Hatefuck

by SparkedFires, SparkedFires Spicy (SparkedFires)

Summary:

Pebbles and Sig have been roommates for almost an entire year now. And they have not been friendly. Near constant fights and arguing, bickering, they avoid each other at best. But after an incident where the two got a little carried away, they came up with a plan to be a bit more civil, and have a little stress relief as well. It seemed so simple.

But nothing is ever that simple.

(Inspired by a song of the same name!)

Chapter 1: There Will Be No Tenderness

Chapter by SparkedFires Spicy (SparkedFires)

“SIG!”

Sig jolted, a snort escaping him. Goddamnit… he was so close to getting a nap in. He sighed heavily, sitting up and looking over the back of the couch towards the kitchen where his bitchy little pink roommate stood, glaring at him. He took a second to take in the sight of the other Iterator. A jacket over a padded top, allowing for the appearance of breasts. Femme today. He cocked an eyebrow at her. “What…?”

“Various nut butters go in the cabinet, not in the fridge. How many times do we have to discuss this? They get too hard to spread!”

“Ugh… you talk about this like it's a grand offence….”

“It is! When I've told you a hundred times to do something, it becomes a grand offence!” Pebbles scowled, her metallic tail flicking across the floor in fury. She huffed, closing the fridge door with a bit more force than necessary and putting up the peanut butter ‘where it belongs’, “And have you been eating my cashew butter?

“I mean… yeah, I had like two spoonfuls, I can just buy you another jar come payday.”

“That is not the point, it is my food, at least ask first.”

Sig scoffed and shook his head, “You were at work, what was I supposed to do, text you for permission to eat your nuts?”

“Wait! You're supposed to wait!” Pebbles almost snarled, rubbing her temples, “Do you have absolutely no self control?”

“I had a craving! Give me a break, I already said I'd get you another jar!”

“That's not the point! I said that already!”

“Fuck, just say you want to fight if that's what you want, gods.” Sig flopped back down onto the couch with a long groan, “You're fucking exhausting…. And you're no peach either, I noticed you used my razor again. I don't care what you used it on, I don't want to know, just clean it next time.”

“I…! I did!”

“There were little hairs still between the blades.”

Though he couldn't see it, he did hear Pebbles storm out, heading to her room and slamming the door shut. Sig smirked. He'd taken a gamble on that one. There were no hairs in his razor, he was just taking a shot in the dark and hoping it would get Pebbles off his back for the time being, and it worked.

Fuck, he really wasn't sure why he decided it was a good idea to move in with the brat. Possibly a combo of pity and desperation? Moon saying it should be fine had made him think it would be. The rent was pretty low, but neither of them could have afforded it on their own. Not with Sig's pay and Pebbles student loans. And though Sig hadn't exactly minded the three other roommates he'd had before, he had been sick of not having a room, and figured this would be an upgrade.

The apartment was! The company… absolutely not. They just… can't be cordial. Something was always ticking one of them off about the other. Pebbles' persnickety nature, Sig's flippant attitude, both of their sarcastic tendencies. It was a good recipe for bad days. Hell, Sig was almost looking forward to the lease renewal… sure, he loved the apartment, it was perfect! But… fuck he wanted to get a new roommate. Or get out. One or the other, whichever he needed to do.

He settled back on the couch, letting his eyes slip closed as he tried to drift back off, hopefully fully to sleep this time. Of course it wasn't easy, what with Pebbles moving around. A door opening and closing, one soon after doing the same. Short pause, then the sound of water running. Getting ready for work probably. Mm… likely why Pebbles was so very grumpy. Not Sig's problem.

The sound of water running was honestly pretty soothing, and helped him relax and start to fall asleep. Of course, it turned off at the worst moment. The timing almost made him laugh. A long moment of silence, then a more relaxed sound of two doors opening and closing one after the other. Pause. Door noises. Soft steps through the living room.

… A pause.

“... Do you have to nap in the living room?”

Sig sighed. “Apparently I can't. You've sleep blue-balled me three times now.”

She scoffed, “This wouldn't happen if you just went to your room.”

“After my job, it's too many steps.”

“You make no sense.”

“And you're gonna be late.”

Pebbles grumbled, “... Make sure not to forget to thaw out the meat for the stir fry.”

And then, she left without another word. Thank the gods… maybe now Sig could actually nap.

---

Pebbles slammed the door as she came home. She didn't hang up her bag or her jacket, just pulling them off and throwing them to the floor. Sig watched from the kitchen table as the pink Iterator stomped in. She threw open the fridge and grabbed out a wine cooler, slamming the fridge door shut.

He couldn't help but roll his eyes. Clearly, she had a shit day at work, but all of that looked like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. “Can you be any louder?”

Pebbles opened the wine cooler and scowled at Sig, “Yes! I can! I could be far louder! Hell, I am being quiet right now!”

“Wonderful….” Sig groaned and got up, pushing past her to get to the fridge. He grabbed a beer from it, some sort of peanut butter stout he'd seen on a video, cracked it open and took a sip. Honestly… pretty good. He'd have enjoyed it a lot more if it weren't for the tension he was dealing with. “So not just a fight morning, but a full ass fight day. Got it. Gods, you are such a fucking brat….”

“It wouldn't be a fight if you would just keep your mouth shut!” Pebbles narrowed her eyes, almost snarling, “You've always got to say something!”

“Yeah, because I'm not just going to let you bully me around!” Sig took a much larger drink this time, sighing afterwards, “I don't sit and take shit, I fight back! I've always been a fighter, and I always will be. And you've always been an ass. Someone needs to put you in your place.”

“You aren't going to get anywhere with that! This is my home, and I won't be threatened in my own home!”

He sneered at her, “Bitch, this is my place too, we're both on the lease! And no, it wasn't a threat, I'm not a fucking prick! It was a statement. Someone needs to put you in your fucking place and teach you that you aren't the goddamned monarch of the planet!”

The two had pretty much always avoided direct contact with each other, strictly trying to prevent touch at all times. So Sig wasn't sure why today he decided to shoulder check Pebbles as he tried to leave the kitchen. He heard a little indignant gasp.

Pebbles stumbled a bit, shocked and furious. Her eyes widened, her brow furrowed, and without thinking… she reached up and yanked on his ponytail, harder than necessary.

"How DARE you…!" She hissed, her grip on his hair unrelenting.

Sig made a noise, equal parts surprise and pain. He didn't think either. He just whipped around, his larger hand grabbing around Pebbles' thin little wrist to tug her hand away. Then, before he knew it, he had her wrists above her head, her back pinned to a wall.

“Don't fuckin’ grab my hair and jerk me around!”

Pebbles' eyes went wide, staring up at him with an unreadable expression. Surprise, probably? A hint of lingering frustration? Fear? Sig was panting from his anger and… what was this feeling? This was… new. Maybe it was the adrenaline. Maybe it was the position they were in. Maybe it was all the frustrations that had built up over so long telling him that this was his opportunity to get a major win over Pebbles. Whatever it was, it was stupid. Stupid, and feral. Fight, flight, freeze… and he felt frozen. He should pull away… right? He should. There was no reason for him to be pressing Pebbles against the wall, even with the hair pulling. So why couldn't he pull away…?

Pebbles took a long moment to speak, and when she spoke… her voice was far, far quieter than before, “... Sig…? Let… let go…?”

