeze. The pollen drifted peacefully like a feather in the wind. It all seemed so surreal to him, a calm environment. Something he wasn’t used to having, to witnessing. He was used to sirens, yelling, a red, gloomy hue to everything around him. He was used to having to run and jump fences as he struggled to walk on a broken leg. He was used to hiding the moment it was past four at night until eight thirty in the morning. He was not used to waking up at nine and watering plants in his front yard like there wasn’t a time crunch to get a loaf of bread or go to school. He wasn’t used to crawling through tall grass just in case someone was there to hurt him, rather right now he was calmly walking. He loved the feeling of grass. 

He also loved Sam.

He swallowed thickly, trying not to imagine all the possible options and events that could happen. Everything that could go wrong. Maybe Sam would murder him like Alyssa thought he would, maybe he would tell him they were no longer friends. Maybe he would kiss him. He hummed contently at the thought, it had been on repeat in his mind for the last month. Different scenarios, different endings. Slowly leaning into each other, bumping noses, maybe it would be more aggressive. Maybe it would be both. The idea of it never failed to make his stomach flutter and his heat jump to his throat, warmth spreading from his ears to his toes. Just how it was now. He got shocked out of his daydream when he stepped on a stick, stupid fucking stick. What really woke him up though was the low warble that made him stop dead. Ponk hadn't dealt with many endermen before, only one or two. He froze when it teleported close to him, flinching when it looked down- too close to looking him in his eyes. He shot his gaze down to the grass, standing still.

“Please, please dear gosh don’t kill me..” He whispered. 

‘ Walk away from it slowly, don't make a noise, and don't ever make eye contact. It’s not worth it.’ Dream had told him. He squeezed his eyes shut and focused on his slow breathes, keeping them tamed. He tried to slowly stumble back away from the creature, moving at a mile an hour-

Just to fall back on that same FUCKING stick.

He crashed to the ground with a yelp, hands flailing to brace himself as he thumped on his back. Next there was a pain shooting up his spine as he rapidly straightened up, then a non-human screech, and Ponk was frankly half certain this was it for him. First life, down the drain. He screamed and braced his hands in front of his head, desperately trying to shield himself from what was next as he held his breath as though he was savoring his last one. And then one of the screams stopped, and it wasn’t his. He paused to catch his breath after a full minute or two, or five, or ten. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the enderman on the ground, purple blood soaking the grass around it. Punk's stomach churned and his hands were now serving to aid his scramble backwards. He was forced to a halt when he ran into a hard surface- a tree stump?

“Ponk, are you okay?” a deep, concerned voice rang out.

Sam!

Sam.

Oh fuck, Sam ! Seeing him like this, on the floor, completley helpless, completley idiotic. “Uh, y-yeah! Of course, uhm-”

“Ponk, don’t lie to me, you had a nasty fall.” He reprimanded.  

He opened his mouth to counter, but ended up shutting it after he failed to find a way to prove he wasn't in pain without being put in pain. Sam just sighted and looked at him sympathetically before crouching down and placing one hand under his upper thigh. “Woh- Sammy, whatcha doin’?” Ponk said nervously, forcing a laugh.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to carry you to the house.” Sam said simply. He let out a small grunt and lifted Ponk clean off the ground, making him blink a bit in surprise and push his head into his chest to hide his blush. A low, static rumble echoed in his ears- coming from Sam's chest.

“Are you..purring?”

Sam went red. “I- uhm, no..?”

Ponk rose an eyebrow, smirking.

“I-It’s a rumble, okay??” He huffed, “Now go back to nuzzling me, you tomato.” 

Ponk flushed and Sam shifted his grip onto his knee to press his head back against his chest. Ponk chuckled nervously as Sam continued walking. The purr- rumble, sorry- was oddly comforting. As they walked past the enderman corpse, Ponk went to peek, but was stopped by a firm gloved hand pressing his head away. The comforting grumble turned into a poorly conceived growl, and his friend's normally warm scent shifted to consist of much more gunpowder. Ponk hummed constantly, he knew he was safe. He nuzzled closer to him, and stayed this way for about ten minutes before begrudgingly raising his head.

“You know I can walk, right?” he mumbled. 

“I’m actually quite enjoying this.” Sam responded, flashing him a soft smile. One that was filled with more than Ponk though he was prepared for. He huffed and looked away, instead looking at the grass that grew slightly as they reached the doorstep. Sam walked up the steps and kicked the door gently open. 

