Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Her. That’s my vote.”

The blank girl with the doll head. The blank slate with no real name.

That was Ocean’s vote. 

And Karnak knew it. If he could smile, he would have.

“As you wish.”

The curtain opened again, brighter and somehow wider than before.

“Walk through, children.”

Everyone was confused. 

“I thought only one of us had to go,” Constance Blackwood asked.

“That was a ruse, cleverly designed for a chance at redemption.”

“Redemption?”

Jane’s hollow voice echoed through the warehouse, hanging uncertainly in the silence.

“Ocean.”

The redhead turned to Noel. “What?”

“No, it’s your redemption. You’re the one who wanted to vote herself the entire time.”

“That’s right,” Constance shouted, “And now you voted for her, instead of yourself!”

“But does this really mean we can all come back,” Ocean asked the machine.

Karnak paused. “If you truly wanted to.”

They all did. But Ricky noticed something.

“Hey, little guy.”

He found the rat and pulled it aside, noticing it chewing the wires on the machine.

“I don’t think you should be doing that,” he said earnestly. The rat scrambled to escape his grip, but didn’t stand a chance.

Mischa stared at it in confusion, then to the glowing light.

“Well, I guess we should go?”

They all stared at the portal, and began to step through it. But as they did, Jane tripped over the wire of Karnak’s plug and they all fell through.

Light. Dark. Pushing. Pulling. Inside. Outside.

Bright.

Screams. Loud, painful. Confusing.

Hazy vision. Ground too rough.

Ocean tried to focus on something, anything. The remains of the rollercoaster, red paint harshly scraped off.

They were alive. They woke up from the accident. They were… 

“It’s a miracle!”

“The miracles of Saskatchewan!”

“Oh, thank the Lord above!”

They were rescued, of course. The mystery Jane Doe was none other than Penny Lamb, the strange girl who played with puppets and spent her time glued to her brother.

They were all shipped out to an intensive care unit, checking up on any internal bleeding. But miraculously, all six of them were fine.

That wasn’t the most peculiar part. There was a strange man in the wreckage as well, a man everyone swore never existed until after the accident. Accompanying him was another man, filthy and disgruntled, swearing loudly when paramedics attempted to assist him.

The kids all knew the truth. They came back to life, and the machine and weird rat became humans. But how? And why?

Those were the questions. But were there going to be any answers?

Chapter Text

“How did they come back? Were they even dead?”

Constance was whispering hastily, and the others were trying to make sense of the situation.

“Well, we obviously came back with magic,” Penny replied, “So that magic must have affected them when I tripped the cord.”

“And I held the rat,” Ricky responded. The other turned to him. 

They were still not used to him being able to speak, but the magic sort of let him have his voice, even though now his voice was a little raspy and he preferred signing.

“Yeah, you did,” Mischa pointed out, “And we all fell through at the same time, could that have affected it?”

“Even if it did, no one in Canada knows who they are,” Noel explained, “So what are we going to do for the time being?”

“They could stay at one of our places,” Constance suggested.

“But we all have parents who won’t be pleased with two grown men, one of whom was formerly a damn rat, in their house.”

“They could stay at my place.”

Everyone turned to Ocean. She had been silently planning since they started their conversation.

“Your place? What about your parents?”

Ocean shrugged. “They’re never around. Always at some spiritual retreat or mumbo jumbo leaving me to fend for myself. So I guess I’ll take in those two until we can figure out something else.”

Everyone was silent as they took in Ocean’s proposal.

“If you think you can handle them,” Constance started, “Then we’ll support you.”

She took Ocean’s hand and squeezed it. Ocean smiled.

“Thanks, Constance.”

So that was handled. For now.

“Now we need to find them. Didn’t they get sent to some other ICU?”

A loud yelling made the six of them jump. A man was being hoisted into a hospital bed and he was very insufferable the whole time.

“Let me go, you assholes! I need to find those damned kids!”

“I’m assuming that’s the machine,” Ricky whispered.

“Can’t be. He was more eloquent.”

Mischa stared at the man screaming in the hospital bed.

“That’s the rat? Oh, damn, we’re screwed.”

The man turned at the sound of their voices.

“It’s you! You kids! Get over here!”

One of the nurses turned to the kids. “Do you kids know this man?”

Ocean stood up. “Uh, he’s my uncle! He’s from…”

“Orlando,” Penny suggested.

“He’s from Orlando! Came over to Saskatchewan for a family visit and kinda got his brains a little messed up.”

The man stared at her shrewdly, but Ocean walked over to him.

“Oh, I’m so grateful you were able to help him, I was so worried. Can we have a moment alone, please?”

The nurses all talked amongst themselves but ultimately decided they could leave.

“10 minutes,” one said, “That’s all we can give you, kiddo.”

Then they left. And Ocean glared at the rat turned man.

“What are you making a scene for? Do you want the world to know the truth?”

He glared at her in return. “For your information, sweetheart, I was perfectly fine living my days as a rat, then some kid picks me up, chucks me through a portal, and next thing I know, I’m caught in some accident and I can speak!”

Ocean paused. “Yeah. That must’ve been a surprise.”

“Surprise? This is a little more than a damn surprise!”

“Okay, we get it,” Ricky snapped, “But where’s the other guy? And what are we gonna call you?”

The man frowned. “Karnak called me Virgil. I guess that’s the name that goes with my face.”

“Virgil. Sounds about right. So where’s the other guy?”

“Karnak? I have no idea. We were separated when we woke up.”

“Damn,” Noel said, “Well, we need to find him.”

Virgil crossed his arms.  “Don’t ask for my help, you ruined my fucking life.”

“You were probably stuck eating other peoples’ garbage,” Ocean shouted.

“It was pretty damn good!”

“Yeah, as a rat!”

“You really can see the family resemblance,” Ricky teased.

“Oh, shut up,” Virgil and Ocean snapped.

Chapter Text

“And you’re positive no one in Uranium had ever seen this man?”

Karnak opened his eyes and found himself in a white room. A hospital bed.

This was not what he saw in his future. He saw himself dying, with Virgil as his killer.

But now?

He tried to move his head. He could. Normally. Raised an arm. It was flesh, no longer wood.

He was alive. A breathing, living human being.

And it terrified him. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

Voices. People were approaching.

“From all accounts, he just appeared after that rollercoaster went down. But it shouldn’t hurt to have him checked.”

He rubbed his eyes. They were tired. He could be tired. He wasn’t plugged in and running on sheer electricity.

“Oh, you’re awake! Good morning, sir.”

Karnak tried to sit up. “Good morning. What day is it?”

The nurse smiled warmly. “It’s the 21st, sir. You’ve been on and off when it came to consciousness.”

“I have?”

She nodded slowly. “You were mumbling a lot in your sleep. Things about fairgrounds and prophecies, and rats and chewing cables?”

Karnak was embarrassed. “Um- well, thank you. How long will it take to be discharged?”

The nurse checked the clipboard by his bed.

“By all accounts, you seem fine now. But no one here seems to know you. Are there any relations I can contact? Any family you might have?”

