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“Badboyhalo.” Forever sung with a stretched out grin on his face. “Are you still there?”
Forever waved his hand in front of Bad’s face as though to wake him up. Bad snapped his eyes wide open. His confused white eyes glanced at Forever who was by his side, Forever who was sitting on a bench right next to him.
Forever scooted himself closer to Bad’s personal bubble more than his liking. Forever didn’t say a single word about it, his crinkled swirling brown eyes were staring straight at him. As if Forever expected Bad to say something special, something about how romantic this all was.
But...
Bad was completely at a loss for words for a different reason.
This was all familiar. He was pretty sure that he went through this scenario yesterday which made this whole situation even more confusing and strange to the grieving demon.
He thought he slept the night before or more so, collapsed on top of Dapper’s bed as he hoarsely, shamefully begged his son to come back. His eyelids were so heavy and droopy that he couldn’t resist closing them when he was waiting for Dapper. Now, he felt like he awoke in a new reality and he wasn't sure how.
Bad just didn’t understand.
How did he manage to get back to that moment between him and Forever sitting on a bench again?
He vividly recalled how their previous conversation had ended. Forever was blabbering about a marriage - how it would be romantic, just absolutely perfect and they should do it. Rather than focusing on their missing kids.
He wasn’t making any sense and something about clocks too. Then, he mentioned how he wanted to “test” something. Bad didn’t forget it as Forever reached into his pocket and then used a slingshot to place down a bunch of mines, spikey explosions roaring off from one spot to another.
Bad tried to settle himself onto the firm ground before it shot into bits and fired with the rest. It was so disorienting when he was faced with the others rushing over to see the commotion left.
Bad whipped his head around, scanning at the area where he was further.
There weren’t any holes in sight from yesterday’s damage. The vibrant grass looked like it grew itself overnight rather than just plain dirt down. The bright red roses that turned into gray ashes were alive as though nothing had ever happened.
Everything almost looked the same as it was yesterday. Despite how pretty the roses looked - he noticed something odd with them.
The roses yesterday had thorns but these ones, they were spotless, absolutely clean of any possible harm. Free from imperfection. But, artificial.
When he looked up at the blue sky. The clouds oddly enough looked like they were frozen in time. It’s as if he was staring at wallpaper. When he looked back down at the grass, it was so bright that it looked fake.
He couldn’t even feel a single breeze or the heat from the sunlight pouring onto his face. When he turned his head to look behind - there was no one there. No Etoiles or Aypierre from a far away distance. He felt his breath pause for a moment there. He decided to open up the tab list - no one else was on the server, other than him and Forever.
Them in their own world alone together.
Bad's stomach dropped like an anchor in an ocean at the realization. Forever grabbed onto his shoulder - shaking him back and forth energetically.
“Badboyhalo!” Forever laughed as if he heard the funniest joke in the world. Rather than how they were awkwardly sitting in silence. “Are you ignoring me?”
Bad whipped his head back, snitched his eyebrows together, eyes narrowed at the president.
“What?” Bad responded, almost snapped if he wasn't so confused.
“Ah! There, that’s it.” Forever pointed at Bad’s skeptical expression with amusement dancing in his voice. “Now, you are looking at me instead of nowhere! I’m the president you know, Badboy.”
Bad didn’t know what it was about the situation but his stomach swam. What he did was however, remove Forever’s hand off his shoulder. It was overstaying its welcome.
Forever's hand slumped down against his own body like a lifeless ragdoll. As if the weight of his heavy hand should have stayed at Bad's shoulder like an unmovable boulder. It's as if Forever didn't know what purpose his hand served now as it limped there.
Unsettingly, Forever's intense gaze was on Bad like he was trying to burn through the demons mind. It’s as if he was questioning why Bad had done that in his muddy state and couldn't wrap Bad's rejection in his head.
Bad scooted himself further from the president. At least to the edge of the bench. Distance helped him recover. It made him think more rationally, to ease his own nerves acting up inside of him.
Forever froze robotically, unblinking. Before his grin became wider and he moved animated again, energetically, like he was hit with a reset button as if the scenario was at the start.
“You should be honored that you’re getting my attention.” Forever freely boasted.