“We’re here..” he said. Nervously too, far too nervous for someone who just killed an enderman in cold blood. 

“Yeah, uhm-”

Sam put him down on a bean bag, the orange one, and scratched his neck. 

“Hi-”

“Hey-”

They both paused and snorted, having said it at the same time.

“Hello, Ponk.” Sam said after he two stopped giggling. 

“Hey there, Sammy.”

The creeper hybrid sat down, or crouched down, in front of them. “Admittedly, that did not go quite to plan.”

“That’s what made it charming!”

“Maybe, it’s also what nearly got you killed.”

“I could have fought them off!” He huffed, crossing his arms.

“Mhm, yeah, sure.” 

Ponk huffed and looked away, staring at another, clearly very interesting, wall. Until a soft hand placed over his chin and pulled him to look into green eyes. Sam was back to his nervous demeanor, struggling to keep eye contact, and a warm lush across his cheeks.

“This isn’t how I intended to admit this, but here we go.” 

Ponk rose an eyebrow.

“Ponk, will you go out with me? Like, a date?”

A date. The word sounded funny in his mind, and on his tongue when he said it aloud. Sam nodded. 

Ponk new his answer was yes, he has wanted this for a while, and yet for some dumb reason he felt torn up about it. No, that wasn’t the right way to describe it. He felt like the answer was stuck down the back of his throat, like a tennis ball lodged in there preventing the flow of words from coming up his throat. In that moment all he felt was the warm, night summer air, gently kissing his skin. Gently kissing his..that’s it. That’s how he will respond. He felt heat flush up, but before Sam could be concerned, he leaned forward and simply pecked his cheek and smiled. Sam blinked a bit, a couple times more, and finally reached up to touch the spot, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

“If that’s your way of saying no you need better communication skills.”

Ponk snorted and shook his head. “I would never.”

Sam smiled and grabbed his jaw, gently leading him forward. “This okay, Ponkie?”

“No.”

“Oh-”

“I’m kidding” He said, a cheeky smile on his face, which Sam reflected. “You little rascal” He scoffed before finally placing a kiss on his lips. It was soft, gentle as though neither wanted to risk going further despite the desire. It was soft, and it was sweet. It was perfect. Eventually the two broke away after kissing a handful of times, Ponk leaning into Sam’s chest. The silence was warm and comforting, because Sam was warm and comforting.

“So..when is this date?”

Sam smiled. “When do you want it?”

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.”

Ponk smiled softly, relishing the gunpowder scent. “..does this count?”

Sam hummed in thought. “It can if you want it too.”

“Do you want it to?”

“I do.”

Ponk’s grin widened and he placed a kiss on the creepers shoulders, feeling the warmth that responded to the action. Something so small, yet so sweet. 

“Then I do too.”

“So, it’s a date?”

“It’s a date.”

Sam offered him a kiss on the lips, more of a peck this time, and pulled back. “Well then, I better make a good first impression.”

“At least you never have to meet the family.”

“Oh that’s dark, Ponkie-”

He snorted and smiled, kissing him again. “But that’s who I am.”

“True, and I love it. I love everything about you, and I have for so long.”

“I love you too, Sammie, and yeah it's early to say that, but sometimes I’m worried I won’t ever get another chance.”

“Then let’s say it tonight. Let’s say i t and show it like we never will be able to again. Like there's a time in the future where we don’t.”

“That will never happen.”

“True, but let's use up the time we have. I love you, I loveyou, I really fucking love you.”

Ponk giggled, blushing. “I love you to the moon and back three thousand time.”

They sat there all night, whispering love to one another until sunrise spoke of their need to return to the real world. It was a slightly better real world now, though.

Ponk will always love Sam.

And Sam will always love Ponk.

Chapter Text

“You literal mass peice of shit!” Ponk cried out, hands on his knees and his hair dripping water onto the ground. The curls that typically bounced along his head were dragged down with the added weight of the river water. Despite his soaked clothes and a long cut along the back of his leg that bled slightly, he still had a fond, cheeky smile playing on his lips. Beside him, Alyssa is cackling, and on the other side of him Sam is fretting his eyes out in concern. He’s kneeled down, examining his injured leg, while also having his tail swish around in concern. “I’m- I’m okay, Sammy.”