He should. He should let go. But all he did was loosen his grip. “... Push me away.”

There was another moment of contemplation. But then, Pebbles pulled her hands out of Sig's grip. He really thought his little roommate would actually shove him, and he was ready to accept that… instead, Pebbles grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in.

The two smashed their lips together, tongues immediately wrestling with each other. A rough, hungry kiss, just desperation and desire. This is the last thing Sig could have expected, but he wasn't fighting against it. He pressed his body up against Pebbles', his hands trailing down to the little Iterator's ass. He'd never noticed… but actually, she's got a really good one. Thick, and just plush enough for Sig to squeeze. He almost groaned, and she certainly shivered with a soft whimper. He pressed his hips against hers, grinding against her slowly at first. Gods, what are they doing? Sig couldn't stop… and wasn't really sure he wanted to. It just felt so good…

One of Pebbles' arms wrapped around his waist, the other grabbing at his shoulder, anything to pull him closer. There was no tenderness to it, sharp fingertips digging into his clothes like claws. Sig shifted, peeling her off the wall so they could collapse into a pile of tangled limbs on the cool tile floor, using the weight of his body to keep her firmly pinned down. She wriggled a little under him, pulling back so she could tug at his hoodie, and he let her take it off. She stared at his body as if she could see through his thin undershirt. Her hands ran over his broad chest, and he saw her gulp. He couldn't help but smirk.

“What? Scared?” He pressed his face into Pebbles' neck, starting to kiss and nibble at the soft articulation.

“Ah… n-not hardly.” He revelled in the way her voice shook. “Don't you dare leave marks you b-big brute.”

“Man, even now you're bitching.” Sig snickered, grabbing Pebbles' top to tug it off. And she let him do it. “You really think a brute would do what you want?”

But he did. Sig softened his bites and kisses, wanting nothing more than to sink his teeth into her neck, but he restrained himself. Though it felt like a Herculan task, somehow he managed it. He unbuttoned her pants, pulling them down and glancing lower.

“Oh, hello.” Sig's smirk widened at the sight of the cute little lacy thong, and it grew even more at the furious blush blooming across Pebbles' face, “What, were you expecting something like this?”

She narrowed her eyes, “Can you just shut up for two seconds and get on with it!?”

In response, he practically purred, “Patience is a virtue.”

“And I don't feel like being virtuous, now hurry up!”

Sig chuckled. He reached down, pressing his hand against the front of those lacy panties, palming her dick through the silk. Pebbles' breath hitched, her nails digging into his shoulders. Her eyes slipped closed, and her mouth shut tight, trying in vain to hold back her noises. Her hips jerked up, pressing against his hand more.

“Needy little thing, aren't you?”

“F-Fuck you… ngh!”

“Feisty.” Sig glanced at his hand, considering his options for a second. His claws, though blunt, were way too risky. So, instead, he brought his tail up, holding it against Pebbles' face. “Lick.”

“Wh-What!?” Pebbles recoiled, glancing from his tail up to his face and back again, “... Why should I?”

“Do you want me to fuck you dry with no prep?” Sig tapped one of his claws against her chin, “Or would you rather I use my claws and scratch you?”

“... Goddamn you.” Pebbles' little hands grabbed his tail, holding it steady. Her eyes flick up to look at him, and he just nods in response. She scowls, “You are such a bastard.”

She licked at his tail, taking the tip into her mouth and sucking at it. Sig's mind started to wander. How couldn't it? How could he not imagine what it would feel like if that was his cock instead of his tail? He licked his lips, his erection twitching in his pants, almost startling him. He hadn't even realized he'd gotten so hard…

“... Ya look like ya know what yer doin’ there.” His voice was a bit thick, an accent starting to slip into it. He… hoped she wouldn't notice.

Pebbles' antennae twitched, and she looked up at him through her lashes, her expression somewhere between irritation and lust. She bobbed her head more, taking as much of his tail into her mouth as possible as an answer, her cheeks sucking in to provide as much stimulation as possible. Sig growled a little, eyes widening as the feeling. Hell, his tail isn't even all that sensitive, but that made his breath hitch, and made the panels of his tail twitch slightly.

“F-Fuck, okay.”

Pebbles pulled off his tail, panting slightly, a little smirk on her face, “What? You can dish out teasing, but you can't take it?” She looked at his tail, cocking an eyebrow, “... Really? That's all it took to loosen up your plates?”

“Oh shaddup.”

He yanked his tail out of her hands, dragging it down her body. He slipped it into her underwear, smirking as she abruptly quieted. Her breathing started to pick up, her chest rising and falling with a bit of quickness. He watched her face as he rubbed his tail between her ass cheeks, smirking as she turned her head away, but kept her eyes on him. He paused, wiggling the tip against her entrance, before pressing in. Sure, the two got along like feral cats and dogs, but he didn't really want to hurt her… much… so he went slow. Her head fell back, her hands dug into his shoulders, and a little whimper escaped her despite her best efforts to keep quiet.

“C'mon.” Sig grinned, pressing in deeper, steadily moving it in and out, “I know ya can be louder’n that. How ‘bout ya scream for me?”

“M-Make me, asshole.”

Sig smirked. He started to move his tail faster, probing experimentally. Her breath hitched, and her fingers dug into his shoulders, but she was determined. Until he pressed his tail in just the right way. A gasp slipped out, and he knew he'd won. He focused on that little spot, rubbing it with malicious intent. She started to squirm, biting her bottom lip, her legs quivering around him.

“Stubborn ass.”

“F-Fuck… ah…! Fuck you…!”

The way she struggled for words, barely managed to speak without moaning. It was fucking fantastic. He glanced at his tail, barely able to hold onto the last shred of patience he had. He undid his shorts, eyes narrowed. He couldn't wait much longer. He groaned as he managed to free his cock, anticipation all but making him shudder. He stroked himself a few times to make sure his body’s natural lubricant was well spread before pulling his tail out.

Pebbles whined, her voice somewhere between irritation and desperation. But then she glanced down. “... Oh fuck, okay. You… you're clean, yes?”

“Yea. You?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He yanked down her underwear, smiling at the sight, “Lets do it.”

She paused for a moment, then wrapped her legs around his waist. “You still haven't made me scream.”

“Trust me.” He pressed himself against her, barely able to control himself. “I will.”

He pressed inside, slow and careful. Pebbles' gasped slightly, but when he tried to slow even more to give her time to adjust, she simply tightened her legs to make him continue.

“D-Don't you dare go easy on me, I am not fragile!”

Sig chuckled, bucking his hips to plunge in completely, “Ngh…! Y-Ya sure about that?”

“Oh fuck…!” Pebbles' legs tightened more. “... Yeah… oh yeah. L-Lets see if you're all bark or not.”

He certainly wasn't. Sig grabbed Pebbles by her hips, holding her tight as he set up a steady rhythm. Just rough enough to start driving her crazy. He watched as her eyes rolled back, a little noise escaping her. More… he needed more. He shifted, altering his angle. Like this, he could thrust deeper, rub against Pebbles' prostate, make her gasp. Music to his ears. His grasp was almost bruising as he sped up. He was starting to lose control. Gods, he couldn't believe she felt so good.

