Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bored. Bored. Bored.

Is all Skeppy thought. He'd gone through a multitude of princesses his parents had set him up with. None of them caught his eye. He'd rather choose to marry anyone he wanted, but because of his royal title he had to marry a princess from another royal family because of the "law," or something.

"Uhm... So..." The princess sitting across from him at the table pried clearing her throat. "What- do you like doi-" "Video games." He answered, not letting her finish, tapping his fingers on the chocolate-y wooden table. "Oh. What a- prince-ly activity!" She laughed nervously as Skeppy rested his head on the table.

"Uh- do you have a favourite food?" "Sand." He smirked letting his head up. ". . . Sand?" She winced. "Yes. I looovveee sand. I eat like eight gallons of it day, at least." The princess cleared her throat once again.

"Oh! Uh- okay..." She glanced down at the dark oak table. "Well, my favourite food is... Baked potatoes." She let out a airy, nervous laugh. "Cooooool." Skeppy nodded sarcastically. "Uh- got any pets?... Here- at the castle?" She asked, warning a head shake from Skeppy.

". . ." ". . ." ". . ."

"Okay..." He mused. "Uh- what's your name?" The princess took a deep breath, seemingly irritated.

"Okay. I uhm..." She stood up, the chair getting pushed back. "I don't... I don't think this uhm... Relationship is gonna work." She smiled, a fake, pity smile. "I just don't- think we're meant to be." She mumbled taking a few steps back before running down the corridor and out of the castle.

Skeppy laughed, a high pitched, fake sounding laugh.

"Zak." A voice almost shouted, sternly from behind him. "Ughh..." He groaned softly. Skeppy lay his head back on the table, still keeping his eyes open. "I know you can hear me, Zak." ". . ."

"ZAK!?" She marched over, slapping her hand on the table. "Ugh! Whaaaaaatt?!!" He crossed his arms, picking his legs up and resting them on the chair he was sitting on. "That's what? The sixth princess you've ran out, hm?" Skeppy rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, Zak, something... Something has gotta give, here. What's up with you? What's wrong with the nice princesses you've met!?" She asked massaging her temples. "Mom... I-" "I don't wanna hear an excuse. I want a reason!" "Which I what I am trying to give you!" He snapped back. "Okay! Give me the reason.". . . "They all suck, and I'm awesome." Zak stated confidently standing up from the chair.

"That's not a reason, Zak." "Yes it is, I just said it." His mother groaned quietly. "Okay!" She clasped her hands together. "We'll... We'll try again tomorrow!" She said, trying to sound all happy and cheery. "Really?!! We're gonna keep doing this?!" "Yes! Until you... You find a nice princess, and marry her so you'll have and heir, and all that Jolly good stuff." She gave him a look that said, 'if you don't agree I will make sure you do not see the light of day tomorrow.'

"Okay!! Whatever, dude." She squinted at him. "I'm your mother." . . . "Whatever... Mom..." He crossed his arms. "That's great, now wash up, dinners soon." She ushered him out of the room and down the hallway to his room.

--

"Bored, bored, bored." Skeppy mumbled to himself, tossing a ball in the air, laying on his bed, he tried to get dinner over with as quick as possible, which he did, he ate quickly, almost no talking to his mom and dad, despite their attempts, and rushed back up to his bedroom.

New record! Probably five minutes. He didn't kel track, but he imagined that it was probably under ten minutes. He could play Minecraft, but it got pretty boring since he had no one to play the game with. He liked tennis, but again, no one to play with, or talk to while he played.

He had friends, but they were from far kingdoms, couldn't keep him entertained, or talk to him everyday. He could call them, but he wasn't best friends with any of them, since one of his closest friends died he hasn't really talked to anyone, he liked his friends, they were... Cool. But... He never had a friend he could talk to for hours and not get bored.

He'd seen every kingdom, or almost every and never found a princess he'd wanna marry, so what's even the point?! He thought. Stupid princessess, stupid parents, stupid laws. Stupid... Stupid... Stupid!!!

And while thinking of everything about his life that sucked. He fell asleep, which happened often. . . The thinking about the bad parts of his life... Not the falling asleep.

--

"Ughh go awayyyy!!" He grumbled hearing the knock on the door, when he had just woken up.
"Uhm, your Highness- your mother... Would like to speak with you." Skeppy mumbled something into his pillow. "May I come in?" The servant asked. ". . . Suurree." He heard the door open, then click shut.

"You should get ready, sir." "No." "You're... Going to... Have a proper meeting with your mother in your.... Sleepwear?" "Yes." Skeppy felt something be placed on the bed. "Your... Clothes are ready for you... When you're ready, your highness." Skeppy let out a response that was muffled by his pillow before hearing the door open and shut again.

He looked up from his pillow across his large bedroom for a moment, rubbing his chocolate brown eyes, and taking a deep breath. Skeppy set his foot down on the floor, then his other, then fully standing up and stretching his arms.

--

Zak came down the stairs, still stretching, and no longer in his night clothes. "What, mo-" "Zak!" She cut him off. "Wha-" He started. "I've found a princess I think you'll like!" Skeppy sat down, his eyes widened at the girl. "This... Is a princess?" "Yes! Her name's-" "Where's she from? She looks..." "She's from the Nether! You know... There's a kingdom... Down... Down there!" His mother said excitedly. "Her names Tiffany... Tiffany Novescotch."

--

"Tiffany..." His hands gripped his jeans, staring at her. "That's my name." She looked... Aggravated. "You... Have..." He started pointing to her. "Horns? And a tail. I know I'm a demon. Thats the Nethers whole thing, jackass." She crossed her arms. This girl has bleach blonde hair, clearly dyed, with her bangs dyed red to match. Her tail and horns bright red, surprisingly not clashing with her red outfit and.... Unique features.

"How... Old are you?" He pried. "Older than you." She answered. "Why- ya' mad?" He asked crossing his arms. "I'm not. That's... Just... How I am." Skeppy squinted. "Okay..." He mused suspiciously. "Look. I don't wanna marry... You. But I don't really have a choice here." She crossed her arms and legs.

"Hell you mean you, 'don't have a choice?' Of course you do." He rolled his eyes. "Kid. I would pick... Going back to the Nether rather than here any day of the week. But I'm not doing that, because I can't bring myself to." Skeppys face morphed into one of confusion. "What? Why won't you! You don't wanna be here, and I don't wanna get married to some rando! Why can't you- you just go back?! It's- it's a win win!" He snickered.

Tiffany scoffed, closing her eyes. "Sorry kid. I want everyone to be happy. But a kingdom as cruel as yours, and a kingdom... Like mine. Don't get to be happy. You have to face the consequences. And I have to face the biased opinions of you overworld freaks." Skeppy scoffed, with an disbelieving grin. "I'm a freak?! You're the one with horns and a tail!" He stood. "You have tacky ass crystals coming out of your fucking face. Freak." Skeppy scoffed again, and kicked his chair down.

"I'm done with this. I'm not getting engaged to some Nether demon scum." He grumbled sofly stomping back to his room. "Demon." He muttered under his breath.

--

Later in the night, as Skeppy sat as his desk, playing his computer trying not to think about Tiffany. "Ugh. Who does she think- I'm a freak!? Says- says the one with a tail!" He grumbled to himself. "Zak?..." A voice and a knock from his left. "What?..." He shouted spinning around to face his door as his mother entered.

"Heyy..." She smiled nervously. "Is this about this marriage? I'm not marrying that." She took a deep breath. "Zak... I know- that... That you want the freedom... To... To date anyone but..." She exhaled looking down at his marble flooring. "You can't, and..." "I know I can't." He crossed his arms. "But I'm not marrying here." She sighed. "You, are... We've already... Arranged it." Skeppy stood up. "What?!"

"She is only... Listen we..." She looked down with a sigh. "I'm sorry... Dear." She took a step closer towards her son. "Mom!? I- I don't- I'm not fucking marrying her!?" His mother clutched her nonexistent pearls. "Zak, I-" "Mom..." He mumbled quietly. "Zak-" "MOM!" He shouted. "I don't... I don't wanna talk right now." He slumped back into the chair, taking his up onto he chair with him.

"Okay..." She sighed. "I... I do love you." Skeppy looked away. "You know that?" "Mhm." She opened her mouth, but her words apparently died in her throat as she shut her mouth a few moments after she initially opened it. "Love you..." He mumbled as she twisted his door handle, opening it, but not leaving immediately.

And she nodded.

--

As he dreamed that night, he felt off, like something in his life was wrong. Like he'd done something. Something wrong. Something bad. Something only he could fix.

He woke with a gasp, a line of sweat on his forehead. He hadn't... Remembered the dream, but he knew it was scary, or something unsettling, he woke up hot, his room chill, contrast to his skin. "What-" He moved his fingers through his hair, climbing out of bed.

He stared at his own figure in his mirror, his diamonds looked dull. All of them. The ones that littered his face, that made them look like crystals, the whole diamond chunk that covered the full top right of his face, that made him blind in one eye. The small and medium sized ones on his legs and arms. All dull like they'd lost their shine, and blue hue.

He turned his attention to his door, a blue hue shining from under it. "What the..." He scrunched his face in a confused glare. He made his way to his door, opening it, not being met with anything that had the shine of blue.

He swallowed and looked down both corridors he could go down from his bedroom. One emitting the same blue colour he saw once coming from the bottom of his door.

He followed the blue shade. It led him to their smallest dining hall, small diamonds covering the floor, like someone hadn't cleaned up in a while. He frowned at the unkempt view he saw.

"Aw, little baby... Diamonds." He picked them up, smelting them into his own body, smiling at the fact they're no longer forgotten.

The blue hue was still shining through, coming from the next room, beckoning him to move forward. And so he did, and did and did.

--

The blue colour led him all through the castle, for about two hours now, it led him through the shower rooms, other dining halls, forgotten castle areas and now, the garden.

The garden was one of his favourite parts of the castle, he liked the blue and red flowers, there were others, but those were his favourite. He liked how they went together.

But now, he wasn't enjoying the scenery, or helping with the plant life, he was following this taunting blue glow, that led him all throughout the castle, gradually getting brighter as it led him on. Skeppy was confident, that this was the end of the chase the following would be over! When he entered... The basement.

No. No, No, No. He was not scared of the basement, he'd just... Never been down there! He'd heard when he went into the town his parents kept innocent civilians down there, and other kingdoms who failed to meet their demands. So no. He wasn't scared. He was hesitant.

Just in case it was true.

--

"Hellooooo?" He slid his hand down the rough concrete of the basements wall. He said the word in a silly tone to keep his spirits up in case there's a psycho maniac locked down here.

"⊑⟒⌰⌰⍜?" Skeppy jumped at the noise. "What the... What the f-... What the hell...." He peeked the corner, feeling the wall for a slight switch, when he found one and turned it on it was still dark, and dim. The light flickered, like it hurt to turn on. "Who... Who spoke?" There it was... An occupied cell, with a few other cells in the corridor.

He bent down next to the thing in the cell, it's back facing towards him. "Hello? Do- do you have a name?" The tail on the person locked up moved, Skeppy jumped, inching back just a bit.

