Charity

by Fresa33q

Summary:

[…]The detective glanced at the shelves. He didn’t need any jawbreakers, or chocolate, and gum was the last thing he’d want to carry around mid-run. But his coat pocket was heavy with tapes — more than he’d realistically need in some time.

He found himself placing a small stack on the counter, around 14—16. “Here.”

Notes:

This is actually crazy brothers like woowie i thought i shipped Rodger and Goob's and them Dandy came and ruined it. Stands in the rain soggy with teras in my eyes as i hold this rarepair.

Chapter 1

The elevator doors slid closed with a loud sound, letting Rodger and the others relax for a bit. In the center of the platform, the familiar stand of Dandy’s shop had rose from below, stacked with gum, a chocolate, and a jawbreaker.

 

Dandy’s voice filled the air before anyone even got close. "I have new inventory!" He announced cheerfully.

 

But today nobody seemed to pay any attention to the items, calming themselves down or talking with eachother.

 

Rodger slowed his steps. The flower’s petals drooped slightly, his gaze fixed on the counter instead of the customers. Dandy sighed, a tiny sound quickly swallowed by the hum of the floor.

 

The detective glanced at the shelves. He didn’t need any jawbreakers, or chocolate, and gum was the last thing he’d want to carry around mid-run. But his coat pocket was heavy with tapes — more than he’d realistically need in some time.

 

He found himself placing a small stack on the counter, around 14—16. “Here.”

 

Dandy’s head lifted, eyes flicking from the tapes, to Rodger, back to the tapes again. “…You’re not buying anything?”

 

Rodger shook his head. “I don't really need anything.”

 

For a moment, Dandy just stared. Then he scooped the tapes into a neat pile with one arm. “…That’s….” His voice was softer than usual, missing its usual sales lilt. “Thanks for the contribution” he said, quickly returning to his more formal tone.

 

Rodger dipped his head in his silent, yet polite way to end a conversation, already stepping back toward the next floor.

 

He didn’t notice the way Dandy’s gaze followed him, eyes tracing his shape thoughtfully.

 

“…Interesting,” he murmured to himself.

 

---

 

Also uhh, Dandy design if you wanna see it! 

https://pin.it/24h8yGMgN

Chapter 2

Rodger hit the elevator with seconds to spare. He clutched his shoulder as pain bit at him where twisted Yatta had sunk her teeth. That was the second time, and now he only had 1 heart left.

 

Looey and Goob hovered close, scanning him with obvious worry. “That’s deep,” Looey said, his voice tight.

 

Tisha was already halfway to Dandy’s shop. “Medkit!” she called.

 

Rodger’s stomach sank. He knew exactly how many tapes he had left, and it wasn’t enough. The price glowed mockingly in the corner of his vision.

 

“I can't afford it,” he mumbled. The wound would slow him down. Maybe enough to get him killed next floor.

 

He sighed, already accepting the thought. “Guess I’ll—”

 

Looey’s sharp yelp cut him off. Rodger looked up, startled. Dandy looked at the detective with a rather unique stare, like when a cat watches the birds past its window, his extended hand offering a Medkit.

 

Rodger blinked. “…I can’t pay for that.”

 

“I know,” Dandy said simply. His voice was neutral, like he was doing this for mere business.

 

For a moment, Rodger just stared, not sure whether to be suspicious or… grateful. Goob signaled him to take it, (After all, what other chance would he have to be given something free from Dandy?) so he did, muttering a quiet “Thanks” 

 

Quickly, he tore the Medkit open and started patching his arm, noticing his teammates confusion. But even as the sting of disinfectant hit, he could feel Dandy’s stare lingering.

 

Chapter 3

Rodger staggered into the elevator, gritting his teeth as pain shot up his chest. Blood dripped steadily from the deep scratch, and he could feel the warm stickiness even under his coat.

 

“Rodger, you’re bleeding again!” Tisha’s voice was sharp with alarm as she stepped into the elevator, reaching for his arm.

 

“I’m fine,” he lied, pulling back.