Bad Ignored Forever’s comment despite how much it irked him. He didn’t have the heart or energy within him to snap right back at that. He felt tired even if he would never admit it to the man next to him. Something about this setting - something about this felt all wrong to the demon.
“Forever.” Bad spoke with a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Yes, Badboy?” Forever eagerly replied as though a dog jumping upon hearing its name and wagging its tail.
But, dogs were small and harmless creatures - in Bad’s opinion. Bad couldn’t say with full confidence that he felt the same about Forever.
Not when Forever still had that crisp white suit that screamed the federation. Or how his smile had really curved so upward that it began to reach his eyes in an almost inhuman way that could never naturally reach that limit.
His painted white teeth were supposed to be friendly but, the way he had his teeth bared felt intimidating. They were like a brick wall that couldn't be broken down.
How that infected grin never stopped even when he shot Bad with a bunch of mines and yelled at him to stop the ticking.
Forever was like a waiting time bomb. Though he was the only source of information Bad had even if he didn't want too.
“Where- where are we right now?” Bad questioned curiously. He couldn’t help the suspicion that creeped in his voice. “Do you know where we are?”
“Uh- yes! I know where we are, Badboy.” Forever nodded his head enthusiastically as if he just finished making a great pitch to a customer.
"Okay. Explain." Bad bluntly stated.
Bad shifted over his scythe to be closer to him in his hot bar. He didn’t have it out in his hands yet, though his hands were twitching anxiously as he awaited Forever's response.
If this was some kind of a trap that Forever setup…Then, he wasn’t going to let him have it.
Forever's eyes unnaturally glowed in a way Bad never seen before. It reminded him of an alarm that glowed during dangerous emergencies. It was for a second but he saw it there among the foggy glaze in them.
“We’re at our Wedding, Badboy!” Forever exclaimed with wild eyes.
Was he really that serious about it?
Forever moved himself near Bad’s space again, not leaving any room for Bad to go anywhere anymore.
If Bad tried to scoot away then he was sure to fall down to the artificial grass surrounding them. Actually - that almost sounded worth it to the demon. Though he kept still and stiff in his position despite his disgust at Forever's words.
Forever’s manic grin was huffing too close to Bad's face. He could feel his breath on his face. Bad had to stop himself from jumping on the bench from shock crashing into him too soon. Forever the weight of his chest on his felt crushing - like Forever wanted to suffocate him. The smell radiating off him was overwhelming.
He smelled like a pharmacy, disgustingly clean and full of sickly medicine.
Bad’s urge to get away from him was getting louder and louder in his ears like the constant sound of wedding bells clashing and ringing.
The roses around them had beautifully bloomed even more as if they were in celebration of what was going on. He squinted his eyes at the trees - he wasn’t sure if he imagined it or not but they looked like they had moved. The large trees were blocking him in as if he wasn’t pressed up enough with Mr. President. The sunlight that was on them had switched into a spotlight only on the two of them instead.
It's as if they were in a movie as everything around them dimmed in light, there was darkness. A fantasy, they were living in a non-existent fairytale.
Was this supposed to be what people described as "romantic?"
Bad didn't really understand. But what he did understand was that there was a deep resentment was stirring in him like a gray cloud showing flashes and rumbles but not yet using its lightning.
It’s like they were hoping the atmosphere in the air would suddenly make Bad scramble to get onto Forever’s lap and uncharacteristically wrap his arms around him and cheer ‘oh yes! I forgot! Our wedding!’ like nothing else mattered and he wasn’t still concerned about their kids at all.
This was getting ridiculous at this point. Bad felt a hot pang of frustration run through him as he couldn’t lean his face away from Forever’s. Forever’s plastic growing grin stayed on his overly cheery face as if he thought it was charming. Endearing when it was the farthest thing from it.
Bad glared at him as he contemplated.
Was this from the work of the federation? Did they really have that much control of their environment? Bad knew, but he wasn't aware it was this extent.
He wanted to be so violent in that moment. To scream, shout and yell at this absurd madness. To shove Forever away and stop everything.
He desperately wanted to be the one to set off the mines this time, he imagined planting them everywhere with hidden giddy, to burn this place to a dark crisp and never look back on it again. To slash against whatever invisible entity that had given him and Forever that stupid spotlight, to rip apart the "sky" and stomp on the roses.