Karnak tried to think. “Rosenberg. That’s a name I can remember.”

“Rosenberg? We have a patient, a young girl, whose last name’s Rosenberg.”

“Ocean?”

The nurse placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll try and see if we can contact her, okay?”

Karnak nodded. “T-take your time.”

Twenty minutes later, Ocean arrived in a hospital gown, accompanied by the rest of the choir.

“It’s you,” she shouted, “You’re the- You’re Karnak!”

Karnak nodded. “The once Amazing Karnak. In the flesh. Which, saying that out loud, is very odd.”

Ocean stared at him. “You have a scar. On your head.”

She gently pressed the scar on the side of his head. “It looks like an electric shock.”

“Well, I was supposed to die by a loss of electricity.”

“By Virgil,” Ricky asked, “Yeah, that asshole’s here too.”

“He’s- he’s alive?”

They all nodded.

“He’s loud,” Mischa said, “And swears a lot. Like. A lot.”

Karnak sighed. “Oh, I fear he’s going to be a major pain in the ass.”

“Oh, God, Karnak swears too,” Penny gasped dramatically. The others laughed.

“You’re staying at my place,” Ocean explained, “You and that.. Virgil.”

“Oh. Okay.”

It was still confusing. But hey, they made something out of this.

Chapter Text

“So, what’s our cover story?”

Ocean was sitting with Karnak and Virgil in her living room. They were discussing how they were going to make sense of their new situation.

Karnak thought of it for a minute. “What did you say at the hospital?”

“That I’m her fucking uncle,” Virgil snapped, “Which wasn’t very smart on your part.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you doing anything better!”

“Calm down, you two,” Karnak interjected, “Ocean, that was a brilliant idea, truthfully, for such a quick save.”

Ocean beamed. “Thank you! Don’t think this ungrateful brute will be thanking me soon.”

Virgil was already in the kitchen, sniffing out something to eat. “Can’t be arsed, sweetheart!”

Ocean frowned. “Why are you British, anyway? You weren’t in the hospital.”

“Can’t help it, but had to hide it from the medical dweebs,” he called from the kitchen, “And where the hell is all the good shit?”

Ocean frowned. “Still, we need a cover story, I can’t be walking around with two grown men without a reasonable story.”

Karnak thought for a moment. “Virgil can still play the role of your uncle, since it was already what you said in the hospital.”

Virgil came back into the room and sat himself down on the couch, loaded with snacks.

“Ain’t no way I’m acting like she’s my perfect niece,” Virgil snapped, “She’s got fangs instead of teeth, that one.”

“Says the man currently digging into my parents’ upholstery.”

“Oi, shut up.”

“You two are going to end me. And I’m exhausted. Running on three days with no sleep is-“

“What?! You haven’t slept in three days?!”

Karnak blinked. “I slept on and off for an entire week, Ocean. I’m not all that tired.”

Ocean knew he was lying. She marched into the kitchen, stepping in Virgil’s foot as she did.

“ Ow!”

“Walk it off, dirtbag!”

She went to the pantry and pulled out her favorite coffee blend, made a full pot, and handed a steaming mug to Karnak.

“I think this should help,” she said. Karnak looked down at the black drink.

“And this is…?”

“Oh, it’s coffee. I usually only drink it during late study sessions, but this is an emergency.”

Karnak hesitantly took a sip. Then his small frown turned into a smile.

“This is- This is divine! Ocean, this is the first thing I’m ever drinking for the rest of whatever life I’m given.”

Ocean sucked in a breath. Great, now her rat uncle was eating her chips and the machine has a coffee addiction. 

What could be worse?

Chapter Text

“And there they are, the miracles of Saskatchewan!”

The choir was standing in the halls of Saint Cassian Catholic School, trying to discuss Karnak and Virgil when the principal himself arrived at Ocean’s locker.

“Yep, the Uranium Angels,” Constance said sarcastically, and the others burst into laughter.

The principal pursed his lips. “Well, I was merely giving the Lord my gratitude for not taking you precious children from us.”

Ricky saw a camera crew start to enter the school.

“Does this have anything to do with the fact that picture day came early today?”

The principal didn’t understand his signs, but the others did, and they saw the cameras too.

“Um, what’s all that,” Ocean asked sweetly, pointing to the camera crew.

The principal waved his hand as though he was swatting a fly. “Oh, don’t worry about them! They just wanted an interview with you about the incident with the rollercoaster.”

“So now we’re celebrities,” Noel mumbled.

“I can’t have my face seen in the news again,” Penny hissed, “Not since Elysium.”

But Ocean kept her smile and nodded. “Oh, of course. I’m sure the others would simply love it. Right guys?”

She had to elbow Mischa, and he coughed and faked a smile himself.

“Yep! We’re able to do that.”

They all nodded, plastering grins until the principal left.

Then he returned. “Oh, and do any of you know the location of the two men found in the wreckage? I swear, the whole town has been searching for them.”

Ocean laughed awkwardly. “Oh, no, sir, I haven’t seen my uncle since he went back to Orlando with his… with his boyfriend! They said their farewells and left the other night.”

The principal looked disappointed, but smiled anyway and walked off.

Ocean turned to the others. “Are they serious? It hasn’t even been a month and they’re trying to soak up all the publicity for all it’s worth! That’s bullshit!”

“Ozi! That’s true, but I didn’t think you were one to swear!”

“I’m panicking, Con! I didn’t think anyone would be looking for Virgil and Karnak so I told them if they needed anything they could leave. What are we going to say when someone finds them in the supermarket or entering my house?”

Ricky grabbed Ocean’s shoulders. “Ozi, calm down. We can still call them, right? You did leave your phone at home.”

“I gave it to the rat! He probably threw it out by now!”

Mischa sent a quick text to Ocean’s phone.

“No, he still has it. He said ‘What do you kids want in the middle of my damn nap?’”

Ocean sighed in relief. “I need to send him a message, can I?”

Mischa cautiously gave her his phone and she typed her message in a hurry.

Do not, I mean NOT! Leave the house for any reasons, the whole town’s looking for you and Karnak, you need it stay hidden for now!!

A slow reply later, Ocean’s heart dropped.

oh.. probs shdve told that to k, he’s g1

“G-1,” Constance asked.

“Gone. He’s gone! He left!”

Ocean pushed her school bag into her locker. “You guys stay here, I’ll find him.”

Ocean, you can’t just leave-!”

“I have to! No one in Uranium can find him!”

“But you’ll be suspended!”

“I’ll handle it!”

She raced out of the school building and looked everywhere for Karnak, all the places in Uranium he could possibly be.

She knew once she got back to the school she would be suspended if the school board was merciful. Expulsion seemed worse, but it didn’t matter to her.

So she kept running. And finally, finally, found him.

“Karnak!”

Ocean ran over to him and hugged him. “What are you doing here?”

He hesitated before returning her hug. He didn’t really know how he ended up here.

“Ocean! I just- I felt a strong urge to visit here. Like it might give me clarity.”

