Chapter Text
It was just another day of the same routine they always followed when Lord Hater bumped into his one-sided nemesis. No matter which one started it, Commander Peepers would follow Lord Hater's ridiculous commands until he got the lights punched out of him by Sylvia.
Peepers was gradually getting better at holding his own as he strengthened himself in preparation for their confrontations. Not that it helped all that much with such a drastic size difference. But he had to try. Even if it was over as soon as he got stuck in a tail-lock. Just like today...
Sylvia yet again had Peepers wrapped in her tail with his arms pinned to his sides and his face held at arm level. She had her fist pulled back, ready to plummel him into next week, when she suddenly dropped her hands and asked, "What's the point of all this?
Peepers tilted his head to the side. "I mean… you're trying to save your friend, right?"
"Why? Hater's already proved that he's not a real threat."
"Why yoouuu!" Peepers yelled as he rapidly kicked his feet, desperate to get a hit in. Yet all Sylvia had to do to stop him was hold him further from her body. So he quickly gave up on that endeavor. That still didn't make him settle down.
"Lord Hater's the most powerful villian in the galaxy! Wander's just a weirdo who's lucky enough to keep dodging everything!"
"Riiight. So, should I punch you until you black out again? Or do you wanna take a break for once in your miserable life?"
Peepers fell silent, clearly deep in thought. It was a tempting offer but… what about his pride as a villain? What would Lord Hater and the watchdogs think if he got caught fraternizing with their second most wanted enemy?
"C'mon, is it really a hard decision?"
"Ugh." Peepers glanced over at the watchdogs, who had repeatedly proven that they had no qualms about fraternizing. Then he thought of Lord Hater, who was probably too focused on Wander to notice. After a long pause he sighed.
"As if I have a choice!"
"Whatever little guy."
Peepers didn't even justify that with a response.
They didn't go far before Sylvia found a good spot on the top of a small hill, and unceremoniously dumped the little scuzzmonkey in the grass before flopping down herself. Meanwhile, Peepers looked around to make sure there weren't any traps before slowly, and without taking his eye off her, laying down next to her.
It was hard to relax with his instincts screaming that she'd attack him as soon as he let down his guard. Despite knowing that she had no need to resort to dirty tricks. Yet he had another, more likely worry.
"Is this some kind of ploy to try to make me give up evil with the power of friendship?" Peepers asked, with as much mockery packed into the last few words as possible.
"Eh. Trying to force someone to change seems like a waste of time and energy to me."
Come to think of it, Sylvia's never tried to get involved Wander's friendship scheme. Although he just assumed it was because she hated them. (Okay, that's probably part of it too.)
"Then why?"
"Maybe I can only thrash a nerd so much before I feel like a bully."
Peepers didn't like that answer. Yet he didn't want to push and risk hearing about how she pitied him or some grop. Instead, he took a deep breath to force himself to relax. May as well enjoy a break while he can.