#bunnyspecs

Lmao not even done with Episode 5 yet, but I still decided to use these prompts to make an Episode 6 teaser 😂

Mandy’s rant about her dress is just me projecting because I couldn’t think of any dress that suited her… So I decided to apply that dilemma to her anger.

Hmm… I wonder what Ox did that made her so upset with him?

(Yeah the background sucks. Idk how to draw backgrounds nahdhehdb) 💀

Oops. Forgot to put this:

(Also… anyone else notice how adorably stupid some of the background dolls dancing are? 🤣)

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I cannot explain outside of fanon depictions and superficial reasons why I ship them. But I love them anyway.

And though, I’m pretty sure this only works if the ship is somewhat canon… Here are some couple variants anyway:

Technically not a couple, but I imagine them like this sometimes:

You did wonderfully setting up character development, for how Lou became who he was today, Ox’s anger and him explaining his feelings, you cooked with the writing, everything felt natural, perfect balance between cartoon and realism if that makes sense

I also admit…I’m not familiar with musicals, so up until last chapter when I recognized “Popular” I was blown away by the songs and I thought you wrote them yourself 😭🙏 I also started kinda laughing when Lou started singing cause imagine singing a song to end the friendship 💔 I’m saying this knowing Uglydolls is musical centered in general but it’s funny to imagine having a massive argument with your friend and then yall start singing 😭😭 they really played an outro for their friendship

I….admittedly softened towards the Spy Girls Predecessors. Just a little bit. In my head I started calling them the “Mona Lisa’s” based on the lyrics from Britney’s Spears song “Mona Lisa” (“She’s the original, she’s unforgettable, she wants you to know, she’s a clone” cause like…they were the original “spy girls”) Dolly Lisa’s? Idk, always associated the song with Lou as well

Also died at Hildegard comforting Lou by exhaling that whole Greek mythology thing to comfort him, for some reason I imagined it worked in a way that he was so shocked that he just didn’t even know what to say and it like, cancelled out his sadness. Or he just became more distraught afterwards 💀

Also more of my favorite characters Lou’s family I was so happy *COUGH* I’m so sorry I meant his mentors, it’s sweet they were comforting him even after he tried to murder someone 🥹 I also kinda laughed internally imagining when he was reocgnzied as an academy student and Hildegard had to go pick him up, like same vibes as like a kid getting lost in a store and a parent picking them up

Also Moxy and Lou’s little kerfuffle where she almost pulled down his robe I started squealing (*cough* trams stamp reveal*cough* ) and I lowkenuinely related to Moxy in that moment when she didn’t wanna fail 💔 gave me flashbacks to junior year with my physiology teacher

Michael being like “OMG NO MORE BACKSTORY” had me dying as well

You also cooked really good with the Mandy x Ox, the chemistry is there, you’re really good at giving chemistry in general

And the ending was heartwarming, felt so natural and like an actual episode even if it was a fanfic

Overall 11/10 you are definitly my fav fanfic author ever and I am probably going to be re reading this chapter to stay sane, this was wonderful and I can’t wait to see more of your work

PS: Photo of me the whole time I was reading your fanfic

First off all… THANK YOU again for your enthusiasm. I love how hype you are when talking about my fics ✊😭

Me? Write an original song? LMAO I can’t even write an original story 💀 (fanfics have been my thing since I was 10 years old) —But yeah hehe 🥲 I kinda wondered what the song would seem like to someone who hasn’t heard it. Probably hella awkward… just imagine some piano music near the start… (Here’s the link I was too lazy to put in the fic 🙂‍↕️)

I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to use My Goodbye, because that song is literally “I disown you and here’s why!”/“No! I’m disowning you and here’s why!” —Especially for my version of Ox and Lou’s dynamic.

Gonna have to get back to you on that, after I listen to Mona Lisa… But what if I told you… that won’t be the last you’ll see of the predecessor girls? 👀

They’re still not exactly important, plot-wise, but they do show up again. But right now, they are currently out in the Big World, completely unaware of the movie events.

Yup. Hildegards that one Christian mother that tells their daughter “Maybe you keep having miscarriages because God’s plan doesn’t involve you having kids? This a probably a sign to stop.” —while said daughter is still crying her eyes out in a hospital bed.

(No discrimination on religion btw. I’m born in a catholic family, but sometimes my mother says things at the wrong emotional moment. This is sort of a symbolism on how some religious parents unintentionally dismiss current grief, trying to use ‘fate’ as a way to explain a problem. Sometimes… people just need empathy. They don’t always need an answer to something.)

I used greek mythology and that Tiresias story specifically because, well maybe I’m just missing an underlying message, but all I got from it is: Greeks are probably living the worst life, because their gods will literally find them at the wrong place at the wrong time. The stories are so bizarre sometimes. Istg there will soon be a story of a little boy who spat in the wrong mud puddle and caused a 10 year war 😭

Lou got double traumatized into getting better.

Meh… Majority of the oldies/antique toys, especially those three professors, don’t react much to death. (But not to the point where they won’t do anything about assault or mugging. They still deal with that.) They know they don’t die from aging, but they still get killed. And since Ox wasn’t anything super special, they considered him as an endangered species with very little chance anyway. Plus, they can see how affected Lou was over it already. No need to make a big deal out of someone already punishing themselves…

Also hehehe… speaking of getting lost in the store, I lowkey imagined something like that but in a different place. And Lou was being hysterical before Hildegard even got there 🤣 And the person who called her is just deadpan while pointing at him like, “Ma’am, please pick up your child. He’s off his meds.”

The little robe joke was my favorite to write, because Moxy doesn’t even know she fucking stripping him. She’s worried about failing, Lou’s worried about flashing 💀 Hmmm… when am I gonna be able to involve a tattoo in the story?

Michael is just my excuse not to exposition everything I ready wrote in a previous episode… 🥹 (Don’t worry, Lydia got her answer ‘off screen’)

Good to know I managed to write the Mandy x Ox well undertones well.

Admittedly, I was supposed to pair Mandy with Ugly Dog, since the guy was canonically into her 🤣 But… eh. I just wasn’t feeling the ship all that much, and I didn’t think I’d write the dynamic well if I went with that. Plus, I think’s it’s funnier if Ugly Dog is that one character that just never gets a girlfriend.

So, I went from PuppySpecs to BunnySpecs. =OwO=

Gotta be honest, it was ironically 3:00am where I was, and I was sleepy as hell while writing near the ending.

Read on Ao3

Moved to a new college. I'm a little disappointed because I’m a first year student again, since 5 subjects in the news college couldn’t be credited…

I’m a little nervous because it starts tomorrow, and now… of I was lazy to update before, I’m sure as hell gonna take longer uploading stories now 😬

Uh… anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it!

…

All three toys decided to eat together in a small indoor dining area.

They sat at a table near the door.

Which… was meant to hold six people, but due to the knight’s size, she had taken the table space on one side, while her helmet was set beside her occupying the four other chairs. Lou and Moxy sat next to each other, facing the bigger toy.