Ocean looked out and realized where they were. The wreckage site.

“Oh. Were you looking for something?”

Karnak shook his head. “My machine is destroyed, oddly enough. But no, I just thought coming here would calm something in me.”

Ocean slipped her hand in his. “Maybe it did. Maybe it didn’t. But we can’t dwell on what could have been. And I need to get you back home.”

Karnak nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go, Ocean.”

He squeezed her hand, almost still in disbelief of his humanity. 

Ocean just squeezed his back.

Chapter Text

Virgil felt something smack his head and he shot awake with a snort.

“Ey-?”

“Welcome back to you as well,” Karnak deadpanned.

Virgil threw a pillow at him. “Let me sleep, old man.”

“We’re biologically the same age.”

“Says who?”

Karnak sat down next to him. “Says the hospital records.”

Virgil snorted. “You remembered all that shit?”

“Ocean made me. To keep up appearances.”

Virgil frowned. “Congratulations, now let me sleep.”

He fell back against the couch and Karnak smacked his leg.

“What the hell is your problem?!”

“You need to stop sleeping because I have something to say!”

“Well, make it quick so I can actually go back to sleep!”

Karnak frowned. “Ocean might be suspended because of us.”

Virgil sat up. “The hell you talking ‘bout?”

“She went to look for me. If we weren’t around, she wouldn’t be worried for us and we wouldn’t have caused this.”

Virgil paused. Ocean was only trying to keep them safe. And she got herself in trouble to make sure no one else knew where they were.

“Damn.. the kid doesn’t deserve it.”

Karnak shook his head. “She doesn’t. So we need to be more vigilant so this doesn’t happen again.”

Virgil scratched his head. His carelessness led to Karnak leaving which led to Ocean’s panic which led to her certain suspension.

“Yeah. I probably shouldn’t be sleeping on the job. What if Oce’s parents walked in and saw us here?”

Karnak nodded. “We have to be more careful. If not for each other, then for Ocean.”

Virgil nodded too. Then heard a buzzing.

He found Ocean’s phone and saw a simple text. He then handed the phone to Karnak.

The news knows you’re here. And they’re requesting a couple interviews

Chapter Text

After Ocean made sure Karnak was home safely, she bolted back to school, barely making it before the bell rang for her next period.

Thankfully it was her free period, so she found a seat and took a moment trying to collect her breath.

“Ozzie! Are you okay?”

Ocean pulled up a thumbs up as Constance and Mischa sat next to her.

“Ozzie, that was some mad shit!”

Ocean looked up. “Huh?”

Mischa was grinning. “You made my year, running out.”

Running out of the building. Oh.

“I had to. Anyone could’ve seen Karnak. He was just standing at the fairground.”

“Well, people saw you leaving. I think they reported you to the principal,” Constance said nervously.

Ocean snorted. “I don’t care. I just needed to get Karnak and Virgil concealed again.”

“And now Karnak’s back?”

Ocean nodded, still gasping for breath. “He should be fine.”

One of the teachers walked over to her. “Miss Rosenberg, please report to the principal’s office.”

Ocean gulped. Valedictorian Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg was being sent to the office for something wrong .

“O-of course,” she stammered. She looked at Constance and Mischa for help.

“You can do this,” Constance whispered, “Just keep a level head.”

Mischa quickly started signing, “If you have to kick him in the balls, call us.”

That made Ocean smile more than she would’ve liked to admit, so she stood up, left the study hall, and traipsed down to the principal’s office.

She had been to the office before, to be showered with praise after winning another award or spelling bee or writing project, but the dismal room felt intimidating now that she had run away during school hours.

“Miss Rosenberg,” the principal called. He had a smile that was so fake, Ocean thought she’d gag.

“In the flesh,” Ocean said dramatically, thinking back to the warehouse and her death.

“Young lady, you were seen running out of the school during school hours,” the principal said, his smile fading, “In all my years, I have never seen such gall and apparent careless mockery of the rules.”

“With all due respect,” Ocean interjected, “I would’ve alerted a teacher of my sudden departure due to an incident that transpired in-”

“What could’ve possibly happened that would require you, our school’s star student, to act in such a reckless manner?”

Ocean’s words caught in her throat. If she made a mention of Karnak and Virgil, the principal would know she had lied to him. But she needed to keep them safe…

She exhaled. Thinking of a silent apology, she looked up to meet the principal’s gaze.

“M-my uncle’s plane had crashed before it arrived at the airport. He didn’t have anywhere else to go, and since my parents are out of town, I didn’t know what else to do but to take them back to my place. I understand that I shouldn’t have ran out of the building.”

Ocean was appalled at her quick thinking and fluid lying. She never had much of a reason to lie as a kid, but now it came easier to her.

The principal’s frown slowly morphed into a look of concern, although Ocean genuinely couldn’t tell if it was real or another ruse.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Rosenberg,” he said, “I understand it was short notice, but at least telling a teacher where you were going would’ve helped.”

Ocean didn’t quite think so. Most of the teachers were just parents who couldn’t find much work in Uranium, Ricky’s mother and father were the Science and History teachers, respectively.

“I know, I should’ve told someone. But my uncle is family and I wanted to make sure he was safe.”

“I understand. And his.. Partner?”

Karnak. Ocean had called Karnak Virgil’s… boyfriend. Right.

“Oh, yeah, he’s also at my place too. I thought they’d leave today but things happen.”

She nervously brushed her auburn hair off her shoulder as she tried to compose herself.

“Well, if it isn’t too much trouble, would it be alright if they come over for some interviews regarding the incident.”

Ocean was appalled, again. The accident was traumatic as it was, and now she was being forced to bring herself, her friends, and her rat uncle and his pretend boyfriend to an interview about it.

But she swallowed down the snappy remarks and plastered on her winning smile. “I’ll try and see if they’d come. When is this being scheduled?”

The principal checked the analog clock hanging above his desk. “Around an hour and a half.”

Lunch. Of course, grab the survivors while everyone else is occupied in the cafeteria.

Ocean’s fake smile, if possible, grew faker. “I think we can work with that! I’ll tell my uncle and I’m sure they’ll be willing to come over.”

“Wonderful! And don’t worry, no suspensions or absent classes will be listed on your records.”

“Fantastic! Is that everything?”

The principal nodded, and Ocean smiled once again before leaving the room and running to the courtyard.

She found her friends in their special spot, underneath one of the few massive orange and green trees.

“Oce! What happened?”

Ocean took a deep breath before explaining. “Once I got Karnak home, I was sent to the principal’s office and told him Virgil and Karnak’s plane was wrecked, so I took them back to my place. Now he wants us and them to take some interviews at lunch and can I mention just how fucked this is?”

“Ocean Amelia O’Connell Rosenberg! Didn’t think you were one to use the phrase ‘fucked.’”

“Noel Lawerence Gruber, I think I can say profanity be damned. May I remind you we literally all came back from the dead-!”

“Ozzie!” Ricky hissed. People were turning their heads in confusion at Ocean’s words.