She clung to him, panting and moaning right into his audio processor. Her fingers dug into his skin, leaving scratches and bruises across his shoulders and back. She planted messy, desperate kisses wherever she could reach. Her tail twitched and wrapped around his. He could feel her dick rubbing against his stomach, spreading precum across his skin. Perfect… all so perfect, why is it perfect? Sig… pushed it to the side. He'd worry about that later.

He felt far too much to focus on that now.

“I-I….” He grunted, eyes closing as he felt pleasure coiling, like a snake ready to strike, “Fuckin'... close. In or out…?”

“Ah! Mm… o-out, fuck….”

Finally, something that was not perfect. It was almost a relief. Sig growled with a little nod, letting his pace go rough and ruthless. He wanted them to be as close as possible before he had to pull out. Pebbles' noises raised an octave, her body trembling against his. Just before climax, he pulled out, relishing in her frustrated whine. He pressed himself against her, taking both cocks in his hand and stroking.

His orgasm hit him like a freight train, and he groaned, his eyes rolling back. Pleasure racing up and down his spine, filling his mind, almost making him black out. He shuddered, spilling over Pebbles' stomach. She cried out as well. He could feel her twitching in his grip just like he was, their release mixing together and pooling on her body.

As he finally started to relax again, he panted, sagging slightly. He hadn't had sex in ages… he had no idea how much he had needed that. He chuckled softly to himself, shifting to lay down next to Pebbles instead of on top of her.

“Fuck, that… that was… mmm….” He pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her.

“... Y-You… yeah… that was d-definitely something….” Pebbles didn't fight his touch, just letting him pull her against his chest.

He didn't respond outside of a light hum. Sig had always been a cuddler. He couldn't help it. His fingers traced little symbols into her shoulder, his free hand combing gently through her wires. And Pebbles allowed it. Even seemed to enjoy it, as she pressed her face into his chest, a small purr rumbling in the back of her throat. For a while, they just laid there, soaking in the after glow.

… But it didn't last forever. Eventually, Pebbles' purr abruptly cut. “... Ah… I should… I should get clean.”

“Huh…?” Sig cocked his head. Then clarity hit. He'd just fucked his roommate. Who he'd never really liked. Right on the kitchen floor. “ Oh, fuck, yea, uh…. You uhm… you can shower first.”

He let go, pushing himself up and looking down at the mess they'd made. Pebbles did the same, her face flushing, her expression both embarrassed and horrified. She scrambled to her feet, gathering up her clothes with a half chewed thanks, scrambling towards the bathroom. Sig watched her until the bathroom door slammed shut, and he couldn't help but sigh, running his fingers through his wires. What the fuck had they done…?

He got up, gathering up his clothes as well. They were mostly clean, though there was a bit of a splatter on his shorts. He figured he'd just… change. Using one of the kitchen towels, wetted in the sink, he cleaned himself up a bit, getting all the fluids off of him. Then, he headed to his room and got dressed. He could just stay in his room for the rest of the night. And he did consider that option for a long moment. Ultimately, he decided to just face it.

He wasn't a slob, but he'd also never exactly been a neat freak. Now however, he was filled with a sort of nervous energy. So he started to clean. He picked up Pebbles' jacket and bag from where she'd tossed them, hanging them up where they belonged. The mess in the kitchen took a hot moment to mop up. Pebbles' half drank wine cooler and his empty beer can were thrown out. The singular plate and cup in the sink were washed, dried, and put away. He paused for a moment… and started grabbing out ingredients.

He knew she'd planned to make stir fry, but… he had a better idea.

By the time Pebbles got out of the bathroom, cleaned, dried and dressed in something far more androgynous than before, Sig was half done prepping fajitas.

He glanced up, nodding, “Hm. Pronoun check?”’

“Ah, still she. I just… threw on whatever I saw first.” She glanced at what he was making, eyes widening a bit, “Not stir fry?”

“Well… the onions an’ bell peppers were prolly gonna go bad soon so.”

Pebbles crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow, “Those can go in stir fry as well.”

He shrugged, “Cravin’s.” Probably best if he didn't admit he kind of wanted to do it because he knew her preference.

“... Works for me, I guess. I was not looking forward to cooking anyway.” She sat down, watching him like he was a specimen under a microscope. “... I see you cleaned.”

“Least I could do, yea?”

“... I suppose…. That… accent of yours….”

Sig stiffened a little, clearing his throat. He… hadn't even noticed he was still letting that slip. It was kind of difficult to reel it back in. “Don't… worry about it. I mean. You knew I was from the South.”

“I guess I should have suspected you had an accent. Why do you hide it?”

“Heh… long story.”

He didn't offer more information. And she, shockingly, didn't ask for more. “... I see. Sig? We… need to talk about what happened.”

“... Yeah. I know.” Sig sighed, keeping his focus more on cooking, “... Sorry about shoulder checking you.”

“And I apologize for pulling your hair. But you know that isn't what I meant.”

“Yeah, I do. But… you know. Wanted to apologize anyway. Felt wrong to not.”

“... I appreciate it.”

It felt so weird to just be… civil. No sarcasm, no biting comments. Just conversation. Sig glanced over at Pebbles, catching her watching him. “... I'm not going to apologize for the sex though.”

“Hmhm… I don't want you to. That…” she paused for a long moment, carefully considering her words, “was enjoyable. And that's something I wanted to talk about.”

He paused with a hum, giving her more of his focus now, “... Oh?”

“... I don't think I want this to be a one time thing.” Her expression hardened quickly, “Don't get me wrong. I still think you're generally an insufferable brute. So I don't want to date you.”

Sig huffed a bit. So much for no biting comments, “Alright… so, what, you just want to fuck occasionally?”

She huffed and crossed her arms on the table, “Do you have to be so vulgar…? But… essentially, yes. That was… far better than just arguing and fighting without any resolution. It was… relieving….”

“... Hm.” He checked the onions and peppers and nodded, turning the heat down and adding them to the meat, “... Fine. But we'll need rules about this.”

“Fair. My main one is do not bite or leave marks where it will be visible. I don't want people getting ideas.”

Sig shrugged and nodded, “Can't blame you for that. I can refrain. I do get rough though, but I'll just. Keep it to where it can be hidden. My main thing is just… I don't like being on the receiving end. I've tried it once, was… really not into it.”

“I'm a bottom so… that suits me just fine. I am… not into dirty talk. Degradation, specifically.” She all but sneered, “I hate being called someone's bitch or a slut or whatever else.”

“Got it. I run on the traffic light system.”

“... The what?”

“Safe words. If I ask for a color, green means ‘I'm good, keep going’, yellow means ‘slow down, I need a second’, and red means ‘I need to stop, now’.”

“Hm…I can do that. Not a bad system, frankly.” Pebbles hums, pausing for a second, “... What are your kinks?”

“Well… I'm a bit of a sadist, I guess? I like to bite and leave bruises at least. Fucking love oral. Giving and receiving. I'm a brat tamer. Literally perfect considering how you are.” Sig thought, biting lightly on his cheek, “... Oh, uh… I've got a breeding kink?”

Pebbles blushed a bit, but managed to keep her composure somehow. “... Interesting. I hate how well we match up. I'm a bit of a masochist. I'm not the biggest fan of oral, but maybe I've just never had someone who's good at it. As for the breeding kink… I'll keep that in mind…. Whose bedroom would we use?”

“... Good question. I guess we can decide whenever we initiate? Unless we want to bang on the couch.”