“So…” Moxy started drumming her thumbs on the table. “…were you guys in the same class back then?”

“Hm?” Orkha blinked at the pink doll, confused, before realizing what she said and chuckled. “Oh, no. I’m not an academy student.”

Moxy tilted her head, a little surprised.

But then she suddenly remembered, “Oh, right. Lou mentioned he only dated toys outside of the academy.”

Lou hummed as he playfully said, “Yeah. Can’t find the exotics within an isolated habitat.”

Orkha snorted as she laughed at his words.

Moxy laughed too, before looking between the two of them and curiously asking, “Well… how did you guys meet?”

Orkha hummed as she thought for a moment.

“Well… it started with Backlot—”

“H-Hey!” Lou cut her off, as he let out a flustered laugh.

“Can’t you just say we met online?” He leaned forward towards the table, using his hand to hide the pink across his face. “Why are we dropping site names now?”

Moxy looked at the blonde curiously, “What’s the Backlot?”

“Don’t look it up.” Lou immediately told her, pointing a finger. “… at least don’t use the school computers. You’re dead if you do.”

The pink doll’s eyes dropped to half-lidded, “I just asked what it was…”

The blonde groaned into his hand before answering, “It’s a… Whenever you need a quicker… uh…”

He scratched his head as he decided to give the quickest explanation, “You usually use it to order furniture or tools at the cheapest price. But there are other, rarely used, features… I’ve been meeting some of my dates through there.”

“Those features are ‘rarely used’, because cheap purchases is the only thing it was good for.” Orkha flippantly added. “You don’t even get to see a picture of who you’re talking to unless they send you one themself.”

Moxy looked between the both of them with a blank expression.

Lou shook his head and brushed off his earlier embarrassment.

“Anyway… we met up, and worked out somehow. And Orkha lasted a lot longer than my other Backlot meet ups.” He flatly explained to the pink doll.

Orkha added, “That was my first and only time meeting someone through that site.”

“What even gave you two the idea to meet up then?” She asked them with a bit of concern in her voice.

The blonde shrugged, “I guess we were both looking for something more… ‘more’ during that time. I only ever had the academy and the institute to go to.”

Orkha hummed in agreement, “And I was currently taking a break from military training.”

Moxy beamed as she rested her chin on her knuckles while staring up at the larger toy, “Ooh! Military? So you’re like in the army or something?”

The knight looked off to the side as she awkwardly answered, “Not really… I never made it. But it was mostly a bandwagon decision from expectations anyway, considering what I am.” She said as she gestured to herself, referring to her battle-ready entirety.

She then added, “I quit the military completely afterwards. Lou was already away, leading his institute by that time. And we had broken up long before his graduation.”

“I helped move large cargo packages for a couple of years, until I decided to retire as a scare-actor here. Just in case you were curious about what I’ve been up to.”

Lou raised his hand as he chimed in, “Hey! So we’re both retired now? I’m working as a janitor.”

Then he looked at Moxy just to grin at her, “and became a tutor against my will for this idiot—Ow.” The blonde laughed while rubbing the knee the pink doll had kicked in retaliation.

Moxy then flicked one of her chips at the blonde’s head, in addition to her playful counterattack. Snickering as she turned back to look up at Orkha.

Then her focus was brought back to the deformed half of her face.

Her face turned a little anxious as she slowly started, “So… you know… since you’re an ex-military… If you don’t mind me asking…”

Right away, Orkha casually brought a hand up to her face, pointing at it with a smile and asked, “Are you wondering how this happened?”

Moxy’s eyes blinked wide open before she quickly looked away, guilty.

“Sorry… was my staring that obvious? I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine. It’s a funny story actually.” Orkha cut her off, laughing before answering, “Though, I wish I could tell you something more interesting.”

Moxy turned to look at her again, her expression changing to something more quizzical.

So the larger toy started explaining, “My body parts are detachable… my head especially having the loosest ball joint…”

“The last child I was given to, got me as a Christmas gift. He had a little sister… and she threw my head in the fireplace while he was trying to assemble my limbs.”

Moxy’s jaw dropped as she gawked at the other woman in horror.

“How is that funny?!”

Lou took a bite of the mini donuts in his tray, before saying, “I told you, Orkha… not everyone’s going to understand your depressive humor.”

The armored toy nervously chuckled, “Ah, well… I guess it’s a little funny to me, because of how absurd it was… she was just a toddler.”

“I think I’d consider the Trade Raid a more tragic loss, anyway.”

“Trade raid?” Moxy repeated, curiously.

This time Lou replied, with the shortest explanation possible, “Orkha’s a toy based on a comic series that flunked. Can’t remember what it’s called, but it was about ladies who fight in armor, and it flunked because it didn’t have any other substance to it than ladies who fight in armor.”

“Her head’s supposed to come with two bodies, the other would be what she looked like without armor.” He said as he gestured at said woman’s armor. “But she got separated from her set because of degenerate geeks fighting like it’s black friday when she was being sold half off at the comic con.” He finished explaining.

“At least…” he looked up at her and grinned, “That’s how she told me the story.”

Orkha shook her head at his bluntness, “It was called Feminine Rage of the Dark Ages. And…” she chuckled as she looked over at Moxy, “He’s right. I looked up the comic myself, and it lacked substance. It wasn’t a very good representation for feminism either…”

Lou scoffed as he raised a brow and sarcastically repeated, “Feminism?”

“I still remember that volume you showed me, and I knew straight away a single middle aged man drew those panels.” He shook his head in disgust as he took a gulp of his soda.

“… aren’t you technically a single middle aged man?” Orkha slowly asked.

“I mean one that’s never had a normal encounter with a woman before.” The blonde was quick to answer.

“…..”

“Oh come on!” Lou threw his hands in the air when the larger toy kept staring at him. “You know what I’m talking about!”

Orkha covered her mouth as she giggled at him, “I know. I’m just teasing.”

The blonde frowned at her as he halfheartedly said, “Which is very unlike you.”

“Well… mayhaps I’m just getting a bit of petty revenge.” She playfully shrugged. “You were very fond of… flustering me.”

Lou snorted, “Yeah, because you were so awkward and tense whenever I’m trying to be close to you.”

Orkha lightly laughed at his playful tone, but her smile twitched anxiously.

The blonde continued, “It’s like watching Frankenstein figure out how to move around a bunny.”

Moxy looked at Lou bemused, “Are you supposed to be the bunny in that analogy?”

“I…” The blonde looked at the pink doll defensively, but couldn’t find anything to say. Instead his blush returned to his face.

Then he shook his head as he tried to play off the mistake, and rolled his eyes at the snickering pink doll.

He stood up, grabbed his empty tray and cup and politely announced, “I’m gonna go buy cheese fries. Can I leave you ladies alone for a while?” His question was more teasing rather than actually distrustful of the two women.

With a smug expression Moxy told him, “Don’t worry, will make sure to clean up any evidence of our bloodbath, before you come back.”

“Thank goodness.” The blonde said, chuckling before turning around and heading to the serving counter.