“Sorry! Sorry, I’m just stressing out.”

Ocean buried her head in her hands, then felt someone put their hand on her shoulder.

She looked up and saw Mischa giving her a calm and older brotherly look.

“Oz, you’re not alone. We all manage the rat and the machine, so we all have to help. Here.”

He handed her his phone, the picture of his fiancée Talia lighting the screen.

“Use this to talk to them, then we, as a team, will talk it out with interviewing.”

Ocean nodded and sent a quick message to Virgil and Karnak. “Hopefully they get here soon.”

Chapter Text

“Do we really have to go to this ridiculous school?”

“Yes, because Ocean is counting on us to keep up appearances.”

“Keeping up appearances means nothing if I can’t get some sleep for it!”

“Damn you and your sleep schedule! You can’t sleep when you’re told but you do so when it’s a problem!”

Karnak and Virgil went on like this for a while, bickering and arguing like a married couple, Karnak insisting on keeping up the ruse while Virgil desperately wanted to be back at home, sleeping.

Eventually, they arrived at Saint Cassian, which wasn’t so hard as it was the only high school in town.

“Goddamn,” Virgil mumbled, “And I thought that warehouse was shitty.”

“Indeed.”

“Well. Let’s get this shit over with.”

They both walked into the school, to the front desk where a jittery auburn teenage girl was sitting anxiously.

“Vir- Uncle V!”

Ocean ran over to them both and squeezed them in a hug, not caring that Karnak smelled of too much coffee and Virgil’s hands were greasy.

“Oh, I’m so happy you’re both alright,” she said. She had sent a quick text explaining her lie, but her clinginess and genuine relief made both men a tad confused.

“Y-yeah, little shaky but alright,” Virgil said, hiding his accent. Karnak looked over at Virgil. It was weird not hearing the snappy British. This sounded unnatural.

“You’re here!”

Penny ran over to the three of them. “Hey, Virgil. Karnak. We need you both in the gymnasium, or what constitutes as the gym. Oh, and by the way, you’re boyfriends.”

Both men were horrified. They looked at each other, then turned to Ocean.

“I’m sorry,” she whined, “But it was the only thing I could say at the time!”

“Oh no,” Virgil snapped, “Hell no! Ain’t no way!”

“Ocean,” Karnak said, his voice low, “We cannot do this. We have two completely separate personalities and nothing in common.”

“What he said,” Virgil mumbled, “I’m a fricking rat, kid. I can’t act like I’m in love with the machine I tried to kill!”

Ocean frowned. “They won’t ask about your relationship! They’ll just wonder how you got to the fairground!”

“Chop, chop, Ozzie, we gotta move,” Penny called.

The other three walked over to the little space the school had graciously called a gym, with two barely hanging basketball hoops, peeling tape, creaking floors, and a full news crew with several backdrops and a mess of cameras and mics.

The rest of the choir were waiting patiently, and Ocean ran over to them quickly.

“They’re here,” she said.

Mischa looked over her head. “This is stupid.”

Ocean wrung her hands nervously. “I know,” she admitted, “I wasn’t thinking and now they’re here and I-“

“Oce, calm down,” Ricky whispered, and for the first time they all noticed how Ricky’s voice was slowly becoming less raspy.

“Okay. I’ll try.”

“We came up with an idea while you were gone,” Constance said, “It does involve some A-grace lying, though.”

Ocean smirked. “I’m Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg. When has anything I’ve done not been A-grade?”

“Nice to see the confidence boost,” Noel said, playfully punching her shoulder.

Karnak and Virgil, still utterly shocked from their new relationship, were slowly walking over to the choir.

“Karnak! Virgil!” Constance called. They were both jittery, but showed it differently. Karnak was awkwardly twiddling his thumbs and Virgil was pulling loose threads from his black t-shirt.

Ocean walked over to her pretend family members and grabbed their hands. “Come on.”

She dragged them to the others, and they all started talking in hushed whispers.

“So here’s the plan,” Ricky started, “We play the lie of you guys being boyfriends-“

“No,” Karnak and Virgil snapped at the same time.

“You have to,” Noel hissed, “Or the press and our teachers will think something’s up!”

“But we can’t,” Karnak started.

“We won’t,” Virgil corrected

“You will,” Ocean snapped to Virgil, “Or I swear you won’t get your four snacks during meals.”

Then she turned to Karnak, “And you won’t have another cup of coffee for as long as I live.”

Both men’s jaws dropped. Ocean crossed her arms and frowned, waiting for their final agreement.

And it came. Reluctantly, and with scoffs and grumbles, both men agreed.

“Good. Now what’s the other part of this plan?”

“Well.. here’s the tricky bit,” Penny began, “Because they both just arrived after the rollercoaster went down, no one saw them running over to the crash or climbing into the car, we need a super good alibi for how they showed up there.”

Ocean thought about it for a minute. The seconds seemed to stick to the next as her mind whirred with all possibilities.

“Don’t answer. Twist the story back to the interviewers. Keep an air of mystery.”

“But that would only make them more interested. They’d ask more questions.”

“That’s what I’m counting on, Con,” Ocean said, “We need to make sure these two men are the spotlight of Uranium.”

Chapter Text

Ocean’s plan was simple yet complicated.

Since Karnak and Virgil were brought to life by magic, Ocean wanted them to avoid any questions about arriving at the fairground, whether by ignoring them, like Virgil would, or insisting on another question, which Karnak would handle.

As the accident survivors, the choir would take over those questions, Ricky signing to avoid suspicion, and to seem as normal as possible through the scenario.

As the interview began, the questions were all about the accident. How it happened, their reactions, the fall.

And for the most part, the choir did play their parts well. Not a beat out of place, they filled in for each other and made the story as convincing as possible. 

Constance sniffled as she said she thought of all the things that made life living before the fall she thought she’d die from. Noel said he was protecting Mischa more than himself, even after the fall.

Ricky signed that he pulled Penny towards themself, so she wouldn’t be hurt, editing the story so Jane Doe now never existed.

Ocean herself said she saw her uncle, her would-be final thoughts would’ve been the way he ran to her before her eyes shut.

Then the attention was directed again to the two men, but the others kept drawing the focus away from them by answering questions themselves and filling up the interviewers’ time.

By the time the lunch bell rang, no questions about Karnak and Virgil had any answers, and the choir were smirking at the confusion.

 “Come on guys,” Ocean said, hands on Ricky’s wheelchair, “We’ve got to get to class.”

Karnak nudged Virgil and nodded to the back door, and as the kids left and the news crews packed up, they both slipped out of the room.

The choir were in the hallways as everyone else was, whispering to themselves about how well they did the interview.

“Now, we pretend nothing’s happened,” Ocean said, “We need to make everyone believe we’re okay, that the accident is just a bump in the road. With the town fixated on my ‘uncle,’ they’ll let it go when they don’t answer more questions.”

“That’s a shaky idea, Oce,” Noel murmured, “How are you so sure this small town will let go of this big thing?”