The creature turned it's head, ever so slightly, his eyes a bright white, it practically illuminated the whole room. His face, also littered with white freckles across his pitch black skin, make Skeppys eyes grow wide.

The boy behind the cell wrapped his hands around the cold metal bars, like a sad animal in a zoo. The boy squinted at Skeppy, and swallowed.

"My name is Bad.... BadBoyHalo."

Chapter Text

"Hello..." Skeppy managed. "What's... What are you?" He choked. "I'm a demon. A Nether demon." He mumbled, staring down at the cold cobblestone ground. "Oh." He looked around for any other source of light. "I'm a prince. Here..." He stared into the demons milky white irises. "Mhm..." He muttered. "Why are you here?" Skeppy questioned.

"The-" Bad paused, "your parents, they locked me up." Skeppy choked on his breath. "Huh?..." He asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but most likely failing. Bad scrunched his nose. "What did you do?" Bad squinted. "Nothing." Skeppy looked at him quizzically. "What... What d'you mean?" Skeppy coughed. "My-" Skeppy looked down. "My parents wouldn't do that. They're... They're good people dude."

Skeppy crossed his arms. "Hm..." Bad's tail swayed steadily behind him. ". . . What. . . Did you actually do?" "Nothing..." Bad frowned, a sad and weary soul. Skeppy met his eyes, they didn't look at all cruel, more so pained, and scared.

"Okay. So..." Skeppy ran his hands through his hair. "Why are you here then?" Bad made a sound, he sounded sad, like he didn't wanna tell. "It's.. Okay- you don't- have ta' tell me, dude."

Bad nodded. "What are you." He reached his hand from behind the bars to touch Skeppy's diamonds. "What-" He started, feeling Bad's lukewarm hands on his face. Skeppy felt his face get hot. "Oh! I'm- I'm a- diamond... I mean- I'm made... Of diamonds. Not- fully- sometimes I can be... But y'know... Not normally." Bad cupped his face. "Do you always. . .Glow?" Bad mused with a smirk.

"Yes." Skeppy answered quickly. He didn't respond to touch well he guessed. "They didn't glow when you first came down here, into the dungeon." Skeppy's ears burned. "This is normal." He stared at Bad's face, illuminated because of his diamonds glow. As he spoke Skeppy noticed Bad's short and stubby fangs. "Okay. You can stop now, dude." He gently grabbed Bad's wrists and pulled them down, away from his own face.

The glow from his diamonds subsided, and dimmed gradually. "What's your name." Bad asked randomly as Skeppy looked at him. "Huh?" Skeppy snapped out of his trance like state. "What... Is your name? You never told me. I've told you mine. Now you... Should tell me yours, you muffin." Skeppy's face scrunched in confusion. "Muffin?" Bad nodded. "Tell me your name, or I'll call you a muffinhead."

Skeppy snickered lightly. "Dude what?" Bad groaned quietly. "Just tell me your name!!" He shouted. Skeppy smiled. "Uh- it's Z-" Skeppy paused looking at Bad. "it's Skeppy." "S'geppy." He smiled. "Uh- no. It-" Skeppy's words died as he tried to speak them. "Yeah, yeah...That's fine." Skeppy coughed. "I guess."

Bad cocked his head looking at him. "So," Bad's eyes scanned over Skeppy's figure. "You... Are the prince, here?" Skeppy nodded slowly, still focused on Bad. "Hm." Skeppy licked his lips. "You sound surprised." He stated bluntly. "I just- didn't... Expect you to look like that." Skeppy squinted. "What... Did you expect me to look like?" Bad looked over the others body once again.

"I dunno." Bad crossed his legs, placing his hands in his lap. "I expected you to be... Stuck up... And... And mean. A mean muffin." Skeppy smiled, putting his hands around the bars of Bad's enclosure. "Well, I could still be... Y'know... Stuck up and mean. I mean, you just met me." Bad nodded.

Bad looked down, into his own lap. "You're... Not a mean muffin, though," Skeppy kept staring at him, catching his gaze when the demon finally looked back up. "Right?" He asked with a smile. Skeppy shook his head in response, and let go of the bars, and rested them behind him on the cold floor. Bad smiled. "That's good." He broke their gaze, staring back into his lap.

They sat in comforting silence for a moment, listening to the owls outside the dungeon before Skeppy spoke after a few long minutes. "Are you a mean muffin?" He mused with a smirk. Bad looked up in amusement. "No. I'm a very nice muffin." He smiled. Skeppy nodded. "I've met, another demon today." Skeppy started, looking away, towards the cellars exit. "She was... A mean muffin, I guess." He finished, looking back at the demon.

"Oh." Bad placed his claws around the metal bars. "How so?" Bad asked, cocking his head again. "She was rude... I guess." Skeppy pulled his legs up to his chin. "She said bad things about my kingdom." Bad let his arms drop back to his sides. "That I had to face... Consequences, or something stupid like that." Skeppy mumbled with an eye roll. Bad looked down. "Well..." Bad scooted closer to the bars, bringing his head back up.

"I don't wanna be... A mean muffin, like how you're describing her but..." Skeppy snapped his head up at him at the beginning of his sentence. "Your... Kingdom is bad... Not- not like... You run it badly- or- or... Anything! I... I just mean... You- you know... Morally." Skeppy looked at him in a confused glare. "What?" He stated sternly. "Your kingdom has... Done bad things morally. Like locking me up here because... Of what I am."

Skeppy scoffed. "What?! I- I bet... Your kingdom sucks! Sur- surrounded by lava and- and dumb shit!" Skeppy stood up quickly, dusting himself off. He heard Bad mumbled something under his breath. "I don't need two demons telling me the place I've grown up my whole life sucks and it fucking terrible!" Skeppy scoffed again, and stormed out of the dungeon, up the stairs, through his castle and back up to his bedroom.

--

When Skeppy woke up that morning, he realised he hadn't changed from last night. And realised that his dream last night was super weird. Following random blue light that led him all throughout the castle to some demon? Stupid demon. With- with a stupid name! Skeppy thought, as he got out of bed.

Skeppy turned his door handle opening it gently, then making his way down the stairs to his kitchen. "Zak!" His mother stated, seeing him in the dining area. "Hm?" Skeppy answered tiredly.

"I honestly think you should be happy! About- about marrying Tiffany. Listen-" Skeppy groaned loudly. "Listen! We. . . If you marry her. . . We- we'll have a truce between our kingdom and theirs. Once your married she'll... She'll go back. Back to the Nether." Skeppy crossed his arms.

"She said she... Didn't have a choice." Skeppy questioned looking down. "Uhm..." "Is our kingdom morally corrupt?" He asked bluntly. "What?! N-no!? What- why on earth would you think that?!!" Skeppy closed his eyes. "Why... Why did she say she didn't have a choice." She cleared her throat.

"Uh- sometimes... We- do things that some people, yes, would deem-" Skeppy snapped his head up. "What's up... With the dungeon?" Skeppy asked, starting to think it wasn't a freaky dream. "Huh? Why... Why are you asking about the dungeon?" She took a serious tone.

Skeppy took on a confused look. "Would you lock up someone... From her kingdom? To get her to marry me?" He looked up opening his eyes, looking at her with a series, yet neutral look.

"Zak... Go to your room." Skeppy parted his lips. "What?" He asked. "Go to your room, Zak." She nearly shouted, a stern tone in her voice. "I want an answe-" "ZAK." She yelled, stomping her foot, her voice echoing through probably the whole castle.

Skeppy scoffed, and took a step backwards. He clenched his fists before running back up to his bedroom.

--

"Stupid mom, stupid castle, stupid marriage, stupid... Dream..." He mumbled into his pillow. Skeppy brought his up, out if his pillow, then sitting up. "Was... That a dream." He questioned himself. No. That felt... Really. . . . . . .Real. He jumped out of bed, and out of his bedroom door, after his mother had told him to go to his room, he was leaving again.

--

"Hey." He greeted the chef in the kitchen, who cooked their meals. He didn't know her name, but he was thankful. "Hello-" She started, turning around. "Oh! Y-your highness! Hello, sir." She smiled. "Hey. . . Uhm... Can you make anything... I want?" She parted her lips with a nod. "Uh- okay... What about... Muffins?" He paused. "Blueberry."

--

"Helloooooo...." Skeppy mused, carefully walking down the steps. The steps of the dungeon. "I'm sorry... Is..." He finished the steps, looking down, not wanting to look up. "Bad...?" He asked for, still staring straight to the ground.

Skeppy heard a purr, sorta like a cat. "S'geppy?" He heard the familiar voice. "You... You're real." He muttered looking up from the floor and around the corner to the cells. "You came back!" Bad wrapped his hands around the bars, smiling wide seeing Skeppy. "Bad." He said again. "What are you- what is that?" Bad cocked his head looking at what Skeppy had in his hands.

"Oh, uhm..." Skeppy walked closer to bad. "You... Kept mentioning... Muffins... So- I... Made you some..." "Muffins!" Bad smiled, pushing his cheek against the bars, trying to look at them in the darkness. "Uh, here." Skeppy smiled, pulling a muffin out of the tray, and handing it the bad.

"Thank you! Thank you!" He cheered, gratefully taking the muffin. Bad stared at the muffin for a moment. "What's wrong?" Skeppy questioned. "Nothin'..." He smiled, at Skeppy, and taking a smile bite of the muffin.

His eyes widened looking at Skeppy. "What's in this?" Skeppy smiled. "It's- it's a blueberry muffin." Skeppy kept his goofy smile on his face. "Oh... Ooh- I've- I've never had blueberries." He smiled, still happily eating the muffin. "Why not?" Skeppy asked, his smile fading. "We don't have a lotta plants in the Nether." He wiped his mouth with his hoodie sleeve, still keeping eye contact with Skeppy.

"I haven't had most of your overworld food, like your fruits and vegetables." "Do you have guava?" Bad blinked. "Thats not real." Skeppy laughed loudly. "Yes it is." Skeppy paused. "How would you know?" He smiled. "You've never been to the overworld." Bad squinted. "That doesn't sound real, you're- making that up or something."

Skeppy nodded with a frown. "If- you don't have guava, which is totally real, what do you have there?" Bad paused. "We have carrots, and... Mushrooms, but I don't think wehave... Your kind of mushrooms here." Skeppy nodded again. "We don't have water." He looked confused at Bad's words, before shifting to concern.

"How do you survive?" Bad looked down. "I don't know. I know you.... People in the over world need it... But... We don't- I guess. I'm not... Sure, the teachers, and stuff in our kingdom, told us it burned us from a young age." Bad looked to the side, then back at Skeppy. "That's cool, dude..." He paused, "The never having it thing- not the fact it burns you." Skeppy smiled faintly. Bad returned Skeppys smile to him.

"I don't know if it's a fact, since I've never seen- water and stuff, I dunno if it actually burns us, y'know?" Skeppy nodded with a smile.

"Ive never... Been to the Nether- d'you have like- a whole like... Law system- and hierarchy- orrr?" Bad laughed quietly. "We're a kingdom. So... Yes, yes we do." Bad smiled. "Oh yeah..." Skeppy smiled, his diamonds glowing from embarrassment. "That's makes sense, I guess." He said, wearing a goofy smile.

