#dr host

Host: *slides envelope across the table*

Dr. Iplier: ...?

Dr. Iplier: *opens it to find an UNO reverse card*

When Host was in his arms it was like the earth could just stand and wait. When his lips caressed the flesh of his neck, filling the night with soft sighs and gentle touches. Fulfilling wants and desires he would’ve never wanted will anyone else.

With him he felt whole, like he could do anything and everything. He belonged. He’d give everything to make Host smile, to make him happy. To keep him safe.

Every time he visited, every night he held him in his arms, or sat upon his lap and listened to his tales as Host played with his hair, instructing him to take some rest for himself. 

Every single moment with him was a blessing.

No matter what Host said, no matter the bloody tears, no matter the missing arm, they were there for one another. No matter what the other egos said or thought. It wouldn't ever change his mind. 

Anti left the house, toast in his mouth and rucksack balanced on one arm until Doc corrected him.

"You'll hurt your back otherwise."

Anti took the toast out of his mouth. "Yeah, thanks da- Doc." Anti went red in the face at his slip up.

Doc smiled, "Dad is fine, I've gotta take Robbie to the dentist, see you kid."

"Yeah, bye do- dad, bye Robbie." Anti smiled, heading down the street and turning towards school. Aiming to meet Marvin and Chase along the way.

The day was rather chilly and Anti had decided to put a thick jumper on. He had debated a woolly hat for his ears but in the end decided against the idea.

"Anti!"

"Morning guys, how was the skate park Chase?" Anti quickened his pace until he was at the street corner with them and then they ambled along together.

"Alright, Bing brought his robot of a boyfriend."

"Google right? The straight A's kid who hoods himself superior?"

"The very one." Chase said, Anti muttered 'prick' and the other two snickered before Chase went on, "He spent the entire time warning us how dangerous skating is, I mean, we all worry but loosen up man."

Anti grinned, "Bet you and Bing couldn't even get him on roller blades."

"He sat doing homework and watching us."

Anti smiled, looking over at Marvin, "you alright dude?"

Marv nodded, "Yeah, thanks for yesterday."

"Yesterday? What happened?" Chase looked over and Marvin shook his head.

"Don't worry yourself."

"Marvy, come on, how long have we been friends."

"Five years, give or take."

"Have I ever been mean to you?" Chase said, Anti wasn't so sure on the wording bit Marvin rolled his eyes.

"Chase, you tease me about witchcraft and collecting flowers almost constantly."

"Okay, valid, but can anyone else identify every plant they see along with its meaning and its uses in medicine as well as its witchy purpose."

"Flattering me won't work."

"Yes it will." Chase grinned.

"Chase, stop it."

"Hyacinth, please."

"Funny how you remember the flower for forgiveness." Marvin remarks, smirking a little as they walk through the school gates. In response Chase jumps at Marvin and starts tickling him.

"Ch-a-hah-Chase, stop!" He laughs, Anti grins and hugs Marvin from behind.

"You need to cheer up you pile of dead leaves." Chase said.

"Anti, Chase!" Marvin squealed, laughing. The bell rang and Chase stopped.

"Shoot! I'm supposed to be the other side of school. Catch you later!"

And with that he was off, leaving the other two behind. Anti smiled at Marvin, "You alright now Marvy?"

"Yeah, there's a lot of yellow tulips in my dreams but I'll be good."

"Head up high Marv. I've got cookies for break." Marvin cheered and they parted ways to get to class.

Anti walked into English, sitting down in his back row seat and getting his book and pen out for the worst hour of the day. He despised English, all the words and stuff just didn't agree, analysing writing was stupid, and writing a newspaper article was stupid. All of it was annoying, Anti was just beginning to let his thoughts wonder whilst the others piled in when someone spoke at him, well, too him, but he wasn't listening the first time.

Anti looked up, "Can I help you?" He then stopped, and looked properly. The boy in front of him was beautiful, in a sort of, cold and sharp beautiful. His body and face wern't scrawny, but he did give off a feeling of being angled and having success in either business or law in future. Rather than a suit though, he was currently in a black turtleneck jumper and grey jeans, Anti had no doubt if the boy smiled it would be a blessing to his frail and gay heart.

"Is this seat taken?" The boy asked, expression remaining neutral, almost uninterested.

"As it happens, no. I'm Anti by the way. Are you new? I've never seen you around. I mean, sure, I can't know everyone, but that's besides the point."

"Yes, I moved into town a few days ago, however today is my first day in school. I'm Dark. A pleasure to meet you." Dark held his hand out for a handshake, however Anti just gave it a sort of side wards high five.

"Welcome to English, worst lesson of the day. Even the robots struggle."

"Robots?"

Anti cackled and was shot a glare by the teacher, quietening down he looked back to Dark, "Not literal ones, Google and Bing are just that perfectionist at Maths and Art and history and stuff that everyone calls 'em robots." It was sort of true, although Bing had only been given the tag after he started dating Google.

"Right."

