Ember

“God fucking dammit!” looseleaf growled, slamming the HOOT door open. “I want him dead!”

“Hey, hey.” OJ spoke softly. “What’s going on?”

“I just- I just need to punch something so I don’t get us arrested for murder!”

“Well, I replaced the punching bag in the basement from last week.” OJ suggested.

“Thank you!” looseleaf snapped. It was kind of endearing how his aggressive tone always remained.

“You’re welcome!” he called, as he stomped down the stairs.

🖇️

OJ knocked on the closet door, a small yelp coming out from behind the door.

“scrap? Are you in there?” He knew the answer, but he had to be patient with the little guy. Slow and careful, as calm as possible. Take things at his pace.

“Mhm…” came the shaky answer from the other side.

“Hey buddy, can I come in?” he asked, quiet and calm.

“Please… need-” he hiccuped. “Need you…”

“Alright honey.” he opened the door slowly and slipped inside, closing it just as slowly behind him.

The closet was illuminated by fairy lights, showing the little cuddled up in his nest of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, kept on the floor for times like these when he needed a safe place to hide.

“Hi kiddo. Can I sit here?” he asked. Scrap responded with grabby hands and big, teary eyes.

He took his seat next to him, and opened his arms. Scrap shoved himself into his chest, and the two hugged.

“What happened? Do you wanna talk about it?”

The little shook his head.

“Alright, it’s alright. We can just sit here for a while, okay?”

“Mhm…” he pressed his head further into OJ’s chest, as his caretaker ran his fingers gently through his hair

🖇️

“OJ! OJ!” OJ opened his eyes, glancing up at draft from his lawn chair.

“Yeah?” he asked the teen.

“Do you wanna hear about the ethics of cannibalism?” oh god, what rabbit hole did he find to entertain himself with today?

“Sure, why not?” Given what had happened many times before, OJ knew there was a 50/50 chance he would come out of this with a new outlook on the world.

“Okay, so, the main issue with cannibalism is, you know, killing people to eat them. But we know from events like those plane crashes and stuff where people had no food that it’s completely acceptable to eat people who are already dead if you have to! So, it doesn’t really make sense why people won’t just eat people who died of natural causes, and will instead opt to kill animals for meat! When you think about it, it’s really messed up! We value a dead body more than a living animal! If I was a chicken, I’d be really mad that someone decided to kill me when there was perfectly good meat sitting right there…”

And he continued on and on, talking a million miles a minute. OJ did his best to keep up, even if the middle’s enthusiasm could be hard to hold onto without being left behind.

Overall, OJ was pretty sure one of them would be a vegetarian by the end of this.

🖇️

“OJ?” to-do list grabbed his attention.

“Yeah?” OJ responded, looking up from his book.

“I’ll be out for a few minutes, I need to pick up some cleaning supplies.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I saw we were running low, so I picked some of everything up.”

“...I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you have the ability to pick up the right things.” she dismissed.

OJ had long since gotten used to list being dismissive of him. She was a bit strong in her sense of independence, and didn’t always appreciate others ‘butting into the system's life’ as she put it. "We're fine on our own’ she often insisted.

“Then check under the sink.” OJ suggested.

She stared at him for a moment, before opening the cupboard door. She examined each item to make sure it was correct.

“Very well.” she sighed, returning to the bedroom without another word.

🖇️

“I-I’m sorry…” obituary cried as OJ ran the washcloth over the cuts on his arm.

“Shh… it’s alright.” OJ calmly reassured. “You shouldn’t have hurt yourself, because it’s bad for you, but I’m not mad.”

This routine had thankfully become less common over the years, but there were slip ups every now and again. And when they happened, OJ knew he had to be gentle and calm. If obituary thought he was mad at him, he’d feel the need to ‘punish’ himself again.

“I’m so sorry… I-I just had to, and I know I shouldn’t have, but I just did, and-and-”

“Shh…” OJ continued to calm him. “I know, baby. I know. But it’s over now, and we’re gonna get you all patched up, alright?”

“A-alright…”

“Good, so good. You’re doing so good. We’re gonna bandage this up now, and it’ll be all better.” he placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“O-okay…” he nodded as OJ pulled out the bandages.

🖇️

“Daddy! Daddy! Watch!” sketch called from the top of the play structure. It was a bit small for his fully grown body, but his slim and short frame made it less of a squeeze.

“I’m watching!” OJ confirmed.

The syskid threw himself down the slide, landing on the soft grass.

“Good job!” OJ applauded as the little ran towards him.

“Can-can you push me on the swings?”

“Sure thing kiddo.” he ruffled his hair, before the little grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards the swingset.

🖇️

OJ took a deep breath, preparing himself. Someone had to do this, and that person was almost always him. Not like he minded much, he was used to dealing like people like her from his time running the hotel.

He knocked on the door. “Hey, sheet music?”

“Fuck off!” she snarled from behind the door.

“I, uh, brought you something.”

“I don’t want your shit cooking! I’d rather starve and make you dig my grave!”

“Okay, just listen.” OJ pleaded. “I know you’re mad about your guitar, but I brought you a replacement.”

There was silence for a moment, then shuffling, and then sheet music was staring him down, looking the smallest bit pleased he was telling the truth when she saw the guitar in his hands.

She pulled it from his hands, and slammed the door. A few minutes later, he could hear her testing the chords.

No one heard her grumbling for the rest of the day.

🖇️

Page whined, fussing as the bottle warmed in the microwave.

“I know sweetie, I know.” he gently patted the infant's hair.

Her eyes were screwed shut tightly, another whine building in the back of her throat.

“Shh, it's alright. Daddy’s right here.”

The microwave finally beeped, and he took the bottle out, carrying both it and page to the couch. He laid her in his lap, supporting her head with his hand, and brought the bottle to her mouth. She took it instantly, scrunched up face finally relaxing.

“There we go, all better. I told you I wouldn’t let you starve.” he was practically talking to himself, since page didn’t seem to understand most words, but she liked his voice, so why not speak?

He continued holding her, relaxing into the couch, happy to be able to help her.

🖇️

“Oh my god…” paper mumbled, amazed. “OJ, try this!” He took another forkful of the dish, and held it up to OJ’s mouth.

He accepted, taking it into his mouth. His eyes widened.

“Wow…” he muttered after swallowing.

“I know, right!”

“Who’s even cooking tonight?” OJ asked.

“Definitly not trophy.” paper snarked.

“Oh my god, you’re terrible!” OJ laughed.

“No, I’m honest.” paper refuted. 

OJ sighed, looking back at paper from across the table. “You’re perfect.”

“Thank you. You’re… close enough.”

“Oh my god!” OJ broke down laughing yet again. “God, I love you.” he reached across the table, and took paper’s hand in his own.