“Just let me bandage it.”

“Sam-”

“Not taking criticism.” He said, putting a hand up in defence before getting back to work. Ponk rolled his eyes fondly. 

“Okay, ha-ha, happy April Fools, are you done yet so I can go home?” he asked, a smile tugging at his cheeks, his muscles hurting from laughing. 

“Yeah yeah, we’re done. You can go home to your lame life with your lame cat.” Dream hummed, taking a final tease at him. Ponk took a step forward in retaliation,

“Ponk, stay still.” Sam hushed.

He groaned, but complied. “Never insult my lovely cat again. Next time I will let West take you out!”

“I don’t date cats.”

“DREAM-” Ponk swore, laughing again as even Sam let out a snort. After a few minutes of throwing back and forth insults while Karl and George played on a swing  set despite being far past their prime to do so, Sam finished bandaging. 

“Okay, you can go home now Ponkie.”

“Finally, away from you arses.” He scoffed. “Well, all but you.” He added, helping Sam up and giving him a fond kiss on the cheek. He smiled, eyes flickering lightly as a green flush played on his cheeks. “I’ll see you for our date tonight, yeah?”

“I’ll pick you up at six pm sharp, or 18 o’clock as you sometimes say.” He hummed, pointedly at the fox hybrid not so far away.

“Fuck off!”

Ponk chuckled, and locked back, flexing his knee to make sure the bandages would stay. “Thanks for cleaning it, see ya guys!”

“Bye!” Alyssa chimed. Dream added an annoyable ‘see you around shortass’ while Fundy, George, and Karl all bid farewell with a wave and a smile.

Ponk waved back before turning on his heel. To his disadvantage, the sun was directly in his eyes now, blinding him of a fair lot of scenery. However, beggars can’t be choosers, he did ask to meet up in the day this time as he had a date tonight. Sam relayed the same message, just with more of a demand to it. It was exceptionally warm today for spring on the server, around twenty seven degrees celsius. So pretty hot for him. Back in his old town he was used to either having freezing below zero temperatures, or scolding hot ones that left him sore with a nasty sunburn despite his skin tone. He didn’t remember much of his old home now, despite it only being two and a half years ago since he left. It was as though he had slowly let those not-so-pleasant memories disintegrate into the clouds. He had better memories to replace them now. No more hiding behind worn down farm fences, no more hopping drug store countertops just to get a loaf of bread, no more sleeping under a pitched up tent with a stranger when it was raining. Now he never had to hide from violence, he had all the food he needed (and more due to Sam and Alyssa’s determination) and he had a lovely home that never blew away in the wind. Running away at fifteen was quite the opposite of easy peasy lemon squeezy, but he had made it work. Sure it hadn’t been easy, but it was full of lemons. Lemons and friends. Sometimes he ponders if he misses his old home, wonders if he didn’t give it enough chances. Reality was he had given it more than enough chances. War was terrifying and dirty, it was never played fair. Here, there were no wars, no violence. No single person who rocked the boat that made it sink. It was home here. And having a home was not something he was used to. 

He grinned, looking around him. The path was sandy- pale, yellowish dirt combined with pebbles and stones. Every step kicked up some dust. Around him cattails and sage bushes flourished in the warmth of the unexpected spring weather. Birds would chime kindly, calling their family back to its nest. Some of them live quite close to his home as well, up in a nest on his rooftop. The wind around him was eerily calm, and the bushes looked so still and-

And wait, was that one moving?

Ponk narrowed his eyes and stopped dead in his tracks. A good fifteen minutes from his friends, they probably could hear his scream, but they wouldn’t be able to see him. He looked around him, acknowledging this bush appeared to be either a completely different species, or one green bush. Carefully he stepped closer, never quite averting his eyes for more than a split second to appear oblivious. The sun shone off of its leaves unnaturally, as though it was fake.

“SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKER!”

The bush- the dumbass bush- lunged at him Ponk screeched, idiotically jumping away and contorting so he landed flat on his ribs. He let out a yelp as pal twisted along his lungs and spine, elbows definitely bruised as he crashed onto the ground, using them as support. The bush was fake, the bush was one hundred percent fake. And he was one hundred percent gonna feel these bruises in the morning. He twisted to face said bush, which now had magically sprouted legs that had random splotches of cream and brown coloured fur. “Okay, okay, today is my least favourite holiday.” he spat, remaining drops or water running down his face. The bush leaned down to offer a hand.

