Chapter Text
The nights have been fairly good on Stan, warm with a nice cool breeze to challenge it. The warm glow of the fire gave view to his surroundings. Trees surrounded every inch around except for the small clearing he found for a quick nap and to rest. He’d been busy patrolling the forest for requested materials, statues, or really anything that caught his eye. It's been 2 days out alone, 1 more day of walking until he got back. Admittedly being out here was better than being cooped up in that castle — although being with Xeno could top anything.
Crack
His head wiped around to the sudden sound. A twig snapped, maybe an animal? Wolf, coyote, and raccoon should have been there — Instead of a hungry curious animal something else stood there frozen. What stood before him pulled the air from his lungs until he was breathless. Hair stood from his neck and goosebumps riddled his arms.
It was Xeno. Not Just Xeno but young Xeno, or at least a child that looked eerily identical. The possibility of that being.. Xeno is 0 to none. Just who the hell is that?
The kid’s silver hair reflected the warm oranges, the voids in his eyes were glued to Stan — standing just as breathless as he was. The breeze roared through the trees until it hit them both, reminding them to breathe.
After what really may have been minutes Stanley finally stood up. “Xeno?” He whispered, into the now still air between them. The harsh crack of the embers almost louder.
“H-How do you know my name?” The boy stared wide eyed at him, not daring to move or utter a word. The rocket that peaked out from his white coat was clutched tightly to his side. Everything told him to run, but something about this man made him feel — safe.
Is — is this some kind of dream? It's unlikely that he ate a mushroom or plant that's causing this weird trip. If not that though then what? The kid or rather Xeno looked about 12 or 13. About a year or so after they met. Even the kids' dorky clothes were just the same. A pristine white lab coat that hung inches from the forest floor. Pants that fit rather oversize yet he always made it work. He wore the same sneakers his Xeno did until Stanley spilt some chemicals with a name he couldn't be bothered to remember.
His legs brought him closer to the slowly approaching boy, either from sheer curiosity or disbelief. He stopped just inches from Xeno and knelt down, unable to tear away from the deep black ocean he always found himself drowning in.
“Xeno Houston Wingfield?” That name was honey from his tongue. Oh how he imagined his own last name as Wingfield many years ago. Why now the memories?
Xeno’s face furrowed, like he was inspecting some unknown material he's used before. He looked at Stan as a whole. Inspecting not only his face but every inch of him. “Are you related to the Snyders?”
Stanley smiled, not a fake one but a true genuine teethy smile. It was him — it was Xeno.
“Yeah, I am actually. Names Stanley, Stanley Snyder.” Something about seeing Little Xeno in the flesh glossed his eyes, tears threatening to spill.
“Stanley?” The boy raised an eyebrow. “I know of someone by that name, he looks just identical to you. I was just with him moments ago, seen him?”
“Science tastes like pickled slime suckers.” Stanley hoped those words were familiar. That alone would confirm this was 100% Xeno. It was a silly code they made up at their 1st sleepover. They had just finished a Alien movie where the main guy got caught in a time loop. Luckily he was surrounded by friends and managed to convince them to help him out. So that night Xeno came up with the saying, it was more of an identifier if anything. Its job was to let the other know of time travel or time loops — or really anything.
Xeno’s rocket fell from his grasp, this man — could it be?. “Stanley.”
“I can’t believe it.” Stanley immediately embraced Xeno, the boy small against him.
“To close.” The words were muffled against Stanley's chest. Little arms began to push Stanley back, and so Stanley freed him from his grasp.
“You look like a girl.” Xeno’s pale fingers reached out to the waxy purple lipstick. Then his fingers trailed over the deep black scars across Stanley’s face. He stifled a laugh “When did I not look like one?”
“True, but more so now with this purple, it's quite elegant on you though.”
“You made it for me, long time ago. That was when we were teenagers.” Stanley swiped the pad of his thumbs over his lips, the purple streak bright on his glove. The familiar memories played in the background.
“Was I cool?”
“The coolest.”
“What's with the getup? It’s just as elegant!” Xeno grabbed Stanley's arm and brought it closer, inspecting the material and craft of it all.
“You designed it.”
“Me?” Xeno looked up, his other hand pointing back to him.
“Well Adult Xeno, clothes are a little different in the Stone world.”
“Can I see me? How old are you? How old am I? The other Xeno. Stone world? Where are we?” The questions came one after another without end. Xeno couldn't hide the excitement that beamed from him. The thought of seeing himself as an adult excited him to no end.
His rapid questions came to a sudden halt as gloved hands squeezed his cheeks annoyingly “Hey! Stop that asshole.”
Stanley chuckled "Language" he reprimanded. seeing this big forehead, bright eyed boy was too cute. He couldn't help it. After a moment of Xeno struggling to push the strong arms away, failing miserably of course since his flimsy arms couldn't budge Stanley. He finally let go.
“I’ll explain as much as I can if you quit your yappin for a moment.”
“Alright, fine.” Xeno sat criss crossed where he stood with a huff, patiently waiting for Stanley's explanation.
The warm glow of embers died as the hours of the night grew longer. Stanley had explained as much as he could in excessive detail. Because Xeno was gonna pry any details he could, so it was either now or later.
Xeno’s eyelids grew heavy, the warm summer breeze a blanket of comfort pulling him to the soft green moss.
Stanley ruffled the silver locks, ruining the perfectly put pompadour — earning him a string of insults. “Alright, get some sleep, I can take you to Xeno tomorrow.”