Ocean shrugged. “Small town rumors do wonders in Uranium, like how some kid said my mother had me out of wedlock because my dad’s not a natural auburn.”

The rumor had ruined Ocean’s 7th grade, as everyone was whispering behind her back about how she was an “accident” and “never should’ve been born.”

Constance placed a hand on Ocean’s. “Still, this could be bad. Keeping Karnak and Virgil in the dark while also keeping them in the spotlight would be stupid in a way.”

Ricky nodded. “Not the best way to go. But we can always make it work, right? We’re a unit like that.”

“Rick’s right,” Penny said, “We are a unit. If I can grow up in a community pot farm and make the headlines twice before sixteen, we can keep your homo uncles in line.”

“They aren’t-“ Ocean smacked Penny’s shoulder teasingly, “They are not homos! They were both gagging at the thought of pretending for 15 minutes.”

“Oh, they are so homosexual it hurts,” Mischa said jokingly.

“Says the token simp?”

“I’m still a bi simp,” Mischa said with a massive grin. 

Ocean scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You guys are so ridiculous.”

“Not our fault you’re the token straight friend,” Ricky mumbled. The others burst into laughter.

Ocean’s lips screwed into a frown. “Meanies.”

“We love you too, even if you are straight as a ruler,” Noel teased.

Ocean laughed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. Let’s go to class before I get into more trouble.”

Chapter Text

Ocean made her way home, walking through the September leaves and the brown-red trees.

She pulled on her cardigan, green and stark against her red hair. The wind wasn’t harsh, yet she felt a small chill in the autumn air.

As she walked home, she pulled out her phone, which Virgil had slipped into her hands when they were in the gymnasium. She pulled out her earbuds and plugged them in, letting the audiobook she had played ring through her ears.

She took a deep breath and let it out, the air crisp and warm in her chest.

With a small smile, Ocean felt content, peaceful, for the first time in a while.

Once she made it to the outskirts of Uranium, she found her house and pulled out her key. She twisted it into the keyhole and opened the door.

“I’m home,” she called. She often yelled that out as a kid when her parents were around. 

Virgil, surprisingly, walked over to the door and smiled.

“Hey, Ocean!”

He pulled her into a hug, and it startled her.

“Virgil..? Did you eat something funny?”

She inhaled his scent, trying to detect any substances on his clothes. But there wasn’t, just the warm smell of fresh-cooked food.

Virgil let her go and patted her head, smiling warmly. “You’re lucky Karnak knows how to cook.”

Ocean’s head tilted slightly. “Karnak,” she called, “Where are you?”

Karnak’s head poked out of the kitchen, his curly brown hair and short beard glinting in the light of the lanterns above.

“Ocean! Welcome back. I made lunch.”

Ocean’s bag slipped off her shoulders and she walked into the kitchen.

“Something smells good,” she said, and a steaming plate of rice and chicken was nearly shoved into her hands.

“Eat up,” Karnak said grinning, “Virgil was amazed, which means it’s actually good.”

Ocean sat down at one of the stools near the table, and had a spoon given to her by Karnak.

She scooped up some, blew on it slightly, then took a bite. Her eyes widened at the taste, and a smile crept onto her face.

“Oh my gosh,” she said, voice muffled in food, “That is so good!”

She swallowed quickly and started for another bite. “This is your first time making this?”

Karnak nodded sheepishly. “I just felt like making something to eat for you. Kind of as an apology for earlier.”

Ocean looked up at his slightly guilty face. “No, you’re okay. Really. You don’t need to make food to apologize for nothing.”

She still ate, since she couldn’t let this amazing lunch go to waste.

“For the record, it’s been a while since I’ve had a nice warm meal made for me after school. Most days my parents just warmed up leftovers or got me to make something myself.”

Karnak frowned. “Well, I didn’t think your parents were that negligent.”

Ocean shrugged. “Don’t worry so much about it.”

She went back to eating, and Karnak poured her a cup of juice to finish off her meal.

“Thanks, Karnak,” she said with a smile.

He smiled back, but it was forced. She didn’t see the way his face wrinkled oddly, like he was hiding a grimace.

Virgil noticed, though. He was sitting on the couch, attempting to sleep, but he was watching the interaction.

Karnak put the juice back in the fridge, finding a distraction to keep himself from looking back at Ocean.

Ocean finished off the meal and got up to the sink and washed her plate clean.

“Well, that was delicious, and I’ve got a video call with Con about homework so I’ll be in my room,” she said, grabbing her backpack and pulling her phone out of her pocket. She pulled her hair into a messy bun and walked to her room, the beaded curtains jangling as she pushed through them.

As she took off her uniform and put on something comfortable, she hummed to herself, dancing around her room as she grabbed her clothes.

Once she got into a pair of gray sweatpants and a top with a warm sweater, she pulled out her laptop and books and called Constance.

As she spent the next forty minutes on call with Constance, Karnak sat down in the living room and tried to do something with his time.

Virgil had successfully managed to fall back asleep, his chest rising and falling as he snored loudly.

Karnak was sitting on the armchair next to the sofa Virgil was snoozing on, watching him sleep and smiling slightly.

He didn’t know why he was smiling. Just sitting in the living room, hearing Ocean’s laugh from her room, watching Virgil sleeping on the couch.

Eventually Ocean wrapped up her phone call with Constance and she walked into the living room.

“Hey, Karnak! Just finished my homework, are you up for a little walk around Uranium?”

 Karnak nodded, a smile escaping onto his lips. “Yes, of course.”

Ocean beamed, and quickly undid her bun, braiding her hair quickly.

“Alright! I’ll get my shoes on. Oh, here!”

She threw him something and it bounced off his stomach. As Karnak went to pick it up, he heard a snort as Virgil came back to life.

“Well, it seems someone felt the need to grace us with his presence,” Karnak said snappily, and Ocean giggled.

“Oi, shut it,” Virgil grumbled, tossing a pillow in Karnak’s direction. He missed, and Karnak looked down at the item in his hand.

“A hat..?”

Ocean shrugged. “It was just lying around, but I think you’d like it.”

Karnak put the navy baseball cap over his curly hair. As he did, Virgil sat up, rubbing his tired eyes.

“Where you goin?”

“Out for a walk,” Ocean explained, “Wanna come?”

He shook his head, his black hair falling to its place over his eyes.

“No thanks.”

“Of course he wouldn’t,”Karnak tutted, “When would you see Virgil willingly participating in a nice walk?”

Virgil got to his feet, a scorned look on his face.

“Excuse me? I can damn well go on a damn walk whenever I want to.”

“Then why don’t you come with us,” Karnak asked, his words becoming daggers as he stared Virgil down.

“I will then,” Virgil responded, staring at  Karnak with the same intensity.

Ocean stood by the door, watching these two grown men acting like children. 

“Are we gonna go walking or am I gonna go alone because you two wanna fight over it?”

They both turned to Ocean, and then each other. Virgil frowned. 

“I’ll get my boots,” he grumbled, trudging over to the kitchen and pulling his black boots out. 

