𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐘

Chapter Ten: Lovesick

From the scribe of glitchingstxrs- .

"Glitch?" A low voice spoke, barely audible over the sounds of the battle raging around them.

They spun, eyes widening at the sight before them. Their gaze locked on his, with a sharp intake of breath. It seemed to be only those two, a gun hanging loosely from Glitch's hand, Squidward's fists slowly uncurling as they settled by his side. Their grip soon tightened once they realised who it was.

"But— you died, didn't you? What the—"

"Shush." Squidward lifted a hand, and they fell silent, mostly from shock. "Just enjoy the moment."

Glitch shook their head, the barrel of their gun lifting to come parallel with his head. "What moment?"

"This one!" He didn't seem swayed, appearing almost cocky in his apparent belief in the fact he couldn't be hurt. "Our reunion! Two long lost lovers—"

"Lovers? Are you high or something?" Glitch scoffed. "You think I fucking love you? You've done nothing but try to destroy everything I love!" They glared. "You're fucking psychotic."

"But, Glitch—"

"No!" Their voice was laced with an unfamiliar anger, causing even him to jump slightly. Glitch's hand shook, ever so slightly, as they took aim at his head. "I will never. Fucking. Love you."

Finally he seemed to quail slightly, moving back a little — but it wasn't because of them. A presence loomed behind them, practically casting a shadow, as one arm looped protectively over their shoulder, causing them to jump in surprise.

"Is there a problem here, love?" a soft voice inquired, a deep familiarity to the tone, edged with a crueller side they hadn't heard before. Glitch tilted their head upwards, met with the cold hazel eyes of Jason Dean.

"JD? I thought you were—"

"I heard shouting. What's going on here? Is he bothering you?"

"No, it's fine. I can handle this," they mumbled, pushing his hand away, though it came back just as quickly to curl around their arm as he stood next to them.

"JD, I said, I can handle this." They didn't sound angry, mainly just slightly irritated at the interruption, and maybe a little put off. But Squidward looked absolutely furious.

"Glitch, who's this?" he hissed out, teeth gritted. They blanched slightly, holding their ground nevertheless.

"Nobody of importance," they spoke curtly, the gun, lowered slightly when JD had turned up, lifting again to point towards him. "Dude, can you move?" they muttered, shaking their arm out of the other's grip. He finally let go, not stepping back, as Glitch's finger tightened on the trigger.

Squidward's expression transformed from angry to one of realisation, knowing finally that they were serious.

"Glitch, please— I love you, you have to know that—" He stared at the two of them, directly down the barrel of the gun. "This guy's bad news, I can tell— we can run away together, start a family, get some dogs, I don't know— whatever you want, just don't kill me, please—"

They shut their eyes, and a bang echoed around the room. Everyone seemed to fall silent, though it was probably just their imagination. Glitch dropped the gun in disgust, turning away, unable to move very far before someone's arms wrapped around their waist, lifting them from the ground slightly.

"Fucking— let go," they snapped, immediately pushing him away. JD of course.

"I'm proud of you. Your first kill—"

"THIS ISN'T A FUCKING GAME, JD!" they yelled suddenly, taking even him by surprise. This was completely uncharacteristic, especially for them — normally even-tempered and fairly kind. "I JUST KILLED SOMEONE! DON'T YOU GET IT?"

He didn't have time to react before they ran off, to God knows where. His eyes followed them out, carefully taking the gun from where it lay next to Squidward's body. "History repeats itself," he murmured, a small smile flashing over his features as he pocketed the gun, turning back to the battle around them, running into a group of people throwing punches. Pulling out his own pistol he re-entered the fray.