Chapter Text
Fingers interlaced, 5up and Fundy strolled leisurely down the prime path. Fundy excitedly pointed out new landmarks, and the ruins of old ones while the plant hybrid just stared at him fondly, a small smile drawn across his lips. The hybrid was a picture of neutrality in a war torn land- he even attempted to convey this through the outfit he wore, however he predicted the savages people of this place wouldn’t understand. He absent mindedly brushed his bangs from his eyes, huffing slightly as the white locks fell disobediently back to the offending position. He let his wandering gaze drift back to Fundy.
Fundy was so bright when he was passionate, and despite everything innately flawed with the Dream SMP, it was still a home he loved and cherished. He was far too optimistic for his own good, in 5up’s opinion, he didn’t get why he kept coming back to the people and places that had hurt him so much. After his last run-in with Philza, 5up had ben more had been willing to strip the man of his only life, however Fundy talked him down from his initial anger (though it still bubble and boiled just beneath the surface like a geyser ready to burst).
He hummed in interest as he was shown ‘New L’manberg’ or the glass covered crater it now resided as. It truly was an eyesore- his heartached with the Earth at the torture it had experienced at the fall. He curiously peered passed the crudely built barrier. His eyes catching on sprawling webs of red before Fundy quickly pulled him back, chastising his curiosity at the destruction with a teasing tap on the wrist. They stared at each other for an impossibly long moment, neither willing to break tenuous line.
5up descended into giggles. Fundy followed soon after, holding his stomach as he laughed and attempted to lead the plant hybrid away.
“Fundy!” He drew the name out in an elongated whine, “I’m two weeks younger, you can’t scold me like a child! That’s gotta be hypocritical or something!”
“Those two weeks give me all the authority I need, Five!” He mimicked the others tone dragging out the name. 5up resisted the urge to stomp his foot in defiance.
“I hate you. I hate it here.” 5up was still laughing as he tried to pull away from Fundy, the facade of faux annoyance crumbling away within seconds.
Fundy gasped, “Liar.” He pulled 5up closer, arms wrapping snuggly around his waist as he rubbed their noses together in a bunny kiss. 5up in response scrunched his nose up, attempting to pull away from the smothering affection.
“The furry found an owner! The poor fucker!” Cackling laughter interrupted the duos moment of serenity- a harsh reminder as to the company they were in in this place.
5up span, eyes snapping like a hawks onto the offending individuals. He didn’t recognise the trio jeering but he recognised Fundy deflating, shoulders slumping. The speaker was dressed in a tattered suit, leering over the half-broken banister that lined the gardens of the mostly ruined homes of L’manberg; hung from his arm was a taller man in a colour block hoodie and white rimmed glassed pushed back into his hair. A spiral decorate his chest and his hand hid a sheepish smile. The third lent nonchalantly against one of the buildings, a bandana around his forehead as he laughed openly. 5up scowled stepping protectively in front of the taller.
“I mean its not the first time you got sold, right Fundy? First it was to Ant and now- who the fuck are you?”
“Big Q stop-“ the man - Q - ignored his companion, hoisting himself over the banister, approaching the pair- Fundy who was trembling, his hands curled into fists in 5up’s sweater and 5up who was stunned by what he was hearing.
“Stop.” His voice was unwavering, an underlying threat. Q stopped in his tracks and laughed. He doubled over, clutching his stomach and had the audacity to laugh.
“Oh plant boy, what are you going to do?” He wiped a tear from his eyes.
The sound of glass shattering filled the otherwise silent air. The pillars holding up he houses splintered and bowed suddenly, undisturbed earth cracked, rocks shifting. Thick red tendrils crawled from the cracked earth, undulating as their whispers filled the air. They tangled around Q’s legs, cementing him in place as they continued to climb, binding his arms to his sides and winding up is chest. 5up stalked forwards gripping Q’s face and squeezing.
“Next time you so much as look at Fundy let alone insult him, I’ll make you regret everything. And your little friends-“ he forcibly tilted Q’s head to look at them. The colourful one on his knees, hands clutching his ears to block out the growing chorus of whispers. He appeared to be more affected by it than the others. He noted idly.
“I’ll involve them in the fun too. You don’t mess with natures claim and get away scott free, understand?”
“Fucking psychopath-“
“now now, don’t go testing your luck,” 5up clicked his tongue displeased as he walked back to Fundy, ignoring his worried look to instead take his hand.
“I say we go home, yeah?”
5up walked the way they came without looking back.
Writhing vines of red clawed their way from the shattered crater.
5up kept walking.
Tendrils of red clung to Q, the tips of which curled over his jawline.
5up redirected Fundy’s attention to the flower shop as they passed, dragging him inside.
The coloured man screamed, the whispers worming into his already muddled mind.
Five tucked a poinsettia behind Fundy’s ear, grinning at the blush that spread across his cheeks. He set a few coins on the counter, thanking the owner- Puffy- profusely as they departed.
He was willing to do many things for Fundy, and if that meant releasing an ancient being from the shoddy confines they had fought so hard to encase it within, then so be it.