riobirb

found a picture of when I was playing with dolls of them at a card store a few years ago

WARNING: Physical abuse

Placido was taken home by a police officer. The situation ended up becoming quite a scene involving the police. Everyone was skeptical of what happened. But Placido felt the most skeptical of all. Placido’s stomach churned again, the thought of a police car driving to his house. His foster parents said that was never allowed to happen. Placido and his foster siblings were forbidden from telling anyone about their lifestyle, or else they will be punished. What that meant Placido never knew. And now it was happening for real.

Placido remained silent and kept a stoic face, doing everything he can to not show nervousness around the officer driving him back. Placido wasn’t sure if the police would even notice how his foster parents were and treating him and his foster siblings as well as the conditions of their home. His mind snapped to reality when he saw his house, the car was put in park. The officer and Placido walked to the front door and the officer knocked the door. The foster mother opened the door and now looked shocked to see a police officer with Placido.

“Placido! What is going on?!-Get inside this instant!” she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside. “What happened? Did he get into any trouble?” the foster mother asked frantically.

“The hell’s going on?!” the foster father called from the other room.

“A police man’s here. Give us a few minutes!”

“What?!” the foster father exclaimed. Placido’s mind felt fuzzy. He felt so close to vomiting. He felt through the cheap, wooden floor and heard his footsteps pace to the front door. Placido didn’t dare to look at him.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the foster father asked irritably and perplexed.

“I understand you’re both confused. Please let me explain. Your foster son, Placido, from our understanding was being harassed by a group of middle schoolers because they thought he stole from them. The one who was searching Placido ended up getting injured and some of the witnesses claimed it was him. But other witnesses say they never saw him assaulting anyone. Placido said himself to me and my partners he didn’t cause the assault.”

Placido looked up at the officer nodding.

“I just wanted to bring him home. Don’t worry, he’s not in trouble. I have three kids of my own, and I had to deal with situations like this with them.”

The foster parents looked relieved, but Placido knew they were furious with him by the energy and looks they gave him when the officer didn’t notice. The adults continued to discuss the situation until the officer opened the front door. No. Don’t go.

“Have a nice day. Ciao.”

“Take care.” The foster mother said smiling, pretending to act all humane around him. She shut the door, and the family watched the officer get in his car and drive off the neighbourhood. His foster parents turned to look at Placido. They looked livid. Placido wanted to run, but he knew if he did his punishment would be greater.

“What. The fuck were you doing?!” The foster father screamed, marching to Placido and grabbing his wrist, squeezing so tightly it hurt. Placido began to hyperventilate as tears began to form in his eyes, trying to come up with a straight sentence.

“I-I was just going out for a walk! Like the officer said, I accidently bumped into that group of kids, and they accused me of pick pocketing! I tried to tell them I wasn’t, bu-but they didn’t believe me and held me and started going t-thro..ough my clothes!” Placido stuttered tearfully. “I don’t know what happened. But something hit that boy’s face, I don’t know how to explain it, I swear!”

“Are you shitting me?” the foster father growled. He yanked his hand out of Placido’s wrist and removed his belt making Placido cry out loud in fear, his breath getting harder. His foster faster stuck his belt directly to Placido’s head making scream in pain and collapse on the floor.

“Don’t make up stories you little shit!”

“I’m not! I promise! Please, I’m sorry!” Placido sobbed covering his face. His father struck him again making him cry harder.

“Do you have any idea what you did?! You embarrassed me and your mother and could’ve gotten us in serious trouble!” he whipped him again with more force, making him choke on his own breath.

“I’m sorry! Please, I won’t ever do it again! I’m sorry!”

Placido was striked a couple more times before his foster mother told her husband to stop. Placido’s face and hands were covered in bruises, his lip bled due to the belt breaking the skin. He was sent to his room for the rest of the day without tending his injuries and no dinner, not allowed to leave except for the washroom. Placido walked silently to the bedroom he shared with his foster siblings. His foster siblings weren’t allowed in their room and that night, by their foster father’s orders: “That brat doesn’t need coddling. He needs to learn his actions have consequences.”

Placido Bucciarati. Citizen of Italy and son of Bruno Bucciarati. Placido was a spitting image of his father. Sharing the same bob cut style, but he had bangs covering his forehead unlike Bruno when he was a child, and two strands on hair poked out of each front side of his hair. He had blue eyes like Bruno, but they were darker like his mother’s, and his skin was pale.

 In the beginning of 2001, his parents met in Napoli. His mother discovered she became pregnant after Bruno passed away. She was only 23 years old and wasn’t ready to raise a child. She didn’t tell her parents about her pregnancy. She was worried they wouldn’t approve her situation and make her get an abortion, which she was against. On January 22nd, 2002, she gave birth to Placido all by herself with only the nurses and doctor beside her.

When she was discharged, she searched for foster homes to raise Placido. Placido’s mother ended up finding a foster home runed by a couple and were already taking care of a baby boy. Placido’s mother didn’t reveal anything about her son’s origin because he bared the last name Bucciarati and didn’t want him to be tracked down by enemies in the mafia. Behind closed doors, the couple weren’t good caretakers. The foster father was an alcoholic, which affected his mood and would beat his foster children with a belt he usually wore or with whatever was closest to him. He and his wife were both physically and emotionally distant towards them.

The home they lived in was dim and dark, cheap home inside. It always smelled like booze and the way the dishes always seemed to pile up in the kitchen sink. Items and clothes cluttered the rooms of the house.

When they became toddlers, Placido and his foster siblings were frequently left alone in their cots by their foster mother, who stopped taking care of them as much. It had a prison-like feel to it. There was darkness in his bedroom. Placido cries for what seems like hours, hoping that someone will come to him, but nobody ever did. Placido's distress was exacerbated by the noises of his foster brother and foster infant sister screaming and sobbing while sharing the same room.

He would hear footsteps walking past his bedroom and the keys fumbling and the front door being unlocked.

“For fuck’s sake, can never live in peace because of you fucks.” He would hear his foster father muttering angrily stepping out the front door, his wife following behind shutting the door. Placido felt tears stream down his chin as he continued crying, hoping it would trigger something them, something that would make them realize how much he needed them. They would do this for years.

As they grew older, their negligence made them learn to take care of themselves. It also made them feel like they weren’t worth being taken care of. Their foster parents would leave them home alone for hours, going out to God knows where and were careless when their foster children did the same, never caring to ask where they were going. Half the time they didn’t even notice them leave the house. Their foster parents also didn’t store a lot of food, in the fridge there was usually only beer, bottles of water, some dishes from takeout, and frozen foods in the freezer.

“Alright, we’re heading out. I guess we’ll be back in a couple hours. Whether or not you want dinner is up to you and how much you know how to cook. Go to your brother if you’re stuck.” Their foster mother said coldly. With Leonardo being the eldest, naturally his foster parents felt he should be responsible when they left the house and when the other children needed anything in general.

Placido flinched as he watched their foster parents close the front door.

“What the hell was that?!” His foster father was not happy.

Placido was only five. He accidently dropped a plate, breaking it that had a dish he heated up. He dropped it because he was so anxious of making too much movement near him, which really bothered him.

“Did you break something?!” his foster father voice echoed from the living room. His stomach churned as he heard the swift footsteps of his foster father walk to the kitchen to see the food and glass shards scattered across the floor.

“Oh, you got to be kidding me! You’re killing me, Placido!” he yelled, his face turning red. Tears started to form in Placido’s eyes, his vision quickly becoming blurry.

“I-I’m sorry! It was an accident!” Placido breathed, tears prickling out of his eyes.

“I don’t care if you are, clean it up! If I feel any shards later, I’m really going to lose it.” he said lowly and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Placido silently crying and cleaning his mess. He would end up cutting his hands while shakily picking up the broken pieces and have his foster brother helped him treat his cuts. Due to the same upbringing, it was hard for the foster brother to feel and give affectionate, but he had this strong feeling inside him to protect his foster siblings from the nightmare they lived in.

To escape their life at home, the foster siblings would spend most of their time around the area they lived and the city, which was close to their residence. They would get glances from people of disgust and sympathy, due to their attires and lanky figures. Their foster parents hardly ever did laundry and didn’t feed them properly.

Placido would wonder what a real family would be like when he would see families happily together. He couldn’t even image his foster parents acting like that. He wondered what it would be like to be loved and embraced by a parent who loved him. To enjoy simple pleasures like eating ice cream and playing with multiple toys. To have friends to play with. He wondered what going to school and going somewhere fun like Disneyland would be like. But what he thought about mostly, were his parents. He had no idea who they were and anything about them. He didn’t even know their names. His parents never told him anything. He didn’t know his father was once a respected mafioso in his city and how much of a caring person he truly was.

Placido and his foster brother didn’t cause problems in public, but they did steal food so they can get the nutrition they needed. This made them become very street smart and would always bring food back for their foster sister who didn’t go as far as they did.

In 2009, Placido turned 7. He sported a white-collar long sleeve shirt, brown shorts, and shoes. He was strolling down the streets alone; his foster father was having another one of his outbursts and couldn’t stand being in that house any longer. Placido didn’t plan to do anything but go for a walk, one that would likely last for hours. He often though to himself while he walked, it was a way for him to forget about the chaos he dealt with. The silence was ruined when Placido accidently bumped into a group of middle school boys and looked irritably at him.

“Watch it!” a boy said.

“I’m sorry.” Placido muttered.

“Were you trying to steal from us? Are you a pick pocketer for your family?”

Placido looked at them confused, feeling a little alarmed inside by the sudden interrogation and the group now hovering towards him.

“No. I was just going for a walk and was I in my thoughts and bumped into you. That’s all.”

“Don’t lie. You people all say that while you try to grab our important items!”

“I’m not! I promise! Please, just let me walk.” Placido pleaded.

“Yeah? Let us see then.” Another boy said and dived his hands in Placido’s shirt side pockets.

“Hey! Stop!”

“Lemme see your shorts.”

“No! Stop it!”

“Shut up! If you’re innocent, you would stop protesting! Hold him!” the other boy said to their friend who grabbed Placido’s shoulders, gripping them tightly. Placido wanted to move. He wanted to run away. But he froze up. All those years of the physical abuse from his foster father. Placido thrashed in the boy’s grip trying to free himself. People didn’t seem to notice the situation the child was in.

“Please! Stop!”

“Stop saying “Please” and “Stop”! You’re really pissing me off now! Stop squirming! What do you know nothing in this pocket.”

Placido’s body screamed for release. Placido continued to wriggle around, he couldn’t move his arms. His body felt incredibly light, he felt life around him he never felt before. With no awareness, he activated and released his power outside his body hitting a blow to the youngster’s face, blood releasing from his nose. He screamed as he cupped his face with his hands.

“Oh my god. What the fuck did you do?!” the boy holding Placido asked horrified.

Placido couldn’t speak. He stared at the boy cupping his face who was now crying in pain. A small pool of blood painted the concrete. This wasn’t supposed to happen. All he wanted to do was go for a walk.

