The Unlikely Trio (High School AU) [Unfinished]

A weekover (Part 4)

When Chili Pepper and Licorice arrived home, they sat the sack down on the stairs. Licorice walked up and knocked on the door. Dark Enchantress opened the door and stared at him in disappointment. "It's about time, it's been 15 minutes ever since we set up dinner!" she snarled. "Sorry mom..." Licorice mumbled. "For the last time, stop mumbling! Just get inside, it's getting dark!" Dark Enchantress opened the door wider so they could walk in.

Chili Pepper tossed the sack to Licorice, and he held it up to Dark Enchantress, but that only made her more angry. "Why are you handing THAT to me? Do you expect me to put this away for you?" she snarled. Licorice sighed, and headed towards the kitchen to put the groceries away. When he went in front of the kitchen door, he looked at Clover and his siblings who all looked impatient. "Took you long enough, Licorice Cookie. Our food's getting cold" Pomegranate said. Licorice just rolled his eyes, and went to open the cabinets. "So, how was your trip to the shop?" Clover asked him. "Oh, fine. Chili Pepper was surprisingly a big help" Licorice said, opening the fridge. "Was she? Wow, I can't believe you guys actually got along" Clover smiled. "Clover, enough of this. Neither Licorice or Chili Pepper are important right now" Pomegranate said. "Uhm... okay then" Clover said. "Sup everyone, uh, heard we're having spaghetti" Chili Pepper walked in and leapt on a chair. Once Dark Enchantress got herself settled with the rest of them, she stared at Clover. He noticed this and felt a little bit uncomfortable.

"So, Clover Cookie, is it?" she asked. "Uhm, yes ma'am" Clover said. "Hm, well, you're a handsome boy" she grinned. "Uh... thanks ma'am..." Clover smiled, awkwardly. "Perfect for my perfect daughter" she added. Clover was confused. "Pardon?" his smile was wearing off. "Tell me, would you be able to take out my daughter some time?" she asked. He turned to Pomegranate who was smiling a little bit. "Uhm, like... in a platonic way, right?" he asked. Dark Enchantress frowned. "You know exactly what I mean, little boy" she snarled. Clover flushed. "You... you don't mean a date, d-do you!?" he exclaimed. Pomegranate smiled, putting her hands on her cheeks.

"Ooh! Clover's gonna get himself a girlfriend!" Chili Pepper laughed. "Ma'am, you've got the wrong guy, I'm not suitable to be a boyfriend, and I'm definitely not suitable for someone as... beautiful as your daughter" Clover stammered. "I know what I said" she snapped. "I can see our fate together" Pomegranate smiled, wrapping her arms on his. Clover gulped. He wasn't ready for this type of relationship and he didn't feel that way for Pomegranate. "Aren't you a lucky guy!?" Chili Pepper laughed, punching his other arm. Clover was speechless. He turned red out of embarrassment. "Ooh, someone's blushing!" Chili Pepper couldn't help but laugh. He looked down at his lap, hoping she would stop, but then he couldn't help but notice that Licorice looked unhappy. Very unhappy. So unhappy, he didn't even finish his dinner, and left the table.

"What's with him? Is he okay?" Clover asked. "Never mind him, he's not important" Dark Enchantress said. What does this house have against Licorice? Clover thought. Clover asked if he could be excused. Fortunately for him, he was, and when you're a guest at Dark Enchantress' house, that's pretty rare. He decided to go check on Licorice. He knocked on his door and waited for an answer, but there wasn't. "Licorice? Can I come in? I wanna know if you're okay!" he called out. He opened the door a crack to see him sitting on his bed, staring out the window. Clover walked up to him and asked "Licorice? Is everything okay?". "Huh? Yeah, yeah I'm fine" Licorice mumbled. "You didn't look fine when you left the table. Something's definitely eating you" Clover said. "I'm fine, I just wasn't hungry" Licorice mumbled, continuing to look out the window.

Clover sat on the bed next to him. "You sure nothing's wrong?" he asked again. "Yeah, pretty sure" Licorice said. "Want a hug just in case?" Clover asked. "A HUG!?" Licorice exclaimed. Clover stared at him in silence. "Do you... not like hugs?" Clover asked. "No no no, it's not that, I just... no one's ever offered me a hug before" Licorice stammered. Clover almost gasped. "Ever?" Clover asked. "Yeah... ever" Licorice mumbled. "Well... do you want one?" Clover asked. Licorice nodded.

Clover hugged him tightly from behind, but then shivered. "Goodness, your dough is... cold" he said. "Gee... thanks" Licorice mumbled, sarcastically. "Sorry, that was rude of me" Clover said, continuing to keep his arms wrapped around Licorice. They were both very silent, and it made the hug feel a bit awkward. Clover then felt Licorice's dough get warmer. "Oh, now your dough's heating up" he said. "O-Okay, that's enough" Licorice said, gently pushing him off. "Oh, well, do you feel any better?" Clover asked, smiling. "Yeah, I guess I feel a little better" Licorice mumbled. "...Licorice... Cookie...?" said a voice that came from outside the door. There stood the child with the purple hair. "Oh you, c'mere, you little rascal!" Licorice shouted happily, holding his arms out. Poison Mushroom walked to him with their arms out. Licorice picked them up and squeezed them like they were a stress toy.

"Oh, isn't this Poison Mushroom Cookie?" Clover asked. "Mhm, best sibling one could have!" Licorice smiled. Something about Licorice's smile made Clover feel funny, but in a good way. "...want a... shroomie?" Poison Mushroom asked. "Eh... just this once" Licorice said. They held up a bright purple mushroom that looked pretty enough to lure any cookie in. Licorice took it and put it on his desk. "Wait, your other sibling, Strawberry Crepe. They said it's best to keep a distance from them since they have poisonous spores" Clover said. "Oh, those? Meh, I'm used to those" Licorice shrugged, picking Poison Mushroom up. "You're... used to poison?" Clover asked. "Well, I guess in a way I am" Licorice said, hugging Poison Mushroom. "Wow, so you have to deal with poison fumes and spores, like, everyday?" Clover asked. "Yep, but it's not so bad. You get used to the strong aroma after some time" Licorice chuckled. Clover chuckled with him. It made them both feel good.

Pomegranate ruined their moment by barging in. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked, even though she knew she clearly did. "What do you want now?" Licorice groaned, irritated. "I came to inform Clover that it's near bedtime. You and your... friend will need a place to rest, won't you?" Pomegranate smiled that mischievous smile again. "Uh, of course" Clover awkwardly smiled. "Mother already set you up to rest with me for tonight" Pomegranate smiled. Clover quietly groaned. "Okay... what about Chili Pepper?" he asked. "Oh, her? She's sleeping on the couch downstairs" she said. Licorice and Clover looked at each other. Both of them couldn't help, but feel somewhat bad for Chili Pepper. "Now come, Clover. I'll give you a soft night gown" Pomegranate gently took his hand.
As she was pulling him out the room, Clover looked back at Licorice. He looked unhappy again. Don't worry, Licorice. I'll be back... later, I guess Clover thought.