“I- oh I am so sorry, see it was a dare, and I didn’t think it would do so much damage-”

Ponk forced back a laugh, mouth twitching.

“What?”

“It’s hard to take a talking bush seriously.”

Ponk could practically feel the bushes eyes go wide as he scrambled to take off the suit. He was left with this anthropomorphic cat-human-hybrid thing. Their skin had patches and splashes of mostly cream coloured fur aside from his paws, feet and around their nose. Their nose had a black spot at the tip, and they had brown, fluffy ears with a long, majestic cream-fade-to-brown tail and whiskers. They also had striking turquoise eyes. They also had just been a bush. 

“Sorry, again. My name is Antfrost.” The cat said nervously, ears twitching. Their hand was still offered out. Ponk nervously took it, being pulled to his feet.

“So..this was a dare?”

“YES! Sorry- yes, it was. My friend’s were all like ‘someone should scare the shit outta someone’ and one was like ‘yeah, pretend to be a bush’, then the other said ‘I don’t wanna get caught tho’, then they said ‘maybe Antfrost should do it, I don’t really care if he gets caught’, and then, like, I did it.”

Ponk blinked, taking in the mass amount of unnecessary words he had just heard.

“I am so, so , sorry.”

“Your friends sound…really crappy.” Ponk eventually said.

“I- yeah, yeah they kind of are. I don’t really want to be friendless, though. Sorry, this really isn;t your issue, I just probably bruised your ribs.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it, peer pressure sucks.”

“Yeah, I guess. Is there anything I can do to help you? I am so sorry-”

Ponk rose up his hand, smiling slightly as he rubbed a hand along his back. He took a moment to think. “For starters, stop saying sorry. Maybe you could help me water my plants?”

“That’s- That’s it?”

“Yeah. I don’t want anything, I just don’t really feel like bending over.” Ponk internally chucked, sorry Sam. 

“Okay then. I can do that. So, where do you live- okay that sounded creepy, I-”

“Just follow this path, I’ll show you the way.”

“Sure,” the cat said, following Ponk when he spun around to contently walk along the path. Once again he was kicking up dirt as we walked, just now he had yet another person beside him. He rarely did get a chance to walk home alone. 

Antfrost cleared his throat, making Ponks head turn kindly. “I was wondering if you would be okay telling me what your name is?”

“Oh yeah, of course. My name is Ponk. Also don’t be so formal, I’m not going to bite your head off. You’re just like my friends, and they are all still alive and non-beheaded.”

“Sor- ahem, thanks. Nice name.”

“Thank you.” 

Ponk hummed, he wasn’t wrong, Antfrost was a lot like his friends. He would fit in too. He grinned, an idea flashing above his head like a neon sign as he paused in his tracks, Antfrost taking a few more steps before doing the same. He looked at Ponk expectantly. 

“Say, how about we make a deal, Antfrost.”

“Uhm, sure? Wait- what kind of deal? I take back my agreement until I know what it is..”

Ponk giggled. “How about you giving my friends a chance and hanging out with us soon. Then you can ditch your asshole ‘friends’ and I don’t tell my creeper hybrid boyfriend you bruised my ribs?”

“That..You know I would have done that without the threat, but now I have an excuse, so yes, thank you. Anything to get rid of them..” He paused. “Anything to leave them.” he corrected. “Can I uh, can I bring one with me, though?”

Ponk cocked an eyebrow. “Is he an arse?”

“No, he’s not. He isn’t really friends with them…at all. He’s my boyfriend.”

Ponks eyes widened and he smiled. “Oooh-”

“I’ve known you for, what, twelve minutes, and you are already at ‘oooh’ing stage?”

“You broke my ribs, yes I am.”

“Bruised.”

“Close enough, lets keep walking.” Ponk tsked, walking forward as Antfrost jumped beside him. They fell into a steady rhythm, step by step. Ponk couldn't help but smile. Ant felt different than his other friends. He wasn’t ambitious like Alyssa, he wasn’t egotistical like Dream, he wasn’t sarcastic like George. He wasn’t placid and excitable like Karl, he wasn’t strong and protective like Sam, he wasn’t offhanded like Fundy. He was kind and genuine. Genuine . Something Ponk had lacked for so long. He seemed lost in a sense, so close to being safe, but not quite there. He wasn’t home yet. Ponk smiled, white curls bouncing on his head, water drying against his rich skin. Ponk was going to let Antfrost into his home. 