The rest of the lesson had gone on as usual, annoying. Dark was interesting enough but he didn't talk about much unless it was required for the work. Anti sighed, he felt like Dark was important somehow, in a way that wasn't the fact he'd probably win head boy. At the end of the lesson he packed up his things and checked his timetable. History, not the worst lesson he could have.

Anti walked out of the class and Down the one way system, feeling someone's eyes on him and eventually turning.

"Are you following me?"

"No, I'm heading to music."

Anti bit his tongue, History and Music were in the same direction from English. "Right."

"Is there a problem?"

Anti checked for teachers before heading the wrong way through a one way system, using it as a shortcut. "No. None at all."

“That’s a one way system.” Dark commented, still following Anti through it regardless.

“Only if you get caught.”

Dark, to Anti's surprise, chuckled, "An interesting way of viewing the world."

"Yeah, Marvy calls it chaotic neutral."

"Interesting talking to you, see you later." And with that he turned and headed up a set of stairs to his lesson, Anti continued on, before turning right into a classroom, working his way to his seat and sitting down, setting up his books.

"You're late Anti."

"Sorry I'm late miss."

Miss Gibbs just rolled her eyes and started to teach, she was a good teacher in principle, but her general morals were 'don't share answers unless I say as you won't have friends in the exam' and 'If you fail you need to revise more as I have given you all the material'. She had a rather booming voice but overall was approachable and told stories about her family.

"Anti, what's the date of the treaty of Versailles?"

"June nineteen twenty? I think? You mean when it was signed right?"

"Learn to whisper." Google butted in, Chase gave him a glare.

---

Dark had only just come back to town, he barely remembered what it was like from when he moved away with his parents six years ago. No one seemed to remember him either. His older siblings hadn't come back with him, they had instead opted to stay in the same college and just rent an apartment. Meaning they had job searched. Dark had barely spent a week without them but he missed Damien's reassurances and positivity, he missed Celene's sarcastic wit and her gossip. He had received a text from Damien asking if he was okay and he had replied that he would adapt. He had to.

Dark didn't have many friends when he used to live here, the only one who really was his friend was Wil, and he was sure Wil would have grown since they last met, possibly lost his love of the colour pink, or his daring energy, or his lack of fear of Dark's temper.

Dark sat down in music. The desks were organized in rows, one at the edge of the classroom, two facing inwards at the middle, then one at the other side. The chairs were two to a keyboard. Dark looked over to the piano the teacher sat by. Sure, it wasn't a traditional one, it was still electronic, but at least it had peddles, and a more polished look about it.

Dark listened as their teacher- a women called Mrs Davenport- spoke, listing off the names on the register.

"Wilford Barnum?"

"Here." Darks head snapped around at the name, and as sure as the steady spinning of the earth and its eventual demise, there sat a boy, he had certainly lost most of the baby face since Dark last saw him- and gained pink hair so it seemed, but his cheeks were still plump and the glint was still in his eyes.

It was his Wil.

Dark looked towards the front, listening to the teacher, eventually she handed out some basic music sheets to practice on the keyboards, Dark stood up to speak to Mrs Davenport, noticing Wilford also stand. Perhaps his headphones were broken.

"Miss, as much as I appreciate the keyboards I would very much like to use the piano in the corner and whil-"

"Dark, was it?"

He was taken aback from being interrupted, he was defiantly doing as Celene said to when he so desired a favour, which was to 'lay it on thickly, and use some of your vocabulary. Adults love a smart and pristine boy like you Dark, you'll be able to talk into or out of whatever.' However it seems he may have to try again.

"Yes and I-"

"I don't see how you should get to and no one else should, unless you really are some musical genius, in which case come back in five years and I will eat my words."

Dark grit his teeth and went to straighten up, before stopping himself, smoothing his hair back and taking a breath. Jumping slightly at a hand on his shoulder.

"Miss, I really do think you should give this one the benefit of the doubt. He's been playing since five."

Dark looked over at Wilford, his manor of speaking was odd, and the way he held himself. Mostly the way he moved his jaw to speak. He saw Wil looking over him the same, until both their eyes set upon the confirmation they were after. Small, heart shaped, rose gold coloured lockets.

"Surely I can sit with him and Joe can partner up with my partner ey Miss?"

Mrs Davenport seemed to mull it over, a little too facially for Darks liking, before nodding. Wil slid his Hand from one shoulder to the other, before leading Dark by the hand to the piano.

"Shall I pull myself up a chair?"

"You always were a curt little shit. The stool is big enough for both of us Dark." Wil pointed out.

"You were always good at being a little shit. If I remember you once ate too much sugar and accidentally knocked over two photo frames, and your so called adventures got you in enough trouble as it was." Dark sat down on the stool, leaving space for Wil as he too sat down.

"I was lucky to have you. How have you been Dark?"

"Not too bad, although I miss the twins. They didn't move back with us. . . I remember first moving there and how much I missed you." Dark mentioned. Glancing over and watching Wil's features go soft.

"Yeah, I missed you too. You know, I really wanted to send a letter but didn't get the concept of needing the address."

