Chapter Text
Off in the distance, as is becoming routine, he can hear the sound of spears being thrown, followed immediately by the sound of someone getting speared. Yup. That’s Jackie, alright. He recognizes the maniacal cackle.
He casts a cursory glance around the room, making sure everything is in order for when she arrives.
Chips: hot.
Pizza: anchovies and pineapple.
Cubes: Swomped.
He nods once to himself, before settling back down in his seat.
Instead of going back to his game, he tries to track Jackie by how loud the roar of combat is. He taps his foot to the rhythm; slash, slash, cackle, swing, slice -- shriek??
Hm. That’s new.
It’s probably fine.
Game still paused, he peeks over his sofa at the door. She’s usually here by now. Maybe she just got held up by that vampire guy. He’s pretty cool, sometimes Swomp gets cursed by him for fun. Anyway, Jackie’s killed probably a thousand demons by now. It’s fiiiiiiiine. With that, he’s able to put it out of his mind and go back to his game.
He definitely does not startle when she enters the room.
“hey beb whats up. we gotta get you a bell or somethin. one day youre gonna scare me so bad ill die and wont be there to put stuff in cubes for you” he greets, not looking up from his game.
She doesn’t respond.
“thats probably your plan though huh. want a piece of the cube empire for yourself i see how it is--”
“Swomp, I’m not really in the mood right now. Sorry, it’s just been--”
“hey hey hey,” he raises his hands, “i get it dont worry. sometimes even the swompster needs some peace and quiet.” He shoots her a thumbs up, which gains a small smile from her.
He pats the seat of the sofa next to him. “still warm if you wanna hang. the pizza is, too”
Jackie nods, and flops down next to him. Going to grab a slice, she freezes mid-motion.
“Uh. Pineapples and--”
“i will make the sacrifice of eating the anchovies for you.” he cuts in, already starting to peel them off.
“Whatever would I do without you.”
“i ask myself the same question.”
Together they sit, Jackie occasionally leaning over to show him a meme he’s definitely seen before but he doesn’t say so because he’s nice like that.
“so.” he says, drumming on his knees after the silence has stretched past the point of comfort. “you uh. you want to talk about .. it?” he gestures noncommittally with his hand.
She sighs.
“if not that’s cool i just figured you might--”
“No, it’s alright. It’s kind of embarrassing, though.”
“thats fine. i won’t tell, swomp’s honor.” He crosses his heart the way he’s pretty sure he’s seen boyscouts do.
“Well. Basically. I’ve been trying to beat the boss here three times to get a spooky ancient relic for Marv who won’t even tell me what it’s for and I keep getting set on fire and then shot and it’s really difficult cause I’ve accidentally melted my shoes like, eight times.” She lets out a breath, and lunges for a slice of pizza - upon noticing the empty box, she swerves around and grabs a bag of hot chips that are now more like lukewarm chips.
He pauses. “sounds rough.”
“Yeah! It is.”
“i will confess i am tempted to say ‘git gud’ but i get the feeling that’s not the sage advice you want from ol swompy huh”
“If you say that I will leave right now.”
“welllll.” drumming on his leg again, he desperately tries to remember any advice he’s been given ever, “that sounds rough. and uh. I completely understand why you feel like that, and I am here for you if you ever wish to talk.”
“Swomp. Swomp. Are you reading from a self-help blog?”
“thats a very personal question”
“I can literally see it open on your phone right now.”
“well. ok you got me there. im not great at the whole ‘emotional honesty’ thing. its not a lie tho. swomps honor. :)”
Jackie snorts into her chips. “Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
“anytime beb”
Silence envelops them again, though this time when Swomp breaks it it’s for another reason entirely.
“you wanna go blow up hot dogs in the microwave w/ me”
“YES.”