Chapter Text
A bark was enough to make Rodger freeze. His head swirled around, looking for the creature he most feared. Twisted pebble rounded by a far corner, but that didn't ease Rodger's worries, there were still many machines to complete.
Well, this had to happen at some point, after all, it was actually a miracle he hadn't come across twisted pebble for 37 floors.
He walked though the map quickly, avoiding Pebble as much as he could, but the flicker of hope he had when he was finishing the tenth machine died away quickly. Twisted pebble barked and growled at the sight of Rodger, running towards him, and as much as the detective hated to admit it, he wasn't a runner.
The dog caught up quickly, biting Rodger's leg, he shrieked and trashed, but it was useless.
However, a loud crash interruped his fear as the dog was knocked away, and he barely managed to turn around—still in the floor— to see two twisteds fighting with teeth and claw. One of the twisteds had rainbow accents.
After some moments, he realized his breath was calming down, and he eyed his leg warily as blood oozed out of it. He tried to stand up, clenching his leg as a jolt of pain ran through his body, he had to stand up or the twisteds—
The…twisteds. Everything was suddenly so silent, he looked up only to have his progress on standing up be wasted as he fell backwards, startled.
Barely a few steps away from him, a pair of glowing red eyes stared at him.
And it was familiar. Like when a cat watches the birds past its window.
His breath skidded to a halt as he watched. Dandy didn't had any concrete expression, he just stared right into his eyes.
Rodger wasn't sure why, but he suddenly felt very nervous. Not like the nervous you get when a dangerous twisted is near, but another kind.
…An intriguing kind.
And Dandy wasn't doing anything dangerous, was he? He had just saved him, after all…
His hand raised towards Dandy's face, slowly, as one would approach a wild animal. Dandy didn't move, but Rodger noted the way his tail lashed as his hand came closer and closer, until it rested on his forehead.
Rodger's heart staggered, the feeling of the scales covering the twisted's skin a welcome sensation. He laughed, disbelief flooding his senses, but that seemed to snap the flower out of whatever spell he was under, and Dandy flinched away, slithering back into the shadows.
Later, when he returned to the elevator with two hearts remaining, he was surpised to find Dandy—normal Dandy— back in his shop.
Rodger didn't Buy anything, at least not this time. He just stared.
Dandy avoided his gaze, looking somewhat ashamed, and he wondered if the flower didn't meant to transform like that, or if maybe, he hadn't thought it through. He wanted to ask the question that was nagging him the most.
Why did you help me?
But he didn't have the courage, so instead, Rodger hummed. “So i guess you do have a twisted after all.” he stated, curiosity creeping in, he was a detective after all.
Dandy made a sound, looking down. Rodger realized just then that Dandy had a tail, wrapped neatly by his legs.
…Uh. That's unexpected.
He looked up to find the Dandy's eyes staring back. The other blinked, stumbling over his own words. “Well yeah—But uh, i don't…it's not—”
Rodger stared again. “I like it” he finally said, “It's pretty impressive.”
Dandy's eyes widened, then his expression shifted. He clasped a hand over his mouth and quickly turned away. Rodger noticed the way his tail lashed. He didn't miss how his pupils glowed slightly red.
He may or may not have seen a faint tint of red in his face too.
“I'm glad.” Dandy purred, in a way that made Rodger's insides stir pleasantly.
A sudden thought then clouded his better judgement, his high intelect—which he took pride on—was currently crumbling under the sight of Dandy being so incredibly not used to compliments that he was morphing into whatever beast looked him in the eyes the last floor.
“…Dandy, look at me.” he said simply, intrusive thoughts leading his actions.
Dandy let out a breath, going still for a moment before turning to make eye contact, hands locked behind him. He looked…normal again, Rodger didn't quite like that.
…Or, maybe, he just liked flustered Dandy the most.
He took a step forward, reaching out to feel the fabric in the flower's bandana between his fingers. Dandy freezed, tail lashing and breath held.
Then, Rodger pulled, crashing into a kiss, Dandy didn't even had time to react before Rodger let go, stepping back as the shop retreated into darkness.