Moxy looked at him for a second longer before turning back to the armored toy.

Just in time to see her staring at the blonde’s back, as her face slowly grew more sad and… what seemed to be a remnant of guilt.

She couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Hey… something wrong?”

Orkha flinched as she realized the pink doll had noticed her, and avoided eye contact.

“Yeah—No. It’s nothing.”

“Come on…” Moxy leaned closer as she pushed further, “I know we just met, but I think you’re cool and it’ll really suck if there was something bothering you the whole time.”

Then she carefully asked, “Is it… me?”

Orkha blinked, her eye widening as she heard that. “No! Of course not!”

“It’s just…” She quietly said, as she rubbed her hands together.

“I’m surprised, that’s all…” She sighed as she finally said, “Lou seemed… way too relaxed when he recognized me back at the tunnel.”

“What do you mean?” Moxy asked, curiously.

Orkha bit her lip but chose to answer, “This is the first time I’ve seen him after a while, let alone talked to him, after the break up.”

Then timidly added, “I sort of… left without saying anything…”

“I only found out he was looking for me through some friends that lived in the same apartment building as me.” She sucked in a breath through her teeth, as she winced at the memory.

“I said something that… might’ve hurt him. He decided we should end things between the two of us then just told me to, ‘let him know if I ever still want to buy a drink with him…’ —but, uh…” She lowered her head a little from shame. “I made a very poor choice to go back and finish my training, without telling him I left.”

Moxy's expression softened.

She stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Before deciding to speak and ask, “…So you ghosted him?”

Orkha's face immediately twisted, “Please don't put it like that.”

“I'm not trying to be mean.” Moxy quickly defended herself, “I'm just… trying to understand.”

“I know.” Orkha sighed. She rested a hand on the table, but it made the whole thing tilt, so she removed her hand, and rubbed her arm instead, “I guess I did ghost him.”

Moxy blinked.

Orkha stared down at the table, “I told myself I was doing the right thing. That he deserved better than me, and decided to give him room to find other people to talk to. And that if I ever wanted to see him again, I could simply return when I was ready.”

She paused. “Except… I guess I didn’t keep track of time.” She let out a strained laugh, “I didn’t realize I wasn’t going to reach his graduation.”

“But, it’s not like I had the guts to come visit his district. So… I guess I’ve just proven all over again how bad of a partner I am.” She buried her face in her hand as she said, “I can’t even treat my ex properly, even after he offered to stay as friends…”

Moxy stared at her for a moment.

Then she got up from her chair and slowly walked across the table and placed a hand on Orkha's wrist.

The armored toy looked up at her, surprised.

"Okay…" Moxy started carefully, "I'm not gonna lie."

Orkha's expression immediately became worried.

Moxy raised a finger.

"I don't know you well enough to tell you that you did nothing wrong. Because…" The pink doll continued, "from what you've told me, you did kinda leave without telling him."

Orkha's face sank.

"But!" Moxy quickly added, "That doesn't mean you're a bad person."

Orkha remained quiet.

Moxy leaned back in her chair, trying to find the right words.

"People mess up." She shrugged. "Like… a lot."

Then she pointed towards herself, "Trust me. I've done plenty of stupid things."

She pointed in the direction the blonde had left, "And so has Lou."

Orkha quietly chuckled.

Moxy smiled at her then continued, "But if you actually feel bad about it, then… I don't think you should keep punishing yourself forever."

Orkha stared at her.

Moxy's smile softened, "Especially when it sounds like Lou isn't punishing you either.” She chuckled as she added, “He stopped punishing himself a while back already, and doesn’t stick around to hear the other dolls where we’re from talk bad about him.”

That made Orkha's expression change.

She slowly glanced towards the direction the blonde had walked.

“Why would they be talking bad abou—”

Moxy continued, unintentionally cutting her off, "I mean, look at him."

She gestured towards the counter, "That guy saw you for the first time in years and immediately started joking with you."

Orkha's eye lowered as she quietly said, "He's probably changed a lot since then."

"Yeah." Moxy nodded. "He definitely has."

"But…" The pink doll paused as she leaned forward, "Maybe you should stop assuming that you know how he feels."

Orkha's eye widened slightly.

Moxy tapped her fingers against the table, "You said you left because you thought he deserved better, right?"

Orkha nodded.

"And you thought giving him space was the right thing to do."

“Yes…”

"But… Did you ever actually ask him what he wanted?" She finally asked her.

Orkha opened her mouth, then hesitated for a moment as she thought. “He told me plenty of times what he wanted.,,”

Moxy blinked, a little surprised by the answer.

“I just… thought I knew better. And I tried convincing him it’s not what he wanted.” The armored toy admitted. “Which led to what I told him that made him break up with me, in the first place.”

“What did you tell him?” Moxy found herself asking.

Orkha's fingers tightened, before she reluctantly answered, “My honest feelings… How I always felt the whole time we were together.”

Moxy's brows furrowed, "What does that mean?"

The larger toy hesitated to speak, and just stayed quiet.

Moxy sighed, “Nevermind…”

“But still,” she looked up at the bigger toy, “I think while Lou is being really nice and casual… you should take that as an opportunity to start over from your mistake. Be the friend he was hoping you would be.”

Orkha looked down at the pink doll taking in her words.

“…I—”

“They didn’t have cheese, so I ordered the barbecue flavor instead.” Lou’s voice suddenly grew closer as he approached the table. “Which, personally, tastes much better. I’m getting these from now on.”

As he made it to his chair, he finally noticed that Moxy was out of her seat and was now instead standing next to a very nervous Orkha…

He looked between the two women, dumbfounded, “What did I miss?”

“Uh…” Moxy’s eyes traveled from Lou, back to the larger toy, “We were just talking.”

“Yes…” Orkha said, nodding.

“About what?” The blonde asked

Orkha bit her lip as she thought for a moment, “Well… it was about—”

Suddenly a small beeping noise interrupted her.

Moxy and Lou looked around looking for where the noise was coming from.

Orkha patted down her armor, as she finally fished a phone out of her pocket, and sighed.

“My break is over…” She said, a little unhappy. But regardless, she stood up and grabbed her helmet. “It’ll be really time consuming to glue all those extra props back on my armor. So I have to go right now.”

The pink doll’s face fell as she pouted, “Oh… can’t you stay a little longer?”

Orkha smiled at her as she shook her head, “I’m sorry, I can’t… My boss says scare-acting shouldn’t be that hard of a job, so if we’re late it’s an automatic pay cut.” She sheepishly explained.

She then turned her eyes to the blonde who, surprisingly, continued to look at her normally.

“Uh… enjoy the rest of your date.” Orkha told him, not really sure of what to say. “I’m sorry for inviting myself.”

“No need to apologize.” The blonde told her, “And you invited us. We chose to eat with you.”

He then gave her a soft smile, “See you next time.”

The armored toy blinked at him, surprised. But she returned the smile and nodded.

“See you next time…” She said before walking past them and to the exit.

