Chapter Text
Pawbert wished he could get a do-over.
Not on yesterday's laundry when he accidentally mixed Gary’s red scarf and his green sweater. (Although the resulting color mixing was actually quite nice. So it was more of a happy accident.)
When Pawbert thought about “do-over” his mind drifted back at that fated betrayal back at the Weather Wall.
“I don't want to be different.”
…Oh, well, there's another one for the list of ever-growing regrets…yay.
Thinking about it now, Pawbert never truly believed he could earn his father’s respect, Mitton just downright despised him for just existing, maybe he should've just chucked the injector over the Weather Wall and went with the others. He could've exchanged his uncaring cruel family for a loving one. He could've been the Lynxley who redeemed his family name through penance.
But no, that's just wishful thinking.
Didn't change what he did then, over what he wished now.
Pawbert sighed, laying back on the couch in the living room. It wasn't long before he felt a sudden weight on his chest.
Followed by a scaled snout poking out from his now mixed color sweater.
“Hello.” Pawbert said, smiling a bit.
“Hiya, Pawb. Just thought I borrowed your sweater.” Gary said, from underneath the wool. “I like the colors by the way, the green and red go very well with each other."
Pawbert kissed the tip of Gary’s snout as he chuckled.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Gary asked innocently.
Pawbert sighed.
“Just the various mistakes that make up my life.” Pawbert admitted.
“...you're thinking about that time, huh?”
Pawbert groaned. “Just wishing I get a do-over on that incident. Just…” Pawbert wheezed. “Everything I did back then was to get my fath- I mean, Mitton's approval.” Pawbert's eyes wetted. “I mean, he probably wouldn't care if brought him the patent-Oh god, he would've just killed me to keep me quiet.”
Gary's head popped out of his sweater, visibly concerned. “Oh, Pawb.”
The lynx was beginning to spiral off in a “What-if” spiral. “He would've just thrown me into the ravine as soon as I handed the patent, I would have been trapped at the bottom of a dark pit alone, with both my legs broken, I would rot away in that hole until I had to eat my own limbs to survive.”
Gary tilted his head: “I find that very unlikely, despite the fact you are very sweet.”
“Technically, flesh doesn't taste sweet. But I wouldn't know.” Pawbert said, snapping out of his spiral.
Gary wrapped around the Lynx's body underneath the mixed color sweater. “You know, sometimes I wished you made a different choice back then too.”
Pawbert's heart dropped. “Oh.”
“But then I realized that wouldn't be fair for you.” Gary said, pressing his head against the Lynx's own. “You were confused, and possibly abused, and in a bad place. And that I couldn't leave you there forever.”
“Is that why you visited me? You…pitied me?” Pawbert asked, eyes still wet.
“I told you, I missed the hugs. And I believed you could be better, and I was right.” Gary said, his tail slithering through Pawbert's sleeve and into his hand as they intertwined around Pawbert's paw. “And besides, everybody makes plenty of mistakes, remember that time I accidentally fanged the chief of police?”
“Oh, bet he was mad when he got better.” Pawbert chuckled a bit as he wiped his tears from his eyes.
“Hey! I made him a get well card!” Gary pouted. “With crayons, and drawings, and stickers.”
Pawbert burst out in laughter for a bit. While Gary continued to pout.
“Yeah…” Pawbert said softly. He held the tail-wrapped paw up to his and Gary’s eye-level. “We both made mistakes, but…” Pawbert hesitated. “I wouldn't change anything If it means not being where I am now…with you.”
“Pawb, you loafy lynx!” Gary said, squeezing him tightly. “I'm glad I'm with you too!” He began to kiss his face lovingly as the Lynx laughed giddy.
“Okay! I get it!” Pawbert said, pushing him away playfully.
“Want to order out?” Gary asked.
“Yeah, I feel like not moving from this couch for a while.” Pawbert said, reaching for his new phone. “Pizza with crickets?”
“Yes please!” Gary said, eyes widened. The snake then got into a comfortable position where he could hold the lynx more.
“I'll get the large, one side cricket, one side anchovies. And a soda.” Pawbert looked at his boyfriend. “Any side suggestions?” Pawbert asked.
“Ooh, get some desert, I really want to try their cinnamon sticks.”
Pawbert nodded, placing the order, before he and the serpent got comfortable on the couch.
“Maybe this outcome wasn't so bad.” Pawbert thought as he drifted off.