July 2009. It was a humid, but breezy summer morning in Napoli. A black Mercedes pulled up into the building Giorno worked in, who was still the current capo of Passione. Giorno stepped out of the car, wearing his usual white suit like his purple outfit he wore as a teenager. Parts of his outfit were orange and yellow. He stood at 6.2 and had a slim yet muscular figure, his hair was slightly longer and kept a braid. Mista and Fugo followed behind him, Giorno unlocked the door and stepped inside unlocking his office door. The three men came inside to see Polnareff sitting on Giorno’s desk.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Polnareff. Were you not too bored in here?” Giorno asked taking a seat down his chair pulling himself closer to his desk. Fugo opened the window, releasing a breeze in the room and the light went through the window, brightening the room. Next to the window still rested Abbachio’s favourite wine, a replacement of orange blossoms placed in a vase for Narancia, and Bruno’s zipper resting on it’s hook.

“No.” Polnareff turned to look at him. “I found ways to entertain myself, and looking at that same view I see every time.” Giorno chuckled lightly while Mista began to prepare espressos for them with the espresso machine they kept in the office.

“Here you go, boss.” Mista said with a smile, sounding a little groggy from waking up early.

“Grazie.”

“And for you, Fugo.” Mista said walking to Fugo who was organizing Giorno’s paperwork for the day.

“Did any of you watch the news last night?” Polnareff asked. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Giorno tensed and moved his cup away from his mouth with a millimetre of the strong liquid gone.

“No, what happened this time?”

“Two more children disappeared last night. Their parents were on television as well pleading for their safety and even tried to negotiate with the perpetrators with money.” Polnareff said remorseful.

“Jesus, not again.” Mista said shakily.

“This will be now three times children missing.” Fugo muttered.

Giorno tightened his mouth. This year, children in Napoli were suddenly disappearing by an unknown organization. A lot of the abductions took place at night, and orders were now being placed to the citizens by their government to stay in doors at night until they discover the people responsible. Regardless, children were still being kidnapped. The age cap of these children was between 4 and 14. It made Giorno sick. It made his family feel sick. He planned on solving this mystery. Fugo went to Giorno’s desk and placed folders in front of him.

“Speaking of these two files contain information of the missing children we’ve gathered. They also contain most the children’s last locations.”

“Noted. Thank you, Fugo.” Giorno placed the other folders to the side and began to go through them.

The room was dime through the boy’s blurry vision. There were no windows. The room was noisy, the sounds of children moaning in pain and crying. The room smelled bad. The boy’s boney body was pressed against other children sharing the same cage as him. His ankle hurt from the pressure the chain locked around his ankle preventing him from escaping. He stared at it mindlessly as blood ran down his ankle. His whole body and inside hurt. He breathed softly as he continued to stare at his surroundings.

Okay where do I begin. I love a lot of different fictional stories. One of them being, Golden Wind from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

I love JoJo, but part 5 struck me differently. For its incredibly well-developed charismatic cast of characters, bucci’s gang becoming a founding family, the story telling, the music, and the experiences the bucci gang went through before and after meeting. It’s a goddamn agony (Mostly in a good way) I cry a lot watching part 5. It also hits me more personally because I started watching it in 2020 after we were told to quarantine. I became entranced with it and bruno and giorno became one of my favourite characters and duos in fiction. To me, they’re close friends and even brothers, I know bruno is viewed more as the paternal figure in general with his squad and to giorno which I don’t mind one bit he was born to be a parent.

Now all that is said, I’m going to embarrass myself a bit now. I write and make fictional characters, and some are fan children from other shows. @radiowendigo is another account of mine that mainly focuses on hxh.

I personally do not like mpreg or write it nor will.

Anyways, I know how the bucci gang defeated the boss (A drag queen) in a w e e k and were constantly on the move I hardly saw any of these divas eat or sleep. I’m gonna be straight forward now, I made a fanchild for Bruno in 2020. His name is Placido Bucciarati.

LISTEN I KNOW HES DEAD AND FOR SURE A HOMOSEXUAL, (To me) YES THIS CHILD DOES HAVE A MOTHER BUT I DIDNT GO INTO DETAIL HOW THEY MET AND NO STANDS WERE INVOLVEDDHHHD (I didn’t want to write anything weird abt Placido being conceived)

And giving the circumstances of the story, it’s gonna be fun because it’s gonna be super angsty which I love, I love agony. And Giorno is going to take him in and become his adoptive father, which will be healing for him regarding grieving for Bruno and for him to give another child the childhood he himself missed. I love symbolism so much.

I’m a sucker for platonic paternal relationships if you see in hxh blog so ya giorno and placido make me feel very happy they’re so special to me. I’ve been writing about them for 5 years now and I can’t believe now I’m finally starting to share it.

Im finally writing a mini novel about them because I actually fully watched part 5 with my cousin this year and got into jojo again.

Frollo fans please watch thisshdhgbbd

I wanted to say more but I was already flustered doing this in a crowd despite it being loud and no one could’ve probably heard me

I absolutely love hunchback of notre dame it’s my favourite Disney film of all time. And Frollo, holy shit. I could go beyond writing a long narration abt him because he’s such an amazing villain and how realistic he is. And he’s also hot-what?

I also love the other characters, quasi and esmeralda especially she’s underrated asf imo

Dislike sonadow DON’T READ‼️‼️

The surfing contest was being held at the Tokyo Games. The weather was cloudy and windy, thus making the water rougher but not to close the competition. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, and Blaze were the competitors of today’s surfing competition. Shadow was currently near the end of his performance and Sonic watched Shadow from the beach.

For Sonic especially, the water was intimidating, he focused on the horizon not seeing the water. The performance by Shadow to Sonic was simply incredible. The way he moved, every turn and flip. They way the water ran through his black and red wet suit and quills.

Get it together, Sonic.

Tails came next to Sonic, he noticed Sonic was too focused to say anything and just watched as well.

When it was over, his score appeared on the top of the score board, 773.840, and was currently in first of everyone. Sonic was astonished. It makes sense that his performance would get him that score. He saw Shadow get out of the water, carrying his board, with that proud smirk on his face. He would undoubtedly pull off that expression. 

“Hey Shadow! You did great!” Sonic cheered from the distance.

“Yeah, Shadow! That was awesome!”

 Shadow looked up at them and smiled at the praise

“Thanks.”

Sonic and Tails walked down from the small sandy hill to Shadow.

“That just leaves me. Don’t feel too sour when I win!” Sonic said in an ego tone, obviously wanting to beat Shadow and to himself impress him.  Shadow chuckled. 

“Low chance, Sonic. I’m way ahead of your level, as you can see by my score.” Shadow said pointing at the score board. “You’re going to have to surpass that. Think you can manage?” Shadow sneered. 

“Oho!” Sonic exclaimed and walked closer to Shadow and stood in front of him. Sonic gave Shadow a look that was now tinged with eager and determination while lightly placing his gloved index finger against his chest.

“You bet I can.”

“Get your finger off me.”  Shadow said irritably.

“Come on, guys! We’re all just here to have fun.” Tails said. 

They both looked at the yellow fox, with his face painted with concern.

” Just to have fun?” It’s more than that, kid.”

“It’s okay Tails, it’s all good and fun. But I’m still gonna beat you Shadow!” Sonic reassured to his little brother placing a hand on his shoulder before turning his attention to Shadow switching his tone to annoyance. 

“Whatever. Just don’t kill yourself out there. The wind has picked up and the waves are quite strong.” Shadow said more sternly, a hint of worry in his voice. 

Sonic was caught off guard by this. He wasn't expecting the ambiance and voice to alter so quickly. Shadow never expressed feelings like that to him before.

“Yeah, don’t worry.” Sonic said trying to play it cool. “You don’t need to be my mom too.”

Shadow huffed, feeling insulted by Sonic’s actions. 

“I should be going to the interviews now. Good luck, Sonic.” Shadow said as he started to walk towards the reporting crew.

Sonic’s face brightened a little.

“Thanks, Shads!” Sonic replied nervously. 

Suddenly, everyone could hear the static of the speaker from the announcer.

“Our last contester for the day. Sonic!”

“Alright! Let’s do this!” Sonic said dashing to grab his board and headed to the ocean.

“Good luck Sonic!”

“Yeah, you got this Sonic!”

Tails and Knuckles cheered.

Sonic grinned at his two closest friends, before setting the board in the water and paddled toward the shallow water and further to where the waves were, which were absent for the time being. He stopped at starting point and prepared to begin. Sonic couldn't help but stare at the water, which was rougher and darker than usual; up close. Though he couldn't accept it, he started to feel a little scared.

‘You can do this Sonic. You just have to ignore the water. If I don’t look down…I only see the horizon..I don’t see the water. You got this! Win this race!..and beat Shadow!’

“Start!” The announcer called.

Sonic snapped back from reality, and saw a wave approaching him, he turned his board to the opposite direction and began to battle rapidly and stood up as soon as he felt the wave lift him higher. He started to turn his surfboard around the wave and perform some tricks.

“Air Reverse-Front. Air Reverse-Back. Back Side-Grab.” The announcer stated. 

Sonic then decided to step it up a bit and go up top the wave. 

“Hah!”

“Floater-Front. Floater-Back”

“Time to take it up a notch!” Sonic said out loud to himself. Sonic went back up the wave and both hands on the board and threw up his legs straight to the air.

“No foot grab-back! No foot grab-front!“

Sonic grinned and did some more flips before the wave died down.

“End of the wave!” The announcer said.

Sonic put up his fist in the air and turned his board back to the starting point and waited for the next wave. After a moment, he felt raindrops hit him, he stared up at the sky as light downpour began. Great.

“Next wave!” 

As the wave approached him, which was approaching much faster and greater than the last one, Sonic couldn’t help but feel inside that he was about to be in some sort of danger. If he felt like his life was at risk, he would stop and go back to shore.

Sonic began to battle behind it and stood on top of his board. The rain grew harder.

“Big wave!” 

Okay. Here we go.

Before the wave got bigger, Sonic had time to perform a few flips. Shadow was right. The waves were rougher, and they were also significantly larger.

Sonic performed his last couple of tricks to earn some extra points, before getting ready. Sonic gripped his board as the wave crashed down before him and began to ride it. Sonic now felt terrified. The wave was very rough. The intensity with the speed, the water moving rapidly and stronger, and the deafening crashes of water striking his ears. Sonic was mentally screaming inside. 

Suddenly, Sonic was caught off guard as the water started to change direction making Sonic nearly fall off his board.

“Whoa!”

Sonic shakily struggled to get into his original position as he gripped his board even harder now, so hard he swore he was going to make his hands bleed. He wanted to get out of the water so bad. But he was stuck.

Suddenly, the wave hit down, completely covering Sonic, screaming before the wave pulled him down into the water.

“SONIC!!” Shadow exclaimed.

Shadow couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. Shadow had been through many horrors throughout his life and lives with those memories. Shadow's heart felt heavy, he couldn't bear to lose another person that was precious to him. Without hesitating, he suddenly took off sprinting to the ocean.

