ask-the-morris-brothers

(Squip stands in the doorway and looks at his dad. Carl is sitting up in his bed, looking better, though Squip can catch him wincing every now and then)

Carl: *sees him* There you are; I was wondering where you ran off to

Squip: I...just had to clear my head for a bit...I was talking to my friend...

Carl: Are you feeling better?

Squip: Am I...?! Dad-

Carl: Don't start this again; you blaming yourself is a cycle that takes forever to break, we're not starting it up again.

(Squip moves closer to the bed, fists clenched and his head down)

Squip: I'm sorry...

Carl: It's alright, son. *reaches out* Come here

(Squip slowly moves closer, sits on the edge of the bed, and lets Carl pull him into a gentle hug. Squip leans into his dad, tears pricking at his eyes, but feeling like a weight has been lifted off him)

(Outside, the rest of his brothers are peeking inside, all deflating with relief)

David: Thank god, that's over...

(Jeremy walks with Squip back to his house and waves goodbye when they arrive)

Jeremy: Don’t be afraid to tell me if something else happens

Squip: *smiles* I know, Jeremy

(Squip enters his house where Jordan is the only one in the living area)

Jordan: Hey; feeling better?

Squip: A little, yes; how’s father?

Jordan: He’s fine; he’s wondering where you are. He’s in his room with the others

Squip: Okay...

Squip: I think I’ve resolved most of my...grief by confiding in Jeremy. 

Jeremy: Squip told me what happened with his dad; I really think just talking to him will make this all go away.

Squip: Are you sure?

Jeremy: Totally. Honestly...my Dad and I had a bit of a rough patch once.

Squip: Oh?

Jeremy: Yeah, after my Mom left, Dad was a wreck...he would just lounge around and do nothing, waiting for her to come back; he wouldn’t even put on pants. It bugged me for a while, and I eventually snapped at him and we had a fight. But after that, we had a long talk and now things are better than ever.

Squip: ...I feel like your situation was a bit more extreme than my current one.

Jeremy: The point is, talking it out can go a long way. If your brothers or I can’t tell you that what you did wasn’t your fault, then your dad definitely can. 

Jeremy: Heh…kinda getting deja vu here X3c

Squip: You are good at this Jeremy, you should pursue therapy

Squip walked as fast he could towards the mall. He didn’t stop until he reached the Pinkberry and spied Jeremy at a table. The boy’s head shot up as he entered and he went towards him, his eyes immediately full of concern the moment he laid eyes on him; did he already look that vulnerable?

“You okay?” Jeremy asked. 

“I…I…!” Squip felt his breathing pick up, but Jeremy rubbed his arms.

“Hey hey, it’s fine, you’re okay, just breathe,” Jeremy said. “You don’t have to talk about it, just calm down.” He led Squip to the table he had been previously at. “You wanna order something? Want a chocolate shake or something?” 

Squip wordlessly nodded. Thank god Jeremy knew how to handle him in this state. Jeremy sat him down and ran off; a few moments later he was back, pushing a tall chocolate milkshake towards him while nursing a small sundae of his own.

Jeremy sat next to him and pulled out his phone, “So, uh, did I tell you that Michael and I finally beat Apocalpyse of the Damned?” 

Squip felt himself relax as Jeremy started rambling on about his antics with Michael. He sipped his milkshake and started to feel himself calm down.

Squip: *tightly* I’m. Fine.

Jordan: That’s pretty bad when askers of all people have to give you advice

Squip: Shut up…

David: Can you two not, for once? Please? Would it kill you to have a civilized conversation??

Jordan: *sighs* Squip, this wasn’t your fault, it was an accident

Squip: That’s not as comforting as you think it is…

David: Squip c’mon, if anything it’s Dad’s fault for walking right up to you when you were a living conduit! You know that’s what he’s gonna say about this whole thing.

Squip: It was still MY powers!

Jordan: Yeah, powers that are GONE! Don’t let one little magic anon event ruin your whole life, it just got a little out of hand! Not everything has to be taken seriously, you know.

Squip: I’m. Fine.

Jordan: No you ain’t. 

(Carl sits on an examination table with his shirt off, and strong burn medicine covering his back while the boys wait around with him)

Carl: I’m fine, don’t worry; it’s basically a giant sunburn, it just needs some lotion.

Carl: *winces* I’ve certainly felt better…

Squip: Dad, I…

Carl: I’m fine, Squip…

Matt: We need get to a doctor or something to get that checked out!

Carl: No, Matt, I don’t need-

Matt: Yes you do! C’mon, let’s go!

(The brothers help Carl up and lead him to the door but Squip lingers behind)

Jordan: Hey. *Squip flinches* C’mon.

Jordan: Yeah, listen to the askers!

Squip: Even so, I don’t want to move until this magic anon is over!

(Then, the lightning on his hands fades away and everyone feels their powers leave them)

Jordan: There you go, it’s over.

(Squip deflates and runs over to the couch where the others have helped Carl sit)

(The boys with the exception of Squip gather around Carl)

Matt: Dad!

David: Are you okay?!

Beck: Jesus christ…!

(Carl groans in pain but seems conscious; his back seems to only have a decent sized burn, but no other damage; Noble and David help him sit up and Jordan looks up to see Squip standing in place, staring at his hands, completely pale)

Jordan: Squip? You okay? *starts towards him*

Squip: Keep your distance! *Jordan stops* I don’t want that to happen again…!

Jordan: Hey, just calm down okay? There’s only one ask left before these powers are gone, you can last that long then we get through this.

Squip: I don’t know whether to find your optimism foolish or admirable…

Jordan: Well it’s usually the former, but someone has to look on the bright side! You’re gonna be fine, Squip, just stay calm.

(Squip nods but still looks at his hands that are crackling with lightning)

Noble: Fight! Fight! Fight! 

Carl: Alright, that’s it!

(Carl moves towards them)

David: Whoa, Dad, don’t get too close-

Matt: Dad!!

Beck: Careful!! 

(Squip shoots a bolt at Jordan who promptly ducks; the bolt hits a mirror and rebounds, hitting Carl in the back and he’s thrown to the ground by the force)

All: DAD!!!!

Squip: ………. >:3c

Carl: Don’t even THINK about it! >:/

Jordan: Don’t worry Pop, I won’t let him touch a computer! >:(

Squip: Oh? Lets see you try and stop me >:3 *hands light up with electricity*

Beck: Oh lord…

Squip: That sounds VERY wise. No one leaves the house, and lets just hope it’s still standing by the time this is over.

Jordan: *currently spinning a chair on his finger* Agreed.

Squip: *without looking* Noble, no jumping off the roof!

Noble: Awwww c’mon Squippy! :(

Squip: NO. 

Carl: Listen to your brother Noble, inside, now.

Noble: Fine…

Beck: I wouldn’t count on us bonding if there are no bad guys to fight. Bonding with us kinda just…happens. 

Matt: Yeah, I don’t really know how to explain it…

David: If one of us gets in trouble or gets into a big fight we bond from there, THAT’S how it works.