She scrunched up her face, “Doesn't sound particularly appealing…. Fine. When initiated, we decide…. So. How would we initiate this?”

“Well… just ask, I guess?”

Pebbles rolled her eyes, “I more meant how should we warn each other we are coming back, angry or stressed and needing relief? Because I don't want to just bluntly text you that. If someone catches sight of my phone I would… I would die of humiliation.”

“Ah.” Sig started plating the fajitas, giving them both generous helpings, with rice and beans as a side dish. “... We could do emojis?”

“Emojis.”

“Yeah!” He brought the plates over, setting one in front of her, and one in front of his own seat. “Like. If we send an angry emoji, it means we're coming home pissed. Send a thumbs up in reply to show you got it and you're down for stress relief. And like… the stop sign or a thumbs down to show you don't want to have sex. We wouldn't even have to lie. We can just say the truth, it's a system so we know when the other is angry, so we can avoid arguing. Plus it's quicker than typing out a message since it's hard to focus when you're mad, y'know?”

“Not… a bad idea. How would we explain the thumbs downs?”

Sig headed to the fridge, getting himself a bottle of sweet tea, “Uh… we can say thumbs down means the other is in a bad mood too. Which… I mean, that's probably the only reason I wouldn't be down to fuck, if I'm sad or sick. Want a tea?”

“Lemonade.”

Sig nodded and handed her one. This was probably the most mature discussion they've ever had. Funny, in a way. He started to eat, humming a bit.

“... Sounds like we have our system in place.” Pebbles looked just as disbelieving as Sig felt. “... So, we're officially roommates with benefits?”

“Sounds like it.”

The pair nodded at each other. They ate their meals together for once, in an oddly comfortable silence. There may be no tenderness between the two… but at least now they had understanding.

Chapter 2: Would You Bite Them?

Chapter by SparkedFires Spicy (SparkedFires)

“Pronoun check.”

Pebbles paused, his antennae twitching as he looked up from his sketchbook. He always was the first to wake up, mainly because he was the first to go to sleep as well. He usually was up by five, out of bed and taking a morning shower around five thirty, and making himself breakfast by six.

Sig never got up before ten. And he always looked like the walking dead. His thick wires hanging down, almost reaching the small of his back when not in a loose ponytail, his eyes half closed at the best of times, wearing baggy pajamas pants with a sleeveless shirt. And his first words were always some variation of “pronoun check”, always in that gruff almost-growl, sleep making his voice drop to a baritone.

Pebbles had never really given it much attention before… it was just expected at this point. It wasn't even necessary. Rarely did any gendered terms come up at all. But still, Sig asked. Pebbles had experienced roommates before who hadn't cared at all to even check, so it was one of the few things he had appreciated about the big green Iterator. He wasn't sure when his appreciation had turned to disinterest. He also wasn't sure why he was so interested in Sig's nature now… well. He did. But he didn't want to admit it.

“... He. I've been ping ponging a bit between he and they, I think, so you can use them interchangeably.”

Sig nodded without another word. He was a bit dazed and bleary-eyed, and it was somewhat amusing to see him stumble into the kitchen to make himself breakfast and coffee. Pebbles had just made himself something nice and light. Judging by the sound of rustling bags, Sig was planning on something a little heavier. And Pebbles couldn't help but comment.

“Are you making yourself another one of those protein coffees?”

“Mm.”

Then he heard the blender run. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He'd always waved off Sig's strange morning iced coffees as a bit unnecessary. But… he had to admit he found himself a little curious for the first time. He closed his sketchbook with a quiet snap, heading into the kitchen. Sig had just poured himself a mug of the coffee, pausing mid sip as Pebbles came in.

“.... What?” He was clearly a bit confused. Fairly so. Usually they tried to avoid each other. And after their… kitchen encounter a few days prior, they had been avoiding each other even more. It was embarrassment, in Pebbles' case. He couldn't help but think back to feeling Sig's body against his own when they were near each other. How very damn warm he'd felt. How comfortable it had been in his arms.

Pebbles cleared his throat and glanced around for an excuse. He was quiet for a second, wondering the same thing as Sig was. What was he doing? Why was he seeking out an interaction after all their mutual avoidance? He hummed slightly, looking at the blender.

“... Is that actually any good? Anything protein branded usually has a… taste to it in my opinion.”

Sig glanced at the blender as well. “... Well. I like it.”

“... What all is in it?”

“A high protein chocolate shake that I froze into ice cubes, a shot of espresso and some regular coffee. Then just. Blitz until it's like a smoothie thing. Guess it's more like a milkshake than anything, actually.” He waved his hand at the blender, “You can try some. See if you like it. Hell, you could probably use the protein.”

Pebbles scoffed at the notion. “What, so I can bulk up like you? I like my build.”

Sig took a sip of his coffee and shook his head, “Mm, nah. I'm a big guy ‘cause I like food and I eat a lot of sweets and junk. And my muscles mostly just come from my job. Besides protein isn't exactly what makes you get bulky, just kinda helps you get and keep it.”

“So why do you care so much about getting a lot of it?”

“Keeps me full, plus I didn't get enough when I was a kid and it led to some wild problems.” He leaned against the counter, glancing across the kitchen, possibly considering some fruit to eat seeing as he glanced at the bowl of apples on the counter, “Mainly I was just hungry all the time. But I also had swelling, scrapes and cuts healed slower than they should. Shit like that mostly.”

Pebbles couldn't help but look Sig up and down, analyzing him a bit. Was that the reason for all the scratches on his plating? The little scars on his hands and knees? He was from a southern region, had he been an outdoorsy kid? Running around in the woods, getting covered in scrapes and bumps?... Why was he wondering these things? So, to keep his mind from wandering anymore, he shrugged and continued the conversation.

“... I suppose no harm in trying it.” He grabbed a spoon, choosing to ignore Sig's chuckle. He didn't want to get an entire mug if he didn't enjoy it, after all. It… was surprisingly nice, actually. It tasted mostly just like Sig said. A sort of… coffee and chocolate milkshake. With some whipped cream, he'd actually… kind of love it. In fact… he turned and grabbed the can of whipped cream, making himself a mug of the coffee and topped it. Another bite, and he hummed. “... Mm. Okay. I'll admit. This isn't a bad idea.”

“See? I'm not always wrong.” Sig chuckled. He grabbed out some eggs and other ingredients, “Gonna make myself an omelette.”

Pebbles hummed slightly. He'd had some toast with avocado, and it was good and all but…. “Would you… mind making me one?”

“Yeah?... Sure. I can do that.”

“I appreciate it.”

The two didn't speak much more as Sig started to cook. Pebbles watched with fascination. He seemed like such a natural in the kitchen. He'd always known the brute was a good cook, but he'd never bothered to actually watch before. It was like watching a professional on TV. The silence was… oddly comfortable. Just the sound of vegetables and ham being chopped and added to eggs, the sizzling of food in a skillet, and the occasional clinking of Pebbles' spoon against the mug. It all felt so… new.

“... This is weird, isn't it? The peace.”

He blinked as Sig's voice broke the silence. He wished he could argue. But he couldn't. “... A bit.”

“A bit sad, all things considered.”

“I… hate that you aren't wrong.”

Sig chuckled a little and put a finished omelette onto a plate, scooting the plate Pebbles’ way, “Well… weird isn't bad. Especially when normal kind of sucked.”