While Ponk had always been taught to keep his home sacred, away from any threats, he was slowly beginning to learn to let his guard down. Antfrost wasn’t like his old town. He wasn’ going to take control of the reigns he desperately was holding onto, and he wasn’t going to crash me into a burning flame. Antfrost was just a normal guy, with a normal boyfriend, who was just as lost as was before. He smiled. 

“So, what’s your boyfriend like?” Antfrost asked, breaking the silence. Ponk flushed.

“Amazing.”

“Elaborate, lover boy.”

Ponk snorted. “He’s kind, protective, like very- on our first date he killed an enderman that went after me.”

“I see why I don’t want him to know I hurt you.”

He let out a warm laugh, because fair enough. “He’s gentle though. He just wants others to be happy, he wants them to be safe.”

Antfrost smiled and nodded. “Mine is kind too, more outgoing though. Sarcastic and witty.”

“He will get along nicely with George and Karl then.” Ponk decided, smiling. “He might have a rivalry with Dream though..”

“Sounds like fun for him.”

“You..you will get along with me. Fundy too I think. Probably also Nihachu if you get to meet her. Sapnap may be irked by you though? At the start.”

“They all seem so nice.”

“Oh NO- they dunked me before this.”

“God damn, your boyfriend too?”

“Nah, he patched me up.” he said, showing off his injured leg. Ant nodded. 

“Ah, a medic too?”

“More my thing, but he’s half decent.” Ponk said, stopping as they approached something other than his house. A tall building with pale blue siding with tall and wide black rimmed windows. A building with a singular front door.  This time, home found him. “Say, want to just have some lunch?”

“What about your plants?” Antfrost asked, ears twitching.

“Don’t worry about them, I can get Sam to help out. You’d rather this instead of going back to your old friends, yeah?”

“Yeah- yes please. I’ll help make lunch.” he said, fangs flashing in a wide grin. He looked so happy.

He looked like he had found his home.

Ponk felt fuzzy. Never had he been the one to show one home before. 

Antfrost never knew he needed help finding his home in the first place.

They both went up to the front door and smiled as Ponk opened it. They were home.

Chapter Text

Sun was shining through the windows of Ponk's favourite place as though it was there just to comfort him, and him only. He knew it wasn’t natural, and he’d told the admin off before for using his powers for something so small, but at the same time it felt somewhat nice. Especially today. It offered Ponk a reason to be skipping around his home with energy he normally saved up for the weekends. Today was a Tuesday morning, at a time that Ponk would typically still be sleeping until Sam called him to wake him up. You see, Ponk was a child at heart, and he had no shame in admitting so. It was what made him so charming and endearing, after all. He wore a wide grin on his face as his mask annoyingly gritted against his teeth. As a child, it was his sworn duty to make sure his friends had to deal with said child-like behaviour, despite its good intentions. And today, it was Callahan's turn to be roped into it. All around Ponk’s small home were little streamers in blue and red, confetti scattered around the floor from an accidental launch of a confetti cannon. In his defence, it had been an accident! He was just walking around, and then he wanted to make sure it worked, and then it..well then he checked to see if it worked. Okay looking back on it Ponk would admit that was not his brightest moment, but he has had worse. He had about twenty minutes before Callahan was supposed to arrive, but knowing his friend he would arrive early. Hence the reason he had already pretty well prepared everything he needed, including a semi-cool banner that he had illustrated himself with surprisingly decent handwriting. Ponk grinned, a sense of warmth surrounding him as he looked at his most recent messages. 

You whisper to Callahan: Are you excited for today (:

Callahan whispers to you: Depends. I still don’t know what I am in for.

You whisper to Callahan: Fun?

Callahan whispers to you: That question mark concerns me. 

You whisper to Callahan: Fun!

Callahan whispers to you: It’s too late to fix what you have done, Ponk. 

You whisper to Callahan:  It will be fun, I promise :D

You whisper to Callahan: Please come?

Callahan whispers to you: I never said I wasn’t going to come. No matter how much you cause me to second guess our relationship, I would not ghost you.

You whisper to Callahan:: :)

Callahan whispers to you: See you soon, Ponk. 