Lou sat down, and without even looking said as loud as he could, “Watch your head. The doorframe is too low for you.”

“Ow!” —Was heard just after he said that.

“Oops. Warned her too late.” The blonde chuckled to himself as he took a bite of his fries.

Moxy found herself laughing too as she made her way back to her chair.

As she sat herself down, Lou turned to her.

“So, what did you two talk about?” He casually asked her.

“Huh?” Moxy said, turning to the blonde.

Lou shook his head as he chuckled lightly, “I left you two alone for five minutes, and you had a whole conversation without me.”

Moxy flushed as she realized what the blonde was talking about.

She sheepishly scratched the back of her head, “Heh… sorry. We weren’t saying anything bad though…”

“Alright then.” The blonde said, smirking at her.

“So what did you two talk about?” He asked, his voice holding no grudge as he was genuinely curious.

“Um…” The pink doll carefully started, “When you left, Orkha started getting all weird. And then when I asked her, she told me it was because you guys haven’t seen or talked to each other in a while, until now…”

“And she thought it was weird that you were being super chill with seeing her only just now.” She finally explained.

With a roll of her wrist she continued, “I’m guessing she was expecting you to be mad at her, presumably because of what she said to you before you broke up. —Which she hasn’t told me yet. But she was hinting hard on it… So, I’m still only halfway out of the dark here.”

The blonde stared at her after she had just finished explaining, before he bursted out laughing again.

“I see…” Lou said as he wiped a tear from his eye.

Moxy watched him carefully, “So… you’re not mad?”

The blonde blinked, as he raised a brow.

“Mad?”

“Yeah.” Moxy pointed in the direction Orkha had left. “At her.”

Lou stared at her for a moment, before shrugging. “No.”

Moxy squinted her eyes, “Really?”

“Really.” The blonde repeated as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I wouldn't say I'm happy about it, but I’m not mad… anymore, at least.”

“But why?”

Lou shrugged again before replying, “Because there’s no point in showing I’m angry.”

Moxy blinked.

The blonde casually took another fry.

“Maybe if it were still a few years ago, and I met her like this. I would have tackled her and took everything out on her…”

“So, why didn’t you?” Moxy asked, before quickly adding, “Not saying you should’ve. But… just wondering. What changed for you to be so calm now? —assuming the break up and unannounced leave was that serious…”

“Well…” The blonde propped an elbow on the table and rested his face against his palm as he smiled at her. “I met you.”

Moxy blinked.

Then Lou blinked as a small shade of pink appeared in his cheeks before quickly adding, “—guys.”

“I met you guys. As in, you and your uglydoll friends.” He corrected himself.

“Hm?” Moxy didn’t look any less puzzled. “Why would meeting me and the others change your mind?”

“Moxy…” Lou slowly started, “I kinda went through a roller coaster of past incidents being brought back up maybe like… three times?”

“I ditched the idea of leading, got over everything about Vanessa –sort of…. and resolved most of my issues with Ox.” He listed all the incidents on his fingers. “Starting a melodrama with Orkha would’ve just been redundant.”

“She’s not the first person to leave me… but I did hope she was the last.” Lou said, mumbling the other half. “But, of course… she wasn’t.”

“Goes to show I shouldn’t waste my energy remembering every single person just to hate them…” He said as he let out an exhausted sigh.

“And I never hated her, for the record.” He firmly added. “Not for the fight, not for what she said… and not for leaving.”

A moment of silence stayed between them as Moxy took in the blonde’s words.

She thought for a moment before deciding to ask, “How bad was the fight? And… what exactly did she say to you?”

She bit her lip as she waited for the blonde to answer.

Lou let out a long exhale, before it turned into sheepish laughter.

Rubbing the back of his neck as he started, “You know that thing with her hands and my head that you asked about earlier?”

Moxy tilted her head, “Yeaaah…?”

“Well… when our relationship started getting a little more serious, she started fussing over that little detail too…”

“Her hands?” Moxy asked, confused.

“No.” Lou shook his head chuckling, “Our size difference…”

Moxy stared at him blankly as she was trying to understand what he meant.

Then her lips immediately flatlined as she stared at the ground with shrunken pupils as she finally came to the conclusion herself.

Lou snorted at the pink doll’s reaction as he continued, “She was always acting like she could hurt me every minute… which was somewhat true… she might’ve ripped my seams a couple of times…”

He decided to name some instances, “Little incidents like when we hug, she squeezes me a little too hard when she doesn’t watch her strength. It left me with some temporary grip marks until I pushed all my stuffing back in place...”

“Or when I’m having one of my ‘stubborn’ moments where she had to grab my arm to stop me… That escalated into a hospital trip, when my arm tore off…”

Moxy’s mouth opened in mild shock.

Lou waved off her worries, “But, I was fine every time. I was more concerned over how guilty she’d always feel…”

He awkwardly added, “It didn't help that Hildegard chased her out of the hospital that one time she broke the bed trying to sit next to me… The position she walked in on, was hard to explain.”

“Oh…” Moxy grimaced.

“Yeah, uh, I made sure those two never met each other again, after that…”

“Well, anyway…” Lou continued to the main topic, “She started holding back, after the umpteenth time she tore me… She lets me touch her, but she never does it back.”

“Eventually it was starting to bother me. I’d tell her over and over again, that I don’t care about my quality.” The blonde admitted as he momentarily looked at the pink doll.

Just as expected, she was concerned but didn’t understand what he meant.

So he continued, “I’m never gonna make it to the Big World… I’m never gonna end up in another kid's arms. I’m never going to get worn out or tattered from playtime…”

He took a deep breath as he asked with a frustrated tone, “So, why should I preserve being ‘untouched’…? Why can’t I choose someone to handle me, right here where I can go?”

“…”

“…”

“U-Uh… of course, our relationship was more than just a physical thing!” Lou immediately said, whipping his head towards the pink doll giving him a slightly judgemental look.

“It’s just that…” He looked down at the table as his expression softened. “Emotions don’t exactly have a value… if you can’t express them with action… And because she was so scared of ‘taking action’, she did nothing but inaction for the rest of our relationship.”

He scoffed as he added, “Heck, she’s touched the thugs she’d fight off more than she’s ever thought to touch me.”

Moxy’s expression softened as she leaned a little closer as she asked the blonde, “So… you tried telling her what you wanted from her?”

Lou nodded.

“I told her it doesn’t matter if I end up looking like a used toy… There’s no point in keeping me in ‘shelf-condition’ if no one cares to see me… Then we argued about it, when I said it’s practically still objectifying, and it wasn’t any different than if she hurt me for fun…”

“Then I told her to stop acting like a coward over the fact that I’m a plush doll, and just hold me already!” He aggressively said, clenching his fists.

Then he relaxed his hands as he let out a tired sigh, “And can you guess what she told me after?”

Moxy paused a moment before asking, “What did she say?”