His dilated eyes were studying Bad’s hostile facial expression and then at Bad’s lips before looking back up at him again. However, he didn’t take it as a sign to back away from the demon.
Forever went ahead and grabbed both of the demon’s hands on an impulse. So swiftly that Bad didn’t have time to blink or question how Forever did it. Forever trapped Bad’s claws with his own hands as he crookedly tilted his head at Bad as if he was judging how Bad would take it.
Bad wanted to gag but he held it in as Forever squeezed his hands.
“Doesn’t this just feel so right for you? Just perfect?” Forever confidently reassured.
Bad’s fingers twitched in the hold they were in. Forever’s hands were so, so impossibly cold. Absolutely freezing. The temperature was surprising. No regular person could live like that. It reminded Bad of the freezers the federation had stored away in their private rooms.
Did the federation try to freeze the president? Or was this just some weird side effects from the "happy" pills Forever had been taking?
It was really troubling. He had to tell Cellbit about this. Maybe he would have a better idea about Forever's current condition.
Bad was taken away by his thoughts as he felt Forever press a soft kiss onto his hands wordlessly. Maybe Forever had thought this “sweet” gesture would have made Bad feel better.
Instead, it did the opposite. Bad felt pricks all over his skin as if he was someone’s new pin cushion to stick sharp needles into.
While there was some repressed concern he held for Forever. A larger part of him, to tighten his hands into balls of fists and then furiously lunge at the man. There was only so much tolerance a demon can harbor.
To murder him as much as possible with his own claws. Or to deny the notion of marrying him but - that was far out of the question. He couldn’t murder Forever when it was just him, not when he had already made a plan with the others on how they would all deal with Mr. President together. Despite how tempting it would be.
Forever’s state wasn’t stable either, he kept asking him repeatedly for a wedding even after the whole mine incident. If he rejected him then who knows what else Forever would have done. Maybe he would pull out a secret slingshot again underneath his pristine and fancy suit.
Or he could have a gun on him, Bad knew how the federation liked to supply those employees of theirs with them.
Not that Bad didn’t think he could handle it, but unpredictability was hard to strategize against. If he accepted it then he would still lose, Forever wasn’t in his right mind.
He also didn’t want to imagine how this imaginary wedding scenario with him and a drugged out powerful man would go either. None of this was exactly ideal.
“Didn’t I tell you I would think about it?” Bad tightened his lips into a thin line.
Bad squirmed his clawed hands, before he got to slip them out of Forever’s firm grasp.
Forever blinked and stared at his empty hands now. His smile twitches involuntarily as if Bad wasn't supposed to have done that, like Bad had ruined something about Forever's so special day.
Until Forever remembered that nothing can be ruined on his special day because that’s why it was special. It would always be perfect and positive and sunny.
Forever's neck made a cracking noise before he directed his eyes at Bad again, fully focused and devoted attention on him, never once letting that smile go. It was unnerving how Forever could stare at him all day without blinking.
“That basically means yes, Badboy.” Forever insisted.
Bad was going to refute him but then he felt a hissing sting to his wrists.
His eyes widened as he rubbed them. He didn't realize the burning pain in his hands like Forever had tightened his hands so hard against his that they had felt numb to Bad. Forever didn’t even care.
“You should be happy, Badboy! First lady suits you really well.” Forever continued casually.
Bad couldn’t resist rolling his eyes at that comment. Before another word was said, Forever scooted only slightly away from Bad. It’s as if he was looking for something deep in his pockets.
Then, there it was. Forever had pulled out that giant ring again. It looked shiny and expensive, it was definitely made to impress. It made sense. Any less for the president would be a crime.
Bad didn't feel any of those things though. No. He wanted to throw that stupid ring in a river and never see it again. Watch it sink all the way down spitefully. Forever didn't waste any time as Bad tried to process the overwhelming situation before a ring was roughly slipped onto one of his fingers.
It squeezed his finger hard as if it was digging into his skin. Bad’s breath hitched. It’s as if the ring said he had no chance of escaping. He was stuck.
Bad was going to break it as soon as he had an opportunity too. A ring didnt set everything in stone yet. He just needed to stall until he could get out of this situation safely.