"Oh, have you ever been out of the Nether? Before this, I mean." Bad shook his head. Skeppy smiled.

"The sky is really bright here." Bad mumbled. Skeppy nodded. "What's the sky look like in the Nether, I've never been." "It's red." Skeppy's face scrunched. "Why?" Bad smiled. "The same reason your sky is blue I think." Skeppy nodded. "Do you have like... Weird oceans there?" "Lava. We have lava oceans." Skeppy smiled. "Do you have weird fish?" Bad shook his head. "We have these weird things called striders. I think... They're cute."

"Maybe in can get you outta here, show you the overworld, hm?" Skeppy stated said randomly. Bad smiled with a nod. "I doubt your... Your parents will let you though." Skeppy looked around. "They won't know. Do they check up on you?" Bad blinked. "No." "When do they bring you food?" Bad blinked. "They don't, they haven't yet." Skeppy's eyes widened. "How long have you been here?" "A few days. It was 3 when you first came down here."

Skeppy nodded. "Aren't you like... Starving?" Bad shook his head. "I can survive. Long periods without... Food. Most demons can." Skeppy smiled. "I'll... I'll bring you food." Bad smiled warmly.

"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Can I have another muffin?"

Chapter Text

"What's that?" "An orchid, blue." Bad nodded, as Skeppy showed him photos from the overworld. "What animals do you have here?" Bad questioned. "Uhh, pigs, horses, cows... You know." Bad frowned. "No I do not." Skeppy smiled. "Do you wanna see them?" Bad nodded with a smile.

"I would show you in person if I could get you out of here..." Skeppy stood up, and tried shaking the hard metal bars, Bad giggled. "I don't think that will work, Skeppy." He smiled up at him, as he was still sitting down. "It will work give me second, then you'll be free and stuff." Skeppy spoke quickly, still shaking the bars as hard as he could. "Geppy..." He smiled, "It's okay, I'm fine in here. I'm fine with just... Seeing pictures."

Skeppy sighed, and sank back onto the ground. "Okay..." He held his kegs to his chin.

Skeppy studied Bad's body as theys sat in silence for a few moments. "Are you like..." He brought his legs back down to the ground crossing them. "Hm?" Bad looked back up at his friend. "Are there like species of you guys? Like different lookin' demons?" Bad cocked his head.

"Why do you ask?" "You just look... Way less human than the other demon I know. Like your skin... And your eyes," Skeppy squinted. "I dunno... She just... Looked more human." Bad smiled. "I can look human if you want me to." "Huh?" "I'll still have horns... And a tail and fangs... And stuff." Bad snickered. "What are you laughing at." Skeppy asked sternly. "There's not... Species of Nether demons... The other demon you know just... Happened to want to look human at the moment."

Skeppy nodded.

"Can I see what you look like as a human?"

--

"ZAAAKKKKK!!" His mother's voice echoed through his large bedroom. "Goooo awayyy..." He grumbled covering his ears with his pillow. "I have a surprise for you..." She mused, sitting on the edge of his bed. "C'mon, get up." Skeppy groaned. "Zak, it's importantttt." Skeppy unburied his face turning around to stare at her.

"Whattt?" He rubbed his eyes. "The surprise... I keep talking about?" Stepped whined, falling back onto his pillow. "What? What is it." He asked, hoping she wouldn't actually answer. "You know... The lovely girl Tiffany?" Skeppy frowned. "She's not lovely. She sucked." His mom nodded.

"Lose that attitude." "No." "Drop it." "No." "Zak." "What?" "Look at me." He hesitated, before sitting back up, looking into her brown eyes. "I didn't wanna marry your father." She studied his movements carefully. "But I did." She said in a neutral tone. "You can fuss all you want. You're doing it." "When you become king you need a queen."

Skeppys diamonds glowed, as he fell back on his bed again, then covered his face his face with a nearby pillow. "I'm not doing thaaaattt..." His voice muffled from the pillow. "Stand up." He felt her weight lift from the end of his mattress. "I don't... Wanna." "Zak. Stand up." Skeppy didn't speak. "Get up. Come on." Skeppy sat up, tossing his pillow across the room.

"What." He turned to her. "What is it? What is it that you want to tell me?!!" She sighed. "You... You should get dressed." She smiled. "Wear something nice, hm?" Skeppy exhaled. "Whatever..." He mumbled as his mother exited his bedroom.

--

"What's she doing here?" Skeppy exhaled looking at Tiffany standing in front of him next to his mother. "She- you and her... I thought it'd be nice if... You two went on a date! Hm? Just- just to get to know each other more!" He stared at Tiffany, her arms crossed, and her usual cold expression.

"Is... Do I have a choice?" Skeppy asked, hoping he didn't have to, his arms held sternly at his sides. "No." His mom stated flatly. "Okay! Tiffany knows whatever- what she wants to do!! Just- just follow her! I'll leave you to it!" She smiled, holding her dress just to her ankles as she exited the room, rushing down the corridor.

--

"You don't dress like a princess." Skeppy finally said. Breaking the silence the two had been building up for around a minute or two. "You dress like a middle school boy." Skeppy looked to the side. "You dress like a 10 year old trying to seem tough." He fought back. "You dress like a discord mod." She kept her frown.

"You dress like-" Skeppy paused, his diamonds faintly glowing. "You dress like a witch." "No I don't." "Yes you do." "What witch dresses like this." She smirked, looking up at him. "I dunno? You." He rolled his eyes, staring at her leather jacket. "You dress exactly like how I'd expect a demon to." Tiffany frowned again.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She snarled. "You dress all scary. But you're not. You're just some species people pretend to care about." Skeppy smirked. "At least we're interesting. Your just some rock from the fuckin' ground." Skeppy scoffed.

"Y-you... You're..." Skeppy started. "You're..." Skeppy's eyes darted side to side, looking across the room. Tiffany raised her eyebrows clenching her fists. "You're... You're a..." Skeppy's mind wondered to the demon in the dungeon, Bad. "You're a muffinhead!!" He shouted at her, crossing his arms.

Her eyes widened. "What." "I said you're a muffin." He rolled his eyes. "Like... Like a rotten one- p-probably." She looked down with wide eyes. Skeppy smirked at her reaction, feeling satisfied. "You, you need to shut the hell up." She snapped her head up. Skeppy frowned. "Whyyyyy?" He questioned with a cocky tone. "Shut- shut up. Where... Who said- where did you hear that?" She looked down. "I- uh- I just thought of it... R-right now." He stated trying to sound confident, but failing, obviously a little intimidated by Tiff.

"Don't- ever say that ever again, diamond boy." "Why not?" He happily pried. "If you say that again," She roughly cupped the sides of his face, bringing it towards hers. "Dude- let go?!" His diamonds emitted a slight glow. "I will have your fucking diamonds in a sword." Skeppy's eyes widened. "That won't kill me. It'll just hurt. You don't scare me." "I'll finish the job with the sword."

Skeppy nodded, his diamonds glowing. "Uh- okay... Okay! Y-yeah..." He tried nodding despite her grip on him.

She pushed him away, crossing her arms and closing her eyes for a moment. "We should go now. Your... Mother has ordered it... I guess I have to listen to her..." She opened her eyes, and let her arms fall to her side. "Since I'm in her kingdom or whatever." She looked down, her mood shifting immediately.

Skeppy nodded, catching his breath, what the hell is wrong with her? It was just a word. What a freak.

--

"Is it hot in the Nether?" Skeppy asked staring at his dessert they'd gotten. "Yes, Zak. Yes it's hot." She said, her tone gave off, 'please shut up, you're so stupid' vibes. (Which he got from mostly everyone). "How do you deal with that?" She shrugged. "Stay in the castle, snow... Before it melts." "I thought you didn't have water?" "We don't. It doesn't melt just kinda... Evaporates." Skeppy nodded. The Nether sounded weird.

"You have... Like diamonds and stuff there?" "No." "Do you have anything like... Gems there." "We have quartz and gold." Skeppy nodded. "Gold sucks, I think." She blinked. "It's our main currency." Skeppy, paused. "We pay with gems... Just not... Diamonds because," Tiffany snorted. "I get it." Skeppy smiled, maybe she wasn't actually all that bad.

--

"So. You got any siblings?" Skeppy asked, out of the blue, licking his vanilla ice cream cone. "Yeah." Tiffany mumbled, having not touched her strawberry cone. Skeppy blinked, scrunching his nose. "You gonna tell me?" He mused after about thirty seconds. "Maybe." Tiffany said, sounding absorbed in her thoughts.

"I have a brother." She said finally after a few minutes in silence. Skeppy looked over at her, almost done with his ice cream cone. "Hm. Whats his name?" Skeppy asked, his attention back on his treat, finishing it off.

Tiffany looked up. "Darryl." Skeppy nodded. "Was he like you?" Skeppy cocked his head, turning to her. Tiffany smiled, looking away from him, at the stone path, from the bench they both sat on. "No. He didn't swear at all, and he was really nice to everyone." She frowned. "Is he...?" She shook her head turning to him.

"No. No. If you're-" Tiffany paused. "He's alive..." She smiled. "At home..." She didn't sound confident, she was lying. Skeppy could tell. "Oh, back... Back in the Nether?" "Mhm." She said tiredly, with a nod. "How old is he?" Skeppy asked with a smile, trying to lighten her mood.

"He turned 17 just last April." Skeppy smiled, Darryl was around his age, he'd turned 16 in January. "He's around my age..." Skeppy mumbled to himself. "I shouldn't be marrying you." Skeppy nodded. "You're... 16 aren't you?" He nodded again. "This is wrong." She mumbled.

"Why do your parents want you to marry me?" She paused for a moment. "I didn't want my... Darryl marrying anyone... He's too young to decide." She looked at him. "So I said I'd marry anyone they wanted... No fussing." Skeppy smirked. "I'd say you fussed." "Shut up." She answered, looking away from him, a smile on her face.

"Hey, how... How old are you anyway?" She looked up, then back at him. "21." Skeppy's eyes widened. "Ew. What." He made a gagging noise, earning a smile from Tiffany. Skeppy smiled.

"Are you gonna finish your ice cream?" Skeppy smiled, happy that everything between them isn't all angry tension. Tiffany smiled weakly. "Here."

--

"Sooo...." Skeppy started, his hands in his pockets as him and her walk home. "What?" She questioned, walking beside him, her eye lids resting peacefully over her eyes.

"What's with you and the muffinhead thing?" He smiles turning his head to her, though she does not see him because of her closed eyes.

"Doesn't matter." She mumbled. "I feel like it matters." He snickers. "It doesn't matter to you, if I don't wanna tell you then I don't have to tell you." She opens her eyes, staring up at the bright full yellow moon.

"I guess that's fair..." He mumbles, crossing his arms. "Is it like... A trigger word or something?" He pries. "Stop askin' dude." Skeppy exhales loudly. "You're no fun." Tiffany pauses for a bit. Not answering for a minute as they walk.

He thought the conversation was done because she closed her eyes again, hearing the night time noises.