Karnak smirked satisfactorily and grabbed his own shoes. He still had trouble understanding he had legs, but Ocean had often helped him out with that.

As the three of them left the house, Ocean pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to the choir via group chat.

***

OzzieO’ConRossie: Oh my lord, these men are so gay for each other.

therickster: WE TOLD YOU

badegg#1: Did they do gay shit yet?

OzzieO’ConRossie: What constitutes as “gay shit?”

ConnieCandy: y’know, anything that hints their gayness

OzzieO’ConRossie: Oh yeah…. Well, they were bugging each other about a walk, which was so weird. Now they’re walking with each other and laughing and nudging each other. Where’s our gay expert when we need him?

NoelGayber: Here

OzzieO’ConRossie: NOEL!! Are Karnak and Virgil totally being gay here?

NoelGayber: *replying to OzzieO’ConRossie*: oh they are SO gay. It’s written all over them, damn. Like you can see the sexual tension between them a mile away!

penlamby: im so sure ocean’s gaydar is seriously low.

OzzieO’ConRossie: That’s because I am NOT gay!

penlamby: keep telling yourself that, oce 

Chapter Text

School was stressful. It always was, it was school, but after the accident, the choir felt like they were being watched at every moment.

As Ocean walked through the halls, she could see people whispering behind their hands. She knew she was being scrutinized in every sense of the word.

And it wasn’t just her. As the days passed, the others were talking about people whispering about them in classes too.

Even Tammy Edwards, who was always obnoxiously kind and polite, was acting up too. Penny smiled at her in the halls one Monday and she started like Penny had insulted her.

It was like a spotlight was forced onto them. The choir was the only thing anyone would focus on now.

It was brutal. Exhausting sometimes. To the point where Ocean quit the debate team and nearly forfeited her position in student council.

“You can’t not be prez, Oz!”

Ocean held her head in her hands. “What else am I gonna do, Rick? Everyone’s acting like we’ve got some contagious disease just because of the accident. It was traumatic enough, but the constant eyes are becoming too much.”

Ricky placed a hand on her shoulder. “Ozzie, you worked too hard to make it to student president. We can’t have you give it up.”

Ocean took a long breath. “What else can I do, Rick? I’m the most academically recognized in this school, and now instead of my talents being recognized, people are going to tie my name to the accident.”

She ran a shaky hand through her hair and tried to slow her breath down.

“I just can’t- the pressure is too much.. I- I can’t deal with it all.”

She took a shaky breath and tried to calm down. 

But how could she with everyone waiting for her?

Chapter Text

A month had passed. Then two.

Uranium still talked about the incident, but as casual talk rather than hushed whispers. The victims weren’t always on the lips of everyone around them. Rather, the two men who had decided to live in their tiny town.

Without anywhere else to go, Karnak and Virgil remained in Ocean’s home. Her parents had found out, of course, yet they applauded Ocean on her humanitarian efforts, her mother insisting that they find another place to stay while her father let them live with them for as long as they needed.

Eventually Karnak and Virgil were deemed part of the family by Ocean’s father, and they remained in her little home.

The others still continued living life like normal, although it came to a shock in the Potts’ home when their son randomly shouted “Fuck!” after having one of their cats scratch his leg.

Ricky was deemed a miracle child, and, after several trips to several professionals, apparently had had the ability to speak since after the accident.

While it irked the town that something so catastrophic happened to someone who had experienced a traumatic experience, the parade and celebrations that ensued after only cemented the hypocrisy of the town.

After having made national news again, the accident was fresh on everyone's minds until it eventually died out.

Now, in the quiet of Mischa’s basement, the six survivors were sitting and trying to talk, but little words emerged in conversation.

“How’s the scratch,” Constance was asking. Ricky shrugged.

“It’s healing.”

His voice was stronger now, full and clear. It was still odd hearing them talk, but the others did the best to accommodate.

“So,” Noel began, “We gonna start that project that’s due in two weeks?”

“Noel, it’s my job to remind you assholes when our work is due,” Ocean said teasingly.

 She had become less overbearing, more patient, and more like a teenage girl and not an 80 year-old in a 17 year-old girl’s body.

“But none of us will get that done because of this town and their expectations,” Penny grumbled.

“Pen’s right? They want us to drop dead or something,” Mischa said, looking up from his phone for a moment.

Ocean laughed, and just as she did, her phone buzzed.

“Ugh, I gave Karnak a phone for two days and he won’t wanna stop texting me, making sure I’m okay.”

“It’s giving Father of the Year,” Ricky teased.

“Truly,” Noel agreed.

“You’re just saying that because you don’t have a dad, Gruber,” Ocean snapped, but sent Karnak a text back saying she was completely safe and everything was fine.

Then she turned her phone off and went back to try to bring some life into the conversation, but it was just as dead as the choir that September night.

Chapter Text

Virgil woke up to an empty house. Not something he was quite used to.

If Ocean wasn’t around, her parents were. Or Karnak, he never left.

So this was… new. Virgil got off the couch and trudged through the house, looking for something to do or eat.

He walked to the kitchen and found, to his dismay, no available snacks for him to finish.

So he pulled out random items from the cabinets and decided to make himself something. Unlike what Karnak and Ocean believed, Virgil was competent enough to make himself something to eat.

So he clambered around the kitchen and made himself a warm snack, then flopped back onto the couch to eat and probably sleep again.

As he did.. his phone rang.

“The fuc-“

He pulled it out of his pocket and swallowed the swear.

“Whaddya want, Karnak?”

“Hello to you too, dear,” Karnak said sarcastically, “I’m at the store, you want something?”

Virgil sat up. “You left to the store? And you didn’t tell me?”

“Because you get cranky if I wake you up,” Karnak said, a small laugh concealed in his tone.

“Yeah, yeah. Just get me my snacks. You know which ones I like. And maybe something for Ozzie.”

“Sure thing. Want those caramel popcorn bags Ocean goes crazy for?”

“Sure. Maybe two bags.”

“Alright, see you at home.”

“Mhm. Bye.”

“Bye, V.”

The line cut off and Virgil put his phone back into his pocket.

He decided not to sleep, instead grabbing the remote and turning the TV on. 

There was a news channel on, talking about an accident that happened on the highway just outside the town.

Virgil switched the channel a few times, before landing on a show he definitely knew Ocean would hate. So that’s what he watched.

Until the door opened.

“Who’s home,” Ocean called. Virgil groaned loudly as an answer.

“Hi, Virgil,” Ocean said warmly, patting his head as she walked past.

“Hi, Oz. Karnak’s got your popcorn bag.”

Ocean smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

She walked to the beaded curtains that made up her door, but Virgil sat up.

“Hey, Oz!”

“Mhm?”

Ocean turned around and Virgil stood up.

“I’m proud of you, kiddo. For carrying all this weight with us here.”

Ocean’s face broke into a smile. “Aw, thanks, Virgil.”

She went to her room and Virgil went back to the couch.

He sat and watched TV for a moment, and then Ocean came out of her room, no longer in her uniform. 