“Someone call an ambulance!” Amy yelled to the employees working at the surf event.

“It seems that Sonic isn’t getting back up his board! What is this?! Shadow is running to get Sonic?!” The announcer questioned.

“Shadow, have you lost your mind?!” Tails exclaimed. “You’re going get yourself killed out there!” 

“Shadow!” Amy cried.

“Yeah, Shadow! Are you trying to get yourself killed out there?!” Knuckles yelled.

“Sonic is drowning! Someone has to help him!” Shadow snapped as he ran, staring at them in complete rage. Everyone stood silent as they watched Shadow, not bothering to stop him, dove in and started swimming out to sea. Shadow’s eyes widened while his heart skipped a beat when he saw Sonic’s board but no sign of Sonic. His strokes got faster, his panting got more hitched as panic overcame in him. 

‘Sonic…Sonic…Sonic!’

Shadow continued searching, and when he couldn't find him, he started to think the worst. At this point, he was panting so profusely he was struggling to breathe under the intense fear of the situation while he called his name.

“Sonic! Sonic!! Where are you?!”

He then noticed a dark figure in the distance but couldn’t make out what it was, he squinted his eyes as he paddled to reveal Sonic's quills, and his face was down in the water.

“Sonic!!” Shadow swam to him. 

When Shadow reached Sonic, he flipped over and to reveal Sonic’s face. His skin was paler and his eyes barley open but irritated from the contact of the sea salt and water spilled out of his mouth.

“Sonic!” Shadow exclaimed while holding him and runed his hand on Sonic’s cheek. He threw one of Sonic’s arms on his shoulder and held it while wrapping his other arm around Sonic’s back and started to swim them back to land.

“Look! Shadow is coming back with Sonic!” Blaze said to everyone as an ambulance was parking at the scene. 

Shadow breathed heavily as he finally reached the surface, where the paramedics were coming out of the vehicle with a stretcher and first aid kits. He carried Sonic bridal style out of the water and laid him gently to the ground. Shadow stared at Sonic pained at the sight. His lips were now purple and his face was bruised, his entire body was shaking, and he wasn’t breathing. Shadow kneeled and placed his index and middle finger on Sonic’s carotid; he had a pulse. Shadow didn’t hesitate and began to perform CPR. He cupped Sonic’s cheeks and leaned his face down gently placing his lips on his and gave two rescue breaths, spitting out some water that travelled in his mouth. He then began to perform 30 chest compressions, each one getting rougher, as he stared at him, who was spitting up some painfully large amounts of water, making Sonic cough and wheeze violently, Shadow felt horrible but continued to pump his chest, getting more stressed at each compression. Finally reaching 30, but Sonic still wasn’t responding, making Shadow more panicked now. He leaned down again grabbing his face rougher and doing two more rescue breaths, spitting out more water when suddenly sonic coughed out another large amount of water on Shadow’s face and chest, and continued to cough out the remaining water out of his system. After several moments, Sonic shakingly looked up at Shadow, his vision was blurry but could see his eyes were widen in a relieved, concerned expression.

“S-Shadow.?” Sonic said, his voice rasped. Shadow grabbed one of his hand’s and pulled his trembling form into a tight but gentle embrace, resting his other hand on his back.

“I’m here, Sonic. It’s alright. You’re safe now.” Shadow said reassuringly.

Sonic leaned his head against Shadow’s wet shoulder and nuzzled his face into his wetsuit. He never thought he would be in this situation. On the brink of death and being in his love interest’s arms. He felt pathetic and wondered if he could ever face Shadow again after this.

“I-I thought I wouldn’t make it..” Sonic whimpered. 

Shadow shushed him and squeezed him tighter. 

“You’re not dying. Not while I’m here.”

“Sonic, hang in there! The ambulance is already here.” Shadow reassured.

“I-It’s so c-cold.” Sonic whimpered.

“I know, you’ll be warm in a minute I promise.”

The paramedics then came towards them with a stretcher and removed Sonic from Shadow’s embrace. They placed him in the stretcher and wheeled him into the back of the ambulance, and Shadow demanded to ride with him. The paramedics closed the doors before the gas turned on and headed to the nearest hospital. Shadow couldn’t take his eyes off him as he watched the paramedics treat Sonic.

‘Sonic. Please hang on. I can’t bare to lose you too.’

It was the next day. Sonic was surfing on the waves, it was a sunny day, cloudless day. Sonic was performing tricks, hearing the cheers of his peers and fans. Dark clouds slowly began to cover sky. It began to rain a storm. Sonic started to feel panic, remising everything that happened yesterday, he laid down on his board and began to paddle back to shore, when the wind suddenly started and slowed him down dragging him back to the waves, which were now rougher and bigger. Fear paralyzed his whole body as he stared at the waves headed down towards him. The waves then hit him as Sonic screamed reaching his hand out for help before it dragged him down.

Sonic’s eyes widen and was blinded by the white walls. Clearing his eyes, he scanned his surroundings. He was in a hospital room. He was on bed, wrapped in a blanket to his waist, he was wearing a green hospital gown, an iv attached to one of his arms that were both bandaged, and had bracelet wrapped around one of his wrists. He ran his hands through his body to discover some bandages were on his face, wincing as his fingers contacted his face. He noticed a window in his room and the weather was sunny. He turned to his right and saw Shadow sitting on a chair no longer wearing his wetsuit, his head kneeled with his arms hung inside his legs. 

“Shadow.?” Sonic called quietly.

Shadow gasped and perked his head up surprised. 

“Sonic! Do you remember anything?”

“No. What happened?” Sonic asked.

“You passed out shortly after I rescued you, I had to perform CPR on you because you stopped breathing. I got you to breathe again and we were brought to the hospital. You were severely hypothermic.”

Sonic stared at him in shock his body feeling warm with embarrassment as he tried to imagine Shadow’s words.

‘Shadow did what?! Has he been with me the whole time?! Oh man, this is so embarrassing!’

“Oh..” Sonic bashfully looking down at his hospital blanket.

“What’s wrong?” Shadow questioned concerned.

“Shadow. I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry for everything that happened yesterday and thank you. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for me. You have saved me and protected me numerous times despite me hardly ever listening or taking the time to thank you properly. You warned me about the weather during the surfing events, and I was insensitive. In the end you saved me but what if that didn’t happen? I would have died feeling that regret all those warnings you gave me. Drowning in that water. It scared me so much. I wanted to get out of the water, but that wave already pulled me in before I could anything. And worst, you could have seen that. I hate myself for it. When I’m out the hospital, you can don’t have to talk or even see my again..you probably hate me for making you worry so much. If that’s how you feel..I completely understand.” Sonic explained his voice cracking at the last sentence.

Shadow furrowed his eyebrows before resting a hand on his shoulder making Sonic look up at him.

“Sonic. While you are careless and impulsive. The system has failed you as well. The surfing events should have never taken place given weather conditions. “Hate you” after everything that happened? Quite the opposite. Don’t make me worry like that again.” Shadow said. 

Sonic stared at him speechless before nodding.

“I will. Thank you, Shadow.”

Shadow then kissed his temple causing Sonic to gasp, his cheeks brightened, and his heart started to race.

“S-Shadow?! Wah-“

“I apologize. I just couldn’t wait any longer. Especially after yesterday.” 

“W.Wait for what?”

“To tell you that I like you.”

Sonic’s eyes widen. Sonic couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He sensed Shadow liked him back but was never certain. He didn’t think he would ever get a confession. He’d have to pinch himself after to make sure, because if this was, this was the best dream that he’s ever had.

“Shadow. I like you a lot too.” Sonic smiled.

Shadow smiled back warmly, his cheeks now tinted pink as well. Sonic grabbed Shadow’s hands and leaned closer to him.

“When I discharged. I would like to talk more about this. And for us to go to some sites in Korea that I’ve always wanted to see! There’s this skateboard store I’ve been dying to go for months! I need a new skateboard, and they frequently release dope outfits there! “Sonic explained excitedly.

‘He’s coming back to his usual self. That’s good.’

He kissed his knuckles.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Suddenly, there was a knock from the door. The two hedgehogs turned to look at the door while Sonic released his hands from Shadow’s, expecting it to be a nurse or a doctor to check on Sonic. 

“Come in.” Sonic said.

The door slammed open taking the two hedgehogs by surprise, seeing similar faces, walking towards them. Their friends. They all displayed signs of relief and joy, and several of them were carrying various presents and flowers. Shadow reminded everyone to be cautious around Sonic and to slow down.

They all came surrounding the bed, with Shadow now standing next to Sonic. 

“Sonic!” Tails cried crawling up to his brother’s bed and sitting on his lap hugging him tightly. 

“Tails!” Sonic hugged his brother back tightly smiling.

“I was so worried about you!” Tails said.

“I know, I’m sorry for making you worry like that, bud.” Sonic said softly rubbing the young fox’s back in an attempt to comfort him. Tails wiped his face with his gloved hand before letting go looking up at sonic with a weak smile on his face. 

“Sonic! You made it!” Knuckles said nudging Sonic’s shoulder lightly making Sonic chuckle.

“Of course he did, that’s why you’re all here.” Shadow said unamused.

“Sonic!” Amy exclaimed shoving herself through Tails and Knuckles and hugged Sonic while the two boys looked at her annoyed.

“I’m so glad you’re safe! Thank you, Shadow for saving him! I made you a little gift bag, Sonic. I tried to find all the sweets you like but there was so many desserts at the pastry shop I went to downtown. I bought you some as well Shadow to thank you.” Shadow wasn’t expecting anything for him. 

“Thanks Amy.”

“Hey. It’s good to not to see you dead Sonic.” Silver said.

“It’s good to not be dead.” Sonic said giving them a cocky grin.

“We were really worried, Mr. Sonic.” Cream added. “I was so scared.”

“I’m sorry for making you worry like that, Cream.” Sonic looked at Cream with a soft smile.

Everyone else expressed their relief to Sonic and gave Sonic their gifts, which was mostly flowers and some treats. The door then opened again to reveal Rouge, who sported a black sleeveless turtleneck, cargo pants, summer shoes, some bracelets, a necklace, some earrings on the side of her ears, and shades resting on her forehead. She held a bouquet of blue roses.

“Hey, Sonic. I’m glad that you made it. You scared me to death! And you too, Shadow!” Rouge expressed in a scolding tone looking Shadow catching him off guard.

“What did you expect me to do? Let him drown?” Shadow snapped back. Rouge ignored him and turned her attention to Sonic.

“Good thing you had your knight and shining armour there to rescue you.” Rouge gazed back at Shadow teasingly pouting her lips to a cheeky smile, hinting his feelings towards him.

“Watch it, Rouge.” Shadow hissed trying to compose his flustered face.

“Oh, relax honey. I’m just teasing~”

“Hmph.”

“Guys we’re in a hospital. Thanks Rouge.” Sonic said trying to prevent any starting argument and took the flowers from Rouge. His nose was going to hate him with the number of flowers he received and smelled.