It didn’t help that when Forever finished speaking, there was dead silence surrounding them.
No noises of mobs nearby as if Mr. President would let there be. No one was picked up in the translator box other than Forever. No crunching grass from invisible feet stepping through and spying on them. Not anything. Only Bad’s words were being waited on as if they would decide his fate.
Though this was all going way too quickly for Bad’s own liking.
"Wait, Forever, We can talk about this." Bad tried to argue.
"Talk? What is there to talk about anymore? Man! The ring is already on your finger." Forever chuckled loopily like Bad was the one that didn’t make sense.
Forever's eyes however, were grinning as if he was patiently waiting for Bad to challenge him. Try to fight with him like all those other times hes done before. Bad’s words wouldn’t matter. It’s like they were decoration that would only mean "yes" to Forever's happy ears.
Bad couldn't help the involuntarily shudder that went down his spine. Forever's eyes reminded Bad of the time he was carelessly thrown into jail before.
Where he tried to explain himself but no one would hear him out. Despite how untrue the accusation was, no one believed him. Where Forever seemed completely fine holding him in there for a law that wasn't a law yet. Forever was the one that had the power to cage him as president. Refusing to let Bad out if he didn't "confess". In other words, just say the words that Forever wanted to hear. And he could do it again with no qualms about it.
Forever never apologized to him about it or even gave him a gift basket for the ordeal he suffered through. Why would this be any different?
Bad had to approach this from a different angle or he would really would be trapped this time. That was something he couldn’t afford.
"Forever." Bad spoke slowly as if that would help get any sense into the president's head. Forever nodded, listening. "You don't want this."
If he acted like he wasn't rejecting him, if it was Forever instead doing the rejecting then, maybe. Maybe it would have been an easier way to diffuse the thick tension in the air between them.
"But, Badboy! You already dressed up so nicely for me." Forever purred. "You even have your blonde hair out."
Bad being taken aback, raised an eyebrow at him. He most definitely didn't. He didn't even change out of his clothes or had his hair out of his hood. The coloring of his clothing had been rubbing off because he kept it on even during the rain. But it was the same as yesterday.
It was when Forever reached to caress Bad's blonde locks is when Bad took notice of something strange that he didn't before.
Forever was right.
When Bad looked down at himself, he was in pure disbelief with wide eyes.
He had a formal and stylish white suit clinging on his body. It was much nicer than any of the clothes he had that gave him such whiplash. He knows for a fact that he definitely didn’t own any outfit like this nor did he ever put it on.
No black and slightly red hoodie in sight or black and red pants. His golden long locks were draped over his shoulders and chest as if to make him look pretty for an event.
Bad didn't know what to think - he didn’t know how this happened or when or even why. He was alarmed to say the least. It was like somone poured cold ice water on him.
"You really look so pretty, Badboy. This hair of yours is my favorite." Forever commented simply.
He didn't stop twirling a lock of Bad’s hair in between his fingers as though he was fascinated by it. Forever acted as if there was nothing wrong here. But, Bad couldn’t act like that or go along with it. This was pushing through his patience.
This little game that was going on was too long, he didn’t like it. He lightly slapped Forever’s hand away from his hair.
"Forever, I don't remember wearing this. Or even owning something like this. Did the federation do this?" Bad pressed him. “Do you know?”
Bad had a jar filled with questions and he wanted so desperately to unload it onto Mr. President. What did Forever think he was going to gain from this? Was this some sort of plan to keep Bad "under control"? Why was he doing this if he was? But, he kept the jar’s lid shut on tight.
Too much skepticism and then Forever would explode things again. Bad had to be just the slightest bit careful even if he didn't really want to, he just wanted the details he was missing.
Well, Bad might have preferred the explosions over this "sweet romance".
"You're the richest man on the island, Badboy!" Forever reminded him, his voice was positively sparkling - making Bad cringe. “You’ve always owned that outfit.”
“I haven't,” Bad gritted his teeth as he shook his head. “I’ve never owned or worn this white suit before.”
“Don’t worry about it, Badboy. That’s nothing to stress over. Let’s enjoy the time we’re spending with each other.” Forever answered immediately as if he was reading off a script.