"Tell me something about you then." She finally says, putting her arms behind her head, opening her eyes. "Oh, uhm..." Skeppy thinks for a moment. "Something... Like what?" Tiffany smiles. "Anything... Something interesting preferably." She says turning to him.

"I can turn into a diamond golem." Tiffany blinks. "Cool... I guess." Skeppy snickers. "What's it look like?" Tiffany asks. "It's... Just a full diamond... Little guy." She scoff-laughed at Skeppy's words. "It's also two feet tall." Tiffany gasps quietly, and involuntarily. "No way." Skeppy smiles and nods. "That would some how make you look more stupid."

--

Skeppy and Tiffany entered the castle doors, greeted by Skeppy's mom. "Zak! Tiffany!!" She stood up from the table she was just sitting at. "How did it go? Are you happy about... The marriage yettttt?" She smiled a pained smile. "No. I still don't wanna marry her." Skeppy paused, looking over at Tiffany, she didn't seem angry about this, or phased at all.

"Zak..." "Can you leave me alone." He stated blunly. "What?" She looked angry, and surprised. Tiffany smiled at her reaction. Her angry look only subsided when she saw that Tiffany was smiling at his words, thinking they might he actually getting along. "Uh- okay..." She said through closed teeth, as she exited the room slowly, glaring at Skeppy as she left. He knew he was gonna regret that.

"Hey... Tiffany?" He looked over at her. "Hm?" She mumbled through closed eye lids.

"If we could make up. . . That'd be awesome."

Chapter Text

"I'm just saying, he doesn't really get along with the other princes, you surly have noticed this, hm?" The woman nodded. "Most of the princes are... Excited to marry a beautiful princess someday... And he just isn't... Interested." "What if he isn't... Interested in girls?" The man shook his head at the woman's theory. "Our son isn't... One of those fags." "----- DON'T SPEAK LIKE THAT! If... Our son is... Different in that way we should fully support him." The man shook his head at her response to what he'd said. "No. No we shouldn't."

"We- we could find him a nice prince, hm?" "NO." The woman flinched. "My... I-I'm sorry..." The man exhaled heavily. "Our son isn't." "Yes... My apologies..." She mumbled, shuffling out of the room.

"Mom?" "Not now, baby." "Mom." "Go to bed, I can't right now." "Mamma." She asked again. "What Tiffany? What?!" She answered aggravated. "Where you talking about... Darryl?" An 11 year old Tiffany asked looking up at her mother. "That doesn't matter... Just- just go back to bed." "I wanna know. Were you talking about him." She said sternly. "No. No we weren't. Someone from... From another kingdom, a bad kid. Hm?" Tiffany nodded not believing her. "Go back to bed now. You... You shouldn't be up at this hour anyway."

Tiffany frowned, but complied.

--

"Darryl?" A soft knock, before she creeked the door open. "Mamma?" He sat up. "Yes! It's me." She smiled, turning his light on. "Hey, I... I have a question." She smiled, a saccharine like expression. "What?" A 7 year old Bad rubbed his eyes.

She sat down on her knees in front of his bed. "When you- when you are older... Do you wanna marry a nice princess, hm? A pretty lady, that you'll like?" Bad blinked.

"If she's nice I guess." He smiled, not quite... Understanding the whole concept. "Nice, that's very good." She nodded. "Hey- if... If your father asks you something like that... Can you answer the same way, please?" She smiled nervously. "Uhh... Okay." He answered.

"Good, that's very good... Actually." "Mom." Tiffany's voice startled her. "I'm talking to the baby, hunny." She choked out. "He's seven. He's not a baby." She stated. "Here, uh-" She looked at Bad, tiny white freckles still prominent on his pitch black skin. "Never- never mind... What do you need, Tiffany?" She looked up at her.

"Mamma, I want you to treat me like an adult. I'm not- you shouldn't treat me like a kid, like you do with Darryl." She nodded, standing up, and closing Bad's door behind her.

"Mamma... Does father love Darryl." She blinked. "Oh- y-yes.. He loves both of-" "Mom." Tiffany cut her mother off. Her mother sighed, kneeling down to Tiffany's level, tucking a piece of then brown, hair behind Tiffany's ear. "It's very... Complicate-" "He doesn't love any of us. Does he?" Her mothers eyes widened. "Tiffany!" She almost slapped her, Tiffany winced.

"Go to bed, baby." She frowned. "I want answers, mom." "You can't always get what you want." "I can in this case. You can give me them." Her mom sighed. "What were you talking about." "Tiff, go to bed." "Mom." "Please, go to your room, Tiffany." Tiffany clutched the ends of her nightgown, looking down at the flooring in the cold castle, that never really felt like home. More like a strangers home that they weren't welcomed in.

"I'm sorry." Her mother looked up.

"For what?" She asked her in a serious tone. "You and father only had us because you had to." "What?" "I know you don't love each other." Her moms breath hitched, stopping in her throat, as her initial words popped like bubbles on her tongue. "Tiffany, stop. Stop. Stop. Stop." "I'm sorry... For... Both me and Darryl." Tiffany looked at the linoleum floor.

"I'll go... Back to bed now. I'm sorry."

"Tiffany. . ." Was the last word she ever heard from her mother.

--

"Do you ever miss mom?" Fifteen year old Bad asked his sister. "She left us." "Yeah... Do you ever... Miss her though?" "No. She wasn't a good mom anyway. She left us with our 'father,' he shouldn't even have that title." She said in a neutral voice as she flipped a page in her magazine.

"Yes she was." "You only think that because you didn't actually know her, Darryl." Bad paused. "What'd she do?" Bad asked putting his hood up and above his head. "She hit me a lot, and she just. . ." Tiffany closed her magazine, placing it on the end table that stood next to her chair she sat on. "wasn't really... Ready to have kids I guess." She finished.

--

"Mom? Why are you. . ." His voice faded, not finishing his question. "I- I don't.... I don't understand- I- I thought you left?" "Can you tell Tiffany I love her?" "Mom. Why are you here?" He asked again. "M-mom I thought you left? I'm not telling Tiff anything until you tell me why you're locked up." She looked down, a cold expression on her face, as she placed her hands in front of her, feeling the cold stone against her palms.

"Darryl... I'm going... I'm going to be actually leaving soon." "Mamma..." He choked staring at her face. "Tell your sister I love her." "Mom." He fell to his knees. "M-mamma... Why are you in the dungeon?!" He shouted. She looked up at him, staring into his milk white eyes, and smiled.

And she never answered.

--

Present day Bad woke with a jolt, the cold room he was now kept in, taunting him. "Oh, fudge..." He looked around the cold, dungeon, missing his only friend he'd manage to keep in the past few days.

He wanted to go home, and never leave his room again, he'd much rather be there than here. Much rather face his father's words than be stuck in this small cell, alone, in darkness. With only one person to visit him, even he left, and only stayed for about an hour at a time.

--

"Zak! How about you go play with the other kids, please?" He smiled. "I don't wanna." A 7 year old Skeppy answered, looking to the side, and crossing his arms. "Zak." "What." He rolled his eyes, sassy even as a child. "Jesus..." He mumbled. Standing up, no longer kneeling down to Skeppy's level.

"I'm so done with you." He muttered roughly grabbing Skeppy's hand. "You're hurting me!!" He said, still keeping the sassy tone. "I don't care." "Well you should." Skeppy snapped back. "Well I don't." He kept dragging his son, all across the castle, trying to find the queen; his mother.

"You take him." He let go of him, keeping his rough nature with him. "Mommmm!!" He ran to his mother. "Dad was hurting me!!" He said dramatically, trying to fake cry to her. "Stop that." She said harshly to him. "Why can't you deal with him?" She asked, shifting her attention to Skeppy's father. "He's too much. He's a stubborn kid." "Why?" "He's weird. He won't play with the other kids." She looked at him like he was stupid.

"That? That is reason you want me to take him. Because he won't play with some stuck up kids?!" She yelled. "Yes. I don't wanna deal with the kids bullshit!" Skeppy covered his ears. "He's seven?!! Seven, years old!!" She fought.

"Mamma?" "NOT NOW." They both said in basically unison. Skeppy looked down, taking his hands off his ears. "He's your child! I think you should take care of him? Ever thought of it!?" She put her hands on her hips. "You're better at it. I'm not gonna deal with it!" "It?!"

Skeppy covered his ears again, running back up to his bedroom.

--

"Zak?" His mother smiled. "Hm?" He mumbled, not really actually acknowledging her, staring out of his window, at the children playing. "You maybe wanna... Go out with the other kids?" She asked, in a cheery tone. "I'm not a kid anymore."
"Yeahh... But you do... Have a lack of... Friends." He nodded. "Thanks for reminding me." "Zak, just go out there." She suggested.

"Fine whatever." He stood up. "Off you'll stop bugging me." He pushed past her, and out of his bedroom door.

--

"So... What's your name?" He asked turning to the other. "A6D." Skeppy snorted. "Weird name." "You told me your name is Skeppy." He said, turning to him. "That's fair I guess." They smiled at each other. "Ma' real name's Vincent." Skeppy nodded. "Mine's Zak."

"So we're both lying to each other." Skeppy snickered. "Shut up."

--

"You got any other friends?" A6D asked as Skeppy threw a tennis ball up in the air, while laying on the fresh spring grass. "I used to, no one other than you now though." A6D studied him, and nodded. "What happened?" A6D pried. "He died." Skeppy stated immediately, closing his eyes, and ceasing his throwing of the tennis ball.

"Oh, sorry, dude..." A6D mumbled after a few seconds of awkward silence. Skeppy opened his eyes again, and threw the tennis ball, far away, sitting up on his elbows. "It's alright." A6D smiled nervously. "It was a few years ago, I'm... I'm all good." A6D nodded.

--

"You need to stop this behaviour!" He shouted at Skeppy. "I can... I can do whatever I wanna. It's my life." Skeppy smirked. "You can't just- just sneak out! It doesn't set a good example." "So what? It's not like I'm doing drugs or something."

He rolled his eyes. "You could be." "But I'm not." "You- you still could b-" He took a deep breath, fed up with his son's actions.

"Go to your room, I don't wanna see you right now." Skeppy didn't move. "Do as I say." "I'm not your servant." "You're my son." "Not a servant."

"Holy- shit." Skeppy held the side of his face. "What the fuck?" He mumbled, trying to yell, but his body wouldn't let him, after his father slapped him, leaving a visible mark.

"Okay... I'll- I'll... I'll go." He mumbled, choking back tears.

"Stupid! Stupid stupid!!!!" He whined, pulling his covers over his head. "This... This castle sucks. I should... Fucking... Run away and never... Never come back..." He wiped his eyes with his forearms.

--

"Zak..." His mother opened his door. She opened her mouth, but never spoke her original words. Instead she made her way to his bed, and sat down on the edge. "What's with the..." She pointed at the helmet he was wearing, teal, with pitch black cartoon eyes, a goofy expression, it's tongue out, and a crown on it's head.

"Nothing. I like wearing this." "Why?" She asked. "Because it's cool. Leave my bedroom." She paused. "I'm sorry your father did that." She started to lift up his head piece. "Stoooppp!!!" He shouted defensively, holding the box very securely on his head. "Are you okay?" "YES!!!" He yelled, his face wet with tears.