Lou’s eyes dulled as he answered, “She said… and I quote, ‘… I’m sorry. But I think I’m always going to be a coward if I’m with you. I can never stop seeing you as someone fragile… And I know, you hate me for that.’…”

He hunched over the table as he started rubbing circles on his temples. “I realized it wasn’t just me who was affected… her self-esteem was getting worse, while she was with me. She kept seeing herself as some reckless user… so, I decided to end things there, and offered to stay friends.”

“I didn’t think she’d just disappear like that…” He said, miserably wheezing. “I hope she figured things out for herself while she was away, at least…”

“But, uh… I guess after that break up, I stopped considering plastic toys as dating options altogether.” The blonde admitted.

“Why?” Moxy asked.

Resting his head on his hand again, as he turned to her, he answered, “Because I’ve come to notice… whether they’re being arrogant or trying to be considerate —their mindset is all the same; stuffed toys are less durable than plastic…”

“They always view plush toys to be so easy to destroy… Be it an alien robot toy or a Snobz Doll…” He shook his head in displeasure, “I guess I was just really sick of being around toys with those mindsets… Orkha wasn’t arrogant but, whether she meant to or not, she was practically implying the same thing. That I’m more delicate because of my material…”

“Was… she aware of that?” Moxy slowly asked.

Lou shrugged as he bluntly said, “You can’t imply it without being aware of it… she definitely knew. Her intentions were good, I know… But it still hurts to hear her choose to prioritize the fact that we were physically incompatible.”

Then his cheeks turned red again as he shamefully admitted, “But I guess it was also my fault for making her even more scared…”

“Joking around like a little freak probably wasn’t the best confidence booster…” He grinned nervously as he brushed his bangs away from his face. “I’d snap some pictures of her holding me where I’m nearly enclosed in her hands, and caption them as ‘Hands that I’d let destroy me’ or, ‘Bone crushing hugs is our love language’…”

“Okay.” Moxy interrupted him, shaking her head, “What the heck is wrong with you?”

The blonde could only offer an embarrassed smile as he shrugged. “I was still sort of rebelling around that time… I was unapologetically a little wild in the head.” He said as he poked the side of his head.

“But… I always take those posts down when she asks. I still keep them for me, because I am being honest with how I felt…” Lou admitted.

“… That you want her to destroy you?” Moxy asked, mildly concerned.

“Wh—No!” Lou defensively said, his face heating up. Then he looked off to the side, “Well… uh—” he rapidly shook his head as he snapped himself out of that headspace, “—No! No! No! Of course not!”

“I… was happy with her, even when she hurts me sometimes.” He explained more clearly, “Because I know she never means to do anything bad to me… I made jokes about our ‘anatomical differences’ because I didn’t want her thinking I was scared.”

“But apparently, the fact that I wasn’t scared made her worry for the both of us… ” The blonde groaned as he slapped his hands down on the table, not too harsh but enough that it showed his frustration.

“It’s my quality!” He exclaimed as he threw his hands in the air. “My stuffing, my fabric, my thermosplastics… Yet she’s constantly taking charge of how I should care about it.”

He slapped his hands over his eyes, and had them slide down his face, frustrated.

Moxy watched him quietly for a moment.

She could tell Lou was still upset about it.

She slowly tilted her head. “So…”

Lou glanced at her through the gaps between his fingers. “So?”

Moxy hesitated.

She wasn't entirely sure how to phrase what she wanted to ask.

But, after everything he'd just told her, there was one question she couldn't stop herself from wondering.

“Do you… still want to be with her?”

Lou's hands slowly lowered from his face and stared at Moxy.

For a second, he looked genuinely surprised by the question.

Then he shook his head, “No.”

Moxy blinked.

That was… surprisingly straightforward.

Lou leaned back in his chair, “No, I don't.”

He looked down at his tray, picking up one of his barbecue fries.

“I mean, I don't want to get back together with her.” He said as he popped the fry into his mouth.

Moxy continued staring at him.

Lou chewed thoughtfully before adding, “But…” He swallowed, “I wouldn't mind catching up.”

Moxy's expression softened.

“Maybe even make up for lost time.” Lou shrugged. “As friends.”

He said it so casually that Moxy couldn't help but smile.

“So you do want to see her again?”

“Sure.” Lou leaned his cheek against his palm. “I'm curious what she's been up to all this time. And…” He paused for a moment. “…it'd be nice to actually be the friend I offered to be.”

Moxy hummed.

Then her eyes suddenly lit up, “Well, why don't you wait for her?”

Lou's eyebrow raised, “Huh?”

“Her break.” Moxy explained, gesturing towards the direction Orkha had left. “Why don't you just wait until she gets another break?”

Lou stared at her.

Moxy continued, “You could talk to her more. Catch up properly. Maybe even tell her that you're not mad anymore.”

Lou's lips slowly curled into a smile.

Then he started laughing.

Moxy blinked, “What?”

“Nothing.” Lou shook his head, still chuckling. “It's just…”

He pointed at her, “You're really trying to set me up with my ex?”

Moxy's face immediately turned offended, “I'm not!”

“You literally just told me to wait for her.”

“Because you said you wanted to catch up!”

“As a friend!”

“Then what's the problem?!”

“Nothing!” Lou laughed, holding his hands up defensively. “There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.”

“Then why are you laughing?!” Moxy asking, as she huffed at him.

“Because—” Lou's laughter gradually settled into a grin. He leaned back in his chair. “As much as I would like to do that…”

Lou glanced at the empty chair where Orkha had been sitting, then he looked back at Moxy. “I think I'll deal with it some other time.”

“Why?” Moxy asked, a little disappointed.

Lou gave her an incredulous look. “Moxy.”

“What?”

“I'm on a date.” Lou pointed between them. “You and me. This is a date.”

Moxy's pupils immediately shrunk again.

Lou seemed to realize what he'd just said at the same time. His own face flushed.

“—Pretend date,” he quickly corrected himself. “Pretend girlfriend. Pretend relationship.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “But even then, I'm not going to leave my pretend girlfriend sitting here by herself while I wait for my ex-girlfriend to finish her shift.”

Moxy stared at him.

Lou lifted a finger as he smugly told her, “That's a red flag.”

Moxy's lips twitched. A small giggle escaped her.

“Yeah…” Moxy said, trying to contain her laughter. “I guess it would be a little weird.”

Lou hummed in agreement as reached over and grabbed another fry. “Besides, I already got to see her. That's enough emotional baggage for one date.”

Moxy laughed again.

Fair.

And valid.

The pink doll let out a relieved sigh as she plopped her head down on the table, “Speaking of baggage…”

She then threw her head back as she groaned, her head going a little over her backrest. “I thought it’d take a whole week to finish this assignment, but I think we finished almost everything we needed already…”

Lou raised a brow as he looked at her, “You think so?”

“Yeah!” Moxy said, sitting back up straight.

“This isn’t just a date anymore… we witnessed two old people getting affectionate like some movie trope couples would, had a heart to heart about some stuff, and I think it’s safe to say we already skipped to the part where we’re in the ‘dating stage’ because you called me your girlfriend twice.”