“Hmm….” he took a bite of the omelette, the flavor comforting and homey, with a hint of a spicy kick. Delicious. “This is really good. And… I suppose you may have a point. Though I prefer having a routine.”

“I've noticed.” Sig plated his own omelette and leaned against the counter once more, “That's one of the times you get the most pissed off. When that gets interrupted.”

“So have you catalogued things that get on my nerves?”

“Yep.”

That was a bit surprising to Pebbles. If that was the case, Sig hadn't put much effort into it, and certainly hadn't done much to avoid annoyances. “I find that hard to believe.”

Sig rubbed the back of his head, “Well… I'll admit. Sometimes I do things anyway just to fuck with you.”

Pebbles scrunched up his face at that answer, “What? Why?”

“I dunno. Kinda just… I dunno!” He finished off his omelette, putting his plate in the sink, “... Spite, maybe? I usually do it when I'm already mad at you.”

“Hmph. That's stupid.” Pebbles did the same, before taking another drink of that coffee milkshake thing. “That's just escalation. It's bound to go bad.”

“... Eh. You aren't wrong, I guess? I just… ugh, I hate walking away from an argument, I just… feel like I'm losing.” Sig crosses his arms, “And before you say anything, I know that ain't healthy.”

Pebbles paused for a minute, finding himself unable to meet Sig's eyes, “I wasn't going to say that. I am… the same way, actually. We… probably need to work on that. Or not. If our stress relief works, it probably won't matter.”

Sig chuckled at that, shaking his head, “... Kinda weird we haven't had to do that yet.”

“We haven't been angry.”

“... It's been nice.”

“... It has.”

The two were quiet for a bit before Pebbles' phone buzzed. It was a text from Moon, and he cocked an eyebrow.

‘Hey, Pebbles, I have an extra ticket for ‘The Corruption’, could you please come with me? You know I can't handle horror movies alone.’

He was immediately interested. Pebbles had always been a horror buff, good or bad. In fact, occasionally he even preferred bad ones. He was a bit suspicious about Moon having an ‘extra’ ticket. Likely she had just wanted to spend time with him, and thought he was more likely to agree with that wordage. He couldn't help but smile.

‘What time?’

‘Thank you, the showing is 1:30, Grand Plaza Theater. Want to meet by the slushie stand?’

‘That works for me.’

He put up his phone and quickly finished his coffee. He could feel Sig's eyes on him, but his roommate didn't ask whatever questions were going through his head, just letting Pebbles head to his room to get dressed. He didn't put too much effort into his appearance. An orange, long sleeve shirt that exposed his shoulders over a dark grey, sleeveless turtleneck with matching grey pants. He put on his necklace, tapping the mushroom charm out of habit… for good luck. Finally, he put up his wires into a high ponytail and put on some loafers because he'd be damned if he was walking around outside barefoot. He had no idea how Sig did it. Sure, they all have metal feet, but still!

As he walked out, he caught sight of Sig laying on the couch, flipping through channels, having not changed at all.

“You certainly like the couch.”

Sig hummed, looking up, “Oh, yeah. I do. It's comfy. And it's closer than my bed.”

“Hm. You said that before too… lazy?”

Sig just shrugged, “Occasionally. I like to believe I deserve it.”

“I see.” Pebbles grabbed his bag, looking in it to make sure his wallet and everything are in it. “... I'm heading out to a movie with Moon. I'll be back later.”

Sig paused and glanced at him again. And Pebbles couldn't blame him. Why did he say anything anyway? It wasn't Sig's business. He hadn't asked. Pebbles vaguely heard Sig wish him a good time as he hurriedly escaped the apartment. He just felt… off today, at least around Sig. He just shook his head and sighed, heading on his way.

Moon was waiting for him at the slushie stand. It didn't have a name that Pebbles knew of. To him and her, it had always just been the slushie stand. It was only open in the summer, but it was always there, a reliable meeting spot for the both of them. Somehow, it felt like it was always the perfect middle ground. It was… kind of funny, how many times they had been here, how many conversations had happened in front of the cheap, painted, plywood stand. What a ridiculous thing to be so important.

“Hey Pebbles!” Moon waved with a smile. “Excited about the movie?”

He stopped for a second to look over her outfit. She loved dressing “like a witch”. Always long dresses or skirts with ragged ends, always some star or occult patterns. He had to admit it looked good on her. She knew her style. Today though, his eyes were drawn to her top. A crop top with bands to hold it up, making a star across her neck and upper chest.

“... You've got to tell me where you got that top.”

She chuckled, “I will, as long as you tell me where you got that skirt you showed me last week.”

“Deal. I'll send you the link to the website. It's got quite a lot I think you'll enjoy.”

“Perfect!” She started to lead the way, Pebbles falling into step beside her. “I've said it before, I'll say it again. The fact you're genderfluid is a godsend. I still don't know how you managed to stumble across the literal comfiest bras ever.”

He smirked a bit at that, “Beginner's luck, perhaps?”

She giggled, “Perhaps! And I still need to thank you. Though… you still never gave me back my black sweater.”

“Hmph! You said it's too tight in the chest for you!”

“Oh it is. I just like to pick on you sometimes.”

Pebbles rolled his eyes, lightly pushing her shoulder, “You rat. Next time we go out, together, I'm wearing the sweater out of spite.”

“Oh no, I'm shaking in my boots.”

“You're wearing sandals.”

“I could be wearing boots!”

He just chuckled. Their conversations usually devolved into some sort of mindless banter as they walked. It was nice, not having to think and just spitting out whatever happened to come to mind, no matter how nonsensical. They hadn't always had the best relationship, hell Pebbles all but shuddered to remember his teen years. Moon was quite a bit older than him, and so had often acted more like a second mother than a sister, which wasn't what he'd wanted or needed. And she was the preferred sibling, which hadn't helped with his bitterness. But they'd both grown closer, slowly. She had begun treating him like a sibling near the end of high school, and he had done so in return. It was nice.

“Oh, how are your studies going?” Of course, sometimes she still sounded a bit like a parent. Old habits and all.

Pebbles picked at a loose string on his clothing. “Mm… it could be better. I have still yet to actually land a lab internship….” Some bitterness crept into his voice at that. He would have had an internship over a year ago if not for… he huffed, “Whatever. It's nothing….”

“... I'm sure you'll get one. Is mycology that competitive of a field…?”

“No. And that is exactly the problem. It is not in high demand. And yet fungi have so many ways to be utilized! Agriculture, medicine, pest control, cleaning up radiation and industrial disasters even! And of course, culinary applications. It… ugh… I'm ranting.”

“Mm. A little.” She giggled, smiling at him. “But I don't mind it. I like hearing you be so passionate about something!”

He appreciated her encouragment… but he knew she wasn't too very interested. This wasn't the first time he had ranted to her about his preferred field. She'd tried to remain engaged the first time, but each subsequent rant had lead her to having less and less questions, just nodding politely to his words. He hated it… but he couldn't blame her. She had little to no interest in fungi.

“How has your living situation been?”

Pebbles blinked as she changed the subject. The last time he had updated her in that, it was after a fairly intense fight. “Ah, well, actually, that has been improving. Sig and I are attempting to have a bit of a system to avoid angering each other. Hopefully, it works.”