Sonic’s friends all spend a while afterword spending time together, and Sonic reflected to himself feeling grateful to have a group of friends who cared and loved him. And now one of them being his significant other. While some of the boys started eating some of Sonic’s desserts from Amy’s gift bag and her yelling at them, Sonic laughed softly and stared at Shadow who smiled back at him.

the mental illness going through my brain while I played the game LMFAO

i'm a sonic girlie and been a fan of sonic since i was 6 and a sonadow fan for 11 years now. They're very special to me 💙❤️

 Forgiveness

“I am so sorry, Maxime. I’m sorry you got so hurt. I have always struggled with managing and communicating my feelings and only finally started to communicate better when I adopted my daughters and married Lucy. Before, I would just suppress my feelings and at times were harmful to me and many other people because of my pride. I grew up with not the best support system. I was raised by a single mom, and she was hurt by the divorce and my father. She took it out on me because she saw my dad in me. She didn’t do much other than provide for me. Whenever I had a problem, she would usually dismiss it. It taught me to manage my own feelings and keep them to myself. I never wanted to hurt you. You were my best friend. But I did end up hurting you. And it is a mistake I deeply regret making.” Gru said sincerely and wiped his eyes. Maxime looked at him pained and breathed raggedy before exhaling while drying his eyes and fixing his glasses.

“Gru. While you did do your damage, I was also at fault. I didn’t check enough how you felt about yourself when we were together. And when you broke up with me, I escalated the situation further and took the opportunity to humiliate you when I pleased because I was so angry.”

“I know. I deserved it.” Gru said shamefully.

“In some ways yes, but also you didn’t.” Maxime admitted reluctantly. Gru just sighed.

“Actually, I’m glad you wanted to talk to me. About this. I have buried it beneath for so long I erased the damage I’ve done and only started to remember everything when we reunited at Lycée Pas Bon, and LPD arresting you. It made me remember how we met for the first time, when we were rivals, my best friend, and my partner. Until I broke your heart, and we parted ways. The whole time after the breakup I missed you so much. I wanted to come back to you so badly and even tried to multiple times, but I punished myself and wasn’t mature enough to find myself, and you already moved on.”

Maxime’s eyes began to glisten, and his hands started shaking, processing everything he just learned. Gru hesitantly looked at him his eyes becoming wet again and began to slowly slide his right hand and placed them on top of one of Maxime’s hands an attempt to soothe him. This triggered Maxime’s tears but closed them and bit his lip so hard to the risk of breaking the skin. Gru got up and cautiously pulled Maxime into an embrace. Maxime tensed before resting his face on his shoulder, his body began to tremble.

“Mon dieu. I hate that I do. But I missed you.”

Gru patted his back gently as he felt wetness hit his shoulder.

“I missed you too, Maxime.”

The security guard throughout their entire session: 🧍‍♂️

MY GOD I FINALLY FINISHED THIS STORY GODDAMN. I had this chapter written 3 months ago but I wasn't satisfied with it. Then I went on a trip across the Atlantic, and been busy with life. I'm glad in a way I left it this long because when I looked back, it looked good to me and I realized it didn't have to be a long ending. Writing the last and this chapter legit made me tear up especially while listening to ABBA- The Winner Takes It All. It's such A GOOD SONG--Anyways, I love my pookies and my au I lowkey wanna write more abt them but doing that will be a challenge LMAO I'm open for suggestions

                                   Bittersweet to Heartbreak

Warning: Implied homophobia

Gru and Maxime were happily together through grade 10 and spent a lot of time together and committed mischief. They both grew not only physically, but also with their path to villainy. Especially Maxime. Maxime had developed new weapons including about cockroaches. His hair started to have split ends, two in front of his head that looked almost like a bug’s antlers. Which he was given the nicknames by Gru “My little bug” and “My snuggle bug”. Gru had developed new weapons as well, but nothing original like Maxime did with cockroaches. It sometimes made Gru feel left behind and insecure, but Maxime always assured him he had a lot of talent and potential to become a great villain. Summer vacation came and they both enjoyed it together. It was August 31st, 1985, the last night of summer vacation. Gru and Maxime were on top of a building in town as they watched people go by and gaze at the star sky and full moon.

“Wasn’t this a great summer, Maxime?” Gru asked turning to look at his boyfriend and positioned his left leg up resting his arm on it.

“Oui. The best summer vacation I’ve ever had.” Gru’s heart felt warm at those words.

“I wish we can do it all over again. If only we can go back in time to June.” Maxime giggled and wrapped his arm around Gru pulling him close.

“We still have the whole school year together, and next summer. I’m not going anywhere.”

Gru’s smiled and leaned against his green jacket sighing into his scent.

“You’re right.”

“We will become even more powerful as time goes. We will become the greatest villains in the world and cause mayhem.” Maxime said dreamfully.

“That sounds even better! Just you and me. We are going to have so much fun! I love you!” Gru said happily and grabbed his cheeks kissing him on the forehead.

The two stared at the stars for a while before getting up to get ready for school tomorrow.

“Hey,…have you grown more?” Maxime questioned cupping Gru’s face. “A whole five centimeters! Looks like I’m having my growth spurt after all. Watch out! Soon I’ll be taller than you!” Gru said proudly with a cocky grin.

“That’s fine with me. More Gru for me to love.”

“Oh boy, that was just so corny.” Gru sighed looking down embarrassed as Maxime smiled through it meaning it seriously. Gru kissed him on the lips while resting his left hand on his head. He parted his lips and gazed at him lovingly.

“Thank you for everything. No matter what the future brings…I can’t wait to start this journey with you.”

Maxime smiled back and pulled him to another kiss and rested his head on top of his holding him close.

“Me too, mon amour.”

The first two months of grade 11 went smoothly, however, Maxime started to gain more popularity. He became more respected with his inventions and wisdom. More students started to spend time with Maxime and never included Gru. Gru managed to receive some attention himself for his work but not as much. Whenever Maxime brought up Gru’s accomplishments, people would barley acknowledge it half the time. It grew Gru’s insecurity but hid it from Maxime not wanting to trouble him with it. Students began to wonder as Maxime got more noticed, why was he spending so much time with Gru? They questioned to themselves if Maxime like him or dating him. While in the 1980s gay dating was more accepted, it was still often discreet and hidden. It was November and Gru and Maxime were at Gru’s locker planning on to go out together, when a group of jocks approached them.

“Hey, Maxime! We’re going to go hit town, wanna join us?” the jock in front asked.

Maxime didn’t show any interest. Fixing his baggy green jacket and glasses.

“Sorry, but I already have plans.” Maxime said looking at Gru who just stared at them. They snickered.

“You’re always hanging out with him! What is he your boyfriend or something? Why would you ever want to be with someone as lame as him-“

Gru's eyesight became fuzzy, and the only sound he could hear were the students' muted voices. No one noticed that his hands began to shake and that his breathing was shallow.  Maxime gave the jock a strong blow to the face, causing him to fall to the ground. He seized the jock’s skin through his shirt, yanking him firmly to his face nearly in contact with each other while gritting his teeth and staring at him furiously.

“I dare you to say that to my face again before I turn you into nothing but a futilely piece of garbage you worthless-!” Maxime yelled until he heard footsteps run in the distance. Gru sprinted to the end of the hallway disappearing, not turning back once.

“Gru!” Maxime cried as the other jocks attempted to attack Maxime but dodged their punches, only angering him further beating them all with ease. As a result, leaving them laying on the ground barley conscious, bruised up with some bleeding wounds. Maxime frantically searched the building but couldn’t find Gru. He eventually located him outside a balcony in the campus. Gru was breathing heavily as he gripped the stone wall, his body trembling as tears continued to escape from his eyes landing on top of the stone wall. No matter how hard he tried tears continued to release.

“Gru! Are you alright?” Maxime exclaimed running to him grabbing his shoulder. Gru tensed and yanked his shoulder away wiping his eyes.

“I-I’m fine.” Gru gasped.

“No, you’re not! Come here.” Maxime grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a tight embrace, stroking his hair with one hand.

“Listen to me. What those idiots said back there didn’t mean anything. And it shouldn’t to you either.”

“I’m nothing like you..” Gru mumbled tearfully.

“Quoi?”

“I said I’m nothing like you!” Gru said angrily shoving himself out of Maxime’s hold. “You always come up with better inventions than me! You are a million times smarter and understand technology better than me! You come up with creative ideas every other day of the week and I don’t! I am just average! People in this place look up to you now! No one cares about me or what I do! People are wondering why you bother spending so much time with me! I don’t understand how you could keep being with a loser like me!” Gru exclaimed. Maxime was taken aback by Gru’s words and furrowed his eyebrows pained. He gently cupped his cheeks wiping his tears away with his thumbs.

“Gru. That is not true at all. You are one of a kind. You are one of the most intelligent and villainous people I have ever met. Stealing the moon is an extraordinary, genius dream, and I know you can accomplish that dream. You are cunning, quick thinking, and cynical. But Gru, be sure I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t 100 percent sure of who my heart belongs to. I’ve fallen in love you with you. And not just because we relate a lot, but because you’re sincere, so, so smart, helpful, kind to me, and everything else I could ask for. I really do love you Gru.” Maxime expressed now on the verge of tears himself.

“Why are you telling me all of this now?” Gru whimpered. Maxime pressed his head down on Gru’s gently holding his head with his hands.

“Because it’s the truth. After everything that happened, what do you expect me to answer? I want to hear the truth. I want to know how you feel about me.”

“Maxime. I..I love you too…” Gru said grabbing his left hand and resting it on his cheek. He then slowly stepped backwards releasing his hand making his lover confused. “But how we feel about each other doesn’t matter. I mean who are we kidding? Two people like us being together? You have good things coming for you, I’ll just be dragging you down.” Gru breathed holding himself together from breaking down. Maxime felt confused and alarmed at the sudden change of Gru’s behavior.

“I understand you’re upset right now, but please! You’re not thinking straight, don’t make any decisions now. Let me take you home and get some rest and we can talk about everything tomorrow!” Maxime pleaded.

“T-Thank you for everything, Maxime. I will never forget the time we spent together. I wish you nothing but success. I’m sorry..”. Tears began to form on Maxime’s eyes.

“Gru, please.!”

“So..So sorry…” Then Gru took off, leaving Maxime alone and immobilized as he processed what had just happened. He felt numb as he leaned on the balcony. He lowered himself to the ground and started sobbing. He removed his glasses, covered his face with his hands, and cried for hours until dusk. Gru was a sobbing mess when he got home and ran to his room. Ms. Gru was surprised and asked him what happened, but he locked himself in his room. The minions tried to help and comfort Gru but pushed them away, the minions kept protesting until he angrily told them to get lost. Dr. Nefario also attempted but was unable to convince Gru to speak. For the remainder of the weekend, Gru barricaded himself in his room.

