Tessera

[Hopping onto the couch with a little trouble, he gets comfy. Gretchen bought a new soft blanket for the couch, so he's wrapping himself in that. The blanket has enough length and width to give Kuki some if she wants it.] [Slow blink.]

[ That’s precisely what she assumes. Kuki hops to the couch and digs for the remote. ] Nah, I don’t mind! We’ll just watch Rainbow Monkeys later! [ Hooray for him. Tuning in to wrestling. This is fine, she can color, or play with her stickers… or yap, even. She just wants to be with him. ]

. . . I'll watch whatever you want, I just need to lay down somewhere more comfy than the floor. [He smiles, holding the picture close to him. He seems a little less "there" than usual, but you assume that's because he's tired and worn out.]

[ She beams at his approval. Yay, he likes it!!! And he’s not just saying it this time!!! ] You look tired… Wanna lay on the couch and watch TV? I’ll let you have the remote this time! We can watch whateeever you want! [ Leaning in close, excited. ] Even wrestling, if ya wanna.

[Not mad! He's tired, and in pain from her beating his ass. He looks at the picture, and his heart tugs in its spot against whatever holds the heart there.] Thank you, Kuki, I'll treasure it! :)

[ She drew @brawl-stralian.bsky.social a picture! It’s them holding hands in a field of flowers under a sky full of rainbows. … 👉👈 Is he mad at her? ]

It's fine. Don't worry about me. You think a nosebleed's gonna stop me? You'd be surprised about how often I get these from trainin'. . . [Because the punching bag flies back and hits him in the nose.]

[ Tempting… but she supposes he’s had enough. She helps him up. ] Yeah… but still. [ … :( Produces a tissue from who-knows-where and dabs under his nose, her free hand gently swiping away a tear or two. ] I’m sorry, Wally.

It's alright, I deserved it. [He's a little hesitant to take her by the hand. . . What if she yeets him out the window? But eventually, he grabs her hand, wiping his eyes, sniffle.]

Hmph. [ She finally gets off him, and though what she’d like to do is storm off… she can’t help but feel bad. ish. Pouting, Kuki extends a hand to help him get up. ] I didn’t mean to make your nose bleed…

. . . Yeah, of course. . . And punch me again if I refuse t'hand it over. [He laughs at his own agony, a groan coming from him as he wipes his nose on his sleeve.] I know. I'm sorry. . .

I know. I get YOUR next cupcake. [ Coming down from her fit of rage and adrenaline. He better regret it, even if it is because she hit him. ] Oh, Wally… Okay, I guess I forgive you. But don’t EVER do that again! It wasn’t nice. I wouldn’t do that to you, y’know…

I-I can't bake... [He breathes as if he has an inch of life left of him. His nose bleeding.] I'm so sorry for eating your cupcake, Numbuh 3. . .I really mean it. I regret eating it. . .

[ After pummeling him to her heart’s content, she finally eases up, though still furious. ] YOU OWE ME A CUPCAKE, NUMBUH 4!!! [ Sitting on him. Jabbing him in the chest. She crosses her arms. ] And I want a better ‘sorry!’

[SCREAMING AND IMMEDIATELY SHIELDING HIS FACE. He is crying and fighting for his fucking life right now. Apologizing over and over as if the only god who'll hear him (Kuki) would listen.]

[ … Releases him. Serenity oddly overtaking her for a moment. ] Oh. Her baking is that good, huh? … ……. I WOULDN’T KNOW, WOULD I? [ Cue a war cry! Before tackling him to the ground, floppy green sleeves whacking him incessantly. ]

[He DEFINITELY can see those flames, and he feels like he's about to be devoured like a cupcake.] I COULDN'T HELP IT. NUMBUH 89'S BAKING IS AMAZING. I HAD MINE AND THEN.... I LOOKED AT YOURS... IT WAS A BAD JUDGEMENT CALL!

YOU’RE LYING, SHE TOLD YOU IT WAS FOR ME! [ Grabbing a nice fistful of the front of his hoodie and yanking him in, her face dangerously close to his. Can he see the flames in her eyes? ] AND EVEN IF IT WAS TRUE, WHY DIDN’T YOU WANNA SHARE WITH ME?