Lou’s pupils shrunk as he realized that as well.

Moxy continued, “—And then we met your ex girlfriend. And sort of resolved whatever past you two had in less than an hour…”

“Holy cow!” She exclaimed as she turned to the blonde, “We actually bulldozed through half the average relationship timeline!”

Lou stared at her, baffled.

Then he snorted and chuckled at her.

“You were actually counting the milestones!” He cackled as he clutched his head with one hand, while the other wrapped around his stomach.

Moxy rolled her eyes at him, “Well, not internationally! I just realized we did almost everything I was expecting would take a whole week to do.”

Lou smirked at her, “Well, if you’re so sure we did almost everything possible, should we just get married today too?”

Both their faces dropped to an awkward, blank expression.

If the atmosphere was of a cartoon’s, then there definitely should’ve been a record scratch right when the blonde had said that.

The blonde’s faces grew pink from his neck all the way up to his face.

“I… I mean…” The blonde stammered as he darted his eyes all across the table surface as he tried to find something to say.

“Because…” He slowly began until an idea came to mind.

He looked back at the pink doll as he finally said, “Because there’s a wedding booth somewhere here in the fair.” Then he added, “They have props and costumes for picture taking… And they even give you a fake marriage certificate as a souvenir. —Which expires once you leave.”

Moxy’s eyes beamed as she actually seemed intrigued, “Ooh! Really?”

“Uh…” The blonde stared down at her before nodding. “Yeah.”

The pink doll hopped out of her seat and grabbed the blonde’s wrist and pulled him out of his chair.

“Let’s go look for it then!”

“Ah! Whoa!” The blonde yelped as he laughed at the pink doll’s eagerness.

.•.•.

“You know…” The photographer slowly started, as he was setting up his camera stand. “Couples aren’t usually committed to taking a fake wedding picture…”

Lou sheepishly grinned at him from the overly decorated arch.

“Yeah…” The blonde said as he fixed his tie, and pulled down the top of the tux low enough to hide the waistline of his jeans. “That’s why we’re only taking a picture from the top half.” He tried to say coolly.

“YES!” The pink doll was heard from inside the small changing room. “I found a really cute veil!”

“Well, hurry up!” Lou yelled from where he was.

“I think this guy’s starting to realize we’re a pair of weirdos!” He said, while pointing a thumb at the photographer even when he knew she wouldn’t see.

To which the photographer responded, “Don’t worry, I already figured it out when I saw the way your girlfriend dragged you here.”

The blonde decided not to correct him on his assumption.

Finally Moxy came out wearing her chosen veil, and… just the veil.

She had stuck to her pale yellow dress.

Huh… I guess she just wasn’t interested in picking out a dress.

Then again, fake wedding dresses were always unflattering, so maybe that was fair.

Moxy playfully sang, as she frolicked over to the arch where Lou was waiting. “Here comes the briiiide~ Barely in whiiite~!”

Lou laughed at her antics.

When Moxy finally made it to his side under the arch, she waved at the man behind the camera.

“Okay…” The photographer flatly said, as he got ready to take the picture, “You may now kiss the bride… or whatever.”

Moxy wrapped her arms around Lou in a tight hug, as she smiled wide and brightly.

The blonde gave an awkward crooked smile, as he waved a free arm.

The photographer rolled his eyes before snapping the picture.

“So…” Moxy trailed off as she looked between the two papers in her hands. “I’ll take the certificate, and you’ll take the photo.”

The blonde graciously took the picture from her hand when she held it out. “I thought you’d want to be the one to take the picture home.”

“I do.” Moxy said, purposely emphasizing the pronunciation in her choice of words.

Lou gave her a side eye as he frowned at her.

Moxy giggled before actually explaining, “I can’t take the picture home with me because the others barge into my house without saying anything sometimes… Peggy and Ugly Dog like taking my window.”

“The fake certificate is easier to hide.” She folded the faux certificate and tucked it into a pocket in her handbag, as she rummaged around for something else.

“I see…” The blonde said as he put the photo inside his bag. “I’ll keep it safe and unseen at my house then.”

The pink doll pulled out the folder from her bag along with a pen, as she opened the folder and began checking out some items.

“So we’ve done a date, hand holding, hugging, eating together, a wedding… and some extra bits that I can list down under the ‘Others’ box.” Moxy said as she began checking out everything she couldz

“Oh, but…” She trailed off as she tapped the pen against the “We uh…”

“What?” The blonde curiously looked down at her.

The pink doll faced the checklist at him, as she pointed at the last unchecked box.

‘Kissing’.

Both dolls stopped walking as they stared at each other.

“…”

“…”

Lou slowly looked off to the side, “Um…”

“You can just check that out if you want.” He suggested the pink doll. “Caradoc doesn’t always take the time to confirm if the student genuinely did his take-home assignments.”

Moxy’s arms slacked as she stared at the blonde with her mouth agaped.

“You want me to cheat?” She asked the blonde in disbelief.

The blonde held his hand up defensively as he replied, “No! And… I don’t think it’s really cheating if you did almost everything except one item in the checklist.”

He added, “You practically did everything. One little white lie won’t change the fact that you’ve got enough points to pass already.”

Moxy blinked before narrowing her eyes at him. “Why does it sound like you’ve done something like this before?”

The blonde hesitated, before deciding to admit, “…because I did.”

“And before you judge me, I’ll have you know that the roleplay category I got was way harder than yours!” He said pointing at her. “I was working with two other people, and we all agreed to ignore three things in our checklist and just pretend we did it.”

Moxy tilted her head as she asked him, “What was your roleplay category?”

The blonde paused as he huffed and hung his head low, recalling the unwanted memory as he said, “Household positions.”

“Household positions?” Moxy repeated.

Lou clarified, “The mommy-daddy-baby setting.”

“Oh.” The pink doll finally understood.

Then she asked, “How hard was it to play dad?”

The blonde shook his head as he looked back up, with an ashamed expression as he admitted, “I was neither of the parents…”

Moxy blinked as she stared at him.

Then her mouth formed an o as slowly understood what he was implying.

Then she turned away from the blonde and doubled over laughing.

“It’s not funny!” Lou yelled at her as her cackling got louder.

Moxy could barely stand upright.

“It’s hilarious! HAHAHAHA!” She started wheezing.

Lou groaned as he waited out the pink doll’s laughter.

Finally she settled down, wiping the tears from her eyes, as she straightened up.

“Okay…” Moxy said as she pushed out her remaining laughter.

“Back to the checklist…” She said as she held the folder back up to her eyes. “Maybe I can mark it off… but I really don’t feel good about lying. Even if it was just for one thing.”

The blonde rolled his eyes as he followed the pink doll as she started walking again.

They came across a bench and decided to sit down.

“So what do you want to do?” Lou asked her, “Because I can’t imagine you’d go as far as actually kissing me just to finish a checklist.”

Another awkward silence came between them, as the blonde slowly turned away to hide his face as it flushed.

Regardless of his reaction, the pink doll answered, “I don’t know…”

The two of them stayed quiet for a moment before the blonde suddenly stood up.