While Ms. Gru was away, Dr. Nefario was inside the house. Gru was lying on his side in his blanket on his bed, his face just visible. He had bangs under his eyes from crying so much and was staring emotionlessly at the wall. When he heard the door slowly creak open, he saw that Dr. Nefario was carrying a bowl of several ice cream flavors Gru liked. Dr. Nefario suspected what had happened, but he didn't want to make assumptions that would further upset and offend Gru.

“Gru? Are you awake, lad? I brought you some ice cream. You should eat something.” Gru just covered his face with the blanket while Nefario came and sat on the end of his bed.

“You don’t have to tell me what’s going on. But please, just have a little bite.” Gru slowly sat up, blanket reaching to his waist and Nefario handed him the bowl. “Thanks, Dr. Nefario. I owe you one.” Dr. Nefario smiled happy to see Gru take the dessert. “Never mind.” Gru started to rhetorically eat his ice cream and Dr. Nefario looked at him concerned.

‘He’s been so absent minded since Friday. It’s like he’s somewhere else. It hurts me to see him like this. What can I do for him?’ an idea then clicked.

“Hey, you know what?” he placed a hand on his shoulder making Gru looked up at him curiously. “Let’s have a nice, relaxing day together. We’ll eat unhealthy stuff and watch whatever you like in the lair. What do you say?”

“But what about your work?” Gru asked.

“Oh, never mind that. Besides, I need to recharge my batteries. So, whenever your ready go take a shower and I’ll find some comfy clothes for you to wear, then-“ Gru buried his face on his knees and started to cry as the unexpected tenderness set off his emotions.

‘I miss him so much it’s so hard to breathe.’ Gru thought.

“Did. Did I say something wrong? I’m so sorry.” He then pulled Gru into his arms and stroked his back gently, this only made Gru began to wail. (This boy is so paternally neglected Thank God for Dr. Nefario)

“Hey, everything will be alright. Don’t worry, I’m here. Let it out.” Nefario shushed softly. After a while Gru’s cries died down.

“Dr. Nefario.?”

“Yeah?”

“Could I talk to you about something?”

In the end, Gru explained the situation to Nefario, who understood that familiarity of heartbreak. Maxime made numerous attempts to get in touch with Gru, but he simply grew more distant, insulted him, and declared that he no longer loved him. Maxime naturally felt betrayed and hurt, and he developed a strong hatred for his former sweetheart. Along with all the other gifts and items Gru gave him during their relationship, he tore and threw away the bear he received on their first date. He eventually started dating Valentina as his popularity grew during grade 11, spent time with many pupils, and humiliated and insulted Gru whenever he felt like it. Gru just isolated himself from everyone at school except his teachers and fell behind in his inventions and schoolwork due to his low confidence and depression.

Tears formed in Gru’s eyes as his mouth parted open a bit. He locked eyes with Maxime who also had tears threatened to leave his eyes with an appalled expression lost for words. This was the first time in 40 years since they discussed about their past relationship and the events leading to the day and after they split.

                               Asking out Maxime on a date

Gru was sitting legs crossed laid back on the living room couch holding the handset of the housephone to his ear. Gru decided he wasn’t going to lie to himself anymore and thought if he didn’t do this now, he would possibly not get the chance to be with the person he had feelings for.

“Hello, Maxime. This is Gru. I know at this point are relationship has been specifically platonic, and we get along very well. But.” He sighed holding the headset now with both hands. “Would you like to- “he sighed heavily turning his head down patting the arm of the couch. “Go out on a date.?” Gru finished pulling his head back up and grinned looking at Stuart who was helping Gru practice. He was wearing a brown wig that looked like Maxime’s hair style, circular glasses, and a green flannel shirt.

“Ehh…No.” Stuart said with excitement to disapproval. Gru frowned.

“Okay, that’s not helping.” Gru said, placing the headset back on the hook of the phone. “Alright, here we go. For real this time.” Gru said picking up the ripped paper of Maxime’s number he gave him with a drawing of a cockroach on the corner. Gru held the paper glumly before looking at the phone again, suddenly feeling confident and stretched his arms and neck. He sighed heavily and looked at the phone once again, he felt every confidence leave his body. He clenched his teeth before taking rapid breaths and peaked at the phone, he reached out for it hesitantly. Stuart just looked at Gru unphased while Gru covered his eyes. Gru stepped on the couch pressing his hands on his head frustrated and banged his head on the table. Gru looked at the phone and hid behind the table still staring at it. He trembled before jumping up with a slime shooter and yelled.

“I hate you!” he began blasting the slime at the phone causing Stuart to scream and run out of the way. Gru stopped when he realized what he had done. Suddenly three more minions came in running in a panic wearing maid outfits and cleaning products. One ran mopping the slime spreading it while one used a giant air dryer to dry the water, only spreading the slime further, and the last one kept spraying air freshener in the air.

“Great! Now, I need to get another phone before my mom kills me!” Gru groaned rubbing his hands down his face while the minions continued to make a mess. He’ll figure a way out to ask Maxime out. It was November 11th, 1984, at another day at Lycée Pas Bon. Gru approached Maxime’s locker gingerly. He was going to ask him out. Maxime was styling a flannel green long sleeve collar shirt, black skinny jeans, and low black converse. He fixed his glasses looking at himself in his mini mirror inside his locker and turned his head and smiled seeing Gru.

“Bonjour, Gru.” Maxime said. Gru smiled back nervously trying his best to maintain his composure. “Hello, Maxime. Uh, I need to ask you a question.”

“Oui? What is it?” Maxime asked curiously.

This was it. There was no turning back or Gru would probably never find the courage to ask.

“If I were to…ask you out on a date. What would you have said.?” Gru asked slowly turning his head away, face completely flushed before turning back to Maxime. Maxime stared at silently in shock. Did he cross a line?

“Are you serious? Oui! Yes! I thought you’d never ask!” Maxime said ecstatically. Gru’s smile widened and felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest.

“R-Really?” Gru said.

“Yes! Of course!” Maxime exclaimed.

“Oh, Maxime! I’m so happy! I have so many ideas for what we could do!” Gru said excitedly.

“Me too, Gru. We should plan on about what we want to do on our first date.” Maxime said coming closer to Gru his cheeks tinted with pink. Gru nodded his cheeks now also tinting pink.

“The new Nightmare on Elm Street movie is supposed to release in theatres this Friday. I was thinking we could go see it and maybe afterwords go to the arcade, and then-“Maxime grabbed Gru’s hands and stared at him lovingly.

“Gru. I would love that. How about we go out for dinner at a diner afterword and hit the Criminal Records store to listen to some tunes?” Maxime suggested. Gru slowly cupped his larger hands with his smaller ones.

“That sounds great! Does Friday work for you?”

“Oui.”

“How about 6pm?”

“Parfait.”

“Ohh, I cannot wait. I promise I will show you the best time!” Gru said. Maxime then kneeled and kissed his right cheek gently making Gru gasp, his heart began thumping quickly. He moved back up and looked at him with the same expression.

“I know you will. And so, will I. I hope you are ready.” Maxime said smoothly. Gru nodded bereft of speech. The bell then rang, and Maxime let go of his hands.

“Unfortunately, we should be getting to class. But I will talk to you at break. See you then, Gru.” Maxime said grabbing his binders and pencil case before shutting his locker and walked away blowing an air kiss at him. Gru grabbed the kiss and placed it to his heart that was still beating fast. When Maxime left. It hit him. He had a date. He’s going on a date with Maxime.

“I got a date..” Gru whispered. Gru whopped in joy and jumped in the hair dancing in victory.

“I got a date!” He exclaimed and kept repeating it not caring if anyone heard or saw him. For the rest of the morning, Gru couldn’t focus on anything or anyone else other than he was going out with Maxime. On break like they agreed, they talked about what they would do on their first date. The plan ended up being, meet outside the theatre and go (Sneak in) to see Nightmare on Elm Street, go to the arcade, have (Steal) dinner at a diner, and finally go to Criminal Records. Gru and Maxime were thrilled and anticipated for Friday to come. At last, Friday came. School flew by fast, Gru showered, and was picking an outfit to wear wearing a black robe. His closet was interesting. He usually wore a white shirt underneath a black button-up jacket and wore a scarf. Black pants, black heeled boots. He also owned different dark shades of turtlenecks, jeans, and his leather jacket, including silver jewelry like rings and chains. Gru focused intensely on his closet and room deciding what to wear. It had to be perfect; it was their first date after all.

5pm

Gru figured it out. A white underneath, his black leather jacket, dark blue jeans, a brown belt with a golden circular chain, 2 chains attached on the left side of his jeans, black boots, a silver ring on each pinky, ring, and index finger. Perfect. Gru put some hair gel on his hair and sprayed some cologne on.

“What do you guys think?” Gru asked Stuart, Kevin, and Bob while running his hand on his black locks. Stuart whistled doing the ‘OK’ sign while Kevin and Bob gave Gru a compliment and thumbs up.

The minions cheered as he announced he was about to leave on his date and threatened if any of them followed him, he would fire them all without hesitation. Ms. Gru had no idea her son was seeing someone tonight, not that it mattered because she was out with friends for the night and won’t return until around midnight. Gru decided not to let her know about his feelings for Maxime as it might complicate their relationship even further. At 5:40 Gru stepped on his bike and drove into town.

5:59pm

Gru arrived outside the theatre to see a huge line outside for Nightmare on Elm Street. He looked around his surroundings to see Maxime waiting outside of the building. He looked gorgeous. He wore a deep-sea green collar short sleeve shirt with white buttons, his collar bone exposed. White baggy jeans, high black converse, a x pattern leather brown and a black bracelet on his left wrist, and a clear hexagonal crystal necklace. He noticed Gru and smiled waving at him. Gru parked and walked to him. Their cheeks brightened.

“Good evening, Maxime.” Gru said. He could smell a faint scent of lavender on him.

“Good evening, Gru. You look very handsome in that bad boy look. Did you dress like this for me knowing I like that look on you? Is that hair gel you’re wearing?” Maxime asked in a flirtatious tone. Gru laughed nervously rubbing his hand behind his neck wiping of the sweat that began to form.

“Yes. And you look very handsome yourself. Green really is your color.” Gru commented genuinely, Maxime’s smile softened. Gru grabbed his hand and kissed it making him gasp lightly.

“Shall we get this night started?” Gru asked looking up at his lover.

“Oui, amour.” The boys walked past the box office without any notice, they saw a couple at the snack bar buying a large butter popcorn and two sodas. The two looked at each other and smirked maliciously. While not looking, they stole the couple’s food and ran to the room where the movie was playing to hear a woman in the distance question where their food went. The room was packed, and they managed to find two middle seats in the center of the room. They were both really enjoying he movie and at some point, Maxime slipped his hand on top of Gru’s, lingering his fingers to his. Gru tried to concentrate on the film, but it was challenging. After the film ended, they talked about it while they walked to the arcade nearby next. They played many games, cheating in some. Gru decided he wanted to go for the crane machine as he always liked that game and managed to win a stuffed brown bear that smiled.

