The public parts are now PUBLISHED on Wattpad! Read it here:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/338220134-the-icarus-theory
TWs for the chapter: mentions of death
Chapter Seven: So Empty (Living Behind These Castle Walls)
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"I'm tired," Tommy whined for the twentieth time in the past half-hour. Thin clouds glided across the sun hanging overhead as the four traversed through tall grass, having finally exited the woods an hour ago.
"I'M TIRED," Tommy groaned again, louder.
"We can stop for a bit, just please, shut up Thomas," Iris muttered.
Tommy sank contently into the aureate green grass, bad mood instantly dissipating. "You know you can call me Tom or Tommy, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then how come you keep using my real name? It makes you sound so old."
Ranboo chuckled, sitting down criss-cross next to Slime. "They're so funny, I could watch them all day."
Slime laughed in agreement. Tommy had shown his true colors after warming up to the other three. It turned out he wasn't shy or hesitant at all. Tommy was a very loud and mischievous young man, intent on driving Iris insane with his upbeat energy.
Iris must be pretty patient, having dealt with Tommy for hours, Slime thought with a smile. Tommy's enough to drive even Charlie crazy.
I miss Charlie. I wonder if xyr watching me now. I hope xe's proud of me.
"I like to know people's real names because it makes me feel like they trust me," Iris explained impassively.
"Damn, that's deep. But your name isn't Iris, is it?" Tommy challenged, a spark in his clear blue eyes. "What is your real name?"
Iris returned Tommy's stare unflinchingly. "I go by Purpled around people I know. You'd have to earn the right to know my birth name."
"Ohhh. Purpled." Tommy paused, then suddenly grinned. "Imagine naming yourself after a colour."
"Shut it, Craft."
"Can I call you Purps?"
A strange, dark look flashed across Purpled's face, but he covered it up hastily with an expressionless stare. Not fast enough for it to slip by Slimecicle, though. The nickname probably brings up bad memories.
"Sure," Purpled coughed. "I don't really care."
Yeah right, totally. Still, Slimecicle knew better not to press on. "So, where are we going?" he asked, diverting the topic.
"To Dreamcatcher," Purpled stated casually. "We'll be doing a lot there, and also attending a 'private business meeting' with Their Majesty Caln Eret of the Greater Dream Essempi."
Tommy's eyes were practically bulging out. "We're going to the Dreamlands? THAT PLACE IS REAL?! And Caln Eret? The big goat himself?! What the hell, man, you could've told us!"
Slimecicle was stunned as well, but kept himself together far better than the previous. "What kind of 'business meeting?' And with Caln Eret? They're the ultimate ruler of the connected Essempi!"
"I know that," Purpled replied simply, disturbingly calm.
"Isn't it risky? From here we'll be passing through Klinkyco Kingdom or something, and then the Badlands," Ranboo added softly, eyes round and shiny with worry.
"Kinoko Kingdom is known to be friendly to visitors and passerby, and I was told I could find someone there." Purpled hesitated. "As for the Badlands, we'll try to get a good connection. We'll need all the help we can get in killing Dream."
"So, no crimes?" Tommy jokes.
Purpled glares at him. He stood up, brushing off his purple sweatshirt and ignoring the annoying blond. "C'mon, nap time's over. Get up." Slimecicle jumps to his feet, eager to set off again. Ranboo follows, gracefully rising without making a sound in the stalks. Tommy complained again, but begrudgingly got up as well.
It seemed the three had indirectly agreed on something; no nonsense with Purpled. Slimecicle wished the cold, unwelcoming boy would lighten up. But from what he's told Ranboo, it made sense why he didn't connect as easily.
But Slimecicle was definitely trying.
-- 。°✩ ☾⋆。°✩ ˚・--
A breeze ruffled Purpled's hair under a clear night sky. Crickets chirped a soft melody, harmonizing Tommy's horrible snoring.
Purpled sat legs crossed in the grass, facing Ranboo and Tommy sleeping by each other. Tommy was looking very comfortable in his old spare Syndicate sleeping bag, snoring like a chainsaw. Ranboo laid silently, occasionally mumbling a few incoherent words and soft Enderspeak.
Slimecicle sat next to Purpled, gazing upwards. When he saw Purpled watching, he smiled. "The moon looks strange tonight, doesn't it?"
"First quarter," Purpled murmured, not wanting to wake the other two. "Halfway to full."
"She looks like she's waiting for something—or someone—to complete her."
Purpled tilted his head a bit. "You have a very nice imagination."
"Thank you."
The sky was clear enough to see the stars as well. Millions upon millions of tiny, pure lights shone far away. It looked better than Purpled remembered—it'd been years since he had been out in the country like this, far away from the intoxicating fake lights of Las Nevadas.
"You know," he started quietly. Slimecicle looked at him imploringly. Purpled sighed before continuing. "You know, my brother was like that too."
"Like... what?"
"He had such a good imagination... He told the best stories about dragons and mermaids, gods and mortals. He was a very positive person, and always saw the light and life in everyone and everything." His voice caught, and he coughed. "He was all I had, and in a way, I was glad it was him and not anyone else."
Slimecicle was silent, and Purpled regretted spilling like that. Until Slime spoke.
"There was a scientist back at the laboratory I was from. Xyr name was Charlie. Xe was the only person who cared about me, and the only person I had a connection with. Xe were very optimistic too. They never seemed to be upset in any way, so I thought..." Slimecicle shook his head sadly and smiled at Purpled. "Xe died so that I could get away."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay... Xe was just so selfless like that. If I ever saw xem again, I'd slap xem."
Purpled looked up. "Hercules is by Vega." His beautiful violet eyes glistened in the darkness, reflecting the starlight. "Were you mad at xem? For leaving you?"
"Kind of, a bit. But knowing xe did it for me, it kind of brings a sense of closure and gratitude, you know? 'Cause no matter what, xyr gone. But xe allowed me to experience life, so I'm gonna do that, I'm gonna live in the moment, to the fullest, because I owe xem that."
Purpled gave a small smile. Although his face was obscured by a mask, his eyes turned upwards and sparkled. It was the first time he betrayed any emotion in front of Slime, and he wasn't actually too upset about it. "You sound a lot like Punz, you know?"
"Is that a good thing?"
"Good, most of the time."
Slimecicle laughed. Then his eyes met Purpled's. "You're prettier when you smile."
Purpled scoffed. "I'm always max-pretty."
The two lost boys continued their soft conversing till the sun came up, washing over the path to their Neverland. The walls Purpled built so carefully were being slowly torn down by these three strangers, trying to burrow their way into his heart. It felt good, in a weird way.
No. I can't let that happen, Purpled thought bitterly. No emotional attachments, or I'll be the one to pay.
-- 。°✩ ☾⋆。°✩ ˚・--
[Word Count: 2694]
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I hope the pings still work lol
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Thanks for so many pings :D
I have to thank you guys so much for all the support and enthusiasm for this "project." TBH I didn't expect to finish even the first two chapters lol. I appreciate the people who always read new parts, who give suggestions, who add OCs, and even just the people who comment. You guys gave me motivation to continue, so thank you 💜
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Next update on Friday :L