"I'm fine."

--

"Baaaddddd~ I'm back! I brought muffins!!" Skeppy said, present day. "S'geppy!" He held the metal bars, seeing the faint glow of Skeppy's face diamonds.

"Here." He handed him one through the bars. "It's banana." He smiled as Bad gratefully took the food. "Never heard of it." Skeppy smiled. "It has a weird name, hm?" Bad said to Skeppy with a smile. "Yeah I guess." Skeppy said through small snickers.

--

"So... Since you didn't know what... Your kingdom has done..." Skeppy tensed as Bad started his question. "Hm?" Bad paused for a bit, probably trying to think about how to phrase his question in a way so that Skeppy wouldn't get mad and storm off like he'd done when they had first met each other.

"Did... Were your... Were they... Nice... Or- you know... Good... To you?" Bad asked, Skeppy had his back to the bars of Bad's cell, so Bad had his claws around the metal of the bars, trying to make eye contact with his friend.

Skeppy didn't make eye contact with him, he kept staring at the dungeons exit, not answering the demon for a few moments.

"Yeah." Skeppy choked.

"How about yours?" Bad brought his knees to his chin, letting go of the bars, as Skeppy asked the same question Bad had just asked him.

"Yeah." He lied.

"Amazing."

Chapter Text

"You're... Very pretty." Skeppy smiled, with glowing diamonds. "Thank you. I know I am." He snickered at Bad's words. "You have a big ego, I guess?" Skeppy questioned playfully. "Maybe." Bad smiled, looking down at the cold stone ground.

"I didn't know... Demons had a human... Look." Skeppy admitted. "I know you didn't." Bad laughed. "If you did know you wouldn't have been as shocked." Skeppy looked into Bad's now green eyes. "You don't look like I'd imagine." Skeppy smiled. Bad cocked his head, "How so?" He said with a teasing smile. "You're so... Pale. I dunno, it's weird because... You have like... Pitch black skin... And when you look... More human you're like... You haven't been out in the sun in years." Skeppy snorted.

"I haven't been out in the sun." Bad started, with a straight face. "You know... Besides when they... Brought me here." He mumbled. "Oh. Oh yeah." Skeppy brought his hands up to his face to cover his shining diamonds.

"Hm~ I think your diamonds are cool, S'geppy." Bad pushed his face up against the metal of the bars. "Don't do that you'll- like... Get tetnis or something." Bad laughed, and pulled his face away from the poles.

"The bars are too smooth." "What?" "For me to... Get tet- you know what, never mind." He said with a Upside down smile. "Dude you're weird." Skeppy said nonchalantly. "Ugh! I'm appalled, Skeppy." Bad grumbled.

He laughed at Bad's reaction, "Not my fault you act all wei-" Skeppy started sarcastically, before being cut off by the cellar door to the dungeon opening.

Bad gasped, and retreated back to his demon looking form. Skeppy froze, looking around the basement. "Skeppy what are you doing?! Hide or something!" Bad whisper yelled to Skeppy, holding onto the bars.

"Uh-" Skeppy swallowed.

"Go! Go!" Bad signalled to a shadowy corner of the dungeon. Skeppy nodded hesitantly, and ducked into a corner of shadows as foot steps could be heard from the steps.

Bad retreated to the left shadowy corner of his cell, his white eyes we're semi Illuminating the dark. Skeppy pulled his hoodie over his head to cover his faint shining diamonds.

Skeppys breath hitched in his throat as his mother walked down the steps into the dungeon, holding her dress up, just above her ankles so she wouldn't trip.

"Hello... Demon." Skeppy's mom started, kneeling in front of Bad's cell. Bad scrunched his face in aggression, and hissed bearing his fangs like a cat, Skeppy smiled even in the dire situation.

"Ugh," She placed her hand over her collar bone. "You know I hate it in this dungeon. Can't imagine being in here for few than a few minutes." She mock laughed. "Yeah. Can't imagine." "No need for the sass." She grimaced.

"Anyway, I suppose you do need food." She rolled her eyes. "I'll have our chefs prepare... Something your kind likes." She thought to herself for a moment. "Something spicy, I presume?" Bad squinted. "I don't like spicy foods."

Her eyes widened. "Oh! Really? I'd assume you would with all the... Lava... You drink or whatever you do with it." She smiled. "Im also quite... Surprised. That you're talking. I mean... All you did was cry when you first got here." Bad sucked in, and didn't speak anything else. "You don't feel like talking anymore?" Skeppy glared at his mother, angry at her actions.

"⟟'⋔ ⋏⍜⏁ ⌇⌿⟒⏃☍⟟⋏☌ ⏁⍜ ⊬⍜⎍." She looked at him, a disgusted glare on her face. "Ew. I'm not here to learn your demon tongue. You're... A guest, as much as it pains me to say." 'No he wasn't, he's literally locked up in our dungeon.' Skeppy thought to himself, rolling his eyes.

"If you wanna live. You'll just... Eat what we prepare." She smiled, clasping her hands together. "Okay?" Bad hissed again.

"Your kind is so hard to bargain with, I swear!" Bad whimpered. "You're not tough, not at all, that's why your sister isn't in here with you. She can actually scare people." Bad's eyes widened. "I-is she here? In- in the overworld?!"

She didn't answer. "Answer me." He said sternly. "I... I wanna know that she's OK." He grabbed the bars, clinging onto them tightly. She shrugged and lifted her dress up slightly to sink to her knees. "You really... Have no reason to be scared. Our kingdom isn't... Bad to people." "I'm imprisoned. And... And you're..."

Bad looked down, a bashful expression on his face. "You're making her... Do whatever you want just for your kingdoms personal gain." Skeppy swallowed, staring down. "Don't be so dramatic!It helps your kingdom too!" She smiled, trying to make herself look better.

"How." He asked. "We... You know, we no longer take from you, no longer imprison... Demons. All that good stuff." Bad frowned. "That doesn't help us. That just makes our lives easier, and safe from pests like you." Bad paused, looking to where Skeppy was hidden, not seeing the expression on the diamonds face because of the fact it was shrouded in darkness. "You stupid rocks."

She looked at him with an anger, a calm anger. "Okay then." She glared with a frown. "You must never wanna see your sister again." Bad frowned. "I'll see her again you- you stupid muffin." She scoffed. "What are you? Four?" Bad frowned. "Whatever you say, demon." He smiled with an ungrateful smirk.

"⊬⍜⎍ ⎅⍜⋏'⏁ ⌇☊⏃⍀⟒ ⋔⟒, ⊬⍜⎍ ⊑⟒⏃⍀⏁⌰⟒⌇⌇ ☌⏃⋔." Bad bared his teeth at the women. "You're cute." She said sarcastically, mocking him, before turning away from him. "I... I wanna see... Her." He mumbled under his breath as the women walked away.

She either didn't hear him, or just ignored his pleads, as she was out of the basement as quickly as she could be after she turned away.

"Bad?" Skeppy swallowed, peaking his body out of the shadows. "S'geppy..." He rubbed his eyes, looking down at the dirty floor of the dungeon. "Bad, I'm sorry." Skeppy held onto a bar of his cell with one hand, kneeling down to match Bad's, always sitting position.

"S'geppy, I-" Bad looked up, his eyes wet with tears as he balled his hand into a fist and attempted to rub the tears away. "Bad- I- I really am sorry... My mom's- she's terrible Bad I really a-" "Skeppy!" Bad whined. "I- I miss my sister!" Skeppy frowned. "I- I know... I- dude... I'm sorry for- for everything."

Bad sniffled. "I'll... I'll she her again right?" Skeppys eyes widened. "Wh-what? Y-yeah, yeah!" He tried, comforting him to help the best he could. "She... She practically raised me, Skeppy." Skeppy blinked. "What... About your parents." Bad sniffled again.

"The last time I ever spoke to my mom." He started, his voice becoming less sad, when he stops fully thinking about his sister. "Was almost... Almost two years ago." Skeppy cocked his head. "What happened... To her?"

"She was imprisoned, when I was seven. Me... And my sister... Thought she left us." Skeppy nodded. "I... Saw her for the last time when I had just turned 16." Skeppy swallowed, "Why... Didn't you keep visiting her?" Bad looked down.

"When I saw her, for the first time in nine years," His face looked cold, but sad at the same time. "Bad... What-" "She told me, she loved my sister." Skeppy stopped trying to intervene. "Is... Is that it? That's all she told you?" Bad looked up at him.

"She didn't say she loved me. She... She never said she loved me." Bad fought back tears. "Oh. Bad I'm-" "It's okay." He smiled, wiping his eyes. "She didn't care about me. Nothing else... That matters..." He paused, "my sister said... She wasn't fit to be a mom, she wasn't ready." He blinked up at Skeppy. "What happened to her though?" Skeppy questioned in a soft tone, to comfort Bad as much as he could.

"She was executed." He whimpered.

--

"I brought you actual food, not just... Desserts." Skeppy smiled, handing him some a sandwich. "I know it ain't much but... I thought it'd look weird if I brought like... A full meal... Outside... At like... 11:00PM." Skeppy mumbled nervously.

Bad smiled, sweetly. "That's okay," Bad accepted the food gratefully. Skeppy nodded with a nervous smile. "So... I- have something to tell you." "Hm?" Bad hummed, looking up at Skeppy.

"I may have... Stolen the key to get you... Out of here."

--

"Heeyyyy mommm...." Skeppy tried. "Yes?" She asked sternly, probably not in a good mood already. "Y'know... The... The dungeon I've never stepped foot in, and have definitely never... Never seen." "What about it?" This had got her attention enough that she actually lifted her head up to look at Skeppy.

"Hypothetically... If I were to... Y'know... Unlock one of the cells.... Where would I find a key?" His mother glared. "Why do you want the key, Zak?" She stood up straight from her thrown.

"I- I don't! Just wondering." "The way you phrased that makes it seem like you have been down there. And you want to open a cell." She squinted. "Why?" He stammered nervously. "I- I'm just curious! That's... That's it, I swear!" She took a deep breath.

"My fault." Tiffany appeared behind him. "What? How is this in anyway your fault?" His mother peered at Tiffany. "I was telling him... A- about the Nethers dungeon. And how high security it is! I- I'm sure yours is too, hm?" She smiled nervously.

"Okay..." His mother sat back down in his throne as she spoke suspiciously. "I still won't be telling you. Too dangerous." She smiled.

"You two understand, don't you?" Skeppy nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Tiffany answered in a secure voice.

She took Skeppy's forearm, and dragged him out of the throne room, leaving his mother to her own devices. "I don't know what the hell you're thinking, but if you need a key to anything you don't ask for it if you're not supposed to have it." She scolded. "Okay! Okay! I... I get it, dude."

"Why do you want to key to the dungeon." Skeppy looked down, and Tiffany sucked in. "You don't gotta tell me." She looked around. "I will help you get it though."

--

"Where does your mom keep he valuables." Skeppy paused. "I don't know!? How would I know?" Tiffany exhaled, "Don't you live here, diamond boy?!" "Well... Yeah... But I don't think she'd keep the keys to some dirty basement in her vault!"