“Here, Maxime. For you, to remember this day.” Gru said handing him the bear. Maxime stared at it for a bit, rubbing his fingers against the soft fur.

“Merci, Gru.” Maxime said and kissed his cheek. After they felt done being there, they headed to a diner famished. They both ordered the usual. Burgers, fries, and milkshakes. At some point, Maxime placed some whipped cream on Gru’s nose, only for Gru to lick it off and do the same to Maxime. They escaped before they had pay and drove to their final destination for the night, Criminal Records. It was around 10pm and the store wasn’t very crowded. They looked around and picked up some records to listen to each other. For example, “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, “When the World is Running Down (You Can’t go Wrong)” by Different Gear and The Police, “Round and Round” by Ratt, “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie.

It was now 11:30pm and Gru drove Maxime home. He parked outside of the property and Maxime slid out holding the bear with one arm and Gru rose behind him.

“I had a lot of fun, tonight, Maxime. I look forward to doing this again soon.” Gru said smiling softly at him. Maxime smiled back.

 “I had a lot of fun tonight too, Gru. And merci again. I definitely want to do this again soon.” He then walked closer and placed the bear down on the bike seat and gently grabbed Gru’s chin making his eyes widen. “And this.”

Maxime parted his lips and tilted his head to the side and pressed his lips gently on Gru’s. Gru heart began to race and soon slowly relaxed to the kiss. He closed his eyes and kissed him back, Maxime rested his left hand on his hip and poor Gru had to stand on his toes to reach his hands on Maxime’s shoulders. After a minute, they released and their eyes locked.

“Wow.” All Gru could manage still in the mindset what happened. Maxime chuckled. “You’re a good kisser.” Gru wheezed.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Maxime laughed. “I beg to differ. Just look how flustered you are.” Maxime lightly teased. Gru couldn’t argue and just pulled his right hand to pull him closer and wrapped his arms around his waist, Maxime rested his hands on Gru’s shoulders and just stared at each other lovingly. They shared another kiss, and Maxime began walking to his home holding his bear.

“Bonne nuit, mon amour.”

“Good night, Maxime.” Gru said and Maxime shut the door. Gru lingered there for a moment before mounting his bike and headed home. His smile not leaving. He couldn’t wait to tell the minions and Dr. Nefario about it tomorrow. Tonight was the perfect night. And even happier he now had a boyfriend he could love. A boyfriend who was his best friend and share so much in common with. And cause so much trouble with.

                                            First impressions

 Gru and Maxime parked outside of the parking lot of Gru’s house. Maxime nearly slipped off the bike as he got off and fixed his clothes.

“You should seriously upgrade your bike.”

 Gru ignored him and stepped out and they both walked to the front door. Gru opened it and looked at his surroundings, and heard food being chopped from the kitchen.

“Mom? I have a guest.” Gru called as he closed the door. Maxime followed behind him arms tucked in his blue bomber jacket pockets.

“Huh?” Ms. Gru turned her head from the kitchen counter cutting vegetables for dinner. “Who is this?” Ms. Gru asked detached.

“This is Maxime. The one I told you was coming over. We go to school and have some of the same classes together. Mom, Maxime. Maxime, mom.” Gru said.

“Bonjour, Ms. Gru. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Maxime said cooly.

“My, so polite. Are you French?” Ms. Gru asked suddenly taking interested.

“Yes, madame. My family originates from France.” Maxime replied smiling.

“How wonderful. Finally, Gru makes a friend with someone normal!” Ms. Gru said smacking Maxime’s arm playfully making him chuckle. Gru on the other hand didn’t find it amusing.

“Mom!” Gru hissed.

“Oh, relax I’m just teasing. So, what brings you here, Maxime?” Ms. Gru asked giving Gru a stern look before smiling back at Maxime.

“Gru invited me over to show me his place and to watch some movies.” Maxime explained.

“How fun. How would you boys like a snack? I got cookies in the pantry and fresh iced lemonade in the fridge.” Ms. Gru offered.

“Sure, merci beaucoup, Ms. Gru.” Ms. Gru giggled. “Please dear, just call me Marlena.”

“Alright, Marlena.”

“Is chocolate chip okay with you?” Maxime nodded.

“One of my favourites.”

“Wonderful! I’ll go start preparing it.”

“Yeah, sounds great.” Gru said fakely and suddenly grabbed Maxime’s hand pulling him to walk. “We’ll be in my room!”

“Alright. Come get it when it’s ready.”

“Good job, my mom likes you!” Gru sighed in relief letting go of Maxime’s arm when they were away from the kitchen.

“She seems..nice?” Maxime guessed. Gru snickered.

“Yeah, to people she likes. And I am not on that list.”

Maxime said nothing and just looked at Gru sorrowing without him noticing. They entered the front door of his room.

Alright. Here it goes.

Gru took a deep breath before opening the door. His bed made with a nightstand next to it that had a bomb-like timer on the surface, his wallpaper white and with an ogee blue pattern and spiders in the middle of each one. Many posters featuring the Vicious 6 but all the members except Wild Knuckles was scribbled with marker. There were also posters featuring different villains and subjects. Child like weapons like sling shots, darts, and boomerangs all surrounding his wall. Shelves with figures of Wild Knuckles, drawings, newspapers, and notes of him. Toys, books, some clothing scattered across his room, a giant brown boom box on each side of the door with items on top. A swing hung by a chain stuffed with pillows and blankets. A closet also decorated with darts and posters and newspapers. A bookshelf next to the window that was also stacked with items and some crafts Gru made, and two carpets spread next to each other one half underneath his bed. Maxime couldn’t help but find it inside humorous due to the large amount Wild Knuckles merchandise that surrounded his room but on the other hand found it adorable.

“Big Wild Knuckles fan I, see?” Maxime remarked while stepping on the swing.

“Well yes, he’s my favourite villain in the world!” Gru stated sitting on the end of his bed legs spread out.

“Why is he your favourite?”

“Because he is the best! He was the founder of the Vicious 6 as you know and committed a lifetime of crime. He’s also a close friend of mine, and we have committed many heists together. But as for right now, he’s back home in San Francisco taking a little vacation.” Gru said proudly. Maxime just looked flabbergasted.

“How could this be?! How did you even get in contact with him?” Maxime questioned.

“It’s a long story.”

(Basically me writing the plot of “Minions Rise of Gru”)

Gru told Maxime about how the Vicious 6 used to be his favourite group of villains and opened a public application for villains to join their group after tricking and kicking Wild Knuckles out of the team without the public knowing. Gru applied and been accepted for an interview, to only be turned down due to his age, and stole the Zodiac stone to prove them wrong about his capabilities. Kevin, Bob, Stuart, and Otto followed Gru and Otto got separated while escaping the group of villains but had the stone and traded it at a birthday party for a pet rock on the way back to Gru’s. They weren’t aware they were being spied by Wild Knuckles. While Gru went to retrieve the stone, Wild Knuckles didn’t see any of that happen and kidnapped Gru thinking he had the stone and took him to San Francisco. Wild Knuckles called Gru’s home to ransom and Kevin answered. He, Bob, Stuart, and Otto went to San Francisco to save Gru. Gru shortly became Wild Knuckle’s servant and Gru ended up saving Wild Knuckle’s life from his crocodile pool, making Wild Knuckles have a change of heart for Gru and began teaching him how to be a villain. That is, until the Vicious 6 trashed his home and sent Gru home. While going home, the Vicious 6 captured Gru after reuniting with Otto who had the stone. The Vicious 6 took the stone and turned into Chinese Zodiac signs. Wild Knuckles came and attempted to grab the stone from Belle Bottom’s dragon form but resulted in getting nearly lethally burned. In the end, the minions saved Gru and Gru turned the Vicious 6 into tiny rats. Wild Knuckle pretended to have died from his injuries but tricked Gru at his funeral and then met up him inside the funeral limousine that carried his casket. From then they became close allies.

Maxime was speechless and impressed, as he was about to speak Ms. Gru announced from the kitchen.

“Boys! Your snacks are ready!”

“Coming mom!” Gru called. The boys walked back to the kitchen to see a large bowl of cookies and sliced apples, and two iced glasses of lemonade. They grabbed their food and headed back to Gru’s room.  For the next few hours, they watched the rest of the “Friday the 13th” franchise and discussed about it. During breaks, Maxime did see some of the minions around the house who were polite to him, and he didn’t find anything too strange about it. While the credits played on Friday the 13th Part 2 some clothes in a corner began to move making Maxime nervous, but Gru wasn’t affected knowing what it was. The movement gradually got more forceful until two eyes appeared underneath making Maxime yelp jumping back into the swing clutching the swing chain.

“Do not worry. It’s just Kyle.” Gru said calmly as Kyle stepped out.

“That’s Kyle.?”

“Yes. Come, Kyle.” Gru called opening his arms out. The blue creature growled lowly and walked to his owner.

“What kind of creature is he?” Maxime asked getting off the swing and sat near Gru.

“To tell the truth, I have no idea.” Gru answered petting Kyle cautiously who was eyeing Gru the entire time. Kyle then jumped out of Gru’s hold and walked up to Maxime which made him worried.

“Bonjour, Kyle.” Maxime said cautiously. Kyle then did something unexpected. He growled and hopped on Maxime’s lap making gasp and bit his hand, making Maxime yell in pain and swiped him away holding his hand.

“Why you little-!” Maxime said angered and started blowing the wounds attempting to soothe them.

“Kyle! Very bad dog! Get out of here!” Gru shouted lividly grabbing the shaking beast and threw him out of his room slamming the door and ran to Maxime.

“Maxime! I am so sorry! I’ll take care of this right away! Come with me to rinse your hand before it gets infected.” Gru panicked. Maxime rinsed his hand and was back in Gru’s room sitting on his bed while waiting for Gru to return with the medical kit. Gru came in and swung up the bed and set the medical kit next to them and opened it.

“May I take your hand?” Gru asked softly. Maxime nodded. “Oui.”

Gru started tabbing a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol on the bite marks making him hiss. “I know, I know. You won’t feel pain for much longer.” Gru soothed and put an antibiotic cream on each one. He then grabbed a wrap of bandages and wrapped his hand carefully. Maxime’s hands were very delicate and soft, each of his fingers were long and thin. Gru didn’t realize his fingers holding his hand nearly intertwined with his.

“Uh, Gru?”

Gru looked up to see Maxime’s cheeks bright, eyes widen and looked down realizing. His eyes practically popped open and yelped slipping his hand away making Maxime moan in pain.

“Ah! Sorry! Sorry.” Gru put some medical tape on the end of the last bandage.

                                             Halloween Spirits

It was Halloween and it was on a Wednesday. Principle Übelschlecht organized the annual Halloween dance at Lycée Pas Bon she held every year. Truthfully, Gru and Maxime had no interest in attending this year. But neither wanted to be at home and Gru still wanted to have treats without having to go through the hassle of trick or treating or stealing trick or treaters’ candy. Even going to buy it. The rule to attend the dance was to wear a costume otherwise students wouldn’t be allowed in. Gru decided to go as Jason Voorhees from the most recent film “Friday the 13th Part IV-: The Final Chapter”. The dance was scheduled to start at 7pm and Gru drove there by bike and saw many groups of people walk in the school dressed in costumes.