Forever waved his hand nonchalantly as if he could just wave away Bad's worries in one gesture.
Bad didn’t know how much he could stomach this conversation anymore. It was useless, he would have to try another time. He narrowed his eyes at Forever in defiance. Forever had no reaction to Bad’s aggressive look as if it meant nothing to him anymore, non threatening.
Bad stood up from the bench, his legs surprisingly wobbling and he almost fell straight first down onto the ground before Forever’s arms caught him.
He should have just let gravity won.
Bad turned his head to make a remark about how he didn’t need Mr. President’s help but he gasped when the weather around them started to change. He was whirling his head around frantically.
Was the Code coming? Was it around?
The stagnant clouds were now racing across the sky as if there was no tomorrow.
The blue sky suddenly brought the sun out of its hiding and now the blue had transformed into a warm red orange stretched out. The lively roses around them started to shrivel and crumbled up into black pieces of ashes as they flew away.
The large trees full of flourishing leaves were now small and stumps as if someone had cut through all of them in a matter of seconds right in front of Bad’s bewildered eyes. The ground underneath them was shaking unsteadily as if an earthquake was happening.
“What the fudge?!”
“Ah.” Forever tutted calmly at the sight as if it was a pity that whatever entity did this - they couldn’t have left the roses to survive. “The wedding is coming soon. Right now, I think actually.”
Bad looked over at Forever and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Wait, what do you mean right now?” Bad questioned.
Forever closed his eyes as though he was at inner peace. He blatantly ignored Bad’s question as his smile held silence.
Then he loosely dropped his arms, letting Bad slip and go. Bad thought he was going to fall onto the ground but to his surprise, a big hole had formed underneath his spot.
He had a feeling Forever knew when he stopped holding Bad that he had planned this.
Bad’s eyes widened as Forever waved a friendly hand at him.
It was too late for Bad to have done anything as he fell in. He was flying through the deep dark tunnel and he couldn’t see anything in sight or what was at the end of it. He was just going down and down.
“Bye, Badboy. It was nice seeing you again!” Forever’s voice eerily echoed from a distance above.
When Bad saw him again, he was sure he was going to kill him for this. And for other things too.
Bad tried to look for his grappling hook to get himself hooked onto somewhere but when he checked, his entire inventory was empty.
It was like all of his items had magically disappeared, whether it was the work of the federation or something else, he was left helpless for once. He didn’t even have his undying totem to save him if he hit the bottom of whatever this was.
As he kept spiraling downward to the unknown, he tried to prepare for it. He held his arms out to catch himself if he could and tightly closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable collision.
It never came to be. Instead he was hit with a flash of bright light.
“Badboyhalo! Do you or do you not?” An impatient voice demanded.
“Do I- wait what? Can you tell me that again?” Bad asked dizzily.
He squinted his blurry eyes throughout the bright world that was in front of him. His mind is still reeling in everything.
“Do you take this man to be your lovely wedded husband? Yes or no?” The voice repeated.
Bad felt like someone just took a shovel and smacked him a bunch of times over his head with it.
“Do I - What?” Bad shouted as his eyes snapped open to fully take in the scenery.
No, he wasn’t falling down a hole anymore. He was in fact standing in the white attire he had previously spoken with Forever.
The person who asked him the question had no face. They were a completely blank slate. Though they held a priest outfit on, Bad could recognize that much and they were reading from a book. Despite the lack of looks they had, they seemed to have been questioning Bad. What was it Bad - a yes or no?
The towering walls were white and empty. There was minimal decoration as if this was less of a wedding and more like a small party gathering.
When Bad looked to his left, there was a whole crowd of faceless federation employees in wooden chairs, flower petals were on the ground as if someone had already spread them out.
There was only one seat that was different from the rest. He stared at it without shame. That richarlyson rock that was sitting in one of the very front rows.
Not a single person from the favelas or the french or the spanish or-
Bad needed to take a seat. He needed to sit down somewhere and think far from this. Very, very far away from here. He could barely hold in the mixed emotions that were tossing around inside of him.
Forever was in front of him, he looked the same as before. He waved his hand at Bad, fingers playfully wiggling at him. It’s as if they didn’t just have a previous conversation a few minutes ago.