 

Looey wasn't satified. “That’s not fine. That’s—”

 

Rodger's attention shifted, the shop platform rose from the floor. Bright lights lit a stopwatch, a stealth candy and jumper cable.

 

The detective glanced past his teammates, half-expecting the usual wave or exaggerated sales pitch directed at him—well, at them. But he wasn’t looking at his stock.

 

His breath halted. Dandy's eyes were fixed on his chest.

 

“Guys…” Looey muttered under his breath. “Is it just me, or is Dandy a bit… quiet?”

 

“A bit” Tisha agreed halfmindedly, wrapping one of her towels around Rodger's wound.

 

Rodger had to avoid Looey's confused gaze. Dandy still hadn't said anything, brows drawn together in a tiny crease that Rodger had never seen before. Concern.

 

“…You okay?” The words left Dandy almost reluctantly, like he wasn’t used to saying them.

 

Rodger's eyes snapped towards the flower. “…You talking to me?”

 

“Who else is bleeding all over my floor?” The tone was dry, but it didn't feel any agressive.

 

The others exchanged looks, eyes widening slightly.

 

Rodger chuckled. At the pain in his chest, at the subtle concern in Dandy's voice, and at how absurd this must look to everyone else. “It's fine.”

 

For a moment, the elevator felt smaller, and Dandy's expression was somewhere between wanting to punch him for lying and something akin to affection. 

 

Then, as if realizing how out-of-character he was being, Dandy straightened, his voice lifting back into that practiced cheer. “Anyway! Everything’s priced just right for you today—”

Chapter 4

Summary:

Everyone dies 😈😈😈

It started at floor 9.

 

Looey’s head dissapeared with a sickening pop before Rodger even had time to process the scream. Twisted Poppy holding the remains of his friend between her sharp teeth.

 

Then it happened again at floor 16

 

“Tisha!” Rodger shouted, but it was too late, Toodles was faster. He saw the toon's eyes go wide, then glassy, as the blow dropped her where she stood.

 

Then, at last, floor 21.

 

Always moving, always distracting. And even when his stamina was gone, even when the tail was already swinging toward him, Goob pulled Scraps away from Rodger without hesitation. One final favor. One final mistake.

 

Rodger didn’t remember running, didn't remember doing the machines. Just the echo of each loss pounding in his ears in a frenzy until the elevator doors slammed shut.

 

He stood there, swaying, joints aching, steps heavy. He was alone now.

 

The shop platform rose with its familiar hum.

 

Dandy’s smile was there, but faint. It faltered the moment his eyes swept the elevator and saw the empty space where Goob should’ve been. His petals shifted forward, almost folding in on themselves.

 

Rodger met his gaze, and for a second, neither of them moved.

 

But then, suddenly, everything came crashing down. His friends were dead, he would never see them again. Never. Not Tisha's gentle voice, not Looey's bad jokes, not Goob's soft hugs.

 

And then suddenly, the emotion was too much to bear alone, and pulled Dandy into a hug, because at least he knew he would stay.

 

The flower stiffened instantly. “What—Rodger—” he started, voice pitching higher than usual.

 

Rodger didn’t answer. His head rested against Dandy's shoulder, arms still wrapped around the warm, soft body. The scent of faint dirt and something sharp—metal, maybe—filled his senses.

 

Dandy’s words trailed into a jumble of half-formed protests before dying completely. Slowly, awkwardly, his hands hovered at Rodger’s sides, then settled there.

 

Just then, floor’s timer buzzed overhead, dragging them back to the present.

 

Dandy cleared his throat and gently pushed Rodger back, petals fluttering faintly. “You should get going.”

 

Rodger nodded once, stepping away. the shop was already sinking back into the depths.

 

After a few moments, when he was alone again, he walked towards the elevator's door, and something clinked on the floor. A smoke bomb. 

 

Very useful, now that he lacked a distractor.

Chapter 5

Summary:

Somone left a comment and i realized i have to post lololol i forgot tale this eat my children

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.

Notes:

Uhhh what? how did Rodger kiss Dandy without a mouth??

...

 

shhhhhhhh