The dance was held in the gym and Gru passed through. The room was filled with people, some who were wearing impressive costumes. The room was dark but lightened with Halloween themed color lights. There was Halloween decorations surrounding the gym including lit jack o lanterns, music was playing but not so loud people couldn’t hear each other, and tables filled with different snacks, beverages, and candy. There was also a projector on the stadium playing Michael Jackson’s famous music video “Thriller”.

Gru decided to look for Maxime and grabbed some candy from the snack tables and started to nibble while searching. He couldn’t find him and kept looking at the entrance where students kept entering but didn’t see him. Was Maxime not going to come at all? Gru decided to go outside to investigate before filling his pockets with candy and walked out of the building.

He couldn’t locate him and finally thought maybe Maxime was at one of the balconies since he did like to go on them and smoke. As he guessed, he found Maxime smoking at a balcony that was in front of the school, and he wasn’t wearing a costume. He just styled a red and black leather bomber jacket with dark blue skinny jeans and low red converse. Gru took of his mask.

“Happy Halloween, Maxime.” Gru said. Maxime turned his head and blew out the tobacco. “Joyeux Halloween Gru.” Maxime and scanned his outfit. “Nice outfit.”

“Thanks! The movie was bad, but I love the character. They really should’ve ended the trilogy at the 3rd film. I see you couldn’t bother dressing up.” Gru stated.

Maxime hummed and breathed in the cigar before blowing out the tobacco tapping it gently to make the ash of the tobacco fall from the tip.

“Didn’t feel like it or going attending the dance. I’m just here for the scenery and I had no interest to stay at home.”

“I see.” Gru walked closer standing next to him who continued to smoke.

“Is it busy in there?” Maxime asked. Gru nodded. “Yeah, too many people for this guy. Parties aren’t really my thing. I’m honestly just here for the candy.”

“Ouais, too much of a hassle to go get it anywhere else? And I don’t think that’s the only reason you came here tonight.” Maxime smirked. Dammit Maxime. Gru grinned scoffing. “Well, maybe you’re right. But, about the candy surprisingly this year, yes. And like you I also didn’t want to stay at home.” Maxime then reached for his jean pocket to reveal a packet of cigarettes and held it near Gru, looking at him with a daring expression.

“Want one?”

Gru laughed nervously and gently moved it away.

“I’m good.”

Maxime tisked visibly disappointed and suddenly blew tobacco on Gru’s face making him cough and glare at him.

“Lame.”

They said nothing for a while continuing to people watch and gaze out in the surrounding woods and moon which was in a waxing crescent phase. Gru reached for his jacket pocket and pulled out a mini chocolate bar, opening the wrapper, and slowly started eating it. Maxime’s eyes scanned at Gru.

“Gru.”

“What?”

“Gimme one.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t get any and you have candy right here.”

“You could just sneak in and take some!” Gru argued. Maxime blew out the tobacco.

“Come on. S’il te plait » Maxime pleaded fakely.

Gru looked at Maxime hesitantly and irritably but sighed and tossed him a lollipop.

“Merci.” Maxime said in an appreciative tone. They ended up eating some candy and Gru talked about Friday the 13th and showed off some dance moves from “Thriller” after mentioning it playing at the dance entertaining Maxime. At some point it got too noisy, so Gru and Maxime decided to find somewhere quiet since the weather became cooler and there weren’t many areas for walking around campus. They went downstairs to the hallway below the main hallway leading to the entrance of the school. There were rooms in that hallway for lounging or storing items. Most of the doors were locked but they found one which had a television, a small beat-up couch, and some VHS tapes. Maxime hopped on the couch crossing his legs and immediately started smoking while Gru looked through the tapes. He shortly picked up on the horrid smell.

“Hey! No smoking in here! I’m going to suffocate.” Gru said.

“Fine.” Maxime said annoyed crushing the cigarette with his fingers. Gru coincidentally found a VHS tape for “Friday the 13th Part III”, he wanted to watch it. He tabbed the tape to his hand and asked Maxime if he could play the movie and for background while they chilled. Maxime agreed and Gru set up the television and slid the tape in the VHS player. Gru talked about the film and the other films while they watched and finished the remaining of his candy. Maxime secretly liked to listen Gru ramble about his interests. It was a relaxing atmosphere. A dimmed room with nothing but a movie with your buddy, relaxing, and eating treats. They were at the scene where Chris was hiding in the barn from Jason when Gru felt Maxime’s arm wrap around his shoulder resting on the couch pillow. Gru’s body tensed and look up at Maxime who just stared at the television.

“Mon dieu, relax. T’es normal to be physical between friends like this, no?” Maxime questioned innocently but Gru knew he wasn’t. Smug bastard. Gru decided not to escalate the situation and cleared his throat.

“So.”

“Oui?”

“I was thinking. You never actually been to my place. Did you want to come over some time and maybe watch the rest of the series?”  

Maxime smiled at the offer and nodded.

“Oui. When were you thinking?”

Gru smiled back excited he accepted his offer.

“Great! How about this weekend?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Already anticipating the upcoming weekend, Gru thought about how he would get prepared and the minions. His thoughts were interrupted by the door suddenly opened by a couple dressed as Princess Leia and Han Solo. They were obviously searching for a place to be by themselves, as evidenced by the fact that they stopped midway through the doorway and silently stared at them before closing it. Embarrassed, threw Maxime's arm hung around him away and slid to the corner of the couch. Maxime merely chuckled smirking widely and turned his eyes back on the film where Chris was sleeping on a canoe.

                                          September 1984

Gru has now entered grade 10 and was currently in science class doing a package alone, 10 pages. Kevin, Bob, and Stuart were also in class as they almost always accompanied Gru wherever he went when he did and didn’t want them to, including school. They were playing around with the plant models occasionally getting into a slapping fit. Of course. Meanwhile, Bob was just drawing on an extra package the students were doing. No one cared enough to notice or do something about it. It was the last class before the end of the school week, Gru was excited to go home and do what he wanted and go work on his weapons and plans in his secret lair.

He felt a presence approach him and turned his head up before smirking. It was Maxime. He was sporting a flannel blue and black collar shirt buttoned to his neck, black skinny jeans, and low red converse.

“Well, look who it is. Mahximeh.” Gru said, making sure to make his tongue extra long when he pronounced the letters making Maxime huff, clenching his teeth.

“It’s Maxime, you idiot! You know this! How many times do I have to keep correcting you? You think you’re funny?!” Maxime questioned.

Gru chuckled.

“I can’t believe you fall for it each time! How could you possibly keep falling for it?! Who’s the idiot now?” Gru teased. Maxime growled and swift to his desk and slammed both hands on the surface, moving his papers and school supplies. He hovered his front body, so he was covering Gru’s front view.

“Do you have a death wish?” Maxime said lowly.

Gru said nothing for a few seconds holding in laughter before bopping Maxime’s nose and spurted into laughter. Maxime sighed annoyed, getting off Gru’s desk and pulled an empty desk next to Gru and scooted it next to him and sat down, resting his right hand on his cheek. The relationship between Gru and Maxime was strange. In both grade 9 and grade 10, they were rivals. Although they still got on each other's nerves, they started to tolerate each other more than they had anticipated as they spent more time together at school. Nevertheless, they quickly came to the realization that they felt more than just friendship, but they were too insecure to admit it. They chose to play with their emotions instead, believing that the other person was unaware of their feelings.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? This stupid package our teacher decided to give last period.” Gru grumbled and Maxime hummed in acknowledgement.

“Well, lucky for me I finished mine already.”

“What?! But we only just started 10 minutes ago!” Gru exclaimed dumbfounded.

Maxime chuckled giving him a snarky look.

“Well, I am smarter than you Gru. That package was child’s play for me.”

Gru rolled his eyes with a scoff and began to stare at a question that included to show your work. He was struggling to respond for a while rolling his pencil until Maxime spoke.

“I have to say, it’s quite painful to watch you struggle over something so easy.”

“Then why bother watching me?” Gru questioned irritated.

“Because you can pay me back if I help you?”

Gru chuckled and turned back to look at him.

“You’re funny. Like I would ever ask for your help. Besides, even if I did, you’d probably just want something exaggerating or expensive from me.” Gru guessed.

“Normally you are right, mon ami. But I simply want dinner. At King Burger.” Gru was taken back surprised.

“That’s it? You’re not trying to pull any tricks?”

“Non. No tricks.” Maxime grinned. Gru turned his head away feeling embarrassed, making sure he didn’t see. Maxime was very smart. He always came up with new inventions and was able to use and understand technology very well and impressed many others. He groaned before sighing in defeat. He has never once asked Maxime for help. King Burger is really cheap anyway. And he really didn’t feel like completing the rest of the package at home.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

“I knew you would. Alright, gimme the paper.” Maxime gleed before motioning his hand for Gru to hand over the package. Maxime ended up doing all the questions Gru couldn’t do in exchange for dinner AND dessert. Once completed, the smug teen handed Gru the package.

“Thanks, Maxime.” Gru said sheepishly.

“No probleme. A deal is a deal, no?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Meet me tonight at the King Burger restaurant at 417 Main Street at 6pm sharp. Do not be late. If you’re late, I will pants you in front of the entire school when you least expect it and dowse you with water. Got it?” Maxime sneered. Gru nodded with a neutral yet irritated expression, over Maxime’s constant belittling and threats.

“Yes, I got it, I got it.”

“Bien.”

The bell then rang. Stuart and Kevin were mixing different chemicals in test tubes. Stuart whooped in joy of the sound of the bell putting the test tubes in the test tube rack and ran off, not realizing he was mixing two chemicals that would cause an explosion. Kevin tried to alert Stuart but the liquids ended up exploding on Kevin’s face making the taller minion groan in annoyance. All the students started gathering their belongings and walked out the door, Gru did the same with the minions following behind him. He suddenly felt his hair being ruffled. Gru fixed his hair to see Maxime walk ahead of him with his backpack hanging on one of his left arm and looked behind him smirking.

“See you tonight, Gru. Au revoir.” Gru grumbled and the minions just looked confused.

The four walked out of the main entrance of the school and drove home on Gru’s rocket bike. Gru came home not to be greeted by his mother and didn’t see her anywhere. He just went to his room where he relaxed for hours (His homework can wait), had a nap, and got ready to go out for dinner with Maxime. He never thought he would be getting ready to go out for dinner with his frenemy. They had lunch together at school and ate out before but not going out to sit down and eat. Especially in a situation like this. It was kind of like..a date. The weather got chilly, so Gru decided to sport a leather jacket.

“Alright, guys. I’m going out now. You stay there until I come back, I mean it!” Gru said pointing his finger out to Kevin, Bob, and Stuart. “The last thing I need is to be embarrassed, no offence guys, in front of Maxime. He already sees me as a joke half of the time, and I cannot screw anything up tonight. Got it?”