She sat down next to him. It was an awkward sitting. But Virgil wrapped an arm around her and they both smiled.

She leaned on his shoulder and they watched the show, nibbling on Virgil’s nachos as they did.

Karnak came back after a few minutes, and made a bowl of popcorn. The three of them sat and watched together, even as Ocean’s homework sat undone in her bag, as Karnak’s phone buzzed with the notifications with the news apps he downloaded.

But the three of them still watched, still stuck together, until the sun set lit up the room and they nearly fell asleep on the small couch.

Chapter Text

The morning brought little sun as the autumn fell into winter, something that amazed Karnak and inconvenienced Virgil.

As the days grew colder and nights grow longer, Ocean had to teach Karnak and Virgil about properly caring for themselves in the snow, and keeping them warm.

Thankfully, Ocean’s home had a real fireplace, and oftentimes the three of them would huddle together during colder nights, watching the flames crackle and glow.

The winter break was arriving, and while everyone in Saint Cassian was grateful for the excuse to stay out of school, the choir still had their incredulous Christmas pageant to perform.

“Why didn’t Noel get this canceled,” Mischa grumbled one practice. Noel’s face spiked into an awkward red, remembering the warehouse and the reenactment of his 7th grade disaster.

However, their practices remained and Ricky was now being forced to join in singing now that their voice had been fully developed. He had begun to share Mischa’s loathing of the event, as in previous years they had done nothing before but hold the Baby Jesus silently.

A week in their break, Ocean had woken up to the sound of a motor roaring in front of her house.

She stood up and rubbed her tired eyes, trying to coax her body out of the sleepiness.

And then she saw it. Virgil, on a motorcycle, riding around the block like a madman.

Ocean’s blue eyes widened and she raced outside, not caring that her fluffy socks were becoming soaked with snow, and her body shaking with the cold

“Virgil! What the hell are you doing?!”

She could see the cycle slow as it approached the house, and Virgil took off the helmet on his head and shook out his shaggy black hair.

“Hey, kid,” he shouted, his face flushed with adrenaline.

“What are you doing?! It’s 7:31 in the morning! On a Sunday!”

Virgil wrapped his arm around her, trying to warm her up. He grinned and pointed to the motorcycle.

“I found this in an alleyway a couple weeks ago. The person who owned it just gave it to me, and didn't even ask for payment. They said they just wanted it gone.”

Ocean’s eyebrow quirked. “And you just.. took it?”

Virgil nodded excitedly. “Oh, it’s amazing. I could teach you to ride it if you want!”

Ocean shook her head quickly. “Oh, no, I’m good.”

Virgil shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Ocean looked again at the vehicle. It wasn’t very flashy, just a typical motorcycle, loud and rambunctious.

But it made Virgil happy. Ocean couldn’t make him give it back even if she wanted to.

“How do you know how to ride a motorcycle,” Ocean asked. Virgil’s grin, if possible, grew larger.

“I don’t. It just came to me.”

Ocean nodded, not at all convinced.

“Okay, Virgil. But my parents don’t have any vehicles for a reason, you’ve gotta have a good reason for why you now decided to own a motorcycle.”

Chapter Text

Christmas made it, passed them, and ended warmly. Karnak was amazed by the celebrations and Virgil was stunned with all the food.

They were fitting in much better now. Karnak went to PTA meetings on Ocean’s behalf and Virgil made friends as he rode around town.

Ocean was relieved as they integrated into Uranium City. They used the “uncles” card when they could, and it made her feel safer and more relaxed.

Noel and Ricky surprised the group with a happily announced relationship, which elated Constance and made Penny cheer excitedly. Ocean was as supportive as she could be, yet a stirring in her gut made her feel a bit upset.

Mischa had proudly told his fiancée about the announcement, and Talia even video called the choir a couple times.

She was beautiful, with warm brown eyes and long dark hair, with highlights of purple and pink. Talia’s laugh was contagious and her jokes made them laugh viciously.

They were happy now. Everything seemed to make sense again.

Ocean paid attention to Karnak and Virgil, to provide any gossip to the Uranium Angels (the name caught on). They hadn’t been arguing so much, and Ocean had even caught them laughing at a movie together when they thought she was asleep.

The group chat had blown up for three hours as Ricky, Noel, Constance, and Penny all analyzed the picture she had sent in a million ways.

Mischa, bisexual as he was, wasn’t as interested in marking her “uncles” every move. But he did seem amused watching the others go wild as they talked about it.

They were working back into a new, better reality. And it seemed to work just fine for everyone.

Chapter Text

One morning in February, Virgil woke up on the couch, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

Then he felt a weight against his legs and grunted.

“Ay-?”

He saw Karnak’s head on his legs, and heard a low snoring. Virgil rolled his eyes sleepily.

“Get up,” he murmured, nudging Karnak’s head with his leg. Karnak snorted, and got up.

“Whaddya want,” Karnak asked softly.

“Get up,” Virgil repeated. Karnak did get up, pulling his head up from Virgil’s legs.

Virgil had gotten used to Karnak falling asleep on the couch where he slept. There were a couple nights he fell asleep on Virgil too.

Virgil didn’t mind it. In fact, it made him feel some weird warmth in his chest when Karnak did.

“Come here,” Virgil grumbled, and Karnak sleepily crawled up to place his head on Virgil’s chest.

There was an odd feeling Virgil had when Karnak’s head found his chest. A sort of… peace. He guessed it was their odd connection, being the two men who formed from magic he never thought of or wanted to understand.

Karnak mumbled something under his breath, and Virgil couldn’t truly understand it, but he patted Karnak’s head in response. They both just fell right back to sleep.

Ocean woke up for school later that morning and yawned as she stretched her tired arms. She paused as she saw Virgil and Karnak sleeping on each other.

“God, they are so gay,” she whispered under her breath, and snapped a quick picture of them to show the choir.

As she got ready for school, Karnak snorted awake, scratching at his face, which was starting to grow stubble.

“Ocean?”

“Here. About to leave, Karnak.”

Karnak yawned, and realized he had slept on Virgil again. Fuck.

“Ah, well. I wanted to give you something.”

Ocean’s eyebrows rose. “You did?”

Karnak tried to climb off of Virgil. He was embarrassed he had allowed himself to fall onto him again. Now he tried to get off him without waking the rat up.

Ocean watched as he did, and opened her phone, quickly deleting the photo. It wasn’t meant to be shown to others.

Karnak got off the couch and walked over to the kitchen, pulling out a paper bag.

“Lunch. Since you like my rice so much, I figured you should have that for lunch at school instead of the shitty lunches you complain about.”

Ocean beamed. “Thanks, Karnak. That’s sweet of you.”

He jerked out a shrug. “Glad you could appreciate it.”

She took the paper bag and put it into her backpack. As she put it back on her shoulders, she squeezed Karnak into a warm hug.

“Thank you! I’ll see you after school!”

Karnak smiled, hugged her back, and even kissed her on the top of her head.

“Have a wonderful day at school,” he said warmly. Ocean grinned and left the house.

