Partners In Justice

Chapter Thirty-Eight- His Hero

"So, Anti... Have you considered it?"

Anti turned to Dark with a questioning expression, "considered what?" Dark smiled, "you dumbass... I've already told you. You don't have to live with the Septics... But you've long since been accepted into THIS family. And that depressing apartment shit you call a 'home' is not cutting it... Have you considered my offer, partner?" 

Anti huffed, actually thinking about it for a second... He loved the Ipliers, he really did... But... "It's fine if you don't want to... I'll support whatever decision you make. I'll ALWAYS be there for you, no matter what. And... I know that I'm a villain, that's all I'll ever be, but... You AREN'T a villain, nor a hero, that much is true... You're a victim that needs someone there for them. A friend... A family." Dark took a deep breath and hugged Anti's head to his chest.

"I'll be your hero."

Anti didn't know what to think... He couldn't, really. So, he just let it all out. All of the pain, all of the emotions, all the times he looked towards the phone but had no one to call, all of the times he looked at that knife a different way... He finally let it all out. 

He gripped his friend's coat tightly, feeling the tears start to stream down his cheeks. And yet, he smiled, his voice hoarse as he spoke. "You're no villain, asshole..."

Dark already WAS his hero.

Always... And forever.

For once, he felt he was truly loved.

"I beg to differ... If I weren't a villain, why would I need a partner in crime? And last I checked; I need you." Dark softly hummed, flipping off Illinois, who gave them a suggestive look. "Kinky... But you're wrong. What set of partners in crime in the past have been so insistent on true justice?... Nah. You've always been the hero of this story." Anti looked up and flashed his signature grin, although tears still cascaded down his face.

The partners chuckled together, wiping off the tears and the pain... It wasn't time to get caught up in the past. 

This was a time of new beginnings. 

"You know what...? Sure. Fuck being alone... That shite sucks after so long." Anti shrugged, as if that had been an easy decision for him. "Oh, trust me... I fucking know. It gets boring after a couple years... But after about a hundred, you start going insane." Dark rolled his eyes, making his friend snicker. "And you said I needed a therapist... Once again, I was right; you need one FAR more than I do." 

"Boys, boys, you're both emotionally scarred, no need to compare and make us all feel worse!" Mark scoffed jokingly, hands on his hips. "We don't have the kind of money to get everyone a therapist..." Sean chuckled nervously. "Oh, what are you TALKING about?! I am a MAN that owns FIVE OVENS!" Mark huffed, grinning goofily.

"Alright, that's enough... We have doctors for a reason." Dark solved the situation simply. "Goddammit." Edward cursed under his breath, flipping off the dark ego. 

"Anyways... Since Anti is living here... Does that mean we ARE adopting him?!" Yan squealed. "Uhh-" Dark furrowed his brow, but Anti was chill with it. "He's OFFICIALLY the second Dad of the house!" Yan lunged at Anti and trapped him in a bear hug. "I think you mean 'Ma'!" Blank snickered, earning confirmation from Yan, who also thought that was funnier. 

"...Are you seriously okay with this?" Dark turned to his friend, who was gently pushing the children away. "Eh. Might as well happen. I doomed myself to 'cat-lady' and 'Ma' when I started saying 'kittens' as Con. Don't worry, I'll get payback." Anti shrugged it off, before smirking at Dark, "although I'm sure you just don't like the idea of sharin' ta 'kits' wit' me, eh? Ya greedy asshat~ if ya want me ta live 'ere so badly, ya gotta share ta family~!" the glitch snickered teasingly. If Dark's dead-ass grey body COULD blush, it would. "I don't know what you're talking about! Those aren't MY kids!... And I don't mind sharing anything with you." 

"That's kind of gay-"

"Fuck off."

The dark egos glared at Marvin, who really didn't have room to talk. Jackie leaned over his little brother and grabbed his shoulder, dragging him further away from the two. "Hey! I was just being honest! They SO give me gay vibes, and I'D know!" Marvin remarked sassily, just to be silenced by his brother hitting him on the head. "Ow! Since when were YOU the mature one?!"

"Anyways... Since we're done with all the sappy shite and the explanation... Who wants food?" Anti always had the best ideas.