Tiffany hummed. "What about guards?" "What about them?" Tiffany groaned. "Would they have the keys?" "Who?" "THE GUARDS." "Ohhh." Skeppy laughed nervously. "I dunno." She groaned again at his answer. "Can't- can't you just go use your- your prince abilities, or whatever and just- go ask the castle gaurds for the key?" Tiffany speculated. Skeppy shrugged. "Go do it, gemstone!" She shouted.

"Okay! Okay!"

--

"Tiffany I totally did it..." He exhaled loudly. "Congrats, you don't have to tell me." "You- you should come." She looked up at him. "Why?" "I think you.... Should come... Because... It's a demon..." She perked up. "What?" "It's a d-" "No- no, no- sh-shut up, I'll come." Skeppy nodded.

--

"Really?!" Bad smiled widely. "Mhm." He stared at Bad's fangs, his diamonds glowing faintly. "I also brought someone..." "Who?" Bad cocked his head, as Skeppy inserted the key in the lock.

"Uh- she's like... a princess in the Nether." "Tiffany?!?" Bad answered immediately, as Skeppy unlocked the cell.

"Yeah... How'd you-" "YOU BROUGHT TIFFANY! 'GEPPY, I COULD KISS YOU!" Bad hugged Skeppy, tight. (he would've killed him if he was in his demon form).

"Where is she?" Bad asked with tears in his eyes. Skeppy's eyes widened, and he pointed to the dungeons exit. Bad kept his happy smile every second.

He froze for a moment. "I am... I'm so happy she's safe." Skeppy nodded. The demon still clinging onto him. "Are you gonna let go?"

The answer was no apparently.

"Don't- you uh... Wanna see your sister?" He loved Bad, but he was starting to get a tiny but uncomfy with how long Bad had been hugging him. "Yeah. . . Give me a second..." Skeppy rolled eyes, then started. "I've given you multiple secon-" but he never got to finish.

Because Bad kissed him.

"Wha-" Skeppy's diamond's basically shone brighter than the sun. "Okay we can go now." Bad let go of him and and bolted up the dungeon stairs.

Skeppy didn't move. He couldn't move. What just happened. He couldn't believe that was real. Bad just kissed him. Bad just... Kissed him. Then acted like it was totally normal?!

Skeppy shook the thoughts from his head and rushed up the stairs, following behind Bad in about a minute late fashion.

Skeppy made it out of the dungeon, and opened the door at the top of the stairs, Bad super giddy as Skeppy opened it.

He wondered out, rubbing his eyes from the sun. Glancing around and spotting Bad and Tiffany near the door. They were hugging, basically in tears. "Are you guys OK?" Skeppy awkwardly looked around. "Isn't he like... Just a citizen in the Nether?" Skeppy tried not to think about the kiss.

And honestly he just couldn't convince himself it was real.

"This is Darryl, Zak." Skeppy's eyes widened. "What? I- I thought your name was Bad?" Bad smiled. "You thought that was my real name?" Skeppy looked down. "Well yeah..."

Bad smiled sweetly at Skeppy. "You're a little dunce." "What?!" Bad laughed. Skeppy's annoyance faded, he joined Bad in his laughing.

"You two are nerds." She rolled her eyes.

Skeppy stopped gradually, the gears in his head turning slowly.

'Wait... So if... Tiffany is royalty... And that means her brother is also royalty... And her brothers Bad... The same Bad that just kissed me' He shook off that last part, not an important part of this.

'Wait... So that means..."

"OH MY GOD YOU'RE A PRINCE?!"

Chapter Text

"OH MY GOD YOU'RE A PRINCE?!" Skeppy shouted. Bad turned back to him. Suddenly the whole deal about him saying muffinhead in front of Tiffany made a whole like more sense.

"Oh- yes." Bad smiled nervously. "It- that must've slipped my mind." He laughed. "Slipped your mind!? How does something like that just- just slip your mind?!" Bad shrugged.

Tiffany glared at Skeppy. "You've had... A demon, which happens to be my brother, in your basement for... How long?! And you didn't tell me?" Tiffany crossed her arms. "I didn't-" Skeppy clears his throat. "I didn't know he was your brother Tiffany." Skeppy mumbles in a low embarrassment tone.

"I- I didn't have a reason to tell you, dude!" He puts his hand on his hip. Tiffany squinted in a suspicious glare. "Even if you thought he was just a citizen in our kingdom, wouldn't you think I'd still wanna know?" Skeppy shrugged. "I dunno!" He places his palms on his cheeks, covering the glowing diamonds on his face.

"We care about our citizens, I don't know about you though." Tiffany says, hugging Bad again. Skeppy looks down. "I care about my... The people in my kingdom." Skeppy mumbled to himself.

The siblings apparently didn't hear him or just ignored him entirely because they did not respond to his talking to himself.

"Zak." Tiffany starts, letting go of Bad. "What?" Skeppy perks his head up. Bad looks at Skeppy piecing together that he is in fact Zak, and not just some random name his sister made up. "I know that it's arranged," Skeppy smiles widely, thinking he knows what she is going to say.

"But since I have my brother back..." She paused. "We no longer have a need to get married." Skeppy would jump for joy if it wasn't rude, (he did it anyway).

Tiffany cleared her throat. "But-" Skeppy snapped his head back at her. "What do you mean 'but'?" He asked suspiciously. "I don't... Want them... Your-" "My family. I know." He glared at the green grass below his feet. "Yeah.. I don't... Want them taking Darryl again... Or doing something to him..." Skeppy nodded.

"Zak, I know that neither of us... Want to get married, and it does make me wanna vomit- but just to protect my l-"

"I'll do it." Tiffany choked on her words, looking at her brother. "What?" "I'll marry him." Bad said again. Skeppy was frozen in place, his diamonds looking brighter than the sun right now. "It'll- be less weird..." He turned to Skeppy and smiled sweetly at him. Skeppy knew the 'itd be less weird' comment was about the kiss.

Tiffany didn't answer to what he said. "B-Because... I'm 17. Since I'm 17, closer to his age it'll... Less...weird yknow?" Wow. Nice save, Bad. Tiffany blinked herself out of a trance and nodded, slowly.

"If uhm... Zak's parents would be okay with that... I guess it'd be okay..." She crossed her arms looking down. She was thinking about something. She looked unsure of her own words. A unfamiliar feeling among Tiffany's many feelings.

"And Zak." She said finally after a few moments of silence, and looked up at him. He was covering his diamonds with his hands in an attempt to hide their Blush-y glow.

"Y-yeah... That's fine. That's sooo fine." He tried to sound cool. But Tiffany definitely knew he was nervous. Tiffany nodded despite Skeppy's terrible acting skills. "Darryl. . ." She looked down. Skeppy looked at her. She looked uncanny. He'd never seen her... So emotional. She'd always been so indifferent since he met her. (Except for their "date" of course), he'd never taken her for a sentimental type.

"Yes?" They turned to each other. "You. . ." She looked back down. "You need to go back to turn dungeon for a little while." She smiled weakly. "Oh. Okay." He took a step back, saddness painting Bad's face like a canvas.

"If it'll help." His voice broke. Tiffany didn't notice. Which surprised Skeppy because he noticed. "Bad." The diamond awkwardly fiddled with the ends of his shirt. "Yes?"

And Skeppy was hugging the male demon without a second thought. Bad's eyes widened. "What's this for?" Skeppy didn't answer. "Skep-" "I'm gonna get you out of there. And home. And- and your gonna eat a proper meal. And finally be happy again, and- and-" Bad pulled away from the hug; smiling at the other boys rambling.

"I know. I believe in you." He smiled, his small fangs visible, slightly reaching down to meet the pink of Bad's lips. Beautiful.

--

"I don't understand why you're having him stay down there! He's supposed to marry me! Wouldn't we need him to convince my mom?" "You want your mom to know you broke him out?" She rolls her eyes, (snake eyes) and snaps her neck to look at the boy. "No..." He looked down. "So how is he gonna marry me... If he's in our dungeon?" Skeppy tried.

"I swear you are so stupid." She mumbled leading Bad back down the steps with Skeppy following behind both of them. "I am not. I can be smart when I want to." He crossed his arms, rolling his eyes as they finished walking down the staircase.

"Why do we have to put him back though... I don't think my mom would be that mad." Skeppy wondered out loud, while they both walked in sync. Tiffany glanced at him. "You're only saying that because she's your mom." Tiffany closed her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Why would that change anything?" He asked, falling behind her a little bit. "You see her as such. And she sees you as her son." She mumbled with a scoff.

"I know she... Locked an Innocent... Person in our dungeon with like... No food... And stuff but... My- my parents aren't that... Bad!" He raised his voice trying to reason with her. "So... You don't see anything wrong with that first sentence? Anything at all? Come on." She looked down at her feet, walking faster than Skeppy's.

"And hurry up. I don't want him in that dungeon any longer than he has to be." She stopped, looking back at the diamond boy, who was falling about 10 single stairs behind her.

"You're literally running." He whined, and he ran up to her. After a few moments of him catching his breath as she stood there looking over him, he finally spoke. "Why don't you stay with Bad... While I go to my mom." She stayed silent for a moment. "I think she'll care if you're marrying someone you can't produce an heir with." "Huh?" He scrunched his nose, confused as to why she was talking about this right now.

"Haven't we already discussed this?" "Shut up." She shooed him, with the hand that wasn't resting on her hip. He placed the back of his palms on his hips."What the hell is that supposed to-" "Shhh!" She interrupted. "I'm thinking, diamond child." Skeppy crossed his arms and looked down at the spring grass they stood on.

"I'm actually not sure..." She started. "Of what?" Skeppy questioned quickly. "If she'll let you marry him." "What?! Why- why not?!!" He tripped over his words. "He's a male." "Wha- so?!" "I've spoken to your mom, dude."

"Huh? O-okay?" He stated skeptically. (Ha) "I dunno just uhh... Wondering here..." She stalled. "What are you implying?" He snapped back in less than a heartbeat.

Silence.

"My mom is not that kind of person." He raised his voice. "I'm not saying she is." Skeppy squinted. "Then what. Are you insinuating?!" He asked, confused and goofy sounding.

"You sure? I mean... When you think... About it... For literally more than two seconds... The more I think she won't let you." Skeppy blinked. "You're stupid." She pushes Skeppy's face away with her palm.

"At least explain it to me." She rolled her eyes at his words. "What?! Why won't she let us?!" No answer.

"Answer me."

"No."

"Why!?"

"'why' doesn't matter."

"Hell does that mean?"

"Means you don't need to know."

"Yes I do."

"No you don't."

"Tiffany."

"What."

"She..." His voice faltered, stopping in his tracks.
"She's not that kinda person." Skeppy couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, so instead focusing on the dandelions flowering in the grass below him. "Za-" His gaze meets hers immediately after she starts speaking.

She stopped herself. "I'm..." He looked at her with a serious expression, feeling an indescribable emotion. A new one. Not necessarily bad. Just new.