Callahan whispers to you: :D

Ponk couldn’t help the fond sensation that rushed from his head to his toes. Trust Callahan to speak in such a formality. Who uses punctuation in texts? If someone does, it’s either your mum, or someone is pissed off with you. Or it’s Callahan. 

Okay, so, you are probably wondering what is this occasion that has the lemon knook littered in cohesive colours and smelling of a burnt cake that is now tossed into the yard. Ponk scrunched his nose and went over to the kitchen to roll down a window. The smell of burning cake batter was not as pleasant as logic would make you think it would be. Ponk hummed as he grabbed onto the lever and rolled it clockwise. Idiotically his first instinct was to just toss the cake right outside said window. Because that would work. Ponk groaned internally at his own stupidity. Anyway, back on topic he supposed. He and Callahan had been friends for four years now, and to Ponk, four was more important than five. Four meant that you had surpassed the trial period, it was the time when you finally knew that the other wasn’t just going to leave you on the curbside after stomping on your subway's sandwich just because you said something on accident. It was the time where you could get into a fight, and still remain friends. It was the point in a relationship where you honestly could just be content with one another. Hence, Ponk’s natural instinct, to celebrate.

The idea that launched this was Callahan's delayed interrogation of Sam. Very delayed. Like, three years delayed. But that didn’t dissipate the admin from being completely and utterly terrifying to the point where Sam intentionally avoided the deer hybrid when he could. 

He could still remember walking in on it like it was yesterday. Okay, maybe last week. His point still stands! Callahan was significantly taller than Sam, despite the creeper hybrid having grown over a foot taller than Ponk over the years. He had been looking down on him with those somewhat empty blue eyes, arms frankly glowing with a threat. The room was dark, but slightly illuminated by the admin’s hands. He may have not spoken, but sure as hell Sam got the message by the messages he received.

“Ponk, he is a fucking admin!”

“Mhm.”

“He- he could kill me!”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Maybe if we broke up he wouldn’t?”

“That is a probability, but at the same time if we broke up it’s most likely he will kick your ass to the stars.”

“I wasn’t going to break up with you anyway!”

“Oh calm down, he won’t hurt you unless you hurt me.”

“Look what he sent me- Ponk, look!!”

And so Ponk had looked down at the glowing communicator, the rambunctiousness disturbing his calm start watching. Or he had tried too. However, mysteriously, the messages disappeared right as he looked down. To which Ponk had snorted at.

“That little shit!!”

“Hah-! Look, I believe you, but what’s the worst he could have said.”

“I would have shown you if the bastard didn’t swipe my messages!”

“Oh calm down, you’re disrupting our date.”

“Fine, fine- I am going to hold a grudge though.”

“Of course you are, Sammy.”

When Ponk had asked Callahan about the occurrence, the hybrid just shrugged with a poorly hidden smirk. Whatever it was managed to scare Sam out of demanding his hoodies back, so in his eyes it was a win win. 

Callahan had been on the server before Ponk, though he hadn’t necessarily become friends with him right away. Alyssa introduced him to Callahan a few months after they met, and it had been..a new experience, to say the least. He had always been one to cower when faced with authority. Now, keep in mind only when faced with it, behind the scenes he terrorized those fuckers. When he first met Callahan, the admin of the goddamn server , he had effectively shrunk a little bit in on himself. The taller one made an effort with Ponk for sure, just he had never been the most open to conversation. And considering Callahan was a mute, there was no conversation, hence the mass amount of physical touch. At one point all the touching had annoyed Ponk, now however, he quite enjoyed the comfort it brought. His hugs felt like a comforting warm blanket that he knew wouldn’t blow away in the wind. 

After four years, they were still best friends. 

So, Ponk decided he was going to feed into his child urges (that probably sprouted from lacking a normal childhood himself), and he invited Callahan to the lemon knook for a celebration. He hummed contently at the set up and walked over to flop onto the orange bean bag. He didn’t quite hit the soft, oh so soft, surface before a somewhat quiet knock was audible. The noise startled him the slightest, making him slip and land on his back, arms awkwardly braced on either side of the beanbag like it was an armrest. 

“I need shoes with grips.” He muttered to himself. “Come in! Door’s open.” 

The door opened casually, a bit fast and jarring, but that was just Callahan being Callahan. Once he could see the reindeer's face, Ponk jumped up into a star position before landing on his feet with immaculate grace considering his previous fall.

