Soft-Shelled
Summary - MePad attempts to dissuade Taco from continuing to spy on the others.
Word Count - 790
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It was nighttime, and Taco and MePad were outside of Hotel OJ, situated behind a pair of bushes that obscured them from view, so as to not be spotted by the hotel residents.
Taco, however, was peering over the bushes and into the hotel windows, catching the occasional glimpse of Pickle or Microphone walking by.
MePad watched her from behind, noting the obvious dejection present in her demeanor.
It had been a long day, and MePad understood why Taco felt the way that she did. He did not, however, think that continuing to observe her old companions was the best course of action for that night.
Standing up, MePad slowly approached Taco from behind, reaching out his leg to gently tap her on her side.
“Taco…”
As he made contact, however, Taco nearly jumped out of her tortilla, letting out a small yelp and spinning around to face him.
MePad immediately retracted, concern evident in his expression.
“Are you alright? I did not mean to cause you any harm.”
“No no, you-” Taco sputtered, settling back down, “it just… startled me. And, tickled, a little.”
Before MePad could respond, Taco turned back around, focusing her attention on the windows of the hotel once more.
Despite not being aware of it, Taco had just given MePad an idea. There had already been a lot of speaking that day, so perhaps he should attempt a different strategy to try and get her to rest.
As Taco watched the inside of the hotel, hoping to spot some activity, she heard footsteps approach her from behind.
She listened as they stopped, being followed by the sound of something large dropping to the ground.
Taco considered turning to see what MePad was up to, but didn’t quite get the chance, as one of his legs came to loop around her, pulling her slightly back.
“MePad? What are-”
Taco cut herself off with a squeak, as MePad, sitting behind her, brought his other leg over and carefully pressed his heel into the side of her shell, beginning to lightly trace along the u-shaped surface.
“Whaha- MehePad!” Taco giggled, lightly shoving at his legs.
“It is my recommendation that you step away from the windows for tonight. I do not think that continuing to survey will do you any further good.” MePad stated, continuing to gently trace along her shell.
“Buhut I juhust- aCK!” Taco began, being cut off once more as MePad’s other heel made contact with her other side, starting to trace it, as well.
“Regardless of your rationale, I still advise that you give it a break for now. Focus on planning your next move, instead.”
“How abohout I fohocus on breheaking you instehead!” Taco attempted to sound intimidating, gripping onto MePad’s ankles.
“Threats do not hold quite as much weight when they are interspersed with giggles.” MePad noted, a hint of playfulness discernible in his tone.
“Oh, yohou lihittle…”
Before she could finish her retort, MePad’s heels settled against the lowest point of Taco’s sides, making contact with either end of her shell’s rectangular base. He dug his heels slightly rougher into the area, prompting Taco to burst out laughing.
“BAHA- NOHOHO! STOHOP THAHAT!”
MePad did as requested, halting the action and pulling his legs back. Taco leaned slightly forward as she caught her breath.
Silently, MePad stood, backing further away from the bushes before sitting back down.
Taco gave the hotel one final glance before letting out a sigh. Turning, she walked over to MePad and sat down next to him.
MePad looked down at Taco, tentatively bringing one of his legs around her and placing it by her front. Taco simply crossed her arms, turning her gaze elsewhere.
MePad took that as the go-ahead.
His other leg joined the first, with his heels then being pressed into Taco’s front, beginning to gently knead the surface.
Taco snickered, placing one hand on one of MePad’s ankles, and the other against his screen, lightly pushing at him.
“Odd how we fight battles we want to lose.” MePad teased in his usual calm, collected tone.
“Oh behe quiehet yohou!”
MePad continued the action for a few minutes before Taco waved him off.
“Okahay okahay, that’s enohough of thahat.” She giggled, with MePad pulling his legs back.
“Are you going to return to the windows?” He questioned as he watched Taco breathe.
“No, you’re right. It's better we make our move tomorrow.” She yawned.
“Glad to hear it.”
As the pair sat together under the light of the moon, a certain sense of calm seemed to fill the surrounding air. They soon began to drift off, nestled away in their hiding spot, where together, the weight of the world felt just a bit lighter.
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