"I'm not marrying you." "As we've establi-" "I'm gonna- I'm marrying your brother." She looks to the side. "Okay? Zak, this has been discussed. We've been talking about it for like 20 minut-"

"I'm in love with him." Tiffany coughed, choking on the words he'd just spoke. "Wh-what?" He glanced down at the dandelions again.

"I- I really like him." Skeppy clenched his fists."I actually wanna marry someone for the first time in my life." He gazed back up at her. Her eyes wide and her lips pursed.

"I can't promise anything."

"Why not?"

"I care about Darryl's feelings way more than yours."

"I could say the same."

Silence.

Silence.

"I'll make sure you marry him. But..." She exhaled softly. "I can't promise he likes you back." Her gaze sorted into his chocolate brown eyes.

"He does." He sounded confident. Over confident in Tiffany's eyes. "What makes you do sure?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

...

...

"Exactly." She sighed. "You can't-"

"He kissed me." He blurted out, the words overflowing in his mouth and spilling off his tongue.

"What?!" "He..." Skeppy contemplated saying the phrase once again. He didn't know why he didn't want her to know. She was Bad's brother. She should know.

She should know.

"He kissed me." He looked down to his feet like she'd go away if he couldn't see her frame.

Tiffany glanced back to where the dungeon was. The dungeon that held the love of the diamonds life. Tiffany's hair flowed in the wind. Her brows furrowed, and an unreadable expression on her face.

She shakes the feeling off quite quickly apparently, though because before Skeppy knows it she turns back to him.

"A long time ago." Tiffany started. Skeppy's gaze faltered up. "Let's say... Fifteen years." She sighed. "Someone entered the underworld, not authorized, I feel I should mention." "Uh- okay?" "This person- she snuck into my castle, and into my baby brother's room. He was just about five months old." Skeppy blinked. "Bad?" 'Wait no. She said fifteen years and then five months, and Bad's 17. That doesn't make sense... Right?'

Sometimes Skeppy is kinda smart.

"Where are you going with this, Tiff?" "This person tried to assassinate my brother. She looked down, her voice cracked. "Oh." Skeppy exhaled. "Well- they weren't successful- because Bad's still-" "They were successful.". . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

"What?"

"I had two brothers." She wasn't holding back tears. She didn't even look affected by this.

"Oh... I'm... I'm sorry."

"That person was your mother. She was charged for no crimes. They couldn't... Prove it was her."

"It couldn't be here." Skeppys brain tried to think of every feasible excuse. Anything he could say. He didn't want his mom to be this person. She couldn't be. No way. No way. No way.

"I know it was your mother. I saw her so clearly. When I was 6 years old. I watched your mother kill my baby brother." Skeppy took a step back. "No. No she didn't."

Tiffany paused. "I understand if you wouldn't believe me. It's completely understandable, but we should get going." She begins walking weirdly fast again. "I don't Darryl in there probably getting 80 something diseases because we stopped for a chat."

Skeppy didn't move. How could she tell him that and then move on. How could she tell him his mother was a god awful person and the expect him to converse with her like everything was A-OK.

"Zak." Tiffany stopped and called out for him about 30 feet ahead of Skeppy. "Are you coming or not?"

Skeppy backed up.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
And then a quint heel turn and sprint to the dungeon.

Chapter Text

Skeppy ran.

He couldn't stop running. He knew what he was going to do. His mind told him to stop. Turn back and just convince his mom to let him be happy with a male demon.

She wouldn't understand.
Neither would Tiffany.
No one but himself would believe a word of what he'd been thinking.

"BAD!" Skeppy yelled from above the stairs, his words echoed throughout the dungeon.

He waited for a few moments, breathing heavily and trying to compose himself from the running he'd just been doing. Soon enough, a familiar face peeked from the corner of the dungeon he couldn't see past.

"S'geppy?" Bad smiled, Skeppy could feel his face get hot, his diamonds illuminating the dark dungeon. How he loved the other boys smile. How had he only known him for a few weeks? He'd felt like he'd known the other for his whole life. Skeppy felt such a strong connection to the demon.

He loved his long hair, he loved how Bad could put it up in a nice bun, he loved his eyes, in both forms he'd possessed. How green they looked when he was human. They reminded him of emeralds, the most beautiful emerald he'd ever seen. The milky white of them when he was fully demon.

Skeppy didn't care.

He loved Bad far too much to care. After he sprinted down the stairs, basically skipping a third of the stairs. He pulled on Bad's hoodie and pressed their lips together as soon as he could. The demon let out a surprised noise before leaning into it. A little confusing, yes. But it was enjoyable.

"C-come on-" Skeppy panted, after breaking their kiss and grabbing Bad's wrist. "Did you-" Bad cut himself off as the other boy dragged him up the stairs. He was already woozy from the blue's kiss, he didn't need this!

"Skeppy, what are you doing?" Bad tripped over both the last step and his words from how fast Skeppy was pulling him. "Hey- y-you wanna run away with me? Never have to deal with some- stupid- stupid adults again?!" He honestly didn't know what he was saying. He just wanted to deal with none of this. How stupid this was.

Why did his mother have to control who he married. Actually loving the person you marry should be a given. Why was he being forced to marry someone he didn't love. He wanted to marry Bad. He knew he loved him.

"Skeppy. . . What's going on?" Bad pushed away the gem, Skeppy's heart fell slightly from the disapproval of touch. "Nothing! Bad... I want to..." Skeppy looked down, and took a step back. "I wanna be with you..." Skeppy met Bad's beautiful green eyes, they looked confused back at him.

"Skeppy." Bad stepped forwards. "Skeppy." He repeated. "I want to.... Be with you too." Bad bit his lip. "I... Can't... Just run away with you though." He took a serious tone with his crush. "Why? Why not?!" He didn't mean to raise his voice.

Bad didn't flince.

"I can't leave Tiff." The demon looked into the dark chocolate eyes of the other. "Bad! She's old enough, she'll be fi-"

Bad closed the distance between them, holding the sides of Skeppy's head to lower him down to Bad's human height. Skeppy leaned into it, he'd lean into any kiss Bad gave him.

"Zak..." He mumbled against the diamonds lips. "Why are you using my real name?" Skeppy's lips quivered as he whispered into the others mouth. "Am I not allowed to, prince?" Bad smiled weakly. "No, no... You... You can..." Skeppy said, pulling back away from Bad. He hadn't even noticed his hands around the demons waist.

"Skeppy, I can't... Leave with you."

"T-Tiffany could come too."

"No."

"Okay..." Skeppy paused. "Then let's go alone."

"Skeppy."

"Why!?"

Bad looked down, he let his hands fall to his sides, of Skeppy's face, he kinda missed the warmth it provided.

"I would... Love to... I'm just..." He cleared his throat. "I'm scared." The brunette admitted, looking away into the distance.

"You have every right to be... I just... Think she can... Take care of herself." Bad parted his lips, and glared at the other teen.

"Yeah.. B-but, Tiffany.. She's never been without me. I just think that.. That she won't be able to.. Survive without me or something."

"Bad, she's 21 and perfectly capable... Just- just come on! Both.. Both of our parents suck! So- so would you please just.. Leave with me?!" Skeppy took Bad by his hands.

"I said I would love to! I just.." He pushed Skeppy away. Skeppy could practically feel a crack in his heart, as Bad redirected his gaze straight to the blades of grass beneath them

"I just want what's best for both of our kingdoms too." The demon sighed. "If.. We leave.. Just think of all the innocent people that.. That'll get hurt in our kingdoms!" Bad focused his sight back on Skeppy. "In.. My kingdom." The diamond's breath hitched as he heard Bad's mumbled words. "Oh. You.. Don't want.. My mom to.. Start... War or something?" Skeppy backed up, trying to give the other space.

"Then.. You just.. Want me to marry Tiffany?! And- and do nothing about.." Skeppy fiddled with the ends of his shirt. "Us... Or whatever."

"GOSH! I love you!" Bad shouted and admitted. (shout-mitted). "It's just.. Just I want everyone to be happy, and I can't be happy with you if I know others are suffering." "You're gonna suffer!" Skeppy bit back. "If- if you dont." He added, slightly quieter.

"I.. I don't have to! I mean- I could be happy if you marry Tiff." "I'm not doing that."

"We can still.. Be in love or whatever you wanna call it.. Just uhh.. You'll be married to.. My sister?" Skeppy bit back a smile. "Sister.. Where- where is Tiffany? I.. I thought she'd have.. Chased me down to you by now." Bad blinked, and Skeppy turned around to where him and Tiffany were walking towards initially. "Did you... Just.. Run away from. Her?" Bad questioned quizzically.

"Yeah..." Something felt off. To both of them. Bad knew Tiffany would've definitely followed Zak if she knew he was gonna be alone with Bad.

"S'geppy, we should really look for her. I don't think she'd.. Just not follow you. She's a fast runner too, you know!" The other turned back to Bad and nodded, "Mhm.." he responded.

He slid his hand into Bad's, the demon blushed, and let Skeppy lead him on with the small show of affection.

--

"She must be inside the castle." Skeppy inferred, turning back to the other prince. "I'm guessing." He added; you could never be too sure. Bad only nodded in response to Skeppy.

"You wanna.. Wait out h-" "No." Bad interrupted, answering his unfinished question. "Oh- okay..!" Skeppy felt his face get slightly warm at Bad's confidence. "If.. You're so sure." "I am." Bad assured.

"Okay then.." Skeppy took a deep breath and squeezed Bad's hand tightly. "Hopefully my mom doesn't behead us or something. " Bad apparently didn't find that funny or just forgot to laugh. (He definitely just forgot; Skeppy's hilarious).

The diamond prince led him inside, securely holding onto his hand, he supposed he had to sneak in. He was wrong. No guards. Weird. Skeppy stopped, way weird. Why weren't there any guards... This part of the castle in always guarded excessively to ensure no criminals, or threats enter, or break in. What the hell? Why were they all just.. Gone?

"Bad.. I'm..." "Nervous? Me too.." Bad mumbled airily. Skeppy was gonna say 'utterly petrified' but I guess 'nervous' works too. "Uh.. Yeah, sure.. Now let's uh.. Keep going." Skeppy signaled to the entrance with his head, and him and Bad entered as stealthily as possible.

Skeppy would tell you that Bad didn't trip multiple times while they were sneaking. Is he always this clumsy during moments that could literally get him killed? No matter, no one heard him. Because the castle was practically devoid of people.

Or that's what Skeppy thought before hearing his mother's voice from the throne room. He didn't hear Tiffany, but he'd confront her. He was done.. Being afraid. He thought, looking back at the Nether's beautiful prince.

Skeppy pulled him on to the throne room, and creeked the door open, peaking inside, his mother sitting on the throne, lecturing some guard. He scanned the room for Tiffany's pale skin and blonde hair, standing out amongst most people in Skeppy's. Nothing. No Tiffany.

Blue let go of the demons hand, and creeked the door open ever so slightly more, to see more of the room.

"ZAK! So glad you've decided to join us!" His mother's voice echoed in the halls, and in his ears. His face heated up, like he was embarrassed, caught in a lie.

"I take it you've brought your... Friend?" A guard opened the large door he was peaking through as she spoke.