Karnak heard a chuckle, and turned to see Virgil smiling warmly. There was something sort of- something kind in his face.

“Come here, you sap,” he said, and Karnak froze.

“Pardon?”

“Back to sleep. You need the rest.”

Karnak paused, then his face broke into a smile. “Alright.”

They both smiled at each other, and a sort of spark raced through that smile.

Virgil went back to lying down, even patting his chest teasingly. It made Karnak a bit embarrassed, but he still smiled and crawled into his embrace.

Virgil ruffled Karnak’s hair, and chuckled as they both relaxed into the position they’d been resting in.

“You’re awfully affectionate,” Karnak noted. Virgil shrugged.

“You make it easy, Karn.”

Karnak smiled warmly. “That’s new.”

“It’s yours.”

A slow rush of heat spread across Karnak’s face, but thankfully he’d turned his head before Virgil could see it.

Virgil smiled warmly. He liked how soft Karnak could be when his words weren’t snapping at him.

And so they both fell asleep again, calmly and quietly and happily together.

Chapter Text

Ocean… might be a lesbian.

Just a little. Maybe?

It didn’t matter. Her parents supported Noel and Ricky. Karnak and Virgil clearly had… something going on.

But Ocean wasn’t quite sure if she could support herself. She wasn’t sure if being in love with a girl was something she could work with.

But that wasn’t for now. That was for another day.

Now, the winter break had ended and school came back to haunt them, and things started up again.

Good lord, it was tough.

The choir wasn’t the center of attention again, but things were still hard. Ricky was getting pulled out of class for speech therapy sessions he didn’t need.

Constance had properly talked to her family about her depression. 

Mischa wasn’t missing classes anymore, but he wasn’t giving any attention to it. 

Ocean was slowly slipping in grades. Her perfect As slipping to Bs. Passing grade regardless, but not perfect.

“Oce, what happened to you?”

Ocean snapped up, awake from a burst of rest.

“Huh? What?”

Penny held her shoulder, her green-brown eyes full of concern.

“What’s wrong?”

Ocean shook her head. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you.”

Penny sat next to her. “No, you aren’t. You look so tired, and your grades started slipping. You doing okay, hon?”

Ocean felt her face flush at the endearment, and the warm hand on her shoulder.

“I’m just working out the kinks of this new life. Y’know, coming back to life and working back into humanity when everyone thinks you’re a freak of nature.”

Penny smiled wryly. “If you’re wondering what it’s like to be a freak of nature, I could give you some hints.”

Ocean slapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh, good Lord, I’m so sorry. It must’ve been horrible here when everyone couldn’t stand you.”

Penny shrugged. “I’ve been called a freak, a junkie, a lesbian, an addict. I’ve been diagnosed with BPD and traveled across the United States for a pop star who I bit into. I am a freak of nature.”

Her eyes twinkled and she winked with a smirk.

Ocean felt her heart pound faster with that wink.

“You’re also a good friend,” she said finally, nudging Penny teasingly.

“Thank you kindly,” Penny said with a warm smile.

Ocean smiled too, just as warmly. They both laughed and Ocean placed her head on Penny’s shoulder. 

“Thanks for being here, Pen,” Ocean said softly.

“Any time, Ozmosis.”

The weird nickname made Ocean cackle with laughter. Penny grinned and wrapped her arm around Ocean.

“You sure you’ll be okay?”

Ocean nodded. “Thanks, Pen-Pen.”

Penny grinned. “Thank you, Ocean.”

Chapter Text

Ricky and Noel were too freaking adorable. Ocean noticed that she was picking up relationships everywhere.

She noticed Karnak and Virgil were getting closer, that Ricky and Noel were becoming more public, that she might actually have a chance with Penny.

“Ricky,” Noel was saying, “You don’t have to give me a sign name, your parents are already talking to you again.”

“You deserve it,” Ricky said, before kissing him. Ocean gagged loudly, and Penny did too. But they were just teasing. Their friends were happy, and so were they.

“Oh my God, get a room,” Penny laughed.

“No!”

Noel kissed Ricky again and Penny pretended to melt against the love they were showing.

Ocean burst into a laugh, turning back to Constance and their chess game.

But Constance wasn’t looking at the board. She was looking at Noel and Ricky, who were both laughing and kissing, Noel nuzzling Ricky’s nose as Ricky squeezed his hand.

“Connie? You alright?”

Constance turned back to Ocean, her head sagging as she heaved a sigh.

“Everyone I know is falling in love. And all I can think of is that time with that carnie…”

Ocean stood up from her seat and wrapped Constance in a hug immediately.

“Connie, I am so sorry. You deserve so much more than the shit I put you through, and all the things you did to rebel from your depression.”

Constance did hug her back, but not in the same way.

“I just don’t think I feel love. Or attraction. Any kind. I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me or-“

“There’s nothing wrong,” Mischa yelled from the other side of the room.

Everyone turned to him, even the lovesick Noel and Ricky.

“You’re not wrong, Con,” Mischa said, sitting up. He had been texting Talia until now, and his hair was smushed to one side from how he’d been lying on Connie’s couch.

“There’s people who don’t like attraction, or feel passion. Lust even. That’s normal.”

“Really?”

Mischa nodded. “Look it up.”

Constance smiled meekly. “Thanks, Misch.”

“No worries.”

He went back to his phone, the boyfriends went back to being lovey-dovey, and Penny went back to play her ukulele.

Ocean turned to the chessboard. “You don’t really wanna play, do ya, Con?”

She shook her head, her space buns bouncing on either side of her head.

“Me neither. Hey, Pen?”

“Hm?”

Penny looked up from her strumming with a smile, and Ocean felt her insides melt with that smile.

“Play us a song? Something dance-y.”

“Ableist,” Ricky retorted. Try as he might, his legs weren’t as strong as they were when he was dead, so they were still stuck in his wheelchair.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry, Rick.”

“It’s alright,” Ricky said with a smirk, squeezing Noel’s hand, “Con’s dad has a guitar, me and Penny could duet.”

“Oh, that’s great, Rick!”

Penny ran to grab the guitar and Mischa stood up from the couch.

“We’re dancing now?”

Constance shrugged. “Ocean asked, so I guess we are?”

Ocean pulled Noel up to his feet despite his protests to be with Ricky.

“You can have your boyfriend back after we get some blood pumping in you, come on!”

Penny gave Ricky the guitar and sat next to his wheelchair as they began playing and singing a peppy tune.

No one really moved, just some swaying and mumbling. But Ocean was persistent.

She locked her arm with Connie and they did an awkward do-si-do, which made them both laugh, and made Mischa twirl with more laughter.

Mischa then wrapped his arms around Noel and spun him around, guiding him into their own dance.

And Penny stood up as she sang, weaving her way through the others as they laughed and danced.

“Move it, fuckers,” Ricky yelled, and they all cackled with laughter.

Ocean was twirling happily and found Penny’s arm, dancing around with her.

The energy and happiness and craziness almost made up for the kiss she planted on Penny’s lips.