“I think I have an idea.” He said, as he turned to her and held a hand to signal to her, “Stay here, I’ll be back.”

“Okay.” Moxy said to him, confused, but listened to him as she watched him walk off somewhere.

“I’m back.” The blonde returned with his hands full.

He was holding a big bowl of ice cream in his hands, as he lifted it to show the pink doll, “And I brought this.”

Moxy stared at the large bowl. It was strawberry and vanilla swirled toga’s, with marshmallows, popping candy, and cherries on top.

“What’s that for?” She asked.

The blonde sat down next to her and set the ice cream between them.

“We share this,” He started as he picked up the spoon, “and then you can check the last box on the list out of omission.”

Moxy squinted her eyes, completely at loss. “How… is sharing ice cream going to complete the last box?”

The blonde chuckled as he answered, “This ice cream is sold around the Tunnel of Love and all the other couple-focused rides, where all the romantic themed snacks and drinks are. This sundae is literally called ‘First Kiss’…”

“So…” He playfully trailed off, “shall we share our first kiss?”

The pink doll gawked at him with parted lips, utterly dumbfounded.

Then she let out a snort as she lightly punched the blonde’s arm, “That was so corny!”

“Good to know.” The blonde said, rubbing his arm, as he laughed with her.

“Okay.” The pink doll held her hand out, “Just give me my spoon, so we can dig into your stupid loophole, already.”

The blonde reached down for the sundae again before stopping as he stared down at it in realization.

Moxy noticed his change of expression as she tilted her head curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Lou hesitated for a few seconds before slowly saying, “I… I forgot to ask for another spoon…”

Moxy looked between the sundae and the only spoon in the blonde’s hand, “Oh…”

Then she looked back up and offered a smile, “Well that’s fine. You don’t mind sharing a spoon right?”

Lou immediately snapped his head towards her as his eyes grew wide, “Y-You… what?”

Moxy gave him a questioning glance, confused by his reaction.

“Come on, you’re not that germaphobic, are you?” She asked him, a little offended. “I swear I don’t have any recent colds. You won’t catch anything if we eat from the same spoon.”

“It’s not that.” The blonde was quick to say. “It’s just…”

“What?”

Lou bit his tongue as he thought for a moment.

But then just gave up and shook his head.

“You know what… nevermind.” He said as he took a scoop of the sundae and held it up between them. “Let’s just dig in.”

Before he could move the spoon towards him, he was caught off guard by the pink doll as she moved faster and took the first bite.

The blonde stared at her, still holding the handle as she pulled away from the spoon humming in satisfaction.

“Mm! That was good!” Moxy said, smiling brightly.

Lou looked at her a little longer before staring at the spoon.

He slowly took another scoop and held it up to his mouth, hesitating for a moment.

But, not wanting to take too long, he finally put the spoon in his mouth. His face heated up as he did so.

He quickly took the spoon out as he handed it to the giddy pink doll who helped herself to another spoon, before returning it to him.

And they continued that routine the whole time as they ate the sundae; taking turns using the spoon.

The same single spoon…

Eventually they were near the bottom of the sundae when Lou set the spoon down in the bowl, and pushed it towards the pink doll, “I’ve had enough… you can have the rest.”

Moxy’s eyes lit up as she picked the bowl up. “Thanks!”

The blonde watched as she enjoyed the remaining amount of the ice cream.

Moxy quietly ate for a while until she finished and set the bowl down.

She looked up at the blonde as she suddenly recalled something.

“So…” she slowly started, “What was it?”

“Huh?” The blonde looked at and raised a brow, “What was what?”

Moxy specified, “The real reason.”

“You said there was a ‘real test’ for this assignment… I still get what you mean.” She explained before asking again, “What was it?”

The blonde looked at her for a moment.

Then he slowly leaned back against the bench.

“Right. I never actually explained that part, did I?”

“Nope.” Moxy shook her head.

“Well…” He glanced at her as he answered, “The true lesson wasn't about whether you could wing it through a whole date.”

Moxy blinked, “…What?”

He pointed at the checklist in her hands, “All that stuff?”

He waved vaguely at the list, “Holding hands, hugging, eating together, the whole fake wedding thing…”

His eyes briefly flickered to the left as he mumbled, “…Even the indirect kissing.”

“Indirect what?” Moxy leaned closer hoping the blonde repeated himself a little more clearly.

Unfortunately he didn’t, and instead continued on with the explanation, “Those are just examples.”

Moxy frowned, “Examples of what?”

“Of playing along.”

Moxy stared at him.

Lou continued, “Caradoc's actual lesson is about being prepared for the kid to throw you into situations you weren't expecting.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “Because when a kid plays with you, you're not the one writing the script or taking charge of the pace, unlike what we did today.”

He dramatically waved a hand across his face as he said, “You can have a whole scenario planned out in your head. You know exactly who you're supposed to be, what you're supposed to do, how the story is supposed to go…”

He raised a finger. “But the kid chooses to switch things up. Completely out of your expectations.”

“And you don’t get to pick and choose who you’re experiencing all the flashbangs with.”

Moxy blinked then slowly looked down in thought, “Like… Batman and Cinderella owning a bakery?” Though it was a genuine question, she couldn’t help but grin at the absurdity.

The blonde snorted, “He’s still using that example?” He buried his face in his hand as he started chuckling.

But then he looked back up and told her, “Yeah. That.”

He tapped the folder in her hands. “It’s not about whether you can pretend to be someone's girlfriend for a day.”

Moxy glanced down at the checklist.

“But whether you can keep playing when the kid decides to completely change the rules.”

The pink doll thought about that.

Then she looked back at Lou.

The blonde continued explaining, “Caradoc wants you to learn how to deal with situations you aren't comfortable with. Toys you don't know. Toys you don't like.”

Moxy's expression shifted slightly.

Lou noticed.

“What's wrong?”

Moxy looked down at the checklist again.

Then she slowly said, “…Toys I don't like?”

“Yeah.”

The blonde nodded, “That's the part that tends to get people.”

She looked at him, “So you're saying that if Maizy ever played with me in love story scenarios… she could pick someone I don’t want to pretend-date?”

“Yup.” Lou answered straight away, “It could be a really close platonic friend you have, someone who already has a partner in our world, or someone you see as a sibling…”

Moxy grimaced at that.

“Or…” The blonde trailed off, “…your worst enemy. Somebody you really hate.”

He then pointed at himself while smirking, “Like me. At least ‘the me’ before we actually became friends. Imagine having that jerk in the kid’s other hand, as they smash your faces together without a loophole.”

Moxy’s face dropped to an unamused expression before she whacked the blonde in the back of his head with her folder.

Lou ducked and covered his head while laughing.

She stopped but still glared at him as he straightened up again.

Then she looked down at the folder as she slowly started, “Well…”

“Even if I might not be one hundred percent ready for what might happen… I think I can still learn to. After all, my potential ‘worst enemy’ will have to do the same.” She playfully said.