“Gods, I hope so too, I'm so sorry you and Sig have been so at odds for so long.” Moon sighed, shaking her head, “I still feel a bit at fault….”

“There is no reason to be guilty, Moon. In the end we were the foolish ones who were so sure we could make it work… which. Maybe we can. Our system has been working so far. I have… been a lot less angry and more peaceful.”

“Certainly good to hear!” She looked up as they started approaching the theater, paying more attention to her surroundings now, “Maybe I can start hanging out with both my friend AND my brother!”

He chuckled at that, “I wouldn't get your hope up too much on that one.”

The movie was actually pretty decent, more psychological horror then jumpscares and nonsense, which Pebbles enjoyed. And seeing Moon desperately sink into her chair whenever things got tense was immensely amusing. Not perfect, some of the logic was ridiculous, and the protagonists made a few monstrously stupid mistakes, but he was glad to get to see it.

Afterwards, as they walked out of the room into the main part of the theater, Moon just shuddered, “Ugh… why did I watch this, that was so gross and freaky!”

“It was, yes.” Unlike Moon, Pebbles' had a good bit more facination to it. “Of course, Rot would never actually behave that way, but creative liberties are a thing, obviously.”

“Is it like… a fungus, or…?”

“No, it's a slime mold. I don't know too very much about it, though there is also a species of cordyceps that's generally called Rot due to sharing the same general black with blue X appearance… but they're not related in the slightest. Entirely different branches of the ancestral tree.”

“... Slime mold isn't a fungus?”

“It's actually a colony of single celled organism. They're remarkably intelligent as well, we have one as a ‘class pet’ in my biology class, and it regularly solves mazes to get to food.”

“Rambling again, Pebbles?”

He froze at the sound of the voice. Moon's eyes widened and she looked back over their shoulder. She glanced at him and nodded, confirming his suspicion. He could only grit his teeth and turn around, crossing his arms.

“... Suns.” He tried to keep his voice steady, but he was seething.

Suns shifted awkwardly, picking at their clothes a bit. They had always been nervous, they just got worse after their falling out. “Ah… I simply… I saw you and Moon and wanted to say hello…? And that you look fantastic…?”

“You have. Now we're leaving.”

“W-Wait, Pebbles please, I just want to talk.”

“There is nothing to talk about.” He really did try to keep the snarl from his voice and remain civilized, but every instinct he had was screaming to just go up and slap Suns, “I told you to stay away from me, I don't care if you want to apologize, nothing will make it better.”

“Pebbles, maybe-”

He cut Moon off. Her and Suns were friends, and he appreciated that she wanted to be a peacekeeper, but he was absolutely not in the mood. “I'm not staying so this can escalate. I'm going home. Thank you for the movie Moon.”

“Please just talk to me, I'm sorry…!”

Pebbles didn't even look over his shoulder as he speed-walked away, not wanting to look like he was running, but wanting to escape the conversation as fast as he could. He grabbed out his phone, and finally initiated their system for the first time, sending an angry emoji Sig's way.

And it wasn't long before he received a thumbs up in return.

Chapter 3: I Can Keep Secrets

Chapter by SparkedFires

Anger and anticipation are an odd mix. To be so completely frustrated, and yet look forward to something. Pebbles didn't know how to process this mixture. So he didn't bother trying. He pushed the front door open, closing it roughly behind himself. He didn't slam it… this time. But it wasn't gentle. Sig was standing in the hall, waiting for him. He could tell by the look on his roommate's face that Sig had been trying to figure out what could have possibly caused the need for this. And Pebbles didn't feel like giving him long to wonder.

He didn't beat around the bush. They both knew what they were here for, after all, “My room.”

“Got it.”

He was close behind his roommate, practically entering his room at the same time. He found himself faltering slightly now that he was so close to… doing this. But he didn't back down. He took off his necklace, putting it away carefully before just pulling off his clothes without care. He turned, seeing Sig do the same, though without as much frenzied energy as himself.

“So, how do you want to do this?”

Sig's voice was calm, almost infuriatingly so. Pebbles didn't think. He simply walked up to Sig and pushed him back, making him fall onto the bed with a startled noise, but he didn't resist. In fact, if anything, he seemed a bit pleased by how Pebbles was taking control. For a moment, he considered what Sig had told him, all the other's kinks. And he decided on what to do. Climbing on top of him, Pebbles sat on Sig's chest, reaching down and tangling his fingers in those thick wires. He opened his mouth to give a command, but it was unnecessary.

Sig just leaned in and started to pepper kisses and nibbles across the soft and sensitive skin of Pebbles’ thigh. The pink Iterator sighed, his expression softening just a bit, his dick immediately starting to twitch to attention. All that anticipation had certainly made him quick to respond. It was almost embarrassing… almost. He scootched forward, getting into a better position, and Sig smirked.

“Eager.”

“There are far better ways you could be using your mouth.” Pebbles almost growled, tugging slightly on Sig's wires. “Now shut up and make me stop thinking.”

Sig chuckled, a mischievous expression on his face that definitely said he was considering being a bastard about this. But he decided against it. He grabbed Pebbles' hips and adjusted him a bit. Pebbles gasped at the feeling of a tongue running slowly up his shaft, teasingly slow. His hips twitched forward, and Sig hummed. He couldn't really tell if it was amusement or what. And he didn't really care.

He adjusted again, leaning forward and making it easier for Sig to reach. Lips wrapped around his cock, a tongue lapping at the underside, no hesitation. He sighed, starting to feel the tension in his body ease up. He'd never had someone so confident and teasing before. He'd had nervous and tentative, he'd had over eager and far too intense. This was a great middle ground. His hands found their way to Sig's audio receptors, grabbing at them, needing to hold onto something. And Sig chuckled at his reaction, the vibration of the sound causing a full body shudder.

“F-Fuck… okay… so you are good at this… got it….” Pebbles gulped, trying to keep his composure, looking down at Sig. He had his eyes closed, a hint of a smirk on his face as he bobbed his head. Pebbles couldn't resist, and he began to gently roll his hips. And Sig seemed perfectly fine with that. A soft moan escaped the pink Iterator, his head falling back. “G-Gods….”

He felt Sig's hands on his hips, not holding him on place or stopping him, just touching him. Honestly, he was torn. Part of him wanted to cum like this, to make Sig taste him… and part of him wanted to go WAY further. The second part won. He looked to the side, shaky hands opening his bedside table to grab out supplies. Sig hummed a bit (an action that managed to draw another moan out of Pebbles despite his desperate attempts to remain quieter), and he pulled his head back.

“Bought condoms, huh?” He was a little out of breath, grinning, his hand still slowly stroking Pebbles' dick.

“Of c-course. I don't… like mess.”

That was… partially true. He doesn't like the idea of mess. But he had kind of loved getting all covered and sticky. He didn't pull away, letting Sig continue to touch and tease him as he poured lube on his fingers. He gasped as he pressed two fingers into himself, starting to stretch and prepare himself. The combined stimulation was almost too much, and it took all his focus to actually manage his task. His antennae twitched at the sound of a condom opening, his breath hitching as Sig slide the rubber down his cock. Another pack opening, and he could guess Sig was prepping himself too.

As soon as absolutely possible, Pebbles shimmied down Sig's body, grabbing his roommate's dick. Gods, just the feel of it in his hand made him shudder a bit. He lowered himself down, guiding the tip against his entrance, and he gasped as it slipped inside. So filling…. Pebbles grabbed Sig's hands, pinning them to the bed as he started rolling his hips.