Dark nodded. Wilford's warmth at his side. . . back at his side, . . it was comforting and felt like he remembered. He had fretted about this ever since it had been announced they were moving back. But here they were, Dark and Wil.

"You're going to have to lean back if I intend to reach the other keys."

"You only need one scale Dark, don't be greedy." Wilford leant back regardless.

Dark smiled and started to play.

"If I'm not wrong this is bohemian rhapsody, not the emmerdale theme."

"I'm allowed to play as I wish." Dark stated back. And that he did.

The lesson went on as such with Wil challenging Dark to play increasingly difficult and odd tunes before they actually bothered with the work set. To which it seemed Dark was able to add more complexities than necessary whilst Wil cursed the need to play and form of keyboard or piano when he himself played the saxophone.

Dark eventually found himself sat at a lunch table with Wil and two others, Bim and Arthur. Arthur seems the overdramatic type in terms of everything, but then again so is Bim. Bim looked like someone who would end up going far and being famed for his smile. Arthur, well, he would get himself somewhere creative, for better or worse.

Dark surveyed the hall, spotting Anti sat with a boy with long pastel green hair and one wearing a cap. Wil nudged him a few moments later.

Raven’s advice

Dark walked home to the house he shared with his, well friend to be honest. The Host, or Issac as he was better known was an interesting character both physically and personality wise. He was an radio host-cum-podcast creator who had a dry wit and sharp tongue. the only thing that hurt more than being hit by his cane was his insults, somehow creatively unique for each person. 

Physically he was a few inches taller than dark, this infuriated the goshawk which normally made Issac chuckle. On his back where a pair of glossy black raven wings tucked tightly in, never used, not because they where clipped, the conspiracy revolution to got them rights to fly, claiming that they ate fruit and seeds too so they should be allowed to fly, but many protested. Issac was attacked by some teenagers with a knife when he was 16, causing him permanent blindness. This meant without help he was grounded.

Dark opened the door and heard the raven in his room just finishing recording a podcast. The podcasts and radio show where fairly popular with the grounded, as the Host interacted with them daily, finding relevant topics to them and their interests, hopes and dream, something many radio hosts failed to bring. 

Dark walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass and filled it with water then taking a sip as he listened to the raven come down the stairs. He watched at the other man came through the door wearing a flannel and dark jeans.

“Dark” the mans soothing voice stated

“Host, how are you?”

“Good, but you sound off” the host’s head turned to the side in curiosity

Dark ignored the statement and continued drinking.

“Is it a good guess something happened?”

dark gave him a glare. Issac just smirked.

“i am right then, what was it,was it a-”

“Shut up Issac” Dark snapped grumpily, “I don’t ask about your personal life”

“That because you don’t care, i’m sure you would kill me if I talked about my love life with Edward” the man walked over to the fruit bowl and grabs a handful of grapes.

“If you are insinuating i like him your wrong” the goshawk frowned

“Hey, i wasn’t, don’t get your feathers in a ruffle. I was just saying if you-”

“I don’t” he snapped again

“IF you like them you should meet up with them, now I got a date with a handsome owl so I will be on my way” and with that he grabbed his beige trench coat and left to meet his boyfriend, a owl, Dr Edward Iplier, a pathologist who works with police to examine bodies from crime scenes. 

Dark sighed after the raven left the room, and sat down at the table. How had a canary brought his day to such a halt? 

The canary could really have anyone. He was a late time TV star after all. He was bright energetic and the complete opposite of him.

This took me a while. Sorry about that! I wanted to make sure it was good.

This is the sequel to The Same Voice, and a third part will be coming real soon.

Tags: @caffeine-eater @authorsathenaeum @tiny-yan-an @darkstache-iplier @redraspberrycats @holyshitsnakesandspace @blue-greenstylinson

@insanegoldie2

Prompt 13/120: “Run away with me.”/“Did you hear that?”

    The muzzle came off, and Dr. Iplier tossed it as far away from them as possible. He didn’t see it land, didn’t hear it thud against the padded floor because he was already turning to fumble at the catches on the straitjacket.

    The gunfire was getting closer. He could just hear the rata-tat-tats of the guards’ standard-issue machine guns over the wailing of the alarms and the soundproofing of the cell. They had to get out of there.

    “Can you walk? Can you stand?” His words were sucked away, suffocated as they left his lips.

It starts with one ego getting a cold. Then a few others catch it. No one notices that it's only Cyndago egos getting sick.

One day, Ed Edger vanishes. No one knows where he went. Maybe he escaped. He was just gone.

Silver Shepherd perished fighting a super villain. The villain shouldn't have been able to defeat him. But they did.

Dr Iplier and the Host were found curled up on a couch together, wrapped in a blanket. At least they were at peace in the end.

The final straw was when Wilford went to talk to Bim in their dressing room. Bim was slumped over and Wilford thought they were just asleep. But when the older Ego put their hand on Bim's shoulder, down tumbles an icy Wendigo heart. Follow by a too warm Wendigo body.

The service was brief, seeing as no one could really hold themselves together.