Bad felt like he was losing his mind slowly. Now he was at a wedding ceremony?
Just what the hell was going on here?
“He does! He just likes joking around.” Forever responded in kind to the federation priest.
Bad did not. He didn’t agree to this. He wasn’t going to allow for Forever to speak for his voice either when he had his own thoughts and opinions.
Bad’s anger was finally reaching its tipping point as he was about to explode and reject everything. But then, when he tried to open his mouth, nothing came out much to his horror. His voice was nonexistent like a candle wiped out from the blows of a wind.
It vanished in thin air as if there was something clogged up in his throat.
The only thing that would come out of him were silent coughs. This couldn’t be real. He tried to make noises to express his frustration and panic, again, nothing.
He desperately shook his head back and forth at the priest. But, he was ignored. The federation priest instead, nodding its head at Forever. It took the president’s word over his, Bad should have known.
The federation was corrupted. It wouldn’t listen to him even if it had the option too. But, this wasn’t fair. This shouldn’t go through. It wasn't even legal.
Bad tried to move his legs. But, they were glued to the floor. No matter how much he tried to twist or bend his torso, his legs weren’t budging as if he really had no choice in the manner.
He couldn’t even attack Forever from the distance they were at each other or run away from his own wedding to rush home or tell the others.
“Forever and Badboyhalo…” The priest started.
Forever’s swirling eyes gleamed as if this was the happiest moment he could ever have.
Bad didn’t want to hear it. Bad didn’t even want to be where he was at the moment. He shut his eyes, took a deep breath in, waiting for something else to happen.
“I declare you two as husband and husband.” It continued.
The deal was finally sealed.
Everyone stood up from their chairs, all the federation employees began clapping. Their thunderous claps echoing throughout.
Forever screamed in pure delight and ecstasy at those words. He was positively jumping up and down as though he longed to hear such blissful words in his high mind.
While Bad wanted to shriek for a completely different reason. Things couldn’t have been worse than this. He was an anarchist and here he was, now unwillingly married to the President.
Until chains erupted from the floor, breaking through it as they started to wrap around Bad’s arms as if they sensed he was dangerous. Bad thrashed his arms, flailed them, all in an attempt to get the chains off him. As soon as they clicked around his wrists was when it was all over.
The chains held his arms in place. It made him still considered that his legs were already unmoving.
He deeply despised everything like a fire inside of him was being fanned to grow larger and bigger. An uncontrollable fire that was going to wreck more havoc and destruction against them all when the chains were ripped off.
He would never bend down or obey their rules even when they were forcing him like this. When he got out of this, he was going to make the federation’s life as miserable and painful as he possibly could.
They would regret the day they did this, he would make them suffer as if they lived in hell for eternity. Having him caged as if he was an easy bird to catch rather then the demon they should have feared.
That was the mistake they made.
“You may kiss your husband.” The priest insisted.
In a blink when Bad opened his eyes back up, Forever was already right in front of him.
When Forever was leaning in close to his face, he thought he saw a glimpse of the real Forever in those chaotic eyes. There was a small recognition of regret in them. It’s as if Forever’s body wasn’t his own, moving automatically.
Forever’s wide grin was strained and trembled as if the real Forever was trying to stop it. Trying to resist this from happening. It was no use. Forever moved one step forward, lips dangerously close and hovering.
Bad screwed his eyes shut. His breathing became erratic in a panic. He tried to turn his head away from Forever’s but that didn't stop Forever. Forever's hand forced Bad to turn to face his direction. He didn’t want to accept this. This was all too uncomfortable. He wanted to fight and claw and scratch and bite-
Then, in that darkness, Bad felt nothing.
He peaked his eyes, wondering if Forever was still in front of him. He wasn't. In fact, the whole building he was in or the federation employees weren't even here anymore.
He instead found himself laying on top of a bed, sweating and panting as though his heart was going to rip itself out of its body. When he glanced around the room, he immediately knew where he was. Pomme’s room. He must have forgotten that he slept here this time rather then Dapper's room. Her precious paintings and photos were around of her and the other eggs. So was her raccoon that woke up from Bad’s shout and looked at him oddly.
Bad sighed to himself as he slumped back onto Pomme’s bed, he was so exhausted yet relieved at the same time.