Chapter Text
“... what have I done…?” Mr. Puzzles sobbed, staring at the bullet that Mr. WPNZ gave him, “I’m… going to fix this…”
Into the scene comes an out of breath, discombobulated Alexander. Netalie was no longer strapped to his chest. He doubled over, breathing heavily.
“Wh… what are you doing here..? Aren’t you horrified and ashamed to be… with me…?” Mr. Puzzles asked between sobs, “you saw what I did, and yet you still chase after me… why..?”
“Because I don’t care. I know that you’re still Mr. Puzzles. That you’re still MY Mr. Puzzles.” Alexander replied determinedly.
“...’you’re’ Mr. Puzzles is just an act! A fraudulent mask..! A fake…” Mr. Puzzles responded, putting the bullet back into his pocket.
“Then I’ll learn to love the real Mr. Puzzles.” Alexander said.
“Why?! Why are you so determined to love me?! After everything I’ve done you should HATE me!!” Mr. Puzzles shouted, tears lining his eyes once more.
“But I don’t hate you.” Alexander replied, offering Mr. Puzzles a hand up.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!!!” Mr. Puzzles shouted, slapping Alexander’s hand away.
“Alright, if that’s what you want..” Alexander said, walking away.
Mr. Puzzles stared in disbelief at where Alexander had just been. He hadn’t expected Alexander to be so reciprocal of his rejection. He rocked back and forth, crossing his arms over his legs and sobbing into his knees.
“NO!! WAIT ALEXANDER!!!-” Mr. Puzzles screamed into the void, sobbing, “ALEXANDER I DIDN’T MEAN IT!!! I didn’t mean it…”
Mr. Puzzles sobbed harder at the realization Alexander wasn’t coming back, he had pushed away his husband one too many times.
-at the SMG4 castle-
Alexander opened the door to the SMG4 castle and collapsed into the room, seeing his daughter sitting with Meggy. Tears fully filled his eyes after holding them in the whole walk back.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Alexander said weakly.
“You walked out on us…” Meggy replied coldly, “You ran off, for Mr. Puzzles!”
Alexander stared at Meggy, the knowledge he deserved it not softening the blow of the lecture.
“You left us here, to run off to your ‘boyfriend’, who, may I remind you, literally brainwashed and tortured us!” SMG3 shouted angrily, SMG4 stopping him from lunging at Alexander.
“I know… I’m being stupid, I’m sorry.” Alexander said, feeling guilty for still caring about Mr. Puzzles
“Alex… I… I don’t know what to say.” SMG4 said, not making eye contact with Alexander, “I guess I’m just… disappointed…”
Alexander felt an immediate surge of regret and shame wash over him. His feelings were so messy, he cared for his friends at the SMG4 crew, but a life without Mr. Puzzles felt incomplete and pointless. Is this what he’d become? A puppet dependant on their master?
Everyone else left the room to regroup, leaving Alexander, Toomp and Mr. WPNZ in the room alone.
“Hey, kid. I know how you feel.” Mr. WPNZ said sincerely.
“...What?” Alexander asked, not expecting WPNZ to talk to him.
“My time with Mr. Puzzles was brief, but he really gets ya’ right in the heart, huh?” Mr. WPNZ said, grimacing.
“Yeah, literally.” Alexander replied, “I just want him to be okay…”
“Part of me does too.” Mr. WPNZ rolled his eyes, “the stupid, stupid part of me…”
Alexander looked up at WPNZ, an older man that had clearly been through a lot, who was choosing to help Alexander instead of running off and robbing a bank or something.
“I just… I guess I can’t imagine myself without him, as dumb as that sounds…” Alexander muttered.
Mr. WPNZ just nodded.