"You have?!" She put on an act of fake surprise as she saw both of them. Bad let go of Skeppy's hand as quickly as possible. "Come in!" She smiled. Terrible and too sweet, Bad was sure if you looked at it too long your teeth would surely rot.

Skeppy shuffled in, Bad nervously stumbling behind him. "Tiffany's told me... A lot." Her eyes darted between the both of them.

"What have you done with her?!" The demon snapped, baring his teeth. The queen looked slightly disgusted. "She's been.. Er- dealt with." She said happily, and stood up from her throne. "Zak.. I really thought you were better than this! I mean.. Actual feelings for.. Such an.. Inferior species?" She laughed as if she'd just said something hilarious. Where'd Skeppy get his humour? Because it clearly wasn't from. Her..

"Where is Tiffany!?" Bad begged again. "Zak, shut your pet up." "Where's Tiff?" Skeppy asked for Bad, who could barely keep himself composed. "Ugh! Why do you care about these things?! I only wanted you to marry one so they wouldn't burn our kingdom down with their terrible hell fires." She paused. "And an hier, but.. It'd probably turn out hideous. I mean.. Have you seen other demons? Look at this one!" The queen barked.

Skeppy blinked, her words couldn't be more stupid. Bad was basically perfect to him. "Where the fuck is she?" Skeppy asked again. "You! My son, are persistent!" She said clasping her hands together. "You really do need to stop this, you're not gonna get anywhere but hell with this demon spawn." He rolled her eyes while crossing her arms as if that'd make her look more intimidating. (It didn't).

"Suck it up." Skeppy bit. "When did my son get so disrespectful." She rolled her eyes. Bad was basically in full on tears at this point. Skeppy was hugging him while holding a persistent fight with his own mother; the queen.

"You're boyfriend is quite a.. Crybaby isn't he?" "Don't call him that." "You know he is!" Skeppy's mother smile wickedly. "I'm sure he knows the truth. Doesn't he?" She mused. "Huh?" Skeppy quizzed. "What- he's not my boyfriend." Skeppy bounced back to that. She gave him a doubtful look. "Good. He shouldn't be. I won't have a fab son. Much less one who thinks it's acceptable to date... Demons." Skeppy bit back a nasty curse. Any love he had for his mother was now surely gone.

"Where... Where's Tiffany." Bad sniffled through tears. It didn't sound like a question, like he knew the answer. Like he just didn't want to accept the answer. Like the truth was too much the handle, which it was.

"Mom.." Skeppy started, running his fingers through Bad's hair to calm him down. 'What nerve! To do that in front of his mother...!' The queen thought to herself. "Where is Tiffany?" Skeppy asked for a final time before getting an answer.

"Zak. I love you so, so, muxh."

"Tell me."

"Tiffany Noveschosch's dead."

Chapter Text

Skeppy's eyes widened.

"What.." He couldn't find the words, they died in his throat. He took Bad's hand and squeezed it tightly. If he was taking it this badly he didn't even want to look at Bad.

"You're not serious."

"I'm very serious."

Skeppy took a shaky breath, and glanced at Bad he was frozen in shock; tears rolling down his face.

"You're a monster." His voice filled with disgust, overflowing with anger.

"Zak," His mother tried to sound sweet, she was sick.

"Don't talk like that, you're a horrible person."

"My son-"

"Don't fucking call me that."

His mother was pleasantly shocked by his outburst, looking quite offended those words would ever come out of his mouth.

"You don't speak like that to your mother."

"You're not my mother, you're nothing to me."

"Just because I killed some demon? She means nothing! Their species needs to be rid of anyway!"

Skeppy's breath hitched, and he took a step back, breaking the contact between Bad and himself. Which is when Bad seemed to finally realise that everything he'd heard was real, and he'd have to face this monster eventually.

He glances up at her, tears streaming from his milky white eyes. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to scream, he wanted to lay down and cry, he wanted this woman dead. By his hands, or he wanted her to kill him as well.

But he didn't do anything. He couldn't, so he sucked in his tears and ran.

He ran away from the throne room and out of the castle, through the grass, and the only place he could think of going.

The dungeon.

--

"Bad.." Skeppy sniffled.

He'd ran out of the castle, following Bad's actions.

"Bad! Bad, Bad!!" Skeppy repeated, sounding frantic, as he spoke to Bad.

"Look, I stole some stuff.. From- from the castle, we can run away start a new life, just.. Just us!"

Bad looked up at him, his eyes red and puffy, Skeppy still thought he was beautiful.

"Yes," Bad wiped his eyes with his hoodie sleeve. "Yes, I.. I wanna leave.. F-forever! I hate this place." Bad was angry, as he should be.

"Come on, come on." Skeppy rushes as he stands, taking Bad's forearms to get him to his feet as well. "We don't ever have to come back." He interlocks his fingers with the demon's, and leads him out of the dungeon.

--

"Skeppy," Bad blinked.

"it's raining," He continued.

"I can tell.." Skeppy slowly turned his head to meet Bad's eyes.

"You.. You.. You think I'll be OK?.." Bad pleaded.

"I-I'm sure." He wasn't sure. He was bearly even convinced. If all the demons he'd ever met had told him he'd be burned, he would surly be hurt, right? Bad stuck a shaky hand out, slowly reaching out into the rain.

Nothing.

He didn't.. Feel anything. It didn't hurt. He could feel the wet droplets in his hand and forearm.

Bad smiled, he didn't think he'd ever smile again after today. He was shocked to be smiling, especially this soon.

"It's nice. Cold. It feels weird."

"If it's your first time feeling it, I'm sure it does."

Bad sucked in and stepped out into the rain, he smiled, then laughed as the rain fell onto his head. Skeppy then stepped out after him.

"This is so cool, what!" Bad laughed lightly again. Skeppy noticed that Bad looked tired. Tired but happy.

And as long as he was happy.

"This is common?" Bad asked, staring into Skeppy's chocolate eyes.

"Yeah, pretty."

Bad laughed again and dragged Skeppy along holding his hands in his.

"You must take this for granted, no?" Bad smiled, what a beautiful smile.

"I'm sure I do."

Bad stared into his friends eyes, he could see the rain water dripping down his beautiful toned face.

He smiled stupidly, he looked so enchanting. His dark hair slightly damp from the rain, the droplets sliding down his face, he looked so pretty, the water seemed to make his diamonds shine, they were so bright and beautiful. Bad then leaned into the diamond prince, connecting his lips to the other's, water droplets falling onto their faces.

Time seemed to stop around them and they both seemed to forget about all events prior, it was just them, in the rain, kissing like it was both the first and last time they'd ever see each other. At the moment, they'd do anything to take their mind off what had happened to them.

Skeppy reached his left hand out, and gently grabbed Bad's lifting it up, their fingers interlocked as they stayed in their spot, their lips touching like nothing else mattered but each other.

The demon brought his other hand up that wasn't holding Skeppy's to sling it over the Diamond's shoulder. Bad tilted his head slightly to the right, leaning into him more. He could feel his spaded tail swaying behind him, collecting rain drops as it swished.

Bad opened his eyes, slowly then quickly, seemingly realising what was actually happening.

Bad furrowed his eyebrows, and pulled away from the kiss, looking distressed.

"We.. we should leave now."

Skeppy gasped so lightly it was barely able to be heard. He looked dazed, as if he never expected the kiss to actually end.

"O-oh uh.. Yeah." Skeppy's diamonds looked beautiful, shining in the rain, illuminating Bad's face as if the sun wasn't even covered by gloomy clouds.

"Sorry."

Skeppy blinked.

"Sorry?" He questioned.

Bad smiled.

"Never mind.." Bad shook his head.

"Let's go.."

Skeppy looked down and nodded dropping Bad's hands so he could rest his own by his side. Bad took his arm back, and brought it to his chest.

"Where.. Are we heading, 'Geppy?" Bad looked up, his head staying down looking at the dew ridden grass.

"I.. Uh know a place."

Skeppy reached out to grab Bad's hand, glancing up at him briefly before as if he was asking for approval or something before he gently grabbed it.

"Just er- follow me."

The Blue Prince mumbled, beginning to lead Bad away from the castle, he seemed embarrassed about the kiss, he knew Bad enjoyed it, that was clear.

--

"So.. Why are you here?" Said Antfrost atop his throne.

"Er- my.. Mum.. Kicked me out?" Skeppy said, which was obviously a lie.

"That's a lie." Antfrost smiked, and looked at Velvet in the throne next to him hoping he'd agree. "Oh, yeah. Definitely a lie." He nodded vigorously.

Ant looked back at Skeppy.

"So, why are you actually in my palace? And who's the friend." The cat king nodded to the demon standing awkwardly aside, and slightly behind Skeppy.

"I'm Bad."

"Bad?" Ant tilted his head.

"Are you uh.. From the Nether? You're the.. Demon prince aren't you?"

Ant's eyes widened so very slightly.

"Your kind.. Demons don't usually.. Travel out of the Nether.. Do they?"

Bad shook his head..

"We're only allowed out on very special occasion. It's extremely.. Rare." Bad took a small step forward. Ant looked over him, then at Skeppy, why hadn't this stupid diamond given the demon any better clothes?!

"So why do stand in front of me and my cutie king today?!" Velvet boasted, trying to sound intimidating, or stupid. Maybe both.

Ant turned his attention to Red, as he spoke, then back to the diamond and devil.

"Uh.. I can't.. We can't stay at my castle.." Skeppy looked down.

"No I think we should kick them out." Velvet joked staring at Ant. Enamored, per usual.

"You can stay."

Antfrost said, he could sense how Skeppy felt and he clearly didn't wanna talk about. Whatever happened to where he couldn't stay at his home anymore had to have been terrible if they ran here in the pouring rain, and one of them is in literal rags.

"Really?! Thank you so much, Antfrost!"

"But you're not wearing that."

Skeppy looked at Bad.

"I'm talking to you too, Skeppy." Ant said, looking annoyed, but entertained at the same time.

"What?! What's wrong with my outfit?" Skeppy placed his hands on his hips. He was in royal garments, fancy, and dripping wet from the rain.

"Look at your pants!" Velvet play shrieked.

"You're gonna track mud everywhere!!"

Red crossed his arms and made a 'hmph' sound.

"Aw you read my mind." Ant smiled at the other king.

"What can I say, I know you so well."

Skeppy and Bad sat in awkward silence, glancing back and forth at each other as Ant and Red playfully flirted.

Skeppy cleared his throat, expecting then to stop or something. But they didn't. To no one's surprise.

"No I love you more." Velvet stared at the other taking in his appearance.

"Uhm.. No I uh think I love you more."

Ant replied.

"Excuse us.. Sorry for interrupting your love fest or whatever, but where we to go to.. Stay?"
Skeppy exhaled through his nose, and grabs Bad's hand.

"Over there." Ant pointed behind him, not looking away from Red.

"First door to the right."

Skeppy nodded and quickly dragged Bad along to where Ant pointed.

After Bad and Skeppy had excited the throne room, Velvet blinked, and stared past Ant to the backs of the two princes.

"Yeah they absolutely kiss each other."