. . . Oh. That was. . . for you? I thought Numbuh 89--gave me two because she knows I'm gonna be big 'n tough and cupcakes are good for growing....boys? [Suddenly hyperaware of the danger he's in.]

[ She’s steaming. Look at him, with the evidence still on his face! ] You 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚 my cupcake… … and 𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩. [ Accusatory finger pointing. ]

Hey, what giv-- Oh. [The vibe is bad. . .] What's... up, Kuki? [There is still blue icing on his face.]

[ He’s not nearly as afraid as he should be. A shadow casts over him, lingering momentarily before an arm reaches over and SNATCHES his manga right out of his hands. ] NUMBUH 4……………………………

. . . I'm definitely in danger, but I dunno what for. . . [Long, eerie silence, as he shrugs and goes back to reading manga.]

Oi. Why do I feel like I'm in danger alluvasudden.

[He walks over to the door, opens it, peeks his head out, getting his first good look at the recruit, and whistles to get her attention.] In here!

[ Watching as the new recruit peers through all the windows. ] ‘Course we should! She can’t be our teammate if she’s stuck outside!

Really? Huh. Didn't know our sector took in rookies. . . [Scratching the back of his head.] Yeah, she's on the deck. . . should we let her in?

Numbuh 1 says we’re getting a new teammate!

Uh, guys? There's a weird girl on the deck of the Treehouse.

[Alright, alright. . . fine. I'll lay off. Have fun?]

[ You’re telling me now is when you’re suddenly difficult to fool? Man. I’m outta here. Gonna eat CUPCAKES with my FRIEND. ]

[Oh, puh-lease-- Wait a sec. Didn't we already have this conversation?]

[ YOU’RE ONE TO TALK, YOU KNOW— ]

[PSH. As if!]

[ 💧 That’s how I react when all of you come into a room! Really! ]

[Don't think we don't see you getting all bright eyed and excited when she enters a room, Numbuh 2!]

[ Yeah right! And I’m sure the googly eyes you two make at each other is totally platonic, too! ]

[Oh, those are just platonic stuff! It doesn't count towards romantic stuff.]

[ Do YOU really wanna go there? 🤨 Shall we count the plethora of gifts and snacks little miss Sanban has made for YOU? ]

[What, baked goods SHE made for YOU? 🤨]

[ It’s NOT a date, it’s two FRIENDS enjoying baked goods together! ]

[Aren't you late for a cupcake date with Numbuh 89?]

[ Aren’t you late for your bedazzling appointment or something. ]

[He'll believe that when pigs fly!]

[ YOU DIDN’T GET ANYTHING, YOUR ACCUSATION IS BASELESSSSS AND INCORRECT SHE’S JUST A FRIEND. 👉👈 … 😳 ]

[HAHAHAH! Gottem! Snort.]

[ 😳 How did this— What— Wh— //// How’d this get turned around on him so quickly?! Go play your game, Numbuh 4! You don’t know what you’re talking about. ]

[Face palm.]

[ She has a pickaxe of love and all the time in the world!!!!!!! ]

[Good luck finding it, it's behind 500 kajillion layers of emotional walls!]

[ OOOOO, REALLY? SHE KNEW THEY EXISTED!!! WHERE’S THE VAULT? ]

[NUMBUH 3 YOU WILL FIND HIS VAULT OF LOVEY DOVEY THOUGHTS, PLEASE LEAVE THROUGH THE DOOR ON THE LEFT.]

[ Hmm, no, she likes it here! Besides, she already lives rent free in his head most of the time. She’ll stay for a little bit! Go back to gaming. ]

[. . . No wonder he likes her so much. She's a gamer girl. . .That's Numbuh 2's type, it seems.]

[ Yeah, a GAMER girl! Do you know how strong that breed is??? ]

[NUMBUH 3?!?? HOW ARE YOU IN HIS HEAD?! Ugh. Fine. Gretchen can be good at video games even though she's a girl. Fine. Please exit the brain via the door to the left.]