“Si.” Kevin replied.

“Good, see you guys later.”

“Bye, bye.” Bob waved while cuddling his teddy bear Tim. Gru straightened his jacket and shut the door, he got on his bike and drove to the given address. The street glowed with the light of the cars, traffic lights, lights of buildings, and build boards. As Gru got closer to King Burger, he saw Maxime standing outside the restaurant with his arms crossed resting against the building. He styled a large open full zip blue bomber jacket faux fur, underneath a white t-shirt, denim blue skinny jeans, low black converse, and black fingerless gloves. Maxime noticed and gave a shit eating smirk.

“Right on time, Gru. Going with the bad boy look tonight?” Maxime giggled. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he had to admit Gru looked swagged up. Gru slid his bike on a parking space and got out and smirked back with the same expression.

“Yes, see something you like?”

Maxime didn’t respond. He blew a raspberry, turning away trying to conceal his now bright face.

“Ta gueule. Come on, I’m hungry.”

They both ended up ordering each the traditional meal of burger, fries, soda. But Maxime ordered a side of chicken tenders. He was taking full advantage tonight and hadn’t even had dessert yet.

“Enjoying your food, little bug?” Gru cooed teasingly holding a fry.

“Watch it, you little punk.” Maxime grabbed a chicken tender. “I may be thin but last time I checked I’m taller than you, midget.” he put the tender in his mouth and chewed it with his mouth open smirking.

“I haven’t had a growth spirt yet!” Gru exclaimed furiously standing on the booth seat slamming his hands on the table, making people begin to turn their heads and stare at them. After dinner, they went to a diner for dessert, they each chose a milkshake and Maxime requested ice cream in his with many toppings. Gru did the same not wanting Maxime to have all the enjoyment. The boys just walked around town drinking their milkshakes, talking, and occasionally teasing each other. Maxime began to smoke shortly after he finished his shake, and then they decided to rob a convenient store because he was low cigarettes and Gru wanted sweets. They left no trace and shared laughter as they walked back to 417 Main Street with full pockets.

“I have to say, despite how lame you can be. It is quite fun to hang out with you.” Maxime said.

“Oh, you always have a way with words.” Gru replied putting a hand on his heart. Maxime giggled and they returned to Gru’s bike.

“Well, I should be getting back. See you at school, Maxime.” Gru said stepping on his bike and turned on the engine. Before Gru could take off, Maxime stepped in front of the vehicle.

“I wasn’t going to say this, but” He leaned close to his face. “You look sexy with that leather jacket, mauvais garçon.” Maxime whispered saying the last two words in French so Gru wouldn’t understand. Gru’s face went completely red and stammered.

“S-Stupid! Shut up!” Gru babbled before circling around Maxime and drove away. Maxime just chuckled shaking his head and went home himself. Gru’s mind raced the rest of the trip home, his hands clenching the handles, and his heart beating rapidly. He came home, parked at the parking lot, went inside, washed his face, and changed into his pyjamas. He hopped into bed and laid down on his back staring at the ceiling. The light of the moon lighting his room.

“What. Was. That?!” Gru questioned to himself as he rethought of Maxime’s face nearly touching his and said what he said. Maxime has been physically close to him many times when they would have their quarrels, but this was different. They way Maxime looked at him, the way he said it. It didn’t sound like he was talking down or insulting him. Why did Maxime do that? Maybe he. No. No way. He had a crush on Valentina. The captain of the Femme Fetal cheer squad and the most popular girl at their school. What word did “Mauvais” even mean? Gru knew what “Boy” in French meant. Gru decided to look it up or it would bother him all night. Gru searched for the French dictionary his mother owned in the living room and searched through the shelfs of books until he found it. Gru flipped through the pages until he found the M section. Gru’s eyes scanned carefully at the words that started with Ma until he found “Maivais”.

 “Bad”

“Bad boy”

Gru’s face brightened and gritted his teeth gripping the book and shoved it back on the shelf.

“I’m going to kill him!” Gru shouted.

                            A Request from Maxime le Mal

It was a bright Saturday morning. In the Gru household, Gru and Lucy were in the kitchen making breakfast for their children. Gru hummed a made-up tune to himself, wiggling his hips while mixing the cheese scrambled eggs on the frying pan. He then moved them to a plate and handed it to Lucy who was cutting different fruits.

“Okay, girls. Breakfast is ready.” Gru announced and placed the 3 plates of scrambled cheese eggs that made a face with cucumbers for eyes, ketchup for the pupils and mouth, and parsley for hair. With Lucy’s bacon and chopped fruit on a separate bowl. And of course, with orange juice as the beverage. A breakfast the girls really enjoyed. They thanked their parents and started wolfing it away.

“And just plain scrambled eggs and mashed fruit for you, little man.” Gru said to his son putting the plastic bowls of food in front of the excited infant.

“Open wide.” Gru said as he scooped a spoonful of eggs and intimidated a plane engine making Gru Jr. giggle and placed it in his mouth. He chewed a few times then swallowed clapped his hands smiling wider in approval.

“Good? Aw, daddy’s so happy you love my eggies.” Gru cooed and continued to feed his son. After breakfast the couple cleared the table and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Gru was wiping the counter when his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket. Gru looked at it before answering it and saw it was from Silas Ramsbottom.

“Hello?”

“Gru, I must inform you something important. Are you occupied?” Silas asked tensed.

Gru walked away from the kitchen to the open garden door where the girls and baby were playing with Kyle and Lucky. Some of the minions were also playing but with water guns and the water hose. He leaned against the side door crossing his left arm underneath his armpit.

“No, what’s going on?”

“It’s about Maxime le Mal. He requested me directly through prison that he wants to speak with you. About your relationship. From when you were both..younger.” Silas replied cautiously. Gru remained silent for a moment. Since when did Maxime suddenly want to start speaking withGru? Especially about their youth? They had their conversation about the miscommunication about the grade 9 talent show at Lycée Pason Bon and made peace with it by performing “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears in front of the prisoners. Gru and Maxime haven’t bonded since they attended Lycée Pason Bon. Memories flashed through Gru’s mind. From when they were rivals, when they became frenemies to friends, when they became something more, to the day Gru broke Maxime’s heart, and when they were at each others’ throats since. All of it made his stomach twist. He then remembered arresting Maxime at Lycée Pason Bon along with the AVL, hiding himself and his family from Maxime, watching his son be kidnapped by Maxime and turned him part cockroach, and was almost killed while his son watched. Gru knew in his soul he would never forgive Maxime for those actions. His family was his everything and priority before anything else. But if Maxime was willing to talk to Gru about their past, there was a good change there was nothing malicious behind it.

“I see. When can I come down there? I have plans with the family today but I’m available this evening.”

“That is fine. I can make the appointment. Does 7pm work for you?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Then I will schedule the appointment for 7pm.”

“Thanks a lot, Ramsbottom. Have a good weekend.” Gru said and hung up. He groaned and sat down on the wooden floor and covered his face with his palms with one holding his phone. Agnes noticed her father and ran up to him while holding a toy ship.

“Hey Gru, what’s wrong?” Agnes asked with worry on her face. Gru peaked through his fingers and shook his head sighing. “Nothing sweetie. I just have some business to take care of for AVL. Nothing bad.” Gru said smiling lovingly to his daughter and stroked her left cheek gently. He decided he wouldn’t tell the girls about this just yet, he wanted to try and keep them out of his work life as much as he could and not give them too much anxiety.

“Okay.” Agnes said smiling lightly and suddenly lunged at her father and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Whatever is going on, I’m sure you will figure it out.” Gru’s smile spread, always touched with how Agnes could be, especially for her age. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tighter.

“You are a very special girl, Agnes. Never forget that.” Gru said. Agnes nodded, resting on her father’s shoulder and moved herself a bit to have more access to his face. “I won’t.” Gru kissed her forehead.

Gru went back inside a few minutes later with Gru Jr to his and Lucy’s bedroom. Lucy was there putting on her usual white earrings looking at herself in the mirror. Styling a turquoise sleeveless collar shirt, white skirt, and platform white sneakers.  Gru did not want to tell Lucy about their past just yet, he thought if he did, she would think he was a huge jerk and blame him for Maxime’s behaviour leading to them to evacuate and hide. Of course, it sounded ridiculous because Lucy would never blame Gru for someone else’s actions.

“Oh, Gru. Are you still good to leave the house at 11 to go to the blueberry picking farm?” Lucy asked excitedly.

“Yes. Hey, Honey?” Gru replied nervously.

“Yes, sweetie?” Lucy questioned now concerned, facing away from the mirror now at her husband and stood up walking to him.

“I got a call from Silas. It’s about..Maxime. Apparently, he wants me and him to talk about our past. From. When we were teenagers. I have to go to the AVL prison this evening at 7pm for a meeting with him.” Gru replied. Lucy’s eyes widen a bit.

“Oh? Wow. Did Maxime tell Silas anything else?”

“No, but it sounds genuine from what I’ve been told. If anything, suspicious happens I’m coming straight home.” Gru replied while gently bouncing Gru Jr. and tickling his stomach making him giggle and grab his father’s hands.

“Alright. And hey, this might be good for you guys. I’m sure both of you will benefit talking to each other about how you both feel.” Lucy said reassuringly, rubbing her husband’s shoulder in a comforting motion. Gru laughed.

“Sure, if that punk doesn’t start blaming me for everything.” Gru half joked.

“Come on, give it a chance.” Lucy said in a stern but encouraging tone rubbing his shoulder faster.

“I am! I am going tonight am I not?” Gru questioned exaggerating his expression, making their son laugh at the sudden change of his behaviour. Lucy giggled and kissed her husband on the right cheek and stroked his head.

“I’m sure everything will turn out fine. You got this.” Lucy said. Gru smiled back.

“Thank you, Lucy.”

6:30pm. Gru was driving to AVL prison. He had a long day, blueberry picking with his family, checking out the goats that were in the property afterwords, playing with the children in the kids’ playground that was in the kids’ area, going to the markets next to it, and stopping at King Burger on the way home for lunch. The whole time the thought of talking to Maxime about their past spoiled his day but tried his best to keep his mind occupied with the activities. Gru arrived at the prison, checked himself in, got checked, and entered to the scheduled meeting room. When he opened the door, Maxime sitting on a chair on one side of a table hands cuffed. A guard was behind him near the wall with his arms crossed behind his back. Maxime looked up at Gru with an expression Gru couldn’t read, he reluctantly sat on the other seat across the table.

“Good evening, Maxime. So, you wanted to see me?” Gru asked anxiously.

“What do you think Gru?” Maxime scoffed, furrowing his eyebrows at the rhetorical question.

“Well, I heard from Ramsbottom you wanted to discuss about, us. About our teenage years. What exactly did you want to talk about?” Gru asked carefully.

Maxime sighed closing his eyes and looked directly at Gru with a neutral yet angry expression.