“Fuck…” Sig groans, low and pleased, “Pretty good at taking control Pebs….~”

He chuckled at that, starting to pick up speed, “Ha… d-don't tell me you thought I would be a passive bottom. Don't you know me?”

“Not as well as I th-thought.”

Sig started to buck up against him, matching his rhythm. Pebbles' head lowered, all his focus on the feeling, on the absolute euphoria starting to build. He started to get rougher, faster and messier, letting himself press against Sig's chest. Like this, there was more stimulation, the movement of their bodies meeting rubbing his cock. His lips found his roommate's skin, pressing frantic, messy kisses wherever he could reach. Sig growled, a sound that rumbled deep in his chest that made Pebbles shudder all the more.

“F-Fuck I'm, ah…!” Pebbles gulped, his eyes closing tightly, “Mm!... G-Getting close…!”

“Ngh, I ain't….”

That thick, Southern accent was showing itself again… good. Sig pulled his hands from Pebbles', grabbing the pink Iterator's thighs. This time, he absolutely did start moving Pebbles, lifting and lowering him, bucking his hips up faster, harder, angled to reach deeper and rub at that sensitive spot he has. Pebbles cried out in pleasure, his hands gripping onto Sig's shoulders, fingers digging into his skin. Closer, closer…!

“Ah…! Ah!” he felt all the pleasure hit a breaking point, his body trembling and tensing. He held onto Sig's shoulders like he was a lifeline. Every desperate thrust made the pleasure peak higher and higher. He went limp against Sig's chest after a bit, panting in the afterglow. But it's not over yet. “K-Keep going… finish… you've earned it….~”

Sig chuckled breathlessly. He didn't need any convincing, continuing to pound into Pebbles. It was overwhelming, but… in a good way? His over sensitive body, locked in post nut bliss, still being used… his eyes rolled back, his body trembling and clenching sporadically. He didn't feel like he had the energy to orgasm again, but when Sig buried into him, and he felt every second of his roommate's orgasm, he trembled, moaning as he hit a lesser, but still intense high.

The two laid there, all tangled together, panting and relaxing as the tension and frantic energy faded away. Pebbles could barely believe it… their system actually works. The silence was calm, and… he was surprised at how comforting the steady rise and fall of Sig's chest was. How nice his roommate's hand rubbing his back felt… how the sound of his heartbeat made Pebbles want to close his eyes and take a nap.

“... So… what got’cha so upset?”

Pebbles frowned. Of course it couldn't be perfect…. “Explaining that is not part of the deal…”

“I know… just curious. Might be good for ya to talk about it?” Sig shrugged a little, his fingers gently running through Pebbles' wires, “Bottlin’ it up’ll just make it explode again later.”

“And we'll fuck again to relieve that.” He grumbled, hiding his face. He didn't want to think about it, he just wanted to enjoy the calm… but somehow, Sig not pushing it just made him more frustrated. “... Fucking... ran into Suns.”

“That's your ex, yeah? Heard ya yellin’ at ‘em through the door once. When we first moved in here.”

Pebbles smacked his lips, “... That's the one, yeah. They’d come over to beg me to reconsider.” he huffed, shaking his head, “They said beg at least, but they weren't begging in the slightest. They just kept making excuses for themself and ugh…. I wanted to hit them. Honestly I'm the moment, if I were a more violent person, I'd have wanted to tear their damn heart out! Instead I just yelled and slammed the door in their face… and they keep. Trying. To talk to me…! They saw me at the movie theater today and instead of going on their way, they had to come over and ruin a perfectly good outing!”

“Guy really can't take a hint, can they?”

“Ha! It's not a hint! It's an aluminum bat to the shins! And they still don't get it!” Pebbles groaned a bit, lightly thumping his forehead against Sig's chest to punctuate each sentence. “They just. Don't. Get it.”

Sig was quiet for a bit, just rubbing Pebbles shoulders. It… actually was remarkably soothing… like a weight being lifted. Damnit… don't say Sig was right about something. The big green bastard would be absolutely insufferable if that were the case. But then, he broke the silence, “Sorry ya gotta deal with that. Hopefully they'll figure it out and start leavin’ ya alone.”

The warmth that came with that statement… it was confusing… almost spooky, honestly. Pebbles was quiet for a while, before changing the subject, “... What part of the South are you from anyway? And… we've got time. Can you say that long story about why you hide that accent of yours?”

Sig paused. He took a breath and cleared his throat. To Pebbles, it felt like he was grabbing his own accent and strangling it to make it go away again… a shame really. “Ha… no. It's not a very interesting long story. The gist is, people take me more seriously when I hide my accent… and I'm from deep south. I grew up basically on the edge of a swamp out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. Two hour drive to make it to the nearest city.”

“... What, how is that even…?” Pebbles brows furrowed, and he glanced at Sig, “You really were raised somewhere that remote? I didn't even know places like that still existed.”

“Well… there was a town about twenty minutes away? Only like… a hundred people? Maybe one-fifty? Didn't really pay attention to the census…. What about you? Did you grow up here?”

“... No. Well. Yes, but on the city limits. A suburban area. I most certainly didn't go wadding around in swamps.”

“Ha! Neither did I! You have any idea the kind of shit that lives in swamps? Stank lizards are the least of your worries!”

A short pause, and then Pebbles glanced at Sig incredulously, “.... What lizards???” A small giggle escaped him at the sheer ridiculousness of that statement.

“Stank lizards! Pretty sure they're actually called basilisks?” Sig shrugged, chuckling a bit himself, “The moss and mushroom covered ones that get you high just by getting too close to them.”

“Oh, yes, basilisks. Fascinating species, honestly… I suppose stank is an accurate description, considering what I've heard of their smell.” Pebbles smiled a bit, relaxing, “You know, seeing one of them at a zoo is the reason I started being interested in mycology. I don't much care for lizards, but the fact those mushrooms grow on it and offer it protection and offense just… gripped me. I started researching mushrooms as soon as we got home.”

“Huh… you got a favorite?”

Pebbles perked up at that. A new victim for his ramblings? “... Well. It's actually a mushroom called the amethyst deceiver. It doesn't have any ground breaking properties unlike some other fungi, just that it is edible and often used in stir fry. But it's color! Purple is the rarest color in the natural world, and this mushroom, as it's name suggests, begins as a very lovely shade of purple. As it ages it loses that hue, but still. It's almost sureal, to be walking in the forest, seeing mostly greens and browns, and suddenly you stumble upon a latch of bright purple.”

“That sounds like the sort of shit that made medieval people believe in fay folk.” Sig hums a bit, “A random mushroom in the middle of the woods painted the color of royalty? Definitely sounds like a fairy pulling a prank.”

“I think you actually have a point there.”

“... Hold on, purple mushroom, that's the charm you have on your necklace huh?”

Why did that statement make him smile so much? It made very little sense… but here he was, smiling like an idiot, “Yes! Moon got me that when I received my acceptance letter. My first choice college, by the way. I was so thrilled. And I'm still very proud of myself.”

“You should be, that's impressive. Never tried to get into college myself. A number of reasons but one is I just don't like academia culture.”

“Hm?” Pebbles cocked his head at that, “I don't follow?”