Then she looked back at the blonde and smiled softly at him, “And I’m still glad I chose you to be my boyfriend.”

The blonde subtly leaned back as he stared at her in shock.

His face slowly flushed at the same time the pink doll had looked away and rubbed her chin as she pondered.

She asked no one in particular, “Or my husband…? Because I’m technically married to you until we leave the fair.”

She shook her head as she returned her gaze at the blonde, still smiling happily at him, “Well whatever the case, I’m glad you’re the one I dated and married today!”

The corner of Lou’s lip twitched as a wide awkward smile stayed frozen on his face. If there was smoke coming from his head, he hoped the pink doll wouldn't point it out if she noticed.

“Uh… thanks.” He decided to say, as he looked away from her, “I’m glad even after you discovered my weird dating history, you didn’t regret choosing me… or thought bad of me.”

Moxy tilted her head at him as she asked, genuinely puzzled, “Why would I think bad of you?”

“I mean… it’s not ideal for anyone to have a first date with a plaything…” He answered as a matter of fact.

“Plaything?” Moxy repeated in a confused tone.

The blonde sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck as he explained, “It’s what other toys call other toys around here that are way too shameful to be considered ‘actual toys’… You’re expected to maintain quality if you don’t have a child yet. Or ever… Toys that intentionally play around and intentionally devalue their novelty, aren’t that well respected.”

“Got a little infamous when random toys recognized me from my past non-relationship meet ups…” He said in a tone that sounded like he was a little embarrassed. “It’s kinda why Orkha got into fights sometimes, if you remember me mentioning it.”

Moxy nodded, “Yeah… you did say that.”

The blonde chuckled nervously, trying to avoid eye contact, “Yeah, well… harassment and catcalling is bound to happen when you’ve allowed yourself to be known as an open toy box.”

Moxy stared at him, bewildered, before lowering her eyes and letting out a quiet, “Oh…”

Fraud… Liar… Prototype… and now a Plaything?

How many more names under Lou,  is she going to know?

Then Moxy blinked as she shook the question out of her head.

With a firm but gentle look on her face, she told the blonde, “Well… I don’t really care.”

Lou blinked at her, surprised by the answer and sound of her voice.

Moxy picked up the bowl between them, and set it down on the other side as she scooched closer and hugged the blonde.

Lou stiffened up, before relaxing into the hug.

“I don’t care who you were, who you were with or what you did with them, or whatever names you got called…” The pink doll said, squeezing tighter.

“All I care about is who you’re becoming now!” She looked up at him, beaming. “You’re done being mean and evil. And you’re a real friend, and frankly… a bit of a hero too for everything that you’ve done for me and the institute even when you’re not in power anymore!”

Lou's eyes softened as a similarly bright smile crept onto his face. He eventually returned the hug.

“Glad to be of service. I’m just abiding by the law and my life sentence.” He playfully told her.

Moxy halfheartedly groaned, as she slapped his back, “Shut up with the community service slave jokes already! I’ll actually punch your face if you don’t stop.”

Lou laughed, as they both hugged tighter, as if they were trying to turn it into a wrestling match.

He can’t get enough of her and her antics.

The way she’s so clueless about things, yet still acts with the confidence of someone who should know. She’s so ridiculously positive, even when he says the most depreciative things at his own expense.

How she’s so unapologetic with hitting when he says such jokes.

And now she’s hugging him right after confessing his loose record of inappropriate behavior.

And though a lot of things got in the way or sidetracked their date… He got to know her quite a lot already during all of their… study dates.

She’s so sweet and infectious. Even after he’d suddenly ruin the mood with another one of his sudden trivia sessions of his life.

And bold. Not just in stubborn arguments or like the first time they met where she’d take up difficult challenges. If their little tango competition was anything to go by… she was unabashed and… quite sultry too.

Incredibly unselfconscious, in both personality and physical appearance.

And that’s…

“Weirdly hot...” Lou said under his breath and he smiled into the pink doll’s shoulder.

Moxy turned her head towards him, cluelessly asking, “Hm?”

Lou’s eyes shot open as he instantly pulled away from the hug, “Uh.”

“I-It’s getting weirdly hot out here.” He tried to rephrase.

He stood up from the bench and announced, “I’ll go buy us another ice cream.” Then he quickly added, “Individually… Two separate cones this time.”

He quickly walked off in search of another, non-romantic, ice cream cart.

Moxy stared at him dumbfounded, before hopping off the bench and following him, “Okay. Wait up, though!”

.•.•.

“Thanks again for paying for everything, Lou.” Moxy said, as she took another nibble of her chocolate ice cream. “But seriously, I wish you’d let me split. I brought my wallet.”

The two of them were finally back in Imperfection.

They walked side by side, enjoying their ice cream as they took advantage of the near empty streets of early evening, to walk to Lou’s house first.

“It’s fine.” The blonde said as he took some savory licks of his own cone. “It’s proper etiquette for me to pay for things while we were out in the city, anyway.”

Moxy gave him the side eye, “Bringing up gender norms now? Gross.” She playfully said.

“Uh, no?” Lou stared down at her, raising a brow at her, amused.

“It’s because the prices are different there than here.” He told her, “You would have passed out when you saw how much cinnamon rolls cost there, compared to the ones Wage sells.”

Then to tease back, he added, “If I cared for gender norms, I wouldn’t be letting you walk me home right now.”

The pink dolls chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!”

Both dolls stopped in their tracks as they heard yelling from the other side of the street.

They turned to see that the doll who was yelling was Mandy… wearing an unflattering floral dress and matching purse. And she was clearly mad, given how she was visibly stomping her way through the sidewalk.

Behind the fuming redhead was Ox.

The bunny was walking just right behind her, his eye was glossy and his face looked at her pleadingly.

“C’mon, Mandy…” Ox said in a whimpering voice. “I apologized already!”

The redhead scoffed, not even bothering to look back or slow down for the green doll. “Sorry doesn’t fix everything you know!”

“It doesn’t change what you put me through the whole day!” She then told him, “And I didn’t even get to spend it in a dress I like because you rushed me!”

“I LOOK LIKE AN OLD LADY!”

“Mandy please…!” Ox continued to plead as he chased after her.

Lou stared at the two dolls as they disappeared from their view.

“What the heck’s going on there?” He asked, utterly stunned.

Moxy was in a similar state, staring blankly at the distance they walked off, “I have no idea either…”

Then she looked up at the blonde and offered her hand, “Shall I continue walking you home?”

Lou blinked at the outstretched hand before, returning the smile and taking it. “Yeah…”

The blonde tried to push down the stirring feeling in his stomach and the warmth creeping on his face, as he and the pink doll continued their walk hand in hand.

….

Ladies and gentlemen, this is it! This is where Lou officially develops a crush on Moxy!

I’d like to humbly apologize for including a self-insert cameo 😅I just really wanted Orkha to be put somewhere, without making it seem like she’s a major character.

Will she show up again? Maybe… but not so soon.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed reading, and thank you for making it until the end!