“Surprise!!” he cheered.

Callahan paused in the doorway, blinking as his mouth remained shut like usual. Slowly, he turned and closed the door so the wind wouldn't enter. He turned back around and cocked his head to the side, signaling for Ponk to continue. 

“We have been friends for exactly four years today. You have stuck with me for four entire years despite everything we’ve gone through. We’ve reached the point where I know you won’t just leave me for someone else, or because of a stupid fight. So, I decided to throw a small party!”

Callahan's mouth opened in surprise, and a wide smile overtook his face as he quickly walked over and pulled the shorter into a tight, meaningful hug.

Like a blanket that won't blow away in the wind. 

Ponk smiled and leaned closer, pulling him closer, somehow. Callahan hummed quietly and exhaled soothingly, narrowing his eyes when Ponk pulled away. He tried to yank Ponk back, only for him to whinge. “Come on, I have a gift for you! Let me get it for you!” 

Callahan huffed, though released the younger to scamper off into the lemon knook to retrieve said present. Ponk giggled and spun around a corner, leaving Callahan alone in the main room. He hummed and leaned down into a cabinet in the ‘kitchen’ area, pulling out a small book that was trashily wrapped. It did have a nice bow on it though! He quickly returned to the main room, pausing to snort at the olders pout. For supporting a somewhat older-brother role to Ponk, he often acted like a child. He had his arms crossed and huffed. Ponk grinned and walked over, stopping just in front as Callahan looked down at him kindly. Warmly. Fondly even. 

“Here, I made this for you. Or, I tried too.” He said, handing it over. Callahan took it gently in his hands, like he was scared it would shatter, and turned it around to examine it. Ponk felt anxiety push up his throat.

“This whole thing was kind of a mess not going to lie. You know, I made a cake! And it burnt- so sorry for the smell. Wow okay I didn’t realise how shitty this actually was- uhm, I’m sorry, I really didn’t plan this as well as I should have-”

“Thank you.”

Ponks mouth slammed shut so fast his teeth made an audible clank. Callahan was standing in front of him, the yellow flower crown placed upon his head. His hands had a faint glow, likely representing the small size change so the crown could fit round his antlers without the crown breaking. The petals were made into the shape of lemons, courtesy of Ponk himself after hours of work. The reindeers eyes were soft and gentle, and Ponk had no idea what to say.

“I-..wha- I uh…” He couldn’t even speak. He closed his mouth, and Callahan smiled warmly. A soft chuckle played at the admins lips.

“Thank you, Ponk. For staying with me even though many wouldn’t.”

Ponks mouth opened slightly. He paused, trying to process. Callahan's voice was slightly raspy, somewhat like his would be like if he screamed for an hour. It wasn’t as low pitched as he would have expected. Still deeper than his own for sure, but not having any of the dangerous qualities that Dream’s voice wore. It was soothing and..smooth. It sounded so different from what he expected, but so perfect at the same time. Most people would say something sentimental. But you see, Ponk is a child at heart in a way. In the best way.

“You..You can speak?” he whispered.

Callahan chuckled, so much more solid than normal. So much more comfortable. “Yes, I can.”

Ponk blinked once. Then twice. Then thrice, and then once more for good measure. He wasn’t sure why,  he knew it wasn’t going to do anything to help him comprehend this. Callahan had never spoken around him before, ever. The best Ponk could think of doing was take his mask off in a quick swoop and offer the older a smile. Callahan grinned widely and grabbed Ponk by his shoulder, yanking him into a hug. Ponk stumbled into his chest, somehow not tripping along the way, wrapping his arms around him. They stood there as the sun seemed to gleem directly on them, putting them in a spotlight. Somehow Ponk knew this wasn’t natural, but he wasn;t about to lecture Callahan for using his powers for something as miniscule as this. If anything, he would encourage it. 

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Callahan smiled. “Thank you for loving me.”

The two smiled. Best friends in the eyes of others, but brothers for each other. 

“I am never taking this crown off.”

“Good, that thing took me seventeen tries to make.”

“Damn-”

Ponk snorted. “Only just started speaking and you’re swearing?”

Callahan chuckled. “Oh, trust me, I have so much I am going to say to you now. You will never hear the end of me, Ponk.”

“Good.”