“Like… oh I don't know, like being in college makes you a part of an elite club or something. It's not. It's school. Expensive and picky schools. But still schools. And a lot of people just… treat it like they're going because that's the thing to do to be normal, y'know?”

“I'm not sure I agree with that.”

“Eh… it's just opinions, you don't have to agree.”

“… True. I suppose continuing on the subject might just lead to an argument. And as fun as this was, I don't think I have the energy for another round.”

Sig laughed and nodded, “Fair, fair. I'm a bit out of practice myself. Speaking of, one sec.”

He lifted Pebbles hips up to pull out of him, making the pink Iterator gasp. That reminded Pebbles as well, and he took off his condom, tied it, and tossed it in the trash, with Sig following suit. The two fell back into a comfortable silence for a while, recovering and just… enjoying each other's company. It didn't last too long though. Pebbles began to feel uneasy, being this comfortable with Sig. They aren't partners… they've only barely become cordial. He shouldn't be cuddling like this.

So, he came up with an excuse. “Hm… I'm going to get something to eat and drink. A little dehydrated after all that.”

“That is a good fuckin' idea, actually.” Sig agreed a little too quickly. Maybe he was thinking the same things? “Want me to make something?”

Pebbles nodded, getting off of Sig and the bed on wobbly legs, looking around and starting to grab up his clothes, “Well obviously. You're the one whose actually capable of cooking without burning everything including the drinks.”

“Ha! Oh come on you're not that bad.” *Sig got up as well, stretching, “Mmm… you're just unrefined. I could teach you some things?”

“You could, but I wouldn't retain it. Frankly, I hate cooking. It just… doesn't mesh with me.”

“Eh, fair enough. I'll figure something out.”

“Do we still have that ground vulture?”

“... We might? Could make burgers.”

Something thick, hearty, and classic… sounded good to Pebbles, “I think that would hit the spot. I may not be able to cook, but I could cut up potatoes into fries?”

“Sounds like a plan then.”

The pair got dressed and headed for the kitchen, the tension from before feeling like it was miles away. And… it wasn't just because of the sex… Pebbles tried to ignore that fact as he washes and cut potatoes, but he… just couldn't. The sex helped, obviously, it was fantastic stress relief. But the talking had been the nails in the coffin. He glanced at Sig out of the corner of his eye, watching his roommate prepping burgers with a smile, and feeling himself smile too. What an odd feeling….

“... We should get an indoor grill.” Pebbles wasn't really sure what possessed him to say that.

“Hm?” Sig glanced at him, then nodded as he began to put the patties on a searing hot skillet, “Oh don't you worry, I'm saving up for one. I'd love to get an actual grill, but… y'know.”

“Apartment?”

“Apartment.”

“... Hm. I'm pretty sure we're allowed to use the roof?”

Sig shrugged at that, “I think so too, but where the hell would we store the grill when we aren't using it? Drag it all the way back down here and try to figure out some corner to put it in?”

“... Fair point.” Pebbles hummed a bit, patting the fries dry before passing the bowl of them Sig's way, “What do you plan on cooking on the grill first?”

“Fuck, uh…” He took them, then grabbed lettuce, onions and tomatoes from the fridge and prepping them to be toppings, “Steak probably. Ooh, or seafood kabobs… oh yeah, definitely kabobs. With shrimp. Fuckin’ love shrimp.”

Pebbles leaned against the counter, watching Sig cook, “Mm…. I don't like shrimp on their own, but they can be good in things, I suppose.”

“Oh shrimp can be added to most anything. How about crawfish?”

“Eck….”

Sig looked personally offended at that little noise, “What do you mean ‘eck’? Have you ever even tried one?”

“No,” Pebbles' face scrunched up, “they look like insects… and I do not have a large problem with insects, but I most certainly don't want to eat one.”

“They're shellfish. Like shrimp or lobsters. In fact, they're kinda somewhere in the middle, leaning more towards the latter. Because like… that's kinda what they are! Fresh water lobsters.” Sig sighed, shaking his head.

“You certainly are passionate about crawfish.”

“You have no idea. Crawfish boils? Ugh. Yes please. Fried catfish is damn good too. Oh! Gumbo! And pralines… fu-uck….”

“Let me guess, you also like frog legs?”

“Not if we're buying them.” Sig flipped the burgers, adding the fries to the air fryer after spraying them down with oil. “They taste a good bit like chicken, but cost way fuckin' more. Not worth it. Just buy chicken.”

“Again. Eck.”

“You would have died if we'd been swapped at birth.”

“... Honestly? Possibly.” He hummed a bit, his head cocked, “... If you miss all those things, why don't you just… make them? I'm sure you can buy catfish and all that.”

Sig went a little quieter, his tone softening slightly, “... It's not just about the food. It's about the family. You don't do a crawfish boil just for yourself. It's a community thing. We never bought catfish, my crazy ass uncle, his name was Harvest, he used to go out and noodle catfish from ponds and rivers and bring ‘em back. Catch, clean and fry ‘em up himself. Looked forward ta every visit…” He chuckled a bit, his expression far off… for a moment, Pebbles was almost worried he had gotten completely lost in his memories. Then he shook himself a bit, and his voice returned to normal once more, “As for pralines, they're terrifying. They smell fear, and you can't make them on a rainy day, I swear on the gods. I'm not gonna try them until I get a good candy thermometer and balls of titanium.”

Pebbles chuckled a bit. He wanted to ask more… to learn more about Sig's past. But it felt far too intrusive. They weren't close enough… so instead, he just shook his head, “How could they possibly be scary? Aren't they just pecan candy?”

Sig paused for a second, his expression confused. He took a moment to check and shake the fries, then grab slices of cheese out of the fridge to add to the patties to melt before responding, “One, no, no they absolutely are not just candy. They are alive and agents of chaos. Second… did you seriously… seriously just pronounce that ‘peck-an’?”

Pebbles’ antennae pinned down, and he huffed, “That…! Is what they are!”

“It's said like puh-kaan.”

“... It absolutely is not. If mine is not correct, the only other way I can imagine it is pea-can.”

“Ugh. That pains me, that physically pains me.” Sig got the burgers out of the skillet, buttering the open ends of the buns and toasting them, also adding sliced onions to the skillet, “You're a heathen.”

“You're a heathen!” Pebbles crossed his arms, but there was no malice to his words, and his tone, no matter how he tried to keep it neutral, was tinged with amusement, “Hurry up with the burgers so you can put something in your mouth and shut up.”

A smirk grew on his face, and Pebbles immediately regretted his words. Even more so after Sig spoke again, “I could put you in my mouth again.”

They just fucked! Why did THAT make Pebbles blush and struggle over his words for a second?! Ridiculous…. “Sh-Shut. Up.”

Sig chuckled, putting each patty on the buns, having made two for each of them, “Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing.” He checked the fries again, nodding. He added salt, and split them fairly evenly between the two. “Here. Enjoy.”

“... Thank you.”

“You're welcome… also it's puh-kaan.”

“I am going to search it up and laugh at you when you're wrong.”

“Good luck with that.” Sig laughed softly, adding toppings to his own burger. “Add all you want, I'll be waiting for your verdict on pecans.”

The two sat together on the couch to eat. They bickered for a moment over what to watch, before deciding on a nature documentary. And… Pebbles refused to admit that, after a quick search, Sig was correct about pecans.